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Dizon in, Bonoan booted out PBBM orders creation of independent body to probe projects
By Vince Lopez
Navotas, Davao flood control works also under House scrutiny
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the resignation of embattled Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan a day after the DPWH chief said resignation was not the answer to the flood control projects’ mess.
Communication Office chief Dave Gomez also said yesterday the President appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to
By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano
Manuel Bonoan
THE House of Representatives begins its investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects tomorrow with the committee chair vowing to spare no one including allies and those close to President Marcos. One such example, they said, is the city of Navotas, where the sitting congressman is not only a political ally of President Marcos but also his cousin-in-law. Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, cochair of the House Infrastructure Committee, said the matter warrants closer scrutiny by Congress and other panels investigating flood control projects.
Vince Dizon
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“While we acknowledge that Navotas, being one of the most flood-prone cities in Metro Manila, deserves funding for flood control projects, the inclusion of Topnotch Catalyst Builders and St Timothy Construction as two of the city’s contractors warrants closer scrutiny into Navotas’ flood control projects,” Ridon said. “St. Timothy is already involved in two anomalous flood control projects in Iloilo City and Bulacan, which were inspected by the President himself,” he said. Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., in particular, got almost 15 percent of the contracts in Navotas, data from the Sumbong sa Pangulo website showed. Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 198 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
Turf war brews in Senate flood control probe
ALL DRESSED UP. As the ‘ber’ months begin, the St. Peter Parish Church in Quezon City dresses up in Christmas colors as the Catholic faithful begins to observe the longest Christmas season in the world. Edd Castro
By Ram Superable SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Sunday denied claims by Senator Rodante Marcoleta that he was meddling in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged substandard and ghost flood control projects. Marcoleta, the Blue Ribbon chairman, said Lacson sought to reschedule a committee hearing to prevent him from presiding over the probe. Lacson, who recently delivered a privilege speech on anomalous flood control projects, strongly denied this accusation. “He (Marcoleta) criticized us, saying we were interfering with his mandate. No one is meddling here. We all just want the government to run properly,” said Lacson. Marcoleta questioned Lacson’s request to move the Sept. 1 Blue Ribbon hearing, pointing out that the Finance Committee had also scheduled deliberations on the same day. The Blue Ribbon panel was set to begin its hearing at 9 a.m., while the Next page
Normalization critical in BARMM process—Marcos Pinoys usher in X’mas season with start of ‘ber’ months Former MILF fighter’s daughter pursues dream By Rex Espiritu
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Localized Normalization Implementation (LNI) program, a major component of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is crucial in ensuring that “peace dividends reach all Filipinos.” “Normalization ensures human security. It is a testament to the partnership
recorded message aired during a summit organized by the Bangsamoro Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) on Aug. 28. Marcos emphasized the vital role of NEWS / A3 local government units (LGUs) in sustaining the Bangsamoro peace process, between the government and the Moro highlighting their direct impact on Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in en- communities, former combatants, and suring that the gains of peace benefit security on the ground. all Filipinos,” the President said in a Next page
PH readies contingency plans vs. China
FROM memes to motifs, Filipinos are once again embracing the start of the long Christmas season as September rolls in, wrapping up a floody August and looking forward to hopefully brighter months ahead. In Manila, shops have already lined their shelves with Christmas-themed
UNITED FOR SUSTEX 2025. SM Prime Holdings, and the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) kick off the first-ever Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX 2025), championing the theme “Innovation for Environmental Stewardship.”The two-day event gathers over 50 exhibitors and thought leaders to showcase transformative technologies and scalable solutions in climate resilience, waste reduction, clean energy, and circular economy. In photo are Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee – SM Prime Holdings, Inc., left, and at right, Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Secretary – Department of Science and Technology
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FR. VILLANUEVA IS RM AWARDEE NEWS / A2 Fr. Flavie Villanueva
By Rex Espiritu THE Philippines has prepared contingency measures in case China crosses the “red line,” by trying to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, Manila’s grounded naval outpost at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “The approach of a towing vessel to the BRP Sierra Madre is a red line. We will not allow that. The Philippine government has red lines. Our
products—such as parols (lanterns), lights, trees, and ornaments—hoping to draw in early shoppers eager to get into the holiday spirit. Major malls, meanwhile, began preparing as early as mid-August, indicating that Christmas is a serious business
House to invite Ang, Barretto in missing sabungeros hearing By Rio N. Araja
Gretchen Barretto to its investigation into the disappearance of 34 cockfightTHE House committee on human rights ing enthusiasts during the administration intends to invite billionaire businessman of President Rodrigo Duterte. Atong Ang and actress-businesswoman Next page