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YAP MAY BE 1ST TO BE ARRESTED OVER FLOOD CONTROL MESS—DILG CHIEF By Vince Lopez BENGUET Rep. Eric Yap could be the first sitting congressman to be arrested in connection with questionable flood control projects, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, citing “conclusive financial exchange” between the lawmaker and contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya. Remulla said Yap is among 20 members of the House of Representatives who could face jail time by January, although only half have direct links to the Discayas and other contractors. The Interior chief said two senators could also be detained. “(Yap) will be the first, I think. There’s been a conclusive financial exchange between the accounts of the Discayas and Eric Yap,” Remulla said in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel. "I think we have 20 (lawmakers) that are expected, but the definite Next page
EDSA REHAB STARTS ON DECEMBER 24 NEWS/ A3
PINAYS THIRD MOST PORNHUB VISITORS NEWS/ A2
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 306 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025 •
PALACE ORDERS 'AUSTERE' XMAS NEWS/ A2
Bicam moves to avert reenacted nat’l budget Senators open to restore portion of slashed DPWH funding By Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable, Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes
M
EMBERS of the bicameral conference committee moved to finish deliberations of the proposed 2026 national budget today at the earliest to avoid a reenacted budget, with the Senate now inclined to restore a part of the P45 billion slashed from the allocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Senate Finance committee chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian and House Appropriations committee chairperson Mikaela Suansing earlier expressed hope that deliberations would be finished yesterday, but discussions on the budget of several agencies have yet to be concluded as of press time. House Deputy Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong, however, said the bicam report will likely be ready for ratification next week, avoiding what he described as the “worst-case scenario” of a reenacted budget. “I think the (bicam) is really eager to finish this up before next week, because next week
X’MAS GLOOM. The annual Lantern Parade held
yesterday at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City showcased representations of the impact on Pinoy lives by the widespread corruption uncovered in the flood control projects. Edd Castro
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Zaldy Co siphoned off P5b in cryptocurrency—DILG chief DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said yesterday that unseated Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co must have siphoned out of the country some P5 billion through cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, Palace Press Office
GIFT-GIVING.
(PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippine government is open to tapping the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) treaty to track down and arrest lawmaker-turned-fugitive Zaldy Co. Next page
PH not an ISIS training ground or terrorist hotspot—Palace By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu MALACANANG on Wednesday debunked foreign media reports describing the Philippines as an ISIS training ground or terror hotspot, saying the claims were misleading and unsupported by evidence.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cited military records indicating that the country’s national security situation makes it unlikely that the two Indian nationals linked to the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney, Australia received extremist training in the Philippines. Next page
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian hand out gifts to underprivileged individuals during the DSWD Pag-abot program: Pasko Kasama ang Pangulo in Pasay City. on wednesday. The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pagabot Program has expanded its reach-out operations across Metro Manila in recent weeks, enabling families and individuals in street situations (FISS) to transition toward safer living conditions and improved livelihood opportunities. PPA POOL
PBBM orders 120-day extension of hospital claims By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos has ordered the extension of the filing of claims of hospitals from Philhealth upto 120 days, according Presidential
PH racks up golds in best showing yet By Riera U. Mallari
GOLD HARVEST. Muay Thai
fighter Erika Bomogao Islay, left, bested her Thai opponent by a point to win gold in the women’s 45 kgs. bout while Kira Ellis played a key role in the three-gold triumph of the triathlon team. POC
THAILAND— Team Philippines rolled out one of its strongest days yet in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday, igniting its gold-medal drive with a three-gold sweep in triathlon before piling up victories across esports, muay thai, windsurfing and modern pentathlon, Next page
Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro. Castro noted that the extended deadline is intended to ensure that DOH and PhilHealth can meet their obligations, provided hospitals com-
ply by submitting complete and timely documentation. She explained that the administration’s expectation is for hospitals to strictly observe the revised timelines Next page
La Salle is UAAP champ, dethrones UP By Peter Atencio THE La Salle Green Archers refused to fold in the final quarter under immense defensive pressure to dethrone the defending champion University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, pulling off an 80-72 victory in the 88th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball finals at the Araneta Coliseum. “It’s the hardest to win, this championship. One of
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CHAMPIONS. La Salle Green Archers exult in their 80-72 victory over defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the 88th University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball finals yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.