Politics Exposed

Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has filed graft, malversation, and falsification complaints against several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and contractors in Davao Occidental over allegedly incomplete farm-to-market road projects. The complaints stem from supposed irregularities involving unfinished infrastructure projects despite reported fund disbursements.

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the legal moves of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, labeling him a “fugitive from justice” allegedly trying to evade an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Melvin Matibag said Robin Padilla is being considered a “person of interest” in locating Ronald dela Rosa after the senator reportedly slipped out of the Senate building early Thursday amid a possible arrest tied to an International Criminal Court warrant connected to the Duterte administration’s drug war. According to Matibag, Padilla was identified as the last known person seen with dela Rosa and may be among the first to be questioned by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Vice President Sara Duterte challenged Martin Romualdez and former lawmaker Zaldy Co to reveal the truth behind controversial flood control projects, saying genuine justice should serve the Filipino people and not personal interests.

Speaking before supporters and overseas Filipinos in The Hague, Duterte said Romualdez and Co should disclose what really happened if they are sincere about accountability. She also claimed the two figures were giving conflicting statements regarding the issue.

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested Franco Mabanta in an entrapment operation after he allegedly attempted to extort ₱350 million from Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez by threatening to release supposed scandal-related videos.