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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
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 and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super VOL. XXXIX • NO. 18 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, 2025 • out,” typhoonMARCH category 1, is not ruled PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 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. cles were damaged. "Further analysis on the cause of In Batanes, the Provincial DiThe truck driver and its porter refailure is still on-going," the DPWH saster Risk Reduction and Managemained missing. Region 2 said. Next page ment Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and A BRIDGE install window shutters NO as Typhoon Julian is expected MORE.to Themake third landfall
House establishes Impeachment Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm Secretariat amid delay concerns
By Rio Maricel V. Cruz By N. Araja THE House of Representatives has Philippine formed anHE Impeachment Secretariat to provide technical and administrative National Police support to public prosecutors handling (PNP)Sara is reopening Vice President Duterte’s im-
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peachment trial even as some lawmakers express irritation over delays in the process. This was outlined in Memorandum Order No. 19-1006 (SG) dated February 27, issued by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco. Next page
its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
P1.2-b new bridge collapses
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.Bacud, Vito Barcelo and Rex Espiritu By Jessica Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly faABAGAN, Isabela—A portion of the P1.2 cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside billion Maria Bridge in Isabela assassination on JulyCabagan-Santa 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information collapsed Thursday evening, four weeks about his schedule, details about his after and it was completed this month. vehicle the funding necessaryearlier to A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it out. Comm said hearing Thewhistleblower Department ofalso Public Works and Highways Fri-which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic The implicated adviser former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug day analysisNational has startedPolice to determine of theofcolincumbent Com-the cause trade and extrajudicial killings. lapse. missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the The third span of the arch bridge, which took planning of the murder. over a decade Barayuga wasto acomplete retired since policeconstruction began in 2014, gave way when a general andNovember lawyer who supposedly dump truck carryingcorruption boulders withwith an estithreatened to expose gross vehicle inmated the PCSO shortly weight before of hearound was 102 tonsdead passed over it. shot in Mandaluyong City. Six people were Garma, herself an injured, ex-policeincludLt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ing two allegedly children while Colonel, gainedfour thevehitop 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. Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Next page
Isabela guv blames dump truck with 102-ton boulders; 6 injured
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Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
SC: Media accreditation rules should not limit press freedom
GUIDELINES for the accreditation of media representatives should not be used to limit Constitutional rights to freedom of speech, expression, and the BAUTISTA press, the Supreme Court said. “Any limitation on the exercise of free speech ‘must be justified on legiti-
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 malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in aBy Viber message, referring to the Charles Dantes website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo he added. Presidentis inconsistent,” Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Bilyonaryo reported online inthat joined Islamic communities the “Bautista and hisand long-time in Philippines around protege the world Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for on Friday in welcoming the Holy Aviation andofAirports Bobby Lim, itarea Month Ramadan, calling at the center of the storm aftergrowth, it was time for reflection, spiritual and unity.
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal mate grounds that are clear and indubitable and with means that are narrowly tailored and only specifically calibrated to achieve those purposes,’” the SC said. The HighEspiritu Court's 15-page decision By Rex on a petition filed by journalists against 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 withthethe "This sacred season marks fourth Multilateral Maritime revelation of the Qur'an to ProphetCooperative between MuhammadActivity (Peace Be Upon Him),the Philippines, Australia, Japan, a period for personal reflection, New Zealand, United spiritual growth, and athe renewed States withinto Manila’s exclusive commitment faith for our beeconomic zone (EEZ) the reloved Muslim brothers andin sisters," gional waters the weekend. Mr. Marcos saidover in a statement. Next page Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
PBBM joins Muslim Pinoys in welcoming Ramadan
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a 2011 Customs memo was promulgated in April 2024 but was only made public this month. “No matter how laudable the objective of respondent in weeding out illegitimate media personalities, the means cent Trinidad told reporters that used to achieve such an objective must 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 LOS ANGELES, United States—Osdoing this for their internal car-winning cinema giant Gene audiHackence, right? Forhave them notfound to look man and his wife been dead weak embarrassed,” in theirand home in an incident Trinidad police are said. calling "suspicious." Two Chinese warships were The bodies of Hackman, 95, and his monitored at a distance ranging classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa, from eight to that 14 of nautical miles. 63, along with a pet dog, were One of these went up to discovered at their property in1,000 New yards aton theWednesday. MMCA site but evenMexico tually went away. was there not Authorities initially “It reported threatening, normal,” were no signs just of foul play, butaccorda search Next page warrant said a detective believed the
not unnecessarily sweep on the rights of legitimate media personalities,” it added. The Customs Tri-Media Association Inc. and other journalists covering the Bureau of Customs earlier challenged Next page
span of the P1.2 Next page billion CabaganSanta Maria Bridge in Isabela collapsed Thursday evening. Inset shows an SUV and truck which went down with the broken span. Six people were injured, including two children in the accident. while two other vehicles were THE Philippine government on damaged. DPWH Sunday publicly called for the UnitJohnitCris ed Nations Region (UN) to2,give a seat on Gazzingan Cabasag.
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’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 Re-
DOH, DBM seek special audit on COVID allowance of health workers Next page
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) are calling on the Commission on Audit (COA) to condeaths were "suspicious enough in naduct a special audit on funds previously ture to require a thorough search and released for Public Health Emergency investigation." Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) of Police officers called to the home by health workers. maintenance workers found the door In a joint ofstatement Friday, the AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee SM Prime on Holdings, unlocked and open, pills scattered DBM (PRA) said the audit would help was honored by theand Philippine Retailers Association withspecial its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Awardwas for his in retail development. next to Arakawa's body, which in visionary the leadership DOH validate and consolidate all left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retailand Jorgedisbursements T. Mendiola, PRArelated the(From bathroom. requests Vice PresidentArakawa and President and COO (Theemergency Penshoppe Group) It appeared had been deadof Golden, to ABC, the Inc. health allowance Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, "for some time," with the body in a (HEA) of medical workers. PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto state of decomposition, the warrant “Despite the final and validated S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and noted. of HEA payments timely proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Marscomputation C. Chua
Death of Hackmans ‘suspicious’—cops
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