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DOJ CHIEF: 4 E-SABONG GROUPS EYED IN VANISHED ‘SABUNGEROS’ By Pot Chavez, Rex Espiritu, and Rio N. Araja THE Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday disclosed that it is looking into four e-sabong groups in connection with the disappearance and presumed killing of over 100 cockfighting enthusiasts, widely known as the “missing sabungeros.” In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla described
the alleged mass murder as “corporate killings” that were likely carried out to protect business interests. “It is not just the ‘Alpha’ group. There is also the ‘Delta’ group, the ‘Charlie’ group, the ‘Bravo’ group… It is just tiered according to the income stream that they receive out of this esabong industry,” he told justice reporters in Filipino. As this developed, the Supreme Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 144 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025
E-gambling ad control eyed
PAGCOR bucks total ban as opposition to online gambling grows By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable and Vito Barcelo TAKE YOUR PICK. Online
T
HE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is moving to regulate the advertisements of online gambling sites as opposition to these snowballed.
gambling advertisements abound along EDSA (both north and southbound) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Manny Palmero
PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco bucked a total ban on online gambling but said stricter regulation is needed. He said PAGCOR will team up with the Ad Standards Council to “regulate all outdoor billboards that have suddenly appeared like mushrooms.” Among the proposed regulations are tighter restrictions on billboard dimensions and a possible ban on airing ads during prime time hours from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tengco said in a dzMM interview on Tuesday. Next page
OSG may reconsider stance on ICC jurisdiction THE Office of the Solicitor General is amenable to reconsidering its position on the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the Philippines. Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe acknowledged in an interview with
ABS CBN that her predecessor, Menardo Guevarra, was just “trying to come up with a consistent position.” Berberabe surmised that there were some political considerations or appearances “that mattered at a certain point in time.”
Shortly after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte last March 11, his lawyers hied to the Supreme Court (SC) to question the legality of the arrest, arguing that the ICC already had no jurisdiction over the Philippines, Next page
Remulla leads 17 Ombudsman applicants By Charles Dantes
CONSULTATIONS. Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st District exhorts fellow House members from Central Luzon and CALABARZON to support the Bagong Pilipinas program and legislative priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. that would be presented in the 20th Congress. During their meeting yesterday at Imelda Hall in Aguado, Manila Romualdez also engaged them in a cordial consultation about their local development priorities and concerns that need national support. Ver Noveno
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is looking for an Ombudsman who is “principled, courageous, and fair,” Malacañang said yesterday, as the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) confirmed it has received 17 applications for the post ahead of Ombudsman Samuel Martires’ retirement. “There is no shortlist submitted to the President as of this time,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, emphasizing that the Chief Executive will wait for the JBC’s formal recommendation before making a decision.
Impeach move not meant to derail VP Sara’s 2028 presidential bid By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz
serve as senator-judges in a possible impeachment trial. MALACAÑANG yesterday dis“They’re calling the impeachmissed claims that the impeachment ment trial a witch hunt, when the complaint against Vice President trial hasn’t even started yet,” Castro Sara Duterte is a political maneu- said.“It’s like a judge declaring somever aimed at deone not guilty berailing her 2028 fore any evidence Most Pinoys oppose presidential bid. has been presentVP Sara impeachment This came afed,” she added. ter statements Senator Zubiri NEWS / A2 from Senator earlier claimed Juan Miguel that efforts to Zubiri and the impeach Duterte Vice President herself, who called were politically motivated and intendthe move a “witch hunt.” ed to remove her from public service Presidential Communications Of- ahead of the 2028 elections, where she fice Undersecretary Claire Castro cau- remains a strong presidential contendtioned against premature judgments, er based on current surveys. especially from individuals who may Next page
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DFA summons China envoy over Tolentino ban By Ram Superable THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday confirmed that Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was summoned over Beijing’s move to ban
former senator Francis Tolentino from entering China. The meeting took place on July 4, 2025, amid rising tensions over the West Philippine Sea and other issues between Manila and Beijing.
The DFA expressed concern to the Chinese envoy regarding the imposition of sanctions against a former Philippine lawmaker who held office in a democratic institution. Next page
CHIZ HAS BACKING OF MAJORITY—JV
JOBLESS RATE EASED IN MAY
NEWS / A3
BUSINESS / B1
AIM HONORARY DOCTORATE. The Asian Institute of Management (AIM), led by its President and Dean, Jikyeong Kang (bottom, 4th from left), and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Erramon Aboitiz (bottom, 2nd from left), confers the Honorary Degree of Doctorate in Management to Dr. Andrew L. Tan (bottom, center) during the institute’s 2025 Graduation Ceremony held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport City, Pasay. AIM recognized Dr. Tan for his exceptional achievements in business and his contributions to nation-building through Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) and its companies—including Megaworld, the country’s pioneer in township development; Emperador Inc., the maker of the world’s best-selling brandy; and Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc., the developer and operator of Newport World Resorts.