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PCCI airs concerns over P85 NCR daily minimum wage hike By Othel V. Campos and Vito Barcelo THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed concern over the P85 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the National Capital Region,
warning that higher labor costs could strain businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), unless accompanied by productivity gains and measures to reduce the cost of doing business. The Department of Labor and
VOL. XL • NO. 138 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026 •
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MARKED CHANGE. Heeding the outrage over the virtual closure of EDSA’s northbound road on Tuesday, right photo, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) continue their protest against corruption and call for accountability at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Wednesday, left photo, without closing down the thoroughfare. INC News and Updates, Manny Palmero
QC revokes INC rally permit; protest moves to Manila
OMB: Rally won’t stop filing of plunder rap vs. Marcoleta
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Vince Lopez and Rio Araja
Palace: Senator’s own admissions basis of case By Rex Espiritu, Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
O
MBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said the plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta will still be filed despite the protest rallies from his Iglesia ni Cristo supporters. “Nothing has changed. We will file the case,” Remulla said. “Their rally is part of their freedom of expression, but it is based on a wrong premise. There is no selective justice in this country when it comes to the Ombudsman,” he added. Marcoleta, for his part,
expressed confidence he will be acquitted of the plunder rap. “I am very sure that the court will not find me guilty because as I said, these are all fabricated cases and they are not within the meaning, within the contemplation and within the parameters of
our plunder law,” he said on Wednesday. The Ombudsman earlier said the non-bailable plunder case will be filed before the Sandiganbayan over Marcoleta’s undeclared campaign contributions worth around P75 million during the 2025 elections. Aside from Marcoleta, Remulla said the case will also cover former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray. “When there is a motu proprio investigation, we don’t stop it,”
Remulla said, referring to the Ombudsman’s power to initiate a probe on its own initiative. “The evidence is in front of you – might as well bring it to court.” “Whether you are a high-ranking official or not, if a wrongdoing was committed, it should be corrected,” he added. Malacañang likewise rejected accusations of “selective justice” in the expected filing of charges against Marcoleta. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro Next page
Marcos off to Canada for 4-day visit; unfazed by INC protest rally By Charles Dantes
THE Quezon City local government yesterday revoked the permit to rally that would have allowed the Iglesia ni Cristo extend their rally for a third day today (July 2), citing the “massive inconvenience” their protest has caused. “Thousands ended up getting late for work or school. Businesses were disrupted,” the QC Department of Public Order and Safety said in a statement. “They also violated the agreement to remain along White Plains and not to occupy EDSA.” As of past 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Next page
Prosecution eyes translators during VP’s trial By Maricel V. Cruz
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flew to Canada on Wednesday evening for a four-day official visit despite the continuing EDSA rally, with Malacañang saying the President saw no reason to cancel the trip. Meanwhile, the President pledged continued investments in the modernization of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the development of its personnel, saying a stronger and more capable air force is vital to protecting the country’s sovereignty and addressing evolving security challenges. Speaking at a Palace press briefing before the Chief Executive’s departure, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos sees no reason to cancel because it had long been scheduled and would not allow rumors of destabilization to interrupt his work. Castro said Mr. Marcos believes the rally organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) leadership was intended to promote transparency and accountability, goals that she said are already being pursued by the administration. “The President believes in the leadership of the INC and Next page
HOUSE Prosecution Panel spokesperson and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Wednesday said the panel is considering engaging translators in major Philippine languages, including Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, and others, to help explain the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte clearly and accurately to the public. Next page
MODERNIZATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. views the modern armaments of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on display during its 79th Founding Anniversary at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. The event reaffirms the PAF’s commitment to becoming a modern, dependable and adaptable force capable of operating across the air, land, sea, cyber and information domains. PCO
Risa identifies adult ‘groomer’ of shooters
CIDG WANTS HOMICIDE RAPS VS. BALDWIN NEWS/ A2
EALA FACES JOINT IN WIMBY 2ND ROUND
Alex Eala
SPORTS / A8
By Ram Superable
TACLOBAN SHOOTING HEARING.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the senate committee on women children family relations and gender equality, leads the inquiry on the Tacloban City shooting incident involving minors that occurred on June 22, 2026. Joseph Muego
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she has identified the possible “adult groomer” of student-gunmen in the deadly June 22 Tacloban school shooting incident, although she clarified that her findings were still preliminary. The police officer who owned the gun used in the school shooting claimed that her nephew broke into her home and “forcibly damaged” a Next page
RAZON IS 3RD RICHEST IN ASEAN REGION NEWS/ A2 Enrique K. Razon