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CANETE WINS ANEW DRIFT CAR TILT SPORTS / A8 Bella Canete
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 171 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
House appeals SC impeach rule Kiko warns of ‘constitutional war of attrition’
BIG-TIME FUEL PRICE HIKE TODAY NEWS / A3
PBBM: Anti-corruption probe to cover other infra projects By Maricel V. Cruz, Charles Dantes and Vito Barcelo
By Maricel V. Cruz, Ram Superable and Pot Chavez
NOT even allies would be spared in the crackdown on corrupt officials involved in substandard or “ghost” flood-control projects, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his BBM Podcast aired yesterday. The President also signaled that investigations will not be limited to floodcontrol projects, citing a World Bank estimate that 20 percent of the country’s annual budget is lost to corruption. “It (investigation) has to be evenly applied. We can’t audit only one area. Whoever was complicit in this kind of work, I’m sorry,” he said. Mr. Marcos confirmed the government had allocated P980.2 billion for flood control over the past three years, but lamented the lack of progress on the ground. “I’m sorry. You’re no longer my ally if that (involved in corruption) is what you’re doing. I don’t want you as an ally,” he said. “Someone should be held accountable for the hardships our fellow countrymen are going through. Our people have to be told who is responsible and
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HE House of Representatives formally lodged a motion for reconsideration on the recent Supreme Court resolution that rejected the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional. The filing of the motion for reconsideration came as Senator Francis Pangilinan called on the High Court to issue a status quo ante order and hold oral arguments to avoid a “constitutional war of attrition” amid appeals from various legal groups, including the Philippine Constitution Association. “This is not an act of defiance. It is an act of duty,” said Speaker Martin Romualdez, reaffirming the exclusive constitutional mandate of the Lower House to initiate impeachment proceedings. “We do not challenge the authority of the Court. We seek only to preserve the rightful role of the House – the voice of the people – in the process of accountability,” Romualdez added. Philconsa, through former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, asked the Supreme Court to revisit its decision, especially its broader implications for the separation of powers. Next page
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IN NEW DELHI. President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are welcomed by MoS Pbitra Margherita in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. India and the Philippines are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. The visit is expected to further strengthen relations between the two countries. Ministry of External Affairs. Government of India.
India visit to lead to deepening of security, econ ties with PH By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu
PROTEST. Representatives of Tindig Pilipinas, NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition, Kalipunan
ng Kilusang Masa, civil society organizations and sectoral groups held a press conference yesterday at UP Hotel in Quezon City to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. They also urged the Senate not to dismiss the case against the Vice President. Manny Palmero
Suspend purchase, increase tariffs of imported rice—DA By Charles Dantes, Othel V. Campos, and Ram Superable THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is recommending an increase in tariffs on imported rice and a temporary suspension of all rice importation to shield local farmers from price shocks and market disruptions, Malacañang said Monday. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the DA’s recommendation aims to protect local producers from the impact of declining farmgate prices and the influx of cheap imported rice. “The Department of Agriculture is
recommending an increase in tariff on imported rice and to temporarily halt all importation to protect local farmers,” Gomez said in a statement. He added that the matter will be discussed by the Cabinet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of his state visit to India. The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) welcomed the DA’s proposal, saying the move is long overdue. FFF national manager Raul Montemayor cited reports that palay prices have plunged to as low as P8 per kilo— a 31 percent drop from last year—resulting in an estimated P54.5 billion Next page
PRESIDENT Marcos flew on Monday for his five-day official visit to India with a view to deeper strategic cooperation with one of Asia’s largest democracies, particularly in defense, trade, maritime security, and technology. Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. foresees more military exercises with India following the recent conduct of a joint maritime exercise
between the two nations. In a speech delivered at Villamor Air Base before boarding his plane, Marcos said the trip was upon the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that it marks the culmination of a year-long celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India. “It is with high expectations and much anticipation that I leave for New Delhi,” the President said. Marcos highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between the two nations, Next page
Marcos firm on reenacted budget if NEP deviations made By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reiterated that he will return any General Appropriations Bill that deviates significantly from the administration’s proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP), even if it means operating under a reenacted budget for 2026. In an episode of his BBM Podcast, the President responded to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s recent remarks asserting Congress’ “power of the purse.” Mr. Marcos acknowledged Congress’ authority to amend the budget but stressed that the executive must provide the plan to ensure Next page
Napolcom sacks 12 cops linked to sabungeros case THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday bared the suspension of 12 police officers pending investigation into their alleged complicity in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that new possible human remains were retrieved over the weekend at Taal Lake, where bodies of the missing sabungeros were allegedly dumped. Next page
OATH OF SERVICE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath of office to Senior Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David ‘Jayjay’ Suarez during yesterday’s session at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. Witnessing the ceremony are members of Rep. Suarez’s family. Ver Noveno