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EX-SC JUSTICE NAMED HEAD OF PALACE FLOOD INFRA PROBE BODY By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Andres Reyes Jr. will head the newly formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), placing a veteran jurist at the helm of a high-profile investigation
into questionable government projects from the last decade. In his address at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos said Reyes’ long tenure in the judiciary and reputation for integrity made him the ideal choice to chair the commission. “Justice Andy Reyes has been with the Court of Appeals for a very long
time with a very good record of honesty and fairness, and a good record of being able to find justice for those who have been victimized,” President Marcos said. “He has the qualities needed to lead this independent body,” he added. The ICI was established under Executive Order No. 94 to examine alleged Next page
THE COMMISSION. The members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure—Justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr. (Chairperson), Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson (Member), and Rossana A. Fajardo(Member)—took their oath of office before Court of Appeals Justice Pedro Corales. Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who will serve as Special Adviser to the Commission, was also present during the ceremony. With this, the Commission formally begins its mandate to investigate irregularities in infrastructure projects and ensure accountability in the use of public funds. Revoli Cortez
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 213 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
PBBM: Public anger justified Urges peaceful protests; PNP to allow rallies without permits
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Maricel Cruz and Vince Lopez
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos said Monday he did not blame people for taking part in street protests “one bit” as anger mounts over a corruption scandal involving substandard and even “ghost” flood control projects. The infrastructure scandal has prompted a series of protests across Metro Manila in recent weeks. While most demonstrations so far have largely been smallscale, an annual protest tied to the 1972 declaration of Martial Law is expected to draw large crowds on Sunday. Mr. Marcos said he does not blame the protesters who have every right to express their outrage and disap-
REFORM MENU. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. holds a copy of a document listing a ‘menu’ of programs, where flood control funds should be realigned as part of the reforms that the administration wants to enforce amid allegations of corruption in infrastructure projects during a press conference yesterday in Malacañang. Inset shows representatives of various progressive groups and faith-based organizations during a joint press conference in Quezon City to announce their plans for a ‘Trillion Peso March’ protest on September 21. RTVM/Screenshot, Manny Palmero
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Romualdez vows full cooperation with ICI probe By Maricel Cruz HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday vowed full cooperation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drive for accountability amid corruption allegations in government infrastructure
projects, even as he directed the House of Representatives to accelerate work on urgent reforms for Filipino families. In a statement, Romualdez reiterated that the chamber under his leadership has nothing to hide and will not protect any member implicated in the investi-
gation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). “Nothing to hide, no one to protect, and above all— we will not turn away from the public interest,” he said in response to the President’s reminder that no one will be Next page
Marcos scraps UNGA trip next week to ‘focus on local issues’ By Charles Dantes
gagements at the UNGA to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to allow him to focus PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will on local issues,” Presidential Communino longer attend the United Nations Gen- cations Office Secretary Dave Gomez eral Assembly in New York next week told reporters in a message. While Gomez did not elaborate on the loto allow him to “focus on local issues,” cal issues that the President must focus on, Malacañang on Monday said. “The President has delegated his enNext page
Jinggoy open to probe, waives bank secrecy
President bares menu of projects for reallocated flood control funds By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the government has canceled all flood control projects slated for 2026, redirecting the savings to what he called a “menu” of priority sectors. During a press conference yesterday in Malacañang, the President said lawmakers will be required to align any insertions or adjustments strictly within these areas. President Marcos bared that the government will reallocate the money to education, health, and
other social services. “Those savings we already put in a menu… so that all insertions, all changes made can only be made to the benefit of these agencies,” he said. Under the menu of projects identified by President Marcos, funds for education will support the construction of laboratory buildings, student dormitories, and academic facilities in state universities and colleges, as well as the Department of Education’s school building program, textbooks and other instructional materials, the laptop computerization Next page
By Ram Superable
KASUOTANG PINOY. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joins Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Congresswoman Bel Zamora, Mrs. Keri Zamora at the launch of the Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino Exhibit yesterday at Hall Atrium in San Juan City. The exhibit aims to celebrate Filipino culture and identity by highlighting the artistry, evolution, and enduring relevance of Filipino attire. Manny Palmero
Baste, Imee file new complaints vs. Boying with Ombudsman By Rio N. Araja and Pot Chavez
ing’ Remulla and several top governDOJ chief Remulla asserted however, ment officials for the arrest of his fa- that Duterte’s charges against him and ACTING Davao City Mayor Sebastian ther, former President Rodrigo Duterte, several others were specifically targeting Duterte yesterday filed charges against upon orders of the International Crimi- his application for the Ombudsman post. Meanwhile, Senator Imee MarJustice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boy- nal Court (ICC).
cos filed an urgent motion seeking to inhibit acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas and the panel of investigators from the appeal she initiated on the Next page
SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada yesterday announced that he is prepared to open his bank accounts and undergo an investigation after being linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects. The allegations came from dismissed Public Works district engineer Brice Hernandez, who implicated Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva in the supposed kickback scheme. “It’s too much. All of us are being affected. Even the Senate as an institution is being dragged down by the testimony of one habitual liar. Why are we believing him? When he accused members of the House, why didn’t we investigate? Why is it only the senators?” he posed. Estrada rejected Hernandez’s claims and emphasized his willingness to sign waivers granting investigators access to his financial records. Next page