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Millennials and Gen Z anti-corruption protesters force Nepal PM Oli to resign

Venus L Peñaflor
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Millennials and Gen Z anti-corruption protesters force Nepal PM Oli to resign

KATHMANDU, Nepal. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after days of violent protests led by young demonstrators, triggered by a controversial social media ban and deep-seated frustration over corruption in Nepal’s politics.

The government’s ban on popular platforms, along with a proposed law requiring social media companies to register and submit to local oversight, sparked outrage across the country. At least 19 protesters were killed on Monday as security forces opened fire, intensifying public anger and forcing Oli to roll back the ban before stepping down.

“Protests over the social media ban were just a catalyst. Frustrations over how the country is being run have long been simmering under the surface. People are very angry and Nepal finds itself in a very precarious situation,” said Prateek Pradhan, editor of the independent news website Baahrakhari.

The demonstrations, dubbed the “Gen Z protest,” were led largely by teenagers and young adults who expressed anger at corruption, nepotism, and widening inequality. Many cited the lavish lifestyles flaunted by politicians’ children on TikTok, while the average Nepali earns just $1,400 annually.

Rights groups condemned the proposed legislation as a tool for censorship, while critics accused the government of failing to address corruption scandals and high youth unemployment, which stood at 20% last year, according to the World Bank.

“All these issues have made the youth of Nepal dissatisfied. They saw no other option but to take to the streets,” Pradhan said.

The unrest has been described as Nepal’s worst in decades, more violent than the 2006 uprising that led to the end of the monarchy. Protesters have also called for the government to dissolve entirely, raising fears of further instability in a nation that has seen 13 governments since 2008.

“A transitional arrangement will now need to be charted out swiftly and include figures who still retain credibility with Nepalis, especially the country’s youth,” said Ashish Pradhan, senior adviser with the International Crisis Group.

Protester Nima Tendi Sherpa, 19, who was shot in the arm by police, said the movement must continue. “I don’t have any harsh feelings toward the policemen. They were just doing their duty by following orders. But I am angry and enraged at the ones who gave those orders. Now that the fire has already started, I believe it must continue until we achieve true freedom.”

The protests, which have now spread beyond Kathmandu, are being compared to youth-led uprisings in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka that toppled governments in recent years.

“It appears people are just done with how things have been going on. They want a change,” Pradhan said.

P1B komisyon sa ghost projects, ibinigay kay Hernandez; independent commission, papangalanan na ni Marcos

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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P1B komisyon sa ghost projects, ibinigay kay Hernandez; independent commission, papangalanan na ni Marcos

MAYNILA. Isiniwalat ng kontraktor na si Sally Santos ng SYMS Construction na nagbigay umano siya ng P1 bilyong komisyon kay dating Assistant District Engineer Brice Erickson Hernandez mula sa mga ghost projects sa Bulacan.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, sinabi ni Santos na sina Hernandez at dating Construction Section Chief ng 1st District Engineering Office na si Jaypee Mendoza lamang ang kanyang naging katransaksiyon. Ayon sa kanya, ang sistema ay pinapakontrata sa kanila ng Wawao Builders ang proyekto ayon sa direktiba nina Hernandez at Mendoza matapos magpahiram ng lisensiya.

Matapos maiproseso, pumapasok ang bayad ng gobyerno sa Wawao Builders, na idinedeposito naman sa account ng SYMS. Mula rito, inilalabas umano ni Santos ang pera na aabot sa P245 milyon at dinadala sa opisina ni Hernandez na nakalagay sa kahon ng noodles at mga tsitsirya.

Aminado si Santos na umabot sa P1 bilyon ang naideliber niya kay Hernandez mula 2022 hanggang 2025. Iginiit din niya na hindi niya nakatransaksiyon si dating District Engineer Henry Alcantara.

Samantala, inanunsyo ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na magtatatag siya ng isang independent commission na mag-iimbestiga sa mga anomalya sa flood control projects.

Ayon sa Pangulo, bubuuin ang komisyon ng mga abogado, mahistrado, imbestigador, at forensic accountant mula sa NBI at COA. “Wala pang formal name, pero ‘yun ang binubuo namin, independent commission para imbestigahan ito ngang mga lumalabas na anomalya sa mga flood control projects,” pahayag ni Marcos.

Dagdag pa niya, bibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang komisyon upang maglabas ng findings at rekomendasyon kung sino ang dapat kasuhan sa DOJ o Office of the Ombudsman.

“Who is more important, your friend, your political supporter, or every single ordinary Filipino citizen? Who is more important? To me, it’s the Filipino citizen. Nobody is more important than Filipinos. Nobody, nobody, not one person is more important,” diin ng Pangulo.

Israel strikes Hamas leaders in Qatar, Trump voices disapproval

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Israel strikes Hamas leaders in Qatar, Trump voices disapproval

DOHA/WASHINGTON. Israel launched an airstrike in Qatar on Tuesday targeting Hamas political leaders, in what the United States described as a unilateral move that does not advance either American or Israeli interests. The attack marked a sharp escalation in the conflict and drew widespread international condemnation.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy about every aspect” of the strike and would issue a full statement on Wednesday. “I’m not thrilled about it,” Trump told reporters in Washington. “It’s not a good situation but I will say this: We want the hostages back, but we’re not thrilled about the way it went down today.”

Israel defended the strike as justified, while Qatar condemned it as “state terrorism.” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani warned that the airstrike endangered peace talks that Qatar has been mediating between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas said five members were killed, including the son of senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, though its top leadership survived. Israel said the strike aimed at senior Hamas officials, including Hayya, but has yet to confirm the results.

Trump said eliminating Hamas was a “worthy goal” but criticized the attack for taking place in Qatar, a U.S. ally and host of al-Udeid Air Base. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump wrote on social media.

Qatar denied receiving advance warning, saying U.S. officials called only after blasts had already begun in Doha. The strike killed one member of Qatar’s internal security forces and injured others, according to the Qatari government. Al-Thani vowed that Qatar “reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack.”

The attack drew condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Pope Leo also expressed “very serious” concern about the consequences. The UAE, which normalized ties with Israel in 2020, called the strike “blatant and cowardly.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, linking it to a Hamas shooting in Jerusalem that killed six and to the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza. “The days are over when terror leaders can enjoy immunity of any kind,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.

The strike risks derailing fragile ceasefire talks and intensifying the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza, where local authorities say more than 64,000 people have been killed since October 2023. Israel has targeted Hamas leaders across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen, while pursuing its goal to demilitarize the enclave.

International critics warn Israel’s strategy could cause catastrophe for Palestinians and further destabilize the region, as families of hostages fear the assault may jeopardize their loved ones.

Lacson maghihigpit sa flood control scam, ex-DPWH engineer naglabas ng larawan ng salansan ng pera

Venus L Peñaflor
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Lacson maghihigpit sa flood control scam, ex-DPWH engineer naglabas ng larawan ng salansan ng pera

MAYNILA. Tiniyak ni Senate President Pro-Tempore at incoming Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo Lacson na hihigpitan ang imbestigasyon sa mga umano’y anomalya sa flood control projects sa pamamagitan ng masusing paghingi ng resibo at ebidensya mula sa mga resource persons.

Sa kanyang pahayag nitong Martes, sinabi ni Lacson na kabilang sa saklaw ng imbestigasyon ang lahat ng substandard at ghost flood control projects na nadawit sa korapsyon.

“Unang una, resibo ang hahanapin ko. Di pwedeng say-so, di pwedeng maski sino ang ituro ay hook, line and sinker, yun na yun. Siyempre hanapin mo ng pruweba. Kasi ako mahilig ako sa resibo eh. Pagka ako, sa privilege speech ko, hindi po pwedeng basta sasabihin ko lang na bali-balita lamang o sabi-sabi ng kung sino. Kailan tingnan mo, teka muna, anong magbaback-up dyan na ebidensya na totoo yan?” ani Lacson.

Dagdag niya, bubusisiin din ang mga umano’y ledger at voucher na naglalaman ng mga halagang ibinigay sa ilang opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at mga mambabatas. Binanggit niyang tututukan niya ang mga testimonya ng mga nag-akusa, kabilang sina Pacifico at Cezarah Discaya, upang maiwasan ang “selective” na pagsasabi ng impormasyon.

Sinabi ni Lacson na magsisimula siya kung saan natigil ang naunang mga pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee hinggil sa flood control anomalies.

Tiniyak din niya na hindi magkakaroon ng sagupaan sa magiging imbestigasyon ng bubuuing independent commission ng Malacañang, dahil ang Senado ay kikilos “in aid of legislation.”

“Wala. Magkahiwalay yan… Pero kung meron kaming makalap kaming evidence doon ipapasa namin sa independent commission. Nag-usap kami ni DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon diyan,” ani Lacson sa DZXL.

Ayon pa sa kanya, nabigyan na niya si Dizon ng ilang ebidensya mula sa kanyang unang privilege speech at muli siyang maghahain ng dagdag na dokumento matapos ang kanyang ikalawang talumpati.

Ex-DPWH engineer naglabas ng larawan ng salansan ng pera

Samantala, iprinisinta ng dating DPWH engineer na si Brice Hernandez ang mga larawan ng umano’y salansan ng pera na kaugnay ng flood control projects.

Ayon kay Hernandez, kuha ang mga larawan noong 2022 hanggang 2023 sa Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.

“Ako po ang nag-picture nito kasi diyan lang po ako nakakita ng ganyan karaming pera,” aniya.

Sinabi rin niya na ang lalaking nakasuot ng asul na polo sa isa sa mga larawan ay si Henry Alcantara, dating inhinyero ng DPWH Bulacan 1st District, na umano’y kasama niya sa tanggapan.

Dagdag ni Hernandez, ang perang nakunan sa opisina at maging sa kanilang “tambayan” ay hindi pag-aari ni Alcantara kundi nakalaan para sa mga “proponent” ng proyekto.

“As far as my knowledge is concerned, ibibigay po iyan sa tao, yun nga pong tinatawag na proponent na kausap niya,” paliwanag niya.

Ngunit nilinaw ni Hernandez na hindi na niya matandaan kung kanino inihatid ang pera. Dagdag pa niya, “Sa office po namin, normal po iyan.”

South Korea secures release of 300 workers detained in Hyundai plant raid

EDGARDO HERNAL
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South Korea secures release of 300 workers detained in Hyundai plant raid

SEOUL, South Korea. More than 300 South Korean workers detained in a massive U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and flown home, the South Korean government announced Sunday.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae Myung, said Seoul and Washington had concluded negotiations for the workers’ release. He added that South Korea would send a chartered plane once final administrative steps were completed.

The Foreign Ministry said both governments are working on arrangements to allow the workers to return voluntarily. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to depart for the United States on Monday afternoon to pursue further talks on the issue.

U.S. immigration authorities confirmed Friday that 475 people were detained, most of them South Korean nationals, after hundreds of federal agents raided Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia. The raid focused on a plant under construction where Hyundai has partnered with LG Energy Solution to produce EV batteries. Cho said more than 300 of those detained were South Koreans.

The operation was part of workplace raids linked to the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies. However, Thursday’s raid drew particular attention due to its scale and because the targeted site has been promoted as Georgia’s largest economic development project.

The incident alarmed many in South Korea, a key U.S. ally, especially after Seoul had recently agreed to purchase $100 billion in U.S. energy and invest $350 billion in the United States in exchange for lower tariff rates. The raid came less than two weeks after President Donald Trump met President Lee in Washington.

Speaking Sunday night at Andrews Air Force Base, Trump suggested that South Korean workers might temporarily remain to train U.S. workers. “If you don’t have people in this country right now that know about batteries, maybe we should help them along and let some people come in and train our people,” he said. “The way you train people is bring people in that know what they’re doing, let them stay for a little while and help.”

Lee emphasized that the rights of South Korean nationals and the economic activities of South Korean companies should not be “unfairly infringed upon during U.S. law enforcement procedures.” The Foreign Ministry also expressed “concern and regret” and dispatched diplomats to the site.

Footage released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed federal agents directing workers to line up, frisking detainees, and shackling some at the wrists, ankles, and waist. Most were taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, near the Florida state line.

Steven Schrank, lead Georgia agent for Homeland Security Investigations, said Friday that none of the detainees had yet been charged with crimes. He noted that some had illegally crossed the U.S. border, while others had overstayed visas or violated visa waiver restrictions prohibiting employment.

Kang said South Korea would review and improve visa systems for business travelers involved in investment projects in the United States.

Hernandez binanggit sina Estrada, Villanueva sa flood control anomalies; ilang opisyal at contractors kinasuhan na

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hernandez binanggit sina Estrada, Villanueva sa flood control anomalies; ilang opisyal at contractors kinasuhan na

MAYNILA. Ibinunyag ni Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez na may ilang senador umano ang sangkot sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects.

Sa pagdinig ng House Infrastructure Committee nitong Martes, pinangalanan niya sina Senador Jinggoy Estrada at Senador Joel Villanueva bilang kabilang sa mga mambabatas na umano’y konektado sa naturang mga proyekto.

“Puwede po bang ‘wag ninyo na kong ibalik sa Senate, your honor? Kasi may mga involved pong senador dito,” pahayag ni Hernandez. Dagdag pa niya, “Hindi ko po alam ang magiging kapalaran ko, kung ibabalik ninyo ko.”

Nitong Lunes, una nang ipinacite in contempt ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee si Hernandez matapos niyang paulit-ulit na tanggihan ang mga alegasyon tungkol sa umano’y pagkakasangkot niya sa mga casino ventures.

Samantala, sinampahan na ng kaso sa Office of the Ombudsman ang ilang contractors at opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na umano’y nasa likod ng maanomalyang multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

Kasama sa kinasuhan ng Commission on Audit (COA) Chair Gamaliel Cordoba at Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon ang contractors na Wawao Builders, St. Timothy na pag-aari ni Sara Discaya, at Syms Construction Trading. Ayon sa reklamo, sangkot umano ang mga ito sa ghost projects at substandard flood control projects sa Bulacan.

Kabilang din sa mga pinangalanan sa kaso sina dating Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, kanyang assistant district engineer na si Hernandez, Project Engineer Paul Duya, at Construction Section Chief Jaypee Mendoza.

Ang pagsasampa ng kaso ay kasabay ng nagpapatuloy na imbestigasyon ng Senado hinggil sa naturang anomalya.

Nauna nang inihayag ng mag-asawang Sarah at Curlee Discaya na pinilit umano sila ng mga tiwaling opisyal na makiisa sa maanomalyang bidding at magbigay ng malaking halaga ng pera kapalit ng kontrata. Gayunman, mariin itong itinanggi ng mga inakusahan.

Mga kongresista at DPWH officials, inilantad ng Discaya couple

Venus L Peñaflor
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Mga kongresista at DPWH officials, inilantad ng Discaya couple

MAYNILA. Ibinunyag ng mag-asawang Sarah at Curlee Discaya ang mga pangalan ng ilang kongresista, kanilang mga staff, at mga opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na umano’y sangkot sa katiwalian kaugnay ng mga flood control project sa bansa.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee kahapon, sinabi ni Curlee Discaya na paulit-ulit silang napipilitang makisangkot sa sistema upang matuloy ang mga proyektong iginawad sa kanila.

“Paulit ulit kaming ginamit ng mga nasa puwesto sa sistemang ito, wala kaming magawa dahil kung hindi kami makikisama, gagawan nila ng problema ang project na na-award sa amin sa pagitan ng mutual termination o pagkakaroon ng right of way problem na parehong nagdudulot ng hindi matuloy ang implementasyon ng mga proyekto,” pahayag ni Discaya.

Dagdag niya, matapos silang manalo sa bidding ay nilalapitan sila ng mga opisyal ng DPWH upang manghingi ng porsyento mula sa proyekto.

“Ang hinihingi nilang porsyento ay hindi bababa sa 10 porsyento at umaabot pa ng 25% na naging kondisyon para hindi maipit ang pagpapatupad ng programa,” aniya.

Pinangalanan ng mag-asawa sina Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo; Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang; Quezon City Reps. Patrick Michael Vargas, Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Reynante “Reynan” Arogancia, Marvin Rillo, at Marivic Co Pillar; Agap Party-list Rep. Nicanor “Nikki” Briones; Marikina Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro; San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes; Romblon Rep. Leandro Jesus Madrona; Rep. Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao Jr.; An-Waray Party-list Rep. Florencio Gabriel Bem Noel; Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody “Ode” Tarriela; Aklan Rep. Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco; Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Yufela; at Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio.

Kasama rin sa binanggit si dating Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava.

Sinabi ni Curlee na maging mga tauhan ng ilang pulitiko ay humihingi rin ng porsyento kapalit ng mga proyektong kanilang nakuha.

Samantala, kabilang sa mga opisyal ng DPWH na tinukoy ay sina Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte ng Region V; Director Ramon Arriola III ng Unified Project Management Offices; District Engineer Henry Alcantara ng Bulacan 1st District; Undersecretary Robert Bernardo; District Engineer Aristotle Ramos ng Metro Manila 1st District; District Engineer Edgardo Pingol ng Bulacan Sub-DEO; at District Engineer Michael Rosaria ng Quezon 2nd DEO.

Ayon kay Discaya, madalas na binabanggit ng mga nasabing opisyal na ang perang kinokolekta ay para umano kay Zaldy Co, na dapat ay hindi bababa sa 25 porsyento.

“Si Cong. Marvin Rillo naman ay ilang beses binabanggit ang pangalan ni Speaker Martin Romualdez bilang kanyang malapit na kaibigan,” dagdag ni Discaya.

Dahil dito, humingi ng tulong ang mag-asawang Discaya kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee para sa proteksiyon at seguridad ng kanilang pamilya.

Vicente “Tito” Sotto, muling nahalal bilang Senate President

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Vicente “Tito” Sotto, muling nahalal bilang Senate President

MAYNILA. Muling nahalal si Senador Vicente “Tito” Sotto III bilang Senate President matapos palitan si Senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero bilang pinuno ng mataas na kapulungan.

Sa plenaryo, inihain ni Senador Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri ang mosyon na ideklarang bakante ang posisyon ng Senate President, na agad inaprubahan ni Escudero. Pagkatapos ay in-nominate ni Zubiri si Sotto, na inilarawan niya bilang isang “leader of great integrity,” at pinangalawahan ito ni Senadora Loren Legarda.

“With Senator Sotto as senate president, the Senate is in good hands,” pahayag ni Zubiri.

Inaprubahan naman ang mosyon ni Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, at walang tumutol mula sa 24 na miyembro ng Senado.

Ayon kay Sotto, alam na niya ang mga hakbang para sa pagpapalit ng pamunuan sa Senado. Nang tanungin sa isang ambush interview kung siya nga ang papalit kay Escudero, sagot niya, “Parang ganun.”

Sinabi rin ni Sotto na nakakuha siya ng suporta mula sa 15 senador. Idinagdag niya na si Zubiri ang “most likely” na susunod na majority leader kapalit ni Senador Joel Villanueva, habang si Senador Panfilo “Ping” Lacson naman ang posibleng pumalit kay Estrada bilang Senate President Pro Tempore.

Ibinahagi rin ni Sotto na nakausap na niya si Escudero bago ang plenary session. “I have to see him (Escudero)… Ang una kong tinanong is how do you want to do this? Sabi niya, ‘It’s up to you, how do you prefer to do it?’ Sabi niya… ‘Let’s do it and declare the Senate president vacant,’” ani Sotto.

Six Killed in Jerusalem bus stop shooting, attackers identified as Palestinians

Venus L Peñaflor
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Six Killed in Jerusalem bus stop shooting, attackers identified as Palestinians

JERUSALEM. Six people were killed and more than 20 others injured on Monday when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem, in what police described as “a terrorist attack.” It was one of the deadliest assaults in the city in recent years.

Dashboard camera footage from Ramot Junction showed people fleeing as shots were fired near a bus parked by the roadside. Israel Police said the attackers were shot dead at the scene by a soldier and an armed civilian. Several guns, ammunition, and a knife were recovered.

“Suddenly I hear the shots starting … I felt like I was running for an eternity,” said Ester Lugasi, who was injured in the attack. “I thought I was going to die.”

The ambulance service said the victims included a 50-year-old man, a woman in her fifties, and three men in their thirties. Six others remained in serious condition with gunshot wounds. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar later confirmed a sixth fatality, identifying the gunmen as Palestinians from the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a full closure of the area from which the attackers originated, according to the Israeli military. Police said a suspect from East Jerusalem was arrested for alleged involvement in the incident.

Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that a Spanish citizen was among those killed and condemned the attack. France, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates also issued statements of condemnation.

“A painful and difficult morning. Innocent civilians, women, men, and children were brutally murdered and wounded in cold blood on a bus in Jerusalem by vile and evil terrorists,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas released a statement condemning “any targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.” However, Hamas praised the two Palestinian “resistance fighters,” while Islamic Jihad also welcomed the attack. Neither group claimed responsibility.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the scene, said Israeli forces were pursuing individuals suspected of aiding the gunmen. The Israeli military said soldiers had been deployed to assist police in the Ramot area and were conducting operations in Ramallah to interrogate suspects and “thwart terrorism.”

The attack comes against the backdrop of nearly two years of war in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have killed more than 64,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Gazan health officials. The conflict began after a Hamas-led assault on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 captives taken into Gaza, according to Israeli figures.

Israel has seen a surge in shootings and stabbings targeting civilians and soldiers since the outbreak of the war. In October 2024, two Palestinians killed seven people in Tel Aviv. In November 2023, three people were killed in another Jerusalem bus stop shooting. In January 2023, a Palestinian gunman killed seven people at a synagogue in the city.

Escudero, Villanueva, Go, Villar, Duterte at iba pang ‘lodi’ ng nepo babies; Vico Sotto lang ‘sakalam’

DC Alviar
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Escudero, Villanueva, Go, Villar, Duterte at iba pang ‘lodi’ ng nepo babies; Vico Sotto lang ‘sakalam’

Hindi pa rin ba papangalanan sa kabila ng kapal ng apog? Pwede na sapagkat sila naman ang sumisira sa kanilang pangalan sa sobrang dali ba namang makapangurakot sa bansa ng 117 milyong Pilipino. Madali rin namang sabihing “kawawa naman ang mga binaha” na may kasamang acting job kapag may privilege speech sa Senado na mas magandang pagkakataon para sila mismo ang makaiwas sa imbestigasyon.

Iyan ang problema natin kay Magalong. Sino-sino ba ang inaakusahan niya at bakit hindi niya mabanggit-banggit? Hindi tulad ni Vico Sotto na sapul na sapul ang kilay ni Escudero (mamaya pa pala siya) este Korina at Babao sa positive interviews—bagama’t hindi pa huli ang lahat para makabawi sa mga kabaro nilang mamamahayag kung si journalism associate professor Danilo Arao ang pakikinggan—na inilaan ng dalawa sa maanomalyang kontratistang mag-asawang Discaya. Nakalkula, napag-aralan, napangalanan ni Vico, at naging batis ng iba para lumakas din ang loob na magmulat ng kapwa o magpaamoy ng mababantot na katotohanan sa mga umano’y mababangong pangalan sa serbisyo publiko.

Pero sa punong lungsod ng Baguio, kwestiyonable ang timing ng exposé (again, without naming names) niya sa kasalukuyang administrasyon; hindi naman tayo nakarinig ng ganito mula 2016 hanggang 2022 sa kanya. Heto ang clue galing mismo kay Magalong nitong Pebrero: “Never, never. I don’t regret supporting (ex-President Duterte). He was very supportive, he was very genuine …Wala akong nakitang pretensions sa kanya.” Kaya naman reaksyon ng netizen na si Lordic Reyes, “Ikaw lang ang natulungan… hindi ang mamamayan.”

Doon maaaninag ang dahilan para hindi na kailangang pangalanan pa ang opisyal ng gobyerno sa pagtulong sa kapwa; nasa pwesto sila ng paglilingkod at pinasasahod ng buwis ng taumbayan. Kasi kung ganoon lang, kakailanganin pang isa-isahin ang mga pangalan ng mga nagbabayad ng withholding tax tuwing quincena at katapusan bilang halimbawa. Normal lang namang makatulong kaya, para sa yumaong senadora Miriam Defensor Santiago, bawal na talaga ang “epal” (credit-grabber).

Bago natin malimutan: Merong 1% para makarating sa 100% hangga’t hindi pa nauubos, pero ang 1% na inaming tinanggap ni SP Escudero ay P5.16 billion. Flood control contracts na 1% “lang” ha. Huli ka, Chiz. Hindi magpapa-kabog sa matitinding pasabog nitong Agosto at Setyembre ang asawang pulitiko ng artistang naglalalagi sa Paris na si Heart Evangelista.

Halimbawa, P30 million ang tinanggap ni Chiz sa donor noong kampanya sa halalan 2022. Ang umamin: si Centerways Construction and Development Inc. President Lawrence Lubiano. Tumatanggap ng mga kontrata sa pamahalaan ito ha.

Nilinaw ni Lubiano sa pag-uusisa ni Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list) na 2009 pa nang makapagsimulang maki-bid sa mga proyektong pagkontrol sa baha ang kompanya. Nasa 80 daw na proyekto ang napanalunan ng Centerways Construction mula 2022 hanggang 2025.

Isa ang kompanyang ito sa napangalanang top 15 contractors na nakakuha ng flood control projects sa unang tatlong taon ng administrayong Marcos Jr. Kinumpirma pa ni Lubiano na Sorsogon (balwarte ni Escudero) ang pinatutunguhan ng mga proyekto ng kompanya ng pamilya. Nasa 30 proyekto pa nga ito, ani Lubiano bagamat nasa 50-53 flood control contracts ang nai-award sa Centerways Construction sa datos na nakita ni Diokno mula sa Sumbong sa Pangulo website.

Mukhang inaapi ang kasama nila sa Senado, kaya ang pinakamagaling na gawin para makatulong sa kapwa senador? Manahimik sa isyu. Magtanong, huwag lang tungkol kay Chiz. At dahil “2016” ang panahong nagsimula umanong umariba sa pangongontrata ang mga Discaya, nawala na ng follow-up question si Bato Dela Rosa.

Nangunguna sa pagsasawalang kibo si Mark Villar na umupong kalihim ng lagi na lang tinuturong kurakot na Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) noong panahon ng panunungkulan ni Duterte. Malakas magpalitrato kay Villar ang mga Discaya, at saan pa malakas? Balakajan, sabi ng mga netizen.

Sunod naman sina Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go (CLTG o Bong Go, hindi naman nakalilito) at Joel Villanueva. Sige, subukan mong magsalita kung hindi ka maparatanganang sinungaling at malayong malayo sa Prophet Joel ng scripture: “I cannot speak for the other house, but as far as I am concerned, here in the Senate, I do not know any senator linked to any of these 15 contractors mentioned. So just do the math. It’s only one plus one.”

Nauna nang itinanggi ng Pangulo ng Senado ang alegasyong nagsingit siya ng bilyon-bilyong piso sa 2025 budget at meron lang naninira na mate-trace daw niya sa Mababang Kapulungan.

Trying to keep his head still, here’s Escudero: “They first claimed that I made a P9 billion insertion for Sorsogon, then P12 billion for Bulacan. Then, P142 billion and then they changed it to P150 billion. What’s this? They first said I was alone and then, they implicated Sen. Joel Villanueva, and now it’s the entire Senate.”

Hindi pa sinabing buong gobyerno ng tambalang UniTeam na Marcos-Duterte.

Hindi lang si Escudero kundi marami pang naniniwala kay Sara Duterte na mahusay magpahawak at magpalabas ng pondo ng DepEd at Office of the Vice President (OVP); marami pa kasing “Mary Grace Piattos,” nasa 1,300 ang mga benepisyaryo (walang ganoong pangalan sa Philippine Statistics Authority; meron kung si Bato ang paniniwalaan at marami daw doon sa Davao).

Magiging matuwid at akma ang imbestigasyon ng mga maanomalyang ghost projects kung at kung meron tayong matinong Ombudsman. May makukuha ba tayo? O may makukuha ba sila? Mahahaba ang kanilang mga galamay. Magagaling magkubli. Kung maka-“awit” sa kanilang district engineer, wagas! Kaya hindi malayong gugustuhin nila siyempreng mga bata nila ang mapwesto.

Nagtambalan ang himpilang pantelebisyon na GMA at Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) at heto ang bahagi ng kanilang masasabi sa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcWPSjORkEo: “Senators Escudero, VIllanueva at Go, kabilang sa mga may kaanak, kaibigan o campaign contributor na government contractor… Ilang mambabatas ang may kaanak, kaibigan o ‘di kaya’y may campaign donor na may mga kontrata rin sa gobyerno. Batay ‘yan sa pag-aaral ng (dalawang organisasyon). Ang ibang mambabataas nga tumatayo pa ring opisyal ng ilang government contracting companies hanggang ngayon.”

Balik tayo sa umpisa: Papangalanan ba o papangalanan? Bakit hindi?

Nepo Babies

“Make corruption shameful again,” giit ni CBCP President and Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David. Gamitin daw ang social media at internet para lalong maging mapagmatiyag (“not just for outrage but for vigilance”).

Gustong makita ni David na nailalantad ang kawalang katarungan, ang facts, at ang pangangailangan sa reporma. Dagdag pa niya: “If floodwaters rise because public funds are stolen, the greater flood is the corruption that drowns our future. We cannot build a nation on foundations of systemic corruption. We can only rebuild it on social justice and the resolve to work together for the common good.”

Sinasakop na ang espasyong online ng tinatawag na nepo babies. Ang mga matatanda sa kanilang mga angkan ang sumisira sa sistema ng check-and-balance at payak na pamumuhay ng mga nakaupong lingkod-bayan (ibig sabihi’y sakupin nawa ng susunod na batas ang kanilang pami-pamilya dahil mapagmalaki rin sila sa karangyaan). Ang mga ito’y nagbubunga rin ng malaking dagok sa mga kalsadang pinaaayos natin, mga imburnal na sinisipsip at tinatanggalan natin ng bara, mga kabataang pinakakain, pinag-aaral, iniaahon natin sa baha at kahirapan, at kalikasang inaalagaan at nililigtas natin, kaya sama-sama nating labanan sa isip, sa salita, sa gawa, sa panalangin, ang paghahari-harian ng mga angkan ng mga pulitiko at paparating pang dynastic clans.

Wala pa ring pasya ang hukuman kung mauutusan ba nila ang Kongreso na magpasa ng batas laban sa political dynasty na ipinagbabawal naman ng Saligang Batas. Magpasya tayong laging mulat, hindi gulat sa pansasaid sa kaban ng bayan ng mga tiwaling opisyal.

Napakaraming nepo babies at mga pangalang notoryus sa pinakapinag-uusapang kambal na isyu ng pagnanakaw at karangyaan ngayon sa lipunang Pilipino. May sari-sariling talaan pa niyan ang mga pulitikong nagkakaisa at nagtutunggali sa pataasan ng ihi at nakukurakot sa proyektong bayan. Isipin na lang na may talaang ganyan—scripted pa—ang Duterte laban sa Marcos, at listahan ng Marcos laban sa Duterte. Isipin din ang mayayamang negosyante na kailangang yumaman nang yumanan sa kabila ng lahat ng underdevelopment, sumasamang kondisyon sa paggawa, at lumalalang kagutuman.

Kung magpapaulit-ulit ang lahat ng ito, mahiya naman tayong lahat!

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