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Gibo confirms foreign hand in destabilization
Gov’t eyes raps vs. ex-Speaker; Romualdez says conscience clear
By Rex Espiritu DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused individuals urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to turn their backs on the government of being
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 280 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 •
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PBBM orders arrest of Zaldy Co, 17 others
Sandiganbayan issues warrants: Co's lawyer says ready for long battle
By Maricel V. Cruz, Charles Dantes, Pot Chavez, Vito Barcelo, Othel Campos and Joel Zurbano THE government is eyeing charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez over his alleged role in the flood control mess, but Ombudsman Jose Crispin Remulla said plunder would be the least likely to be pursued. Romualdez, who represents the first district of Leyte, said he is leaving his fate up to the Office of the Ombudsman, maintaining that his conscience is clear amid the accusations against him and that he has been cooperating with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure. “I willingly submitted myself to the ICI fact-finding process, appeared Next page
By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. yesterday directed law enforcement agencies to immediately enforce arrest warrants against Zaldy Co and 17 others allegedly involved in the multibillion-peso flood control fund scandal. This came after the Office of the Ombudsman formally filed cases and secured arrest warrants against the former lawmaker, several DPWH officials, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corp. in connection with a P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The cases stemmed from the complaint filed by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, based on its comprehensive report on illegalities and irregularities in the procurement, construction, and implementation of projects in Region 4-B (Mimaropa). "We will arrest them, bring them to court, and hold them accountable under the law," Mr. Marcos stated. "No special treatment, no one is spared," he added. In a video message, Mr. Marcos said the charges were based on evidence submitted by the Independent
DREDGING IN CEBU. President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched the Oplan Kontra Baha clearing operations at Mahiga Creek, in Cebu — kickstarting a major cleanup of rivers, creeks, and drainage systems after Typhoon Tino's devastation. Alan Tangcawan
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ICI to livestream hearings starting next week Cassandra Ong now on the lam, By Joel E. Zurbano THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) aims to commence live-streaming their hearings thru YouTube or Facebook starting
next week, according to ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka. “The ICI hears and acknowledges the Filipino’s clamor for
transparency. We are one with the people in their fight to hold accountable those responsible for the anomalous infrastructure projects through which billions in public Next page
NURSES IN PROTEST. Nurses join a protest by health workers in front of the Department of Health (DOH) gate in Manila as part of the Health Sector Day of Action Against Corruption as part of the buildup for the Nov. 30 rally at Rizal Park. Norman Cruz
catches senators unawares
By Ram Superable SENATOR Risa Hontiveros was “shocked” upon learning that Cassandra Li Ong, alleged associate of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, had been released from detention and is now at large. Hontiveros questioned how Ong could have been freed despite ongoing scrutiny of the case, highlighting procedural lapses that left her puzzled and concerned. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, on behalf of the Department of Justice as the sponsor of its budget, explained that Ong was released during the transition from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress while in detention at the House of Representatives. “Unfortunately, because the case was filed only after she was released, she is now at large. She Next page
Cassandra Ong
Abayon replaces Burgonio as head North Luzon bloc of Presidential Security Command reiterates support By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Commodore Andro Val Abayon as the new acting head of the Presidential Security Command (PSC). Abayon’s latest appointment was announced yesterday by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Act-
ing Secretary Dave Gomez. Prior to his new appointment, Abayon served as commander of the Naval Special Operations Command of the Philippine Navy. Abayon replaced Maj. Gen. Peter Burgonio, who has been reassigned as the acting division commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID). Next page
for the President
By Maricel V. Cruz THE Northern Luzon Alliance in the House of Representatives affirmed its “unequivocal and collective support” for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Next page
MS. MEXICO IS MS. U, AHTISA IS 3RD. Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch (center) is surrounded by contestants as she celebrates winning the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, Thailand. Inset shows our very own Ahtisa Manalo who was 3rd runner up. AFP