Blue Ribbon hearing may resume with Co’s return
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IN MET R MANILAO
By Joel E. Zurbano and Rex Espiritu
THE potential testimony of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may encourage more senators to endorse the committee’s partial report related to the multibillion flood control project scandal, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said. Lacson, the committee chairman, said the decision is now in the hands of the committee members, particularly those advocating for the resumption of hearings and for Co to be questioned. “Co’s arrest is a good development because now it’s up to them to ensure that the hearings resume. It’s on
VOL. XL • NO. 64 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES APRIL 19, 2026
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Iran opens, then closes again Hormuz Strait
Blames continued US blockade; Trump optimistic of peace deal
them – do they want the hearings to continue and for Co to be grilled? The burden is now on them to sign the partial report,” he said in an interview on Storycon on One News. Lacson said he plans to invite Co, among other resource persons, to the next hearing – but only after the partial committee report has been filed and sponsored. Earlier, Lacson suspended further hearings of the panel on the flood control mess until the partial report can get at least nine signatures for him to file and sponsor it in plenary. He said continuing the hearings Turn to A4
AIRLINES FEAR JET FUEL RATIONING NEWS/ A2
AUSSIE, JAPAN INK $6B WARSHIP DEAL WORLD / A4
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RAN’S military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, its military command said, hours after reopening it and with more than a dozen commercial ships passing through the vital waterway. The toing and froing over the strait cast doubt on US President Donald Trump’s optimism the day before, that a peace deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran was “very close.” Tehran had on Friday declared the strait, which usually carries a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, open on Friday after a ceasefire was agreed in Lebanon to halt Israel’s war with Hezbollah. That prompted elation in global markets and sent oil prices plunging, but with Trump insisting that a US naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a deal was concluded, Tehran threatened to shutter the strait once more.
KEEPING PRICES STABLE. Trailer trucks line up
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along Road 10 in Manila on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The government has suspended pass-through and delivery fees for vehicles transporting goods in the National Capital Region. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes said the move aims to stabilize prices and reduce supply chain costs amid the energy emergency. Norman Cruz
Higher rollback Tuesday: Diesel at P24.94/l—PBBM By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday announced a higher rollback in fuel prices set to take effect Tuesday while ordering oil companies to fully implement the reductions without delay. In a video statement, Mr. Marcos said diesel prices are expected to drop by about P24.94 per liter, while gasoline will decrease by P3.41 per liter and kerosene by P2 per liter. “It’s bigger than last week’s rollback and it’s clear what it means for all of us. There’s relief coming,” he said. Turn to A4
Fistfight? Madriaga tells Baste he’ll wait at Camp Bagong Diwa SELF-CONFESSED “bagman” Ramil Madriaga accepted the reported fistfight challenge by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, saying he was honored to be challenged by and exchange blows with a former presidential son. “Sir, I am now deprived of my liberty. I am helpless, and I am already 58 years old. Please try to
Waiver of bank secrecy makes Madriaga a star witness—solon
Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte
challenge someone of your average and height,” Madriaga said in a letter from detention through his legal counsel, lawyer Raymund Palad, as reported by ABS-CBN. The witness, who has been linked to the impeachment complaints involving Baste’s sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, continued by saying he would accept
Ramil Madriaga
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RAMIL Madriaga’s waiver of his rights under bank secrecy laws may turn him into one of the most important witnesses if the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said Saturday. In a statement, Ortega, one of the endorsers of the 4th impeachment Turn to A4
‘Kanto’ food bags culinary win in Canada THAILAND IN MAKATI. The two-day Thai Festival Manila 2026 opened Saturday, April 18, 2026, with cultural performances at the Legazpi Active Park.
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PHILIPPINE food diplomacy is making a mark in Canada as Filipino street food took center stage and bagged a culinary win in Ottawa this week. The Philippine Embassy in Canada, represented by Filipino chef David Vinoya and Chef Jan Michael Co, won the Judges’ Award at the 2026 YMCA Embassy Chef Showcase. The Philippines put a spotlight on “kanto” or street corner-themed Filipino cuisine, offering
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judges a curated selection of Filipino favorites from beef tapa barbecue, Turn to A4
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