News: Despite Marcos veto, 'pork' still intact

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Despite Marcos veto, 'pork' still intact

January 1, 2025

HELLO, 2025 On to a new year filled with grace, steeled with courage, and clear-eyed with hope! —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Hi there, happy New Year! Despite Marcos veto, 'pork' still intact in budget, say critics

It was touted as an "exhaustive and rigorous" review of the 2025 budget, but for former Senate chief Franklin Drilon, the Marcos tweaks were "cosmetic... as unprogrammed activities and projects are not supported by programmed revenues."

2024's biggest plot twist: Duterte's signature drug war was exposed at the House, with the quad committee's report declaring the ex-President, along with his allies, Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa, liable for crimes against humanity.

Sea mishaps once again mark the New Year, as two fishermen went missing after their boat capsized off Subic, Zambales on Dec. 23 — same with a crew member of a cargo vessel that sank off Lavezares, Northern Samar on Dec. 30.

2024 is the greatest year ever in PH sports, led by Carlos Yulo's two gold medal wins at the Olympics. But the country had an embarrassing moment, too, in Paris, when national lady golfers had to play without their uniforms and flag-labeled gear.

After failing to report to investigators for the third time over his stymied, short-lived attempt to impose martial law, suspended and impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol now faces an arrest warrant issued by a court.

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