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(Story on A4) FIVE LOCAL PH NEED NOT WORRY ABOUT TRUMP'S FOREIGN AID FREEZE—ENVOY HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
File photo dated July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry NEWS / A2 Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file
INSIDE NEWS / A3
SOUTH KOREA’S YOON INDICTED
ISRAEL CONTINUES TEASER TO POUND HEZBOLLAH A 4-PAGE CHINESE NEW YEAR ISSUE
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
WORLD / A6
NEWS / A2
HOUSE TO BEGIN FAKE NEWS PROBE
PNP resurrecting probe 24 Filipinos in first wave into PCSO official's slay of Trump deportations VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 346• 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025 •
PAGASA
NEWS / A3
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE
SECTION C
Palace declares today holiday for Speakerbrethren grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm Muslim Romualdez: Expelled 'TNTs' were accused of minor crimes By Rio N. Araja MALACAÑAN Palace announced today will be a holiday for Muslims in the country in observance of the "Isra Wal Mi’raj" or the "Night HEAscension Philippine Journey and of the Prophet Muhammad." National Police Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (PNP) is reopening said that the holiday will be observed its investigation specifically in the into Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the 2020 murder of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as other Philippine Muslim areas inCharity the country. “Not a National Holiday, but a Sweepstakes Office Muslim holiday only in BARMM (PCSO) boardareas secretary and other Muslim defined in the Muslim Code,” Bersamin said. Wesley Barayuga.
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OME 24 Filipinos illegally staying in the United States have already been deported as the Trump administration makes good on its promise to expel undesirable foreigners, starting with those involved in criminal activities. On Sunday, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez disclosed in a radio interview that the first group of Filipinos to be banished under the newly installed l e a d e r s h i p ’s
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PH may be forced to defend itself vs. China—Gibo
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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 faBy RextheEspiritu cilitated PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by THE PHILIPPINES will be compelled providing the necessary information to defend itself fromdetails China'sabout unlawful about his schedule, his actions and in the country'snecessary territorial vehicle the funding to watersit to carry out.uphold its sovereign rights, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro The whistleblower also implicated Jr. said amidNational ongoing Police confrontations incumbent Combetween Philippine Guard missioner Edilberto Coast Leonardo in and the Chinese maritime forces in the West planning of the murder. Philippine Seawas (WPS). Barayuga a retired police "What beingwho done to the general and islawyer supposedly Philippinesto is forcible stealing of threatened expose corruption withits rights, sovereign rights, in the in the PCSO shortly before he was exclusive zone... shot dead ineconomic Mandaluyong City. [to which] the herself Philippines the soleLt. Garma, an has ex-police right to explore, exploit resources Colonel, allegedly gained the top in, by China. And doing ofthis... spot at the PCSO because her inthrough muscle," he stressed Next page during an interview on the program Battlegrounds with H.R. McMaster. "So what I'm trying to say right now is for the Philippines, what China is doing makes the
draconian policy against undocumented immigrants were composed of individuals accused of minor offenses. “Something like 24 of them. They have already been deported because they were involved… not serious
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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, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
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. Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court. “I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted The discussions we held having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael in Davos reaffirm the 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 “unacceptable.” However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly. On Friday, Senior 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. By Rio “WeAraja saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... HOUSE Speaker Martin we stripped it of Ferdinand its layers , to get to Romualdez expressed strong optimism the top and through it all, we have fordiscovered more foreign investments in the and identified at least two Philippines, which would create main actors or players in themore issue jobs and propel economic growth, following the productive engagements of the Philippine delegation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025. "The discussions we held in Davos reaffirm the immense potential of the Philippines as a key destination for global Romualdez said. centinvestments," Trinidad told reporters that "We are grateful to President Manila troops did not monitor Ferdinand for sending a any suchMarcos activity,Jr.adding that Beidelegation that has was showcased the jing’s statement meant only for its internal audience. Next page “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
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report ‘unfounded' Davos meet affirms PH as investment destination Next page
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BAUTISTA
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 mali-
crimes, but they were involved in some criminal activity,” he told Super Radyo dzBB in a mixture of Filipino and English. Romualdez earlier advised Filipinos who have been illegally residing in the US to either legitimize their stay there or voluntarily return home to the Philippines before they are caught and forcibly ejected. However, he also advised Filipinos with a legal pathway to obtain legal US residency to secure the services of competent immigration lawyers to legitimize their stay in the foreign land. The Ambassador said that those
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 it moves Batanes legallyasworking in towards the US have the and/or Babuyan Islands. the best chance at legalizing theirWith residence current status. trend in its intensification, the“They possibility of reaching [those legally employed]super have typhoon category is not ruled Those out,” the best chance [at immigration]. PAGASA said inworking its advisory. who are here… and paying Meanwhile, the National their taxes… have the biggest Disaschance ter Risk Reduction and Manage-if of obtaining legal status. Especially, ment Council (NDRRMC) said that they are sponsored by their employers,” aRomualdez total of 1.9 million family food explained. packs P1.48thebillion, other In worth November, Department food items worth P276 million, of Migrant Workers (DMW) and said non-food items assist (NFIs)over worth300,000 P919 that it would million were Filipinos already in prepared by undocumented the US who the Department of Social Welfare are at risk of being deported. and Development (DSWD).Next page 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
immense potential of the Philippines as a key destination for global investments. —Speaker Martin G. Romualdez
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu 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).
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the Unitof illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightin a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and The solons explained how the dedication to upholding rule of TIME FOR RENEWAL. Workers clean the large the image matrix details Yang’s connections to of ainvolved Buddha inside the Senglaw. Guan Temple in Divisoria, Tondo, other individuals in illicit Manila, Sunday inofpreparation for the Chinese New Year,Affairs Department of Foreign activities, including the on operations also known as the Spring Festival orSecretary Lunar New Year, which fallsin (DFA) Enrique Manalo illegal POGOs. under the Year of the Wood-Snake. Inset shows Buddhist monks a speech delivered at the UN GenAmong the companies implicated of the temple hold a year-end prayer ritual. in Danny eral Assembly NewPata York said the are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Philippines continues to emphasize and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., the “importance of upholding the which are being linked to alleged rule of law and the integrity of the kidnapping. multilateral system in the face of toThe two firms supposedly day’s global challenges.” have connections with the Baofu Quoted by reports, Manalo also Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, said: “The Philippines has consiswhich, in turn, can be directly traced tently pursued peace, the sovereign to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. equality of states, the rights and digDuring Friday’s Quad Comm nity of all persons.” hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang He added that the alsohe inBy contempt for “lying” to about his years but could notcountry explainiswhy Rio Araja recognized as officially the “first designated Asian Re- as businesses and business partners. had not been permanent CTO. THE National Grid Corp.Next ofpage the Next page NGCP President Anthony Almeda Philippines (NGCP) has acknowledged confirmed that Wen Bo previously served that a Chinese national, Wen Bo, as CTO, while Assistant Corporate previously served as its chief technical Secretary Ronald Concepcion provided officer, sparking concerns over additional details, stating that Wen Bo potential constitutional violations and held the position "for a period of time" foreign influence in a public utility. and was granted the necessary approvals During a recent congressional from various government agencies. hearing, Marikina Rep. Stella Concepcion said that Wen Bo is Quimbo questioned NGCP officials no longer with NGCP and estimated about the designation of current OICthat his tenure as CTO ended around CTO Rico Vega and the involvement 2017. Quimbo requested that NGCP of Wen Bo in the company. submit all documents related to Wen Vega admitted that he has been Next page serving as OIC-CTO for nearly three
NGCP confirms Chinese held top technical position