CAMPAIGN VS. ILLEGAL FIRECRACKERS. Policemen of the Juan Luna police community precinct in Manila, led by Capt. Jeric Salandana, conduct a surprise inspection of firecracker stands in Divisoria, Manila on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The PNP earlier said prohibited firecrackers include those that are overweight or oversized as well as those with incorrect fuse burn times. Norman Cruz
Dizon rebuffs Leviste on validity of ‘Cabral list’ DPWH chief says he can’t authenticate files he has yet to see 20 .00
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 316 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES DECEMBER 28, 2025
IN METR
MANILAO
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By Joel Zurbano, Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz
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UBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon has rejected claims he has validated the so-called “Cabral list” in the possession of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. “For the record, I have not authenticated any document in the possession of Cong. [Leviste], because I have yet to see the documents he was talking about. So how can I authenticate them?” Dizon said in an interview with GMA News. Leviste earlier claimed Dizon knew the late former public works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral gave him in September a list showing all senators, district and party-list representatives, and even some officials from the executive department made insertions in the 2025 budget of the DPWH. Dizon belied Dizon’s narrative, saying the Batangas solon forcibly got a copy of some files from the computer of one of Cabral’s staff. “He forcibly got a copy of the files by using the computer of a staff member. Usec. Cabral told me this after he (Leviste) saved the files to his flash drive from the computer of a staff member,” he said, adding that Leviste Turn to next page
DOH logs 57 Ombudsman: Filing of cases to continue even if ICI ends firework-related injuries between Dec. 21 to 26 By Pot Chavez
By Rex Espiritu and Vince Lopez THE Department of Health on Saturday reported a total of 57 firework-related injuries tallied between December 21 and 26. The figure includes 35 victims aged 19 and below. According to the Health department, all those who experienced firework accidents suffered multiple injuries or other wounds and burns on different parts of the body. The data were obtained from 62 sentinel hospitals under DOH monitoring for firework-related injuries. Compared to the same period last year, cases of firework-related injuries dropped by 49 percent. “Despite recorded DOH cases being 49 percent lower compared to the 112 cases under the same period in 2024, the agency reminds the public that fireworks are dangerous—whether sold legally or illegally,” the DOH said in Filipino. On Friday, the Philippine National Police logged its first casualty due to stray bullets.
THE filing of cases in court against those involved in anomalous flood control projects will proceed despite the resignation of Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rossana Fajardo, the Office of the Ombudsman said on Saturday. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said their efforts to hold those who stole public funds accountable will continue. “Whether this signals the end or a transition phase of the ICI, the Office of the Ombudsman will remain steady in its pursuit of credible and hard evidence, quality cases, and real accountability,” Clavano said. “It is only a matter of time before we see more cases filed in court – many upon the recommendation of the ICI,” he added. Clavano also expressed high regard to the work rendered by the ICI, noting that the Ombudsman “put plenty of weight on their recommendations.”
“It has always been a concern for the ICI that they do not have immunity from suit – unlike the Ombudsman who is an impeachable officer. Thus, the exposure is high especially for those who head the commission. In that context, it was quite noble for private individuals to even take on such a daunting task so significant in our country’s history,” he said. Fajardo, whose resignation will take effect December 31, 2025, said other government agencies will soon assume the prosecutorial duties of the ICI.
She is the third member to step down from the body since it was created in September, leaving only ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. and the body’s special adviser, retired
New Year bummer: SLEX, STAR toll rate hike takes effect Jan. 1 By Joel E. Zurbano MOTORISTS traveling on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will face an increase in toll fees starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Toll Regulatory Board said.
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire DPWH to work 24/7 on EDSA rehab project
By Rex Espiritu
NEWS / A2 Workers of the Department of Public Work and Highways apply asphalt on a southbound section of EDSA in Makati City. The DPWH said it is working 24/7 to hasten the EDSA rehabilitation project. Manny Palmero
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“This adjustment will ensure the continued operations, maintenance, and improvements... for a safer, faster, and more convenient travel experience,” the TRB said in its advisory. The adjusted toll fees for SLEX are as follows: Turn to next page
China ‘humanitarian’ action in WPS hit as deceptive, propaganda-driven
WORLD / A4
PETS / A8
A father guides his toddler son at Fiesta Carnival in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Joan Bondoc
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How to have safe NYE celebration with pets
BONDING TIME.
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ATIN Ito, a broad civil society coalition committed to advancing the rights and welfare of Filipino fishers and frontliners in the West Philippine Sea, rejected China’s assistance to a distressed Filipino fisher as a deceptive, self-serving,
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and propaganda-driven public relations campaign. “We recognize the universal duty to assist people in distress at sea. But what China did was not humanitarianism, it was image management. It is propaganda-driven assistance meant Turn to next page
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