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8 DPWH regional, district execs relieved amid ongoing probe By Rolando Ng III and Vito Barcelo THE purge in the Department of Public Works and Highways continues with eight local officials relieved from their posts pending investigation, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said yesterday.
In a briefing, Dizon said among those relieved from their positions were four regional directors (RDs), two assistant RDs and two district engineers (DEs). Ordered relieved were RDs Ronnel M. Tan (Region 1), Jovel G. Mendoza Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 332 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026 •
Flood infra witnesses told: Don't be deceived
Palace: Testimonies key to uncover truth in corruption cases
PBBM ready to face impeach bid — Palace MALACAÑANG on Monday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ready to face any impeachment complaint, but added there there was no such thing to respond to, and dismissed the statements as “politically motivated rather than grounded in law.” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro Next page
By Charles Dantes
M
ALACAÑANG on Monday cautioned potential witnesses in flood control mess cases against being misled by alleged promises of protection. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement following a social media post by columnist Ramon Tulfo, which suggested that witnesses have been offered protection in exchange for retracting their previous testimonies. "If there is any truth to this, witnesses who truly know the facts should not allow themselves to be deceived," Castro said. Last week, the lawyer of Senator Joel Villanueva claimed former Public Works engineer Henry Alcantara retracted his earlier statements on his involvement in the flood control project anomalies. But Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the DOJ has not received any official recantation from Alcantara, whether written or verbal. Castro said the administration’s priority is to uncover the truth and hold accountable those truly responsible for corruption. "What the public needs now the truth right now," she said. "These witnesses could be the key to strengthening the fight against corruption," Castro added. The Office of the Ombudsman, for its part, brushed off reports that Alcantara, as well as other former DPWH Next page
HONORING THE FLAG. The Philippine flag is raised during the monthly Stop and Salute ceremony yesterday at Luneta Park in Manila. Attendees, including government officials, uniformed personnel, and members of the public, observe a solemn moment of honor and reflection, paying tribute to the nation’s history, ideals, and enduring values. Norman Cruz
No evidence linking former Speaker to flood control mess — Lacson By Maricel V. Cruz SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson said
there was no solid evidence linking former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the flood control scandal, stressing that the Senate can “only fol-
low where the evidence leads.” Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno welcomed Lacson’s statement saying there was no
evidence implicating Romualdez to the flood control controversy, stressing that accountability must always be grounded on facts and due process. Next page
Fewer Pinoys think guilty will not go to jail but most still optimistic By Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes THE number of Filipinos who believe that officials linked to the flood control projects scandal will be punished has declined, but the majority remain optimistic that justice will be meted out to the guilty, according to a Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey released Monday. In the recent Ulat ng Bayan poll, public optimism over the punishment
of officials implicated in the scandal declined, with 59% of Filipino adults saying those involved will be punished, down from 71% in September 2025. The face-to-face survey was conducted from December 12 to 15 among 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, with a margin of error of ±2.8% at the 95% confidence level. The results showed that while a majority of Filipino adults remain optimistic, 28% are ambivalent about Next page
IN COMMAND. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the donning of rank of Rear Admiral Andro Val P. Abayon PN as Commander of the Presidential Security Command. PCO
GOLDEN GLOBES WINNERS SHOWBIZ / C3 GOLDEN GLOBES. (From left) US film producer Sara Murphy, actress Teyana Taylor, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and actress Chase Infiniti—winners of the Best Motion Picture -Musical or Comedy Award for ‘One Battle After Another’—pose in the press room during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. AFP
Marcos off to UAE DSWD to strictly implement anti-epal provision in 2026 budget for three-day visit, By Charles Dantes THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will strictly implement the ‘‘anti-epal’’ provision under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which bars politicians from appearing at Assistance to Individuals in Crisis
Situation (AICS) payout activities. In a Palace briefing on Monday, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the DSWD will incorporate explicit restrictions banning political figures from payout activities into its memorandum circular for AICS, Next page
names caretakers By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Next page