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USPBBM toFIVE continue Trump eyes G’land, LOCAL WANTS ICI TO CONTINUE FACT-FINDING, INVESTIGATIVE MANDATE oilHOLIDAYS blockadeINvs. OCT. sees Cuba’s fall, V’zuelaNEWS —/ A3Rubio warns Colombia By Charles Dantes and Joel Zurbano
ISRAEL CONTINUES US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on TO POUND HEZBOLLAH Sunday said Washington would conBy Alena Mae S. Flores
tinue to enforce an existing “oil quaranWORLD / A6 tine” against Venezuela.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to continue carrying out30, its 2024 mandate VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER •
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 325 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026 •
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PNP resurrecting probe PBBM vetoes P92.5b Alcantara puts end unprogrammed funds into PCSO official's slay to recantation yarn VOL. XXXIX • NO. 333 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026
‘26 budget pork-free, bars politicians from ‘ayuda’ distribution Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
Says committed to witness protection obligations
By Charles Dantes, Thony Rose Lesaca, By Rio N. Araja Ram Superable, mation only from verified, identifiable, By Pot Chavez Maricel Discaya, 9 others Cruz and Vito Barcelo and reliable sources. Any information HE Philippine coming from sources other than the Deplead not guilty ORMER Department National Police partment of Justice or from the underRESIDENT of PublicisWorks and NEWS / A3 signed should be treated with caution (PNP) reopening Ferdinanddistrict Marcos Highways for potential inaccuracy,” he added. its investigation intolaw Last week, Ramon Esguerra, lawJr. signed into engineer Henry Alcantara the 2020 murder of yer of Senator Joel Villanueva, claimed former Alcantara this P6.793 trillionhe has recanted has year’s put an end to claims retracted his earlier statements on his involvement in the Philippine Charity his testimonies on flood control project national budget, vetoing flood control project anomalies. Sweepstakes Office Villanueva was among the sitting senators, along with kickbacks of politicians, saying these are almost P92.5 billion in Jinggoy Estrada, named by Alcantara in September during (PCSO) board secretary “false and misleading.” unprogrammed funds while
T F P
Wesley Barayuga. putting tighter “In short, Engr.controls Alcantara on is not recanting his prior statements,” said Alcantara’s lawyer, On Sunday, PNP including Chief Police Emil Karlo Joven, public spending, in a statement. General Rommel Francisco Marbarring politicians from public must the remain vigilantofand should obtain inforbil “The said he ordered reopening distributing other the cold case cash after and whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told forms of “ayuda.” the House Quad Committee that he helped the killing the "Withcarry the out National Budget at2026, LANDMARK behest of ex-PCSO general manager your government's direction is clear, it PACT. President Royina Garma. will be more prudent and more responFerdinandnarrated Marcos Jr.,before conMendoza sible in spending the people's funds," together UAEallegedly fagressmen howon with Garma the President Monday said, adding President Sheikh cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside that unprogrammed appropriations Mohamedon binJuly Zayed30, 2020 by assassination will not be treated as "blank checks." witness information providing the be necessary “LetAl Nahyan, me clear: the Unprothe signing ofdetails the about his about his schedule, grammed Appropriations are not blank Comprehensive vehicle and the funding necessary to Next page carryEconomic it out. Partnership Agreement (CEPA) The whistleblower also implicated the sidelines incumbentonNational Police Comthe Abu Dhabi missionerofEdilberto Leonardo in the Sustainability Week planning of the murder. 2026 on January Barayuga was a 13, retired police 2026. Trade Secretary general and lawyer who supposedly Cristina Aldeguerthreatened to expose corruption withRoque signs the in the PCSO shortly before he was agreement with UAE City. shot dead in Mandaluyong State Garma,Minister herselfof an ex-police Lt. Foreign Trade Colonel, for allegedly gained the top By Charles Dantes bin Ahmed Al of her inspot atThani the PCSO because
a Senate hearing as being involved in budget insertions and alleged kickbacks from flood control projects. The senator has yet to issue a statement as of press time on Alcantara’s denial of Esguerra’s claim. Next page
If come Feb. 6, walang pang ‘big fish,’ ibig sabihin at least si Zaldy Co, hindi pa naibabalik dito, hindi ako makikiisa [sa impeachment complaint laban kay VP Sara]. REP. TOBY TIANGCO
Zeyoudi. Presidential
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DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
PH airsPAGASA concern over V’zuela dev’ts
NEWS / A3 Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic. THE government While aboard has Airreadied Force P1.48 One billion worth of aid for communienroute to Washington, Trump reiterties may be hit hard by typhoon ated that his proposal. ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says “We need Greenland from the could standturn into a supertyphoon. point of national security, and Denmark ‘Yung mgaPM ganyang Asgoing of 5:00 ondoSunday, PAis not to be able to it,” he said in argumento ay question. GASA raised Tropical Cyclone response to a reporter’s Wind Signal No.ng3 rabid over Batanes argumento DDS Next page andsupporters the northeastern portion of Bana ginagamit buyan Islands. ang flood control issue “’Julian’ is forecast to continue bilang pandepensa intensifying over the nextsa24-36 Bise Presidente. hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current in its TINIO intensification, REP. trend ANTONIO the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other to sign a possible new impeachment food items worth P276 million, and complaint items against(NFIs) Vice President Sara non-food worth P919 million were already prepared by Duterte unless a so-called “big fish” the Department is caught first. of Social Welfare andTinio Development (DSWD). said the argument mirrors Some P171 million in Next standby page 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 Julian is expected to make landfall
‘DDS logic’: Tinio hits Tiangco remark on VP Sara impeachment By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday took a swipe at Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco for refusing
DOE cancels Leviste firm’s 33 contracts
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By Alena Mae S. Flores
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD CommAhearing shows the operations a criminalR.syndicate fugitive Michael then economic THE at Department of Energy NEWwhich BEGINNING. Presidentof Ferdinand Marcos Jr.allegedly presentsled theby signed copy of theYang, 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) the Ceremonial Hall ofon Tuesadviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drugRevoli Cortez Malacanang Palace yesterday. The national budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314, amounts to Php6.793 trillion. day announced it has cancelled 33 trade and extrajudicial killings.
DBCC cuts growth target to 5-6% Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry Poquiz held on inciting sedition amid headwinds THE country is expected to post solid Communications growth in the medium term even as Office economic managers lowered targets amid global and domestic headwinds, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. Balisacan said the Development Budget Coordination Committee now expects gross domestic product to expand 5 percent to 6 percent this year, lower than the previously set 6 to 7 percent. "The reason for the scaling down of By Othel V. Campos growth rose from the realities we have and Charles seen, both globallyDantes and domestically," Balisacan said during a Palace briefing PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos yesterday, citing recent assessments Jr. on Tuesday witnessed the from the International Monetarysigning Fund, of a landmark trade agreement World Bank andfree Asian Development between the Philippines and the Bank. Next page United Arab Emirates (UAE) during his working visit to Abu Dhabi. Together with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Marcos
as a fact-finding and investigative panel on questionable flood control projects, Malacañang on Tuesday said. PRESIDENT Trump’s calls that PresidentialDonald Communications OfGreenland should become part of the fice (PCO) Undersecretary Claire United States was met with international page condemnation Monday as the Next autonomous Danish territory’s prime minister putting his foot down on the issue.
raps, freed after posting P48k bail
THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about client’s supposedly By Pothis Chavez sketchy past and his alleged ties and Philippine Rex Espiritu with Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Major even Retired Philippine Air Force organized crime. Poquiz was arrested General Romeo LawyerAquinoRaymond Fortun at Ninoy International Airport questioned House Quad Terminal 3 on the charges of inciting to Committee’s impartiality and after its sedition but was later released ability pin Chinese national Yang postingto bail. down for posted ay wrongdoing in a real Poquiz bail of P48,000 as criminal set by thecourt. court and was subsequently “I am very interested in how they freed. [Quad Comm members] canwarrant prove He has a standing arrest this network City in court. In issuedcriminal by the Quezon Regional observed signing exchange Congress, lawmakers act as both Trial Courtthe Branch 77 onand December 5, of the Comprehensive Economic prosecutor and judge,” he said. 2025, for inciting to sedition. Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Yang, already admitted The casewho stemmed from his earlier signed on behalf of the Philippines having a armed fake forces Philippine birth call for the to rise against by government Trade and Industry secretary Ma. certificate, is the brother of Michael the during anti-corruption Cristina Roque. Yang, presidential rallies in aNovember last year.economic The ceremony was held at the Abu Poquiz’s lawyers criticized poDhabi Center lice overNational the arrest, Exhibition but police officials on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 Summit. The CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade pact with a
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Fortun, a lawyer who often finds said due process observed in the himself at the was center high-profile implementation of the warrant. cases, apparently sought to mock ‘‘The case was investigated and congressmen, calling their probe pieces of evidence were referred and “unacceptable.” forwarded to House the prosecution, the However, members and argued courtdid found This was they not probable come by cause. their suspicions a result of the work of the prosecuabout Yang recklessly. tionOn service and now Deputy he will be tried. Friday, Senior Speaker That’s theGonzales process; there’s perAurelio Jr. ofnothing Pampanga sonal,’’ a police official said.Suarez of and Deputy Speaker David Poquizpresented said the police force should Quezon a matrix showing follow due and enforce Yang’s firstprocess appearance and the his law without fear or favor.at the Quad subsequent activities He underwent Comm hearing. booking procedures Eastern country, marking atMiddle Camp Crame after his we arrest anda “We saw a pattern, and tracked significant of the country’s was court that isit to presented the topexpansion ofbefore thesethe corporations... global reach. The ,agreement sued the trade warrant. we stripped it of its layers to get to provides tariff reductions, The Forces the top Armed and for through itofall,the wePhiliphave improved market access goods pines (AFP)and on Monday said the arrest discovered identified at for least two and increased investment of theservices, retiredorofficer wasincarried out main actors players the issue flows, lawful and expanded opportunities through means, reflecting the for Filipino professionals and service Next page providers in the UAE. It covers key areas including digital trade, micro, small and medium enterprises, sustainable development,
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs. Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced tointellectual disgraced property, ex-mayorcompetition Alice Guo. and consumer protection,Quad government During Friday’s Comm procurement, technical hearing, lawmakers and cited Tony Yang Philippine exports incooperation. contempt for “lying” to about his expected to benefit include bananas, businesses and business partners. pineapples, canned tuna, electronics, Next page and machinery. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $1.83 billion in 2024, with the UAE ranking 18th among the Philippines’ trading
Philippines, UAE sign landmark free trade agreement
PH lobbies UN renewable energy service contracts of project company Solar Philipfor Security pines Power Project Holdings Inc. led by Rep. Leandroseat Leviste. Council This ARRESTED. developed as the DOE an-
Retired Major General Romeo V. Poquiz is nounced a total of 163 relinquished handcuffed after being arrested THE Philippine government on and cancelled contracts covering yesterdaycalled at thefor Ninoy Sunday publicly the Aquino Unit-the period 2024 to 2025 with total International Airport (NAIA) ed Nations (UN) to give it aaseat oncapacity of 17,904 megawatts. Terminal 3 in connection with the UN Security Council, highlightand contracts sedition of the the rebellion cancelled ingBulk the country’s strong record and charges filed against him before are undertoSolar Philippines, with dedication upholding the ruleAtty. of a Quezon City court. a total capacity of 11,427.83 MW, law. Ferdinand Topacio
representing the total Department64ofpercent ForeignofAffairs cancelled contracts. Most of its in con(DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo aredelivered located in atracts speech at Luzon. the UN GenDOE also aims to collect eralThe Assembly in New York said the an Philippines continues emphasize estimated P24 billiontocovering perthe “importance upholdingobligathe formance bonds,ofcontractual rule lawfinancial and the integrity of the tionsofand obligations from multilateral system in the face of toSolar Philippines. day’s globalSecretary challenges.” Energy Sharon Garin Quoted by reports, Manalo also Next page 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-
PH will seek all means, including extradition, to bring back Co Next page
Navy spokes debunks China claim Jovic trump of military exercises inEala, Scarborough shoal By Charles Dantes and Williams, Svitolina Maricel Cruz By Rex Espiritu Mattel unveils ‘autistic’ Barbie By Darwin Amojelar DOJ confirms new plunder charges in Auckland event BINALIW UNDER By Angelica Villanueva Next page
BAUTISTA
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry NEW KIND Masinloc, also known as ScarborOF BARBIE. with the increase in airport fees without NEWS / A2members. oughMultinational Shoal, intoythe West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet pinemanufacturer Sea (WPS).and “The Bilyonaryo article is malientertainment China reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said company Mattel nouncement coinciding with the in a Viber message, referring to the introduces its fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. latest version operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. of the iconic Philippines, Australia, Japan, Bilyonaryo reported online that ‘Barbie’ designed Newto represent Zealand, and the United “Bautista and his long-time protege in withinIva Manila’s exclusive Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary autistic VICTORIOUS. Rising starsfor Alex EalaStates andthe American Jovic economic zone (EEZ) in community on Williams Aviation and Airports Lim, are tennis congratulate each Bobby other after beating veterans Venus andthe rewaters over the weekend. January 13, 2026. Svitolina, 7-6 (7), 6-1, doubles gional opening round of the ASB Classic in at theElina center of the storm NEWS/ A2afterin itthewas Philippine Navy Spokesperson Auckland, New Zealand. WTA for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page
STATE OF CALAMITY
SENATE WILL HOLD IMPEACHMENT ‘FORTHWITH’—SOTTO
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippines will look for all jing’s statement was meant only possible means, apart from pushing for its internal audience. for an extradition treaty with “Our MATTEL troops did not observe By Peter Atencio has unveiled an autistic Barbie, the toy giant’s latest offering Portugal, to bring back fugitive any exercise, have to under-range of children “to see themselves” in the aimed atwe allowing a broader former congressman Zaldy Co. stand that THE PHILIPPINES' Alexdoll. EalaChina began is iconicsometimes, plastic However, Martinez to “Extradition is almostdeclined impossible By Pot Chavez thisjust forastheir internal audithedoing new year she last Theended Barbiethe line, which first introduced dolls with disabilities in 2019, identify the specific flood control projbecause we do not have a treaty. We ence,a significant right? Forvictory. them to look THE Department Justice (DOJ) and on —with alreadynot features Barbies with type 1 diabetes, of Down syndrome ect as not to preempt willinvolved look forso all possible meansthe to weak andher embarrassed,” Trinidad Monday thatSunday. former Ako Fresh off gold-medal clinching blindness, the US company said in aconfirmed statement late panel of prosecutors. repatriate Zaldy Co to the Philippines,” Party-list Representative winsaid. at the 33rd SEA GamesAutism in Thailand, is a complexBicol and broad-spectrum neurodevelopWhile no of counsel appeared the AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman ofZaldy the Executive Committee Holdings, Department ofSM thePrime Interior andfor Local Two that Chinese warships were Cowas is facing a plunder complaint filed Eala carried winning momentum to It has multiple mental disorder. origins, primarily linked to a former lawmaker, Martinez clarified honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic at the acombination distanceround ranging byFilipino the National Bureau ofAward Investigathemonitored center court in opening of of predominantly genetic and environmental factors. that leadership the proceedings not be susRetailers President for his visionary in retailwould development. Remulla said yesterday. eight to Mattel 14 nautical miles. (NBI). thefrom women’s doubles action at the 2026 said it had developed tion its(From “first-ever Barbie doll” with left to autistic right): PRA Director and Director pended. of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA In a press briefing, Group) the DILG One of guidance these went upAutistic to 1,000 InNetwork an interview justice Vice President andwith President andreportCOO ABC, Inc. Penshoppe ASB Classic of the ASB Center fromTennis the Self Advocacy (ASAN), a disability rightsof Golden,‘‘We are(The working with a timeline confirmed that President T. Liu,Department SM Holdings Chairman of the Executive Hans T. Ferdinand Sy, they yards atorganization the MMCA site but ers,Alice Justice spokesperson in Auckland, New Zealand, where she seeking equalevenrights and greater visibility forPrime autistic people. here. Any Committee respondent, whether Marcos Jr. instructed government PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto tually went away. “It was not Attorney Polo Martinez the DOJ and doubles' partner Iva Jovic pulled off The doll is designed “to represent common ways autisticsaid people may appear or not, we will proceed in acagencies to begin exploring available S. Claudio, PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and threatening, just normal,” accordreceived oneand additional plunder case Next page with the timeline under the NextAward page Marscordance proponent of PRA OFR President’s C. Chua against Co. rules,’’ he said. Next page page Next page
filed vs. Co, unnamed co-accused