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NO PRICE HIKE ON BASIC GOODS THIS XMAS—PBBM By Charles Dantes KUALA Lumpur, Malaysia — Malacañang assured the public Monday that there will be no increase in the prices of basic and prime commodities before and during the Christmas season, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to maintain price stability for the public. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 255 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
Oil prices to increase by as much as P2/l NEWS / A3 Castro said the President instructed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strictly monitor the implementation of the suggested retail price Next page
‘Villanueva not yet off the hook’ Ombudsman eyes refiling of graft case over PDAF misuse
By Rio N. Araja and Pot Chavez
O
MBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office is eyeing to refile the graft case against Senator Joel Villanueva over the misuse of his P10-million “pork barrel” or Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was then a CIBAC party-list representative. “We will review it. We might have to refile the case. There is no double jeopardy here,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino during an interview with veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez. “For now, we will have to study. We have to study again,” he added. Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in 2016 ordered Villanueva dismissed after finding him liable for the PDAF misuse. Her successor, Samuel Martires, reversed the dismissal order in 2019. Remulla expressed disappointment over what he described as a “secret” reversal of Carpio-Morales’ order to remove Villanueva from public office. “We were upended by the fact that OmbudsNext page
AT WORK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listens during discussions
on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) wherein he emphasized the Philippines’ strong commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law in the region. He also stressed that the country will stay firm, calm, and resolute in defending its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Inset shows the President in a huddle with fellow ASEAN leaders during the ASEAN-India Summit. PCO
Some NCR flood infra projects useless—Dizon By Vito Barcelo and Ram Superable SEVERAL flood control projects in Metro Manila failed to serve their purpose and, in some cases, even worsened flooding in certain areas, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said.
He said many of these projects—particularly revetments and dikes—were poorly planned and executed, leading to unintended consequences such as worse flooding for nearby communities. “Many of the flood control projects not only did not
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TRICK OR TREAT. A luggage full of bundles of trick money, left photo is carried around by participants of the annual Trick or Treat celebration at the Senate yesterday. Right photo shows a young girl with her costumed pet during the annual pet costume competition of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Angie de Silva. Diana Noche
President lashes out at China’s illegal, aggressive actions at WPS PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised concerns over China’s continuing aggression in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) before a summit meeting between United States President Donald Trump and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The President specifically assailed on Sunday Beijing’s unilateral plan to establish a so-called nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), a maritime feature long claimed by the Philippines. Marcos did not directly name China but said Manila is deeply concerned over “dangerous maneuvers and coercive ac-
Marcos accepts NBI chief’s resignation; Asst. Dir. Lito Magno is OIC By Charles Dantes KUALA Lumpur, Malaysia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. named National Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Lito Magno
Palace defends Brawner on Typhon remarks By Charles Dantes MALACANANG on Monday took a swipe at the Duterte family’s “proChina” stance even as it defends Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who was criticized by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte relative to the country’s acquisition of Typhoon Missile System. Next page
as the bureau’s Officer-in-Charge, Malacañang said Monday. In a press briefing at the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit here, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the
EARLY BIRDS.
Passengers line up at the check-in counters of NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City to avoid the Undas rush to the provinces. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) expects around 5 million people to return home this weekend and has raised its alert status ahead of the holidays. Norman Cruz
changes in the NBI after the president accepted the irrevocable resignation of former NBI chief Jaime Santiago. Santiago previously submitted his resignation in August 2025 due to “detractors and those who have sin-
ister interests” in his position as the NBI chief. Magno, a seasoned agent and lawyer, previously served as the Deputy Director for Investigative Services. Next page
tions” that interfere with legitimate Philippine activities in the WPS. He stressed these actions violated international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Philippines has repeatedly protested China’s harassment of Filipino vessels, including water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard on Philippine resupply missions. “On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that have put the lives of Philippine personnel and Next page
‘Chinese fishers driven out of Ayungin’ By Rex Espiritu
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that its Western Command intercepted and escorted away several Chinese fishing vessels allegedly engaged in illegal fishing near Ayungin Shoal in the WPS. In a statement issued Sunday evening, the AFP said the “unauthorized” Chinese boats were spotted near the shoal on October 24. Troops also seized bottles containing what appeared to be cyanide, believed to be used for destructive fishing practices. “In adherence to established protocols, AFP personnel promptly escorted the unauthorized fishing boats out of the area and confiscated bottles containing suspected cyanide chemicals reportedly used for destructive Next page