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TRUMP, XI AGREE TO EASE TRADE WAR
PAGASA EYES 2 TO 3 CYCLONES IN NOV.
WEAKER PESO PUSHED UP INFLATION—BSP
NEWS / A3
NEWS / A3
BUSINESS / B1
ICI eyes recovery of at least P4.4b assets seized by AMLC By Joel E. Zurbano
to discuss asset recovery relative to the anomalous flood control projects. The meeting concentrated on pinTHE Technical Working Group of the Independent Commission for Infra- pointing the primary areas from which structure (ICI) and various govern- funds could be retrieved and establishment agencies convened on Thursday Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 258 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025
‘Slash cost of all govt infra’ PBBM: Aligning project cost to market prices ‘new standard’
By Charles Dantes
PBBM joins boxing fans marking 50th anniv of ‘Thrilla in Manila’
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expanded his earlier order for the Department of Public Works and Highways to slash bloated infrastructure costs by as much as 50 percent, directing all government agencies to adopt the same pricing reform to curb corruption and align project costs with real market rates. “When funds are protected and spent with discipline, prices ease, opportunities grow, and communities thrive,” Mr. Marcos said in his departure speech Thursday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Next page
Ombudsman bares Martires documents on Joel’s graft case By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman yesterday released previous resolutions related to the complaints filed against Senator Joel Villanueva over the alleged misuse of his ₱10-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined boxing fans in celebrating the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila,” the legendary 1975 bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Marcos arrived with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and was welcomed by boxing legend and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is also the founder and chief executive officer of boxing promotion MP Promotions. Also present during the commemorative Next page
THRILLA REDUX. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wears the commemorative International Boxing Associaton (IBA) championship belt given yesterday by IBA President Umar Kremlev, left, and boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao during the ‘Thrilla in Manila 2’ boxing event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Inset shows the President with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee, and former senator Mar Roxas. PCO
Navy denies claim Guteza under their protection THE Philippine Navy on Thursday denied that retired Marine Orly Regala Guteza is under the protection or custody of the Philippine Marine Corps, clarifying that he has long been separated from military service.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said Guteza has been retired from the Philippine Marine Corps since June 30, 2020, and therefore no longer falls under the administrative authority of the Navy.
“The Philippine Navy emphasizes that Mr. Orly Regala Guteza has been retired from the Philippine Marine Corps since June 30, 2020. As a retired serviceman, he no longer falls under Next page
Gov’t ensures safe, smooth Undas exodus By Joel E. Zurbano OFFICIALS are conducting inspections and drug tests on bus drivers and conductors at public transport terminals in Metro Manila to ensure public safety during the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day exodus. Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is confident that Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is fully prepared for the anticipated surge of air travelers during the Undas holiday break. This initiative is being carried out by various government agencies, inNext page
EXODUS. Passengers flock to the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange PITX to return to their respective provinces two days before UNDAS while motorists hurdle traffic at the North and South Luzon expressways as the exodus out of Metro Manila begins before the Undas weekend. Bobh Trip FB, Norman Cruz
Biliran politicians face plunder raps over P1b infra FOUR Biliran officials face a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly conspiring with a construction firm to corner more than P1 billion worth of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects. In the complaint, Lord Allan Garcia accused House Committee on Appro-
priations Vice Chairperson and Biliran Rep. Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina Jr., Gov. Rogelio Espina, Vice Gov. Roselyn Espina-Paras, and Naval Mayor Gretchen Espina of colluding to award contracts to Roving Premier Construction, a firm reportedly headed by Irvin Paras, the husband of the vice governor. “The reason why I filed a plun-
der case, even if it’s really difficult to prove, is because of the huge amount involved — it’s a billion-peso transaction,” Garcia said. “It’s because of the connivance of the local executives in Biliran. They have their own construction company, which is Roving Premier Contractors.” Next page
CLEANUP. Miss Earth 2025 candidates join the
Philippine Coast Guard soldiers yesterday in cleaning up the Manila Dolomite Beach. Norman Cruz