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Marcos touts Alyansa bets' prowess but leaves out naming Rep. Villar
FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
By Vince Lopez
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touted the legislative competence of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alyansa) senatorial slate, saying his XXXVIII16 • PAGES NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS PAGES • P20 SEPTEMBER 2024 • anointed candidates are30, ready to craft VOL. XXXIX • NO. 78 • 3VOL. SECTIONS • P20 •MONDAY,16MAY 5, 2025 • •MONDAY, WORLD / A6 new laws as soon as they are elected
into office. Speaking at a campaign rally at the Batangas Sports Coliseum in Batangas City, the chief executive said members of the administration’s slate need not undergo “on-the-job training” apparently intended as a dig Next page
PNP resurrecting Gwen staysprobe put, denies defying Ombudsman into PCSO official's slay Vietnam also lays claim over Sandy Cay reef
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
By Rex Espiritu
VIETNAM is protesting claims made by the Philippines and China over Sandy Cay, a disputed reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that Hanoi is also claiming as part of its territory. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, Vietnam has sent protest notes to both countries, demanding respect for its sovereignty the Spratly Islands, By Rio N.over Araja which include Sandy Cay. Hanoi sought to assert its claim over Philippine the ocean HE feature even as it called on all contending parties to avoid actions that National Police could further escalate tensions. (PNP) is reopening Last week, the Philippine Navy its intothat it has (PN)investigation refuted China’s claim occupied Sandy Cay, which the 2020 murder of it calls Tiexian Reef. Philippine Charity Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy Sweepstakesspokesperson Office for the WPS, said the claim is meant to divert (PCSO) secretary the attentionboard of the public amid allegations of Chinese spies and an alleged Wesley Barayuga. troll farm hired by the Chinese Embassy On in Manila in 2023. Sunday, PNP Chief Police “We checked together with the MarCoast General Rommel Francisco Guard, theordered Navy, the (Armed bil said he the AFP reopening of Next page 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-
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 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). Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia 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
Governor won't budge until Sec. Remulla offers clarity
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm By Minerva Newman
C
EBU Gov. Gwen Garcia steadfastly refused to vacate her post over the weekend, insisting that she was not defying the Ombudsman’s suspension order but merely exercising her right to exhaust all legal remedies.
T
Ombudsman Samuel Martires
In a press briefing, Garcia explained that since issuing preventive suspensions on officials is prohibited during election season, her legal team has advised against stepping down until the matter is clarified. “I have decided, upon the advice of my counsel, to write a clarificatory query to the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, Sec. Jonvic Re-
mulla, since it is the DILG, through the PNP, that is tasked to implement this order,” she told reporters. For his part, lawyer Alex Avisado, the governor’s lead counsel, said they are merely awaiting Sec. Remulla’s guidance on the matter. “There is no defiance of the Ombudsman’s order. With all due respect, there is Next page no defiance,” he assured.
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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
THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. disparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” organized crime. However, House members argued Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. DEFENSE READINESS EXERCISES. Filipinoimpartiality and Americanand troops right photo) demonstrate Committee’s its (bottom On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker synchronized firepower and rapid response during a high-intensity counterlanding and live-fire exercise ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr.in of Pampanga Barangay Dodan, Aparri, Cagayan — a key event the PH-US Balikatan wargames. Philippine Army down forunder ay wrongdoing in a real and The Deputy Speaker David Suarez of and the Philippine Marine Corps mobilized a robust array of assets, including ATMOS 155mmpresented self-propelled criminal court. Quezon a matrix showing howitzers, and additional firepower from 105mm howitzers. Public Office, AFP “I am very interested inAffairs how they Yang’s first appearance and his [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two THE Bishops Conference opening of a or conclave new Yang, Catholic a presidential economic main actors playerstoinelect the aissue of the Philippines'has issued a rare pope. statement on clerical sexual abuse, The CBCP posted a statement to its defending Cardinal Luis Antonio Facebook page Saturday night saying Tagle on the issue days before the that "addressing allegations of miscon-
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs. Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners. duct by clergy rests with the respective Next page diocesan bishops or religious superiors" and not with Tagle. "Since his appointment to a fulltime position in the Roman Curia,
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat 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 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 ReCardinal Tagle no longer holds Next page direct authority over any diocese in the Philippines," the statement dated May 2 reads.
Two killed, four CBCP defends Cardinal Tagle over criticisms on clerical sex abuse others hurt in NAIA 1 car crash Navy spokes debunks China claim
TWO people were killed, including the five-year old daughter of a departing overseas worker, BAUTISTAand four others injured after a black SUV plowed into passengers waiting at the departure area of NinoyAmojelar Aquino International By Darwin Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on the morning of May 4. Secretary Jaime TRANSPORTATION The victims Bautista denied anwere onlinewith news family report members when the vehiclewas suddenly claiming that Malacañang angry veered the queue. with theinto increase in airport fees without SUVofdriver, who members. reportedly theThe approval the Cabinet lost“The control of the vehicle, in Bilyonaryo article isisnow malithe of the Philippine Nationciouscustody and unfounded,” Bautista said al in Police. a Viber message, referring to the The that Newpublished NAIA Infrastructure website the said story. Corporation (NNIC), he working “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” added. closely with the Manila InternaBilyonaryo reported online that tional Airport (MIAA) “Bautista and his Authority long-time protege in and the police, said investigations Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for are ongoing. Authorities have yetare to Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, confirm the total of victims at the center of thenumber storm after it was and the official cause of the crash. Next page
of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked jing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announcefor its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted “Our troops did not observe military exercises off Bajo de any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborstand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West Philipdoing this for their internal audipine Sea (WPS). ence, right? For them not to look China reportedly made the anweak and embarrassed,” Trinidad nouncement coinciding with the said. fourth Multilateral Maritime CoTwo Chinese warships were operative Activity between the monitored at a distance ranging Philippines, Australia, Japan, from eight to 14 nautical miles. New Zealand, and the United One of these went up to 1,000 States within Manila’s exclusive yards at the MMCA site but eveneconomic zone (EEZ) in the reaway. “It was gional waters over the weekend. TRAGEDY AT NAIA 1. Police check thetually accidentwent site where two people werenot threatening, justinto normal,” accordkilled and several Navy others injured when a black Ford Everest crashed a crowd yesterday Philippine Spokesperson outside the former lounge the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1. Norman for WPS Rear OWWA Admiral Royat VinNext Cruz page
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PNP denies hand in Que murder, Pulong Duterte bar assault leaks By Vince Lopez
Que. Fajardo stressed the document is “highly confidential” and not for THE Philippine National Police (PNP) public release on Saturday denied involvement in the Following a media briefing at unauthorized release of sensitive mateCamp Crame where the case was rials linked to two separate high-profile discussed, PNP Chief Gen. Romcases — the Anson Que kidnap-murder mel Francisco Marbil ordered a case and the alleged bar assault involving probe to identify whoHoldings, may have AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Davao City Rep. “Pulong” leaked(PRA) the confession. was honored by the Paolo Philippine Retailers Association with its Outstanding Duterte. Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionaryHe leadership retailanyone development. assuredinthat found re(From to right): PRA Director Director of SM Retailfor Jorge Mendiola, PRAbe held PNP left spokesperson Brig. and Gen. sponsible the T.breach would ViceFajardo Presidentfirmly and President ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) Jean stated and thatCOO theof Golden, accountable. Alicedid T. Liu, SM leak Primethe Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee T. Sy, leakpolice not extrajudicial Separately, the PNPHans also denied PRA President and Chairman of Quorum Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto confession of David Tan Liao, who International, ing a viral CCTV video showing Rep. S. Claudio,Alvin and PRA Director andkilling President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and implicated Que in the Duterte allegedly assaulting a man in a proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua of his father, businessman Anson Davao City bar. Next page