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A4) FIVESCRAPS LOCAL MASUNGI HOUSING(Story DENR DEAL;onACCUSED OF SIDING WITH 'VESTED INTERESTS'
HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
By Rio N. Araja
NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday cancelled its 2002 supplemental agreement with the developer of the Masungi Georeserve, a watershed
area in Tanay, Rizal. "In the signed letter of cancellation of the department, we are demanding Blue Star to vacate the area that has a size of 300 hectares, where the Masungi Geopark area is located,” Assistant Secretary for Legal Af-
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay Majority of Pinoys back more WPS joint patrols T AT ODDS OVER MASUNGI. With the DENR's cancellation of the agreement with housing contractor Blue Star, the legal battle has been joined over the 300-hectare forested land that includes the Masungi Georeserve in the Upper Marikina watershed. Masungi Georeserve FB page
By Rio N. Araja
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office By Rex Espiritu (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga. LOSE to 8 in On Sunday, PNP Chiefare Police 10 Filipinos General Rommel Francisco Marfavor the of bil said he in ordered theof reopening the cold case after whistleblower Philippines holding joint Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told sails andQuad patrols withthat he the House Committee helped carry out the killing foreign states to assertat the behest of ex-PCSO general manager the country's rights over Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before conthe West Philippine Sea, gressmen how Garma allegedly faa recent Weather cilitated the Social PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July showed. 30, 2020 by Stations survey
SWS survey also shows 8 in 10 voters prefer pro-WPS bets
C
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Angels of the Sea: DOTr’s Bautista Tension defusers says online news in troubled waters report‘unfounded'
SEAWOMAN Second Class Stephane Villalon's voice reverberated on the bridge of her Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship as she issued a radio challenge to a much larger Chinese Coast Guard vessel in a disputed area of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The five-foot-tall radio operator is one of the PCG's 81 "Angels of the Sea," graduates of an allwomen training program aimed at defusing encounters in the critical waterway. Next page BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens VOL. XXXIX • NO. 25 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025 •
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
providing the necessary information about details about his At his leastschedule, 77 percent of the responvehicle and the necessary to dents agreed thatfunding the “Philippine govcarry it out. ernment must further strengthen its The whistleblower also implicated alliance with other countries” through incumbent joint patrols, National joint sails, Police and jointCommilimissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the tary exercises to assert and defend planning of theterritorial murder. and economic the country’s Barayuga was a retired police rights in the WPS. general and lawyer whothe supposedly Respondents from National threatened to expose Capital Region gave corruption the highestwithsupin shortly before porttheat PCSO 84 percent followed by he thewas rest shot dead in Mandaluyong City. at 77 of Luzon at 82 percent, Visayas Garma, an ex-police Lt. percent, andherself Mindanao at 64 percent. Colonel, allegedly gained Next the page top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
fairs Norlito Eneran said on Friday. “The general idea is for the DENR to take control of this area as well as the other agencies that have a right over this area," he said when asked if the government would dismantle the geopark. Next page
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 BaNEWS / A4 buyan 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 typhoon category is not ruled out,” WORLD A6 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. 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
BI SACKS MEN OVER ESCAPE
US-JAPAN ALLIANCE UNEVEN — TRUMP
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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
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the UnitTHE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightdisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to law. with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Department of Foreign Affairs Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of MATER DOLOROSA. Devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary gathered at the MacArthur activity area of Ali Mall in Cuba, (DFA) Queen City, on Friday, March 7, in Secretary Enrique Manalo organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. 2025, to view the various statues of Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows) as the Lenten season begins. The statues reflect themes of sorrow, strength, and a speech delivered at the UN GenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated compassion. The exhibit will be open until March 13. Danny Pata eral Assembly in New York said the questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Philippines continues to emphasize Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., the “importance of upholding the ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged rule of law and the integrity of the down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. multilateral system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly day’s global challenges.” “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu PROMOTED. Quoted by reports, Manalo also [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound Philippine Coastin Bamban, Tarlac, said: “The Philippines has consisthis criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced Guard Commandant tently pursued peace, the sovereign Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. Ronnie Gil Gavan equality of states, the rights and digpins the rank Friday’s on prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Quad Comm nity of all persons.” newly-promoted Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang The ceremony was attended by He added that the country is also By Maricel V. Cruz Philippine Coast having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his top PCG officers led by Admiral recognized as the “first Asian ReGuard Auxiliary certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses andVice business partners. Ronnie Gavan Vice in Admiral EdAdmiral, Speaker HOUSE aSpeaker Martin economic RomualYang, presidential main actors or and players the issue Next page Next page Ferdinand Martin gar Ybañez. dez called defending the West G. Romualdez, “We will not allow ourselves to be Philippine Sea (WPS) “a matter of following the disadvantaged in our seas. We will national survival,” as he accepted Donning and not allow ourselves to be defeated in the rank of Auxiliary Vice AdmiPromotion ral of the Philippine Coast Guard our territory. The West Philippine Ceremony at the (PCG) on Thursday evening. Next page Manila Golf and
Speaker calls defense of WPS ‘a matter of national survival’
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu More bogus names bolster case against Fuel prices to go much lower next week VP Sara—House
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry Masinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without ough Shoal, in the West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet members. pine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article is maliChina reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said nouncement coinciding in aWOMEN'S Viber message, referring the International Women's DAY. The 5thtoannual Day Summit,with the fourthwomen Multilateral Maritime ‘Women Women, ’ featuring leaders was held at theCowebsite thatInspiring published the said story.14 influential operative Activity between the Samsung is Hall in SM Aura, athe BGC, Taguig City. In photo from left: SM Supermalls “Bilyonaryo inconsistent,” added. President Steven Tan, SMonline Supermalls Vice President for Marketing Japan, Philippines, Australia, Bilyonaryo reported thatExecutive Jonjon San Agustin, Unprude founder Dr. Rica Cruz, Connected Women co- United New Zealand, and the “Bautista and his long-time protege in founder Gina Romero, Canon Europe Ambassador Negrello, contentexclusive creator StatesChiara within Manila’s Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Small Laude, SM Group Sustainability Champion Jessica Bianca Sy, Wildflour economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are de Ocampo, Chief Executive Officer Ana Lorenzana Skin co-founder Jacqe gionalHappy waters over the weekend. at the center of the storm after it was Gutierrez, and moderator and United Nations (UN) Women National Goodwill Philippine Navy Spokesperson Ambassador Karen Davila for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext 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 forV. their internal audiBy Maricel Cruz ence, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” THE discovery of additionalTrinidad fictitious said. and bogus names in the receipts linked to were theTwo OfficeChinese of the Vicewarships President’s (OVP) monitored at a distance ranging confidential funds expose a pattern of from to 14 nautical miles. allegedeight financial mismanagement and One these wentin handling up to 1,000 lack ofofaccountability public yards at the leaders MMCA site but evenfunds, House said yesterday tually went away. “It wasOrtega not Deputy Majority Leader Paolo threatening, accordV of La Unionjust saidnormal,” these transactions
Next Nextpage page
Country Club in Makati City yesterday. Ver Noveno
gasoline at P1.40 to P1.70 per liter, diesel by P0.90 to P1.20 per liter and kerosene by P1.50 to P1.70 per liter. CONSUMERS can expect a big-time Romero said the rollback will oil price rollback next week by as much be driven by thePrime buildup of US asAWARD. P1.70 per Hans liter Sy, in Chairman anticipation of a of the Executive Committee of SM Holdings, commercial crude oil stockpiles; slowdown in global oil demand, the Association (PRA) with its Outstanding plans was honored by the Philippine Retailers of the Organization the Petroleum Filipino Retailers President for his visionary leadership in retailof development. Department of Energy said Award yesterday. Exporting and itsPRA allies to (From left to Directortrading and Director of SM Retail Countries Jorge T. Mendiola, “Based onright): the PRA four-day increase their outputs by April; and the President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) inVice MOPS, we and willPresident be experiencing Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, US trade tariffs on Canada, China and a rollback in the prices of petroleum PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Mexico that have triggered instability products by next week,” Department of S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Leisure, Inc. and in the worldInt’l. market. Energy director Rodela said. proponent of PRA OFR Romero President’s Award Mars C. Chua Next page Romero estimates the rollback for
By Alena Mae S. Flores