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FIVE LOCAL LUCKY 13: SURROGATE MOMS PARDONED, BACK HOME FROM CAMBODIA HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
By Pot Chavez and Rio N.NEWS Araja/ A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
THIRTEEN Filipino women convicted in Cambodia for illegal surrogacy were repatriated yesterday after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted them a royal pardon
WORLD / A6
on December 26. the Royal Government of Cambodia, The 13 surrogate mothers with the Royal Decree pardoning all 13 three babies arrived at the NAIA TerFilipinos paved the way for their reminal 1 on Sunday at 4:50 a.m. via lease and immediate repatriation,” the Philippine Airlines. They were accomDepartment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) panied by a Cambodian doctor and a said in a statement. Filipino nurse. The Department expressed grati“Upon the request of the Philippine tude to Cambodian authorities “for Embassy and with endorsement page VOL. XXXVIII • the NO. 227• 3 ofSECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20Next •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay 17 179 dead, two survive South Korea air crash T VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 318• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2024 •
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
HOME. Social workers accompany 13 surrogate mothers and three babies from Cambodia upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday. DSWD
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
By Rio N. Araja
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary UAN, South Korea —A Jeju Wesley Barayuga. Air plane carrying 181 people On Sunday, PNP Chief Police fromFrancisco Thailand General Rommel Mar-to South Korea bil said he ordered the reopening of smashing crashed on arrival Sunday, the cold case after whistleblower into Lt. a barrier and bursting Police Col. Santie Mendoza told into flames, the House Quad Committee that he dead. leaving all but two feared
Bird strike, adverse weather possible causes of crash
M
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. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 Canada plane caught hoursAN as AIR it moves towards Batanes fire after skidding down the and/or Babuyan Islands. With the runway at the Halifax airport, current trenddown in itstheintensification, shutting facility, acthe possibility of reaching super cording to reports. typhoonAll category ruled out,” of the is97not passengers PAGASA advisory. by were said safe in anditsoff-loaded Meanwhile, thetoNational Disasbus, according authorities. ter Risk Reduction andNext Managepage ment 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
Air Canada flight skids and catches fire; no casualties
helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO A bird strike andgeneral adversemanager weather conditions were cited Royina Garma. by authorities as likely causes of the Boeing 737-800 crash Mendoza narratedoutbefore con-and left it “almost comthat flung passengers of the plane gressmen how Garma allegedly pletely destroyed”, according to firefaofficials. cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside Next page assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his Next page 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. WORLDin/ A6 missioner Edilberto Leonardo 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 THE Philippine government on shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Sunday publicly called for the UnitGarma, herself an ex-police Lt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on Colonel, allegedly gained the top businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightspot at the PCSO because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to law. with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Department of Foreign Affairs Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. a speech delivered at the UN GenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated eral Assembly in New York HOLIDAY TRAGEDY. The charred remains of the Jeju Air plane, top photo, veered off a runway and slammed into asaid wall the questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Airport in the South Korean of South Jeolla, killing nearly all of the 181 passengers Philippines continuesand to crew. emphasize Committee’s impartiality and its at Muan OnInternational Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker andprovince Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., Inset at left shows fire and smoke rising from the tail section of the aircraft after it burst into flames. At right, firefighters and the the “importance of upholding ability to pin Chinese national Yang rescue Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged personnel work near the scene of the crash site. Kyodo / AFP rule of law and the integrity of the down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. multilateral system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly day’s global challenges.” “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu Quoted by reports, Manalo also [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, said: “The Philippines has consisthis criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced tently pursued peace, the sovereign Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. equality of states, the rights and digprosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm THE Philippine National Police risks associated with fireworks, accidents, and providing first aid nity of all persons.” Yang, who and already admitted we stripped it of its layers to getintoa hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang (PNP) announced that it has mobifire hazards, revelry-related when necessary,” Marbil, said He added that the country is also having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his lized 37,000 officers nationwide as it accidents. statement. recognized as theand “first Asian Recertificate, is the brothergoes of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business PRESIDENT Marcospartners. ordered all security threats challenges. goes on heightened alert ahead of the “Our responsibility beyond The national police chief reminded Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue government agencies and offices to Memorandum Circular (MC) Next page New Year festivities. just enforcing peace and order. I t police officers to bring the right gear Next page75, support the implementation of the which was approved by the President PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco extends to ensuring the safety of to respond to emergencies associated 2024 National Security Strategy and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Marbil emphasized the critical role of our fellow citizens. Police personnel with the anticipated revelry and (NSS) of his administration that Bersamin on December 20, instructed all law enforcement during the holiday should be ready to assist in any merry-making. aims to address internal and external Next page Next page season, particularly in addressing emergency, including fire incidents,
Putin apologizes for tragic plane crash in Azerbaijan
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
PNP on heightened alert ahead of New Year revelry Marcos orders all-of-government
support to National Security Strategy
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
Speaker vows to sustain House legislative output in 2025 BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming Malacañang was angry By Riothat N. Araja with the increase in airport fees without SPEAKER Martin Romualdez the approval of the Cabinet members. pledged to sustain the “The Bilyonaryo article legislative is malimilestones achieved by the House cious and unfounded,” Bautista said his to leaderinof aRepresentatives Viber message, under referring the ship as that lawmakers wrapped 2024 website published the saidupstory. with 13,454ismeasures filed—1,368 “Bilyonaryo inconsistent,” he added.of which had been approved withthat 166 Bilyonaryo reported online enacted into “Bautista and laws. his long-time protege in Romualdez’s report pubPhilippine Airlines,yearend Undersecretary for lished on Sunday covered the 19th ConAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are legislative sessions 25, atgress’ the center of the storm from after July it was 2022 to December 27, 2024. House legNext page islators collectively filed 11,241 bills,
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises Bajo de 2,212 resolutions withoff one petition, and Masinloc, also known 1,319 committee reports.as Scarborough“This Shoal, in the PhilipCongress hasWest set a new stanpine dardSea for(WPS). productivity and purpose. China reportedly made the reflect anOur collective achievements nouncement coinciding the our deep sense of duty to with the Filipino fourth Copeople,Multilateral ensuring thatMaritime every measure operative Activity between we craft, debate, and pass uplifts the lives, Philippines, Australia,andJapan, strengthens communities, builds a New Zealand, and the said. United resilient nation,” Romualdez States Manila’s exclusive Thewithin chamber also processed 4,760 economic zone 178 (EEZ) in the measures across session days,re-avgional over the eragingwaters 12 measures per weekend. session day. It Philippine Navy Spokesperson adopted findings and recommendations for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page
House mulls probe of fake, malicious social media content
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 any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is By Rio N. Araja doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look SEVEN leaders of the House of weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad Representatives yesterday proposed a said. inquiry what they AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executivecongressional Committee of SM Primeinto Holdings, Two Chinese warships were was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)as with its Outstanding described “rampant posting of false monitored at a distance ranging Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary retail development. andleadership maliciousincontent in social media from eight to 14 nautical miles. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail while Jorge T.safeguarding Mendiola, PRAfreedom platforms, RIZAL’S VERTEBRAE. Roland Ay-Ay,Vice senior shrine and curator of Dr. Jose One of these went up toJude 1,000 President President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc.and (The Penshoppe Group) of speech ensuring digital safety.” Rizal's shrine Intramuros, examines the vertebrae ofSM Rizal before conducting Alice T. Liu, Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, yards at theinMMCA siteManila, but evenSenior Deputy Speaker and a mechanical cleaning yesterday in preparation for the expected influx of visitors to the PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto tually went away. “It was not Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. museum for today’s 128th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal's martyrdom. The bone, and which is S. Claudio, and PRA Director President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and threatening, just normal,” accordauthored the resolution, along with part of Rizal's spine, was struck by one of the bullets fired during his execution by firing proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua page squad and is cleaned every twoNext years. Danny Pata
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