Day: September 22, 2025

Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Monday said the Blue Ribbon Committee secured additional evidence from sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez as part of its ongoing inquiry into alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects. Lacson, who chairs the committee, confirmed that Hernandez was allowed to return to his home under tight security to retrieve documents and items that could bolster his testimony. According to Philippines News Agency, Hernandez earlier linked Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada to alleged budget insertions and kickbacks in flood control projects, claims both senators

Bicol: Over PHP3.4 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and 30 suspects were arrested in a week-long operation by the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) from Sept. 15 to 21. According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. reported that the confiscated items included 500.95 grams of shabu and 9 grams of marijuana. The operations resulted in 26 anti-illegal drugs activities, leading to the arrest of 30 individuals. Among those arrested, two were identified as high-value individuals, while the remaining 28 were categorized as street-level offenders. A total of 32 criminal cases have been

Manila: At least 95 police personnel were injured during Sunday’s protests near Malaca±ang, as reported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday. The department emphasized that law enforcement officers bore the brunt of the clashes while adhering to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for maximum tolerance. According to Philippines News Agency, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that the President monitored the situation closely from within a secure facility at the Malaca±ang compound. He noted that President Marcos explicitly instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exercise restraint when dealing with the demonstrators. The protests

Manila: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday expressed concern over the involvement of the youth in the violence that marred some of the anti-corruption rallies in Manila. In a radio interview, Teodoro said the involvement of the youth in Sunday’s violent protest is a “national security issue” that needs to be addressed immediately. According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, questioning the influences that might have led the youth to participate in such acts. “Ito po ay isang issue ng national security kung ganoon pa po ang kabataan, kung

Manila: The group of masked protesters belonging to a ‘hip-hop’ gang influenced by a prominent rapper was possibly behind violence that marred anti-corruption rallies on Sunday, including stone-throwing and arson, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a press conference at Camp Crame on Monday, Manila Police District (MPD) spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines said of the total of 93 police officers who sustained injuries during the violent demonstrations, eight suffered lacerations that required stitching and nine were still confined at the PNP General Hospital due to the gravity of their injuries, including fractured bones and head trauma. According to

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to scrutiny following a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report that he was among those who received millions of pesos in campaign contributions from contractors during the 2022 elections, Malaca±ang said Monday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be allowed to review the matter independently. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized the importance of letting the Comelec perform its duties without interference. “Let the Comelec do its job. Investigate. The President is willing to be investigated,” Castro assured during a Palace press briefing.