Abbey M.

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is ready to face the complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the issue of anomalous flood control projects.

This was assured by the lawmaker's lawyer, Attorney Ade Fajardo, who maintained that there is no evidence to prove the allegations against Romualdez.

The camp of the former House Speaker again asserted that the accusations made by individuals claiming to be former bodyguards of former Congressman Zaldy Co have no truth and no basis.

Ombudsman Crispin "Boying" Remulla earlier said that they are close to concluding the fact-finding investigation against Romualdez in connection with the flood control projects issue.

Both Romualdez and Co are being investigated over their alleged receipt of kickbacks from the government's flood control projects.

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Senator Pia Cayetano clarified that she is not bragging during the impeachment trial.

This was the senator's response to critics who claim that her remarks during the proceedings are arrogant.

In her defense, Senator Pia said she is only explaining what the law provides, and she hopes others will not see this as bragging.

"up to now very willing po ako if you notice nga pag nag intervene ako sinasabi ko pa kay presiding officer ok ba yung tanong ko okay ba yun call me out sinasabi ko kung ano yung rules na sinasabi ko oh dapat hindi tayo ganito (jc) kung ano yung sinasabi ko na dapat sundin pati ako call me out, so huwag nyong iisipin na arrogance yun, and if sa tono naman ng boses ko, pasensya na po kayo kasi hindi naman po ako trained na magmodulate ng boses, pero hindi po ako nagyayabang in any way" Sen. Pia said. 

(up to now, I am very willing — if you notice, whenever I intervene, I even tell the presiding officer, "is my question okay, is that okay, call me out." I say what the rules are that I'm citing — oh, we shouldn't be like this (jc) — whatever I say that should be followed, call me out on me too. So please don't think that is arrogance. And if it's about the tone of my voice, I apologize because I am not trained to modulate my voice, but I am not bragging in any way.)

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Senator Allan Peter Cayetano challenged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate flood control projects in other cities and not just Taguig City.

This comes amid the committee's plan to continue hearings on anomalies in flood control projects.

In his Facebook Live on Sunday, Senator Allan Peter challenged Senator Panfilo Lacson to investigate the projects even in other cities and not single out one individual.

"Di ko sinasabing may problema ang mga city na 'yan. Ang sinasabi ko, ipakita ni Senator Lacson na hindi inis lang siya sa isang tao,"

(I'm not saying those cities have a problem. What I'm saying is, let Senator Lacson show that he's not just annoyed with one person,)

"Paano naman tayo dumating doon? Hindi mo lang type 'yung isang tao, gusto mo nang ikulong,"

(How did we even get to this point? You just don't like one person, and now you want him jailed,)

Senator Lacson has not yet responded to this challenge from Senator Allan Peter.

However, in an X post, Lacson criticized Cayetano's remarks against him, which he said were an attack on his integrity.

According to Lacson, he is gathering informants and witnesses who are ready to give information and evidence to have Senator Allan Peter Cayetano jailed at the Payatas Quezon City Jail.

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Senator Alan Peter Cayetano revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly rejected a proposal to distribute 10,000 pesos to qualified beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was after the President allegedly won the 2022 elections.

Malacañang strongly denied Cayetano's statements and insisted that these claims have no basis.

It was on July 22, 2022, when Cayetano filed Senate Bill No. 62, or the proposed "Sampung Libong Pag-Asa Law," also known as the 10K Ayuda Bill.

Under this proposed law, low income families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic would receive a one-time or staggered 10,000-peso financial assistance.

However, the proposal did not progress after being filed under the 18th Congress and refiled again during the 19th Congress.

In his Facebook Live on Friday, July 17, Cayetano revealed that Marcos allegedly did not allow the said proposal once the President won the 2022 elections.

"So noong 2021, going into 2022, sabi ko marami pang hindi nakaka-recover, so kaya ng ating budget magbigay. Pero pagkapanalo ni President Marcos, ayaw niya,"

(So in 2021, going into 2022, I said many had not yet recovered, so our budget could still afford to give aid. But after President Marcos won, he didn't want to.)

"Pero every single year po tinatanong ko 'yun sa aming Chairman of Finance, 200 to 300, minsan 400 billion ang ayuda. So kaya. Kaya pong bigyan ng 10K."

(But every single year, I ask our Chairman of Finance about that — 200 to 300, sometimes 400 billion in aid. So it can be done. We can afford to give 10K.)

Malacañang strongly denied the senator's statements.

In a statement, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized Cayetano's accusations, saying he is creating intrigue and baseless stories.

Castro added that instead of Cayetano pointing to his own negligence in his work, he is pointing at others just to save himself from embarrassment.

The Palace official also assured that they will present evidence to refute Cayetano's fabricated stories.

The senator posted the said video a day after President Marcos announced the Expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT Program.

Under this, selected sectors will receive 2,000 pesos in aid to help poor Filipinos who have been greatly affected by the increase in prices of petroleum products due to tensions in the Middle East.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an expanded UPLIFT Assistance program.

This will serve as aid for poor families amid the continuing increase in the prices of petroleum products and commodities.

The UPLIFT Assistance is based on Executive Order Number 110, or the Declaring a State of National Energy Emergency and Authorizing the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT).

This will serve as aid for sectors affected by the continuing increase in the prices of petroleum products and commodities.

Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s announcement, the expanded assistance under UPLIFT Assistance will be implemented.

Poor families, or those listed under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), will benefit from this.

"Ngayong araw pinalawak pa natin ang suportang ito sa pamamagitan ng uplift assistance, sa ilalim ng programang ito mabibigyan ng agarang tulong ang 7.5 milyong kabahayan o 37.5 milyon na mga pilipino sa buong bansa pangungunahan ito ng dswd kasama ang iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan makakatanggap ng isang beses na cash assistance na karagdagang tulong na 2k ang 3.5 million benepisyaryo ng pantawid pamilyang pilipino program o 4ps o walang gutom program" Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

(Today, we are further expanding this support through UPLIFT Assistance. Under this program, immediate aid will be given to 7.5 million households, or 37.5 million Filipinos, nationwide. This will be led by the DSWD along with other government agencies. A one-time cash assistance of an additional 2,000 pesos will be received by 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps, or the Walang Gutom Program.)

Aside from this, according to PBBM, support will also be expanded for two and a half million poor households and those nearing poverty status, as identified in the 2024 Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

Low-income workers will also receive assistance.

"gayundin ang 1.5 milyong manggagawa at kanilang mga pamilya na may mababang kita na nakapirma sa talaan ng social security system sila ay makakatanggap ng 20k piso kada buwan simula ngayong hulyo hanggang sa disyembre" PBBM added. 

(Likewise, 1.5 million workers and their families with low income who are registered with the Social Security System will receive 20,000 pesos per month, starting this July until December.)

According to him, the goal of UPLIFT Assistance is to protect the ability of Filipino families to meet their daily needs.

The President also assured that the assistance will be delivered quickly, properly, and more conveniently for Filipinos through digital means.

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