Author: Nouman Ali

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) released funds amounting to at least P92.8 million for a flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, linked to former Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and several others, despite alleged irregularities in billing documents, an official told the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division on Wednesday.

Testifying at the hearing for the malversation case against Revilla and his coaccused, DPWH finance director Genevieve Cuaresma confirmed alleged irregularities in the monthly certificate of payment and Statement of Work Accomplished (Sowa) for the project.

Cuaresma said the documents were not signed by former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez and district engineer Henry Alcantara.

Hernandez is among the coaccused in the case, while Alcantara is a state witness.

The lack of signatures, according to Cuaresma, made the documents ‘incomplete, illegal,’ adding that the payments should not have been released as a result.

The Sowa also declared the project ‘95.17 percent’ complete but when Third Division chair Associate Justice Karl Miranda inspected the site last week, there were no visible structures aside from several steel sheet piles.

Four vendors were arrested on Wednesday after authorities seized more than 66 kilograms of puffer fish being sold at the public market in Nabua town in Camarines Sur.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5), in coordination with the Nabua police, inspected the public market at 6 a.m. This led to the arrest of the vendors for violating Fisheries Administrative Order No. 249, series of 2014, which bans the sale and distribution of puffer fish.

Wheng Bricia-Briones, BFAR Bicol information officer, said violators can be penalized with imprisonment from two months to a year, and a fine of not less than P10,000.

She said seven kilograms of puffer fish were worth P1,400; another seven kilograms were worth P1,540; 7.02 kilograms were worth P1,404; and 45 kilograms were seized, valued at P45,000.

Administrative charges will be filed against the four suspects.

The confiscated fish were brought to the BFAR regional office for proper disposition.

The agency reiterated its warning against the sale, whether fresh or processed, and consumption of pufferfish, locally known as ‘butete,’ citing its potent toxin that can cause serious illness or, worse, may lead to death.

The national government’s budget deficit widened in March by nearly 2 percent from a year earlier to P349.7 billion, on higher energy spending amid the Middle East war.

According to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the Marcos administration spent P654.8 billion during the month, up 5.23 percent year on year.

Spending was driven in part by allocations to the Department of Energy, which received P20 billion to fund measures aimed at cushioning the impact of the energy crisis.

Revenues, meanwhile, rose 9.25 percent to P305.1 billion, supported by gains in both tax and nontax collections.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs contributed P187.3 billion and P84.8 billion, respectively.

Nontax revenues surged 45.54 percent to P28.5 billion, boosted by the early remittance of dividends from government-owned and controlled corporations.

For the first quarter, the government’s budget deficit narrowed by 20.3 percent to P355.5 billion.

Joint operating troops from the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) and the Philippine Army uncovered an arms cache believed to belong to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City, on Monday.

Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV, director of PRO-13, said the discovery was made by personnel of Butuan City Police Station 4, the 29th Infantry Battalion, and the 25th Ordnance Explosive Disposal (EOD) Team of the Philippine Army after acting on a report from a concerned citizen.

Recovered from the site were five M76B rifle grenades, one M76C rifle grenade, one M76A-1 rifle grenade, two short plastic magazines for M16 rifles, four short alloy magazines for M16 rifles, one long magazine for an M16 rifle, two M60 barrels with defaced serial numbers, one handheld radio, and one Alcatel keypad cellular phone.

‘I commend our citizens for helping maintain peace and order in the region, particularly through their vigilance in reporting the presence of firearms and explosives. Our operatives are still conducting an investigation into the origin and intended use of the recovered items, as well as the individuals or groups responsible for storing them in the area,’ Magistrado said.

Authorities said the five M76B rifle grenades, one M76C rifle grenade, and one M76A-1 rifle grenade were deemed hazardous to handle and were immediately disposed of through controlled detonation at the site by the 25th EOD Team.

Meanwhile, the two recovered M60 barrels were turned over to the Butuan City Forensic Unit for ballistic examination.

Five alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested during a warrant service operation in Talisay, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, following a recent deadly clash in the province.

The military operation was conducted along the Circumferential Road, Barangay Matab-ang of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said on Thursday.

Operatives were serving an arrest warrant for attempted murder against a suspect identified as alias ‘Glem’ when four additional individuals were apprehended after being found in possession of firearms and explosives, it said.

The arrested individuals were identified as alias ‘Glem,’ 48, of Zamboanga Sibugay and squad leader of the North Negros Front (NNF); alias ‘Dan,’ 25, of Himamaylan City, squad leader of Central Negros 2 (CN2); alias ‘Jud,’ 34, of San Carlos City; alias ‘Ju,’ 26, of Murcia; and alias ‘Je,’ 57, of Bacolod City.

Both ‘Glem’ and ‘Dan’ are listed on the Periodic Status Report (PSR) of wanted personalities, the police said.

Authorities said some of the suspects reportedly had visible body wounds, which led them to believe the group was previously involved in an armed encounter with troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.

Authorities recovered four short firearms, live ammunition, and explosive devices from the suspects, the PRO NIR said.

The operation was led by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of PRO-NIR in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit (CIDG-RFU), the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), the 6th Special Action Battalion of the PNP Special Action Force (6th SAB, PNP SAF), the Talisay City Component Police Station (Talisay CCPS), and the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) of the Philippine Army.

If you were in high school or college in the 2000s, chances are there was at least one guitar-toting student in your class-and what are the odds that when lunch break came, the song they played to show they had finally mastered their first barre chord was ‘Torete’ by Moonstar88?

It’s infectious and forgiving to play, and the payoff is worth more than you would expect. Before you knew it, everyone was singing their hearts out about unrequited love at high noon, because why not?

It’s hard to put into words exactly what makes Moonstar88 sound like Moonstar88, guitarist Herbert Hernandez says. But hard-pressed to give a reason, guitar-driven simplicity has got to be one of them.

Nothing too complex

They’re ‘not the most technical of musicians,’ they concede, but they have a keen ear for lyrics that hit from the very first line. And when lead vocalist Maysh Baay breathes life into them-coupled with Hernandez’s guitar work and the distinct ‘klangklang’ of drummer Bon Sundiang’s snares-the sound they create is unmistakably theirs.

‘Alam mong jinam ng banda ‘yong kanta sa acoustic guitar. Isa na ring sigurong dahilan eh hindi complex ‘yong chords at arrangement,’ Hernandez tells Lifestyle Inquirer. ‘There are those who concentrate on the sound or the hook-and there’s nothing wrong with that-but we focus more on the lyrics and the story we want to tell.’

It may not have been the original intention, but their instinct not to overcomplicate things leaves room for another defining element of the ‘Moonstar88 DNA’: the vocals. While Baay has a fuller, sturdier sound, there’s still a sweetness in her tone that harks back to the band’s early days with Acel Bisa’s whispery and fragile singing-the better to convey the sense of longing the music often evokes.

And this is something that has remained constant throughout the band’s 27-year musical journey-from ‘Torete’ and ‘Sulat’ to ‘Migraine’ and ‘Gilid.’ Hernandez and Sundiang can veer ‘super far out’ from what fans would expect in terms of production, but Baay’s singing always brings it back to center.

‘Alam namin na, at the end of the day, kapag kumanta at nag-record na si Maysh, ‘yon na ‘yon,’ Sundiang says.

‘Alam namin na, at the end of the day, kapag kumanta at nag-record na si Maysh, ‘yon na ‘yon’

Organic interplay

Fair enough-sound is better heard than explained. At the group’s recent contract signing with EMI Records Philippines, a sublabel of Universal Music Group, they let their music do the talking-playing two new singles ahead of their respective releases as part of their upcoming 13-track, all-original album.

‘Goma,’ an upbeat pop-rock anthem with a driving rhythm, speaks of being stretched to the limit but inevitably bouncing back into form. As its title suggests, ‘Kape Tayo’ is a tender midtempo ballad that yearns for warmth and companionship, ‘sa tamis at sa pait.’ (The band members aren’t much of drinkers, they joke.)

And if these songs are a preview of their upcoming album-which will include four compositions by ‘Torete’ composer Darwin Hernandez, who’s marking his return to writing for the band after a long while-then ‘Moonstareros’ can expect something fresh but still close to home.

‘There’s something new because we’re now with EMI and we have new sounds or stories to tell. There’s something gifted kasi maraming regalong kanta sa ‘min si Darwin. But at the same time, the magic of our signature sound still comes out,’ Baay says of the new material, which will also feature collaborations with Jay Contreras of Kamikazee, Rye Sarmiento of 6Cyclemind, and Jazz Jorge of Gracenote.

Although the said tracks sound steadier than senti, with dashes of grit and urgency here and there, they still rely on the organic interplay of actual instruments and the band’s knack for melodies that spark LSS (last song syndrome). The topics may essentially be about love, but not from the same shade or perspective they have already explored before.

Happy and confident

There’s nothing drastic here that immediately suggests they’re trying to jump onto a trend-and that’s precisely the point. More than their music’s sincerity and unpretentiousness, it’s their disinterest in chasing whatever is in vogue that makes their work timeless and relatable across generations.

‘If you look at it, hindi siya ‘yong uso, pero nandiyan lang siya lagi,’ Hernandez points out.

Case in point: when the VCR for ‘Fortunate Change’ played at Seventeen’s Philippine show last March, a predominantly young audience-maybe sensing similarities in the instrumentation-spontaneously sang ‘Torete.’ This seemingly reflects Moonstar88’s streaming demographics, which show that their Gen Z listeners have already overtaken Millennials.

‘It’s overwhelming na nasa isipan kami ng mga bata,’ Baay says.

Needless to say, Moonstar88 was amused and slightly bemused, but that moment only proves that good music is good music-whether played in a classroom in the 2000s or a K-pop stadium in 2026. ‘That makes us happy and confident to just continue what we love to do,’ Hernandez says.

An outright downgrade of the Philippine sovereign credit rating is unlikely unless the war in the Middle East drags on, Nomura Global Markets Research said, adding that growth should rebound as the government accelerates spending.

In a note, Nomura economists Euben Paracuelles and Nabila Amani said the country’s fiscal risks are more manageable than those facing many of its peers that are also under ratings pressure.

On Monday, Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on the Philippines to ‘negative’ from ‘stable,’ signaling that the country’s investment-grade ‘BBB’ rating could be downgraded within one to two years if fiscal conditions fail to improve.

The move followed last week’s setback, when S and P Global Ratings cut its outlook to ‘stable’ from ‘positive,’ dimming hopes that the country could soon secure its first-ever ‘A’ rating from one of the three major credit rating agencies.

Fitch’s rating stands one notch below S and P’s ‘BBB+,’ itself one step short of the coveted ‘A’ level.

Explaining their actions, both agencies pointed to the same challenge: The Philippine government, still reeling from the fallout of a major corruption scandal that paralyzed public spending, is confronting an oil shock with diminished fiscal buffers.

‘As we argued before, a shift to a negative outlook, much less a rating downgrade, by S and P, is unlikely over the next few months, even with its higher credit rating, and we believe it will be the same for Fitch, unless the crisis becomes is significantly prolonged,’ Paracuelles and Amani said.

Review cycle

‘By the next review cycle (which is usually 12 months, unless there are significant developments that warrant an earlier review), the main factors cited by Fitch for a downgrade will likely show some improvements, in our view,’ they added.

Moody’s Ratings, the third major agency, has yet to announce a rating action. But in an April 14 credit opinion, it warned that the conflict in the Gulf region has increased downside risks to the Philippines’ economic outlook by lifting global energy prices and intensifying external cost pressures.

A rating downgrade could mark the country’s first since 2005, when political turmoil and fiscal instability eroded the Philippines’ credit standing.

A lower rating could raise the government’s borrowing costs at a time when it is running a budget deficit to finance development spending.

Infrastructure spending

But looking ahead, Nomura said gross domestic product growth should rebound as the government implements catch-up infrastructure spending and as terms-of-trade pressures ease. This assumes that a US-Iran deal could be made.

The bank forecasts 2026 growth at 5 percent-above Fitch’s 4.6 percent-even after trimming its own projection from 5.3 percent to reflect the energy price shock.

‘We still think the government has a limited appetite to implement blanket fuel subsidies that tend to be difficult to unwind,’ Nomura said. ‘Therefore, the medium-term fiscal consolidation agenda is unlikely to be derailed, even if implemented more gradually to recalibrate for the external shock and evolving domestic economic conditions, in our view.

BINI composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena – has once again made a strong impression on the international stage after their guest appearance at the Grammy Museum’s Global Spin Live event.

The P-pop powerhouse was the guest of honor at the Global Spin Live gathering on Tuesday, April 21 (April 22 in the Philippines), where they spoke about their latest EP, ‘Signals,’ and treated the audience to a capella- and dance-themed performances.

Some of the songs that were performed in their set were ‘Blush’ and ‘Unang Kilig,’ per clips from Billboard.

Fresh off their Coachella debut, BINI perform new single ‘Blush’ at the GRAMMY Museum in LA pic.twitter.com/FYOswbV0j4

Aside from new music, BINI also shared how their five-year career has shaped them for the better and how the members have learned to navigate their journey as a P-pop act and as female artists.

‘Blushing, smiling, and still feeling the kilig after our @GRAMMYMuseum performance! Thank you for sharing this special moment with us. Huge thanks to @grammymuseum for the opportunity to share our music on your stage,’ they wrote after their latest appearance.

‘Ibigay ang hilig ng walang ligalig.’ (Give the desire without trouble.)

This was the response of Palace Press Officer Claire Castro to questions on why the Office of the President (OP) approved Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for a 22-day overseas travel.

At a briefing on Thursday, Castro also refuted claims that the OP intentionally granted Duterte’s request a day before her departure, which Duterte said was a last-minute decision.

The request was made on April 14, and according to Castro, it usually takes five business days to process. This is the same process followed for other officials who request travel authority.

Duterte on Thursday said she will soon file a new travel request and asked for its prompt issuance to allow sufficient time for travel preparations.

‘The vice president, based on records, receives her travel authority documents a day before her intended trip. So, she was not denied. There is also no record showing that when she requested a vacation or a personal trip for an extended period, she was ever refused. Therefore, to say that this was a last-minute resolution or decision is not accurate. This is because this is what usually happens-the travel authority is normally given to her a day before,’ Castro explained in Filipino.

‘Why did the vice president change her mind? What made her change her mind is the 6.7 billion question,’ she added.

Castro was referring to the alleged amount of suspicious transactions that flowed through the bank accounts of Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio, from 2006 to 2025, as flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

During the briefing, Castro also dismissed Duterte’s request for confidentiality regarding her approved travel authority, citing security concerns.

‘She is a public servant; she is not a private individual. She cannot hide things she wants to conceal. There are matters that the public needs to know because she is a public servant,’ Castro said in Filipino.

‘For example, amid the crisis in the Middle East and the billions-worth of issues currently involving the vice president and her husband, if you were asked, if you were the vice president, would it be appropriate to go on vacation? If what she wants is to take a vacation and go on a world tour to pursue her personal interests, considering that she does not have an ILBO (Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order) and there is also no precautionary hold departure order in place,’ she added.

When asked for a message to Duterte regarding her continued absence from congressional hearings on the impeachment complaints against her, Castro said there was no need for one.

‘She is already an adult. Second, she is the vice president and a public servant. She says she promotes accountability and transparency, so she should know what she needs to do and how to explain it to the public. Therefore, she does not need any message from the Palace,’ she said in Filipino.

Impeachment proceedings against Duterte continued on Wednesday. The House justice committee reviewed financial documents, including her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, tax filings, and business records, to examine allegations that she amassed wealth beyond her declared income.

She is also accused of misusing hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she was its secretary.

PLDT captured the bronze in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after completing a series sweep of Farm Fresh in another thrilling five-setter, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, in Game 2 on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The High Speed Hitters were dragged into another decider, but from a 2-all tie in the fifth set, Savi Davsion caught fire to mount a 10-4 lead. Kiesha Bedonia scored three straight kills to reach match point, 14-5, before Kianna Dy nailed the game-winning block on Royse Tubino.

PLDT also needed five sets in Game 1, with Davison pouring 33 to turn back Farm Fresh, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11, on Tuesday.

BATTLE FOR BRONZE – PLDT vs Farm Fresh – Game 2

FINAL: PLDT captures the All-Filipino Conference bronze after surviving Farm Fresh in another five-set thriller, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5.

FINAL: PLDT captures the All-Filipino Conference bronze after surviving Farm Fresh in another five-set thriller, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5. OF SET 4: Farm Fresh 25, PLDT 21. The Foxies force a decider. OF SET 3: PLDT 25, Farm Fresh 21. The High Speed Hitters regain the lead, inching closer to a bronze medal finish. OF SET 2: Farm Fresh 25, PLDT 21. The Foxies tie the game to one set apiece. OF SET 1: PLDT 25, Farm Fresh 14.

PVL Finals: Creamline goes for clincher vs gritty Cignal

Creamline wary as it goes for clincher vs gritty Cignal

When Creamline flushed Cignal with a heavy dose of championship experience to take Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference finals, the Cool Smashers did so in such an authoritative manner that even their foes couldn’t help but notice.

‘It’s about how they (Creamline) stay composed and enjoy every situation. For us, it felt different,’ said Super Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos. ‘The biggest lesson for us, especially since it’s our first time [in the All-Filipino finals], is to embrace the moment.’

Cignal, which owns runner-up finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and 2024 Invitational, has one shot to embrace the moment.

Creamline guns for the crown on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, intent on reclaiming its crown but very much aware of how much its gritty foe has to offer as it fights for survival.

‘Cignal is the type of team that doesn’t stick to just one lineup. They make a lot of changes. So we need to stay patient and be ready for whatever adjustments they make in Game 2,’ said Jema Galanza, who had 17 points in Game 1, aside from collecting 13 excellent receptions from 18 tries.

PVL Finals: Bernadeth Pons, Creamline remain wary ahead of Game 2

Bernadeth Pons and Creamline Cool Smashers during the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1 vs Cignal Super Spikers.

Bernadeth Pons and Creamline Cool Smashers during the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1 vs Cignal Super Spikers. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Even with the 11th PVL title within reach for Creamline, Cool Smashers star Bernadeth Pons still refuses to look far ahead.

The Cool Smashers can close out the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 sweep of Cignal in Game 1 on Tuesday.

But Pons and Creamline are taking it one game at a time against a Cignal side eager to to extend the series to a decider.

‘We try not to think too much that we’re just one win away. We know nothing will be given to us. We have to earn it. Even with just one day of preparation, the most important thing is our mindset,’ Pons said in Filipino.

PVL Finals: Vanie Gandler, Cignal move forward after Game 1 loss

Cignal Super Spikers’ Vanie Gandler during a game against Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.

Cignal Super Spikers’ Vanie Gandler during a game against Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Vanie Gandler and the Cignal Super Spikers shift their focus to Game 2 after getting swept by Creamline in their PVL All-Filipino Conference finals debut.

Gandler shone in Game 1 with 17 points and 10 excellent receptions but Cignal fell to Creamline, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals on Tuesday in front of a Cool Smashers-dominated 8,183 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘It was a tough loss, but it’s Game 1, it’s a best-of-three series for a reason. We’re just going forward and do what we need to do to improve,’ said Gandler.