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FIVE LOCAL DA chief backs HOLIDAYS IN OCT. declaration of NEWS / A3 rice emergency ISRAEL CONTINUES
TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
RECONVENING BICAM NOT AN OPTION–PBBM NEWS / A2
By Othel V. Campos
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco WORLD / A6 Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed support for a proposed rice emergency declaration, which would address persistently high rice prices. He pointed out that such a declaration would empower the National Food Authority (NFA) to release its buffer stock at affordable prices. "If declaring a rice emergency allows us to sell NFA's nearly 6 million bags of rice at flexible prices to the public, then that's definitely a good move," Tiu Laurel said on Thursday. The DA is also intensifying efforts to combat rice profiteering by introducing competition through the Rice-for-All program. The agriculture secretary said his agency aims to make affordable rice more accessible to Filipino consumers by expanding the program's reach and
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 308• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 •
FREE MRT, MR RIDES TODAY, SAYS DOTR NEWS / A3
PNP resurrecting probe No need to rush in granting Veloso clemency—PBBM into PCSO official's slay PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. resident Ferdinand “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying overJr. theyesterday next 24-36 Marcos hours as it moves towards Batanes said it was still too and/or Babuyan Islands. With the early for him on current trend in to its decide intensification, the possibility of reaching the calls for clemency ofsuper typhoon category is not ruled out,” convicted PAGASA saiddrug in itscourier advisory.Mary Jane Veloso.the National DisasMeanwhile, ter Risk Reduction and Manage"We still have to have a look rement Council (NDRRMC) saidatthat what is. family And then of aally total of her 1.9 status million food course, worth we're aware the request for packs P1.48of billion, other clemency her,P276 frommillion, her family," food itemsfrom worth and he told reporters on the worth sidelines of non-food items (NFIs) P919 the change-of-command of the Philmillion were already prepared by ippine Air Force inofPasay City. the Department Social Welfare President added "it would take andThe Development (DSWD). a long time" before it could deterSome P171 million in be standby minedis whether or not for freeing Veloso fund also available utilization wasthe "appropriate." by DSWD, including P123 milIndonesian government did lion"The which can be allotted as Quick not give any conditions. it's really Response Fund (QRF) So, in the cenup to us. But we're still at the very tral office of the DSWD. preliminary stage," said. In Batanes, theheProvincial DiVeloso's byManageMigrante saster Risksupporters Reductionledand International church-based Task ment Office and (PDRRMO) advised Force SavetoMary Jane haveroofs launched residents secure their and a signature campaign urging the Presiinstall window shutters as Typhoon dent to is grant clemency Veloso. Julian expected to to make landfall In a separate interview, Justice UnNext page dersecretary Jesse Andres said the Board of Pardons and Parole would have to study the grant of executive clemency to Veloso before making such a recommendation to the President. “Our President is right; we have rules and laws that must be followed,” he said. “The Board of Pardons and Parole
Board Parole andofPardons needs to study her case, says DOJ Speaker grateful for PMAof Class '83 vote confidence in Quad Comm Next page
P
By Rio N. Araja
T
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of 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 providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, controlled the activities of the POGOs and was involved the drug Athat MODERN AIRillegal FORCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.in troops the trade and extrajudicial killings. line in yesterday’s Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony of outgoing Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lieutenant General Stephen P. Parreño, and incoming PAF chief Lieutenant General Arthur M. Cordura in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Inset shows Japan’s National Security Adviser Mr. Akiba Takeo blowing a birthday cake gifted by the President to celebrate his 65th birthday when he paid a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace. PCO
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime. nald Velasco on behalf of theFortun comLawyer Raymond plainants. questioned the House Quad They included six priests and from the Committee’s impartiality its Diocese Novaliches, Order ofYang Carability toofpin Chinese national melitesfor andayCongregation down wrongdoingofinMission, a real leaders of non-government organizacriminal court. tions Stop “I am veryCorruption interested inPhilippines how they and Stand up for God Rosary [Quad Comm members] can Group, prove Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindthis criminal network in court. In anao and Ligutan himself. Congress, lawmakers act as both Camarines Rep.heGabriel prosecutor and Sur judge,” said. Bordado, Jr. officially endorsed the third Yang, who already admitted page having a fake PhilippineNextbirth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe By Charles Dantes “unacceptable.” and Ralph Rirao However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about Yang recklessly. assured the public PhilHealth’s On Friday, Seniorthat Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing. saw a pattern, and we tracked By“We Charles Dantes it to the top of these corporations... PRESIDENT we stripped it ofFerdinand its layers ,Marcos to get toJr. saidtopThursday that ittheall,Department the and through we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to services and insurance claims other individuals involved in would illicit remain unaffected despite a proposalof to activities, including the operations suspend premium contributions for one illegal POGOs. year as wellthe as companies Congress' move to give Among implicated the state insurer zero subsidy next are Brickhartz Technology year. Inc. is a subsidy not, and"Whether Xionweithere Technology Co.orLtd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced ofdisgraced Justice (DOJ) will carefully evaluto ex-mayor Alice Guo. ateDuring the Quadcom Friday’soversight Quad commitComm tee’s recommendation to Tony file charges hearing, lawmakers cited Yang against former President Rodrigo in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
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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. regardless of any contribution, all of Department of Foreign Affairs these issues—PhilHealth's services (DFA) Secretary Enrique in will not be reduced, and Manalo PhilHealth's apayments speech delivered at the UN Genfor insurance claims will eral in New York saidsaid the in notAssembly be reduced,” the President Philippines continues to emphasize an interview yesterday. Next page the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign Duterte and others. equality states, rights "Yes.ofWell, thetheDOJ hasand to digmake nity all persons.” that of assessment," Mr. Marcos said in He added that the country Next is also page recognized as the “first Asian Re-
Religious sector files third Marcos: No loss of PhilHealth services, claims impeachment complaint vs. VP DOTr’s Bautista Next page
By Rio N. Araja
says online news report‘unfounded'
CATHOLIC priests, lawyers and members of religious groups on Thursday filed the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte over her alleged misuse of Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds. Lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan filed the complaint with the Office of the House Secretary General Regi-
DOJ to vet Quad Comm drug war findings
Chavit Singson emerges as Ayuda is necessary lifeline Senate dark horse inNavy 2025spokes polls debunks China claim for the poor, says Speaker of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rio N. Araja
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A MATTER OF JUSTICE. Speaker Ferdinand
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Martin G. Romualdez delivers his closing address for the Christmas break of the House SENATORIAL candidate vey conducted by Tangere in of Representatives yesterday Luis “Chavit” Singson is December showed a surge of afternoon. In his speech, BAUTISTA emerging as the dark horse 11.29% in Singson’s popularthe Speaker expressed cent Trinidad told reporters that Bythe Rex Espiritu gratitude for the hard in the race for the Senate's ity among 66 senatorial SPEAKER Manila Ferdinandtroops Martin did Romualdez has defended the alnot monitor work, seats in the 2025 midterm candidates. By12Darwin Amojelar location by any Congress and the provision by the such activity, adding that Bei-government of collaboration and Next page THE Philippine Navy debunked elections, skyrocketing from billions in financial assistance was or “ayuda” toonly millions of poor jing’s statement meant commitment to on Sunday the recent announce14.71% in November 2024 Jaime TRANSPORTATION Secretary and financially strapped Filipinos. public service for its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted to an impressive 26% in the Bautista denied an online news report He made the impassioned defense in remarks before his colof his fellow “Our troops did not observe military exercises off Bajo de latest Tangere poll survey.was angry claiming that Malacañang lawmakers leagues and the nation on the last day of session of Congress any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as ScarborThe 2025in Pre-Election with the increase airport fees without which enabled before the legislature went on its Christmas season recess. stand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West PhiliptheSenatorial approval ofPreferential the Cabinet Surmembers. the House The country faces the “daunting challenges of inflation, doing this for their internal audipine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article is malito achieve global natural that the House of ence,and right? Fordisasters,” them notand to look China reportedly made the an- conflict, RATINGS SURGE. meaningful cious and unfounded,” Bautista said Representatives would “stand firm in defending the provision weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad bet Luis ‘Chavit’ nouncement coinciding with the legislative in aSenatorial Viber message, referring to the ayuda forsaid. our people,” he stressed. Singson the rounds of story. accomplishment fourth Multilateral MaritimeofCowebsite thatmakes published the said AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, “Let me share theChinese story of a single mother from Samar who, Two warships were the country’s provinces after for operative Activity between the was honored by the the benefit Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. during the height of rising relied on financial assistance announcing his bid for the monitored at prices, a distance ranging of the FilipinoAward for his visionary leadership in retail development. Philippines, Australia, Japan, Filipino Retailers President Bilyonaryo reported online that Upper Chamber in the 2025 to keep her from children fed and in school. Shemiles. represents millions people. eight to 14 nautical (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA New Zealand, and the United “Bautista andelections. his long-time protege in mid-term of Filipinos whose lives have been touched by our legislative Ver Noveno One of these went up to 1,000 Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) States within Manila’s exclusive Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for efforts,” he said. NextAlice pageT. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, yards at the MMCA site but eveneconomic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto tually went away. “It was not gional waters over the weekend. at the center of the storm after it was S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and threatening, just normal,” accordPhilippine Navy Spokesperson proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page Next page