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PhilHealth sets P20k yearly limit for free outpatient meds By Ram Superable
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 181 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025 •
FILIPINOS can now get up to P20,000 worth of essential outpatient medicines every year through a new nationwide program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
The enhanced PhilHealth Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment or PhilHealth GAMOT covers 75 types of medications for common conditions, including infections, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, high Next page
Bulacan infra scam uncovered
PBBM orders probe on flood control anomaly; emergency powers mulled By Charles Dantes, Maricel V. Cruz, and Rex Espiritu
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., yesterday ordered a full investigation into a Bulacan flood control project after discovering that around 200 meters of the revetment in the River Protection Structure was never built, despite records showing its completion. The order came even as a lawmaker expressed openness to granting the chief executive emergency powers to address inadequacies in the government’s flood-control program. "This is clear. The chairman told us, over 200 meters were not built at all. And not only that, the dike has holes. It should be solid, yet the report says it’s completed," Mr. Marcos said in Filipino. The revelation came during an inspection in Calumpit, where a resident had earlier written to the President to complain about allegedly defective infrastructure, citing poor-quality materials, inadequate soil compaction, and the
EYEBALLING. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Transportation Secretary Vince Lopez inspect a dike along Pampanga River in Brgy. Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan on August 15, 2025. Joining them are Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and Brgy. Bulusan captain Danilo Marin. PPA Pool
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E-sabong enthusiasts in debt, some placed in rehab—report
ROCKET DEBRIS.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) divers recover floating rocket debris, bearing markings of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), along the shoreline of Sitio Gunting, Barangay Bonbon, Looc, Occidental Mindoro. The debris, measuring about 10 feet wide and 14 feet long, was made of alloy material and bore the Chinese flag. It was secured at Sitio Balaguin, Barangay Maliig, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro for safekeeping and proper disposition. PCG
PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) technical divers have spent more than a month searching the bottom of Taal Lake for the bodies of men with links to the dark side of a popular local pastime – online cockfighting. Whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan alleged they were murdered by rogue policemen for rig-
By Rex Espiritu
fied a directive involving key assignments within the police force—an act senior officials say blatantly violates the Chief PNP’s statutory powers under relevant laws. Officials warned that bypassing or countermanding such authority without lawful cause is not only
Padilla’s staff linked to ‘pot’ issue ordered to take leave By Ram Superable THE office of Sen. Robin Padilla on Friday issued an official statement announcing that political officer and former actress Nadia Montenegro was directed to take an immediate leave of absence on August 13. Padilla's office said that even before
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PH reiterates demand for China to pay for Ayungin assault damage
PNPA top cops, alum close ranks with Torre TOP police officials and alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) called out the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) for overturning an order issued by PNP chief NIcolas Torre reorganizing some of PNP’s units. The resolution reportedly nulli-
ging matches at the height of the country's pandemic-era craze for betting on live-streamed cockfights, or "e-sabong." The disappearances led then-president Rodrigo Duterte to announce a total ban, but three years later, the esabong industry is still thriving.
the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) conducted an investigation, it had already initiated an internal probe regarding media reports implicating Montenegro's alleged marijuana use. On the same day she was asked to take a leave, Montenegro was given five days, or until August 18, to submit Next page
illegal but also corrosive to discipline and morale. Signatories include the PNP regional directors, heads of national support units, more than 1,700 Highway Patrol Group (HPG) officers, the PNPA Alumni Association, Next page
Gas prices higher; kerosene, diesel lower next week By Alena Mae S. Flores DOMESTIC pump prices are forecast to have a mixed movement next week with gasoline increasing by up to P0.60 per liter while diesel will roll back up to P0.90 per liter and kerosene by P1 per liter. Next page
THE Philippine government has renewed its call for China to pay for damages over the June 17, 2024 Ayungin Shoal incident, where China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel
allegedly impaired Philippine property and unlawfully seized military equipment and personal belongings. Meanwhile, The Heritage Foundation, a prominent American think tank and lead organization for Project 2025, Next page