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PBBM orders lifestyle checks Anti-corruption checks to start with DPWH amid flood deals probe
By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered lifestyle checks on government officials as part of a widening probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, Malacañang said Wednesday. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the lifestyle checks will begin with Department of Public Works and Highways officials suspected of involvement in questionable projects. “It is undeniable that there are DPWH officials said to be involved, and most likely it will start with them,” Castro told reporters during a Palace briefing. Next page
WORLD LAKE DAY. World Lake Day was celebrated for the first time yesterday. The UN-sponsored event aims to raise awareness of the importance of lakes and the sustainable management of lake and related ecosystems. Laguna de Bay, in photo, is the largest lake in the country. It has been a vital resource that sustains fisheries, agriculture, tourism, transportation, and clean water supply. Edd Castro
Lacson: DPWH a playground for syndicates By Ram Superable and Maricel V. Cruz
happened in my career. It happened time and again, and I always managed to bounce back,” Torre told reporters covering the House of Representatives after he visited Mamamayang Liberal
THE Department of Public Works and Highways has become a hub for criminal syndicates, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday amid reports of substandard or even “ghost” flood-control projects in some parts of the country. “There are so many irregularities involving the district engineering offices. The district engineer points to contractors and borrows their licenses, which he will use to implement the project,” Lacson said.
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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 194 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
SWIFT, KELCE ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT SHOWBIZ / C2
Torre comes out from the cold; visits De Lima By Maricel V. Cruz, Vince Lopez FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Wednesday said he will continue supporting the Marcos admin-
istration following his removal from the top post, stressing he is ready to serve the government in whatever capacity. “I have no grudge, and I’m a good soldier. If there’s an order, I just follow it... This is not the first time it has
Lacson, Tulfo alarmed by Chinese espionage Philippines to conduct espionage. Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Wednes- scored anew defense and military ofday warned that sleeper agents and op- ficials for allowing a Chinese telecomeratives of China’s People’s Liberation munications company to install a tower Army (PLA) have already entered the Next page
By Ram Superable
BI starts deportation hearings for Pinoy ‘poseur’ NEWS / A3
Marcos to visit Cambodia, attend UNGA in New York By Charles Dante and Maricel Cruz
BIRTHDAY CALL. Former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III makes his first appearance by calling on Mamamayang Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima to greet her a happy birthday at the House of Representatives. FB page of Rep. Leila de Lima
Deputy Ombudsman for Cebu Vargas is acting Ombudsman PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Dante Vargas as the new acting Ombudsman, Malacañang announced yesterday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Vargas’ latest appointment in a text message to Palace reporters. The appointment was announced just a day before the Judicial and Bar Council’s scheduled Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas
screening of candidates for the position of Ombudsman. Among the 17 applicants are former COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, DILG Usec. Romeo Benitez, Atty. Jonie Caroche, CA Associate Justice Bautista Corpin, retired CA Asso Associate Justice Stephen Cruz, San Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, CHR Com Commissioner Beda Epres, Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, former BIR Com Commissioner Atty. Kim Jacinto-Henares, Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is set to embark on a state visit to Cambodia and later attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this September. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Next page
GRATITUDE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez joins Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano for a photo during their courtesy call at the Office of the Speaker in the House of Representatives Tuesday night. They were accompanied by (from L-R) Paranaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan, Camarines Sur Gov. Lray Villafuerte, Taguig Vice Mayor Alvin Alit, Taguig City Lone District Rep. Jorge Bocobo, Taguig-Pateros Lone District Rep. Ricardo Cruz, Jr., and Taguig City Administrator Joel Montales. The group led by Sen. Cayetano expressed gratitude to Speaker Romualdez for the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution No. 37 in the 19th Congress, which placed the 10 EMBO barangays under the two legislative districts of Taguig-Pateros. Ver Noveno
Amid shortage in priests, CBCP calls on youth to join clergy By Vito Barcelo
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION. A eucharistic celebration was recently held at the
SMCL St. Rose Quadrangle, led by His Excellency Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown to mark the 50th year anniversary of Saint Michael’s College of Laguna’s (SMCL). With the Papal Nuncio were Dr. Lourdes Almeda Sese, CEO of SMCL, Director Anthony L. Almeda, and other officials.
THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urges young Filipinos to consider joining the seminary or following a priesthood vocation in response to Pope Leo XIV’s appeal regarding the shortage of clerics within the Catholic Church. Next page