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San Beda law dean, 2 ex-SC justices back start of impeachment trial
FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
Former Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna
WORLD / A6
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Former Comelec Commissioner Luis Tito De Guia
Former Supreme Court Justice Jose C. Vitug
are filed by at least 1/3 of the lower house, trial shall proceed forthwith.” “There was no reason to postpone the trial. I SEVERAL Legal and academic luminaries excan’t pressed agreement yesterday that Vice President VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •understand why Senator Chiz Escudero refuses to get the trial at the Senate started,” he said Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial should not be in a mixture of Filipino and English. delayed any further, stating that the phrase "trial Similarly, faculty members of De La Salle Unishall proceed forthwith” should not be too difficult versity’s Department of Political Science and Defor Senators to comprehend. velopment Studies said thatPAGASA further delaying the In a television interview, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, impeachment “erodes public trust” and mocks the Dean of the Graduate School of Law at San Beda “mechanisms of accountability” in the ConstituUniversity, pointed out, “It is clear in the ConstituFormer dean, Ateneo School of San Beda law Dean Fr. Ranhillo tion. tion that the moment the articles of impeachment Next page
By Pot Chavez
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay Former Rep. Erin Tanada
Government Tony La Vina
Aquino
Angara leaves it up to Congress to keep or scrap SHS program
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
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.7,32025 over Batanes VOL. XXXIX • NO. 111 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JUNE • 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). 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 cenBy Joel E. Zurbano tral office of the DSWD. and Superable In Ram Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office ILITANT (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and groups, install window shutters as Typhoon civiltosociety Julian is expected make landfall
EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara admitted yesterday that the K to 12 program has produced lackluster results and left it to Congress to scrap the senior high school (SHS) curriculum. The admission came as Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada filed a measure seeking to rationalize
the basic education system in the country by removing the SHS, citing reason that it “still has not fully achieved its goal” to produce skilled and job-ready graduates 12 years after the enactment of Republic Act No. 10533, also known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. Next page
By Rio N. Araja
3-day rally set to push for impeach trial start
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
Reflect on what HE Philippine National Police strengthens us— (PNP) is reopening its investigation into PBBM on Eid’l Adha the 2020 murder of
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Philippine By CharlesCharity Dantes, Sweepstakes Office Ram Superable, (PCSO) board secretary and Maricel Cruz Wesley Barayuga.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. onOn Friday joinedPNP the entire Sunday, Chief Islamic Police world in observing Adha (Feast General Rommel Eid’l Francisco Marof said Sacrifice) whichthe is areopening public holibil he ordered of day cold for Muslim-Filipinos. the case after whistleblower Next page 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-
Organizers warn Filipinos ready to ‘rise up for justice’
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organizations, and 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 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, A DAY OF PRAYER. Thousands of Filipino Muslims gather yesterday celebrate Eid-al Adha or the Festival of the Sacrifice, an Islamic this criminal network in court.toInpray and Comm hearing. which, in turn, can beholiday, directlyattraced the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Norman Cruz 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. Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Next page
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
Pinoys join consumers worldwide in pessimism over 2025 economy By Darwin G. Amojelar FILIPINO consumers turned more pessimistic about the economy in the first quarter of 2025, mostly because BAUTISTA
of concerns over accelerating inflaJobless rate inches tion, declining incomes and fewer job prospects, according to the Bangko Navy debunks China claim up inspokes April, says PSA Sentral ng Pilipinas.
of military exercises in Scarborough shoal BUSINESS / B1
Japan’s Diet passes Reciprocal Access Agreement with PH
By Darwin Amojelar
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without Byapproval Rex Espiritu the of the Cabinet members. “The Bilyonaryo article is maliJAPAN’S Diet approved yesterday cious and unfounded,” Bautista said thea Reciprocal Access Agreement in Viber message, referring to the (RAA), that a significant defense pact website published the said story. enabling Japanese forces toheconduct “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” added. joint exercises with Filipino troopsthat in Bilyonaryo reported online the Philippines. “Bautista and his long-time protege in The RAA , which was signed for by Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary both countries in JulyBobby 2024, Lim, was are apAviation and Airports proved by the Philippine Senate in at the center of the storm after it was December 2024. Next page The Department of National De-
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborfense (DND) Diet’s pasough Shoal, lauded in the the West Philipsage of the(WPS). RAA. pine Sea “This agreement follows China reportedly madePresident the anFerdinand R. coinciding Marcos Jr.’swith directive nouncement the to strengthen partnerships with likefourth Multilateral Maritime Cominded countries. It is between a step forward operative Activity the to building a trusted and reliable dePhilippines, Australia, Japan, fense relationship, helping counNew Zealand, and theboth United tries contribute to a free, exclusive open, and States within Manila’s peaceful Indo-Pacific region,” economic zone (EEZ) in theDND respokesperson Arsenio Andolong gional waters over the weekend. said in a statement. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy NextVinpage
The BSP's latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showed
that the overall consumer confidence index (CI) dropped to -13 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from -11.1 percent in the previous quarter and -10.9 percent in the first quarter of Next page 2024.
members of religious congregations will mount a three-day major rally and vigil from June 9 (Monday) to June 11, (Wednesday) to call on the THE Philippine government on Senate to proceed the Sunday publicly called forwith the United Nations (UN) to give a seat on impeachment trialit of Vice the UN Security Council, highlightPresident Sara Duterte. ing the country’s strong record and
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
dedication to upholding the rule of law."We expect larger mobilization efforts. These areoftimes whenAffairs citizens Department Foreign need toSecretary take action. OurManalo institutions (DFA) Enrique in political elitesatare aand speech delivered theunwilling UN Gen-to act, Assembly so the responsibility eral in New Yorkfalls saidtothethe people," former Bayan partyPhilippines continues to Muna emphasize list Rep. Teddy Casiño said. the “importance of upholding the matter is not just about berule"This of law and the integrity of the ing anti-Duterte or pro-Marcos. Even multilateral system in the face of tothose global who are neutral or do not have day’s challenges.” a position on either see that Quoted by reports,side Manalo alsothe process is Philippines being disrespected, that said: “The has consisjustice is not being served, and that tently pursued peace, the sovereign our elected officials are not doing equality of states, the rights and digtheirofjobs. These individuals will also nity all persons.” riseHeupadded for justice,” added.is also that thehe country The Tindig Pilipinas said recognized as the “firstcoalition Asian Rean ecumenical gathering and people’s Next page march will be launched on Monday from the Film Center to the Senate gate. On Tuesday, June 10, a people’s vigil will be held at the Senate and on June 11—the day the Senate is expected Next page
PAGASA eyeing possible first storm this year
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, For Atmospheric, them not to look THE right? Philippine Geoweak and embarrassed,” physical and AstronomicalTrinidad Services said. Administration yesterday announced Chinese thatTwo a low pressure warships area (LPA)were it is monitored at a distance ranging monitoring inside the Philippine Area from eight to 14 nautical of Responsibility (PAR) has a miles. "mediOne of these went up into to a1,000 um" chance of developing tropiyards at the MMCA cal depression today. site but eventually wentto away. “It24-hour was tropnot According PAGASA's threatening, just normal,” accordical cyclone formation outlook issued at 4 Next Next page page
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, LPA The state weather bureau advisory asInc. of 4(Toby’s p.m. yesterday shows PRA TRACK. President and Chairman of Quorum International, Sports) Roberto theS.track of aand lowPRA pressure area (LPA) being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Claudio, Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and Responsibility (PAR) which has a "MEDIUM" chance of development into a tropical proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua depression today. PAGASA