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NBI captures DPWH engineer 15 still at large in P289.5m Oriental Mindoro flood control case
By Katrina Manubay, Rio N. Araja, and Vito Barcelo
O
NLY one of 17 individuals ordered arrested by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, has been arrested as of yesterday, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
FIRST TO FALL. Public works engineer Dennis Abagon is the first to fall among the 17 accused in the Mindoro flood control project charges filed with the Sandiganbayan. GMA screen grab
Dennis Abagon, a regular member of the Bids and Awards Committee at DPWH 4-B, was the first to be arrested of the 17 facing charges of malversation of public funds over the controversial P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. But the number of accused still at large now only number 15 after the Sandigabayan did not issue arrest warrants for two of the 17. It was not explained why the two were excluded. NBI OIC-Director Atty. Angelito Magno said that the suspect could not be found at his registered address in Cavite but was eventually traced to Quezon City. Abagon was arrested at a private residence after a two-day surveillance operation, it was disclosed. Two other unnamed individuals were arrested with him for obstruction of justice, it was also reported. Seized from the DPWH official were three cellular phones, identifiNext page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 282 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025
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Decisive action needed to restore trust—biz group
What a joy it is to be reminded that we are now in the Christmas season.
By Othel V. Campos THE leadership of major business organizations yesterday urged the government to prosecute and imprison ranking officials implicated in the flood control scam, stating that decisive action is necessary to restore public trust, reassure investors, and boost the country’s slowing economic growth. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said the business sector awaits concrete actions and legal outcomes in the cases filed in connection with the controversy.
– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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X’MAS LIGHTS ON. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and First Lady Liza
Araneta-Marcos are joined by former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos for a photo after he turns on the lights of the Christmas Tree last night at the Malacanang grounds. RTVM grab
Ping bucks calls for regime change via a civil-military junta
DOJ files red notice request vs. Harry Roque, Cassie Ong
By Ram Superable and Rex Espiritu
By Rex Espiritu
SENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday warned that growing calls for a civil military junta or a military-backed government amid to massive corruption in flood control projects pose a direct threat to the Constitution. Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed on full alert starting Nov. 28 in preparation for the TrillionPeso March protest set for Nov. 30,
NCRPO spokesperson Police Maj. Hazel Asilo said. Lacson said the push for extra legal options has intensified as public anger rises over what many quarters viewed as systemic corruption. “Although public anger over the corruption behind the anomalous flood control projects should continue, it should not lead to violations of the Constitution,” the veteran lawmaker stressed. In a statement, Lacson revealed that he recently received messages from Next page
THE Philippines has requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for alleged qualified human trafficking, according to Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). “The Philippine government already submitted a request for a red notice, an international arrest warrant for Roque,” Casio told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday. He scored Roque for claiming he was a victim of political persecution. “There’s nothing of that sort. Everything was based on evidence,” he added. In a statement, the former Duterte spokesperson said he remains Next page
Harry Roque
Manila imposes ban on face masks in public places THE Manila City government has banned the wearing of any headgear that covers the face while inside government, commercial, and public establishments, as well as in public places, unless necessary. In a social media post on Saturday, the Manila Public Information Office said Ordinance No. 9134 specifically prohibits the wearing of helmets, face masks, balaclavas, caps, hoodies, and tinted visors in these areas. The ordinance also bars riders and passengers from wearing face-covering headgear when not on a motorcycle or while on standby in public areas such as streets, sidewalks, markets, parks, and parking lots. Next page
Women solons to build mental health center for women, girls CRISIS CENTER. Women solons meet with House Speaker Bodjie Dy to get his support for a mental health crisis center for women and girls. House of Representatives
Brewing LPA seen to bring rain in Visayas A LOW pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and four other weather systems are expected to bring rains over most parts of the country, the weather bu-
reau said Sunday. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA was spotted 1,130
kilometers east of Southern Mindanao and is expected to enter PAR within the day. PAGASA weather specialist Obet
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THE 90 women lawmakers in the House of Representatives agreed to build a crisis center for women and girls to help address the rising problem of mental health in the country. The plan was announced during the general assembly of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Incorporated (AWLFI) last November 18 at the House of Representatives. AWLFI founder and co-President Gina de Venecia (4th district, Pangasinan) said the AWLFI will build the first Crisis Center for Women and Girls that will provide mental wellNext page