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PBBM hits corrupt officials
‘Shame on you’: ‘Ghost’ flood control projects, substandard infra By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lambasted officials involved in substandard or even “ghost” flood-control projects, especially after the series of typhoons that left a trail of devastation across several parts of the country. In what was the most applauded part of his midterm State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President did not mince words in shaming corrupt officials, along
CRAFTING THE FUTURE.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. gestures to make a point in his fourth State of Nation Address (SONA) yesterday at the House of Representatives in Quezon City. Top left photo shows the audience inside tha Batasang Pambansa while bottom left photo shows militants burning effigies during a protest rally along Commonwealth Avenue. Revoli Cortez, Manny Palmero
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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 164 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025
Killers of missing Marcos rolls out socio-economic programs to help struggling Pinoys sabungeros to pay; silent on online gaming Speaker stands by House move on impeachment By Charles Dantes, Ram Superable, Alena Mae Flores, Othel Campos and Rex Espiritu
nomic programs to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos, touting the free basic accommodation in all Department of Health hospitals, the expansion of the “Walang PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Gutom” initiative, and the effort to ensure vowed to further strengthen socio-eco- electricity connection for an additional
one million households through solar home systems, among others. “If we talk about data alone, our economy is doing well and business confidence has increased. Inflation eased and employment also went up,” Mr. Marcos said
in his fourth State of the Nation Address. “But all of these are just decorations and meaningless if our countrymen are struggling and burdened with their lives,” he added. Next page
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday placed the unresolved cases of missing “sabungeros” at the center of his administration’s fight against organized crime, vowing to bring to justice those behind their disappearances. In his State of the Nation Address, Mr. Marcos directly blamed criminal syndicates operating “e-sabong” for the spate of disappearances that has gripped national attention since before his presidency began. “We are working together across the whole of government to solve the cases of those who went missing because of the ruthless acts of syndicates behind this dark world of cockfighting,” Mr. Marcos said in Filipino. “We will pursue and hold accountable the masterminds and all those involved, civilian or official. No one is above the law,” President Marcos President Marcos also acknowledged that while crime statistics may show a decline, many Filipinos, especially victims, Next page
By Maricel V. Cruz and Ram Superable
TAKING THE LEAD. Senate President Francis Escudero, left, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez take their oath of office after being reelected as leaders of the 20th Congress.
Escudero, Romualdez retain 20th Congress posts By Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz AS EXPECTED, Senate President Francis Escudero and First District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez were reelected as Senate President and
Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress. Escudero retained his post, securing 19 votes after Senator Joel Villanueva nominated him to lead the 24-member chamber for another term.
Returning Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto went unsuccessful in challenging Escudero for the position, securing the minority leadership instead with Senators Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Juan Miguel Next page
Torre draws applause in SONA By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. teased Philippine National Police Chief Nicolas “Nick” Torre III as a new “boxing
champion,” referring to his walkover victory in the charity boxing match on Sunday against Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte. “Let’s also include our new champi champion, PNP Chief Nick Torre. Chief PNP was surprised,” Mr.Marcos quipped during his fourth State of the Nation
CASTILLO NAMED ACTING OMBUDSMAN
commuters for free in Davao City and Cebu City. PCO
Love Bus to ply Davao, Cebu routes for free to commuters iconic “Love Bus” as a free public transportation initiative, starting with pilot PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. programs in Davao City and Cebu. Next page yesterday announced the revival of the
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REVIVAL. The iconic love bus of the 1970s will soon go back into service to ferry
By Charles Dantes
LEYTE First District Rep. Martin Romualdez has maintained that impeachment process is an exclusive mandate of Congress, taking exceptions to a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that the initiative to oust President Sara Duterte was unconstitutional. Romualdez issued his argument in remarks following his assumption as Speaker of the House.. “And today, as we formally begin this new chapter, we do so amid a development that once again calls us to reflect on our sacred constitutional duty — the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on the impeachment case filed against the Vice President,” Romualdez said. “Let me say this with the utmost respect: The Supreme Court has spoken, and we recognize its decision. But let it never be said that the House of the People bowed in silence,” he added. “At the same time, we draw a line: the power to initiate impeachment is the exclusive domain of this Chamber. It flows from the people’s will and rests solely on the clear language of the Constitution. It is neither granted nor guided by any outside institution,” he asserted.
NEWS / A3
DIESEL, KEROSENE UP, GASOLINE DOWN HONORED. PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre stands up after being recognized by the
President for his walkover win over Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in yesterday’s SONA. Screengrab from RTVM
NEWS / A3