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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 329 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026 •
Alcantara turns around, denies role in projects Ex-DPWH engineer claims no evidence against him
By Katrina Manubay
WORLD / A6
Several millions of devotees turn out for Traslacion TENS of thousands of Philippine Catholics twirled white cloths and chanted "Viva, viva" as a centuriesold statue of Jesus Christ was paraded through the streets of Manila on Friday in the nation's biggest annual religious event. The multitude grew from tens of thousands at dawn and swelled to about 2 million at about 7 p.m., according to reports by authorities. Next page
F
ORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Henry Alcantara has turned around and moved for the dismissal of the cases regarding his involvement in alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan. According to a report by Bilyonaryo News Channel on January 9, Alcantara filed the counter-affidavit on January 5, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to support the allegations. “There is no evidence that I favored any contractor, employee or individual. There is no witness that states I approved irregular payments or instructed preparation of falsified reports,” his affidavit said. Alcantara further contended that he was kept in the dark due to the deliberate concealment of information by other DPWH employees regarding the anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan. “In this case, no witness has testified that I facilitated any payouts,” he Next page added.
SEA OF DEVOTEES. Devotees clamber up the carriage to touch the glass-sealed image of Jesus Nazareno as it crosses a sea of worshippers towards Quiapo Church in Manila. Edd Castro WINNER.
A fierce-looking Alexandra Eala triumphs over her former tormentor Magda Linette, 6-3,62, in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic 2026 in Auckland, Zealand. ASB Classic FB Page
Eala powers through ex-tormentor, clinches semis slot By Peter Atencio YOUTH prevailed over experience this time as the Philippines' Alexandra Eala pulled off a 6-3, 6-2 triumph against her former tormentor Magda Linette on Friday in the ASB Classic 2026 in Auckland, Zealand. The seasoned Linette, 31, felt the power of Eala’s vastly improved fore-
hand swings as the Polish pro went down in their quarterfinal clash in 97 minutes. “I think I had a good performance today. I’m happy with how I handled the external factors, the wind, and playing Magda has always been difficult for me. She’s a very solid player, very consistent,” said the 20-year-old Eala, whose current ranking of no. 53 in the World Tennis Association is
bound to jump several places in the 40s following three successive wins in the Auckland tournament. “Winning three matches does help your morale, yes,” said Eala. The win put Eala in the semifinals against Chinese pro Wang Xinyu, who prevailed after her clash with Britain’s Francesca Jones ended in retirement. Next page
Binaliw death toll climbs to 3, some 35 still missing By Minerva Newman CEBU City—A landslide occurred at the privately-run landfill in Sitio Kainsikan, Barangay Binaliw in Cebu City on Thursday, leaving three dead, 12 injured, and 35 others missing.
Initial reports by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRMO) said a total of 98 people was present at the site at the time of the incident but 63 were confirmed away from the affected area and have returned to their families.
According to the reports from the Cebu City Police Office (CPPO) and from the Office of the City Mayor, the sheer volume of waste piled at the site caused the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) building to collapse. Next page