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File photoon datedA4) July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents (Story including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry
PH TEAM ERUPTS FOR FIVE GOLDS IN DAY 4 OF BANGKOK SEA GAMES STORY BELOW Lawyers, clerics Palace mum on file plunder raps Madriaga’s claim vs. Surigao solon vs. VP Duterte By Pot Chavez Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file
and Maricel V. Cruz PLUNDER charges were filed yesterday against Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo Sr. before the Office of the Ombudsman over the
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 298 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025 •
Plunder rap filed vs. VP over confi funds Next page
PDP: Rehashed smear campaign; Palace: Probe thoroughly
By Charles Dantes, Katrina Manubay, and Rex Espiritu MALACAÑANG yesterday said it has yet to receive any official information from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) regarding reports that Vice President Sara Duterte made late-night visits to Camp Bagong Diwa. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters the Palace has not been briefed on the matter, following a query about online claims that Duterte had repeatedly visited the facility after midnight. "At this time, we have not yet received any update regarding that. And if there is such an instance, perhaps we should inquire from the DILG," she said. Next page
By Pot Chavez
C
IVIL society leaders on Friday filed a plunder complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 other officials before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education One of the complainants, Ramon Magsaysay 2025 awardee Fr. Flaviano Villanueva said he is hopeful the Ombudsman will put an end to the "mockery of the system of checks and balances" enshrined in the Constitution. "For our public, we are doing this to show that accountability is happening and we will not be shaken by any confrontation or scrutiny because confidential funds are public funds. (The OVP's confidential funds) should be scrutinized to see if these were used in the right way," he said. He said Duterte undermined the essence of public service with what he described as her indiscriminate misuse of public funds without fear of accountability. Next page
SUED. Civil society members and church personalities file a plunder case with the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 other officials of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education for their alleged anomalous use of the confidential funds entrusted to her as Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education. Manny Palmero
NBI confirms requesting Interpol ‘red notice’ for Co
PROMISE FULFILLED.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. briefs the media after the reopening of the San Juanico Bridge to twoway traffic for 15-ton trucks. At the same time, the President announced that it is now possible to allow one-way passage for 30-ton trucks at night to facilitate the transportation of large cargo, which will further ease the flow of goods in Region VIII. Story on A3.
By Pot Chavez
FIVE MORE GOLDS. Baseball and
taekwondo gifted the Philippines with two of the five gold medals won in Day 4 of the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. Left photo shows the euphoric baseball team throwing their caps in the air after beating host Thailand. Right photo shows a jubilant Tachiana Mangin in a victory run after taking the gold at the 49kg women's taekwondo event. POC
PH erupts for 5 golds in Day 4 of SEA Games By Riera U. Mallari THAILAND—Team Philippines delivered its most productive day in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday, erupting for five gold medals across gymnastics, baseball, taekwondo, athletics, and swimming. Next page
CBCP throws its support for anti dynasty measure
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has requested a ‘red notice’ from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) against resigned Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co. Meanwhile, the NBI said it had retrieved relevant documents from its search of Co’s condominium unit in Taguig City. In an interview with Manila Stan-
dard, NBI spokesman Palmer Mallari confirmed this development. “It is confirmed. We sent our request last Nov. 23 thru the PCTC [Philippine Center on Transnational Crime,” he said. “We constantly follow up, but there is no approval yet. We are pursuing credible leads,” he added. Mallari explained that once the request has been approved, the red Next page
By Vito Barcelo and Charles Dantes THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has thrown its full support behind the passage of an anti-dynasty law, with its social action and justice arm urging the dismantling of entrenched political clans as a decisive step toward curbing corruption in the country. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace, said corruption will continue to thrive unless the nation confronts political families that have dominated public office for generations.
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PAMASCONG HANDOG. Rep. Linabelle Villarica, co-President of the Association of Women Legislators, Inc., Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan and celebrity guest Marjorie Barretto cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of ‘PamasCONG Handog : Garage Sale for a Cause VI‘ with women legislators (l-r) Reps. Sarah Elago, Krisel Lagman, Dadah Ismula, Laarni Roque, Cutie del Mar, Ching Bernos, Mila Magsaysay, Agay Cruz, Karen Lagbas and Tina Lopez.
PBBM hopes ties with China will improve By Rex Espiritu and Katrina Manubay PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed hopes that the Philippines’ bilateral relations with China will further improve through the efforts of Beijing’s newly designated ambassador.
This as China ships intimidating aid mission in Panatag has become a “new normal,” observers at the West Philippine Sea monitor reported. Marcos accepted the credentials of Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan in ceremonies at Malacañang on Thursday. Next page