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DOTR CHIEF SACKS MRT GENERAL MANAGER
COP VLOGGER FACES SEDITION CHARGES
NEWS / A4
NEWS / A4
ISRAEL CONTINUES IN HABEAS CORPUS CASE BEFORE SC TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
DOJ steps in, replaces SolGen PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay T VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
WORLD / A6
PAGASA
Gov’t readies Seeks dismissal of Duterte siblings' petitions for being 'moot, lacking merit' P1.48b aid as By Charles Dantes 'Julian' strengthens and Pot Chavez
HE Department of Justice has stepped in to represent the government in the consolidated petitions for habeas corpus filed by the Duterte By Rio N.siblings Araja following the earlier recusal of HEGeneral Philippine Solicitor Menardo National Police Guevarra. (PNP) is reopening The DOJ asked the High Court to its intomoot and denyinvestigation the petitions for being lacking merit, noting that the 2020 murder ofthe ultimate purpose of the writ of habeas corpus Philippine is “to relieve a Charity person from unlawful Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
T
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 facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 36 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 •
restraint.” “The writ exists as a speedy and effectual remedy to relieve persons from unlawful restraint and as an effective defense of personal freedom. It is issued only for the lone purpose of obtaining relief for those illegally confined or imprisoned without sufficient legal basis.
It is not issued when the person is in custody of a judicial process or a valid judgment,” the DOJ said in its comment. “The petition for writ of habeas corpus is already moot because respondents no longer have legal and physical custody of former President Rodrigo Duterte.”
Malacañang, for its part, said while there is no discussion yet on whether Guevarra would be replaced over his recusal, it is up to the SolGen to “assess” whether he should still remain in his position. “There has been no discussion (on 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 Solicitor General turn into a supertyphoon. Menardo As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGuevarra GASA 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 typhoon category is not ruled out,” 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 ManageBy Charles Dantes advised ment Office (PDRRMO) residents to secure their roofs and MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said it install window shutters as Typhoon would let the Anti-Money LaunderJulian is expected to make landfall ing Council handle possible requests Nextpresipage to freeze the assets of former dent Rodrigo Duterte in relation to his crime against humanity case before the International Criminal Court. “If the ICC issues an order, we will refer it to the AMLC if necessary,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said. Next page
• Palace: Guevarra should
assess if still fit as SolGen
• DOJ doubts Rody's return; ICC detention 'done deal'
AMLC to handle any ICC request to freeze Rody's assets—Palace
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 adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said disparage 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, the operations of ALL SET. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, left, and Senate Secretary Renato Bantug on Tuesday inspect the Senate sessionincluding hall, which has organized crime. House members illegal been converted into an impeachment court, ahead of the start of Vice President Sara However, Duterte’s impeachment trialargued at the Senate of thePOGOs. Philippines in July. Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions the companies implicated The inspection is conducted to ensure theLawyer venue is adequately prepared for the high-profile proceedings, which are expected to Among garner both national and international attention. Lino Santos 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 following as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced Guo. and mine its chain of command spokesperson for the Philippine Navy “Interest ex-mayor groups, Alice domestic By Rex Espiritu prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm former President Rodrigo Duterte's on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), foreign, would like to sow intrigue, Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony arrest and subsequent surrender to the said foreigners were likely helping disinformation, misinformation,Yang maTHE Armed Forces of the Philippines having a fake Philippine birth the top and through all, wetohave inlinformation, contempt for International Criminal Court (ICC). instigate confusion butitrefused conto “lying” weaken to theabout chainhis of (AFP) suspects both domestic and forcertificate, is thebriefing brotheron of Tuesday, Michael discovered identified at least two businesses and to business At a press firm reportsand of Chinese involvement in command and cause itpartners. to break,” he eign groups may be behind disinforYang, a presidential main or players in the issue Rear Admiral Roy Vincenteconomic Trinidad, recentactors destabilization efforts. said. Next Next page page mation campaigns intended to under-
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
AFP: Foreign, local groups behind flurry of online ‘fake news’
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
OFWs in HK grapple with Rody fallout
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on 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 GenAS Assembly DUSK fellin onNew a Hong Kong eral York saidbeach, the about a dozen Filipino migrant workPhilippines continues to emphasize ers “importance turned on their flashlights the of phone upholding the and placed them around the rule of law and the integrity image of the of a clenched fist, a symbol of support for multilateral system in the face of toformer President Rodrigo Duterte. day’s global challenges.” The group bowed their heads and Quoted by Manalo also said a prayer forreports, the former leader, who said: “The has consisis being triedPhilippines at the International Crimtently pursued peace, the sovereign inal Court (ICC) for crimes against huequality of states, the rights and digmanity over his war on drugs. nity"Please of all persons.” touch the hearts of PresiHe Marcos added that country alsothe dent andthethe judgesis of recognized the said “first AsiantheReICC," one ofasthem during Sunday beach event, referring to current page Next page leader Ferdinand Marcos. Next
Asylum bid won’tNavy affect human Medialdea spokes debunks China claim exercises in falls Scarborough shoal trafficking chargesof military vs. Roque ill, taken to hospital BAUTISTA
es heRex faces. Espiritu By
By Charles Dantes By Darwin Amojelar
MALACAÑANG downplayed former presidential spokesperson TRANSPORTATION Secretary Harry Jaime Roque's bid for political the Bautista denied an onlineasylum news in report Netherlands, the petition claiming thatsaying Malacañang was would angry not affect the human trafficking chargwith the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. “The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. MALACAÑANG on Tuesday ex“Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. pressed support for theonline investigaBilyonaryo reported that tions inand thehis alleged misuse of P6.4 “Bautista long-time protege in billion in the Bangsamoro AutonoPhilippine Airlines, Undersecretary for mous Region in Muslim Aviation and Airports BobbyMindanao Lim, are (BARMM), thatafter the itissue at the center of saying the storm was needs to be addressed.
“It won’t have any effect,” PresidentialPhilippine Communications Office UnderTHE Navy debunked secretary Claire saidannouncein a press on Sunday theCastro recent briefing. ment by China that it conducted “First, he’s just filingoff a petition, military exercises Bajo and de Next page Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative The House Activity Committeebetween on Publicthe Philippines, Japan, Accounts earlier Australia, said that a fraud New needs Zealand, and the toUnited audit to be conducted see States within Manila’s if there was partiality in theexclusive release economic zone (EEZ) the reof the P6.4-billion Local in GoverngionalSupport watersFund over(LGSF) the weekend. ment in the Next page Philippine Navy Spokesperson BARMM. for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
Palace backs probe into BARMM funds
Next page
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for internal audience. Byits Rachelle Tonelada “Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to underFORMER Executive Secretary Salvastand that sometimes, China dor Medialdea, who is serving as one is of doing this for their internal President Rodrigo Duterte’s legalaudicounence, For themCriminal not to Court look sels at right? the International weak Trinidad (ICC),and was embarrassed,” rushed to a hospital from said. Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Two Chinese warships were Netherlands on Tuesday. monitored Accordingat toa adistance Facebookranging post of from 14 nautical miles. Senatoreight RobintoPadilla, the 73-year old One of these to 1,000 Medialdea fell illwent whileup registering at yards at thereception MMCAcenter. site but eventhe prison's tually went “It was not Padilla, whoaway. accompanied Medialthreatening, just normal,” accorddea in the ambulance and is acting as Nextpage page Next
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA EMERGENCY. Former Executive is taken in an Vice President and President and COOSecretary of Golden,Salvador ABC, Inc.Medialdea (The Penshoppe Group) ambulance Scheveningen Prison, TheofHague, Netherlands at 9 a.m. Alice T. Liu,from SM Prime Holdings Chairman the Executive Committee Hans(Netherlands T. Sy, time). Medialdeaand is part of theoflegal teamInternational, of former President Rodrigo Duterte PRA President Chairman Quorum Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto who is facingand a crimes againstand humanity case at the International Criminal Court S. Claudio, PRA Director President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and (ICC) in connection with his administration's war on drugs. Screengrab from GMA proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua Integrated News