UN sanctions poised anew against Iran WORLD / A4
Special menu, mooncakes at City of Dreams CRAVINGS / C1
AFP calls out online disinformation on Zaldy Co’s ex-aide
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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 223 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES SEPTEMBER 28, 2025
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Chinatown comes alive for the Mid-Autumn Festival with lanterns, streamers, and mooncake stalls, highlighted by the traditional Hokkien dice game Pua Tiong Chiu. Richmond Chi
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Marcos realigns DPWH P255.55b flood budget Distributes funds to DSWD. DepEd, DA, DOH, CHED, PhilHealth
By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday announced a major budget realignment that will scrap P255.55billion worth of proposed flood control projects and realign the funds to programs aimed at directly improving the lives of Filipinos. Speaking before tropical cyclone-affected residents and farmers in Cagayan, Marcos said the government decided to cancel the locally funded flood control allocation under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2026 to ensure that public money is used more efficiently and meaningfully. “If we hadn’t done that, that P255 billion would just go somewhere else. So it’s good that we canceled all the flood control projects for 2026, and that is the savings we have,” Mr. Marcos said during the event.
He explained that the decision was made after a review of previous infrastructure projects that failed to deliver substantial results, adding that the move reflects his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prioritizing programs that have immediate and lasting impact. According to the chief executive, the new breakdown of the budget includes P35.91 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support cash assistance programs, psychosocial services, livelihood projects, and construction of social facilities. The Department of Education (DepEd) will also receive P26.55 billion for classroom construction, school feeding programs, and learning recovery initiatives. Similarly, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will get P9.3 billion for scholarships and student assistance, while P1 billion is allocated to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). P39.37 billion will then go to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, cold storage, post-harvest facilities, and fisheries infrastructure. Turn to Page 4
‘PH IS WORLD’S MOST DISASTER PRONE COUNTRY’
Five to nine more cyclones expected but not as intense, says PAGASA FIVE to nine tropical cyclones are expected to enter or form inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility for the remainder of the year, according to PAGASA Deputy Administrator Marcelino Villafuerte I. But he said the upcoming storms are not expected to be more intense than some of the 15 storms that have so far affected the country. “We are expecting two to four [cyclones] in the month of October. And then in November it’s two to three. And
then one to two in December. So we’re expecting five to nine more tropical cyclones before the end of this year,” Villafuerte said. Turn to Page 4
By Rex Espiritu
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday released an advisory addressing disinformation circulating on social media about the former aide of former House Committee on Appropriations chair and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co. One post claimed that Co’s former aide Orly Guteza is still an active member of the Marines. It further alleged that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. permitted the military to be used as couriers in a supposed kickback scheme involving flood control projects. “FALSE CLAIM: An image and narrative allege that an active-duty Marine was used for illicit activities, based on his supposed ‘testimony,’” the AFP said. “FACT: The individual mentioned, Mr. Orly Guteza, has been a civilian since his retirement on June 30, 2020. His private work for a legislator began four years later in 2024. The central claim is chronologically impossible and therefore fabricated,” it added. Guteza, who identified himself as a former security consultant of Co, on Thursday told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in a hearing that he personally delivered luggage containing money to the lawmaker’s residence.
FUNDING EDUCATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of relief goods to students and their families affected by super typhoon Nando in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. He was joined by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay. PCO
Palace debunks Rody lawyer’s claim, denies backing interim release from ICC detention By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Saturday refuted claims that the Marcos administration has agreed to the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Duterte’s legal counsel, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, had a pattern of repeatedly distorting facts surrounding the proceedings. She cited as an example Kaufman’s claim that the ICC prosecutor did not
oppose the former president’s request for interim release. “It was later revealed to be a false allegation after the ICC prosecutor filed an opposition,” Castro said in a statement. “Atty. Kaufman appears to have mastered the art of twisting some facts,” she added. The PCO official reiterated that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration has no involvement in the case, particularly in Duterte’s bid for interim release. “We want to be clear that the Marcos Jr. administration is not privy to
and has no hand in the former president Duterte’s ongoing trial before the ICC, particularly his request for interim release,” Castro said. “However, as part of the legal process, no matter what the ICC decides, we will still respect it,” she added. Duterte’s camp has argued that at 80 years old, the former leader is not a flight risk and that his detention is unnecessary to safeguard the proceedings. They also said a third country had expressed willingness to host him should the request be granted. Turn to Page 4
Magalong exit from ICI ‘unfortunate’ — Palace
AFTERMATH.
A Coast Guard team of rescuers bring a child to safety, left photo, in Barangay Liloan, Ormoc City, Leyte at the height of storm ‘Opong’ which destroyed, at right, parts of the Masbate airport. PCG, DOTr.
By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Saturday said it regrets the resignation of Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), but assured the public that the body’s work will continue despite his departure. “It is unfortunate Mayor Magalong resigned,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said in a statement. Courtesy of Presidential Communications Office He emphasized that the public’s expectations of the ICI go continues its work. beyond any single individual, with the commission remain-
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ing capable and committed to fulfilling its mandate. “The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure is higher than any one person,” Gomez said. “The commission, made up of distinguished professionals with unassailable integrity, has hit the ground running on day one,” he added. The Palace also reaffirmed its respect for the ICI’s independence and called on the public to support the commission as it Turn to Page 4
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