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’Fresh evidence of double billing in ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig found’

SEN. Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday revealed fresh evidence pointing to double billing and collection involving infrastructure projects in Taguig City, the political bailiwick of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, with whom he has had a raging word war.

Lacson said one case involved two supposedly different projects that shared the same photo for billing purposes, while another involved a single slope protection project that received two separate budget appropriations.

In a post on X, referring to the first case, he said:

‘TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE #4: Two different projects, two distinct appropriations, two different technical descriptions and locations, two different contractors, but sharing the same photo for billing purposes. Status: both billed and collected.’

‘[The second case involves] One slope protection project, one location, one technical description, two separate budget appropriations. Status: both billed and collected,’ he added.

He then asked aloud, ‘Are these not criminal acts?’

Lacson said the latest findings add to the growing body of evidence he and his team gathered on allegedly anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City.

‘The full details and pieces of evidence will be turned over to the Ombudsman or presented during the Blue-Ribbon committee hearings when called,’ Lacson said.

Earlier in the weekend, he said the anomalous infrastructure projects investigation will have a ‘logical conclusion,’ referring toi the slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig City that they are looking into.

Lacson said they continue to exert efforts to uncover the truth, as they seek to bring the investigation to its ‘logical conclusion’ and hold those responsible accountable.

Their efforts, he stressed, are driven not by personal motives but by the need to exact accountability.

In a post on X, Lacson, a veteran investigator before becoming National Police chief and later senator, said: ‘WORKING ON A WEEKEND: today, a Saturday, we haven’t slowed down in following up the leads to maintain the momentum gained since we started investigating the anomalous slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig. Our goal is to reach its logical conclusion.’

On Friday, Lacson said that with the plot thickening and the case strengthening, the investigation has reached the point where it can be described as ‘SHOOT SA KALDERO.’ It was a reference to the recent move to revive investigation into alleged fund anomalies in the 2019 Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, topped by a controversial construction of a cauldron-shaped tower where the Games’ light was lodged.

In a radio interview on Friday evening, Lacson said plunder-a non-bailable offense-may be among the charges that could be filed against those found responsible.

‘If it’s a series of acts and then P50 million [is involved], the only way it could go is plunder there’s no other way to go but to file plunder charges,’ he said in a radio interview, speaking partly in Filipino.

Lacson also reiterated that the investigation is not about personal conflicts, but about accountability.

‘This is not about friendship or personal fights, this is about accountability. If there is no accountability, why would I push through with the investigation)’ he said, partly in Filipino.

No ‘ghosts’ in Taguig

IN a livestream on Facebook, Cayetano addressed the allegations of ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig.

‘The allegations are general,’ he said. ‘I continue to wait kung ano ang specific allegation, and haharapin ko iyon.’

Earlier, Lacson posted ‘Update No. 3’ claiming that his team had found ‘damning evidence’ on alleged ‘ghost infra projects’ in Taguig, although the X post itself did not identify the particular project or evidence involved.

Cayetano maintained that preliminary checks by barangay and city officials, as well as inspections by national government personnel, found no ghost projects in Taguig, especially any involving him.

‘In our preliminary investigations, we did not see any ghost projects. The ones we earlier found problematic, we reported it earlier. No less than the top DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] officials from the regional to the national level have inspected some of the projects with problems and we were never amiss in pointing them out to them,’ he said.

He reiterated his openness to an investigation but called for an examination of infrastructure projects nationwide instead of singling out Taguig in his usual ‘spread the blame’ tactic.

Western Visayas peaceful during Marcos’ fifth Sona – police

Western Visayas remained peaceful and orderly during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, with no major security incidents recorded across the region, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) said.

PRO6 attributed the peaceful conduct of Sona-related activities to heightened police visibility, sustained intelligence monitoring, and close coordination with local government units, law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders.

Police personnel secured peaceful assemblies and public demonstrations across the region, ensuring participants were able to exercise their right to protest while maintaining public order.

Strategic deployments and traffic management measures were also implemented to ensure the uninterrupted flow of vehicles and the delivery of essential services.

PRO6 thanked the public for their cooperation, discipline, and vigilance, which it said contributed to the peaceful observance of the President’s annual address.

How Robinsons and The Philippine STAR bring stories of purpose closer to Filipinos

The partnership continues to champion meaningful conversations, from environmental responsibility to the courage of embracing one’s truth.

A good storyteller does more than gather information.

The real craft lies in knowing what matters, uncovering connections between perspectives, and presenting them in ways that allow people to relate, reflect, and remember.

For four decades, The Philippine STAR has built its legacy on bringing important stories to the forefront. That legacy continues through its longstanding partnership with Robinsons, where shared values have led to initiatives that inspire action and create lasting impact.

Purpose that moves communities

Among these is Project KaLIKHAsan, a special sustainability collaboration launched in 2023 to make environmental responsibility easier for Filipinos to understand and embrace.

Robinsons recognized that eco-friendly practices become more meaningful when they move beyond corporate discussions and become part of everyday conversations.

Project KaLIKHAsan brought this vision to life by showing that sustainability is not a distant idea, but something within everyone’s reach.

PhilSTAR Media Group Executive Vice President Lucien Dy Tioco explains, ‘The purpose of KaLIKHAsan is to really try to make the average Filipino appreciate what sustainability is all about because not everybody understands sustainability.’

Rather than simply sharing information, Project KaLIKHAsan created opportunities for people to engage with it in more tangible ways.

‘I think it was in the way we crafted the programs,’ Dy Tioco says. ‘It’s more about creating those experiences that would delight people.’

That approach shaped the project’s initiatives.

Designers transformed recyclable materials into wearable collections, students created short films on sustainability, and artists reimagined unused metals and other recyclable materials into works of art.

‘The driving message that we wanted to convey is sustainability is not necessarily a process that companies embrace,’ he adds.

‘It could also be embraced right in your own home or in your personal space.’

Together, both organizations demonstrated how purposeful collaboration can bring environmental stewardship closer to the communities they serve and contribute to a more sustainable nation.

Impact that inspires generations

Beyond sustainability, the partnership has also supported campaigns that celebrate individuality and the diverse narratives that reflect Philippine society and culture.

This commitment is reflected in Truth Festival, a platform that encourages people to embrace their identities and express themselves authentically.

The annual event brings together music, talent, and creative expression, offering a space where people can connect and celebrate what makes them unique.

‘In its second year, Robinsons played a role in helping us further our mission by providing the venue for Truth Fest,’ says Dy Tioco.

Held at Bridgetowne, the festival was set against the backdrop of Victor, the towering landmark that symbolizes resilience and triumph.

As an iconic centerpiece, Victor reflected the spirit of the celebration – honoring the strength, courage, and truth that define every personal journey.

The two initiatives are just some of the ways both organizations have advanced their respective missions, highlighting how their partnership continues to amplify their common advocacies.

A journey never taken alone

For 40 years, the partnership between The Philippine STAR and Robinsons has evolved alongside the changing landscape around them.

‘Robinsons has been a long-standing partner since The STAR started,’ Dy Tioco says.

‘As Robinsons has grown into a huge conglomerate, we have pursued these partnerships in more ways than one.’

What has sustained the relationship is the ability of both organizations to grow with each other – finding new ways to create, innovate, and respond to what people need.

As the publication celebrates this milestone, it recognizes that its journey has been shaped not only by the stories it tells, but also by the partners who have helped bring those stories to life.

PBA: Rain or Shine filling void left by ‘hopeful leader’ Mamuyac

Caelan Tiongson believes the way Rain or Shine has filled the loss of Gian Mamuyac as a collective unit is causing the team’s turnaround from a 0-2 start in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Elasto Painters pulled off a 110-99 win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Tiongson putting up 21 points on five triples.

But Tiongson said he’s just one reason for the strong showing Rain or Shine is putting up recently.

‘Mamu was such a big part of our team,’ said Tiongson, referring to Mamuyac, who was shipped to Phoenix almost two weeks ago. ‘Losing Mamu created a kind of different air in the gym. He was a loud and hopeful leader for us.

‘So it took us a couple of weeks to really adjust,’ he continued. ‘And I think it takes effort from every single one of our guys. How one person is going to make up for the energy and leadership he brought. So we’re all kind of figuring it out now.’

Tiongson, who has taken over the captaincy role following Mamuyac’s trade to Phoenix, was also supported by Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito and rookie Deo Cuajao.

Nocum scored 13 points while dishing out 10 assists, Clarito had 13 points and seven rebounds while Cuajao, considered as someone who could fill Mamuyac’s role, dropped nine points in 16 minutes.

Luis Villegas and Mike Malonzo were also given ample minutes and responded with solid plays on both ends.

Rain or Shine dropped its first two games to Blackwater and Meralco before getting on the win column at the expense of Mamuyac and Phoenix last Tuesday.

Cebu City cagers seize historic EASL Future Champions crown

The promising Cebu City cagers outclassed Macau, 61-52, to etch their names in stone as the first ever champions of the East Asia Super League (EASL) Future Champions Basketball Tournament last Saturday, July 25, at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

Kent Luther Labitad from Barangay Ermita powered Cebu City to title glory with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists, earning him the Most Valuable Player award. His crucial 3-pointer sparked a game-closing 8-1 rally that saved Cebu after Macau came threateningly close at 51-53.

Labitad was joined in the Mythical 5 by his teammate Venz Luiz Nadela of Barangay Sambag 2, who recorded a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds with one assist and one steal in the final match.

Labitad and Nadela alongside Dereck William Wencesalao of Barangay Tisa, and Dwyane James Rojo and Domenic De Asis of Barangay Labangon also formed part of the All Stars who will be going to Okinawa, Japan next month to train with the Ryukyu Golden Kings and play against other Asian teams.

Spound œWe are truly grateful to the EASL for partnering with the Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Sports Commission, and to Mayor Nestor Archival for supporting this grassroots program and giving kids from different barangays in Cebu City the opportunity to be discovered and compete on the international stage Spound  said CCSC Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño.

Spound œFrom more than 200 hopefuls, we selected the top 10 to represent Cebu City in Hong Kong. They competed against international teams and made history by winning the inaugural championship,Spound  Dejaño added.

Spound œThis journey was especially meaningful because, for many of these young athletes, it was their first time traveling outside the Philippines Spound 

Dejaño thanked the coaches for their selfless dedication to the program, the parents for their unwavering support, and the schools for awarding scholarships to the players.

Spound œMost of all, thank you to our players for your hard work, discipline, and determination. You represented Cebu City with pride and showed that dreams can come true when given the opportunity,said Dejano.

Spound œThis championship is a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together to invest in its youth. Thank you to everyone who made this unforgettable journey possible, ended.

Expert explains why land is not Nigeria’s real estate problem

Land, along with finance and labour, is a major factor of production that drives industrialization, agriculture, real estate, and ultimately economic growth.

In real estate, land is as important as the sector itself. Without land, no activity will take place, no matter the quantum of finance available to the investor, or the level of expertise labour possesses. Everything happens on land.

Lack of access to it is, therefore, a major problem for an investor or individual builder, and for the sector itself. But an expert, a legal icon, reasons differently. He notes that Nigeria possesses enormous quantities of valuable urban land, citing empty parcels in places like Ikoyi. Victoria Island, Lekki. Apapa, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.

The expert, Kevin Ebhojie, Managing Partner, Brickhouse Solicitors, further notes that these parcels of land have remained undeveloped for years-sometimes decades-and asks, ‘If the land already exists, why hasn’t it become productive?’

Continuing, he said, ‘the answer is rarely ownership. It is almost always transaction failure. Families cannot agree. Developers cannot finance acquisitions. Banks remain uncomfortable with documentation. Titles require perfection. Governance structures are weak, and risk allocation is poor.’

According to him, land remains idle not because it lacks value, but because the legal and commercial architecture required to unlock that value has not been properly assembled. ‘That is why I say we do not have a land problem. We have a structuring problem,’ he explained.

Ebhojie, who spoke in an interview with BusinessDay, placed lawyers at the centre of solving that problem, recalling that, traditionally, lawyers have been viewed as the people who arrive after the commercial deal has already been agreed.

They draft the contract, review the title, prepare completion documents and collect professional fees. That model is disappearing.

‘Today’s commercial lawyer must understand finance, corporate governance, project management, risk allocation, tax, insurance, institutional lending, construction sequencing, regulatory approvals, stakeholder management,’ he stated.

He pointed out that, increasingly, clients are asking a different question not bordering on ‘can you draft this agreement?’ But rather on, ‘can you make this transaction work?’ There is an enormous difference. The latter requires commercial judgment.

He disclosed that his practice has evolved in that direction, adding that some of the most satisfying mandates he has undertaken involved remarkably little courtroom work. Instead, they required assembling multiple moving parts into one coherent commercial structure.

‘You might have a land-owning family with a premium asset but no appetite to sell, a developer with exceptional technical capability but limited liquidity, a financier requiring documentary certainty, and consultants requiring coordinated instructions.

You might also have purchasers demanding confidence, trustees safeguarding title, and government approvals running simultaneously. Each participant has entirely different concerns. The lawyer increasingly becomes the transaction architect,’ he explained.

He explained further that the lawyer becomes transaction architect not because he controls the transaction, but because he understands how each component interacts with the others. That, in my opinion, represents the future of commercial legal practice.

NCRPO insists 51 protesters ‘committed violations’ at Sona rally

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin maintained that the 51 individuals his unit apprehended during a rally on Monday had ‘committed violations.’

The arrests came during a rally mounted by progressive and militant groups along Commonwealth Avenue ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

‘The arrests by our police officers were because those arrested committed violations of the law like vandalizing walls, wearing balaclavas and, of course, holding a rally without the proper permit,’ Aberin told reporters in an interview early Monday night.

‘There will be a process. We will file the cases with the fiscal. There, we will see whether the arrests were legal or not,’ he added.

Although Aberin did not immediately cite the laws allegedly violated, a local ordinance in the City of Manila prohibits the wearing of balaclavas inside establishments, but the protest in question was in Quezon City.

Further, Batas Pambansa No. 880 states that public assemblies must first be approved by their respective local government if set in a location other than a freedom park.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said only the groups Better Brighter Movement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Sanlakas had been given permits by the local government.

Aberin noted that 45 of the 51 arrested were now in the custody of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), while six others were still undergoing investigation at the Batasan Police Station. He did not immediately identify them.

However, the group Vandals United previously identified 13 of the arrested individuals as minors and three more as paralegals.

The NCRPO chief also alleged that one of the arrested individuals had punched a police captain during the commotion on Monday morning.

‘If ever one of those whom we accosted turned out to be the one who punched them, they will face an additional case for direct assault,’ Aberin explained.

He further maintained that the police were now looking into whether any of the arrested individuals were among the same group of people arrested during the September 21 riots in Manila last year, where hundreds were apprehended and at least two reportedly died.

‘Their appearance. They wore black. They covered their faces,’ Aberin said.

‘Now, if that’s how you’ll present yourself at a rally, why cover your face and vandalize walls? So, from there, we can see a violation’s been committed,’ he added.

‘Right to express protest through graffiti’

A video shared by the QCPD to reporters showed the individuals allegedly spray-painting the walls of a Manila Electric Company (Meralco) substation near the corner of Commonwealth Avenue northbound and Tandang Sora Avenue.

For its part, in a statement earlier on Monday, Bayan denounced the arrests.

‘It sets a bad, dangerous precedent. They conducted the arrest in the middle of the protest. Even police protocols and the law prohibit it,’ Bayan secretary-general Mong Palatino said in a statement.

‘They call it vandalism, [but] our youth have every right to express protest through graffiti. The reported graffiti ‘Meralco Sindikato’ (Translation: The Manila Electric Company is a syndicate) is [a] message that reflects public outrage. We demand [the] immediate release of the 51 young activists,’ he added.

Vandals United likewise condemned the arrests.

‘The police and local government have long targeted the youth, the poor and the ordinary citizens just because they can. This is only one proof that the police can only be bold and violence to the everyday Filipino,’ it stressed.

WATCH: What to expect from President Marcos’ fifth Sona

As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prepares to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Inquirer.net’s Malacañang reporter Luisa Cabato provides the latest updates from the Palace, including the administration’s preparations and what is expected to be highlighted in the President’s speech.

’I never diverted ?44bn,’ Ex-NSIPA boss declares

Former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has denied allegations that she diverted ?44 billion, insisting that neither she nor any member of her family benefited from funds meant for the agency’s social intervention programmes.

Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Shehu said she uncovered serious financial irregularities shortly after assuming office and reported them to the appropriate authorities before she was suspended in December 2023.

According to her, she raised concerns with the then Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, after discovering weak financial controls within the agency. She alleged that funds were transferred without her approval, while some programme managers appointed by the minister operated outside NSIPA’s established administrative framework.

‘There were movements of funds that I neither approved nor authorised,’ Shehu said, alleging that the transactions were carried out without her knowledge or consent.

She further disclosed that she petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing some officials of breaching due process in the management of the agency’s finances.

Shehu said her decision to report the alleged irregularities was followed by her suspension barely 10 weeks later, arguing that she was punished instead of being protected as a whistleblower.

Rejecting allegations that she diverted ?44 billion, the former NSIPA boss maintained that investigators did not trace any public funds to her personal accounts or those of her relatives and associates.

‘I never transferred ?44 billion to any personal account. The EFCC never recovered a kobo from my account, my family’s account or any friend’s account,’ she said.

She explained that the transactions under investigation involved payments to licensed service providers and financial institutions responsible for disbursing government social intervention funds to beneficiaries, not transfers to private accounts.

Shehu said she fully cooperated with investigators, submitting documents and other evidence to support her position throughout the probe.

Calling on President Bola Tinubu to ensure transparency, she urged the Federal Government to make public the findings of investigations into NSIPA, saying the truth would clear her name.

‘My integrity is my greatest asset. I may have made administrative mistakes, but I am not corrupt, and I did not divert funds meant for poor and vulnerable Nigerians,’ she stated.

Taxing retained earnings: Align CFC provisions with deeming distribution provisions

Many scholars argue that the strength of an entity is measured by what it retains, not just what it earns. This assertion underscores the importance of retained earnings (RE) to the business community.

These scholars believe that fiscal policy, particularly tax legislation, should be designed in a way that encourages entities to retain earnings, thereby supporting their long-term growth prospects.

In a bid to curb the indefinite accumulation of retained earnings, the Government introduced anti-tax avoidance measures through the Finance Act 2025, which took effect on July 1, 2025. The amendments empowered the Commissioner General (CG) of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to deem up to 30 percent of a resident entity’s undistributed profits for a period of 12 months as distributed and subsequently impose withholding tax (WHT) on the deemed distributed profits, commonly referred to as deemed dividends. These measures have become widely known as the “deeming distribution provisions”.

The deeming distribution provisions have drawn mixed reactions from tax stakeholders. Some argue that they discourage the indefinite accumulation of retained earnings and help plug revenue leakage, while others contend that they discourage businesses from retaining earnings, thereby undermining their long-term growth prospects.

In an effort to strike a balance between preventing revenue leakage and supporting business growth, the Government amended the deeming distribution provisions through the Finance Act 2026, which came into effect on July 1, 2026. The amendments reduced the deeming distribution base from 30 percent to 15 percent of undistributed profits and exempted certain resident entities from the provisions.

The exempted entities include companies listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), financial institutions as defined under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act, insurance companies, and mining companies with executed framework agreements with the Government.

The Government should be commended for adopting some of the amendments proposed by stakeholders. However, some continue to advocate for the complete repeal of the provisions, while others support a further reduction of the deeming distribution base to 10 percent of undistributed profits.

It is worth noting that the deeming distribution provisions do not apply to resident entities covered under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act, Cap 332 R.E. 2023, namely resident entities with non-resident shareholders. Some tax experts argue that the rationale for this exclusion is that such entities are already deemed to distribute their undistributed profits to their non-resident shareholders under the Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) provisions.

The CFC provisions under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act deem 100 percent of the undistributed profits of a resident entity with non-resident shareholders as distributed and impose withholding tax on those deemed dividends.

Taxpayers have strongly challenged the TRA’s interpretation of the CFC provisions, particularly regarding deemed dividend distributions. In Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (TRAT) Appeal No. 15 of 2023 between Gateway Gaming Limited and the Commissioner General (TRA), the Tribunal agreed with the taxpayers’ position, holding that the TRA’s interpretation of the deeming distribution provisions was erroneous and invalid in law. The TRA has since appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, where judgment is still pending.

Without prejudice to the pending CFC case before the Court of Appeal, and notwithstanding calls by some tax experts for the repeal of the CFC deeming provisions under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act, it may be necessary to align the CFC provisions with the amendments introduced by the Finance Act 2026.

For example, the CFC provisions deem 100 percent of undistributed profits as distributed, whereas the deeming distribution provisions apply to only 15 percent. In the interest of fairness and equity, it may be appropriate to reduce the CFC deeming distribution base to 15 percent so that it aligns with the deeming distribution provisions.

Furthermore, the deeming distribution provisions exempt companies listed on the DSE, insurance companies, financial institutions and mining companies with executed framework agreements. However, the CFC provisions are silent on whether these exempt entities remain subject to the CFC rules where they have non-resident shareholders.

Will these entities still fall within the scope of the CFC deeming provisions? Greater clarity is needed to avoid unnecessary disputes in future and to ensure consistency with the Government’s intention to exempt such entities from the deeming distribution provisions.