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FIVE LOCAL back economic Biz groups HOLIDAYS IN OCT. team amid Cabinet revamp NEWS / A3
By Othel V. Campos, Ram Superable, and Maricel V. Cruz
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
MAJOR business groups expressed WORLD / A6 satisfaction with the administration’s economic team amid President Marcos’ call for his Cabinet’s courtesy res-
ignations, with some business leaders hopeful that key economic managers would be relatively unscathed after the shakeup. “Big revamp at this time. We at VOL. NO.have 227• MakatiXXXVIII Business •Club a lot3ofSECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • respect [for the cabinet], especially VOL. XXXIX • NO. 97 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 • for the economic cluster. We like
PNP resurrecting probe asks Bold reset: PBBM entire Cabinet to resign into PCSO official's slay Next page
PAGASA
JUNE 6 DECLARED EID’L ADHA HOLIDAY
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
NEWS / A3
PACQUIAO UNRETIRES, SEEKS RING HISTORY SPORTS / A8
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. By Charles Dantes, Darwin Amojelar, “’Julian’ is forecast to continue Rio Araja, Maricelintensifying Cruz and Ram over Superable the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes Do I still have Cabinet members? Who am and/or Babuyan Marcos Islands. With RESIDENT Ferdinand Jr. the current trend in its intensification, I addressing now? We are in a flux. on Thursday his entire Cabinet theasked possibility of reaching super is not ruled to resign fortyphoon what category he described as aout,” said in its advisory. "bold reset" after PAGASA disappointing results for the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., cracking a joke about the Meanwhile, the National Disaslooming Cabinet revamp during the presentation of newlyadministration slate theReduction midtermand elections. ter in Risk Manageenacted laws at Malacañang on Thursday, May 22, 2025. ment Council (NDRRMC) said that PPA Pool a total 1.9 business million as family “Thisofis not usual,”food Mr. packs Marcosworth said inP1.48 a newsbillion, release other pubfood P276 million, and lisheditems by theworth Presidential News Desk. non-food items (NFIs) worth “The people have spoken, andP919 they million were already prepared by expect results—not politics, not exthe Department of Social Welfare cuses. We hear them, and we will act. and“This Development (DSWD). is not about personalities— million inalignment, standby it’sSome aboutP171 performance, fund is also availablewho for have utilization and urgency…Those delivby DSWD, including P123 eredtheand continue to deliver willmilbe lion which can Quick recognized. Butbe weallotted cannot as afford to Response FundThe (QRF) cenbe complacent. time in forthe comfort tral office of the zones is over,” theDSWD. President added. In Batanes, the Provincial At least 35 Cabinet secretaries Diand saster Risk Reduction and ManageCabinet-rank officials, including presiment advised dential Office advisers,(PDRRMO) have already tendered residents to secure their roofs and their courtesy resignation yesterday. install shutters as Typhoon Bothwindow Senate President Francis EsJulian is expected to make landfall cudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the President's Nextdirecpage tive for a Cabinet revamp, calling it A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD a strong move that affirms the Chief Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic Executive’s resolve to deliver better adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug governance and public service. trade and extrajudicial killings. "I am thankful that he has acknowledged that there is a problem, displayed sensitivity to the sentiments of our countrymen, and humbly taken responsibility by addressing it and demanding accountability from THE those Philippine tasked with government implementingonthe Sunday publicly called for the Unitvital programs of the administration: THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seatEscuon the members of his Cabinet," businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightdero said. Next page disparage 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 (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. a speech delivered at the UN GenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated 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. impeachment complaint allows By Maricel V. Cruz multilateral system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly the Senate to prepare for the next day’s global challenges.” “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the the Baofu steps. THE Senate has scheduled forBy Pot Chavez Quoted by reports, Manalo also [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound Bamban, Tarlac, “As stated in our letter dated mal receptioninof the House panel of said: “The Philippines has consisthis criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced February 24, 2025, the Senate shall prosecutors for the impeachment trial THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on tently pursued peace, the sovereign Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. expect the prosecution to read the of Vice President Sara Duterte at 4 Thursday said it will request the Deequality of states, the rights and digprosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm seven charges under the Articles p.m. on June 2. partment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to nity of all persons.” Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, Yang of Impeachment in open session,” In a lawmakers May 19 cited letterTony released revoke the passport of former presiHe added that the country is also having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt Senate for “lying” to about his Escudero wrote to Speaker Martin Thursday, President Frandential spokesman Harry Roque. recognized as the “first Asian Recertificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. Romualdez. cis Escudero cited Rule I of the In an interview, Justice Secretary Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Following the June 2Next reception, Next page page Senate’s Rules of Procedure on Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the Senate will convene as an im Impeachment Trials, saying the that they will seek the cancellation of Next page proper transmittal of the verified Roque’s passport to force him to return to the Philippines and face criminal charges filed by the DOJ. Remulla admitted however, that he has yet to sign the request-letter to Next page the DFA.
Says Pinoysinexpect results, not politics Speaker PMApoll Classresults '83 voteshow of confidence Quad Comm CHINA FIRESgrateful WATER for
CANNON AT BFAR SHIP
By Rio N. Araja NEWS / A2
T PBBM to closely
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
monitor without interfering in budget process
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police By JoelRommel Zurbano General Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. the cold case Ferdinand after whistleblower intendsLt. to Col. closely monitor the framPolice Santie Mendoza told ing House of next year’s national that budget the Quad Committee he to ensure it supports administrahelped carry out the his killing at the tion’s priorities, butgeneral this should not behest of ex-PCSO manager be misconstrued Royina Garma. to mean that he will physically with Congress Mendozasit in narrated before during condeliberations, clarified gressmen how Malacañang Garma allegedly fayesterday. cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside In a pressonbriefing, assassination July 30,Presidential 2020 by Communications Officeinformation Undersecproviding the necessary retary his Claire Castrodetails said the earlier about schedule, about his pronouncement about Mr.necessary Marcos sitvehicle and the funding to ting init as an observer in the bicameral carry out. budget deliberations also should not be The whistleblower implicated taken literally. incumbent National Police Com“He will definitely not sit in missioner Edilberto Leonardo in durthe ing the bicam planning of themeeting. murder. This is just an expression people that he Barayugato show was atheretired police will keep an lawyer eye on the budgeneral and whonational supposedly get for 2026,” Castrocorruption said. threatened to expose with“ThePCSO budget shouldbefore be based on in the shortly he was the priorities of the government, shot dead in Mandaluyong City. and it should prioritize the an shovel-ready Garma, herself ex-policeprojLt. ects of theallegedly government," she added. Colonel, gained the top spot at the PCSO because ofNext her page inNext page
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
BAUTISTA
—“—
P
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry DOJ to request cancellation of Roque’s passport
Senate to receive impeachment panel of prosecutors June 2
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
VIGILANCE PAYS OFF. Eight informants receive a total of P11.63 million By Rex Espiritu in cash rewards from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday, May 2025, under Operation: Private Eye, a program designed to encourage private By22, Darwin Amojelar
citizens to report suspected illegal drug activities communities. THEin their Philippine Navy debunked
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with 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. By Rex Espiritu and he added. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” Bilyonaryo reported Ram Superable online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in A TWO-STAR general of the Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Philippine AirAirports Force (PAF) been Aviation and Bobbyhas Lim, are relieved fromofduty under at the center the and stormplaced after it was restrictive custody on allegations that Next page he sexually assaulted two airmen.
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime CoIn a briefing, Armedbetween Forces of the the operative Activity Philippines FranPhilippines,spokesperson Australia,Col.Japan, cel Margareth Padilla findings of New Zealand, andsaidthe United an initialwithin investigation into the allegaStates Manila’s exclusive tions have already transmitted to economic zone been (EEZ) in the reAFP chief Gen. Romeo who gional waters over theBrawner, weekend. willPhilippine decide if the caseSpokesperson goes to court Navy NextVinpage martial. for WPS Rear Admiral Roy
PAF general in sex assault likely to face court martial
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 for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese were LAPU-LAPU Citywarships Mayor Junard monitored at a distance ranging “Ahong” Chan urged men 20 and from to 14circumcision nautical miles. above eight to undergo under One of these went up to 1,000 the city’s annual incentivized “Liyards at theoutreach MMCAprogram. site but evenbreng Tuli” tually went away. waswhonot In a Facebook post,“It Chan, is threatening, just normal,” accordalso the city’s congressman-elect,
Incentivized ‘tuli’: P10k for 20 years and above; P20k for senior citizens
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 Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, NEVER TOO LATE. A 68-year-old senior citizen gets his P20,000 cash incentive PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto for undergoing circumcision. City councilor Emilio Galaroza (left), a doctor by profession, S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and performed the operation, aided by Ms. Lapu-lapu City Jamie Javier (right). Facebook proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua page of Mayor Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan