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Palace uneasy over Villanueva exoneration, calls for probe By Charles Dantes, Rio N. Araja, Maricel V. Cruz, and Pot Chavez VOL. XXXIX • NO. 249 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025 •
MALACAÑANG on Friday said reports of a “secret decision” by former Ombudsman Samuel Martinez in the
‘Flood infra culprits to spend Xmas in jail’ Dizon: First arrests to happen in next 2 months
• DOJ: One month to finish PI, start filing of cases
• Hernandez drops
state witness bid––Ombudsman
By Vito Barcelo, Joel Zurbano and Pot Chavez
S
EVERAL personalities involved in allegedly anomalous flood-control projects may spend Christmas behind bars as the Department of Public Works and Highways intensifies its investigation, Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday.
Dizon said the probe into irregularities in several flood control projects has made “significant progress,” with the agency now working closely with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies to bring those responsible to justice. “I think some accused will spend their Christmas in jail. Some of them will be arrested before Christmas,” Dizon said. “The investigation is moving fast. Ombudsman Boying Remulla said that the first case we filed on September 13 will be the fastest to get some personalities in jail,” he added. Next page
case involving Senator Joel Villanueva, if proven true, would be deeply concerning and could undermine public confidence in the country’s justice system. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Next page
101 y/o Enrile beats all ‘pork barrel’ scam raps By Maricel V. Cruz, Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes THE Sandiganbayan has cleared former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile of the last of several graft charges filed against him over a supposed “pork barrel” scam. In a decision promulgated on Friday, the anti-graft court’s Special Third Division acquitted Enrile of the charge involving the P172.8 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) funds that he allegedly mishandled during his term as a legislator. In its decision, the Sandiganbayan said “the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Next page
AFP discovers 60 ghost projects; COA files more fraud raps By Rex Espiritu THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said it has discovered some 60 “ghost” flood control projects across the country following inspections conducted upon request of the Department of Public Works
Zaldy Co, more solons to face charges — OMB NEWS / A3 and Highways (DPWH). Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit (COA) announced that it has submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) four additional fraud audit reports (FARs) that exposed further irregularities in flood control projects managed by the DPWH’s Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO). AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in an interview said they were tasked
RELENTLESS. Youth activists block the entrance of the Department of Energy
after failing to force their way in to hold a protest at the office of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday. Inset shows ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes checking the facilities of the newly-completed detention facility for suspects linked to alleged flood control project anomalies at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City. Reyes was joined by Commissioner Rogelio Singson and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla in the inspection. Danny Pata, Manny Palmero
Next page
ICC may now issue warrants Palace urges calm as protesters try to storm ICI vs. Duterte co-accused — Conti By Charles Dantes
FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte's co-accused in the crimes against humanity case may soon face arrest following the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I decision affirming the court's authority to continue the case. Atty. Kristina Conti, International Criminal Court assistant to counsel,
said the decision means there is now an “80 percent chance that this case will proceed to trial.” “The only remaining question is if [Duterte] is fit to stand trial but as to the investigation, well, this is an all clear signal for the investigation Next page
MALACANANG on Friday called on the public to remain patient after a group of protesters stormed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) office in Taguig City to denounce what they described as a lack of transparency and slow processing of cases. Presidential Communications Of-
fice Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace has yet to receive details about the incident, but emphasized that the ICI operates independently from the Office of the President. “The ICI is an independent commission. Whatever actions or policies they are implementing are under their jurisdiction,” Castro said in a press briefing. She acknowledged public frustra-
tions over the pace of investigations but stressed that the government is already addressing corruption-related complaints through proper procedures. “People should not be impatient. (Public Works and Highways) Secretary Vince (Dizon) has already filed the necessary cases, and what’s important is that the system continues to
Next page
PBBM to attend ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will participate in the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 26 to 28, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday. DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the President will join Southeast Asian leaders, dialogue partners, and international organizations at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Datu Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who serves as this year’s ASENext page AN chair.
EDUCATION AND HEALTH SORTIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. takes time to tell a story to preschoolers of the La Paz Child Development Center (CDC), left photo, during his visit yesterday to Agusan del Norte. At right, the President distributed 229 PCSO Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to recipients in Butuan City. The PTVs are fully equipped with stretchers, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, and first-aid kits, ready to provide fast and safe transportation for patients, especially in remote areas. PCO