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INFLATION DOWN TO LOWEST LEVEL IN FIVE YEARS—PSA
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Senate ratings down, House rises higher in latest OCTA poll By Maricel V. Cruz
lic acceptance rating, according to the latest OCTA research survey reTHE House of Representatives’ trust leased on Tuesday. The latest survey showed that the and performance ratings went up for the 2nd quarter of 2025 as opposed Senate’s trust ratings dropped to 49 Next page to a slight drop in the Senate’s pub-
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 172 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
SC: Impeach rule executory But Senate debates on VP Sara’s trial to push through today
By Pot Chavez, Ram Superable and Katrina Manubay
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HE Supreme Court upheld its decision junking the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as “immediately executory.” SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives on Monday has no direct effect on the immediately executory nature of the decision.
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New law grants PBBM powers to reorg exec branch By Ram Superable PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure granting him authority to reorganize and streamline executive branch agencies in a bid to create a more responsive and efficient bureaucracy.
DONE DEAL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands at the close of their joint press conference yesterday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. PPA Pool
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Tulfo: At least 10 solons serve PH, India boost relations with 11 agreements as contractors for gov’t projects • Declaration of Strategic Partnership By Vito Barcelo, Charles Dantes and Ram Superable AT LEAST 10 congressmen are allegedly serving as suppliers or contractors for government infrastructure projects, Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday said. “Probably 10 or more,” Tulfo said in an interview with reporters, adding that the lawmakers are incumbent members of the 20th Congress. He, however, said he was not sure if any of his colleagues in the Senate also serve contractors for government-
funded projects. Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed that at least 67 House members in 2022 also allegedly served as contractors of their own government-funded infrastructure projects. For his part, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government will blacklist and potentially file charges against private contractors found to be involved in anomalous flood-control projects. “If they are not able to properly explain, we will have to take it to the Next page
tourism, and technology. The ceremony, held in New Delhi as part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s five-day state visit to India, highlighted a broad commitgic ties with the signing of a landmark ment to long-term collaboration beBy Charles Dantes and AFP Strategic Partnership Declaration and tween the two nations. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique THE Philippines and India on Tuesday the exchange of 11 bilateral agreements deepened their diplomatic and strate- covering defense, security, science, Next page
• Plan of Action for 2025-2029
DBM to veto insertions w/out thorough study By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it will no longer consider projects inserted into the budget from lawmakers without feasibility studies even as it pushes for a list of preidentified projects across the country. “No, we cannot consider what is called insertion because that is not included in what we have studied,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB. To prevent issue over so-called budget insertions, Pangandaman said the DBM is promoting a “menu” of pre-identified infrastructure projects, beginning with flood control programs. The budget chief said a roster of preapproved projects would allow agencies Next page
YOUTH POWER. The Mall of Asia Arena came alive as 33,600 young changemakers —on-ground and online—united for the Global Youth Summit 2025, a vibrant celebration of leadership, creativity, and purpose. Empowering talks from Jessica Sy, Winwyn Marquez, Teacher Georcelle, Edward Barber, and Jessica Soho sparked meaningful conversations, while dynamic performances by the NU Dance Company, Matthew Ifield, Over October, and Hori7on kept the crowd energized and inspired.
Inflation down to lowest level in five years—PSA SPEAKER’S VOICE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez receives a copy of the book ‘Speaker’s Voice: Beyond the Podium,’ a compilation of his speeches in the 19th Congress, from Secretary General Reginald Velasco during a simple turnover ceremony yesterday held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives.
INFLATION in the Philippines cooled to its lowest level in nearly five years in July 2025, pulled down by slower price increases for housing and a decline in food costs. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday the consumer
price index (CPI) rose 0.9 percent in July 2025, down from 1.4 percent in June. This marks the lowest inflation rate since October 2019, which saw a 0.6-percent increase. The seven-month national average inflation rate now stands at 1.7 percent.
Frederick Go, the President’s special investment and economic affairs adviser, welcomed the continued slowdown in inflation, saying that it brings “much-needed relief to Filipino households.” Next page