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World’s largest solar, battery facility breaks ground in N. Ecija
FIVE LOCAL SPEAKER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR AKAP HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS NEWS//A3 A2
ISRAEL CONTINUES MARCOS: EXPAND TO POUND HEZBOLLAH SEEDLING NURSERIES NEWS / A3 WORLD A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 1616 PAGES •• P20 30,2024 2024•• VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 280• 3 SECTIONS PAGES P20•MONDAY, •FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 22,
PNP resurrecting probe Marcos eyes granting MaryPCSO Janeofficial's clemency into slay Veloso says grateful, elated for chance to return to PH
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
By Charles Dantes and Joel Zurbano By Rio N. Araja
P T
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is considering clemency HE Philippine for Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas National Police Filipina worker (PNP) is convicted reopeningof drug trafficking in Indonesia whointo is set to return to the its investigation Philippines soon. of the 2020 murder Philippine Charity "We will see. We will see... This is the first time something like this has happened,” President Marcos said. Sweepstakes Office Veloso, who was jailed for 14 years in Indonesia was ar(PCSO) board secretary rested in 2010 for smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin and later Wesley Barayuga. sentenced to death by firing squad.
She has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that Sunday, human PNP Chief Police anOn international trafficking syndicate duped her. General Francisco MarVelosoRommel on Thursday said she was "elated" to be returning home bil said he brokered ordered between the reopening after a deal the twoof nations. Next page the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by By Rex Espiritu and Rachelle Tonelada providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his THE "US Force Ayungin" in the West Philvehicle andTask the funding necessaryassembled to ippine A WEB missions OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it Sea out. has no "direct participation" in resupply to The the whistleblower BRP Sierra Madre grounded on theComm shoal,hearing National which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic also implicated adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said. incumbent National Police Comtrade and extrajudicial killings. Año clarified the US troops onlu provides support to the WORLD'S LARGEST. President Ferdinand missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in AyunR. Marcos, Jr. presides over the groundbreaking of planning of the murder. ginBarayuga Shoal. was a retired police the Meralco Terra Solar Project in Gapan, Nueva “They providing to us, for example, intelliEcija which is expected to be operational in 2027. general andarelawyer who support supposedly gence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and maritime doConstruction has begun on what is slated to be the threatened to expose corruption withTheybefore help by world's largest integrated solar and battery storage inmain the awareness. PCSO shortly hegiving was information,” he said. direct participation, (the resupply misfacility. PCO shot“On deadactual in Mandaluyong City. sion) is purely and an solely a Philippine operation—the Garma, herself ex-police Lt. forces THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities Next Tony page Yang sought to Colonel, allegedly gained the top businessman Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said spot at the PCSO because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of Vice President organized crime. members argued illegal POGOs. (OVP) and Department ByHowever, MaricelHouse V. Cruz ofAmong Education (DepEd) confidential Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions the companies implicated and intelligence (CIF). HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz funds Technology Inc. the sidelines of theCo. ‘Tabang broke his silence on Deputy financialSpeaker controCommittee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior and On Xionwei Technology Ltd., Bicol, are Tindog Oragon’ mission versies hounding President Sara ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio GonzalesVice Jr. of Pampanga which being linkedrelief to alleged in Albay, he pointed out that only Duterte, challenging her to Suarez shed light down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David of kidnapping. Duterte how she on the alleged misuse of Office of the criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The could two fully firmsexplain supposedly “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang fore is examines how Chinese spies Bytop Joel having a fake Philippine birth the andZurbano through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his managed to entered the country by certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. posing as employees of gaming enTHE Senate committee investigatYang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Next page terprises. ing Philippine Offshore Gaming Op“We have gathered new informaerators (POGOs) is set to wrap up its tion, particularly regarding the presprobe on November 26, but not be-
US Task Force Ayungin only supports PH military—Año
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
By Charles Dantes and Alena Mae Flores PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the PAGASA groundbreaking of the 3,500-hectare Meralco Terra Solar Project, the world's largest integrated solar and battery storage facility, in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. In his speech, Mr. Marcos underscored the project’s potential to meet the Philippines’ growing energy demands, transition to sustainable energy, and significantly reduce carbon emissions. "Once fully operational by 2027, this THE government readied P1.48 facility will deliverhas3,500 megawatts billion worth of aid for communipeak of solar power to the Luzon grid, ties may be hit hard by typhoon withthat4,500 megawatt-hour battery ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says said couldat energy storage," the President turn into a supertyphoon. ceremonies launching the construction of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAof As the project. GASA raised Tropical Next Cyclone page Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
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PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in had spent taxpayers’ money. a speech delivered at up, the take UN the Gen"She should show oath, eral Assembly in New York said the speak, and explain. Because even Philippines to emphasize among hercontinues subordinates, it appears the of upholding thethe that“importance only one [person] knows how rule of were law and the Romualdez integrity oftold therefunds spent,” multilateral system in the faceNext of topage porters in Filipino. day’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” ence of Chinese in the PhilHe added that thespies country is also ippines through POGOs,” recognized as the “first AsianSenator ReRisa Hontiveros told the Kapihan sa Next page Senado forum on Thursday. She also noted that there are still
Romualdez urges VP Duterte to face House probe
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
Senate capping POGO saga by probing Chinese spies
Navy spokes debunks China claim EJK task force of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
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TABANG BIKOL. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, assisted by
House Appropriations Committee Chair and Ako Bikol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado, leads the ceremonial payout of BAUTISTA cash assistance to persons with disabilities during the Tabang Bikol-Tindog Oragon relief caravan yesterday at the Jessie Robredo Coliseum in Naga City. Roy Pelovello
By Rex Espiritu
By Darwin Amojelar
Speaker's initiative delivers P850m aid to 170K cyclone-hit Bicolanos
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. By Rosas Olarte “The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Marin a Viber message, referring to the tin G. Romualdez along with Ako website that published the said story. Bicol party-list Rep. and Appro“Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. priations Committee Chairperson Bilyonaryo reported online that Zaldy Co launched the "Tabang Bi“Bautista and his long-time protege in col, Tindog Oragon" initiative proPhilippine Airlines, Undersecretary for viding substantial aid to Bicolanos Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are affected by recent tropical cyclones. at the center of the storm after it was In collaboration with the DepartNext page
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West PhilipmentSea of (WPS). Social Welfare and Depine velopment (DSWD), made the initiative China reportedly the anallocated P850 million to assist nouncement coinciding withapthe proximately 170,000 Maritime beneficiaries fourth Multilateral Coacross the Bicol Region. operative Activity between the "Our sincerest gratitudeJapan, to Philippines, Australia, Speaker Martin and the House of New Zealand, and the United Representatives for bringing hope States within Manila’s exclusive and concrete assistance to economic zone (EEZ) in theourrepeople.waters Through thisthe program, we gional over weekend. Next page Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
has 60 days to submit findings
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe A DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) any exercise, we have to underofficial said the task force created to stand that sometimes, China is investigate alleged extrajudicial killdoing this for their internal audiings (EJKs) during the Duterte adminence, right? For them not to look istration's war on drugs has 60 days to weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad determine if cases will be filed over the said. controversial anti-narcotics program. Two Chinese warships were DOJ Undersecretary Raul monitored at a distance ranging Vasquez, quoted by an ABS-CBN from eight to 14 nautical miles. News report, said: "The task force One of these went up to 1,000 has 60 days to provide an update and yards at the MMCA site but evento find out what cases will be filed or tually went away. “It was not what steps to take next, and if there threatening, just normal,” accordare any cases ripe for a preliminary Next Next page page investigation."
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA WORLD OF and OZPresident AT SMand SUPERMALLS. is calling! Embark Vice President COO of Golden, ABC,Get Inc.ready—Oz (The Penshoppe Group) on Alice a spellbinding journey as SM Supermalls nationwide transform into enchanting T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, portals to the of Oz.and From vibrant,of glowing facades to immersive cinema activations, SM PRAworld President Chairman Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Supermalls invite step into magicalof universe of Wicked. S. Claudio, and you PRAto Director andthe President Sportshouse Int’l. Follow Leisure,the Inc.glowing and green path to your nearest SM Supermall andMars let the magic of Wicked take you on an proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award C. Chua unforgettable adventure!