READY TO RUMBLE. Promotions President Tom Brown (center) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (left) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (right) attend a ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday (Manila time) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title today against Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight. AFP
PACQUIAO-BARRIOS FIGHT TEST OF WILL, FATHER TIME LOS ANGELES – Filipino star Manny Pacquiao’s comeback world title showdown against Mario Barrios will be a test of endurance for the 46-year-old eight-division world champion versus a fighter 16 years younger. “I’m so happy I’m back because boxing is my passion and I missed boxing,” Pacquiao said after making the weight on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), tipping the scales at just under the 147-pound welterweight limit. Pacquiao – who is returning to the ring after a four-year absence – weighed in at 146.8 lbs during
a packed ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. His opponent in today’s fight, reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Barrios, was also inside the weight limit at 146.2 lbs. The Filipino star – whose last victory came against Keith Thurman in 2019 – is aiming to pull off an upset victory in today’s bout. Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 knockouts) announced his return to boxing in May, taking advantage of a WBC rule that allows former champions to request a direct title shot when
coming out of retirement. He will be facing the much younger Barrios, who will take a 29-2-1 record in today’s contest. Barrios, 30, said he was unfazed by the prospect of taking on living legend Pacquiao, who could become the first fighter to win a major world title after being inducted to boxing’s Hall of Fame. “I’m approaching this the same way I have all my other fights – I treat it as just another title defense,” Barrios said. “Manny has accomplished so much, but it’s my time now.” AFP
CBCP rejects push for legal e-gambling
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 154 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES JULY 20, 2025
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David: Addiction in all forms slavery in disguise By Vito Barcelo
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HE head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has rejected justifications for legalizing online gambling in the country, insisting that addiction in all its forms is “slavery in disguise.”
At the 11th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization in Manila, CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David refuted the argument of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that legal online gambling sites allow for better regulation and enable the government to generate revenues. “The sum total of their reasoning: if we don’t legalize it, it stays illegal — and we lose a lot of money. We could use the money and generate revenues for the government,” David said. “So I said, why don’t you just legalize shabu as well? Because it’s illegal — so let’s earn from it? That’s the same logic,” he added. The CBCP head also warned of the broader threat posed by various forms of addiction, including gambling and even social media. “How many families have been de-
stroyed by gambling debts? How many young people spend hours scrawling, seeking validation in likes and shares, losing the capacity to be present, and losing even their social skills to build natural friendships,” he said. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier expressed support for either a total ban or strict regulation of online gambling, citing its link to mental health problems. “Many families have become or are addicted to gambling because it’s very accessible. Gambling is habit-forming and behavioral. Either ban or regulation is fine with me,” Teodoro said. Last week, Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco said stricter regulation is what is needed, noting that problems arise from illegal online gambling sites and not the ones licensed by the government. Turn to Page 4
THINGS FALL DOWN. A big boulder rolled down along Kennon Road on Saturday, July 19, 2025, ramming into a house and crushing a car. Luckily, no one was hurt as the family occupying the house evacuated ahead as Severe Tropical Storm ‘Crising’ barreled through the country’s northern region. In Quezon City, two giant billboards and a Meralco post fell along the southbound and northbound lanes, respectively, of Katipunan Ave, causing heavy traffic and damaging parked vehicles in the area. Manny Palmero
‘Crising’ leaves 3 missing, P11.5m infra damaged 8 dead, several hurt in Isabela road crash
US pulls out from WHO pandemic reforms deal
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Healthy human food for cats PETS / B4
By Rex Espiritu, Maricel V. Cruz, Joel E. Zurbano, Charles Dantes and Vito Barcelo SEVERE tropical storm “Crising” exited the country yesterday morning, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction with at least P11.5 million damaged infrastructure, three missing persons, and almost a quarter of million people affected. State weather bureau PAGASA said “Crising” and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” caused widespread flooding and even landslides in some areas. Office of Civil Defense administrator Rafaelito Alejandro IV said two people were reported missing in Antique – with their homes hit by massive floods while they were sleeping. “According to reports, they were washed out to sea, so
they are still missing,” he said. Another person was reported missing in Palawan after going to sea despite the bad weather, Alejandro said. Meanwhile, over 215,000 people in 495 barangays, primarily in the Negros Island Region and Panay were also affected. Nearly 1,000 passengers, drivers, and cargo helpers were stranded across the country Saturday as the Philippine Coast Guard suspended maritime operations in several regions. A total of 8,695 air travelers were likewise affected following the cancellation of 12 domestic flights across various airports in the country yesterday. The OCD is on red alert and has prepared 3 million family food packs for distribution. Turn to Page 4
Marcos flies to US, to meet Trump for ‘fresh’ trade deal Rody’s lawyers seek to defer ICC ruling on own urgent motion for interim release By Charles Dantes By Joel E. Zurbano AFTER filing an urgent request for the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte, his lawyers filed another urgent request for the pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court to hold off from deciding.
Duterte’s lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, in a request submitted July 18, said the chamber “should be in possession of all relevant materials, including [REDACTED], before making its first crucial determination on interim release.”
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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flies to Washington today for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, in a bid to arrive at a “mutually beneficial” trade deal amid the proposed 20 percent US tariff on Philippine exports. The three-day visit, from July
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20 to 22, is being held at the invitation of Trump. It also marks the first time a Southeast Asian head of state will meet with the US leader since his return to office earlier this year. “The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the PhilippinesUnited States alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations, and seize oppor-
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tunities for greater security and economic cooperation,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said. Solano said the trip aims to reinforce the decades-long alliance between Manila and Washington that will allow both countries to “seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation.” Turn to Page 4
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