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2 Sunwest board members sent surrender feelers—CIDG By Vince Lopez
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 290 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025
TWO out of three at-large officials of Sunwest Construction who are still in the country have sent surrender feelers, the Philippine National Police-
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said yesterday. “There are ongoing manhunt operations although two of them are sending surrender feelers,” PNPNext page
OFWs urged: Help us catch Co
DILG chief to overseas Pinoys: Take Co’s photo, post on socmed By Charles Dantes
I
N A bid to tighten the net around former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, the government is asking overseas Filipinos to take a photo of the fugitive ex-lawmaker and post it online. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla made the appeal on Monday as he said Co is believed to be hiding in Portugal, which does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines. “We are appealing to Filipinos worldwide – if you see Zaldy Co, take a photo of him and post it online so we can have an idea where he is,” Remulla said in a press briefing at the Palace. He said Co is suspected to be holding a Portuguese passport. Next page
NEW BLOOD. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepts the token presented by Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner, inset, for speaking at the graduation of 638 new officers, main photo, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Major Services Officer Candidate Course, including the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Kahimdaliyan Class of 2025, the Philippine Navy Sagmaraya Class of 2025, and the Philippine Army Bumannawag Class of 2025. PCO
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged newly minted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers to dedicate their service solely on the Constitution as the administration confronts
its biggest corruption scandal yet. Meanwhile, Malacañang dismissed allegations that the President was “at his weakest” amid renewed calls from both the Duterte camp and progressive groups for him to step down over the flood control corruption scandal.
Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam reaffirm support for PH on WPS By Rex Espiritu AUSTRALIA, New Zealand, and Vietnam reaffirmed their strong support for the Philippines in upholding international laws. The commitment was made during the “Community-Based Maritime Monitoring & Reporting in the West Philippine Sea,” event held in Makati City on Monday. In his remarks, Australian Ambas-
sador to the Philippines Marc InnesBrown confirmed Australia’s commitment to collaborating with the Philippines on maritime objectives. “In 2026, which is just around the corner, the embassy will officially launch the Civil Maritime Domain Investment in the Philippines with a funding allocation of AUD$18 million, or approximately P689 million. This investment will Next page
By Vito Barcelo
Speaking at the joint graduation ceremony of the Major Services Officer Candidate Course at Villamor Air Base, the President reminded the 2025 class that the AFP “must always rise above politics,” stressing that their duty is to the Republic alone.
LIPA Archbishop Gilbert Garcera formally began his term on Monday as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), taking the helm of the country’s influential collegial body of bishops. Garcera, elected to the post in July during the CBCP’s plenary assembly, succeeded Caloocan City Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, who completed two consecutive terms as conference president marked by strong statements on social issues and the
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Marcos urges new military officers to be loyal to the Constitution By Charles Dantes
Lipa archbishop replaces David as CBCP head
IN MEMORIAM.
Flowers are placed for victims of the deadly November 26 fire as Philippine nationals in Hong Kong take part in a community prayer service at Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s Central district on November 30, 2025. An outpouring of grief swept Hong Kong on November 29, as thousands paid their respects and laid flowers for the people killed in one of the city’s deadliest fires, marking the start of an official three-day mourning period. AFP
Kin of Pinay fire survivor who saved ward seek help RELATIVES of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rhodora “Jackie” Alcaraz seek government assistance as she was hospitalized for severe smoke inhalation during a blaze that razed a residential
complex in Hong Kong last week. Reports indicated that Alcaraz, 29, who arrived in the territory only on Nov. 25, refused to leave the threemonth-old baby under her care, stay-
ing with the infant until they were rescued along with the child’s mother. Alcaraz reportedly shielded her ward with her own body when the fire broke out. Next page
House ethics body suspends Barzaga for 60 days By Maricel V. Cruz
CHIVALRY IS ALIVE. A sudden downpour yesterday forces a young man to carry his lady friend on his back across a flooded street at Kamuning corner Kalayaan Ave. in Quezon City. Revoli Cortez
THE House of Representatives Committee on Ethics yesterday suspended Cavite Fourth District Rep. Kiko Barzaga for 60 days after find-
ing him guilty of disorderly conduct. The panel, chaired by Rep. JC Abalos of 4Ps Party-list, recommended suspension without benefits of salaries and allowances for Barzaga. The committee also warned the
27-year old lawmaker that a repeat of his misconduct would result in a more severe disciplinary action. It was House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and several other members
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