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(Story on A4) FIVE LOCAL LEVISTE FLIP-FLOPS ON ALLEGATION, SAYS HE NAMED WRONG DPWH USEC
HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe ICI to help probe Heading heading into PCSO official's slay ‘ghost’ hospitals VOL. XXXIX • NO. 242 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 •
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
DPWH Usec. Arrey Perez
Rep. Leandro Leviste
By Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo
However, Leviste clarified yesterday afternoon that he was not referring to Perez, but rather another undersecretary whom he still refused to name. “It’s another one [who met with contractors]. What I said earlier is that THE government has readied P1.48 almost all appointees at the DPWH billion of aid by for contractors; communiare beingworth approached ties thatothers may be hard by typhoon maybe dohitnot agree to meet ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could [with contractors], but I can say that turn into a supertyphoon. almost all agree to meet,” he said in As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAFilipino. GASA raised Tropical Cyclone Perez was sworn in on September Wind Signal No. 3 over 29 and is not known to haveBatanes particiand the northeastern portioninof pated in any DPWH projects hisBa18 buyan days onIslands. the job. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue Before taking the DPWH position, intensifying over the next 24-36 the erstwhile undersecretary worked hours as it moves towards Next Batanes page and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
BATANGAS 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste admitted he made a mistake in naming erstwhile Public Works Undersecretary Arrey Perez as the official having links with contractors. He disclosed this to the media yesterday, hours after Perez tendered his irrevocable resignation out of apparent “delicadeza.” Perez resigned from his post after he apparently felt that he was the one being alluded to by Leviste. Manila Standard sought Perez’s comments on Leviste’s clarification, but a reply was unavailable as of this writing.
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm 300 health centers non-operational; By Rio N. super Araja DOH activates citizens hotline—Herbosa HE Philippine
T T
PAGASA
National Police is reopening By Ram(PNP) Superable and Joel E. Zurbano its investigation into HEmurder administration's fact-finding body, the 2020 of the Independent Commission for Philippine Charity Infrastructure Sweepstakes Office (ICI), will step in and help investigate so-called "ghost" or non-operational (PCSO) board secretary super health centers (SHCs) across the country, Wesley Barayuga. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday said.
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Herbosa told the ICI yesterdayMarthat of the 878 SHCs funded unbil he ordered theEnhancement reopening of Program from 2021 to date, dersaid the Health Facility the casenon-operational. after whistleblower somecold 300 are Police Lt. Col. told stages of construction while Herbosa saidSantie 365 areMendoza under various the Quad Committee he operational. 196House are operational and 17 are that partially helped out the the figures killingare at subject the The carry DOH said to further validation and behest of ex-PCSO general manager investigation, in coordination with the ICI. Royina Garma. "What I promised ICI is that I will do an investigation and Mendoza case buildup. Ifnarrated we have abefore case andconwe think someone gressmen how Garma allegedly fa-I is criminally or administratively liable, cilitated theit," PCSO official’s will submit Herbosa said. roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by While the DOH continues the case providing thethenecessary information building for non-operational SHCs, about schedule, about his the ICIhiswill support details the investigations, Next page vehicle the funding necessary to Herbosaand added. A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it out. The department will also activate Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic whistleblower alsoAudit implicated itsThe Citizens Participatory to allow adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug incumbent National Police concerning Comthe public to report issues trade and extrajudicial killings. missioner the page the SHCs.Edilberto Leonardo inNext planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption withNO LETUP. Students of various universities and organizations in Metro Manila marched in the PCSO shortly before he was THE Philippine plunder government on towards Mendiola in Manila yesterday to demand accountability in the large-scale of shot dead in Mandaluyong City. the flood control project funds. Norman Cruz Sunday publicly called for the UnitGarma, herself an ex-police Lt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on Colonel, allegedly gained the top businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightspot at the PCSO because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. By Rex Espiritu ing the country’s strong record and Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to STUDENTS from various universities and sketchy colleges in Metro law. with Philippine congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Manila walked out of their classes Friday afternoon in protest Overseas Gaming Department of Foreign Affairs Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of of massive corruption in the bureaucracy. (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. Chanting calls for accountability and waving banners, thouger prosecution to curb smuggling and rev"Many are attempting bring illicit By Ram Superable a speech delivered attothe UNinGenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions sands of young people marched through the streets of Manila enue losses. Among the companies implicated products, since they know they are unlikeeral Assembly in New York said the the House QuadSecretary about YangG.recklessly. Technology FINANCE Ralph Recto and on their way to Mendiola near Malacañang. questioned During a are SenateBrickhartz Finance Committee hear- Inc. ly to Philippines be convicted. Their products may be continues to emphasize Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., Senate Finance Committee Chairman SherAmong the participants were students from the so-called ing on e-commerce and illicit trade, Gatchalconfiscated, but we all know that the the “importance of upholding prices the ability to pin Chinese national Yang sounded Aurelio which are ofbeing linkeddespite to alleged of legitimate win Gatchalian theGonzales alarm overJr.theof Pampanga the University Belt, as well as the Taft Avenue and Intramuros ian said the low number convictions products compared to illicit rule of law and the integrity of the downCity. for ay wrongdoing in a threat real of illicit and Deputy David Suarez of growing trade inSpeaker the country, clusters and other schools in Manila and Quezon thousands ofkidnapping. filed cases has emboldened oftrade multilateral are almost four to five times higher,” system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing Thetheirtwo firms supposedly he explained. calling for a calibrated tax policy and stronNext page fenders to continue illegal activities. Next page day’s global challenges.” “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu Quoted by reports, Manalo also [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, said: “The Philippines has consisthis criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced tently pursued peace, the sovereign Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. equality of states, the rights and digprosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm nity of all persons.” Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang nihan Village in San Remigio and services. He added that the country is also By Charles Dantes having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his assess ongoing relief operations for Meanwhile, strong recognized as thea “first Asiantectonic Recertificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. that quake victims, giving assurance earthquake shook Mindanao anew, PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Next page Next page at all displaced families have access to this time hitting Surigao del Norte Jr. returned to Cebu on Friday to inNext page temporary shelter, food, and essential spect the newly established Baya-
Students walk out, Yang's sustain lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry anti-corruption protests DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
Recto, Gatchalian alarmed over unrestrained smuggling
Marcos checks out evacuees, brings more aid to Cebu
BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
Navy spokes debunks China claim ‘Ramil’ to make of military exercises in landfall Scarborough today,shoal By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry Masinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without ENSURING RELIEF. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. yesterday returned Bogo ough Shoal, in the West toPhilipthe approval of the Cabinet members. City, CebuBilyonaryo to make sure article that the is displaced safe and proper shelters, pinenow Seahave (WPS). “The mali- residents and adequate food, water, and propersaid toilet facilities. PCO reportedly made the anChina cious and unfounded,” Bautista nouncement coinciding with the in a Viber message, referring to the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Philippines, Australia, Japan, Bilyonaryo reported online that New Zealand, and the United “Bautista and his long-time protege in ongoingwithin proceedings related to his THE International Criminal Court States Manila’s exclusive Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for crimes against humanity. (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I has economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are In awaters nine-page dated appointed medical to evaluate gional over document the weekend. at the center of theexperts storm after it was October 9, the Navy chamber ordered the former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Philippine Spokesperson health and ability to participate the for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Nextinpage NextVinpage
ICC checks up state of Rody’s health
bring heavy rains
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only By Rio N. Araja for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe TROPICAL depression ‘Ramil’ mainany exercise, we have to undertained its strength while moving west stand that sometimes, China Sea is southwestward over the Philippine doing this for their audiand is expected to hit internal Catanduanes on ence, right? them not to look Saturday, the For Philippine Atmospheric weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad Geophysical and Astronomical Servicsaid. es Administration (PAGASA) said. Two Chineseweather warships were In an updated advisory remonitored at a distance ranging leased on Friday afternoon, PAGASA from eight was to 14tracked nautical miles. said ‘Ramil’ at 640 kiloOne these wentSorsogon. up to 1,000 metersofeast of Juban, It was yards the MMCA site but movingatwest southwestward at even25 km tually went away. “It was not per hour (kph) with maximum sustained threatening, just normal,” accordwinds of 55 kph near the center and gustNext Next page page iness of up to 70 kph.
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA URBAN Union’s Z mall in La Union was opened byGroup) SM Vice PresidentRESORT. and PresidentLaand COOGen of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe executives ledPrime by SMHoldings Supermalls President Steven Tan, SM Engineering Design Alice T. Liu, SM Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, andPresident Development Corporation President Hans T. Sy Jr.,Inc. and SM Prime Holdings PRA and Chairman of Quorum International, (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Jeffrey The 89th mall inof the country is now new Inc. lifestyle S.President Claudio, and PRALim. Director and SM President Sportshouse Int’l.the Leisure, and landmark of in PRA the Surfing Capital ofAward the North. proponent OFR President’s Mars C. Chua