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Senate summons 12 for Blue Ribbon hearing Monday

Ombudsman wants arrest warrants vs. Revilla, DPWH execs

By Ram Superable THE Senate will summon 12 persons including former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, former Education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and Commission

VOL. XXXIX • NO. 336 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 •

ICI nearing end of its mandate, says PBBM Next page

Fact-finding body says it needs quorum to resume work

THE Ombudsman announced yesterday it has filed an urgent motion requesting immediate warrants for arrest and hold-departure orders against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office officials who are facing malversation and graft charges over their alleged involvement in a P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. In a briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that the respondents claimed the project was completed even though no actual construction occurred. “The information alleged that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of approximately P76 million for the supposed construction of a flood control project in Puroc V, Barangay Bonsuran, Pandi, Bulacan, a project which, based on official inspection and witness accounts, was never implemented,” he said. Clavano also mentioned that Revilla and the six DPWH officials falsified Next page

By Charles Dantes, Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

HE Independent Commission for Infrastructure is nearing the completion of its mandate, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday, noting that its future would depend on how much work remains to be done. “It depends on how much work they still have left. If they finish their work, we will see what they can do next. But they are really coming toward the end,” Mr. Marcos said in a media interview on the sidelines of an event in Mandaluyong City. He said the ICI has already investigated most of the alleged anomalous flood control projects, with only a few remaining issues yet to be resolved. “Everything that needed to be investigated has already been investigated. Maybe there are one or two loose ends that they still have to clear up,” the President said. Asked about the possible appointment of new commissioners following

AGREEMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. congratulates Damien Innes of Starlink as (from left) DICT Sec. Henry Aguda and Globe Chairman Jaime

Augusto Zobel de Ayala look after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Globe and Starlink at Globe Tower in BGC, Taguig City. Revoli Cortez

PNP: Atong Ang Bonoan still in US but vows to return coddlers warned, Feb. 15, says envoy Romualdez hunt expanded By Vince Lopez

MOST WANTED. The ‘wanted’ poster released by the Philippine

National Police (PNP) through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in pursuit of gaming tycoon Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang. PNP-CIDG

NUP seeks ouster of Barzaga, to file more cases—Puno By Maricel V. Cruz THE National Unity Party (NUP) is pushing for the possible expulsion of Dasmariñas City Rep. Francisco Barzaga from the House of Representatives, even as it prepares to file

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned friends and business associates of Charlie “Atong” Ang against harbouring him as the manhunt was being expanded to cover backdoor exits to prevent him from fleeing the country. Meanwhile, Ang’s legal counsel said he advised his client not to surrender to authorities while legal remedies remain available, arguing that Ang should not be treated as a criminal without a trial or a finding of guilt Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the same warning was issued against any perso as authorities expect Ang to utilize all his connections and resources to evade arrest. “We expect him to use his huge reserve of resources to avoid being caught. But I advise him to use that instead to defend himself in court rather than play hide and seek with us because he will be arrested eventually,” said Nartatez. Aside from monitoring the backdoor exits, the PNP is initiating moves to expand the manhunt with the help of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in case he is able to escape. In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, lawyer Gabriel Villareal said surrendering would be premature,

FORMER Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan is still in the United States but promised to return to Manila on February 15 to face allegations of his involvement in the flood control project controversy, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Friday. "We know where he is. He's not hiding. He's in California now and he asked for permission if he can stay for another month because his wife has eye problems," Romualdez told radio dzBB. "He's asking for until after February. He'll be back there on the 15th," he added. Amid heightened scrutiny over the alleged actors in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, Bonoan left for the US via Taiwan on November 11. The ex-Public Works chief was

among the 12 personalities summoned by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, headed by Lacson, to testify in a hearing on January 19. The committee threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Bonoan if he fails to appear. Citing information from sources, Lacson said Bonoan's actions were allegedly intended to mislead the President. But Lacson said Friday said that the subpoena issued against Bonoan will be taken back if his appeal to extend his stay in the United States for another month is validated. The Blue Ribbon chair said that he will coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the matter. According to the Bureau of Immigration, Bonoan's declared return date was December 17. Next page

DOE in talks with DOJ, OSG to collect P24b from Leviste’s firm By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy is in talks with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General to collect an estimated P24 billion in penalties and other charges from Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc.

The DOE canceled 33 contracts of SPPPHI, representing a total potential capacity of 11,427.83 megawatts, after finding that only about 2 percent of the projects were completed. “We will collect. But if they refuse to pay, then we bring it up to the SolGen level or the DOJ level so

GRANDEST FESTIVALS. Visayas’ grandest festivals come to life as Robinsons Malls rolls out vibrant mall celebrations for Sinulog and Dinagyang 2026, transforming its Cebu and Iloilo malls into dynamic hubs of culture, color, and festive energy this January.