Issuu

manilastandard.net

@ManilaStandardPH

@mnlstandardph

@manilastandard

@ManilaStandardYT

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 09173382170 / 85646229

Senators insert over P100b Ping reveals how colleagues hid insertions in 2025 budget

By Ram Superable

ENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday revealed that almost all senators inserted more than ₱100 billion worth of projects into the proposed 2025 national budget.

Lacson, who also chairs the Blue Ribbon panel, said the insertions were categorized as “For Later Release” or “FLR” items, which means they are individual allocations tagged for implementation at a later date.

“It is enormous. I’ve never seen anything like this because back in the day, before the PDAF was declared unconstitutional, it was only in the hundreds of millions. But now I’ve seen the total,

VOL. XXXIX • NO. 226 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025

DOJ mulls adding more names in case buildup on flood control anomalies By Pot Chavez MORE individuals may be included in the ongoing case build-up being conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection to the anomalous flood control projects in the country. “In the future, yes, it is a process, we have to evaluate. This is not the end of it, probably next Saturday we will still be here, we will be back,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters over the weekend. Contractors Cezarah “Sarah” and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya earlier returned to the DOJ on Saturday for the continuation of the evaluation of their testimony. Among the pieces of evidence submitted by

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attended a mass in remembrance of his father’s 36th death anniversary yesterday in Batac, Ilocos Norte. PBBM FB page

Mass held for FMs’ 36th death anniversary PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Sunday together with his family members and supporters remembered the 36th death anniversary of the family’s patriarch, former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, Sr. Mr. Marcos attended a memorial Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in his hometown Batac,

Ilocos Norte. He was accompanied by close family, relatives and Marcos loyalists, who gathered to honor the legacy of his late father. In a brief message posted by the President on his social media pages, he reflected on his father’s enduring influence. “Remembering my father, Apo Lakay, on his 36th death anniversary. His memory and his dreams re-

Vetted flood projects to proceed—Marcos

BLOWN OFF. An aerial survey yesterday by the Office of Civil Defense in Masbate shows the roof of a

REMEMBERING APO LAKAY. President

By Vince Lopez

the Discayas were ledgers, computer notes, and previous statements requested by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the prosecution of 21 individuals for case build-up with the National Prosecution Service (NPS). The list includes Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada. Other individuals named were former Senator Bong Revilla, Usec. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, former DPWH Engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza, as well as former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Engr. Arjay Domasig, Maynard Ngu,

building blown away by ‘Opong’s strong winds. Civil Defense Bicol Region 5

Bicol hit hardest by ‘Opong’—OCD By Rio N. Araja and Rex Espiritu THE Bicol Region bore the brunt of recent storms, with nearly 840,000 residents affected and widespread damage reported in Masbate following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 837,427 individuals—or 221,873 families—were impacted in Bicol alone, making it the hardest-hit region. Masbate sustained severe damage as strong winds and heavy rains battered homes, the provincial airport, and key

infrastructure before the storm exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday. Initial government assessments showed that thousands of families were forced to flee their homes, with 9,630 families, or 38,272 people, directly affected in Masbate. At least 8,916 houses were reported damaged across multiple regions, while agricultural losses nationwide have already topped ₱1 billion. Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV visited Masbate on Sun-

FIESTA CARACOL. Young girls dressed up as angels perform a dance number during the Fiesta Caracol held on the feast of San Miguel Archangel in Bacoor City. Dennis Abrina

PRESIDENT Marcos has given assurance that implementation of fully compliant flood control projects will go on, saying more than P300 billion are available to bankroll these initiatives until next year. “So, hindi pa nauubos ‘yun. So, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang magiging flood control projects hanggang sa susunod na taon (It’s not yet depleted. Flood control projects will continue until next year),” the President said. “We will approve the flood control projects provided they are in order—the proposal, program of work, completion is satisfactory, and there is acceptance by the local government. That’s the factor that we put it,” Marcos said.

PNP advises counseling for young rioters By Vince Lopez

Dutch law forbids disclosure of Rody’s condition, says Conti By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay Sara Duterte that Dutch laws prohibit the ICC detention facility must be aware be used for any other purpose without

the disclosure of medical conditions of ASSISTANT Counsel to the Interna- individuals at the ICC detention facility. tional Criminal Court (ICC), lawyer “Third persons disclosing the mediKristina Conti reminded Vice President cal condition or situation of a person at

that there are strict Dutch laws on medi- explicit consent,” she said. cal confidentiality. Medical records are Conti made the statement in response only available to healthcare providers to Vice President Duterte’s claim that involved in a patient’s care, and cannot Next page

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said minors involved in the violent anti-corruption protests last Sept. 21 should undergo rehabilitation and counselling. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the statement following the release of 55 minors and 25 adults who were apprehended amid the disturbance during the demonstrations. “The PNP respects due process and the rule of law. The release of the minors and adults involved was in accordance with established legal procedures, particularly the provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” Nartatez said in a statement. Next page