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Senate to ferret out corrupt in flood-control projects probe THE Senate will launch an inquiry into the alleged misuse of the government’s flood control budget, Senator Erwin Tulfo announced Thursday—just days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized public officials in his State of
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 167 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025
the Nation Address (SONA) for allegedly pocketing infrastructure funds. “We’ve already discussed it. This will be investigated. In fact, a bill has already been filed. The problem is that Next page
SSS rolls out 3-yr pension hike Historic 33% benefit hike won’t require contribution increase PNP nabs 2 brothers of T alias ‘Totoy’
By Darwin Amojelar and Rio N. Araja
HE Social Security System on Thursday announced a threeyear increase in pension starting September this year, marking its first multi-year adjustment in the institution’s 68-year history.
The social insurance institution said while it implements the pension increases, there will be a moratorium on contribution increases over the same period. Thus, the pension increases will not require any contribution increase. “We’ve heard the clamor for higher pensions loud and clear,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph De Claro said. “After careful actuarial review, we are rolling out a rational and sustainable pension increase that uplifts all pensioners without compromising the fund’s actuarial soundness,” he added. After three years of pension increases starting next month, pensions will have increased by approximately 33 percent for retirement or disability pensioners and 16 percent for death or survivor pensioners.
By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz TWO brothers of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who were tagged as the “missing link” in the case of the missing “sabungeros” are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police. In a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the suspects Elakim and Jose Patidongan were arrested in an undisclosed “Southeast Asian country” and brought back to the Philippines on July 22. “We believe they are the missing link in the case of the missing ‘sabungeros,’” Fajardo said. She said Jose was convicted by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court branch 208 for robbery, while Elakim was caught using a different name – Robert Baylon – on his passport upon arrival at the airport. Fajardo said both suspects have expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
HUNT FOR EVIDENCE.
Coast Guard divers retrieved a new set of bones, left and right inset, in the waters off Laurel, Batangas in Taal Lake as they continued their search for the remains of the missing sabungeros allegedly dumped in the lake. GMA grab, PNP-PIO
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OCTA survey validates Speaker’s leadership By Maricel Cruz SENIOR Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon and Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo on Thursday said the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research affirms the strong and steady leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, whose approval and trust ratings rose significantly in the second quarter of 2025.
According to OCTA, Romualdez’s nationwide trust rating climbed three points to 57 percent, while his performance rating also went up by four points to 59 percent. The Speaker is one of only two government officials, along with President Marcos, to post gains in the OCTA survey.. “These numbers are not just statistical gains. They reflect how Speaker
Romualdez’s leadership of the House of Representatives is being felt on the ground,” Suarez said. “A four-point rise in performance and a three-point rise in trust, across all major regions and socioeconomic classes, is clear validation that the Speaker’s focus on transparency and responsible budgeting is resonating with Filipinos,” he added. Next page
Marcos off for 5-day state visit to India By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to India for a five-day state visit from Aug. 4 to 8, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malacañang announced on Thursday. The visit, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India, will include official meetings and events in New Delhi, followed by engagements in Bangalore. President Marcos is expected to hold talks with top Indian officials and meet with business leaders in both cities to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
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FILIPINAS GEAR UP FOR ASIA CUP SPORTS / A8
MYANMAR ENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY WORLD / A6
COVID SETS BACK HIGH-INCOME BID BUSINESS / B1
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HONORED. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awards outgoing Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido the Presidential Legion
of Honor for his distinguished service during the 67th Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony yesterday. During the ceremony, the President also expressed his confidence in Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete’s ability to lead the Philippine Army. PCO
CBCP blames PAGCOR for online gambling ills By Vito Barcelo THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has criticized the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the
increase in online gambling, stressing that no regulatory actions can truly protect minors and vulnerable populations from its harmful consequences. CBCP president Kalookan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said
that normalizing the issue of gambling merely intensifies the harmful consequences of this vice, leading to broken families, financial ruin, and addiction. “Responsible online gambling is a Next page
ALIEN VEGANS. A dozen green ‘aliens’ descend on Makati and march through the streets on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with a pointed warning for humans—’Go Vegan: Your Planet Depends On It’—to remind everyone that animal agriculture is killing planet Earth and is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined. Thanks to global warming, the Philippines is already facing a barrage of stronger, more frequent typhoons. The United Nations states that animal agriculture is responsible for nearly a fifth of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions—and that going vegan is necessary if we are to avoid the worst effects of the climate catastrophe. Danny Pata