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Palace aware of biz groups’ concerns but hands off ICI probe By Charles Dantes and Othel V. Campos MALACANANG on Tuesday acknowledged growing frustration from some quarters of the business community over
controversies tied to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, but maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not intervene in ongoing investigations despite their economic impact. Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 277 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025
‘PBBM didn’t order insertions’ Lacson: Kickbacks went to Bersamin, Olaivar, other subordinates By Ram Superable and Charles Dantes
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not have a hand in the P100 billion insertions in the 2025 national budget as it was his subordinates who used his name and received kickbacks, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.
AT THE GRASSROOTS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers much-needed assistance to Cararayan-Naga Elementary School (CNES), one of the schools hit by Super Typhoon #UwanPH in Albay. The assistance included DepEd learning materials, two Starlink units for schools in Tiwi, and school bags and snacks for students. The government also provided emergency cash transfers and family hygiene and kitchen kits for 141 displaced families. PCO
During yesterday’s Senate’s plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget, Lacson said information from former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo showed that Palace officials not authorized by the President used Mr. Marcos’ name to advance the budget insertions. The Blue Ribbon chairman identified resigned Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar as among those involved. “The statement made by former Congressman Zaldy Co, where he accused that the P100 billion was supposedly ordered by the President to be inserted in the bicameral conference… I agree that the list of P100 billion is real,” Lacson said. Next page
Lakas-CMD rallies behind PBBM, Ombudsman files graft raps vs. Co, DPWH execs blasts gossip and fake news By Pot Chavez, Rio Araja and Maricel V. Cruz
THE Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party on Tuesday reaffirmed its “full and unwavering support” for President Marcos, and hit gossips and fake news in budget processes and flood-control controversy. Considered the country’s dominant political party, Lakas-CMD rallied behind the President, stressing that accusations linked to alleged budget insertions and ongoing flood-control investigations must be settled through evidence, not by political theatrics. “We won’t be swayed. Our support for President Marcos is solid, in
words and in deeds,” the party said in a strongly worded statement signed by top party leaders nationwide. It cautioned against turning investigations into a public drama. “Ang bayan ang talo kapag ang imbestigasyon ginawang drama. Hindi showbiz ang hustisya (It’s the country that loses if the investigation is turned into a drama. It is justice, not showbiz,” the party stressed. The party also said it stands on longheld principles that have defined its role in governance for decades: respect for Next page
THE Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday filed graft and malversation cases against former Ako-Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 4B, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corp. over an alleged anomalous P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said this is the first case lodged before the Sandiganbayan in connection to several botched, substandard, and even “ghost” flood control projects across the country. “After two months of investigation, gathering of evidence, and sifting through testimonies of witnesses, the Office
of the Ombudsman announces today that we have issued a Resolution finding probable cause to file criminal
charges in connection with serious irregularities uncovered in a major flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro,” he said. “These findings point to a scheme that resulted in unwarranted benefits, technical falsification, and the misuse of public funds.” “This is the first of many cases,” Clavano added. Clavano said the Ombudsman recommended no bail for the malversation charge. The project, funded under the 2024 budget, involves the construcNext page FIRST CASE VS. CO. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano presents copies of the complaint filed against former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co at the Sandiganbayan yesterday. GMA News Screengrab
AFP eyes ‘unusual’ funding support for UPI rally By Rex Espiritu GLITCH. Long lines of commuters form at the EDSA Carousel Nepa Q-Mart Station in Quezon City following the temporary shutdown of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) southbound trips from the Santolan and Ortigas stations due to a technical issue. MRT3 management announced that operations have been limited to five trains running between Shaw Boulevard and Taft Avenue stations. Manny Palmero
Supreme Court junks Bato’s motion to surface ICC warrant By Pot Chavez THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday denied the petition seeking to compel Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to produce the alleged warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela
Rosa from the International Criminal Court (ICC). In its session, the SC en banc denied the Very Urgent Motion and directed the respondents to comment on the Very Urgent Manifestation. Next page
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is checking what it describes as “unusual” logistical and financial support behind the rally conducted at the People Power Monument in Quezon
2026 GAA STILL ON TRACK—PALACE NEWS / A2
US CUTS TARIFF ON PH FARM EXPORTS BUSINESS / B1
City over the weekend. Acting AFP spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the rally organized by the United People’s Initiative (UPI) appeared highly organized and well-funded, possibly even with foreign backing.
“On the monitoring of the AFP for these different activities to ensure the safety and protection of those involved, we have noted that the support system was unusual when it comes to administrative requirements or administrative Next page
Sen. Imee’s conduct unbecoming of true sibling—Sandro Marcos By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable THE Palace on Tuesday rallied behind House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos after he rebuked his aunt, Senator Imee Marcos, over the drug use alle-
gations against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Sandro’s remarks—branding the senator’s allegations as a “web of lies” and Next page