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SPEAKER REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR PH-MADE JEEPS
NEWS / A3
Chiz defends F-16 purchase; jets can be delivered by 2026 By Ram Superable and Rex Espiritu SENATE President Francis Escudero yesterday defended the government’s plan to modernize the military amid concerns aired by some sectors over the cost of the proposed purchase of 20 F-16 fighter jets from the United States. “It is only right that we strengthen
our armed forces to provide deterrence. This is for defense, not for offense. That doesn’t mean we won’t also purchase equipment for agriculture, education, and healthcare,” he said in a radio interview. “Whatever we spend on weapons, under the Constitution, it cannot exceed the allocation for the education sector in the annual budget, including Next page
BUY FILIPINO. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez
congratulates Francisco Motors Chairman (FMC) Elmer Franciso, FMC President and CEO Dominic Francisco, at left, after inspecting the new model of modern and environment-friendly jeepneys at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno
POPE FRANCIS IN SUPRISE APPEARANCE NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXIX • NO. 55 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025
Poll bets abusing text blasts Comelec warns those misusing ECBS could face raps By Rex Espiritu and Rio N. Araja
HE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) yesterday condemned the misuse of the Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) for political campaigning, labeling it not only inappropriate but also hazardous.
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In a statement, the OCD underscored that the ECBS is intended solely for delivering life-saving alerts during emergencies, such as earthquakes, typhoons, or other imminent public safety threats. The agency warned that using the system for political purposes undermines its vital function and could desensitize the public to legitimate emergency warnings, putting lives at risk. For its part, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned that use of the ECBS for purposes other than real emergencies can potentially impede on the delivery of life-saving assistance should a disaster strike. “Those emergency devices should be used only in Next page
‘PAPET PASYON.’ A scene in the puppet show ‘Papet Pasyon 2025’, shows people waving palm leaves to welcome Jesus Christ as
enters Jerusalem. ‘Papet Pasyon 2025’ highlights moments from Holy Week and was presented yesterday by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. The show features wooden puppets crafted by master wood carvers from Paete, Laguna. Danny Pata
More names in VP Sara’s list of suspicious recipients HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Francisco Ortega stated that the Office of the Vice Pres- na Biong, Feonna Villegas, Fiona Ranitez, Ellen Paolo Ortega V disclosed on Sunday a new ident (OVP) and the Department of Education Magellan, Erwin Q. Ewan, Gary Tanada, and set of allegedly fictitious names linked to Vice (DepEd) submitted these names to the Com- Joel Linangan. President Sara Duterte’s multi-million peso mission on Audit (COA). Specifically, he alleged that Honeylet Camille confidential funds. The list includes: Honeylet Camille Sy, FeonNext page
SENATE President Francis Escudero said yesterday that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre are set to attend the next Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing even as he warned that forcing confrontations through executive privilege or Senate subpoenas could trigger a constitutional crisis between the executive and legislative branches of government. “The two institutions are clashing.
One institution refuses to follow the other because it believes it is right, that it is acting legally. And until the Supreme Court issues a decision, we’re stuck in suspended animation,” he said during a radio interview. “That’s what you call a constitutional crisis. I don’t want us to reach that point,” added the senate chief. He said that Senator Imee Marcos has specifically requested the appearance of Torre while Remulla, who answered most legal questions in earlier sessions, is expected to participate again.
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BAYAN Muna party-list launched yesterday a white ribbon campaign in remembrance of the thousands of Filipinos allegedly killed at the behest of the previous administration to further its so-called war on drugs. Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares urged the public to display white ribbons on their houses, vehicles, and even in their profile pictures in their social media accounts to show support to beleaguered families of extrajudicial killing victims. His call came even as kin of EJK victims decry constant harassment by pro-Duterte supporters and online trolls, in an apparent effort to dissuade them from seeking justice. Next page
SUSPECTED SPIES. Three
DOJ’s Remulla, Torre to appear in Senate probe on Rody arrest By Ram Superable
Bayan Muna launches white ribbon drive for kin of EJK victims
Filipinos arrested on suspicion of spying on China were shown under police custody on Chinese government television. ABS-CBN grab
Marbil sacks EPD chief for ‘failure of leadership’ bil has ordered the immediate relief of (DSOU) following serious allegations Eastern Police District (EPD) Director of extortion and grave misconduct. The controversy stemmed from the PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Brigadier Gen. Villamor Tuliao and the Next page Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Mar- entire District Special Operations Unit
By Vince Lopez