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Independent probe commission to have subpoena powers—PBBM By Charles Dantes
a “truly independent” commission to probe alleged corruption in flood-con“DISRUPTION” is needed to get rid trol projects within 48 hours. “We are not doing business as usual, of deeply-rooted corruption in government systems, President Ferdinand so that (disruption) will necessarily be Marcos Jr. said, saying he will unveil Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 207 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
‘Estrada, Villanueva got 30% SOP’
Witness: Kickbacks from multibillion-peso Bulacan flood-control deals By Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable, and Katrina Manubay
S
ENATORS Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were tagged by a dismissed DPWH Bulacan assistant engineer as allegedly being recipients of “SOP” (share of project) or kickbacks in flood-control deals in the province. Appearing before the House Infra Committee hearing yesterday, sacked DPWH official Brice Hernandez alleged the two senators received no lower than 30 percent “SOP” from the multimillion-peso floodcontrol deals. “Senator Jinggoy released P350 million in funding this 2025 on several projects in Bulacan. His SOP is 30 percent, as per our district engineer Henry Alcantara. This
PLUNDER. A photo of a room full of cash payoffs, top left photo, and a supposed text message sent by Sen. Joel Villanueva to a dismissed DPWH engineer are shown during the hearing of the House committee investigating the anomalous deals involving billions of pesos poured into flood control projects. Bottom left photo shows contractor Curlee Discaya and dismissed DPWH engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Brice Hernandez. Bottom right photo shows Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara. Manny Palmero, House of Representatives
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‘Curlee’Discaya denies deals with Speaker Romualdez, Rep. Co By Maricel V. Cruz PACIFICO “Curlee” Discaya, owner of construction firms under scrutiny for alleged ghost flood control projects, categorically told lawmakers Tuesday that he never had any direct transaction with House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Next page
Kaufman appeals to Marcos to allow Rody’s return FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, has requested the Marcos administration to allow his client’s return to the Philippines should the International Criminal Court (ICC) grant his interim release.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations appealed to the ICC not to delay the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, in response to the court’s PreTrial Chamber I decision to postpone the confirmation hearing.
“The defense sincerely hopes that the current administration, which sought fit to outsource its obligation to afford the former President a fair trial in the country of his birth, will now let him Next page
‘Tara, Nood Tayo’ film, tv project rolls
Bulacan district engineers blew a billion in casino sorties—Ping • Ping takes over Blue Ribbon • DPWH’s Cabral tagged as liar • Receipts focus of Senate probe
By Ram Superable FIVE former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel tagged in allegedly anomalous flood projects squandered more than P950 million in casino losses, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday.
Lacson said dismissed Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, along with Assistant Engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Edrick San Diego, posed as contractors during their casino dealings. “On top of their multi-million peso wristwatches, signature clothes and Next page
By Charles Dantes TELEVISION and film industry leaders have thrown their support behind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration as it rolled out “Tara, Nood Tayo!,” a nationwide infomercial promoting responsible viewing and the Filipino creative industry. Part of the Responsableng Panonood tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas (RP2BP) program, the campaign is spearheaded by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Next page
PROGRAM LAUNCH. Personalities featured in the Marcos administration’s ‘Tara, Nood Tayo!’ infomercial. Presidential Communications Office
BACK IN MANILA. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos-Araneta arrive from a three-day state visit to Cambodia. Welcoming them are Philippine Air Force Vice Commander Major Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez. Presidential Communications Office
Envoy sees Quiboloy extradition forthcoming with US request A FORMAL request to extradite detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy is “forthcoming,” according to Philippine ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez. Speaking on Tuesday to reporters at the sideline of the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum in Parañaque City,
Romualdez said the request would come in the form of a note verbale. “There is a request, but the formal one, which will set the ball rolling, basically, is the formal note verbale, which the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is waiting for,” he said. Next page
MEGAWORLD’S HOTEL GROUP BAGS DOT AWARD. Megaworld Hotels & Resorts was
honored by the Department of Tourism with its inaugural Tourism Industry Excellence Award— making it the first and only hospitality group to earn this recognition. The award highlights the company’s stature as the Philippines’ largest hotel operator and its distinction as the country’s first Muslim-friendly hotel chain as certified by Crescent Rating. The group has also been commended for championing Filipino culture and enriching guest experiences through its pioneering Sampaguita Project, which uses the Philippine national flower in its guests’ experiences and hotel touchpoints. Receiving the award from DOT Secretary Christina Frasco (center), along with DOT Undersecretaries Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso and Maria Rica Bueno, were Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Group GM Arturo Boncato, Jr. (2nd from left) and Managing Director Cleofe Albiso (2nd from right).