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Dimalanta’s irrevocable resignation surprises energy industry leaders By Charles Dantes and Alena Mae S. Flores
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 150 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025
PLOT THICKENS IN MISSING ‘SABUNGEROS’ CASE
Ex-NCRPO chief linked to case ‘Totoy’: Ex-vice mayor also involved in disappearances By Vince Lopez and Pot Chavez
W
HISTLEBLOWER Julie “Dondon” Patidongan yesterday filed a complaint against 12 police officers who he said were allegedly involved in the case of the missing “sabungeros.”
Oil firms hike fuel prices by P1.40 per liter today
ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta yesterday tendered her irrevocable resignation, surprising industry leaders and groups. In a brief message to Palace-based reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that Dimalanta tendered her “irrevocable resignation.” “She did. Irrevocable resignation,” Castro said. The energy sector was caught off guard by the sudden resignation of ERC Chair Monalisa Dimalanta
Torre: Sacks found in Taal Lake contained human, animal bones THE recovered bones from Taal Lake rewere a mix of human and animal re mains, Philippine National Police chief famGen. Nicolas Torre III said as 12 fam “sabunily members of the missing “sabun geros” already gave DNA specimens for cross-matching.
Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan also known as ‘Totoy’, with cap and sunglasses, swears to tell the truth yesterday at the National Police Commission in Quezon City where he filed a complaint affidavit against 12 police officers allegedly involved in the disappearance of the sabungeros. (Inset) Ret. Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo. Manny Palmero
Dimalanta, who was appointed to a term set to expire in 2029. The Palace resighas yet to announce whether her resig nation has been accepted or who will be appointed in her place. Reports said Dimalanta anan nounced her resignation durdur ing the ERC’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday. She had filed her resignation letlet ter, addressed to the OfOf fice of the President, through the Office of Executive Secretary Next page
By Pot Chavez and Vince Lopez
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Whistleblower
NEWS / A2
“The bones were mixed. As you know, there are farms in the area. So, some of the bones we recovered were animal remains. Some were human remains,” Torre said on Monday. “Part of the processing we have to do is to differentiate which bones are of animal origin and which ones are of Next page
MALTESE CITIZENSHIP RENOUNCED, SAYS GIBO
He said he will also file a separate case against retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, a former director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), whom he tagged as the highest-ranking officer involved in the case of the disappeared cockfighting enthusiasts. Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said at least one senator and two congressmen, as well as other high-profile personalities, may be involved in the e-sabong case based on Patidongan’s revelations. “General Estomo, he is a member of the Alpha (Group). He was among those who encouraged Mr. Atong Ang – ‘Boss, let’s kill Dondon Patidongan so that your problem will be
NEWS / A3
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Marcos US visit upon invitation of Trump—DFA US PR ESIDENT Donald Trump personally invited President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to discuss bilateral matters at the White House in Washington, D.C., the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed yesterday. According to DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Marcos is the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited by Trump since the latter won a fresh term from American voters. Details on the specific topics they will discuss have yet to be formally announced. Both Malacañang and the DFA confirmed last week that Marcos will embark on a three-day working visit to the United States on July 20 to 22, 2025 to meet with Trump after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement. Next page
RICH RESOURCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conducts an aerial inspection of the Malampaya Phase IV drilling Monday, July 14, 2025, to help strengthen the country’s local supply of natural gas. The project aims to bring more affordable electricity and a steady energy supply to Filipino households.
CHR sounds alarm over rise in commercial sale of babies THE Commission on Human Rights on Monday raised the alarm over mounting sales of babies on different social media apps for as low as P90,000. CHR Commissioner Będa Enpres said at least 16 suspects have been
arrested for selling babies online, with one conviction. The youngest baby to be sold online was only six days old, he said. Enpres warned that babies sold online could fall into child pornography.
LISTENING SESSION.
Re-elected Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez speaks before House Members from Regions X, XI, and CARAGA during the Congressional Consultative Forum on Regional Priorities held at Almont Inland Resort in Butuan City. Describing the event as a “listening session,” Romualdez emphasized the importance of aligning regional needs with national policy and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting colleagues in advancing their advocacies under the Bagong Pilipinas vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.. Ver Noveno
“It has become quite rampant Online sale of the babies is usually nowadays probably on account of done through private Facebook acnew technology using platforms on counts, he said. social media apps to conduct their Police investigation indicated that nefarious trade,” Enpres said in a the newborns were being peddled by broadcast interview. Next page
Romualdez takes up regional priorities for 20th Congress By Maricel V. Cruz LEYTE Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday led the Congressional Consultative Forum on Regional Priorities for Regions X, XI, and CARAGA at the Almont Inland Resort in Butuan City. During the forum, the lawmakers engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue on
local development needs, national policy alignment, and shared legislative goals under President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas agenda. The event brought together House members from key political parties— Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity Party (NUP), Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Liberal Next page