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PH BATTLES REGION’S BEST AS THAILAND SEAG BEGINS
SPORTS / A8
‘ICC arrest order vs. Bato out’
Roque urges Dela Rosa: Seek sanctuary with SC By Pot Chavez and Ram Superable
T
HE International Criminal Court has already released the arrest warrant against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa in connection with the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa (File photo)
The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, however, said they have not yet officially received or seen any ICC warrant against Dela Rosa. “We haven’t received or seen a copy of the warrant,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said. Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 297 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025
Napoles gets 2 more life terms over PDAF scam By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has meted out two more life terms on Janet Lim Napoles, this time for two counts of malversation of public funds in connection with the unlawful use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of a former legislator. The anti-graft court’s Special Third Division, in a 165-page decision promulgated on December 5, said it found Napoles and several others guilty of misusing public funds in projects linked to the pork barrel or PDAF of the late former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa. Dangwa and three others were dropped as respondents since they Next page
X’MAS CENTERPIECE. The iconic Nativity scene or the Belen is the centerpiece of the Christmas decorations at Plaza Natividad of San Mateo town in Rizal. The local government has adopted “Puso at Diwang San Mateo, Buong Sigla Ngayong Pasko” as this year’s theme. Edd Castro
Govt’ ready Plunder, malversation raps readied vs. Bong Revilla for PUV strike today—MMDA By Katrina Manubay and Pot Chavez
THE Office of the Ombudsman mulls malversation and plunder charges against former senator Ramon “Bong”
By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced the government’s preparedness for transport protests organized by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela). The agency is coordinating with law enforcement to ensure that traffic flow remains smooth and that commuters are not severely impacted. Alternative transportation options will be available to accommodate those affected by the demonstrations. Next page
Revilla Jr. following the recommendation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to file charges against him and 10 others. In an interview with television host Karen Davila on Monday, Dec. 8, Om-
budsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that his office was also building up cases against senators Francis Escudero and Mark Villar, as well as former senators Nancy Binay and Next page
Lacson bats for passage of IPC bill
WILMA’S DOING.
Many houses across Roxas, Oriental Mindoro are submerged after flooding caused by storm Wilma’s heavy rains. Engr. Rodolfo Dayanghirang II via Gov. Humerlito ‘Bonz’ Dolor
By Ram Superable SENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Monday laid down his case for the proposed creation of the Independent People’s Commission (IPC), which could continue dealing with corruption issues after the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) fulfills its mandate. Lacson urged the government to intensify its crackdown on corruption tied to anomalous infrastructure projects, warning that political hesitation could weaken efforts to expose large-
‘Wilma’, shear line affect over 130k—NDRMMC By Rex Espiritu and Rio N. Araja THE combined effects of tropical depression “Wilma,” the northeast monsoon, and a shear line affected a total of 47,177 families or 132,716 individuals across several regions nationwide, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Next page
Janet Lim Napoles (File photo)
Next page
LRT to extend hours today; public urged to do X’mas shopping early By Darwin G. Amojelar and Joel E. Zurbano THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced that the LRT Line 2’s operating hours will be ex-
tended from Dec. 9 to Dec. 30 to accommodate late-night commuters during the holiday rush. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised commuters to plan their shop-
ping trips early as it anticipates a 20-percent surge in traffic volume during the holidays. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to extend rail line operations to serve more passengers
this Christmas Season. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the LRT-2 management has guaranteed that the one-hour operations extension will Next page