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20 OF 29 COPS IN BUNGLED DRUG CASE IN CUSTODY
PINOY WIFE DENIES CHINESE HUSBAND IS BEIJING’S SPY
NEWS / A3
NEWS / A3 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 347 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
DOJ withdraws Dengvaxia case Clears Garin, 2 others for lack of proof
More disqualified bets added as ballot printing resumes
By Pot Chavez
By Vito Barcelo
T
HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the withdrawal of 98 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin and two others in connection with the Dengvaxia vaccine.
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) resumed yesterday the printing of 73 million official ballots for the 2025 midterm elections after several delays caused by temporary restraining orders issued by the Supreme Court following petitions filed by candidates disqualified by the poll body. Among the last-minute additions to the official ballot was Next page
NO MORE DELAYS. Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia presents one of the official ballots at the resumption of printing at the National Printing Office in Quezon City. He was joined by Commissioners Ernesto Maceda Jr., Rey Bulay and other officials in inspecting the printing machines and official ballots of MIRU Systems and NPO that will be used for the 2025 National and Local Elections. Manny Palmero
In a resolution dated January 10, 2025, the DOJ directed the prosecutor general to withdraw the information filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against Garin, former health undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, and former assistant secretary Ma. Joyce Ducusin. The DOJ stated that after a thorough examination of the evidence, it did not find sufficient grounds to establish a prima facie case against the respondents Next page
Don’t vote for pro-China candidates—solons NEDA: US aid freeze to have ‘minimal’ effect on PH economy By Maricel V. Cruz and Ram Superable
By Charles Dantes THE Trump administration’s 90-day freeze on U.S. foreign aid would have minimal direct impact on the Philippine economy, the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) chief said on Monday. “The U.S. is our number one source of grants, but these account
for a small portion of the overall economy,” Socioeconomic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. He said that current flagship infrastructure projects remain unaffected, as they are largely funded by Japan, Korea, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank. Balisacan noted, however, that an Next page
PAYING THEIR RESPECTS. Fans of the late Queen of Philippine Cinema, veteran actress Gloria Romero, pay their respects yesteray at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City. Public viewing will last until tomorrow from 9 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon. Danny Pata
A ‘great lady with the dignity of a true star’—PBBM on Gloria Romero By Charles Dantes, Angelica Villanueva
accounts yesterday, the President recalled his first encounter with Romero on the set of the film “IgPRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos inuhit ng Tadhana”. “I have been an admirer of her work Jr. expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of cinema icon Gloria as an actress ever since. She was always a great lady with the dignity of a Romero last Friday. In a statement on his social media Next page
LAWMAKERS on Monday called on Filipino voters to reject pro-China candidates in the upcoming May midterm elections, citing Beijing’s escalating aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V made the call after reports that a Chinese vessel deployed a sonic device against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship near Zambales. The device, which emits deafening noise, poses serious risks to the health
and safety of Philippine personnel. Describing the incident as “an audacious act of aggression,” Ortega warned that continued tolerance of China’s actions would endanger the country’s sovereignty. “This is no longer just about the West Next page
DONE DEAL.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presents the binding term sheet signed yesterday by Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael D. Consing, Jr. and Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. (SGP) Chairman Henry T. Sy, Jr. at Malacañang Palace. (Story on A2) PCO
GAA legally sound, valid, fully enforceable—Quimbo ACTING House committee on appropriations chairperson Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo of Marikina City reiterated that the national budget is legally sound, valid, and fully enforceable. In a statement Quimbo dispelled
doubts and reinforced the assurances made by key government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Senate President
Francis Escudero. “The 2025 General Appropriations Act is lawful, valid, and fully enforceable,” said Quimbo, pointing out that the enrolled General Appropriations Next page
Marcos grants ex-Iloilo Mayor Mabilog clemency By Charles Dantes, Caloy Lozada and Pot Chavez
clemency to former Iloilo City Mayor terte administration. Jed Patrick Mabilog, lifting the pen“The President decided to grant the alties and disabilities imposed on the request of former Mayor Mabilog bePRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bong- local official who was earlier tagged cause he pleaded that his liabilities or bong” Marcos Jr. granted executive as a “narco-politician” during the DuNext page