Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
- After months of silence, Gardiola denies hand in public works corruption - BIR files tax evasion complaints vs contractors of Bulacan ghost projects - Bulatlat's victory vs Duterte-time blocking order also a win for press freedom - Mexico investigates Miss Universe president for drugs, arms trafficking - Alex Eala in action at home? WTA adds Philippine stop
00:06Congressman Edwin Guardiola denies his involvement in public works corruption.
00:17The Bureau of Internal Revenue files new tax evasion complaints against two companies involved in ghost flood control projects in Bulacan.
00:24A court reverses a Duterte-era order that blocked red-tagged alternative news outlets Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.
00:32Mexico investigates Miss Universe Organization President Raul Rocha for alleged drug and weapons trafficking.
00:38And tennis star Alex Ayala may see action at home as the WTA includes the Philippines in its top.
00:46Construction worker Solidarity Partilist Rep. Edwin Guardiola denies allegations he is involved in public works corruption.
00:54In a statement posted on Facebook, Guardiola says he was disheartened to hear his name mentioned in alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
01:02Earlier in November, Rappler published an investigation detailing Guardiola's alleged project buy and sell scheme in the House of Representatives.
01:09He is alleged to have pre-ordered 22 billion pesos in DPWH projects in the 2025 budget, which were later awarded to companies with known connections to him.
01:18Guardiola's latest statement comes a day after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the DPWH recommended charges against him and seven other current and former lawmakers.
01:30He says he welcomes the chance to face his accuser but in a proper forum that respects his constitutional rights.
01:35The Bureau of Internal Revenue files new tax evasion complaints with the Department of Justice against Sims Construction Trading and I.M. Construction Corporation.
01:46Both firms are implicated in the multi-billion flood control corruption scandal involving ghost projects in Bulacan.
01:52Some projects handled by Sims Construction were recently flagged by the Commission on Audit.
01:57President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the firm's blacklisting over a ghost project in Baliwag.
02:03The project was also under the watch of controversial DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office then headed by Henry Alcantara.
02:11Meanwhile, I.M. Construction faces the same set of complaints from the BIR with another ghost project in Hagonoy.
02:17These are the latest tax evasion complaints filed in relation to the flood control anomaly.
02:21Alternative news outlets, Bulatlat, and Pinoy Weekly win a landmark case against one of the most repressive Duterte-era orders.
02:32In 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte's National Security Advisor, Hermo Henes Esperon Jr., asked the National Telecommunications Commission to block both websites.
02:42The ensuing three-year legal battle now ends with a court decision voiding the memorandum that blocked them.
02:47Alternative news organizations have faced constant red-tagging and vilification, especially under the Duterte administration.
02:55Esperon used the anti-terror law to justify blocking the websites.
02:59He cites excerpts from two stories published by Pinoy Weekly which supposedly mentioned an armed struggle and the communist insurgency.
03:07The court ruling covers a total of 27 websites.
03:10In a statement, Bulatlat calls the ruling a victory against state censorship and against the use of anti-terrorism rhetoric to justify the violation of free speech.
03:22Mexico is investigating Miss Universe Organization President Raul Rocha for alleged trafficking of drugs and weapons as well as fuel theft.
03:30The Attorney General's Office says it has issued 13 arrest warrants as part of the probe without identifying the suspects.
03:36Local media reported that a warrant has been issued for Rocha.
03:40This issue adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the beauty pageant.
03:44Rocha did not immediately respond to a request for comments sent to his Instagram account.
03:49The Miss Universe organization also did not immediately respond to a request for comments submitted through its website.
03:57Filipina tennis star Alex Ayala gets a chance to dazzle at home as the WTA Tour includes a stop in the Philippines.
04:03Ayala is expected to banner the Philippine Women's Open slated from January 26 to 31.
04:10However, there is a possible schedule conflict for Ayala.
04:13She's also scheduled to compete in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year that will run from January 12 to February 1.
04:20It will be the first Australian Open main draw appearance for Ayala.
04:24She earned her automatic entry to all of the four Grand Slams by virtue of being in the top 100.
04:29But before looking ahead to next year, Ayala still has a few events lined up for 2025.
04:36The 20-year-old may see action in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand and is also expected to join the Macau Masters.
04:42And that's today's wrap.
04:46I'm Julian Sirineo.
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