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6 in 10 Pinoys favor Quad probe FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES Survey shows respondents want EJK, POGO masterminds unmasked TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
By Rachelle Tonelada
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
WORLD / A6 IX in 10 Filipinos are in favor of the House Quad Committee's probe into extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and illegal POGO activities, a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group showed.
S
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 329• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025 • 'Julian' strengthens Solons: Glaring evidence pushed Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm Pinoys to back VP impeachment By Rio N. Araja At least 61 percent of Filipinos approved of the investigations being jointly conducted by the four committees of the House of Representatives, while 24 percent were undecided. Next page
T
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office By Charles Dantes, Rachelle (PCSO) board secretary Tonelada and Maricel V. Cruz Wesley Barayuga.
Millions join slow-moving ‘Traslacion’ procession “Traslacion,” were notably less rowdy compared to previous years even if the procession itself proceeded at a snail’s pace, authorities said early Thursday evening. A church official noted that participants in the
religious event, which draws a mammoth crowd annually, were, “Much more behaved. Unlike during the pre-pandemic, they were very aggressive, they were shouting."
DEVOTEES who took part in the Feast of the On Sunday, PNP Chief Next page Black Nazarene’s main event,Police popularly called the General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Next page 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 within the PCSO shortly before he was 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. RELIGIOUS Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated FERVOR. the House Quad questioned about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Thousands of impartiality Catholic Committee’s and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., devotees walk with national Yang ability to pin Chinese Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged the closed carriage down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. carrying the statue of criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly the Black Nazarene as it “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu leaves a park following [Quad Comm can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, a dawn mass atmembers] the this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced Quirino Grandstand Congress, act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. in Luneta.lawmakers A sea of devotees fill the prosecutor andupjudge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm streets Yang,of Manila who to already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang wait for athe fake passage having Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his of the religious certificate, is theicon. brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. Devotees around economic Yang, a surge presidential main actors or players in the issue Next page
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’s Bautista TV host files says online news cyberlibel raps report ‘unfounded' vs. film director
the carriage, some of whom push their way on top of other devotees to touch the glass panel protecting the religious image. AFP, Norman Cruz
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
BAUTISTA Vic Sotto
By Rex Espiritu
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report VETERAN television host-actor Vic claiming that Malacañang angry Sotto yesterday filed a was cyber-libel with the increase in airport fees without complaint against filmmaker Darryl the approval of the Yap, following theCabinet releasemembers. of a teaser Bilyonaryo article is malifor“The the latter’s upcoming movie, “The cious and unfounded,” Bautista said Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” in aSotto, Viberaccompanied message, referring to the by his wife, acwebsite the Luna, said story. tress andthat TVpublished host Pauleen filed “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. a formal complaint at the Muntinlupa Bilyonaryo reported City Regional Trial Court.online that “Bautista his been long-time protege in “Manyand have asking for my Philippine Airlines, forI reaction since thisUndersecretary issue came up. Aviation have keptand myAirports silence.Bobby I haveLim, not are anat the center of the Istorm was swered questions. guessafter this it(filing of cyber-libel case) is it. This is my
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 Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy WILDFIRE. HomesSpokesperson burn in Altadena, California as a wildfire rages in Los Angeles. for Next page AFPWPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
By Darwin Amojelar By Angelica Villanueva
Next Next page page
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 doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord-
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 hours as it moves towards Batanes By Maricel Cruz and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trendSocial in itsWeather intensification, THE latest Stations the possibility super survey showing of thatreaching most Filipinos typhoon category ruled out,” support the filing isofnotimpeachment PAGASA said in its advisory. cases against Vice President Sara Meanwhile, theno National Duterte comes as surpriseDisasgiven ter Risk Reduction Managethe “glaring” evidence and of alleged fund ment Council (NDRRMC) saidtrust, that misuse and betrayal of public atwo total of 1.9 million family food House leaders said yesterday. packs P1.48 other “Theworth numbers don’tbillion, lie. The public food items worth P276 million, is demanding accountability, and and this non-food itemstheir (NFIs) worthfrustraP919 survey reflects growing million by tion overwere the already glaring prepared irregularities the Department of Social Welfare surrounding the Vice President’s acand Development (DSWD). tions,” Assistant Majority Leader and Some P171 million in standby Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said. fund also available for utilization Heisnoted that congressional hearby DSWD,the including milingsthecovered existenceP123 of fabrilion can belike allotted as Quick catedwhich recipients “Mary Grace Response (QRF) in theofcenPiattos” asFund well as thousands sustral office of the DSWD. picious transactions tied to the conIn Batanes, the Provincial Difidential funds under the Vice PresiNext page saster Reduction and Managedent’s Risk control. ment Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
Marcos, Biden, Ishiba to hold PH lobbiescall UN trilateral
Next page
for Security Council seat PRESIDENT Marcos is scheduled to
By Charles Dantes
hold a trilateral conference call with THE Philippine government on U.S. President Joe Biden and JapaSunday publicly called for the Unitnese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on this coming weekend, Malacañang the UN Security Council, highlightannounced. ing the country’s strong record and "We can confirm that this is in the dedication to upholding the rule of calendar of PBBM on January 12, law. Sunday," Presidential CommunicaDepartment of Foreign Affairs tions Office Secretary Cesar Chavez (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in informed reporters in a message on a speech delivered at the UN GenThursday. eral Assembly in New York said the While specific details of the Philippines continues to emphasize discussion were not disclosed, the the “importance of upholding the meeting is expected to cover key rule of law and the integrity of the regional issues, including economic multilateral system in the face of toNext page 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.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian ReNext page
President Joe Biden, President Ferdinand Marcos, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
Celebrities flee homes as wildfire rages in LA sades area, a favorite spot for celebriLOS Angeles, United States—A-list ties where multimillion-dollar houses actors, musicians and other celebrinestle on beautiful hillsides, while ties were among the tens of thousands another inferno devastated parts of of people affected by terrifying wildAltadena, to the east. fires tearing through Los Angeles on Mandy Moore, the singer and Wednesday. "This Is Us" actress, told followers The entertainment capital was onCommittee Instagram shePrime had Holdings, fled with her besieged out-of-control AWARD.byHans Sy, Chairman ofblazes the Executive of SM was honored the Philippine Retailers (PRA) with its from Outstanding children and pets the path of the burning on by multiple fronts, with Association Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership Altadena fire.in retail development. Hollywood events including a glitzy (From left to right): Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, "Trying to shield the kidsPRA from the awards show and aPRA Pamela Anderson Vicepremiere Presidentcancelled and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc.sadness (The Penshoppe Group) film as firefighters immense and worry I feel. Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, battled nearby flames whipped up by Praying for everyone in our beautiful PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto hurricane-force winds. city. So gutted the destruction and S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l.for Leisure, Inc. and Hundredsof PRA of OFR homes were Award de- Marsloss. Don't know if our place made proponent President’s C. Chua stroyed in the swanky Pacific Paliit," she wrote. Next page