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FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20• •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXIX • NO. 90 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P203•SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
WORLD / A6
Comelec won’t stop PNP resurrecting probe De Lima proclamation into PCSO official's slay
CA ruling not a reversal of acquittal per se—DOJ exec Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
By Vito Barcelo
By Rio N. Araja HE Commission on Elections said Friday it will
T T
proceed with the proclamation of Mamamayang HE Philippine Liberal party-list’s first nominee, former Senator National Police Leila de Lima, even after the Court of Appeals nullified (PNP) is reopening her acquittal in a drug case. its investigation into theThis 2020 as murder Departmentofof Justice appellate court merely remanded the spokesman Mico Clavano said the ruling of the Muntinlupa regional trial Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
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-
court to clarify its decision. “This is not a reversal per se of the acquittal, it is more of a remanding of the decision to clarify the decision. That is the procedure,” Clavano said. “It seems that her acquittal will stay. It is believed the RTC's decision will remain in status quo while it is still being tried in the Court of Appeals because the congresswomanelect still has a remedy – to file a motion for reconsideration,” he added.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the CA ruling was not yet final. “There’s no reason for us to halt the announcement of the party-list or its candidate since the CA's decision isn't final yet…We don’t think it is right to suspend the proclamation of a winning party-list or nominee because of a decision that is not yet final. Again, it will have no effect on the proclamation,” he said.
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WRAPPING UP. Comelec
Chairman George Garcia announces the final results of the senatorial and partylist canvassing in a press conference PAGASA yesterday at the Tent at the Manila Hotel. With Garcia are, left, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr., and, right. Atty. John Rex Laudiangco. Norman Cruz
Gov’t readies Winning P1.48b aidsenators as today; 'proclaimed Julian' strengthens party-lists, Monday
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon By Vitowhich Barcelo ‘Julian’ PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. THE Elections As of Commission 5:00 PM on on Sunday, PA(Comelec) will proclaim 12 winGASA raised Tropicalthe Cyclone ning Windsenators Signal today No. 3after overcompleting Batanes the canvassing of all 175 certificates of and the northeastern portion of Bacanvass across the country following buyan Islands. the “’Julian’ 2025 national and localtoelections. is forecast continue In a press over conference, poll24-36 body intensifying the next chairman George Garcia said the prochours as it moves towards Batanes lamation would begin at 3 p.m. the and/or Babuyan Islands. Withat the Manila currentHotel’s trend Tent in itsCity. intensification, are just waiting for the formal the"We possibility of reaching super recommendation of the supervisory typhoon category is not ruled out,” committee. We inwere informed they PAGASA said its advisory. willMeanwhile, recommend the the National proclamation of Disas12 senatorial candidates based terwinning Risk Reduction and Manageon yesterday's ranking,” he ment Council(Thursday) (NDRRMC) said that told reporters yesterday. a total of 1.9 million family food Garcia said the Comelec completed packs worth P1.48 billion, other the official of themillion, certificate of food itemscounting worth P276 and canvass (COC) for the midterm elecnon-food items (NFIs) worth P919 Next page tions on Thursday evening. 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 Next page
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, including the operations of SAVING THE ENDANGERED.organized DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga is joined by girl scouts holding dolls representing six critically endangered crime. However, House members argued illegalfrom POGOs. species native to the Philippines: the dugong, Philippine eagle, pawikan, pangolin, Philippine cockatoo, and tamaraw during the “Save Extinction” campaign Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies event yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium on Friday. With Loyzaga are Manila Bulletin President, Dr. Emilio C. Yap III; Hans Sy, Chairman of the implicated questioned the House about Yang recklessly. areSM Supermalls, Brickhartz asTechnology Inc. Executive Committee of SM Prime; Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President; Quad Hanna Carina Sy, Assistant Vice president for marketing at well as Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, wildlife. Senior Deputy and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., representatives from various non-government organizations dedicated to preserving endangered NormanSpeaker Cruz 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. person Harry Roque. By Pot Chavez Yang, presidential main actors or players in the issue Next page In a achance interview economic yesterday,
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
DOJ talking to Interpol, other diplomatic channels to get Roque
Justice AssisTHE Departtant Secretary ment of Justice and spokes(DOJ) said they person Mico are exploring Clavano emdiplomatic chanphasized that nels to impleNEWS / A3 since there is ment the arrest BAUTISTA already a warwarrant issued By Rex Espiritu rant, R o q u e by a local court Next page against formerAmojelar Presidential SpokesBy Darwin 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 not toSea be (WPS). obstructionists, so that the MALACAÑANG reiterated yes“The Bilyonaryo article is maliChina reportedly made the good projects and programs of anthe terdayand thatunfounded,” the administration will cious Bautista said nouncement with the President and coinciding the administration can stand against electedreferring officialstowho in a Viber message, the fourth Multilateral continue," she said. Maritime Coobstructthat progress under the guise website published the said story. operative between of opposition. Castro Activity emphasized that the the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Philippines, Japan, Presidential Communication administration Australia, isn't threatening Bilyonaryo reported onlineOffice that New Zealand, and senators, the United anyone, including reUndersecretary Palace Press Offi“Bautista and hisand long-time protege in States within Manila’s exclusive sponding to Sen. Bato dela Rosa's cer Claire Castro explained in a press Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for economic zonesenators (EEZ) in the restatement that should not briefing and that Airports the administration Aviation Bobby Lim,isn't are gional waters over thePalace weekend. be trheatened if the seeks targeting specific individuals butitrather at the center of the storm after was Philippine Navy Spokesperson unity and cooperation. advocating for cooperation. NextVinpage for WPS Rear Admiral Roy page "What we want from the Next people is
10 ex-Porac POGO Navy spokes debunks China claim Chinese nabbed
of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
Palace firm vs. obstructionists
cent Trinidad told reporters that Senate President Manila troopsFrancis did Escudero 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 for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accordSenator-elect Vicente Sotto III Next page
HIGHER FUEL PH lobbies UN PRICES TUESDAY NEWS / A2 for Security Council seat
POLLSTER TRACKS BAM, KIKO WIN
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlightNEWS / A2record and ing the country’s strong 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 By Maricel V. the Cruz equality of states, rights and dignity of all persons.” TWO Housethat leaders are confident that He added the country is also Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats recognized as the “first Asian Re(Lakas-CMD) President Martin Romualdez would keep his role as SpeakNext page er in the 20th Congress. This, as Deputy Speaker David Suarez and Mark Enverga, both from Quezon, downplayed rumors of potential challengers to the top post in the House of Representatives. "We believe that in the past three
Romualdez likely to keep post; Senate prexy change talks on
Next page House Speaker Martin Romualdez
PRA seeking out Meghan Markle's father in Cebu By Nickie Wang
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings,
was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association with its Outstanding THE (PRA) Philippine Retirement AuFilipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. thority (PRA) is trying to locate (From left to right): PRA Director and Director Thomas of SM RetailMarkle Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA Sr., the estranged Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC,ofInc. (The Penshoppe Group) father Meghan, Duchess of SusAlice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hansoffice T. Sy, after sex, through its Cebu PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc.him (Toby’s Sports)around Robertobusy photos of walking S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and streets surfaced online. proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua Rep.-elect Tobias Tiangco Next page