YOUTH MOVEMENT.
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In observance of ‘Linggo ng Kabataan,’ presidential son Vinny Marcos leads the launching of Bagong Pilipinas Youth movement and BPY’s first hub in Mandaluyong City on Saturday, August 16, 2025. PPA Pool
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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 182 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES AUGUST 17, 2025
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Senate probe on flood control deals set Aug. 19 House to ‘yield’ investigation if any solon found involved
By Joel E. Zurbano and Othel Campos
INSPECTION. Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor questions
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HE Senate will start on Tuesday, August 19, its legislative inquiry to gather information and evidence regarding alleged anomalies related to the government’s flood control projects. Senator Rodante Marcoleta, chairman of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, acknowledged the complexity of the inquiry into corruption within the public works system, saying it would be a daunting task. The probe will focus on the involvement of public officials who profited from flood control projects, not just erring contractors in question. The House of Representatives, for its part, said it will “yield” its own investigation if a member of the lower chamber is found to be involved in anomalous contracts, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said. “We will immediately recuse [the investigation] and yield it to, whether to an independent third-party probe, if it will be formed, or to an executive led probe to make sure that there will be no conflict of interest or cover-up in the course of the tri-committee (hearings),” Rido said. Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, noted a “passing through” modus operandi where contractors are asked to pay 5 to 6 percent of project cost in legislative districts where the lawmaker is a contractor or their relatives are contractors. “For example, if a contractor builds a project in the district of a lawmaker who is a contractor or who has relatives that are contractors, he/she must pay
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the quality of a flood-control project commissioned by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the town of Naujan. A large part of the project collapsed in Barangay Mulawin. ‘The cement used was thinner than a plate. How can you expect this to withstand raging floodwaters? And with a P250 million price tag, it makes me tremble,” Dolor said. Inset photo shows an iron rod used in the project that prompted the governor to comment: ‘My little finger is thicker than the iron used.’ FB page of the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Information Office
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NBI director resigns, cites smear campaign against him By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
said in his letter coursed through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. “However, detractors and those who have sinister interest in my position incessantly make moves to blemish my reputation,” he added. According to the retired judge, the “covert moves” started when he tendered his courtesy resignation in response to the President’s call when he started revamping his Cabinet. “To my mind, lies, if repeated over time, will give a semblance
NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago has submitted his irrevocable resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing a “smear campaign” against him. “With my experience as a former police officer, prosecutor, and judge, I steered the Bureau with my best leg forward — regaining the trust and confidence of the Filipino people, the media with the Bureau,” Santiago NBI Director Jaime Santiago
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REMEMBERING KIAN.
Relatives, friends, and supporters light candles for Kian Delos Santos at the place where he was killed eight years ago in Brgy. 160 Multipurpose Hall, Libis Baesa West Service Road in Caloocan City on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The 17-yearold Delos Santos, a student at a Catholic school, was shot dead by policemen during the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs. Akbayan
DBM backs plan to livestream budget deliberations THE Department of Budget and Management on Saturday backed a proposal to livestream all congressional budget deliberations to promote transparency and public engagement. “I support the proposal to livestream and make all budget deliberations in Congress and the Senate, including the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more accessible to the public,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said during the Quezon Educators’ Research Convention in Lucena City.
“This way, transparency will be strengthened and every Filipino will be able to participate more actively in monitoring our national budget,” she added. She underscored President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strong appeal to lawmakers not to deviate from the 2026 National Expenditure Program. “This is the President’s budget. It may change (but only) slightly, depending on the deliberations in Congress,” Pangandaman said. The NEP serves as the basis of Con-
gress in crafting the General Appropriations Bill, which becomes the General Appropriations Act once signed into law by the President. Education (P928.5 billion), public works (P881.3 billion), and health (P320.5 billion) remained the top sectors to receive the biggest allocations under the proposed NEP for 2026, the same ranking as this year’s budget. The proposed national budget for next year is 7.4 percent higher than the enacted 2025 budget. Turn to Page 4
Palay prices up in 6 areas ahead of 2-month import ban By Othel V. Campos FARM gate prices of palay have begun to rise in six of the country’s 13 key rice-producing regions a week after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a two-month suspension of rice imports starting September 1, data from the National Food Authority showed. Agriculture Secretary Francisco
Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government is closely tracking market reactions to the import ban, which was imposed after palay prices fell to as low as P8 per kilo – well below the estimated P12 production cost for efficient farmers. “If palay prices remain low during the ban, we may consider extending it or recommend that President Marcos increase tariffs. If prices rise, we could
shorten the ban,” he said. Global rice prices have weakened this year after India lifted its export ban on non-basmati rice, bumper harvests boosted supply in major exporting countries, and import tariffs eased. These conditions have encouraged Philippine importers to buy more rice from sources such as Vietnam. Turn to Page 4
Leptospirosis cases decline but dengue up by 7% – DOH By Katrina Manubay LEPTOSPIROSIS cases are declining while dengue numbers have slightly increased following the monsoon rains and typhoons in July, the Department of Health on Saturday said. The DOH assured the public that 49 dedicated fast lanes for leptospirosis patients remain operational nationwide.
The department reported a huge drop from the almost 200 cases logged daily from Aug. 3 to 9 to just 10 daily from Aug. 10 to 14. From June 8 to Aug. 14, the DOH tallied a total of 3,752 cases. “DOH hospitals remain on alert while leptospirosis fast lanes have been activated nationwide,” the agency said in a statement. The DOH advised the public to immediately seek consultation at the fast lanes, health centers or hospitals
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if they have been submerged in floodwaters or exposed to mud this rainy season. “This is to assess your risk level and provide the proper treatment,” it said. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, commonly rats. It can cause fever, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, organ damage or death if left untreated.
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