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No e-gaming for local execs DILG says online gambling diverts officials from sworn duty By Vince Lopez, Charles Dantes, and Maricel V. Cruz
LL elected and appointed local government officials have been barred from engaging in any form of online gambling, even as Malacañang prepares to hold “conclave” -style consultations with stakeholders before deciding on the future of state-sanctioned e-gaming in the country.
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Yesterday, the Department of the In- issued Memorandum Circular 2025-082, terior and Local Government (DILG) Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 179 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2025
RODY FINE US-CHINA BUT THINNER, TARIFF TRUCE SAYS BASTE EASES FEARS NEWS / A2
BUSINESS / B2
PBBM to PNP: Do more to regain public’s trust By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take “more decisive and responsive actions to restore public trust,” even as national crime rates have dropped over the past year. Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. NicolasTorre III demonstrated their five-minute police response to the President and showcased how his units respond to 911 emergency calls nationwide Speaking at the PNP’s 124th anniversary celebration at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Marcos lauded the force’s milestones, including the launch of the “Five-Minute Response
QUICK RESPONSE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. beams as he joins PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III in watching the ceremonial parade during the 124th Police Service Anniversary celebration at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Inset at left shows Torre demonstrating to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla how the ‘Five-Minute Response’ policy works at the PNP Command Center. PCO
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President still trusts Bonoan amid inquiry By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. continues to trust Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan despite an ongoing investigation on the government’s flood-control projects, Malacañang said yesterday. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Next page
Chiz admits contractor is 2022 donor, denies wrongdoing By Ram Superable SENATE President Francis Escudero on Tuesday admitted that one of the contractors among the top 15 in the list disclosed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a friend and campaign do-
nor but denied involvement in any flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon or elsewhere in the country. Escudero said Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., was his campaign contributor in
the 2022 elections. “For the record, I have nothing to do with identifying, making a program of work, bidding, awarding, paying, or inspecting any government project whether in Sorsogon or outside Next page
Marcos open to changing 1987 charter By Charles Dantes
COMMENDATION. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, led the awarding ceremony for 43 officers and crew of the BRP Suluan (MRRV4406), who were cited for their bravery, when they outmaneuvered two pursuing Chinese vessels that collided off Scarborough Shoal. PCG
MALACANANG on Tuesday said President Marcos is open to proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution to address ambiguous provisions, but will wait for the full details before adopting an official position. This came a day after Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno delivered a privilege speech in the House of Representatives pushing for the convening of a Constitutional Convention (ConCon). Next page
Navy checking out reports of Chinese deaths in collision
More Pinoys feel ‘food poor’, Mindanao ranks highest—OCTA
By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it is verifying reports of alleged Chinese fatalities from Monday’s collision between a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel and a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship in Bajo de Masinloc. “Still checking,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message. Trinidad was responding to questions after Next page
WINNERS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez receives a commemorative jacket from the Philippine women’s team that captured the gold medal in the 3x3 basketball event at the 2025 World Police and Fire Games—also known as the Game of Heroes—held from June 27 to July 6, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. With the Speaker are, from left to tright, PCpl. Stephanie Faura, PSMS Mizel Nayve, and PCpl. Jenefer Seño.Aside from the women’s 3x3 basketball gold, PSMS Nayve also earned a silver medal in the under 70kg category in women’s judo. Ver Noveno
By Katrina Manubay
MARKETING EXCELLENCE. SM Supermalls earned 5 awards at the
Marketing Excellence Awards 2025 at the Grand Hyatt in Bonifacio Global City, including Silver awards for Excellence in Relationship Management and Excellence in Public Sector Marketing. These accolades underscore the company’s constant evolution to the needs of its customer as it marks a new era for SM Supermalls.
FILIPINOS’ self-rated poverty and hunger remained broadly stable nationwide, while food poverty rose to 43 percent from 35 percent in April this year, based on the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research. A Tugon ng Masa survey showed that in July, about 45 percent, or an es-
timated 11.9 million Filipino families, considered themselves poor. Across major areas, Mindanao recorded the highest proportion of adults rating their families as poor, with 63 percent, followed by Visayas with 59 percent. The survey also revealed that about 43 percent, or an estimated 11.3 million Next page