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DOJ’s Cadiz quits amid controversy; Palace OKs probe
MODI, PUTIN TALK DEFENSE, UKRAINE WORLD / A6
By Charles Dantes and Pot Chavez MALACAÑANG assured yesterday that it would support an investigation into allegations of conflict of interest and other
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 294 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 •
Return P60b in excess funds to PhilHealth—SC Next page
State health insurer vows strengthened public services By Pot Chavez, Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
T
HE Supreme Court has ordered the return of P60 billion in remitted funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Sarah Discaya arrest looms after raps filed By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes THE Office of the Ombudsman yesterday filed malversation through falsification and graft charges against Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya and several other individuals linked to the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental. In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that this represents the second major case related to flood control anomalies to be filed. Next page
COLORING THE DARK.
Lights shone brightly across the UP Diliman campus last night as the country’s premier university kicked off its annual ‘Pag-iilaw‘ tradition. The Pag-iilaw Festival marks the ceremonial lighting of Christmas decorations throughout the campus, including the iconic Oblation Plaza. Edd Castro
"The SC, through the ponencia of Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, unanimously ordered the return of PhilHealth funds previously transferred to the National Treasury in the amount of P60 billion and permanently prohibited the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion fund balance," SC spokesperson lawyer Camille Sue Mae Ting said in a press briefer. The High Court also declared void the special provision of the 2024 GAA as well as Department of Finance Circular No. 003-2024 for having been issued with "grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction." The issuances resulted in PhilHealth's remittance of P60 billion to the national treasury in three tranches until the SC issued a temporary restraining order. Next page
AMLC freezes assets of No. 1 contractor of ghost flood projects
CHICKEN FEET, ANYONE?Agriculture
Secretary Francis Tiu checks out chicken feet at Mega Q. Mart in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday. The Department of Agriculture began enforcing suggested retail prices for key commodities in an effort to temper rising costs ahead of Christmas. Tiu urged consumers to opt for chicken over ‘galunggong’ noting that limited supply is driving up fish prices. Manny Palmero
THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) announced on Friday that it secured a freeze order on the assets of a private construction company with allegedly the largest number of “ghost” flood control projects. The order, handed down on December 4, covers the 280 bank accounts, 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts, and eight air assets linked to the company and its executives, the Council said in a statement. However, it did not name the construction company whose assets were subject to the latest freeze order.
The Court found sufficient grounds to connect these assets to possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as the Malversation of Public Funds and Property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, the AMLC further stated. “The filing of this petition for a freeze order underscored the AMLC’s firm commitment to recover every peso of public funds that may have been misused,” AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said. Next page
ICI: Mission to continue as delayed funds come in By Charles Dantes THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has given assurance on its commitment to press
investigations into irregularities in government projects involving public officials, some lawmakers, and private contractors. Meanwhile, Malacañang said the
full P41 million in government funds allocated for the ICI has already been released and now accessible for the probe body. Next page
Gasoline to spike anew by P1.30/l; La Niña arrives, Diesel to inch up, kerosene lower ‘Wilma’ slips into Visayas region By Alena Mae S. Flores CONSUMERS can another oil price hike of as much as P1.30 per liter for gasoline next week to “reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.” Jetti Petroleum forecasts diesel to also increase by P0.10 to P0.30 per li-
ter based on the four-day trading in the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and foreign exchange average versus last week’s full week average. Leo Bellas, Jetti Petroleum president said geopolitical risks and tensions have kept the level of premium and freight elevated, causing the Next page
By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday afternoon reported that Tropical Next page
FINALLY. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon checks out the laying of
large drainage pipes intended to address the seasonal flooding of Araneta Avenue in Quezon City. DPWH