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Hamon at spaghetti, hindi persona non grata

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hamon at spaghetti, hindi persona non grata

Ang deklarasyon ng Sangguniang Panlungsod kay Executive Assistant Rick Jayson Tatlonghari bilang persona non grata ay hindi biglaang nangyari. Ito ay nag-ugat sa isyu hinggil sa ₱45-milyong kahilingan ni Mayor Najie Gapangada para sa Pamaskong Handog o Noche Buena package na nakalaan sa halos 85,000 pamilya sa lungsod ng San Pablo.

Noong sinabi na kailangan ng “karagdagang pagsusuri,” ang panukala ay posibleng maantala at hindi na umabot sa Pasko dahil sa 45-araw na posting period para sa bidding. Ipinagtanggol ni Tatlonghari ang mayor nang lantaran at ito ang naging mitsa ng buong political na kontrobersiya.

Hindi bago ang tensyon sa pagitan ni Tatlonghari at ng Sangguniang Panlungsod. Dati na siyang nagkaroon ng isyu sa konseho noong hindi kinumpirma ang kanyang posisyon bilang city administrator dahil sa pagiging “hindi taga-San Pablo” at dahil sa ilang pending na kaso laban sa kanya. Ang lumalalang sitwasyong ito ay naging backdrop sa kasalukuyang political drama. Bagaman at kilala si Tatlonghari bilang isang competent na opisyal na may sapat na edukasyon at karanasan para sa kanyang tungkulin.

Hindi inosente si Tatlonghari sa sitwasyong ito. Sa kanyang pagtatanggol ay nagpakita siya ng radikal at mainit na pananalita, na hindi na bago sa publiko. Sa paraan ng kanyang depensa, maaaring naipahiwatig niya na ang konseho ay nagtatagal, namumulitika, o hindi makatarungan. Kahit na ipinapahayag lamang niya ang frustrasyon ng administrasyon, mas lalo nitong pinainit ang eksena. Kung sa salitang San Pablo ay “bargas” ang kanyang dating, matalim at nakakagasgas lalo na kung balat-sibuyas.

Sa isang banda, dapat maging maingat ang mga opisyal sa kanilang pananalita. Ang mga pahayag ni Tatlonghari, kahit may batayan sa tunay na alalahanin sa operasyon, ay lumabas na confrontational. Sa usapin ng oras, logistics, at malaking badyet, mahalaga ang tamang komunikasyon. Kung may mali o kulang na paglalarawan, may karapatan ang konseho na humingi ng paglilinaw.

Ngunit mas masama ang tugon ng konseho. Pinili ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ang pinakamalalang tugon: ideklara siyang persona non grata. Hindi ito pormal na reklamo. Hindi ito hiling ng paglilinaw. Hindi ito administrative review. Hindi ito dialogo. Wala itong kwenta.

Ito ay simbolikong resolusyon lang na walang bisa sa batas, na mapapagkamalang may bahid ng pampulitikang layuning manghiya at hindi lutasin ang problema. Isa itong emosyonal na reaksyon na hindi nababagay sa pamamahala.

Kung tunay na hangad ng konseho ang transparency, dapat nilang hinarap ang mga isyung itinataas ni Tatlonghari, tulad ng: bakit matagal ang pag-apruba, ano ang kulang na dokumento o compliance, bakit hindi agad isinampa sa kabila ng predictability ng Pasko, at kung ginagamit lang ba ang 45-araw para ma-delay sa proseso. Sa halip, pinarusahan ang kritiko, iniwan ang problema.

Parehong silang nabigo sa kanilang constituents. Dito makikita ang kakulangan sa balanseng pamamahala. Dapat naipahayag ni Tatlonghari ang kanyang depensa nang hindi nag uudyok ng alitan. Maaaring maging matapang sa pananalita, pero may paggalang. Sa kabilang banda, ang konseho ay dapat tumugon gamit ang facts at dokumento, hindi sa pamamagitan ng persona non grata na wala namang nalutas.

Kapwa nag-ambag ang dalawang panig sa eksenang mas inuuna ang ego kaysa pamamahala. Ang tunay na isyu ay mga ina ng tahanan na umaasa at naghihintay ng mailuluto sa Christmas Eve. Ang buong drama ay walang value laban sa 85,000 pamilya na dapat tumanggap ng tulong. Gipit sila ngayong Pasko dahil sa magkakasunod na bagyo. Sa halip na ibuhos ang pansin sa maayos na pamamahagi ng pang noche buena sana, ang pamunuan ng lungsod ay nawala sa gitna ng pulitikal na intriga.

Sino nga ang talagang naapektuhan? Hindi si Tatlonghari. Hindi ang mga konsehal kundi ng mga tao. Ang mga pamilya na naghihintay ng Noche Buena package na hindi interesado sa pulitikal na alitan kundi sa pagkain sa kanilang hapag.

Karapat-dapat ang San Pablo sa mature at may disiplinang pamumuno. Nasusubok ang liderato sa gitna ng alitan, at mismong sa pagkakataong ito. Kailangan matutunan ni Tatlonghari ang disiplina ng isang senior executive staff. Kailangan matutunan ng konseho ang maturity na inaasahan sa mambabatas na marunong kumilos at magdesisyon ng mahinahon, may batayan, at walang ego.

Ang pampublikong serbisyo ay hindi teleserye. Ang persona non grata ay hindi tatak ng mahusay na pamamahala. At ang internal na hindi pagkakaunawaan ay hindi dapat maging sagabal sa paghahatid ng pangunahing serbisyo ng lungsod.

Karapat-dapat ang San Pablo sa mga opisyal na inuuna ang paglilinaw kaysa drama, pamilya kaysa politika, at katotohanan kaysa paghihiganti.

Ang deklarasyon kay Tatlonghari bilang persona non grata ay hindi nag-ayos sa ₱45-milyong isyu. Hindi nito pinabilis ang pamamahagi ng pamaskong pagkain. Hindi nito sinagot ang tanong ng publiko.

Ang tanging ipinakita nito ay mas malalim na suliranin ng pamahalaang lungsod na hindi nagkakaunawaan at tila napakagulo.

Karapat-dapat ang San Pablo sa mas mahusay na liderato. Nakaantabay ang mga botante.

Trump moves to dismantle education department

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump moves to dismantle education department

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is taking a major step to reduce the role of the U.S. Education Department by transferring several of its largest grant programs to other federal agencies.

The changes, announced Tuesday, mark a significant advance in the administration’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the department, which has primarily focused on job cuts since President Donald Trump called for its elimination in March.

Six new agreements will move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notably, the Department of Labor will oversee some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including the $18 billion Title I program for schools serving low-income communities.

Opponents warn the shift could disrupt programs supporting some of the nation’s most vulnerable students. Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island’s K-12 education chief, noted that state officials rely on the expertise of Education Department staff to coordinate funding for children with complex needs, such as those in special education, multilingual learners, or living in poverty.

Department officials said funding levels set by Congress will remain unchanged. They did not specify whether the move would lead to additional layoffs at the department, which has already seen mass reductions and voluntary retirements.

“The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.”

Key areas of the department, including the $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio and funding for students with disabilities, will remain in place, although McMahon has suggested both could be better managed by other agencies. The Office for Civil Rights, which handles discrimination complaints, is also unaffected.

The new agreements follow a June pilot project that moved adult education programs to Labor. Under the current plan, Labor will now oversee nearly all K-12 and higher education grant programs, including teacher training, English instruction, and TRIO programs that help low-income students access college.

This effectively outsources the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Postsecondary Education, two of its largest units. However, the postsecondary office will retain oversight of student loan policy and accreditation for colleges to receive federal aid.

Other agreements assign the Department of Health and Human Services to manage a grant program for college-going parents and foreign medical school accreditation. The State Department will handle foreign language programs, while the Interior Department will oversee Native American education programs.

Union leaders warned the changes could weaken support for students and educators. “That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff,” said Rachel Gittleman, president of AFGE Local 252.

McMahon has criticized the department as a bloated bureaucracy, pointing to lagging student outcomes, including declining K-12 math and reading scores after pandemic restrictions. Her vision seeks to abolish the Education Department and give states more flexibility in using funds for targeted programs, although such a move would require congressional approval.

Officials say the agreements are part of a broader plan to demonstrate that America’s schools and colleges can operate without the department. McMahon plans to continue touring the country to highlight local successes and advocate for her proposals to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Pangulong Marcos hindi magbibitiw, Sandro Marcos bumuwelta sa paninira ng tiyahin

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pangulong Marcos hindi magbibitiw, Sandro Marcos bumuwelta sa paninira ng tiyahin

MAYNILA — Nanindigan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na hindi siya magbibitiw sa kabila ng panawagan ng ilang grupong kaalyado ni Vice President Sara Duterte na bumaba siya sa puwesto.

Ayon kay Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, hindi opsyon ng administrasyon ang pagbibitiw ng Pangulo dahil patuloy siyang nagtatrabaho para sa bansa. “The President is still working and keeps on working for the country. So it is not an option for the administration, for the President to resign,” dagdag pa ni Castro. Ani Castro, hindi rin bibigyan ng pagkakataon na pumalit ang Bise Presidente sa Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng mga kilos protesta o pagtatangka ng mga destabilizer na pabagsakin ang gobyerno.

Kaugnay nito, mariing bumuwelta si House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos sa umano’y paninira laban sa kanilang pamilya ng kaniyang tiya na si Sen. Imee Marcos matapos itong akusahan na gumagamit ng droga ang kanilang magulang na sina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at First Lady Liza.

Sinabi ni Sandro na walang basehan at kasinungalingan lamang ang mga pahayag ng kaniyang tiya, na aniya ay bahagi ng pagtatangkang destabilisahin ang administrasyon upang isulong ang sariling ambisyon pampulitika. “It pains me to see how low she has gone to the point that she resorts to a web of lies aimed at destabilizing this government to advance her own political ambitions,” ayon kay Sandro.

Dagdag pa niya, ang kaniyang mga pinsan na sina Borgy, Ilocos Norte Vice Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc at Atty. Michael Marcos Keon ay kayang patunayan na walang katotohanan ang sinasabi ni Imee. “Nakakalungkot makita na ginagawa niya ito. For her to betray her own family brings a lot of pain to me as a consequence of my respect to her for giving me my start in public life,” ani Sandro.

Marcos may net worth na P389M at P1.375B sa 2024 SALN

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Marcos may net worth na P389M at P1.375B sa 2024 SALN

Nagtala si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng mahigit P389 milyon na net worth batay sa kanyang Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth o SALN hanggang Disyembre 31, 2024.

Ayon sa ulat ni Sandra Aguinaldo sa “24 Oras” na nakabatay sa mga dokumentong nakuha ng GMA Integrated News Research, nagsumite rin ang Pangulo ng appraisal mula sa pribadong firm na Cuervo Appraisers, Inc., na nagtakda ng kanyang net worth sa P1.375 bilyon.

Ipinakita sa deklarasyon ng Pangulo na ang P389.357 milyon ay alinsunod sa panuntunan ng Civil Service Commission sa paghahain ng SALN, habang ang P1.375 bilyon ay nakabatay sa valuation ng Cuervo.

Batay sa CSC rules, kabilang sa kanyang assets ang P142.026 milyon na halaga ng 21 pirasong real estate property tulad ng agricultural at residential land.

Mayroon din siyang personal properties na nagkakahalaga ng P38.7 milyon cash, P134.192 milyon na investments, gayundin mga alahas, 12 sasakyan at mga painting na may kabuuang halagang P247.332 milyon.

Kabilang sa kaniyang mga sasakyan ang isang Mercedes-Benz Maybach na nagkakahalaga ng P10.5 milyon, at 126 painting mula sa kilalang mga artists.

Kasama sa kanilang koleksyon ang mga obra nina Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, Ben Cabrera, Arturo Luz, at maging isang artwork mula kay pambansang bayani Jose Rizal.

Hindi nagdeklara ang Pangulo ng anumang liabilities sa kanyang 2024 SALN at sa mga nauna niyang SALN mula Hunyo 2022.

Ibig sabihin, ang kanyang net worth na P389.357 milyon para sa 2024, gayundin sa mga naunang taon, ay pawang nakabatay sa kanilang assets kasama ang First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

Batay sa pagsusuri sa mga SALN ng Pangulo mula nang maupo siya noong 2022, tumaas ng P60.128 milyon ang kanyang net worth hanggang 2024.

Noong Hunyo 30, 2022, ang kanyang net worth ay P329.229 milyon nang siya ay manungkulan, habang ang appraised value ng kanyang assets ay P908 milyon.

Pagsapit ng Disyembre 31, 2022, tumaas ang kanyang net worth sa P371.492 milyon, at ang appraised value ay umabot sa P960.7 milyon.

Sa Disyembre 31, 2023, nagtala siya ng net worth na P381.447 milyon habang ang appraisal value ng kanyang assets ay umakyat sa P1.157 bilyon.

Ultra processed foods threaten global health, scientific review warns

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Ultra processed foods threaten global health, scientific review warns

Ultra-processed foods pose a mounting threat to global public health, according to the largest scientific review to date, with new research warning that their widespread consumption is linked to damage across every major organ system of the human body.

A series of three papers published in The Lancet found that diets high in ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are rapidly replacing fresh food worldwide and are strongly associated with increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and other chronic illnesses.

UPFs include products that are industrially manufactured using additives such as artificial flavors, emulsifiers, and colorings. Examples include ready meals, cereals, soft drinks, packaged snacks,s and fast food. Researchers note that these products are formulated to be highly palatable, calorie-dense, and low in nutrients, while displacing traditional, fresh meals.

In the UK and the United States, more than half of the average diet now consists of UPFs. Among younger and poorer populations, intake can reach as high as 80 percent.

The review, involving 43 leading global experts, examined 104 long-term studies and found that 92 showed higher risks of chronic disease or early death among people who consume diets high in UPFs. Evidence also links UPF consumption to overeating, reduced nutritional quality and increased exposure to harmful chemicals.

Professor Carlos Monteiro of the University of São Paulo, one of the study authors, said the findings show the urgent need for action. Monteiro helped develop the NOVA classification system, which ranks foods from minimally processed to ultra-processed. He said people are not biologically adapted to consume industrially engineered products that are designed to maximize corporate profits.

Critics argue that UPF is a broad and imperfectly defined category, and that existing policies targeting salt and sugar reduction may already address the risk. The researchers acknowledged gaps in long-term clinical trials and understanding of mechanisms but insisted the evidence is already strong enough to justify immediate policy responses.

The second paper in the Lancet series recommends measures to regulate the production, marketing, and consumption of UPFs. While some countries have adopted rules to reformulate foods or reduce marketing, the global public health response remains limited and far behind movements such as tobacco control.

The third paper argues that rising UPF consumption is being driven by corporate practices rather than consumer choice. Authors note that food companies use political influence, extensive lobbying and strategic partnerships to prevent stricter regulations.

Series co-author Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina called for front-of-package labeling that identifies UPF ingredients alongside excessive levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Researchers also recommend stronger advertising restrictions, especially for children, as well as removing UPFs from schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.

One example of progress is Brazil’s national school food program, which has removed most UPF from meals and will require 90 percent of food served to be fresh or minimally processed by 2026.

Independent scientists welcomed the review but cautioned that associations do not automatically prove causation, adding that continued research is needed to further clarify health impacts.

San Pablo Council takes rare step, declares consultant persona non grata

Venus L Peñaflor
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San Pablo Council takes rare step, declares consultant persona non grata

SAN PABLO CITY — The Sangguniang Panlungsod of San Pablo City has approved a resolution declaring Rick Jayson Tatlonghari as persona non grata, citing concerns over misrepresentation of public authority and dissemination of allegedly misleading statements. Three councilors, Barbie Diaz, Cesarito Ticzon, and John Adajar, did not join the measure, indicating a divergence of opinion within the legislative body.

Councilor Carmela Acebedo, who filed the resolution, stated that Tatlonghari publicly referred to himself as “City Administrator” without council confirmation. After the Civil Service Commission denied his appointment, he identified himself as a “consultant” while continuing to speak publicly in a manner that some say could imply official authority.

The declaration is linked to recent discussions over the Pamaskong Handog program, a ₱45 million Noche Buena package requested by Mayor Najie Gapangada for approximately 85,000 families in San Pablo. The council deferred the request for further study to ensure compliance with legal and procurement rules. As a result, the public bidding process now requires a 45-day posting period, which may affect the timing of the program distribution.

Some statements circulated by Tatlonghari alleged that the council deliberately delayed the program, though official records show the mayor’s endorsement was promptly received and referred to the proper committee. The committee conducted hearings despite disruptions caused by a recent typhoon.

It is important to note that a persona non grata declaration is largely symbolic. While it expresses the council’s formal disapproval, it does not legally prevent an individual from entering the city or performing duties under the executive branch. Forcibly barring someone could encroach on executive authority, which is distinct from the legislative powers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Tatlonghari has not issued a detailed public response. Supporters argue that his statements aimed to highlight urgent needs and hold officials accountable, while critics view them as misleading and potentially disruptive to local governance.

The use of persona non grata declarations is a recognized mechanism in the Philippine local government, allowing councils to express disapproval of actions seen as prejudicial to public order or institutional integrity, while respecting the separation of powers. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article III, Section 6, a person’s freedom of movement shall not be restricted, and persona non grata resolutions are symbolic, not legally preventing an individual from entering a locality or traveling freely.

Social media shows that the people of San Pablo are divided, debating issues from transparency and compassion to politicization of public programs, delays in service delivery, and the limits of freedom of speech and criticism.

EU–China trade rift widens, poses risks for Southeast Asia

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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EU–China trade rift widens, poses risks for Southeast Asia

BERLIN / BEIJING / MANILA — Germany’s trade imbalance with China is reaching a critical point, fueling broader concerns across Europe and raising alarms in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, as the EU presses Beijing for a more balanced economic relationship.

Germany is forecast to incur a record €87 billion trade deficit with China in 2025, driven by a sharp fall in German exports and rising Chinese imports. This gap reflects the increasing dominance of Chinese-manufactured goods, particularly in high-tech sectors that were traditionally led by European companies.

The imbalance was a central issue during a recent one-day summit in Beijing, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that EU–China relations are at an “inflection point.” She and other European leaders demanded “real solutions” to long-standing complaints, including China’s large trade surplus and its export controls on critical materials such as rare earths.

Germany’s financial exposure was underscored this week when Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil landed in Beijing for high-stakes talks. Berlin is calling for more transparency and strategic safeguards, particularly regarding exports of rare earths and other high-value inputs.

At the same time, German industrial sectors are being squeezed by the rise of Chinese companies in advanced manufacturing. Under China’s “Made in China 2025” strategy, domestic firms have moved aggressively into higher-value markets previously dominated by German engineering, including automotive, chemicals, and machinery.

Impact on the Philippines and Southeast Asia

Experts warn that Southeast Asian economies, including the Philippines, could feel indirect effects from rising EU–China tensions. The Philippines is a major supplier of electronics components and raw materials to both European and Chinese markets. A slowdown in EU demand or disruptions in Chinese supply chains could increase the cost of imported goods and delay exports, affecting local manufacturers and businesses.

“The Philippines could face higher prices for industrial materials and electronics imports, while our exporters may find slower demand from Europe,” said a Manila-based trade analyst. “Companies need to diversify supply chains and explore alternative markets to reduce exposure to shocks from EU–China trade disputes.”

Other countries in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, may benefit in the short term if European buyers seek alternative suppliers outside China, but the volatility adds uncertainty to investment and trade planning.

Berlin’s dilemma is clear: while it seeks to preserve deep economic ties with China, it also risks becoming overly exposed to Beijing’s industrial expansion. The standoff highlights a broader trend in global trade, where economic cooperation is increasingly challenged by geopolitical risk and supply chain vulnerabilities.

UN approves U.S. plan for Gaza stabilization

EDGARDO HERNAL
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UN approves U.S. plan for Gaza stabilization

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations on Monday approved the Trump administration’s plan to secure and govern Gaza, marking a key step in international support for U.S. efforts to guide the war-torn territory toward stability and peace after two years of conflict.

The resolution authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security, oversees a transitional authority led by President Donald Trump, and envisions a possible pathway toward an independent Palestinian state.

“This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the history of the United Nations, will lead to further peace all over the world, and is a moment of true historic proportion,” Trump wrote on social media.

The vote endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, building on the fragile truce he helped broker with international allies. Tens of thousands of people were killed and much of Gaza was destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war, making the restoration of stability a pressing priority.

The proposed transitional authority, called the Board of Peace, would be headed by Trump and would be supported by a broad mandate for the international stabilization force, including oversight of borders, security, and demilitarization of the territory. Authorization for both the board and the force is set to expire at the end of 2027.

Arab and other Muslim nations interested in contributing troops had made U.N. authorization a condition for participation. Russia and China abstained from the 13-0 vote, while Hamas opposed the plan, saying it does not meet the Palestinian people’s political and humanitarian needs.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz said the resolution begins a new course for the Middle East. “Today’s resolution represents another significant step toward a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security,” he said.

The approval followed nearly two weeks of negotiations, during which Arab nations and the Palestinians pushed the United States to strengthen language on Palestinian self-determination. The resolution, however, does not set a timeline or guarantee for statehood, noting only that it may be possible after reconstruction and reforms in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority.

The U.S. revised the text to state that “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” after these steps. It also commits to establishing a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians for a political horizon of peaceful coexistence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to oppose Palestinian statehood, a stance echoed by his governing coalition despite the resolution’s language on a possible pathway to independence.

Support from Arab and Muslim nations was crucial for adoption of the resolution, with countries such as Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey calling for “swift adoption” of the U.S. proposal.

The international stabilization force will assist with border security, oversee a vetted Palestinian police force, and coordinate humanitarian aid while ensuring compliance with international law. Israeli forces are expected to withdraw in phases, linked to demilitarization milestones and timelines agreed upon with the stabilization force and ceasefire guarantors.

Hamas, however, criticized the plan, saying giving the force a role in disarmament would compromise its neutrality and turn it into a party to the conflict. Trump said members of the Board of Peace will be named in the coming weeks, with further announcements expected regarding the implementation of the plan.

Co, Chiz, Jinggoy, Joel at iba pa, aarestuhin na kaugnay ng anomalya sa flood control projects

Venus L Peñaflor
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Co, Chiz, Jinggoy, Joel at iba pa, aarestuhin na kaugnay ng anomalya sa flood control projects

MAYNILA — Nakatakdang ipalabas ng Office of the Ombudsman ang mga arrest warrant laban kina dating Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, Senators Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, dating Senador Bong Revilla, at iba pang mataas na opisyal ng gobyerno kaugnay ng anomalya sa flood control projects sa darating na Disyembre.

Ayon kay Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla sa panayam sa Facts First ng ANC, ang mga nabanggit ang unang sasampahan ng arrest warrants na inaasahang mailalabas ng tanggapan ng Ombudsman sa Disyembre 15 at 16.

“There are many of them, more than 30 already, maybe even 40, including officials of the companies,” ani Remulla, at paliwanag niya, ang kaso ay hindi lamang nakapaloob sa malversation at graft.

Kasama rin sa mga kakasuhan ang mga kontraktor, engineers, at opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Sinabi ni Remulla na sina Co, ang Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, ang Regional District Engineer, at iba pang opisyal ng District Office ang unang sasampahan ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan.

Binanggit din ni Remulla na credible ang testimonya ni dating DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, bagaman may ilang detalye itong nakalimutan. Idinagdag niya na huwag nang magtago ang mga indibidwal sa oras na maipadala na sa kanila ang arrest warrant.

Una nang inirekomenda ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure na sampahan ng kasong graft at malversation ang mga senador, DPWH executives, at kontraktor na sangkot sa anomalya sa flood control projects.

President Marcos Jr. rejects drug use accusations from his sister

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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President Marcos Jr. rejects drug use accusations from his sister

MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday dismissed allegations by his estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who publicly accused him of being a longtime drug user, claims his spokesperson described as baseless and long disproven.

In a statement, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the senator’s accusations may be an attempt to distract from ongoing investigations into a corruption scandal involving flood control projects, which could implicate her allies in the Senate.

“Sen. Imee, I hope you’ll be a patriot and help in the investigation that your own brother has been doing and condemn all the corrupt,” Castro said. “Don’t side with them, don’t hide them. Let President Marcos work to stop all the corruption.”

The government has been investigating allegations that influential members of Congress and the Senate received large kickbacks from construction companies awarded flood control contracts, many of which resulted in substandard, incomplete, or nonexistent projects. The scandal has drawn public outrage in a country prone to deadly floods and typhoons.

Senator Imee Marcos, speaking Monday night at a rally in Manila, claimed her brother’s alleged drug addiction began during their father’s presidency and continues to this day. She said it has affected his health and ability to govern.

She also alleged that the president’s wife and children were drug users and claimed that she and her brother have had little communication since he assumed the presidency in 2022. Liza Marcos and her children, including a key member of the House of Representatives, did not immediately comment.

“His addiction became the cause of the flood of corruption, the lack of direction and very wrong decisions, the absence of accountability and justice,” the senator said, without presenting evidence. She urged the military, police, and other officials to help “improve his condition,” adding that she is not her brother’s enemy, but that he is.

Castro criticized Senator Marcos for not addressing former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has admitted past fentanyl use and whose family, including Vice President Sara Duterte, has faced allegations of corruption, which they have denied.

In previous statements, Rodrigo Duterte claimed Marcos was a drug user when he was a presidential aspirant. Marcos dismissed the accusations at the time, providing reports from a private hospital and the national police laboratory showing he tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine.

The Marcos siblings are the children of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in the 1986 “People Power” uprising. Their public dispute adds a new chapter to a family long in the national spotlight.

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