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Sotto, Lacson junk countercoup online report as ‘fake news’ By Ram Superable
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 212 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
fake news designed to sow confusion. Lacson said the report underestimated SENATE President Pro Tempore Pan- the unity and awareness of the new Senfilo Lacson on Sunday dismissed a vi- ate majority bloc, describing it as an atral social media post about an alleged tempt to trick lawmakers into defecting. Next page leadership shake-up in the Senate as
AFP goes on ‘red alert’
Military readies for Sept. 21 but says its just precautionary By Rex Espiritu, Vince Lopez, and Rio N. Araja
A
LL units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been placed on red alert ahead of anticipated demonstrations to be staged by multiple organizations in protest of massive corruption in the government’s flood control program on and before September 21.
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla yesterday said that the military has been on red alert status since September 12 despite the lack of fanfare. However, she was quick to clarify that the declaration was not brought on by any particular threat
to the government’s stability. “This is simply a precautionary measure on our part. This is part of our standard security protocols. We would like to emphasize that there is no cause for concern,” Padilla said in Filipino. Still, she cautioned against attempts to infiltrate or hijack the
looming anti-corruption protests to sow chaos. Padilla also belittled efforts by certain groups to convince AFP personnel to withdraw support from President Marcos and his government, saying, “We [the AFP] reject these calls… The solution must be found in our demoNext page
FACES OF PROTEST. Bikers join the #KontrakTour, right photo, to invite people to participate in the Sept. 21 protest rally against corruption at the Rizal Park while mothers from various communities gathered at Litex Market in Quezon City yesterday for a Zumba-protest against corruption. Norman Cruz, Kadamay FB page
DPWH personnel get police security detail amid outraged public By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo
tional Police (PNP) is providing security to Department of Public Works and INTERIOR and Local Government Highways (DPWH) personnel during Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla yes- site inspections on flood-control proterday disclosed that the Philippine Na- jects to protect them against an angry public.
“Yes, they are there. Round-the-clock because their lives (DPWH personnel) are really in danger there,” he said. Remulla, however, noted that the PNP is not involved in the technical assessment of those sites, saying they are
only present to address credible security threats to DPWH employees. “We are only on the security side. We don’t know anything about forensic infrastructure, but there are many threats Next page
Two major biz groups back probe body By Othel V. Campos, Rio Araja, and Ram Superable
Tulfo to probe casinos link to DPWH gamblers
TWO of the country’s largest business organizations have expressed strong support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), describing it as a bold move to clean up public works and restore trust in government spending.
By Ram Superable SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Sunday raised concerns that casinos may have knowingly allowed officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan to gamble away hundreds of millions of pesos in public funds. The Senate Games and Amusement Committee chairman said gambling establishments cannot simply plead ignorance when government officials use fake identities to conceal their transactions. “I thought they strictly implement their ‘Know Your Client’ or KYC policy? Why didn’t they investigate what kind of business or profession Next page
Dizon greenlights legit flood control projects NEWS / A3
STRENGTHENING TIES. Philippine
Navy crewmen guide a helicopter of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to land on the BRP Jose Rizal at the close of the 11th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with Japan and the United States counterparts (inset) last Saturday. Armed Forces of the Philippines
DA readies Benteng Bigas launch for transport workers tomorrow By Othel V. Campos NEARLY 57,000 transport workers are set to benefit from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship affordable rice program, Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!, which the Department of Agri-
Meanwhile, BICOL Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon welcomed the appointment of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members of the ICI tasked to
culture (DA) will roll out on Tuesday, September 16. The program will initially cover public transport workers—including bus, jeepney, and tricycle drivers as well as operators—across five major Next page
Next page
Gabriela to get Duterte Youth party-list seat—Garcia By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja
qualified Duterte Youth Party-list in Gabriela welcomed Garcia’s anthe 20th Congress. nouncement, saying the decision “is a Comelec chairman George Garcia said testament to the persistent struggle of THE Commission on Elections (ComeGabriela party-list first nominee Sarah Filipino women to have their voices lec) is set to proclaim Gabriela WomElago will take the 64th seat in Congress. en’s Party as a replacement for the disNext page
JAPAN FIRMS VOW TO EXPAND IN PH
EALA TO JOIN TENNIS TEAM IN SEA GAMES
BUSINESS / B3
SPORTS / A7