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LOCAL 9 inFIVE 10 Pinoys HOLIDAYS IN OCT. welcoming New NEWS / A3 Year with hope ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
BSP SEES 2024 INFLATION AT 3.2% BUSINESS / B1
By Vito Barcelo
NINE in 10 Filipinos are welcoming / A6a fourth quarthe new year WORLD with hope, ter survey of the Social Weather Stations showed. However, while the majority of the respondents of the survey said they were hopeful for 2025, the number was six points below the 96 percent logged in 2023. This year's percentage of hopeful Filipinos was also the lowest recorded in 15 years since the 89 percent in 2009. The survey also showed 10 percent of respondents are fearful as they enter the New Year – the highest in 15 years since the 11 percent logged in 2009. The percentage of Filipinos welcoming 2025 with fear was also higher year-on-year from the three percent in 2023.
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 316• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2024 •
8 PARTY-LISTS IN WIN COLUMN NEWS / A2
PNP resurrecting China to PH:probe Don’t buy Typhon missile system 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 BaBy Rachelle buyan Islands. Tonelada “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying overissued the next hina a 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes stern Islands. warning and/or Babuyan Withtothe current trend in its intensification, the Philippines the possibility of reaching super over its planned typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA saidof in the its advisory. purchase USMeanwhile, the National Disasmade ter Risk Typhon Reductionmidand Management Council (NDRRMC) said that range capability missile a total of 1.9 million family food system, packs worthsaying P1.48 there billion, other food worth P276 million,ifand willitems be consequences non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 the acquisition pushes million were already prepared by through. the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “Our message to the in Philippines: Some P171 million standby China sit on its when fund is will also not available forhands utilization its the security interests are inP123 danger or by DSWD, including milunder threat. be lion which canThe be Philippines allotted as will Quick hurting itsFund own (QRF) interestsinifthe it keeps Response cenrefusing course,” China tral office to of change the DSWD. Foreign Ministrythespokesperson In Batanes, Provincial Mao DiNing said a press conference late saster Risk in Reduction and ManageThursday evening. ment Office (PDRRMO) advised Mao said that fortheir the Philippines residents to secure roofs and to maintain “strategic install window shuttersindependence, as Typhoon good-neighborliness Julian is expected to and makefriendship, landfall and peaceful development,” it must Next page remove the missile system. China said it views the Typhon as an offensive weapon, and that its presence in the Philippines fuels geopolitical tensions and contributes to an arms race in the region. Without mentioning the United States, Mao said the Philippines “has helped a country outside the region deploy military forces and stoke confrontation in the region.” THE Philippine government on “The Philippines once Sunday publicly called for the clearly United Nations (UN) to give it a seat Nexton page 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 a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize 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 equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-
Warns of consequences if Manila 'refuses to change course' Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm Next page
By Rio N. Araja
C
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 A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it out. Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic The whistleblower also implicated adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug incumbent National Police Comtrade and extrajudicial killings. missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption withDAY OF DEVOTION. in the PCSO shortly before he was evotees of the Black Nazarene raise their right hand in prayer outside the packed Quiapo Church in Manila during the last Friday mass for 2024. Manny Palmero shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities Colonel, allegedly gained the top businessman Tony Yang sought to 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 organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated THE retail prices of rice across Metro and other stakeholders have confirmed It was explained that rice sold by questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Manila have decreased as a direct result that "the program made a dent in the the Kadiwa and DA-designated retailCommittee’s Deputy and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Rice-for-All staple’s price." impartiality and its ersOn is Friday, cheaperSenior by P3 to P5 perSpeaker kilo than ability pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged program, according to the Presidential Thetoagency was not specific as those sold by private-sector retailers, down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. Communications Office (POC). to the average decrease in rice retail thus creating government-spearheaded criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly In a statement, the PCO said that prices but indicated that retailers have competition in the local market. “I am to very interested in prices. how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu the Department of Agriculture (DA) adjusted match Kadiwa's Next page [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 having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. Yang, economic main or four players in the the worlda oilpresidential market. toringactors of the last trading daysissue in the Next page By Alena Mae S. Flores Next page Department of Energy Oil Industry international market. OUT WITH FIRECRACKERS. Members of the Philippine Animal Welfare CONSUMERS can expect a rollback Management Bureau (OIMB) director She said they anticipate gasoline prices Society (PAWS) and EcoWaste Coalition march to call for people to refrain from using of as much as P0.90 per liter in the Rodela Romero said on Friday that her to decrease by P0.30 to P0.65 per liter, diefirecrackers and fireworks during the New Year’s Eve celebrations to protect cats and dogs pump prices of fuel this coming Tuesagency’s expectations of an oil price sel by P0.30 to P0.55 per liter, and kerofrom the defeaning noises, blinding lights and noxious fumes. The groups held the rally day to reflect the latest movements in rollback next week are based on monisene by P0.80 to P0.90 per liter. Next page yesterday at Ayala Mall Vertis North. Manny Palmero
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
‘Rice-for-All’ DOTr’ s Bautista program forcing retail prices down says online news report‘unfounded'
Oil price rollback greeting consumers on New Year
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
BAUTISTA
AKAP not pork barrel, list vetted by DSWD DFA seeking King’s pardon for By Maricel V. Cruz Pinay surrogates
By Rex Espiritu
By Darwin Amojelar 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. “The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was Next page
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio jing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announceCarpio claiming that the cash assistance under for its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted AKAP “resembles the controversial pork barpara sa Kapos ang Kita Program “Our troops did THE not Ayuda observe military exercises off Bajo de rel” and that “barangay officials submit the list (AKAP) is not pork barrel and neither are baany exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborof beneficiaries.” rangay officials responsible for the list of AKAP stand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West PhilipThe DSWD chief maintained that nowhere beneficiaries, doing this for their internal audi-Department of Social Welfare and pine Sea (WPS). in the AKAP guidelines are barangay officials Development Rachelle ence, right? For them not to look(DSWD) Secretary Rex GatchalChina reportedlyBy made the an- Tonelada empowered to make the list of beneficiaries, ian said on Friday. weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad nouncement coinciding with thegovernment THE Philippine is continuwho will receive the cash assistance from the “Let me reiterate that all the DSWD’s field said. fourth Multilateraling Maritime Co- pardon AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, efforts to seek from the King agency. offices across serve people in need, Two Chinese warships werethe country operative Activityof between was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Cambodia the for 13 pregnant Filipinas “With due respect the former Supreme whether they are walk-inFilipino clients or werePresident referredAward for his visionary leadershipto monitored at a distance ranging Philippines, Australia, Japan, Retailers in retail development. jailed in the Southeast Asian country for Court Justice, AKAP is not pork barrel since any to by local government unit (LGU) officials. from eight to 14 nautical miles. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorgepotential T. Mendiola, PRA New Zealand, and the acting United illegally as surrogate mothers. good Samaritan can refer beneficiaries DSWD social workers process applications for 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 The Department of yards Foreign and theofbarangay has nothing to do with AKAP they determine aid Chairman Alice T.the Liu, amount SM Primeof Holdings the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, atAffairs the MMCA AKAP site butand eveneconomic zone (EEZ) re- said it was doing (DFA)inonthe Friday "all based on our existing guidelines,” Gatchalian beneficiaries,” Gatchalian in a of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s PRA President andsaid Chairman Sports) Roberto tually went away. to“Itqualified was not gional waters over we thecan" weekend. to seek pardonthreatening, and added that pointed out. S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and statement. just normal,” accordPhilippine Navyefforts Spokesperson were underway to "make this TheMars DSWD chief explained that legislators proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award C. Chua TheNext DSWD chief made the clarification in for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vinpage possible." Next page Next page reply to the December 26 statement of retired