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US ARRESTS, DEPORTS HUNDREDS OF ‘ILLEGALS’ —WHITE HOUSE ‘Blank pages’ in 2025 nat’l budget ‘fake news’—Bersamin
Story below
By Charles Dantes
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 344 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025
PH can work with ICC via Interpol
EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin dismissed allegations linking Malacañang to the so-called “blank pages” in the 2025 national budget, categorically denying claims that the Executive Branch played any role in the matter. “Let’s remove from your consciousness that we have anything to do with the blank pages they are referring to,” he told reporters Friday. Bersamin branded the is-
sue “fake news” that was concocted to tarnish the administration’s reputation. The controversy arose after former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies claimed the 2025 GAA contained blank items without specified projects or funding. This immediately prompted President Marcos to say that his predecessor was “lying,” stating that it would be impossible for the budget to be passed with blank items. “That’s why we say that’s fake news because it is being attributed to the President... Even if that is not what they said, that is the impression Next page
Manila can’t ignore int’l police—Bersamin By Charles Dantes
T
HE Marcos administration will respond positively to requests from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for the arrest or custody of individuals under International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Friday. “We have been very clear in our statements regarding this, if the ICC makes a move, and courses the move through the Interpol and the Interpol makes the request to us for the arrest or delivery of the custody of a person subject to ICC jurisdiction, we will respond, favorably or positively to the Interpol request,” he said in a press conference. Bersamin explained that while the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, it remains committed to cooperating with Interpol in line with its broader law enforcement goals and international partnerships. He underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties with Interpol, describing the organization as a vital partner in
VIVA STO. NINO. Catholic devotees envelop the carriage carrying the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu at Muelle Loney in Iloilo City during the procession marking the celebration of the 2025 Dinagyang Festival. Inset shows the Coast Guard boats that joined the fluvial parade. Norman Cruz
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PH, US closely coordinating repositioning of Typhon system By Rex Espiritu THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the repositioning of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, also called Typhon, is being done in close coordination between the Philippine and US governments.
“The primary objective of this deployment is to strengthen Philippine military readiness, improve our familiarization and interoperability with advanced weapon systems, and support regional security.” AFP spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla said in a statement on Friday
Her statement came a day after the AFP confirmed the relocation of Typhon launchers to an undisclosed location within the country, and five days after alleged Chinese spies were arrested for conducting “mapping” operations on local military sites. Padilla also said, “[t]here is no single
entity who can dictate how we would do our deployments in terms of our defenses,” reacting to the remarks of China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the presence of the Typhon missile system in the Philippines. Next page
IMPORTED RICE CHEAPER ON FEB. 5 NEWS / A2
FUEL PRICE CUT SET NEXT WEEK NEWS / A3
WEF DIALOGUE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (second from right) underscores the Philippines’ resolve to protect its sov-
ereignty and national interest through its strategic approach to navigating geopolitical challenges during the “Navigating Asia’s Hotspots” Stakeholder Dialogue at the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. Panelists include (from left to right) Tulsi Naidu, CEO of Asia-Pacific at Zurich Insurance Group; Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono; Ellana Lee, CNN International Senior Vice-President; Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta; and Michael Froman, President of the Council on Foreign Relations.
US begins crackdown on illegal aliens; arrests, deports hundreds US AUTHORITIES arrested 538 illegal migrants and deported hundreds in a mass operation just days into President Donald Trump’s second administration, his press secretary said late Thursday. “The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals,” Karoline Leavitt said in a post on social platform X, adding “hundreds” were deported by military aircraft. “The largest massive deportation operation in history is well under-
way. Promises made. Promises kept,” she said. Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigration during the election campaign and began his second term with a flurry of executive actions aimed at overhauling entry to the United States. He has signed orders declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border and announced the deployment of more troops to the area while vowing to deport “criminal aliens.” Next page
Chinese in NGCP mgm’t a security risk—Matibag By Maricel Cruz THE former president of stateowned National Transmission Co. said the Chinese need not intrude in the West Philippine Sea or occupy any Philippine territory because of the presence of Chinese nationals in the board and management of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). “You know, we talk about the West Philippine Sea. We saw the giant ships of China. They don’t really have to enter anymore because they already infiltrated our power grid system.” Melvin Matibag said in Thursday’s hearing on alleged violations of the transmission assets concessionaire of the Constitution and its legislative franchise. He said lawmakers should be more concerned about the implications of Chinese involvement in the management of the country’s power Next page
‘Lack of coordination’ sparked Basilan ambush By Joyce Pangco Pañares COTABATO CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said a lack of coordination by government security forces led to Wednesday’s clash in Basilan that killed two soldiers and wounded 12 others. MILF chief negotiator and Bangsamoro education minister Mohagher Iqbal Mohagher Iqbal answers questions from journalists in Cotabato City on January 24, 2025. Manman Dejeto/MindaNews
“The ceasefire protocol has to be respected,” MILF chief negotiator and Bangsamoro education minister Mohagher Iqbal said in an interview here in Cotabato City yesterday. “It is an unfortunate incident and both the government and the MILF are victims. There was no coordination,” Iqbal added. Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim called for calm as the investigation continues, expressing sadness over the incident, which coincided with the 6th founding anniversary Next page