IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE FPRRD on Durante case: I trust the military would do its part

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday night that he has full faith and confidence in the military in handling the murder case filed against Brigadier General Jesus Durante III, the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Yvonette “Yvonne” Chua Plaza.

Durante has served as the Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander during FPRRD’s administration.

“I supposed we are all interested in the justice system and I have full faith and confidence, kung gusto nilang court martial, a civil court, alin diyan sa dalawa, wala akong masabi. I trust the military would do its part for the interest of justice and if it’s filed in civil court, okay lang,” Duterte said during the program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.”

Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. in a statement last Wednesday vowed that there will be no special treatment against the high-ranking official. It is also forming a general court marshall to possibly try Durante and

PBBM eyes creation of P1-B housing subsidy

other army personnel.

Based on the report of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Plaza, Durante allegedly tapped the services of his six subordinates, which include Pfc. Romart Longakit and Pfc. Rolly Cabal, and three John Does for the killing of Plaza.

Other soldiers identified for their alleged involvement in the murder are Col. Michael Licyayo, FIN, P10

Davao City water supply project targets full operation in June 2023: DCWD exec

Apo Agua Insfrastructura, Inc. targets the full operation of the P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) on June 1 this year after it incurred delays in the completion of the project for two years, an official from the Davao City Water

District (DCWD) said on Monday.

JC Duhaylungsod, DCWD spokesperson, told MindaNews that Apo Agua hopes to operate the DCBWSP by June 1 based on their “adjusted timeline.”

The target completion of the project was origi- nally planned for 2021 but it encountered setbacks when the coronavirus pandemic emerged, forcing the company to postpone it to 2022.

However, the project’s target completion was further postponed to 2023 allegedly due to the “inter- nal issues” with J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation (JVACC), the former engineering, procurement and construction contractor of Apo Agua. Duhaylungsod said there are talks on the “early use” prior to the full operaFDAVAO, P10

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday bared that he is eyeing a PHP1 billion housing subsidy fund for the recipients of the government’s low-cost housing units.

Marcos made the pronouncement during the groundbreaking ceremony of the housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program and walkthrough of the Batasan Development Renewal Plan at the Batasan Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (BaTODA) Terminal in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

He said he and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar are studying the creation of the subsidy fund to help beneficiaries who could not afford the monthly amortization of the housing units.

“We are still left with a fact that many of our beneficiaries will still not be able to afford the monthly amortization of these units,” Marcos said, reiterating his vow to provide “decent and affordable housing for every Filipino family.”

“Pinag-aaralan namin ni Secretary Acuzar ang pagtatayo ng subsidy fund para dito sa ating housing program. Siguro, maglalagay tayo diyan, ‘pag nakahanap tayo ng pera, mga PHP1 billion to start with para meron tayong subsidy na ibibigay para sa ating magiging tenant (Secretary Acuzar and I are studying the possibility of establishing a subsidy fund for our housing program. Perhaps, if we find a funding source, we will allot PHP1 billion to start with the distribution of subsidies for our future tenants),” he added.

Marcos thanked the DHSUD for leading the national government’s flagship housing program, as well as the Quezon City local government for its support and allocation of land and financial resources for the housing project.

He expressed hope that Congress would heed his call to make the housing interest support as part of the regular appropriations for the coming years.

“The government is