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House OKs P200 wage hike FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES Measure to benefit 5 million minimum wage earners, but biz groups wary TO POUND HEZBOLLAH VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
WORLD / A6
By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel Campos
I PNP resurrecting probe Gov’treadies
N A historic move, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading itsPAGASA version of the wage hike bill that calls for a P200 daily wage increase across the board for minimum wage earners.
House Bill (HB) No. 11376 or the proposed Wage Hike for Minimum Wage Workers Act with 172 yes votes, zero no vote and one abstention. The House-approved legislated wage hike is double the P100 version approved by the Senate. Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said the mandated wage hike “has the power to lift over 5 million minimum wage earners and their families.” “We are way past the stage of whether we will pass a legislated wage hike, but how much that wage hike will be. For us workers, of course, the answer is clear: the higher, the better,” he said. Mendoza called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the measure into law: “Let your presidency be forever remembered as the administration that finally had the vision, the courage and the will to break the chains of stagnant starvation poverty wages and deliver real hope to our nation’s workers.” A leading business organization,
into PCSO official's slay Bato authors kill-impeach reso VOL. XXXIX • NO. 109 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 •
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm By Ram Superable
By Rio N. Araja
T
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of 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 By Maricel Cruz necessary to vehicle and theV. funding carry it out. THE of Representatives comTheHouse whistleblower also implicated mittee on good government and public incumbent National Police Comaccountability on Wednesday its missioner Edilberto Leonardoended in the probe intoofthe misuse of P612.5 planning thealleged murder. million worth was of confidential enBarayuga a retiredfunds police trusted to Vice President Sara Duterte general and lawyer who supposedly and the Department of Education, threatened to expose corruption withwhich previously in the she PCSO shortly headed. before he was committee, chaired City. by Manila shotThe dead in Mandaluyong Rep. Joel Chua, unanimously adopted Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. the motionallegedly of Abang Lingkod party-list Colonel, gained the top Rep.atStephen Paduano to terminate the spot the PCSO because of her in-
SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa yesterday confirmed that he authored a draft Senate resolution seeking to declare the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as "de facto dismissed." "That came from my office. Read the resolution, you’ll understand evev
PEACH FOR IMPEACHMENT. Former Senator and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila De Lima shows a colored peach ribbon to symbolize Tindig Pilipinas call for the Senate to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sarah Duterte. Manny Palmero
erything. It’s very self-explanatory, what it says reflects exactly how I feel," he said. The resolution argues that the Senate’s inaction on the Articles of Impeachment within 100 days of receipt effectively nullifies the case. Dela Rosa said he is prepared to stand by the resolution even without assurance of majority support in the Senate. "Whether or not I get the support of the majority, I am confident that I make a stand as far as this issue is conNext page cerned," he said.
House committee ends probe on VP Sara’s confidential funds
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DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
investigation. revealedHouse that 405 out Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD AChua WEBearlier OF CRIME? leaders ofComm the 677 nameswhich listedshows as beneficiaries hearing the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic ofadviser DepEd’s confidential funds under of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings. Duterte have no birth records. Chua said this was a clear indication that the names were fabricated. He said the committee report will likely be released “next week.” Several members of the committee earlier said the Vice President and certain officials from the OVP and DepEd THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities may face charges of plunder, technical businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said Next page disparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. 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 organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated 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 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 long-standing relationship between Bystripped Charles Yang, who already admitted we it ofDantes its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang the Philippines and Singapore, pledghaving a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his ing to expand in key areas PRESIDENT certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered andFerdinand identified"Bongbong" at least two businesses andcooperation business partners. such as renewable energy, digital govMarcos Jr. and newly inreappointed Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players the issue Next page ernance, and regional security Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence In a joint statement delivered at Wong on Wednesday bolstered the
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
however, raised concerns over the House-approved legislated wage hike, warning the measure could trigger higher inflation and undermine its intended benefits for workers. “If this passes, it’s for sure going to cause added inflation,” said P1.48 a repTHE government has readied resentative from country’s billion worth of one aid of forthecommunimostthat influential groups who ties may be business hit hard by typhoon asked notwhich to be PAGASA named. says could ‘Julian’ will go up, but supturn“Demand into a supertyphoon. plyAswill remain Sellers of 5:00 PMthe on same. Sunday, PAwill raiseraised prices,Tropical so effectively, the GASA Cyclone value of the raise may eventually be Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes cancelled out,” the business leader and the northeastern portion of Baadded. buyan TheIslands. business sector has long “’Julian’ is forecast to continue pushed for productivity-linked wage intensifying over theof next 24-36 adjustments instead across-thehours as it moves towards board increases, arguing that Batanes mandatand/or Islands. With the ed hikesBabuyan could lead to higher operatcurrent trend in its intensification, ing costs for employers, especially for the ofenterprises. reaching super smallpossibility and medium typhoon not ruled Leadout,” Housecategory Assistantis Minority PAGASA in itssaid advisory. er Arlene said Brosas the increase Meanwhile, thewas National – which she said the firstDisasin 36 yearsRisk – was a long-deserved benefit ter Reduction and Managefor workers. ment Council (NDRRMC) said that Nextfood page a total of 1.9 million family 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 Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall Next page
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. HONORED GUEST. Department Foreign Affairs President Ferdinandof 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr.Secretary and Singapore Prime (DFA) Enrique Manalo in Minister Lawrence Wongatstand in Gena speech delivered the UN attention as the national eral Assembly in Newanthems York said the of both countries are played Philippines continues to during emphasize thethe arrival ceremony yesterday in “importance of upholding the Malacañang. Revoli Cortez 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 digMalacañan Palace during Wong’s nity of all persons.” official visitthat to the the country Philippines, He added is alsothe President welcomed the Asian prime minisrecognized as the “first Reter and praised the "thriving" 56-year Nextnations. page relationship between the two
PH, Singapore pledge expanded cooperation
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Navy spokes debunks China claim claps back of military exercises in Torre Scarborough shoal
IN AGREEMENT. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez shakes hands
with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. after their meeting yesterday on the legislative roadmap that will make President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's P20 per BAUTISTA kilo rice program permanent and sustainable (Story on A2). Ver Noveno
By Rex Espiritu
Sexual contact among males main mode of HIV transmission
By Darwin Amojelar
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. Bilyonaryo article is maliBy“The Ram Superable cious and unfounded,” Bautista said and Maricel V. Cruz in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. MOST of the 5,101 newlyhereported “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” added. HIV cases in thereported Philippines from that JanBilyonaryo online uary to March 2025 involved young “Bautista and his long-time protege in adults andAirlines, males, Undersecretary with sexual conPhilippine for tact remaining the dominant modeare of Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, transmission, Department at the center ofprompting the storm after it was of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa to say that their behavNext page
THE Philippine Navy debunked 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 ior is Sea "too (WPS). risky." China reportedly anData from the DOHmade HIV the & AIDS nouncement with the Surveillance ofcoinciding the Philippines (HASP) fourth Maritime Coshowed Multilateral that 95% of the new cases, or operative Activitywere between the 4,849 individuals, male, while Philippines, Australia, Japan, only 252 cases involved females. "As New the United of the Zealand, first quarterand of 2025, average States Manila’s exclusive monthlywithin cases reached 1,700. This is economic (EEZ) the re50% higherzone than the sameinperiod last gional watersthe over the report weekend. year (1,136)," HASP stated. Philippine Navy Spokesperson The median age of new infections NextVinpage for WPS Rear Admiral Roy
at Dutertes over his appointment
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. troopsDantes did not observe By“Our Charles any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) doing this Nicolas for their internal audichief Gen. Torre III dismissed ence, right? For them not to look as “sketchy” Vice President Sara weak and criticisms embarrassed,” Duterte’s of hisTrinidad appointsaid. ment and called Mayor Baste Duterte's Two as Chinese warships were remarks “unsurprising and misinmonitored at a distance ranging formed.” from eight tothe14opinion nautical miles. "I respect of the Vice One of these up oftoeveryone 1,000 President and thewent opinion yards at the site done but evenregarding the MMCA things we’ve during tually went away. “It was not the arrest of Mr. Duterte and his eventual threatening, normal,” accordtransfer to Thejust Hague," said Torre. Nextpage page Next
SEARCH FOR 16TH SM LITTLE STAR. SM Little Stars, the country’s kiddie talentof search with overCommittee P15M worth for AWARD.largest Hans Sy, Chairman the Executive ofof SMprizes PrimeupHoldings, grabs, is accepting pre-registrations starting June 7(PRA) via the SMitsMalls Online App, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association with Outstanding smsupermalls.com/smlittlestars, or his in participating SM mallsinnationwide. Launching Filipino Retailers President Award for visionary leadership retail development. this year’s Little Stars are (left toDirector right) SMofSupermalls Executive Vice President (From left toSM right): PRA Director and SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA forPresident Marketingand Jonjon San Agustin, National University (NU) PepPenshoppe Squad coach Vice President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Group) GabT.Bajacan, SM Little Stars 2017 Girl Grand Gaea Mischa, SMHans Supermalls Alice Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of theWinner Executive Committee T. Sy, Assistant Vice President for Marketing Hanna Carinna Sy, singer Sam Concepcion, PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Jadaone, Supermalls Vice President forLeisure, Corporate S. Director Claudio, Antoinette and PRA Director andSM President of Sportshouse Int’l. Inc. Marketing and Grace Magno, and NU Resource Development Director Pauline Guanzon. proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua