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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 161 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES JULY 27, 2025
House can appeal SC impeach rule—Ex-CJ www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Abante: Congress won’t stop with duty to uphold truth
With or w/o Baste, charity boxing match to proceed—PNP PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III is pushing through with the charity boxing match at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today (Sunday), whether or not his challenger, acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, shows up. PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo yesterday said that preparations are complete, including the setup of the boxing ring, and safety arrangements have been coordinated with the Games and Amusement Board, which is deploying referees and medical teams. “As the PNP chief said, while he is focused on his job, he will show up at the Rizal Coliseum on Sunday,” Fajardo said in a radio interview. The event was initiated after Duterte challenged Torre to a fistfight in a podcast episode, which Torre accepted, turning it into a charity match to raise funds for victims of recent widespread flooding brought by combined weather systems that affected several areas and displaced thousands. “And whether or not Mayor Baste would show up, our Chief PNP will be there. The PNP chief has mentioned he took Mayor Baste’s challenge as an opportunity to help our citizens who were affected by floods,” Fajardo said. The match remains uncertain after Duterte reportedly left for Singapore on Friday. Still, Torre remains optimistic, Fajardo said.
By Pot Chavez and Maricel Cruz
T
HE House of Representatives can still file a motion for reconsideration to appeal the Supreme Court decision declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional, retired chief justice Artemio Panganiban said. “Note that the decision is not final yet. It is still subject to a motion for reconsideration (or for clarification) by the HOR, if it so wants to file one,” Panganiban said in a statement. Still, he said that regardless of whether people are for or against the decision, it should be respected. “We must observe the rule of law,” he said. House spokesperson lawyer Princess Abante said the chamber has not yet officially received a copy of the decision but assured the public it will be reviewed with utmost respect once furnished. “We respect the Supreme Court. But our constitutional duty to uphold truth and accountability does not end here,” Abante said. “The decision of the Supreme Court will be respected—but it will never cause us to stop fulfilling our duty,” she added. Abante emphasized the power to initiate impeachment proceedings belongs solely to the House, as mandated by the Constitution. She said judicial interference at this stage could erode the constitutional principle of checks and balances and curtail the public’s right to demand accountability from highranking officials. Turn to Page 4
IMPEACH PUSH. Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party and other militant groups condemn the Supreme Courts’ ruling that declared the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. During their protest at the Boy Scouts Circle in Quezon City on Saturday, July 26, 2025, Tindig Pilipinas said: ‘This decision is not merely a legal maneuver —it is a direct assault on our democratic institutions and a betrayal of the people’s cry for justice. Jimmy A Domingo
OCD: 30 dead, 7 others missing due to three typhoons, ‘habagat’ By Rex Espiritu, Charles Dantes and Othel Campos THE number of casualties from the recent storms and the intensified southwest monsoon or “habagat” has climbed to 30, the Office of Civil Defense said Saturday. Of the 30 fatalities, 13 were confirmed to be caused by the rains brought by typhoons ‘Crising,’ ‘Dante,’ ‘Emong’ and the ‘habagat,’ while the others are still up for validation. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number with nine deaths, while Western Visayas followed with six deaths. Seven others are missing, while 10 were injured, the OCD said. In total, 5.9 million individuals, or 1.6 million families, were affected by the onslaught across 6,401 barangays in the country. As of Saturday, 190,000 individuals, or 53,000 families, are still seeking refuge in evacuation centers. As this developed, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited yesterday flood-hit Navotas to inspect the damaged Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate and check on families displaced by recent severe flooding.
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SOFT SPOT. President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. engages with displaced residents at the Tanza National High School Evacuation Center in Navotas City on Saturday, July 15, 2025. PPA Pool
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SONA security preps all set; 3 groups given permit to rally—PNP By Joel Zurbano and Vito Barcelo ALL security preparations are now in place for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, with three groups granted permits to stage protest rallies, the Philippine National Police said yesterday. In a radio interview, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said permits were issued to militant group Bayan, which will hold a rally near St. Peter’s Church on Commonwealth Avenue; Tindig Pilipinas, which requested space in White Plains; and a pro-administration group that was allowed to gather near the Sandiganbayan building, also on Commonwealth Avenue. “We are coordinating with them to ensure they police their own ranks and avoid any un-
Tiniest snake makes big comeback NEWS / A2
Pet illnesses following heavy floods PETS / A8 necessary friction,” Fajardo said. She said the IBP Road would be off-limits to all rallies, regardless of affiliation as part of the agreed security plan. More than 12,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City and surrounding areas. “More or less, that would be the deployment unless, of course, we deem it necessary to add the deployment of our personnel over the prevailing security situation,” Fajardo said. Turn to Page 4
US investment pledges, aid to create jobs—Romualdez By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel Campos THE over $21 billion in investment pledges and $63 million in development assistance secured by President Ferdinand Marcos during his recent official visit to the United States have a huge potential to drive economic growth and generate quality jobs for Filipinos, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said. “These commitments are
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clear proof that President Marcos is doing what it takes to attract long-term capital that will translate into real benefits for our people—more jobs, more infrastructure, and more opportunities for every Filipino family,” Romualdez said. In his arrival statement following a three-day official trip to Washington, D.C., President Marcos reported that his engagements resulted in over $21 billion in investment pledges
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from leading multinational companies. He further announced that the US government committed $15 million in support of private sector development under the Luzon Economic Corridor Initiative, and an additional $48 million in foreign-assisted development projects. Romualdez highlighted the importance of the President’s diplomatic efforts to bolster the Turn to Page 4
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