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Ridon asks: Was OVP dragging Senate into procurement issue over meals?

Another question brought by Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for the Senate to shoulder the meals of her lawyers for the impeachment trial is whether this matter would have led to a procurement issue for the legislative body, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Thursday.

Ridon in an online press briefing said that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will cause a procurement case had the Senate granted its request to shoulder the defense panel’s meals, because Duterte requested for their own caterer which the Senate should pay for.

‘The way I look at it, it seems that the OVP is basically opening up the Senate for a procurement case,’ Ridon, speaking Filipino, told reporters after he and other members of the prosecution panel were asked about Duterte’s letter dated July 7.

‘Because they want to hire their own caterer, but the one who would pay it is a different entity. So I think it’s the Senate who should decide on what would be their decision regarding this matter,’ he added.

Under Section 15 of Republic Act No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act, having another office to do procurement is only allowed if the procuring entity – in this case, the OVP – ‘does not have the capability or proficiency to undertake a particular procurement.’

However, procuring agents generally refer to government agencies whose primary role is procurement, like the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management.

‘As part of strategic procurement planning, the HoPE (head of procuring entity) may authorize the engagement of a government procurement agency, which shall undertake the functions of the BAC (Bids and Awards Committee), if the Procuring Entity does not have the capability or proficiency to undertake a particular procurement,’ R.A. No. 12009 stated.

‘Provided, that the Procuring Entity cannot delegate the issuance of the notice of award and the award of contract to the procurement agent and there shall be no transfer of funds to the procurement agent, except for the payment of service fee, if applicable,’ the same section added.

On Wednesday, copies of Duterte’s letter were released to the media, showing her request for food and beverage from OVP’s accredited caterers due to ‘legitimate security concerns.’

According to the letter, Duterte requested that all food and beverages for her team and witnesses be served only in their designated holding room for their safety, and that the Senate shoulder the costs for these arrangements.

‘As these arrangements are required solely in connection with these proceedings, the OVP respectfully requests that the Senate shoulder the reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses,’ Duterte said in the letter.

But Ridon said this request is ‘very interesting’ as the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial, has no obligation to shoulder the meals of either the defense panel or the House of Representatives’ prosecution team.

‘The request is very interesting, because it is true that the Senate Impeachment Court has no obligation to pay the food of anyone, whether it is the prosecution or the defense. The truth is that these sides have their own offices, the defense and the prosecution,’ he said.

‘So the defense, the OVP has its general budget, the House has its own general for the impeachment proceedings. So I cannot understand why – it looked like a demand from the OVP, from the Vice President herself – they are asking the Senate to actually pay for the food expenses of the defense panel,’ he added.

Ridon is not the first House lawmaker to comment on Duterte’s request. On Wednesday, hours after news outlets reported on the letter, House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said that this request comes off as improper and funny at the same time, since the OVP is an office which has been allocated funds for such purposes.

Garin also said she has not heard of such a setup in a regular courtroom proceeding.

Aside from this, Garin said that the reason behind Duterte’s request may be offensive to the Senate, as there was an assumption that the meals from the Senate may be bad for them.

This is not the first time that Duterte’s requests for a caterer became an issue. Early into the impeachment trial, Duterte grabbed headlines not only because of the proceedings, but because OVP inquired about the possibility of bringing its own equipment, including a refrigerator and coffee maker, to the holding area assigned to the defense panel.

The request was made by OVP chief-of-staff and Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, while the information about the request was provided by Senate Secretary and impeachment clerk of court Renato Bantug Jr.

Bantug clarified that such requests are not unusual, noting that the prosecution team contracted their own caterer and brought in their own equipment

Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial Evidence is evidence that does not directly prove a fact on its own, but allows a judge to infer that the fact is true based on logical deduction. It is evidence that proves a fact or series of facts from which the facts in issue may be established by inference. It is founded on experience, observed facts and coincidences establishing a connection between the known and proven facts and the facts sought to be proved. (People of the Philippines v. Canlas, GR 141633, December 14, 2001)

Examples are forensic evidence such as fingerprints and DNA found at the crime scene, behavior and demeanor of the suspect, motive and opportunity, digital footprints such as cell phone tower locations, web browser search history or credit card transactions.

The opposite is Direct Evidence which is defined as evidence which proves a key fact immediately and on its own, without the aid of any inference or presumption. (Go v. Leyte II Electric Cooperative, GR 176909, February 18, 2008)

Examples of direct evidence are eyewitness testimony, video or audio recordings showing the commission of the crime and the perpetrator, confessions of the accused, official documents or receipts establishing the agreement between the parties.

In the show Suits, lawyer Harvey Specter frequently dismisses the claims of the opposing counsel or prosecutors by telling them: ‘You’ve got no witnesses, no direct proof-just a pile of circumstantial garbage. See you in court.’

In the real world, this is a myth. Circumstantial evidence is admissible in court and carries legal weight. There are many cases decided based solely on circumstantial evidence and convictions of crimes where courts have arrived at conclusions that that the prosecution was able to provide beyond reasonable doubt that a crime was committed by the accused.

Rule 133, Section 4 of the Revised Rules of Court provides that circumstantial evidence is sufficient for conviction of a crime when:

(a) There is more than one circumstance;(b) The facts from which the inferences are derived are proven; and(c) The combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.

Whether based on Direct or Circumstantial evidence, conviction of a crime must always rest on nothing less than moral certainty that establishes proof beyond reasonable doubt as to the commission of the crime and the perpetrator.

The test to determine whether or not the circumstantial evidence on record is sufficient to convict the accused is that the series of circumstances duly proved must be consistent with each other and that each and every circumstance must be consistent with the accused’s guilt and inconsistent with his innocence. The circumstantial evidence must exclude the possibility that some other person has committed the offense. (People of the Philippines v. Canlas, GR 141633, December 14, 2001)The case of Espinelli v. People of the Philippines (G.R. No.179535, June 9, 2014) decided by the Supreme Court provides an illustration of circumstantial evidence leading to a conviction for the crime of murder.Accused Espinelli was convicted for the killing of Alberto Berbon who died due to multiple gunshot wounds. There was no witness who saw the shooting of Berbon.

Nonetheless, Espinelli was convicted and, his conviction was based on circumstantial evidence.

The following circumstances led to the conclusion by the Courts that there was an unbroken chain leading to a fair and reasonable conclusion that Espinelli committed the crime.

NBI Agent Segunial testified that while he was investigating one Danilo Reyes, who was arrested for Illegal Possession of a Deadly Weapon, the latter confided to him that he heard Espinelli telling another person, Sotero Paredes, ‘Ayaw ko nang abutin pa ng bukas yang si Berbon’. Reyes also stated that he saw Espinelli and Sotero armed with a .45 caliber pistol and an armalite, before they boarded red car;

A witness also testified that he sold Sotero a vehicle which was a red Ford Escort a few months before Berbon was killed. The witness also identified a photograph of the red car which Reyes said he saw Espinelli and Sotero boarding;

Third, Alberto was shot and killed on December 15, 1996 and the gunmen immediately fled the scene riding a red car which was identified as the same car previously sold by Rodolfo to Sotero;

There was also the testimony of Dr. Lagat, the NBI Medico-Legal, on his post-mortem examination of the body of Berbon that the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds which caused by high-powered guns; and

Espinelli’s escape from detention while the case was pending was also considered as a strong indication of his guilt.

The Courts found that the combination and cumulative effect of the established circumstances satisfied the requirement of Section 4, Rule 133 of the Rules of Court. The incriminating circumstances, when taken together, constituted an unbroken chain of events enough to arrive at the conclusion that Espinelli was responsible for the killing of the Berbon.

Accordingly, circumstantial evidence is as important as direct evidence and is equally relied upon by the Courts to convict persons accused of committing crimes provided that the circumstances proved constitute an unbroken chain which leads to one fair and reasonable conclusion that points to the accused, to the exclusion of all others as the guilty person.

Government to allow 250K MT fish imports by October

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to allow the entry of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of imported fish by October or November, deferring the move initially set in August, due to stable domestic supply.

Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. said drier conditions due to El Niño have extended the fishing season and provided ample supply for the country.

‘The importation will be triggered during the closed fishing season, probably by October or November,’ he told reporters yesterday. ‘As of the moment, the price of seafood remains stable.’

A Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) issued last March approved the importation of 250,000 MT of fish by this August to provide ample stocks and ensure that prices remain stable throughout the closed fishing season.

Department Circular No. 12 also set guidelines on the allocation of imported fish, with 80 percent given to the commercial sector and 20 percent to associations and cooperatives.

The DA added that 10,000 MT of the total imported volumes would be allocated for government use under the agency’s Kadiwa program.

Under the CNI, allowed seafood species include crab, lobsters, prawn, shrimp, clams, mussels, octopus, oyster, scallops, sea urchin and squid.

Also included are Alaskan pollock, anchovies, amberjack, barramundi, bigeye, capelin, cobia, cod, channel rockfish, croaker, dolphin fish, eel, emperor, flounder, fusilier, goldbanded, gourami, grouper, gunard, haddock and hairtail.

Shipments of hake, halibut, hoki, largesnout goby, mackerel, marlin, moonfish, mullet, nile perch, oil fish, orange roughy, plaice, pomfret, pony fish, rabbifish, red bream/alfonsino, sable fish and snapper are also allowed.

Importers may also bring in salmon, sardines, scad, sea bass, sea bream, sillago, smelt, sweetlips, swordfish, threadfin bream, toothfish, trevally, trout, tuna, turbot, whiting and yellowfin sole.

The government imposes a fishing ban from November to February of the following year to replenish the local fish population during its peak spawning period. Fish supply during this period is sourced from imports.

’Horrible English’: El-Rufai disowns letter questioning Ashiru’s ADC ticket

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has disowned a viral letter questioning Isah Ashiru’s nomination as the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

The letter, titled Urgent Message and dated July 14, 2026, was purportedly signed by El-Rufai and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the family described the document as a ‘shabby fake’ written in ‘horrible English’ and ‘horrendous handwriting.’

‘The spurious letter, purportedly dated July 14, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, should be disregarded as the shabby fake that it is,’ the statement said.

‘Neither the poor content nor the handwriting has anything to do with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.’

The disputed letter reportedly questioned Ashiru’s eligibility for the ADC governorship ticket, alleging that he failed to complete the party’s online membership registration before the April 30, 2026 deadline.

It claimed that Ashiru’s nomination had created tension within the party and urged the ADC’s national and Kaduna State leadership to intervene and review the matter.

El-Rufai’s family accused those behind the document of attempting to create confusion and division within the party.

‘The fake letter shows another resort to desperation by Mallam’s traducers who seek to sow confusion and division,’ the family said.

‘Their attempt at politics by fakery should be dismissed and condemned. It is an instance of the most primitive politics, and its sponsors should be ashamed of themselves.’

The statement was signed on behalf of the family by El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.

What happens after you contact Olymptrade support? A look behind the scenes

You rarely think about customer support until you need it. A simple request can be resolved in moments, while others take longer because more information is needed. Either way, people usually want the same thing: they want to know what is happening.

To mark Customer Support Day, Olymptrade spoke with members of its customer support team about what happens after a user reaches out for assistance. Their experiences offer a closer look at how human expertise, technology and clear communication work together to assist Olymptrade’s more than 100 million registered users across 130 countries.

This global community represents a highly diverse audience, ranging from experienced traders to complete beginners. Some users come from highly digitalized markets, while others live in regions where digital adoption is still developing.

Because each group comes with different expectations and levels of familiarity with financial products, maintaining standardized, clear processes and transparent communication is just as vital as resolving inquiries themselves.

How does Olymptrade support keep users informed?

During the interviews with members of the support team, one message came through clearly. For users, good support means timely updates, clear explanations and practical guidance on what comes next.

One member of the customer support team highlighted how this works in practice. The team’s main focus is ensuring users always know where their request stands. Whether it’s a quick question or a more detailed inquiry, specialists guide users through the next steps and clearly communicate if any additional information is needed.

Another team member noticed something similar. “What they really want is reassurance that we are actively working on their case and doing everything we can to help.”

Even when an inquiry takes time to resolve, the team’s primary goal is to ensure users understand what is happening, where their request stands, and what to expect next.

Specialists look at transaction details, clarify steps, and keep communication completely transparent to maintain trust and confidence. What users are looking for is reassurance that a real professional is actively working on their case and doing everything possible to help.

As another specialist explained: “We keep the user informed about the status of the case, make the process transparent and provide the user with realistic expectations so that their trust and confidence is maintained.”

Those interviews offered a simple reminder: good customer support is measured not only by how fast someone replies, but also by whether people understand what is happening while their request is being handled.

Olymptrade continues to heavily invest in expanding and improving this area of its operations. This progress stands out in markets where the traditional industry standard is often limited to overloaded phone lines available only Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.

By delivering 24/7 localized support, these operational efforts have earned external recognition, including the Excellence in Customer Support Middle East 2026 award from International Business Magazine.

Why AI and real human support work better together

When serving a large global user base, technology is necessary to keep up with incoming requests.

Olymptrade uses automated chat systems as the first point of contact to answer common questions and direct traffic efficiently. If a user simply needs help finding a platform feature or understanding a standard process, automated support delivers the answer instantly.

However, automation is built for routine tasks. When an inquiry requires additional context or extra information, human specialists step in to provide personalized guidance and coordinate with internal departments.

This layered system ensures that technology handles speed at scale, while human professionals focus their time on cases that need a personalized touch.

How do support conversations improve the platform?

Some questions come up more often than others.

When different users ask about the same feature or need help with the same step, those conversations begin to reveal patterns.

The support team pays close attention to those patterns and shares them with the teams responsible for the platform.

The result is not always a major update. Sometimes it is clearer wording, and sometimes it is a simpler screen or a more intuitive user flow.

Changes like these rarely begin in a meeting room. In some cases, they begin with a question from a user.

That is another role of customer support. Every conversation offers a chance to make the platform a little accessible for the next person.

What do Olymptrade support reviews reveal?

Search results can tell you only so much.

To understand the full context, it helps to look at how the support process works in practice.

The Customer Support Day interviews offered that kind of perspective.

They showed that customer support is built around more than quick replies. Helping users understand what’s happening, explaining the next step, and making communication clear all came up repeatedly during the conversations.

The interviews also showed where AI fits into the picture. Routine questions can often be handled straight away, while requests that need more context are passed to real human support.

Another point stood out.

Those interactions do not disappear once a case has been closed. Questions that appear again and again help highlight areas where instructions, navigation, or the overall user experience can become easier for everyone.

That is the picture these conversations leave behind. They are less about individual cases and more about how the support system works every day.

Most as asked questions

How quickly does Olymptrade respond to support requests?

Olymptrade reports an average first response time of under 20 seconds, with an overall average response and resolution update window kept under 50 seconds.

Is support available globally?

Yes. Olymptrade provides around-the-clock, 24/7 support across 130 countries. To ensure clear and transparent communication, assistance is fully localized and provided in 14 languages, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia, and Spanish.

Does user feedback actually change the platform?

Olymptrade does not treat support interactions as isolated tickets. Recurring queries or navigation patterns are systematically categorized and escalated to product development teams to streamline layouts, clarify wording, and improve user interface elements.

What do Olymptrade support reviews usually talk about?

Many Olymptrade support reviews focus on response time, accessibility, and clarity of communication. Users exploring these evaluations typically want to verify how fast the team responds, who handles their inquiries, and whether the process remains transparent during more detailed reviews.

Conclusion

Millions of questions reach Olymptrade every year. Some take only a few moments to answer. Others need more time, more context, or input from different teams.

Behind each one is the same goal: helping users understand what is happening and what comes next.

That is what the Customer Support Day interviews revealed. It is also the core idea behind Olymptrade’s “Care that counts” initiative: meaningful service is measured not only by finding answers, but also by keeping people updated throughout the process.

Export earnings exceed $ 9 b in 1H

Sri Lanka’s export sector continued to demonstrate resilience and sustained growth, with the first six months’ total earnings surpassing $ 9.01 billion and reflecting a 7.96% year-on-year (YoY) growth despite global headwinds.

The latest data released by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) showed that merchandise exports shipped in June were up 18.25% YoY to over $ 1.31 billion, whilst estimated services earnings in the month increased by 3.75% YoY to $ 344.52 million. June exports also registered a 7.37% month-on-month (MoM) increase compared to May 2026. Total earnings during June surpassed $ 1.65 billion, reflecting a 12.53% YoY growth.

Merchandise export earnings during January-June increased by 8.95% YoY to over $ 7.07 billion, whilst services exports during the same period were estimated to have surged by 4.49% to $ 1.93 billion.

Services exports include sectors such as ICT/BPM, construction, financial services, and transport and logistics.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said: ‘Sri Lanka’s export performance during the first half of 2026 demonstrates the resilience and competitiveness of our exporters, with total exports surpassing the $ 9 billion milestone. The continued growth recorded across both merchandise and services exports reflects the sector’s ability to adapt to evolving global market conditions, while strengthening its contribution to economic recovery and foreign exchange earnings.’

He said the EDB remains committed to working closely with exporters and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in global markets through innovation, market diversification, value addition, and improved trade facilitation.

‘The implementation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030 will provide a strategic framework to further enhance export competitiveness, promote integration into global value chains, expand opportunities for businesses, and support sustainable export-led economic growth,’ Wijesinghe added.

As per the data shared by the EDB, the industrial sector showed a significant increase in performance.

Apparel and textiles remained the dominant contributor, but the sector saw a 6.07% YoY decrease between January and June, reaching over $ 2.44 billion.

Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) exports surged by 123.48% YoY to $ 450.20 million, supported by strong performance in Electrical Transformers (36.99%), Insulated Wires and Cables (72.91%), and Switches, Boards and Panels (19.18%). In addition, exports of Boilers, Piston Engines, Pumps, and Vacuum Pumps increased substantially, reaching $ 171.39 million during January-June 2026.

Processed Food and Beverages export earnings also increased 24.45% YoY to reach $ 347.13 million during January-June, primarily driven by the strong performance of processed food exports, which grew by 44.07% to reach $ 164.61 million. This growth highlights the rising international demand for Sri Lanka’s value-added food products.

Agriculture exports also witnessed a remarkable growth during the first-half months. Export earnings from Coconut-Based Products increased significantly by 14.59% YoY to reach $ 614.93 million during 1H 2026, supported by broad-based growth across all major product categories, including Coconut Kernel-Based Products (4.57%), Fibre-Based Products (12.45%), and Shell-Based Products (50.74%). The strong performance was driven by increased exports of products such as Coconut Oil (15.19%), Desiccated Coconut (12.81%), Liquid Coconut Milk (4.33%), and Activated Carbon (44.59%), reflecting sustained global demand and enhanced value addition within the sector.

Earnings from the rubber sector increased by 5.24% to $ 492.32 million during the first six months, largely driven by performance in Pneumatic and Re-treaded Rubber Tyres and Tubes, which increased by 6.49% during the period. The positive performance reflects the continued competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s rubber-based manufacturing sector in global markets.

Seafood exports also grew by 17.61% to reach $ 122.51 million, supported by higher exports of Frozen Fish (7.6%) and Fresh Fish (50.06%). The growth reflects improved export volumes and strengthening demand in international markets.

However, tea exports, which comprised 12% of total merchandise exports, declined by 5.69% YoY to reach $ 700.80 million during the January-June 2026 period. The reduction was mainly attributed to weaker performance in key product categories, with Bulk Tea exports declining by 6.6% and Tea Packet exports decreasing by 6.43% compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

On the services side, the ICT/BPM and financial services sectors showed positive growth during the first six months, with increases of 17.66% YoY to $ 885.42 million and 28.32% YoY to $ 29.23 million, respectively.

The robust June figures build on the positive trajectory recorded in 2025. Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached over $ 17.25 billion last year, marking a 5.6% YoY increase and achieving nearly 95% of the $ 18.2 billion export target.

For 2026, Sri Lanka has set an ambitious export revenue target of $ 20 billion, reflecting an anticipated YoY growth of 10-12%. Merchandise exports are expected to exceed $ 15.7 billion in 2026, while services exports are projected to rise to $ 4.3 billion.

Among Sri Lanka’s top 15 export markets are the US, India, UK, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, China, UAE, Australia, France, Trkiye, Canada, Belgium, Japan, and Mexico. India, China, Turkey, Japan, and Mexico recorded positive YoY growth in both June 2026 and cumulatively for the January-June period, reflecting emerging resilience across major international markets.

The US, Sri Lanka’s largest single export destination accounting for around 22% of total merchandise exports, recorded a marginal YoY decrease of 0.58% to $ 250.87 million in June 2026. Meanwhile, cumulative exports for January-June reflected a slight increase of 0.13%, reaching $ 1,436.85 million compared to the corresponding period in 2025, indicating stable but relatively subdued overall growth in exports to the US.

India strengthened its position as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, surpassing the UK, with cumulative exports increasing by 36.16% to $ 688.47 million during January-June. In June 2026, exports to India recorded a robust YoY growth of 156.73%, reaching $ 246.15 million. In contrast, exports to the UK experienced a significant YoY decline of 28.49% to $ 65.53 million in June 2026, while cumulative exports declined by 10.23% to $ 434.44 million during the January-June period compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

Exports to the EU, which account for 25.5% of Sri Lanka’s total merchandise exports, recorded a decline of 14.85% in June 2026 compared to the corresponding month of 2025. However, during the cumulative period from January-June, exports to the EU increased by 2.49% YoY, indicating a marginal improvement in overall export performance to the region.

Igbo presidency debate deepens as APC chieftain rejects Peter Obi’s alleged one-term pact

The debate over the South-East’s quest for Nigeria’s presidency took a fresh turn on Wednesday as the South-East Leader of the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO), Dr. George Agbakahi, criticised the reported agreement between Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to limit an Obi presidency to a single four-year term.

In a lengthy statement titled ‘The Igbo Presidency and the Politics of Half-Measures: Why Peter Obi’s One-Term Pledge Undermines South-East Aspirations’, Agbakahi argued that the arrangement, if implemented, would mark another chapter in what he described as the political marginalisation of the South-East.

According to him, after more than six decades of Nigeria’s independence, the South-East deserves nothing short of a full presidential tenure rather than what he called ‘a symbolic and abbreviated stint’ in office.

‘After decades of waiting, the Igbo people merit more than a symbolic interlude; they deserve the opportunity for a complete and consequential tenure that can address historic grievances and contribute meaningfully to national development,’ he said.

Agbakahi premised his argument on what he described as the region’s limited access to Nigeria’s highest political office since independence in 1960.

He recalled that the only time an Igbo occupied the presidency was during the brief military administration of Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, whose government lasted about six months before he was overthrown and assassinated during the July 1966 counter-coup.

According to him, every other major geopolitical bloc has enjoyed significantly longer periods in power.

‘The South-East’s share of presidential tenure remains less than one per cent despite the Igbo constituting a significant component of Nigeria’s population,’ Agbakahi stated.

He argued that the principle of zoning and rotational leadership, though unwritten, emerged to address historical imbalances and promote national inclusion.

Against that background, he maintained that any proposal restricting an Igbo presidency to one term undermines the region’s long-standing aspiration for equitable representation.

Questions about the reported Obi-Kwankwaso agreement

Agbakahi referred to reports that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso disclosed during a Channels Television interview on July 20, 2026, that he and Peter Obi had signed a written agreement limiting Obi to a single four-year tenure before power returns to the North in 2031.

Describing the reported agreement as politically risky, Agbakahi argued that voluntarily surrendering the constitutional opportunity for re-election before assuming office would weaken the South-East’s bargaining position.

‘This is no casual understanding. It is a documented pact, signed and affirmed publicly,’ he said.

He continued, ‘In a political system defined by the enormous advantages of incumbency, control of federal resources, security agencies, appointments and patronage networks, voluntarily foreshortening one’s tenure before even entering office represents more than a tactical compromise. It amounts to a pre-emptive surrender.’

The APC stalwart said the proposal raises troubling historical parallels.

He noted that the South-East had already experienced what he described as a severely truncated period in national leadership under Aguiyi-Ironsi.

‘To now accept another limited stint, four years followed by a cheerful hand-over, implies that roughly four and a half years in total across more than six decades should suffice for a major ethnic nationality,’ he argued.

Raises constitutional concerns

Agbakahi also questioned the legal and constitutional implications of the alleged agreement.

He pointed out that Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution permits an elected president to seek a second term, insisting that private political agreements cannot override constitutional provisions.

According to him, no enforcement mechanism has been publicly presented to guarantee compliance with the reported pact.

‘Private political pacts, however solemnly drafted, cannot supersede constitutional provisions, and the public has yet to see clear enforcement mechanisms, sanctions or detailed succession protocols in the Obi-Kwankwaso documents,’ he stated.

He maintained that the arrangement appears to guarantee a return of power to the North while asking the South-East to settle for what he called an abbreviated presidency.

The TSO leader also revisited Peter Obi’s political history, saying his movement across different political parties raises questions about long-term political commitments.

He listed Obi’s progression from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and subsequently the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, each transition was accompanied by assurances of loyalty that later changed.

‘Supporters maintain that this time Obi will honour his word because he is a man of integrity. History, however, cautions otherwise,’ Agbakahi said.

He added that previous gentlemen’s agreements in Nigerian politics have often collapsed under the realities of governance.

Urges South-East to support Tinubu

Rather than embracing what he described as ‘half-measures,’ Agbakahi urged Ndigbo to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and work with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He argued that the Tinubu administration has embarked on significant economic reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria despite prevailing economic challenges.

The APC chieftain cited improvements in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), falling inflation, rising external reserves, higher tax revenues, stronger stock market performance and infrastructure development as evidence of progress.

According to him, ongoing projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, housing schemes and education financing initiatives under the National Education Loan Fund, demonstrate the administration’s commitment to national development.

He also highlighted increased oil production, Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and improved security cooperation with international partners as signs of positive economic direction.

‘Persistent challenges remain, yet the overall direction reflects purposeful economic re-engineering rather than rhetorical appeals to rotation,’ he stated.

Cites Yoruba political strategy

Drawing comparisons with the South-West, Agbakahi argued that the Yoruba political establishment demonstrated strategic patience by supporting Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential ambition in 2015.

According to him, that alliance eventually paved the way for Bola Tinubu’s emergence as president in 2023.

‘That alliance produced eight years of northern leadership. When power shifted to the South again in 2023, it returned to a Yoruba president. This was political reciprocity at work,’ he said.

He urged the South-East to adopt a similar strategy by supporting Tinubu through 2031 and by strengthening its relationship with the APC ahead of the next presidential power shift.

Agbakahi referenced endorsements from political stakeholders, including Enugu Ohanaeze and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, as signs of growing regional support for collaboration with the Federal Government.

The APC leader insisted that the South-East should reject any arrangement limiting an Igbo presidency to one term.

According to him, the region should instead position itself for what he described as ‘full representation commensurate with its demographic and economic weight.’

‘The way forward for the Igbo is therefore one of strategic realism rather than premature concession,’ he said.

He added, ‘They must reject any notion of a half-presidency and insist on full representation.’

Agbakahi argued that supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda while deepening integration into national political structures would ultimately strengthen the South-East’s chances of producing a president capable of serving a full constitutional tenure.

Concluding his statement, Agbakahi maintained that the South-East should avoid what he described as ‘premature concessions’ and instead embrace long-term political calculation.

‘Peter Obi’s one-term pledge, however sincerely offered, risks becoming a self-inflicted wound. It concedes the architecture of power before the South-East has even begun to reshape it,’ he stated.

He maintained that Nigeria’s unity and federal balance would be better served by equitable access to the presidency rather than by what he described as ‘truncated turns’.

‘By choosing strategic alignment over half-measures, the South-East can finally convert long-suffering patience into enduring political equity.’

No fireworks as Cayetano, Matibag face off

There were no fireworks during the confrontation yesterday between Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag despite their word war over alleged anomalies in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

As the Senate impeachment court was tackling the grave threat allegation against Vice President Sara Duterte, Cayetano asked Matibag why the NBI was ‘expanding’ its ‘jurisdiction’ after the latter said the bureau can investigate any crime motu proprio.

Cayetano said Matibag’s remark ran counter to the law that modernized the bureau – or Republic Act 10867 – which listed the crimes that it can investigate.

The cases that the NBI can investigate, according to the law, are ‘human trafficking cases in all airports, extrajudicial, extralegal killings committed by state security forces against media practitioners activities, killings of justices and judges, violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, cases from the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council and violations of the Anti-Dummy Law,’ Cayetano said.

Based on the law, the NBI is also mandated to investigate threats and assaults on the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice. It is the President who can direct the NBI to investigate any crime ‘when public interest so requires,’ Cayetano said.

‘Why do they have to say any crime if you can do it… if you can investigate any crime after all? It seems that you’re expanding your jurisdiction by yourself,’ Cayetano said.

Matibag said the scope of the bureau cannot be limited, it being the country’s ‘primary investigating body.’

‘The list, yes it’s there. But it doesn’t limit our investigation,’ he said. ‘We also have our primary role to make sure that law and order is being promoted through the NBI din po.’

Cayetano took issue with Matibag’s announcement that they are also investigating allegations that Cayetano’s bailiwick Taguig has ghost flood control projects.

Matibag was reprimanded on Tuesday by the court for his statements about Cayetano regarding the NBI probe on the SEA Games.

Ping tags 2 ghost projects in Taguig

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said he has information regarding two ghost projects in Taguig, part of Cayetano’s alleged P6.79-billion budget insertion in the 2025 national budget, of which P2.085 billion was allotted for slope protection and drainage projects.

Lacson accused Cayetano of having 25 percent kickbacks from these projects collected by an identified ‘bagman.’

‘TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE: We have documented at least 2 case studies so far. Too many P100M slope protection and drainage projects totaling P2.085B out of the P6.79B insertions under the 2025 GAA,’ Lacson wrote on X. ‘There is no turning back!’

Lacson said some of the projects by Cayetano when he was House speaker were linked to detained contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, but implemented by another contractor under a five percent royalty scheme.

Other projects were implemented by Topnotch Catalyst Builders, which is among the top 15 flood control project contractors announced by President Marcos last year.

Disaster council seeks extension of Cagayan state of calamity

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended the extension of the state of calamity in Cagayan province until December 31 because of lingering El Niño drought.

Cesar Cuntapay, PDRRMO officer-in-charge, said the resolution was transmitted to the Cagayan provincial board on Thursday, urging it to retain the state of calamity because extreme heat and the lack of rain have severely affected agriculture, fisheries, water resources, and other sources of livelihood.

As of July 21, 76,328 hectares of farmland and local fisheries have been affected by the dry spell, with an estimated 64,978 farmers and fishermen directly impacted, and the total crop damage has reached P1.44 billion.

The declaration of a state of calamity was first approved on April 20 to address the worsening effects of El Niño and a prolonged period of drought in various parts of the province.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) presented the latest report on the damage caused by the extreme heat during the council’s second-quarter meeting.

Chief of Staff Felipe Buena, Jr., at the provincial Capitol, said it was important to extend the state of calamity so the provincial government could continue to provide immediate aid, intervention programs, and other necessary support to residents who have lost their livelihoods due to the severe drought.

How my failed marriage pushed me to attempt suicide on Third Mainland Bridge – Ubi Franklin

Nigerian music executive and artist manager Ubi Franklin has revealed that the collapse of his marriage to actress Lilian Esoro plunged him into depression and led him to attempt suicide despite his successful career.

Franklin shared the emotional account in a video posted on his Instagram page, saying he decided to tell his story to encourage others facing difficult moments in life.

Recounting the period after his marriage ended, Franklin said he struggled with embarrassment and emotional pain because his wife left him even though, according to him, he had done nothing wrong.

He explained that while his career was thriving, his personal life was falling apart, leaving him overwhelmed and hopeless.

According to him, ‘I went through some crazy depressing positions. I remember one time I bought a red CL, and I drove that car to the Third Mainland Bridge to go and commit suicide.’

He disclosed that his cousin, Omini Stitches, intervened and rescued him.

‘The only luck I had was my cousin brother Omini Stitches that came to save me. Several times I had tried to commit suicide, Omini saved me. Because I was so embarrassed, I didn’t know what to do. I felt like, what have I done to deserve all of this? I had a good career going for myself. I had like the biggest artist in the country at the time. Everything was fine, so I just felt like it was time for me to settle down,’ he said.

Reflecting on the failed marriage, Franklin said he has come to accept that not every relationship is meant to last.

‘So, sometimes I always feel like this relationship did not work, it was just meant to be that way. Till today I can’t really explain exactly what transpired, but we’re now very good friends. We co-parent very well, we celebrate events of our son.’

He described his son as the greatest blessing to come from the relationship and said he still wishes his ex-wife well.

‘Sometimes, I have always believed that regardless of all the pain, the best result that I got from that was my son. And she’s still doing very well. Any opportunity I ever have to support her, I always do it to the fullest, and I pray that she continues doing well.’

Urging people not to hold on to bitterness after painful experiences, Franklin said difficult situations should be seen as opportunities for growth.

‘The lesson I want you to learn from this is, I don’t want you to think that when something happens sometimes with a human being, you have to hate the human being. No, that’s not the case. Sometimes it is just an opportunity for you to learn from the process and keep it moving,’ he added.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, reaching out to a trusted family member, friend, mental health professional, or local crisis service can make an important difference. You do not have to face it alone.