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US toFIVE continue LOCAL OBAN IS NEW oilHOLIDAYS blockade vs. IN OCT. NATIONAL NEWS / A3Rubio V’zuela — SECURITY ADVISER
Trump G’land, Palaceeyes leaves sees Cuba’ s fall,s probe of Sara’ warns ‘threat’Colombia to NBI
By Alena Mae S. Flores NEWS/ A3
PRESIDENT Trump’s calls that By CharlesDonald Dantes Greenland should become part of the United States was met international MALACAÑANG onwith Wednesday said condemnation Monday as the autonoit would not order a separate execumous Danish territory’s minister tive investigation into prime allegations of putting foot down on the issue. a plot his to unseat President Ferdinand
ISRAEL CONTINUES US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on TO POUND HEZBOLLAH Sunday said Washington would continue to enforce an existing “oil quaranWORLD / A6 tine” against Venezuela.
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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • VOL. XXXIX NO.61 325 3 SECTIONS PAGES P20• •THURSDAY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 2026•• VOL. XL ••NO. • 3• SECTIONS 1616 PAGES •• P20 APRIL 16,6,2026
PNP resurrecting probe House to look at VP Sara’s PBBM vetoes P92.5b ‘unexplained wealth’ unprogrammed into PCSO official'sfunds slay issue
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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 Asgoing of 5:00 ondoSunday, PAis not to bePM able to it,” he said in GASA raised Tropical Cyclone response to a reporter’s question. Wind Signal V. No.Cruz 3 over Batanes By Maricel Next page and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. FTER completing its “’Julian’ is forecast to continue first impeachment intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as ithearing moves towards on theBatanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the alleged misuse of P612.5 current trend in its intensification, million in confidential the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” funds, the House Committee PAGASA said in its advisory. on Justice will turn its Meanwhile, the National Disasattention to Vice President ter Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) SaraCouncil Duterte’s allegedsaid that aunexplained total of 1.9 million food wealthfamily during packs worth P1.48 billion, other its next on million, April 22. food itemssession worth P276 and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 Committee chairperson Batangas million were already prepared by Rep. Gerville Luistro said the next focus the Department of Social Welfare will Development be on Duterte’s(DSWD). Statements of Asand sets, Liabilities and Net (SALN) Some P171 millionWorth in standby furnished by the Ombudsman as well as fund is also available for utilization corporate and tax records from the Seby the DSWD, including P123 milcurities and can Exchange Commission and lion which be allotted as Quick the Bureau Fund of Internal Revenue. Response (QRF) in the cenAhead of next Wednesday’s hearing, tral office of the DSWD. theInHouse committee granted motions Batanes, the Provincial Dito subpoena the Anti-Money Launder saster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Next advised page residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
Incoming NSA Eduardo Oban Jr.
Trump says Panelbars subpoenas Trillanes, AMLC for April 22 impeach hearing ‘26 budget politicians from ‘ayuda’ distribution US-Iran talkspork-free, toSpeaker resumegrateful soon for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
By Charles Dantes, Thony Rose Lesaca, By Rio N. Araja PRESIDENT Donald Trump has Ram Superable, Maricel indicated peace talks with Tehran could resume this week, as the United Cruz and Vito Barcelo HE Philippine
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States turned the screws Wednesday with a naval blockadePolice it said had cut National RESIDENT off maritime trade with Iran. (PNP) is reopening Trump’s hint came as Israel and Ferdinand Marcos Lebanon agreed to open direct negoits investigation into Jr. signed into lawmeettiations after a rare face-to-face the 2020 murder ing in Washington, withof Israel’s war this year’s P6.793 trillion with HezbollahCharity ongoing despite the Philippine national budget, ceasefire with Tehran.vetoing Sweepstakes Office Stocks rose crudeindropped almost P92.5and billion on hopes for a dealsecretary to get oil flow(PCSO) board unprogrammed funds ing again through the Strait while of HorWesley Barayuga. muz—choked by Iranian forces putting tighter controls onsince the US-Israeli offensive began in late On Sunday, PNP Chief Police public spending, February, and now theincluding focus of a US General Rommel Francisco Marblockade. barring politicians from bil But said the he ordered the reopening twin diplomatic push of redistributing and other the cold fragile, case cash after whistleblower mained with Lebanese state Police Santie told mediaLt. reporting freshMendoza Israeli strikes forms ofCol. “ayuda.” south of Beirut, while Iran-backed the House Quad Committee that he Hezbollah—hostile any negotihelped the tokilling the "Withcarry the out National Budget at2026, ations—fired dozens of rockets at behest of ex-PCSO general manager your government's direction is clear, it Israel. Royina Garma. willTrump be more prudent and York more respontold the New on Mendoza narrated beforePost consible in spending the people's funds," Tuesday that a new round of talks gressmen how Garma allegedly fathe President on take Monday adding with Iranthe could placesaid, inroadside Pakistan cilitated PCSO official’s that unprogrammed appropriations “over the nexton twoJuly days,” a marassassination 30,after 2020 by will notfirst be treated as "blank checks." athon negotiating session ended providing the necessary information “Let me be clear: the Unprowithout breakthrough. about hisaAppropriations schedule, details his grammed areabout not blank In a FOX Business interview due vehicle and the funding necessary to to be aired on Wednesday,Next thepage US carry it out. leader declared the war “very close whistleblower also implicated toThe being over.” incumbent National PolicetoldComSenior Pakistani sources AFP missioner Edilberto Leonardo the that Islamabad was working toinbring planning the murder. the sides of together for a second round of Barayuga a retired talks, as Primewas Minister Shehbazpolice Sharif general anda four-day lawyer who supposedly kicked off diplomatic blitz to threatened to expose corruption withpage in the PCSO shortly before Next he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top By Charles Dantes spot at the PCSO because of her in-
PROMOTIONS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. waves to the crowd gathered in a Tacloban gymnasium yesterday where
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. solons explained how the ByThe Charles Dantes matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos activities, including the operations of Jr. on Wednesday framed the rapid illegal POGOs. promotion of tens of thousands of Among the companies public school teachers asimplicated a central are Brickhartz Technology Inc. strategy to address workforce and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., shortages and improve retention in which are being linked to alleged the education sector. kidnapping. At the mass oath-taking of newly The two firms supposedlyin promoted teachers and principals have connections with the Marcos Baofu Eastern Visayas, President Compound Bamban, Tarlac, said reforms in under the government’s Expanded Career which, in turn, canProgression be directly system traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. Next page During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday reiterated her criticism Retired Major of the “mini-trial” at the House of General Romeo V. Poquiz is Representatives. handcuffed after being arrested THE Philippine government on yesterdaycalled at thefor Ninoy Sunday publicly the Aquino UnitInternational (NAIA) ‘Most ed Nations (UN)Pinoys to giveAirport itback a seat on Terminal 3 in connection with the UNimpeachment Security Council, highlighttrial’ the rebellion and sedition ing the country’s strong record and charges filed against him before dedication toa upholding ruleAtty. of Quezon court. NEWS /City A3the law. Ferdinand Topacio Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech at the UN GenThisdelivered after self-confessed bageralman Assembly in New Yorkdisclosed said the Ramil Madriaga Philippines continues on Tuesday how to he emphasize disbursed theP125 “importance of OVP upholding the million in confidenruletial of funds law and the in the lessintegrity than 24ofhours multilateral system in the face of in 2022, and not in 11 daystoas day’s global challenges.” previously reported. Quoted by reports, Manalo also page said: “The Philippines has Next 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-
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raps, freed after posting P48k bail of teachers
THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. disparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds Next page said due process observed in the about his client’s supposedly himself at the was center high-profile By Pot Chavez THE country is expected to post solid implementation of the warrant. sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock growth in the medium term even as and Philippine Rex Espiritu ‘‘The case was investigated and with Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe economic managers lowered targets pieces of evidence were referred and Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” Retired Philippine Air Force Major amid global and domestic headwinds, forwarded to House the prosecution, the organized crime. Poquiz was arrested However, members and argued General Romeo Department of Economy, Planning, court found probable cause. This was Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Development Secretary Arsenio a result of the work of the prosecuquestioned House Quad about Yang recklessly. Terminal 3 on the charges of inciting to Balisacan said. tion service and now Deputy he will be tried. Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Speaker sedition but was later released after said S.the Development ByBalisacan Alena Mae Flores That’s the process; there’s nothing perability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga posting bail. Budget Coordination Committee now and Maricel V. Cruz sonal,’’ a police official said. down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Poquiz posted bail of P48,000 as expects gross domestic product to exPoquiz said the police force should criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing set by the court and was subsequently pand percent to of 6 Energy percent confirmed this year, THE 5Department follow due and enforce “I am very interested in how they Yang’s firstprocess appearance and the his freed. lower than the the previously setof6atofuel 7 on Wednesday possibility DAILY STRUGGLE. Commuters struggle subsequent to find rides during rush hour along law without fear or favor. [Quad Comm members] can prove activities at the Quad He has a standing arrest warrant percent. price rollback next week, with an inPhilcoa in Quezon City on thecourt. first dayInof the 3-day The Metro Manila Hetransport underwent booking procedures this criminal network in Comm hearing.strike. issued by the Quezon City Regional "Thesource reasonprojecting for the scaling down of dustry a decrease Development Authority however said it did not deploy ‘libreng sakay’ vehicles because at Camp Crame after and his we arrest and Congress, lawmakers as both “We saw a pattern, tracked Trial Court Branch 77 onact December 5, growth rose weP2have up to P15 perfrom literthe for realities diesel and per no commuters were stranded by the protest action. Edd Castro was presented before the court that isprosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... 2025, for inciting to sedition. seen, both globally and domestically," liter for gasoline. sued the warrant. Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to The case stemmed from his earlier Balisacan said during a Palace briefing Meanwhile, the Marcos administraThe Armed Forcesitofall,thewePhiliphaving a fake Philippine birth the top and through have call for the armed forces to rise against yesterday, citing recent assessments tion is still considering suspending expines (AFP)and on Monday said the arrest certificate, is theduring brother of Michael discovered identified at least two the government anti-corruption from the International Monetary cise taxes on diesel and gasolineFund, after of the retired officer was carried out Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue rallies in November last year. World Bank andlevies AsianonDevelopment scrapping such liquefied pethrough lawful means, reflecting the Poquiz’s lawyers criticized the popause on the probe will be lifted when Bank. troleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, DeBy Ram Superable Next apage Next page lice over the arrest, but police officials he reports and sponsors a partial compartment of Finance official said. mittee report in Senate plenary. FURTHER hearings of the Senate “We’ve been monitoring. So as of to“Our Senate rules are clear as they Blue Ribbon Committee on the day, actually the price for the two days, are basic. Thus, all inquiries in aid of anomalous flood control projects the MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) legislation should end up in recomare suspended, Senate President have come down a bit,” DOE Undermended legislative actions via a comPro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacsecretary Alessandro Sales said. BAUTISTA mittee report,” he said. son announced on Wednesday. “So even with President Trump’s cent Trinidad the toldinquiry, reporters that Continuing he added, that the temporary ByLacson Rexexplained Espiritu pronouncement that he’s stationing Manila troops did not monitor theirDarwin warships Amojelar at the opening of the By any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked Strait of Hormuz, apparently the marjing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announceket is not pricing that in,” he added. TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime for its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted The source that based the DIALOGUE. Executive Bautista deniedsaid an online news on report “Our Atencio troops did not observe By Peter military exercises off Bajo de first two that daysMalacañang of MOPS and Secretary Ralph G. Recto claiming was foreign angry any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborexchange averages, dieselfees is estimated meets with Chinese with the increase in airport without stand that sometimes, THE PHILIPPINES' Alex EalaChina began is oughAmbassador Shoal, in the to drop by P13 to P15 per liter and gasJinqWest Quan Philipto the approval of the Cabinet members. doing this for their internal audithe new year just as she ended the last pine Sea (WPS). oline by P1 to P2 per liter. discuss overall Philippine“The Bilyonaryo article is malience, right? For them not to look —with a significant victory. China reportedly made the anSales that if this marketsaid reChina relations. During cious andnoted unfounded,” Bautista weak andher embarrassed,” Trinidad Fresh off gold-medal clinching nouncement coinciding action continues, the country see the courtesy call,with the the in a Viber message, referringmay to the at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, fourth Multilateral more stable or a formal rollback, Ambassador Maritime noted the Co- winsaid. website that prices published the said story. Two that Chinese Eala carried winningwarships momentumwere to operative Activity between the though he cautioned that thehe data only resumption of dialogues “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” added. monitored at a distance ranging the center court in the opening round of Philippines, Australia, Japan, accounts for tworeported days of the week. that aimed at enhancing Bilyonaryo online eight to 14 nautical miles. women’s doubles action at the 2026 New Zealand, and theStory United thefrom Energyand Secretary Sharon Garin bilateral relations. “Bautista his long-time protege in One of these went up to 1,000 ASB Classic of the ASB Tennis Center within Manila’s saidVICTORIOUS. she Airlines, is hopeful that global oil on A2 Office ofexclusive the Philippine Undersecretary Rising starsfor Alex EalaStates and American Iva Jovic yards at the MMCA site but evenin Auckland, New Zealand, where she economic zone (EEZ) in the reprices will climbing. Secretary Aviation andstop Airports Bobby Lim, are tennis veteransExecutive congratulate each other after beating Venus Williams and tually went away. “It was and doubles' partner Iva Jovic pulled offnot gional waters over the weekend. “Because of happening there Elina Svitolina, (7), 6-1, doubles opening round of the ASB Classic in at the center of what’s the7-6 storm afterin itthe was threatening, just normal,” accordNext page Philippine Navy Spokesperson Auckland, WTA (in the MiddleNew East),Zealand. it reflects on the for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext Next page Nextpage page
says online news report‘unfounded'
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Ahe WEB OF CRIME? Houseofleaders Aurelio Gonzales and Davidteachers. Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD attended the oathtaking more than 2,000 newly-promoted PCO CommAhearing shows the operations a criminalR.syndicate fugitive Michael then economic NEWwhich BEGINNING. Presidentof Ferdinand Marcos Jr.allegedly presentsled theby signed copy of theYang, 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) at the Ceremonial Hall of adviser of former President Rodrigo The Duterte, thatbudget, controlled the illegal activities the12314, POGOsamounts and wasto involved in the drugRevoli Cortez Malacanang Palace yesterday. national enacted as Republic ActofNo. Php6.793 trillion. trade and extrajudicial killings.
DBCC cuts growth PBBM leads target to 5-6% Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry Poquiz held on inciting sedition promotions amid headwinds
DOE: Another oil price cut DOTr’ nexts Bautista week
VP Sara hits House impeach ‘mini-trial’ PH lobbies UN By Katrina Manubay for Security Council seat ARRESTED.
Lack of votes forces suspension of Blue Ribbon hearing
would be ‘pointless’ without reaching a logical conclusion through a committee report that senators can debate, amend and adopt in accordance with Senate rules. “I do not expect any member of the minority to sign. They can offer all kinds of reasons all they want, wise or
Japan to provide $10 billion for oil-starved SEA nations
Navy spokes debunks China claim Jovic trump of military exercises inEala, Scarborough shoal Williams, Svitolina DOJ confirms new plunder charges in Auckland event
JAPAN aims to provide $10 billion in financial support to Southeast Asian nations struggling with surging crude oil prices amid tensions in the Middle East, government sources said Wednesday. The assistance will mainly take the form of loans aimed at helping countries secure crude oil supplies, the However, sources said. Martinez declined to By Pot Chavez identify the specific floodTakaichi control is projPrime Minister Sanae exTHE Department of Justice (DOJ) on ect involved so as not preempt pected to announce thetoplan duringthe an Monday confirmed that former Ako panel prosecutors. onlineofmeeting with Southeast Asian Bicol Party-list Representative While noin counsel appeared for the leaders later the they added. AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman ofZaldy the Executive Committee of SM day, Prime Holdings, Cowas is facing a plunder complaint filed former lawmaker, Martinez clarified Japan imports petroleum-based honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding prodbyFilipino the National ofAward Investigauctsleadership from Southeast Asia,notincluding that the proceedings be susRetailersBureau President for his visionary in retailwould development. tion (NBI). items used Jorge by medical facilities. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director pended. of SM Retail T. Mendiola, PRA Many countries in (The the region maintain limited In an interview justice Vice President andwith President andreportCOO of Golden, ABC, Inc. Penshoppe Group) ‘‘We are working with a timeline T. Liu,Department SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Hans T. Sy, oilExecutive reserves, raising concerns that they supers,Alice Justice spokesperson here. Any Committee respondent, whether PRA President and Chairman Quorum (Toby’s Robertoinaffect ply shortages could Attorney Polo Martinez said ofthe DOJ International, appear orInc.not, we Sports) willeventually proceed acS. Claudio, PRA Director and President Leisure, Inc. and shipmentswith toInt’l. Japan. received oneand additional plunder case of Sportshouse cordance the timeline under the proponent C. Chua against Co. of PRA OFR President’s Award Marsrules,’’ he said. Next Next page page Next page
filed vs. Co, unnamed co-accused