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NEWS / A3 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 284 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024
President slams ‘criminal plot’ Says VP must answer funds misuse issue, not resort to drama
By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. condemned the threats to his life issued by the Vice President, noting that “this kind of criminal plotting must not be ignored.” “It is alarming to hear statements of unrestrained cursing and threats to kill some of us,” Mr. Marcos said, breaking his silence on the issue. “If it is that easy to plan the assassination of a president, what more for ordinary citizens?” he added. The President vowed to uphold the Constitution and ensure accountability. “This kind of criminal plotting must not be ignored. It is something I will firmly oppose,” he said. The President issued the stronglyworded statement after Vice President Sara Duterte lashed out against the First Couple and his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez. The Vice President said she contacted an assassin to kill the presidential couple and Romualdez if something happened to her. Duterte eventually explained her threat was “maliciously taken out of logical context” as it was conditional. Mr. Marcos likewise criticized efforts to hinder the ongoing investiga-
STRAIGHT TALK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addresses the nation concerning death threats against him and the First Lady, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all Filipinos. Inset shows Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez delivering his message of support to the President at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. PCO/Ver Noveno tions in Congress, where issues involving public accountability are being fleshed out. Mr. Marcos said the “political drama” would not have happened if all individuals appeared and cooperated in the House panel’s investigation into
the Vice President’s use of confidential funds. “Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang (The truth must not be silenced),” he said, referring to the bloody war on drugs during his predeNext page
Sara says kill remark ‘taken out of logical context’ By Rachelle Tonelada and Maricel V. Cruz VICE President Sara Duterte on Monday defended her controversial remarks about allegedly plotting the assassination of President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, insisting that they were “maliciously taken out of logical context.” The VP made this point in an open
“I would like to see a copy of the notice of meeting with proof of serPro-Sara Davao rally vice, the list of attendees, photos of the still up in air—PDP meeting, and the notarized minutes of meeting where the Council, whether NEWS / A3 present or past, resolved to consider the remarks by a Vice President against a letter to the National Security Council President, maliciously taken out of logi(NSC) after it stated that it considers cal context, as a national security con“all threats to President Marcos as seri- cern,” Duterte wrote. Next page ous and a matter of national security.”
DOJ subpoenas VP Sara, tags her ‘mastermind’ in kill threat By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes THE Department of Justice on Monday labeled Vice President Sara Duterte the “mastermind” of a plot to assassinate the President and gave her five days to respond to a subpoena. “The government is taking action to protect our duly elected president,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres told reporters Monday. “The premeditated plot to assassinate the president as declared by the
self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences... and the legal consequences arising out of this criminal plot will be dealt with the full force of the law.” Speaking to reporters, Duterte said she planned to respond to the subpoena. “I will gladly answer the questions they want to ask, but they must answer my questions as well,” she said. “We’ll just talk there when I get the subpoena.” Next page
AFP belies online posts saying troops ‘mobilizing’ around VP By Rex Espiritu THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned the public against disinformation circulating over the internet suggesting that certain quarters in the military are ‘mobilizing’ around embattled Vice President Sara Duterte. In an online statement on Monday,
IN THE HOUSE. Vice President Sara Duterte engages in a discussion yesterday with committee Chairman Rep. Joel Chua, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales Jr. and Deputy Speaker David ‘Jayjay’ Suarez during a short break of the Committee on Good Government and Public hearing on the OVP’s confidential funds at the People’s Center in the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno
PBMM appoints caretaker team while on UAE visit By Charles Dantes
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus CrispPRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Remulla, and Agrarian Reform has designated a caretaker committee Chief Conrado Estrella have been while he is in the United Arab Emirates named as members of the said care(UAE) for an official visit. taker committee.
According to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez, the three officials will oversee key government functions during the President’s official trip. Next page
the AFP said these so-called reports are “completely false and misleading.” “These claims come from unreliable sources and are not supported by any official AFP releases. Such misinformation only serves to create unnecessary panic and confusion,” it added. Next page
Geopolitical tensions drive oil prices up By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL firms raised pump prices by as much as P1.15 per liter effective 6am Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, PetroGazz, and PTT Philippines issued separate advisories of the latest oil price hike of P1.15 per liter for gasoline, P1.10 per liter for diesel, and kerosene by P0.80
per liter. The other oil companies are expected to follow suit, Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Director Rodela Romero said last week’s oil prices went up due to worsening geopolitical tensions. Next page