manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 09173382170 / 85646229
Tulfo: Other online apps must unlink from e-gambling sites too Hours after e-wallets GCash and Maya removed e-gambling sites on OTHER digital platforms, and not just their platforms, Tulfo said efforts have e-wallets, should unlink from online shifted to other mobile applications gambling sites, Senator Erwin Tulfo on such as Viber, Telegram, and Lazada, Sunday said. Next page
By Ram Superable
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 184 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025
MAYORS URGE PBBM:
Jail pols in botched flood infra COA sets fraud audit on Bulacan projects
FLOODED. Village homes in Calumpit, Bulacan are still submerged in floods.
control program. The Mayors for Good Governance – led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Isabela City Mayor Sitti Hataman, said corruption in flood-control projects has become “more alarming, pervasive, and systematic.” “The Filipino people have waited
House begins budget hearings, assures citizen participation
A
T LEAST 17 mayors have asked President Ferdinand Marcos to unmask, prosecute, and if proven guilty, jail the politicians, government officials and contractors who lined their pockets from substandard or even “ghost” flood-control deals. This as the Commission on Audit following a directive by President Ferordered a fraud audit of flood infra- dinand Marcos Jr. to investigate alleged structure projects in Bulacan province anomalies in the government’s flood
Next page
Photo was taken on August 15. PCO
By Rio N. Araja
‘‘
A SENIOR House leader on Sunday backed the call of the country’s promi‘House will prioritize nent business groups urging the Su- investments that truly change preme Court (SC) to reconsider its rullives — agriculture for ing that voided the impeachment case food security, infrastructure against Vice President Sara Duterte. for connectivity and jobs, The appeal from the Makati Busieducation for opportunity, ness Club, Management Association health for all, and defense of the Philippines, Integrity Initiative, and Justice Reform Initiative and disaster preparedness for underscored deepening public connational safety’ cern over the erosion of transparency – Speaker Martin Romualdez and accountability in government, LA Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V of La that impunity is being institutionalized, the Court must listen. Transparency is Union said. “When leading business groups warn Next page
TWO JAPANESE BISHOP TO SHOT DEAD IN OFFICIALS: SERVE MANILA —MPD WITH INTEGRITY NEWS / A2
Sotto pushes mandatory drug tests for senators, employees
DEVOTEES. Devotees pray and light
By Ram Superable
Calesa contest caps Tuguegarao annual festivities
SENATE Minority Leader Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III on Sunday called on Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero to implement mandatory random drug testing in the upper chamber following reports of alleged marijuana use on its premises.
“This will ensure that the morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy shall be observed in the civil service,” Sotto said in his official letter dated August 17. Escudero acknowledged Sotto’s initiative and said he would be presenting Next page
candles after a mass at the Our Lady of Assumption National Shrine Cathedral in Maasin City, Southern Leyte. Manny Palmero
NEWS / A3
Solon echoes biz groups call: Reverse SC impeach ruling By Rio N. Araja
urging the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its ruling that voided the imLA UNION Rep. Paolo Ortega V of La peachment case against Vice President Union on Sunday backed the call of the Sara Duterte. Next page country’s prominent business groups
By Rosenda Alluad-Visaya
Ombudsman suspends Gov. Umali for one year By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a one-year suspension without pay on Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali over administrative complaints about alleged irregular issuance of 205 quarry permits without the required environmental Next page
Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali
MANIFESTING creativity in his calesa designs, driver-operator Tirso Paddayuman of Capatan village here won anew the Calesa category contest of the Pavvurulun Afi Festival held at the SM City transport bay last Aug. 14. His traditional horse-drawn car riage locally known as calesa, bedecked with indigenous materials bested 25 other participants in the competition. Paddayuman’s entry showcased an admirable combination of local Next page
WINNER. A colorful entry shows its wares in the Kalesa Spectacle competition of the annual Pavvurulun Afi Festival in Tuguegarao City. Rosenda Alluad-Visaya