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PBBM backs 4 key reform bills
Congress urged to prioritize anti-political dynasty bill, party-list amendments By Charles Dantes, Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on Congress to prioritize four key reform measures, including proposals for an Anti-Political Dynasty Act and the creation of an Independent People’s Commission that would act against corruption across government sectors.
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 298 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025 •
Mr. Marcos pushed for the swift passage of the four measures, which also include amendments to the party-list system as well as a bill
PRIORITIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory
Council (LEDAC) in Malacanang yesterday where he directed both Houses to prioritize four bills: the Anti-Dynasty bill; the Independent People’s Commission Act; the Party-list System Reform Act; and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability or CADENA Act, to promote transparency and accountability in public funds. PCO
Senate OKs proposed 2026 budget, bicam starts Thursday By Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz and Charles Dantes THE Senate yesterday approved the
P6.793 trillion 2026 national budget on third reading, setting the stage for the first livestreamed bicameral meeting on Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel
Zubiri said the Upper Chamber would go on “extended sessions” until December 23 to ensure the national budget is passed and to avoid a re-enacted budget next year.
He said the Senate, which was originally scheduled to adjourn its sessions on December 19, hopes to ratify the General Appropriations Act on the week of December 22. Next page
strengthening accountability on public finance, during yesterday’s meeting of Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) at Malacañan Palace in Manila. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos had instructed the Senate and the House of Representatives to “take a closer look” at the four priority measures and ensure their passage “as soon as possible.” Mr. Marcos, however, has yet to certify the four measures as urgent, which would have allowed the approval of the bills on their second and third reading on the same day, effectively waiving the Constitutional requirement of having three separate days for readings. Proposed anti-dynasty bills seek to prohibit individuals from running for or holding public office if they have a relative up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity who is an incumbent official at the national or local level. While the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law for its Next page implementation.
New freeze order: Air assets, 280 bank accounts By Charles Dantes
Sarah Discaya, St. Timothy exec turn themselves in to preempt arrests
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced that the Court of Appeals has issued a freeze order on bank accounts, assets, and aircraft linked to anomalous flood control projects allegedly involving Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Edvic Yap. In a video statement, President Marcos said the order covers properties of Silverwolves Construction Corp. and Sky Yard Aviation Corp. More than P16 billion flowed through Silverwolves’ transactions between 2022 and 2025, most of which were tied to Department of Public Works and Highways flood control contracts, he added. A total of 280 bank accounts had been frozen, along with 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts, and eight aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters linked to Sky Yard Aviation. Mr. Marcos said the freeze order is intended to prevent the sale or dispersal of suspected unlawfully acquired wealth and to ensure that public funds can be recovered, especially for communities heavily affected by flooding. Next page
By Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez and Pot Chavez SARAH Discaya and Maria Roma Angeline Rimando, the head of St. Timothy Construction Corp. (STCC) on Tuesday turned themselves in to
Ombudsman set to file new cases NEWS / A3 authorities after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. disclosed that arrest warrants would be issued against them and several others allegedly involved in a ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental. Discaya showed up at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office with her lawyer while Roma presented herself at the Pasig police station. Next page
COMPETITION READY. Members of the Philippine contingent to the Southeast Asian Games cheer and wave the flag a day before the competitions begin in Bangkok, Thailand. AFP
MMDA downplays PH squads brace for crucial battles PUV strike impact; in Day One of Bangkok SEA Games protest to continue By Riera U. Mallari By Joel E. Zurbano “NO impact.” THIS was the initial assessment by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) concerning the first day of the three-day transport strike organized by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela). Manibela claimed however, that several commuters were stranded on the first day of their strike, which purported “paralyzed” the public transportation sector in Next page Metro Manila..
BANGKOK—Filipino athletes face a pivotal Wednesday at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games as the powerhouse national boxing, 3x3 basket-
PULONG TO TRAVEL TO 17 COUNTRIES NEWS/ A2
ball, swimming and baseball teams all plunge into high-stakes action across multiple venues here. At the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center, the Philippine boxing Next page
DOJ to file raps vs. Atong Ang, 21 others By Pot Chavez THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced its resolution finding prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction against
gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang and 21 other respondents in relation to the case of missing "sabungeros" (cockfighting enthusiasts). In a statement, the Justice Department Next page
PWD FRIENDLY. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon walks with commuters and members of the vulnerable sectors, including persons with disabilities (PWD), yesterday during their inspection of EDSA. Story on A2. DPWH