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PalaceFIVE doubtful LOCAL ofHOLIDAYS solon's 'Cabral IN OCT. NEWS / A3 list', 'DPWH Leaks'
Malacañang: More flood control scammers to fall
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH MALACANANG yesterday chal-
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
lenged the authenticity WORLD / A6 of the socalled “Cabral list” released by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and the purported “DPWH leaks” reported by Bilyonaryo News Channel, tagging them as rumors unless substantiated by those who made them public. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro asserted that the Palace cannot give credence, or even recognize the alleged Cabral documents for lack of proof they originated from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In a related development, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said it was too early for Malacañang to dismiss reports of budget insertions as hearsay, especially with
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXIX • NO. 315 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2025 •
MALACAÑANG yesterday assured that the government’s investigation into anomalous flood control projects will continue into the New
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Fajardo 3rd probe ICI member PNP resurrecting to quit post in 3 months into PCSO official's slay PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
Says proposed IPC ‘more effective’ in flood mess probe
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm Next page
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of BaBy Joel Zurbano, Rio Araja buyan Islands. and Charles Dantesto continue “’Julian’ is forecast intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as itOMMISSIONER moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the Rossana Fajardo current trend in its intensification, has resigned from the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” the Independent CommisPAGASA said in its advisory. sion for Infrastructure efMeanwhile, the National Disasfective 31,Manage2025, ter Risk December Reduction and ment Council (NDRRMC) said noting that other govern-that a total of 1.9 million family food ment worth agencies soonother packs P1.48will billion, food itemsthe worth P276 million, and assume prosecutorial non-food items (NFIs) duties of the ICI. worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon ICI Commissioner Rossana Fajardo Julian is expected to make landfall She is the third member to step down from the body since ItNext waspage created in September. Former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson resigned earlier this month while Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong quit in September, leaving only ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. and special adviser, retired police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to continue the commission's work. Fajardo said a permanent THE Philippine governmentcommison sion, such as either Sunday publicly calledthe for Independent the UnitCommission Against ed Nations (UN) to give itInfrastructure a seat on Corruption or theCouncil, Independent People’s the UN Security highlightNextand page ing the country’s strong record dedication to upholding the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-
By Rio N. Araja
C
T
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it out. Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic The whistleblower also implicated adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug incumbent National Police Comtrade and extrajudicial killings. missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast By Rex Espiritu planning of the murder. Guard (PCG) expressed doubts over Barayuga was a retired police THE Armed Forces of the Philippines China’s claim that one of its military general and lawyer who supposedly (AFP) has delivered Christmas packvessels assisted a distressed Filipino threatened to expose corruption withages and essential supplies to Filipino fisherman in the WPS on Christmas in the PCSO shortly before he was troops manning advanced posts in the Day. NEVER FORGOTTEN. Soldiers in Santa caps stand at the bow of shot dead in Mandaluyong City. West Philippine Sea (WPS) days beIn a statement the the Philippine Navy ship that brought Christmas cheer to troops stationed Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs andissued illegalDec.25, activities fore Christmas, underscoring continat BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Christmas packages and supplies AFP said it successfully completed Colonel, allegedly gained the topShoal.businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez saida were also delivered to soldiers at several outposts in the West Philippine Sea. ued support for personnel stationed at sustainment to English. provide spotAFP at the PCSO because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of mission Filipino and the country’s outermost frontiers. Next page Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, the operations of RIZALincluding DAY PREPS. A organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. worker retouches the maintenance markers of Rizal Monument and Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among thethe companies implicated 150-foot Independence Flagpole, questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are theBrickhartz Technology Inc. Friday December 26, Co. Ltd., vember, with “little trust” increasandOnMindanao, where trust Speaker erosion Committee’s impartiality and its Friday, Senior Deputy andonXionwei Technology By Katrina Manubay 2025,are at Rizal Parklinked Luneta,to in alleged ing from to 41%.national Yang has been Gonzales more pronounced, areas that ability to 36% pin Chinese Aurelio Jr. of Pampanga which being preparation for the upcoming Trust erosion was most notable in were heavily affected by flooding and TRUST in national leaders has softdown for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. 129th anniversary of the the National Capital Region (NCR), infrastructure-related concerns. Trust ened since mid-2025 amid the escacriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two of national firms supposedly martyrdom where thevery “much trust” rating to levels parts of Balance Luzon lation of the Department of Public “I am interested in howfell they Yang’sin first appearance and and his havehero, connections Dr. Jose Rizal with on Dec.the Baofu 36% November, 10 points the Visayas activities were relatively Works and Highways (DPWH) con[Quadin Comm members] can lower prove subsequent at thesteadier Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, 30. Norman Cruz than September. Mindanao also exbut alsohearing. reflected growing caution,” troversy, as shown by a Stratbase this in criminal network in court. In Comm which, in turn, can be directly traced perienced significant decline, Stratbase Group Founder andtracked CEO Institute-commissioned survey. Congress, a lawmakers act as with both “We saw a pattern, and we to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. trust dropping 20% he from 27% in Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said. In the latest survey conducted prosecutor and by judge,” said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm September. survey Vice by the Social Weather Stations Yang, who already admitted weThe stripped it also of itsrevealed layers , that to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang “The data pointsPhilippine to a polarized President Sara Duterte registered (SWS), results showed a drop in having a fake birth the top and through it all, we havea in contempt for “lying” to about his but highly attentive public, particunational “much trust” rating of 56% the total “much trust” rating from certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. larly Capital Region in November 2025. 43% in September to 38% in NoNextissue page Yang,in the a National presidential economic main actors or players in the Next page
PH troops in WPS outposts get X’mas goodies, supplies
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’ PBBM,s Bautista VP Sara trust ratings remain below pre-SONA levels--SWS says online news report‘unfounded'
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
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Navy spokes debunks China claim BELL OF HOPE. of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
BAUTISTA
By Rex Espiritu
By Darwin Amojelar TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. “The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was Next page
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
A religious rings the ’Bell of Hope’ yesterday upon that cent Trinidad told reporters entering Manila troops did not the monitor doorthat of the any such activity,main adding BeiCathedral jing’s statement Manila was meant only for the closing for its internal audience. of the Jubilee “Our troops did observe Door.not The Jubilee any exercise, weYear have to underbegan with stand that sometimes, China is the traditional doing this for their internal opening of theaudience, right? For them notoftoSt.look Holy Door Peter's Basilica weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad on December said. 2024 by were Two Chinese 24,warships Pope Francis and monitored at a distance ranging continues until from eight to 14 nautical miles. the closing of One of these went up Door to 1,000 the Holy on yards at the MMCA site 6,but evenJanuary 2026. tually went away. “Itde Silva was not Angie
threatening, just normal,” accordNext page
Mixed forecast for oil prices next week on supply, political concerns AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings,
supply(PRA) disruption honored by the with its concerns. Outstanding Bywas Alena Mae S.Philippine FloresRetailers Association
Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionaryLeo leadership retail development. Bellas,in president of Jetti Pe(From left to right): PRA Directorare andexDirector troleum, of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA DOMESTIC oil companies said diesel could increase by Vice President President andby COOasof Golden, ABC, (Theper Penshoppe Group) may pected to raiseand diesel prices P0.30 toInc. P0.50 liter. Gasoline Aliceas T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, of up much P0.50 per liter nextChairman week, of the see no movement or an increase PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto while gasoline prices may remain to P0.10 per liter. S. Claudio, andaPRA Director and President Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and steady or see slight increase due of Sportshouse Rodela Romero, director proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C.However, Chua to global political developments and Next page