manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
‘No talks yet about ICI replacements’
Palace: Probe Cabinet access to allocable funds
By Katrina Manubay
By Katrina Manubay MALACAÑANG supports an investigation into Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s claims that at least five Cabinet members had access to allocable or non-allocable funds amounting to billions in the 2025 budget. In a message sent to reporters yesterday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities should continue investigating to identify those responsible for mishandling public funds, as revealed by Lacson. The Senate Blue Ribbon chair cited documents obtained from the late former Public Works Undersecretary Cathy Cabral and other Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sources. “Whoever is involved among the cabinet members and there is evidence [of their involvement], just keep up the Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 317 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025 •
PALACE Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday discussions on the replacement of resigned members of the Independent
Trace Cabral files source — Palace
Next page
Leviste presses Dizon to authenticate list amid doubts By Katrina Manubay and Rio N. Araja
M
ALACAÑANG yesterday said that the real source of the so-called “Cabral Files,” which Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste claims was handed to him by the late Public Works Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, must be ascertained in view of information to the contrary.
FROZEN. Frost wrap around plant leaves as the temperature in Atok, Benguet dropped to its season lowest of 12.1 degrees Celsius (°C) early Sunday. Cold Breeze View via PIA Benguet
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said an investigation into how documents came to the lawmaker’s possession is in order, as reports from within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) indicate that they were obtained from the agency’s staff, not directly from Cabral. In a radio interview, the Palace spokesperson said in Filipino, “Because I heard, [the documents were obtained] from the staff. And if it turns out they came from the staff, [therefore] they didn’t come from Usec. Cabral.” “[It should be investigated] because DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon himself is wondering how they were obtained. Because what's important here is how files were obtained from the staff?” Castro told DZBB. On Friday, Dizon claimed that he had not authenticated any documents in Leviste's possession. The incumbent public works secretary also mentioned that Cabral informed him that Leviste had forcibly obtained a copy of the files by using a staff member's computer to save them Next page onto his flash drive.
Benguet chill Bicam irons out differences, drops to X’mas signs off on P6.793-t 2026 budget season low By Rex Espiritu SIGNED.
By Rio N. Araja
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet has recorded the lowest temperature yet this 2025 as the mercury dropped to 12.1 degrees Celsius (°C) early Sunday, December 28. This broke the previous season low of 12.4° C on December 4 in the same location. Other localities that logged temperatures below 20°C included 14.8° Celsius in Baguio City, 18.5°Celsius in Basco, Batanes and 19.7° Celsius in Tanay, Rizal. The peak of the northeast monsoon or ‘amihan’ season takes place Next page
THE bicameral conference committee on Sunday approved and adopted the report on the disagreeing provisions of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which outlines the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026. Several lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives signed the GAB at the Philippine International Convention Center, where the marathon deliberations were held. House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Mikaela Suansing described the proposed spending plan as a ‘‘people-centered budget,’’ emphasizing transparency
Senator Win Gatchalian, Senate Finance Committee chair, and Rep. Mikaela, House Appropriations Committee head, present the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Angie de Silva
Next page
PNP to implement new socmed protocols related to criminal probes By Vince Lopez
‘IWAS PAPU-TOXIC’. As the year draws to a close, animal welfare and environmental advocates step up calls for safer, pet-friendly New Year celebrations as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the EcoWaste Coalition launch ’Iwas Papu-Toxic‘ — a joint awareness event held at Ayala Malls Vertis North. Story on A3. Edd Castro
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is set to implement new protocols to strengthen the handling of social media evidence in criminal investigations following the Supreme Court’s issuance of guidelines in proving ownership and control of online accounts. Nartatez explained that the guidelines provide clear standards that will help investigators ensure that evidence is properly authenticated. “This will help our investigators build stronger cases. For ongoing investigations, we will review digital
evidence carefully while future cases will be handled more systematically and transparently when it comes to social media posts,” he said. The SC issued earlier seven protocols to prove ownership or control of social media accounts in criminal cases following a conviction for psychological violence under Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children). The guideposts included admission of authorship, account access, unique knowledge, language patterns, records from providers or device forensics, consistency with previous posts, and other indications of ownership or control. Next page
Taming of inflation benefited the poor, says ES Recto By Katrina Manubay EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has safeguarded the poorest Filipino families in 2025 by controlling inflation and maintaining strong economic growth. In a statement on Sunday, Dec. 28, Recto said the current economic slowdown reflects the administration’s efforts to stabilize prices, secure food supplies, and protect household purchasing power, particularly for rice, a major expense for low-income families. Next page