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FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXIX • NO. 187 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025 •
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay Palace eyes new DPWH chief? PBBM calls for sobriety, reflection on Ninoy’s Day PAGASA
By Charles Dantes
IN MEMORIAM. Senator Bam Aquino (center) leads a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the late democracy icon Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. with supporters from the August 21 Movement (ATOM) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. Bam Aquino / Facebook
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Ninoy Aquino Day called on Filipinos to approach with sobriety, reflection and a deeper un-
derstanding of civic duty, saying the occasion offers lessons in leadership, service and reconciliation. "The commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day brings to light a chapter in our nation’s shared story that continues
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
to echo across generations and public memory," President Marcos said in a message released by Malacañang. "The passage of time has allowed the country to approach this event with Next page
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food P276 million, and Byitems Ramworth Superable non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million prepared In his were recentalready privilege speech, by theSenator Department of Social Welfare Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and Development (DSWD). introduced a “corruptionary”— Some P171 standby hybrid of themillion words incorrupfund also dictionary—to available for utilization tionis and define byvarious the DSWD, including P123 miltactics conspirators lion which can be allotted Quick have used to drain public as funds Response (QRF)infrastrucin the centhrough Fund anomalous tralture office of the DSWD. projects. In Lacson Batanes,said the the Provincial compila-Disaster Risk Reduction and Managetion includes terms such as ment Office “Funders,” (PDRRMO) “Passadvised “Distinct,” residents to secure their roofs ing Through/Parking Fee,” andand install window shutters as Typhoon “Reseta,” which reflect practicJulian is expected make landfall es unearthed in histoinvestigation of flood control projects Next across page the country. He said these schemes diverted at least half of the P1.9 trillion allotted to such projects over the last 15 years. The term “Distinct” refers to budget items in the General Appropriations Act with identical
Former secretary Singson confirms 'feelers'; solons want Bonoan out
By Rio N. Araja
T F
HE Philippine
By Rex National Espiritu Police
‘Corruptionary’ 101: Lacson bares flood control mess glossary
(PNP) is reopening ORMER its investigation into Department of Public the 2020 murder of Works and Highways Philippine Charity (DPWH) Secretary Sweepstakes OfficeRogelio Singson said yesterday that (PCSO) board secretary he has received feelers from Wesley Barayuga. Malacañang about returning PNP Chief toOn his Sunday, old post, even as Police he General Rommel Francisco Marimmediately expressed bil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower reluctance to accept, should Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told a formal offerCommittee materialize. the House Quad that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top Former DPWH Sec. Rogelio spot at the PCSO because‘Babes’ of her inSingson
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In a televised interview, Singson said he is far more inclined to accept the job of leading an independent panel that would investigate anomalies in the government’s flood control projects. “Definitely, may feelers. The President and I go a long way, when he was still a governor [of Ilocos Norte] and then he became a senator. We’ve known each other through quite a lot of [infrastructure] projects. I’m not a stranger to the President,” he told ANC’s Headstart. As an aside, Singson said his return to the DPWH as its head is unlikely because “my wife will leave me already if I go back to government.” While he expressed disinterest in leading the DPWH for a second round, Singson said he instead volunteered to lead a probe into the government’s controversial flood control program, a job he would gladly perform for free.
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
BAUTISTA
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By Darwin Amojelar
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
'RESIBO.' A drone photo marking the site of the purported P55-m river wall in Baliwag, Bulacan which President Ferdinand Marcos discovered to be non-existent. Inset shows former DPWH Secretary Rogelio 'Babes' Singson. Bongbong Marcos / Facebook
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
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THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of tary of Justice] coordinated with SFA law. [Secretary of Foreign Affairs] and Department of Foreign Affairs was informed that DFA has yet to re(DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in ceive the request,” he said. a speech delivered at the UN GenEarlier, Clavano explained that a eral Assembly in New York said the person cannot be extradited from the Philippines continues to emphasize country while a criminal case against the “importance of upholding the page rule of law and the integrityNext of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-
No formal request yet for Quiboloy's extradition—DOJ, DFA
THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy and his alleged ties By Pot past Chavez, with Philippine Overseas Gaming Katrina Manubay, Operators (POGOs) and even organized Maricel crime. V. Cruz, and LawyerAnne Raymond Fortun Cherrie Villahermosa questioned the House Quad Committee’s its THE Philippineimpartiality governmentand has yet ability to pin Chinese national Yang to receive from the United States down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court. “I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael By Maricel V. Cruz economic Yang, a presidential
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently soughtextradition to mock government an official congressmen, calling Kingdom their probe request for detained of “unacceptable.” Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo However, HousePhilippine membersAmbasargued Quiboloy, despite they notManuel come by“Babe” their suspicions sadordid Jose Romualabout dez's Yang earlierrecklessly. remark that the process On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker is already underway. Aurelio Gonzales to Jr. reporters of Pampanga In a message yesand Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing. “We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two ered with care befitting the gravity of main actors or players in the issue the issue. House Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong encouraged the mayor to bring documents, name names, and help secure convictions if warranted. ‘‘We welcome testimony under
Solons dare Mayor Magalong: Put up or keep your trap shut
HOUSE of Representatives leaders on Thursday rebuked Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong for labeling the congressional inquiry into anti-flood projects as a ‘‘moro-moro,’’ saying public accusations must be anchored on verifiable proof and deliv-
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix Yang’s connections to terday,details Department of Justice other in illicit (DOJ)individuals Assistantinvolved Secretary and activities, including the Clavano operationsexof Spokesperson Mico illegal POGOs. plained that the “Department of Among Affairs the companies implicated Foreign is supposed to are Brickhartz Technology Inc. receive such requests first before and Xionwei them Technology Co. Ltd., transmitting to the DOJ”. which being linked to alleged “Theare SOJ [Secrekidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners. Next page
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Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu
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cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. By Charles Dantes Two Chinese warships were monitored at a Ferdinand distance ranging PRESIDENT "Bongfrom to Jr. 14greeted nautical bong" eight Marcos Firstmiles. Lady One of these went on uphertobirthday 1,000 Liza Araneta-Marcos yards the MMCA evenwith aatheartfelt tributesite on but social metually went away. “It was dia, praising her as his partner in not life, threatening, just service. normal,” accordcareer, and public
Happy birthday Rody’s lawyers request ICC court anew for interim release to my first and
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. “The Bilyonaryo article is maliFORMER President Rodrigo Duterte, cious and unfounded,” Bautista said through his legal counsel, has reiterin a Viber message, referring to the ated his request to the International website that published the said story. Criminal Court (ICC) for an interim “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. release to an undisclosed country Bilyonaryo reported online that ‘‘subject to any conditions deemed “Bautista and his long-time protege in appropriate.’’ Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for ‘‘For the sake of clarity, the DeAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are fence informs the Pre-Trial Chamber at the center of the storm after it was that the [REDACTED] continues to affirm its willingness to cooperate Next page
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). with the Court, to accept Mr. the Duterte China reportedly made anonto its territory, and to enforce nouncement coinciding with conthe ditions of release. fourth Multilateral Maritime CoThe [REDACTED] is, furtheroperative Activity between the more, fully aware of Mr. Philippines, Australia, Duterte’s Japan, [REDACTED],’’ according to the New Zealand, and the United heavily redacted document submitStates within Manila’s exclusive ted by Nicholas Kaufman, economic zone (EEZ) in the the forremer leader’s counsel, to the Pre-Trial gional waters over the weekend. Chamber datedNavy AugustSpokesperson 19, 2025. Philippine NextVinpage for WPS Rear Admiral Roy
only lady–PBBM
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AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and PARTNERS INOFR SERVICE. The President and the First Lady on a Valentine’s proponent of PRA President’s Award Mars C. Chua Day date this year. FL Liza Araneta-Marcos FB