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Senate postpones bicam meet amid ‘deadlock’on DPWH budget By Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz AMID a “deadlock” on the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Senate on Monday postponed
the third day of the bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the Upper chamber is standing firm on its Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 304 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025
PBBM: Deploy forces to WPS
Palace: PCG must be in strategic locations to protect Pinoy fishers By Katrina Manubay and Rex Espiritu
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the deployment of forces in “strategic locations” across the West Philippine Sea to protect Filipino fishermen after China utilized water cannons near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal off Palawan last week. Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said this was part of the directives given to the Philippine Coast Guard following the Escoda incident. “We have spoken with PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela, and the President’s directives included prioritizing the safety of our countrymen, particularly our fishermen who sometimes find their lives in danger,” Castro said. Next page
Dizon appoints new heads for Bulacan DPWH By Vito Barcelo
SIMBANG GABI. The first of nine traditional Simbang Gabi masses began yesterday in Catholic churches nationwide. Photo shows people gathering for the 6 p.m. mass at the St. Peter Parish – the Shrine of Leaders along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Edd Castro
DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon named new officials to lead the agency’s Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, replacing individuals implicated in the questioned flood control projects in the province. The DPWH) is poised to carry out a full reshuffle of all district engineers and regional directors by January 2026 as part of an internal “cleansing” drive following corruption allegations linked to anomalous flood control projects, Dizon said. Next page
ICI ends hearings indefinitely, to focus on case buildup By Joel E. Zurbano THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced that it will persist with its investigation into the corruption cases related to the multibillion-peso flood control project, even after concluding its last day of hearings for this year. This signifies the ICI’s commit-
ment to thoroughly uncovering the issues surrounding ghost projects and other anomalies, aimed at ensuring proper accountability and transparency in government operations, according to ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka. Hosaka said the ICI sets its priority on looking at 80 alleged ghost projects that were awarded to 15 contractors, identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
THANKSGIVING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks at the regular Monday flag ceremony at the Palace to thank the staff of the Office of the President for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice this year. He emphasized that the work of the staff is the heart of the administration and encouraged them to continue serving the Filipino people. PCO
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Palace okays plan to tap UNCAC in hunt for Co
Practical shooters, Ando, Loraña lead gold surge in SEAG
By Katrina Manubay PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippine government is open to tapping the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to track down and arrest fugitive resigned Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. In a press briefing on Monday, December 15, Castro said the government is coordinating with relevant au-
By Riera U. Mallari THAILAND—The practical shooting team, Olympian Elreen Ando and trackster Hussein Loraña, all overlooked and oftentimes unappreciated, stepped into the spotlight and delivered in dazzling fashion as Team Philippines turned in one of its most productive days in the 33rd Next page
SIX MORE GOLDS. Genesis Pible, at
left, one of four practical shooters who won gold medals, fires at the target in yesterday’s competition. Right photo shows Elreen Ando dropping the barbell after a victorious lift in the -64 kg weightlifting division. The team’s sixth gold was won by trackster Hussein Lorana in the 800-meter race. POC Media
thorities and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a ‘red notice’ for Co. “Yes, we can explore UNCAC as it has international cooperation mechanisms, but it will have to depend on the country. Countries are obliged to provide as applicable and in accord with domestic law [unclear] possible mutual legal assistance to each other,” she said. “However, Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee with the ES (Executive Secretary) as chair Next page
Typhoon, Cebu, and love top Pinoys’ FB search list By Rex Espiritu IN NOVEMBER, Filipinos flocked to Facebook to discuss everything from storms and pageants to politics and holiday plans, according to a report. The report, based on a scan of top keywords conducted by research
firm Capstone-Intel Corporation using Facebook social listening tools, analyzed data from publicly available pages collected between December 1 and 3. The top 10 topics reveal a mix of concern, pride, and humor. Top 10 most talked-about topics: Next page