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Ex-Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co
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Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara
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Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas
ICI: Charge 8 ‘cong-tractors’
Ombudsman eyes graft, plunder, bribery cases By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
T
HE Independent Commission for Infrastructure has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and seven incumbent congressmen over their alleged involvement in government projects. The lawmakers, collectively identified by ICI chairman Andres Reyes as “congtractors,” either own construction firms or whose family members obtained government contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“These so-called ‘cong-tractors’ are those members of Congress or their partners or family members, who own construction firms that received projects or obtained contracts from the Next page
CASES FILED. Ombudsman Boying Remulla holds a press conference after
Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) chair Andres Reyes, and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman their case referral against eight congressmen accused of graft in relation to the flood control mess. Screen Grab- GMA news
PBBM bares blackmail bid; Co’s lawyer denies sending feelers
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 285 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
AMLC freezes assets of 2 officials in flood infra mess By Thony Rose Lesaca and Charles Dantes THE Anti-Money Laundering Council has secured two new freeze orders against assets of two individuals – an incumbent high-ranking official of
a constitutional body and a former elected official – allegedly linked to anomalous flood control projects. The fresh orders cover 230 bank accounts, 15 insurance policies, two helicopters, and one airplane. “The issuance of the freeze orders
will enable AMLC to pursue a more extensive financial investigation to uncover any possible money laundering scheme linked to the flood control projects,” said AMLC executive director Matthew David. Next page
By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he rejected a blackmail attempt by the camp of resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, saying he will not bow to pressure as the government pursues those responsible the
DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. dismissed accusations by resigned Ako-Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co linking First Lady Liza Marcos to alleged anomalies in rice and onion importation.
shows members of the Manila Police District Civil Disturbance Battalion how to defend against rioters during drills yesterday in preparation for the Nov. 30 anticorruption rally at Manila’s Rizal Park. Norman Cruz
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DA chief debunks Co’s allegations vs. FL Liza as ‘script fit for Netflix’ By Katrina Manubay
THE WAY TO DO IT. A police officer
multibillion-peso flood control scam. Meanwhile, a lawyer for resigned Co denied charges that the Marcos administration was being coerced into dropping its bid to cancel the passport of his client. In a related development, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Co to return
In a media interview yesterday, TiuLaurel described the allegations as “total baloney” and a “script fit for Netflix.” “The only thing he said that was true was that we talked about lowering the tariff,” he said He clarified that Co was not the only one who made the suggestion, noting Next page
Manila rallyists warned: No to face coverings By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday reminded participants of the Nov.30 rally at the Luneta Park not to wear balaclavas or other face coverings which were recently prohibited by the Manila city government.
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DOJ confident Austria would do right by Roque THE Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday it trusts Austria’s asylum process amid claims that the European nation would handle the protection request of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
“We believe the relevant asylum authority in Austria will do the necessary research and validation of the information that Atty. Harry Roque will be giving them,” Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan said in an interview.
Comelec clears Chiz, contractor over poll donation in 2022 polls By Vito Barcelo and Ram Superable THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cleared Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and construction
executive Lawrence Lubiano of any liability over a P30-million campaign contribution made during the 2022 elections. Next page
“We trust in their own process as we also believe that other countries will trust and respect the integrity of our own asylum process here in the Philippines,” he added. Next page
COMMEMORATIVE COINS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. receives P10-Peso ASEAN Coin and P100-Peso Philippine Festivals Commemorative Coin Series yesterday from Bangko Sentral Governor Eli M. Remolona in Malacanang Palace. Revoli Cortez
‘Verbena’ leaves 2 missing, thousands displaced By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said late Wednesday afternoon that Severe
Tropical Storm “Verbena” (international name: Koto) could exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today. Two people in the Negros Island Region have been reported miss-
ing, while almost 300,000 people have been affected by the storm, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
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