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
Retired generals back PBBM’s anti-corruption campaign By Rex Espiritu
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 190 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025 •
THE Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) has thrown its full support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s anti-corruption campaign, particularly in
the implementation of flood control infrastructure projects. In a statement released this week, the retired generals reaffirmed their commitment to the administration’s crackdown on “deep-seated corruption.” Next page
Kennon Road project ‘useless’ Marcos says those behind P264m rock shed liable for economic sabotage By Vince Lopez and Dexter See
USELESS.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. checks out the eroded portion along Kennon road in Camp 6 during an inspection yesterday of road projects in Tuba, Benguet. He was accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Baguio City Information Office
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. yesterday branded as “useless” a P264 millionworth rock shed meant to protect motorists traversing Kennon Road from falling rocks, saying that those responsible for its sloppy construction deserve to be charged with economic sabotage. During an on-site inspection, the chief executive noted how the structure was easily destroyed by the recent series of typhoons coupled with the enhanced southwest monsoon, exposing design flaws and substandard materials used in its construction. As a result, portions of the broken structure mixed with eroded soil ended up blocking the road going in and out of Benguet. Mr. Marcos told reporters at the scene how the blocked road has led to the closure of local businesses. "Because of this (pointing at the rock shed), because it closed, 35% of livelihoods were lost immediately because of it," he stressed. The President noted that the damage goes beyond the physical structure. "We are not only seeing physical damage but also human livelihoods. Next page
MILF blames government for stalled decomissioning of combatants THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has blamed the national government for purported lapses in implementing the peace agreement which has led to the stalled decom-
missioning of MILF combatants. MILF Vice-Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said there has been a backlog in the compliance of the parties to the peace process.
The gridlock in the peace process is being traced to the "stalled absorption" of former combatants (or members of their families) into the Philippine National Police (PNP), he said.
In response, MILF chairman Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim issued a chairman’s memorandum last August 16 directing the MILF armed revolutionary forces Next page
DOH: ‘Zero-billing’ to pack hospitals to full capacity By Ram Superable
the department intends to tap health facilities of local governments and private hospitals to manage the anticipated THE Department of Health (DOH) is surge of patients coordinating seeking treattreat with local govment under the ernments and program. private hospiDomingo said tals as it expects the department is government NEWS / A2 agreepreparing agree hospitals to priments with pri reach full capacvate facilities to handle overflow cases as ity with the nationwide implementation demand for free hospitalization increases. of the Zero Balance Billing system, also “But to be clear, you cannot known as the “Bayad na Bill Mo” prochoose a private hospital. The DOH gram. assigns where you will be admitDOH spokesperson Assistant SecNext page ted," he concluded. retary Albert Domingo said yesterday
Use PhilHealth’s ‘Gamot’ package, members urged
FLOWERS FOR THE FALLEN. A bouquet of flowers is placed at the grave of a fallen Filipino soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City a day before the nation commemorates National Heroes Day. Norman Cruz
‘Unsung Heroes’ monument to be unveiled today By Rex Espiritu THE Philippines on Monday marks National Heroes Day today with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and other government leaders expected to encourage Filipinos to draw inspiration from the courage of the nation’s forebears and the sacrifices of modern-day heroes. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in cooperation with the Department of National Defense and the City of Taguig, takes charge of the commemorative program at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. Next page
‘Konektadong Pinoy’ now a law, seen to boost telco competition The ‘‘Konektadong Pinoy’’ bill has lapsed into law, ushering in a major policy reform intended to expand internet access and boost competition among service providers nationwide. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the development in a text
message to reporters on Sunday. The new law, unsigned but allowed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to lapse into law, aims to streamline licensing procedures, promote infrastructure sharing, and enable new Next page
Rody’s team withdraws bid to oust Khan THE defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte, through his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman, has withdrawn its motion before the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking the
disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan from handling the case. ‘‘There is no ostensible reason to doubt the Prosecutor’s impartiality or his assertions that he is not conflicted Next page
HASTEN AFP MODERNIZATION—GIBO NEWS/ A4 ANTI-SHIP DESTROYER. The Japanese Abukuma-class destroyer with bow number 229. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force