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EX-SPEAKER ASKS OMBUDSMAN TO DISMISS BASELESS PLUNDER RAP By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano FORMER Speaker Martin Romualdez has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss the plunder, graft and other criminal complaints filed against him, noting that accusations of his alleged links to the flood control mess were baseless.
Orly Guteza
Romualdez, in a supplemental counter-affidavit filed Thursday, said the recantation of retired Marine T/ Sgt. Orly Guteza proves that the allegations levelled against him were baseless. Guteza, in his new affidavit, retracted his earlier testimony that he delivered cash kickbacks in suitcases to the residences of Romualdez and former House appropriations panel
chairman Zaldy Co. Guteza said he was offered payment in exchange for implicating Romualdez. He identified former Anakalusgan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor as the one who pressured him to provide false testimony against the former Speaker. Guteza also identified Senator Marcoleta as the one who edited and completed his draft testimony that was typed by Defensor's
son-in-law, Mark. "Particularly as to Guteza, complainant [Ombudsman] SPI (Special Panel of Investigators) cannot rely upon his (Guteza's) former account insofar as it implicates me while disregarding his subsequent sworn repudiation of the very allegation for which he was invoked. Guteza was supposed to supply the factual bridge Next page
House eyes end to evidence presentations in September By Maricel Cruz
VOL. XL • NO. 189 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 •
Draw lessons from Ninoy’s life, says Marcos Jr. By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to draw lessons from the life and legacy of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. as the country observes Ninoy Aquino Day. In his Ninoy Aquino Day message, Mr. Marcos said Aquino’s memory serves as a reminder of the courage of Filipinos who stood by their convictions and helped shape the country’s democratic journey. "The memory of Ninoy Aquino reminds us of the courage of Filipinos to stand by their convictions and contribute to our nation’s democratic journey," President Marcos said. He reminded the public to acknowledge the lessons of the past and
THE House of Representatives prosecution panel will try to complete its presentation of evidence by the end of September to help the Senate impeachment court finish Vice President
Sara Duterte’s trial before December, House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Friday. In an online press briefing, Ridon said he supports Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian’s announcement Next page
DepEd: Hold active threat drills in schools Public, private schools to conduct safety drills Aug. 25 By Gabriel Oliva and Vince Lopez
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HE Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered all public and private basic education schools nationwide to hold a simultaneous active-threat drill at 9 a.m. Aug. 25 to strengthen preparedness against campus security threats.
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IN MEMORIAM. Representatives
of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and other organizations lay wreaths to commemorate yesterday the 43rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. NHCP
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police recorded 50 school-related incidents involving minor offenders, also called children in conflict with the law, since June 16. In Pinamungalan, Cebu, police found on Thursday afternoon a revolver inside the bag of a 14-year-old student of the Lut-od National High School. In Bantayan town, a 21-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for posting a series of online messages threatening to stage a gun assault at the Bantayan National High SchoolSenior High School. A memorandum signed by DepEd chief of staff Fatima Panontongan on Aug. 12 stated that the initiative comes on the heels of increasing incidence of violence and other security threats at schools and communities Next page worldwide.
88 areas under state of calamity, reports OCD By Rio N. Araja A TOTAL of 88 areas have been placed under a state of calamity, according to the latest disaster situation report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday. Dagupan City has one area under a state of calamity. In Pangasinan, four areas have been placed under a state of calamity, namely Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Bugallon, and Mangatarem. Bataan has 12 areas under a state of calamity, covering the entire province, Next page
SCHOOL SAFETY DRILL. This photo released on July 15, 2026 shows policemen simulating a security response for an active shooter threat during the National Safe Schools Summit and Safety Drill at the Manila Science High School. DepEd Philippines
Fuel prices seen to rise by as much as P2.25/l next week LOVE NOTE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sends an e-birthday
card with this love note to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos: My dear Liza, we're celebrating today a most important day in the calendar; Liza Day! Happy Birthday to the First Lady of every day of my life... and beyond! Bongbong Marcos FB
By Alena Mae S. Flores CONSUMERS are facing pump price hikes next week of as much as P2.25 per liter due to continuing geo-
political tensions in the Middle East. An industry source said Friday that diesel is forecast to increase by P1.75 to P2.25 per liter and gasoline by P1 to P1.50 per liter based on this
week’s Mean of Platts Singapore and foreign exchange average for the first four days of the week. Oil prices climbed due to a rebuild Next page