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Amid a series of earthquakes in Mindanao, Sen. Bong Go visited Mati City in Davao Oriental to help affected residents and check on the extent of damage to infrastructure.

‘I am personally monitoring the situation. The Malasakit team is also standing by to provide assistance,’ Go said.

Accompanied by Lupon vice mayor Christian Go and Mati city councilor Xander Alcantara, Go visited the wake of Teresita Narsico, one of the fatalities in the Oct. 10 quake, and provided financial assistance to the bereaved family.

Go also visited the Davao Provincial Medical Center to check on 201 patients who were stationed outside the hospital as a precaution measure.

As Senate health committee vice chair, Go called on the Department of Health and PhilHealth to restore normalcy in the lives of residents, especially when it comes to public service delivery.

A bill that seeks to provide free funeral services to poor families who cannot afford a proper burial for their deceased has lapsed into law.

The indigent funeral package under Republic Act 12309 or the ‘Free Funeral Services Act’ includes the preparation of funeral documents, embalming, interment or burial services, transport, cremation and inurnment services.

The measure lapsed into law on Sept. 28.

RA 12309 defines poor families as those whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the Department of Economic Planning and Development.

The poor households are also those who cannot sustain or provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essentials amenities of life as defined under RA 8425 or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.

Free funeral services will be provided to families who are in crisis situations as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, including but not limited to indigent families or those affected by calamities, disasters or other emergency circumstances.

Free funeral services will be provided to poor families per death of a family member by accredited funeral establishments anywhere in the country, provided these establishments will have uniform indigent funeral package.

Families availing themselves of the funeral package need to present the following documents: valid identification card of the claimant or beneficiary; death certificate issued by the hospital or city/municipal health office or certification from the tribal chieftain and a funeral contract signed by the representative of the deceased’s family, the funeral establishment and an authorized DSWD personnel.

A social case study must also be prepared by any registered social worker.

The DSWD will be the lead agency in the implementation of the law.

Violators of RA 12309 will be penalized with a fine not exceeding P200,000 and a suspension of license to operate for a period not exceeding six months.

The Commission on Audit (COA) announced it is implementing reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in response to the flood control project anomalies that recently rocked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

During the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Monday, October 13, COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba said the agency is now investigating its own ranks for possible negligence or complicity in the irregularities, while rolling out new safeguards such as mandatory geotagging for all infrastructure projects nationwide.

‘Fraud auditors also look into the possible negligence or complicity of our resident auditors on the ground,’ Cordoba told senators, confirming that an internal probe is underway.

He said findings from these audits are being submitted to COA’s Internal Affairs Office for possible sanctions, while those elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman have already resulted in the suspension of DPWH engineers implicated in ghost or non-existent projects.

Cordoba explained that the investigation covers the DPWH-Bulacan First District Engineering Office, where resident auditors handled 11 municipalities and three cities, a workload that may have contributed to oversight lapses.

‘We are looking at every layer of accountability. Those who failed to act or allowed wrongdoing to happen will be held responsible,’ Cordoba said.

Cordoba also addressed questions about COA Commissioner Mario Lipana, who was mentioned during the Senate investigation into the flood control anomalies.

He said Lipana has been on medical leave abroad since August 1 and has extended his leave until October 30, while the Ombudsman’s office continues its investigation.

‘While COA has no disciplinary authority over an impeachable official, we are fully coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman,’ Cordoba said.

To prevent conflicts of interest, Cordoba said COA will now require all officials and personnel to declare any possible personal or financial interest related to their assignments.

At the same time, Cordoba told senators that resident auditors will now be periodically reshuffled to avoid familiarity with their assigned agencies or local offices, while fraud auditors will conduct surprise inspections to monitor compliance and detect anomalies early.

‘We recognize the limitations in manpower, but we are instituting stronger oversight systems. Our fraud auditors will conduct random checks to ensure resident auditors are doing their jobs,’ he said.

COA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin also revealed that the audit body is drafting a memorandum circular requiring geotagging for all infrastructure projects, not only those under DPWH but also those implemented by other agencies such as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Health (DOH), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs).

‘Alam natin na ang DPWH, NIA, DOH, and not only national agencies pati mga GOCC, pati mga LGU po ay may infrastructure projects,’ Mallillin said.

He explained that geotagging falsification has occurred in the past, where contractors take photos of projects but use incorrect location data.

Mallillin added that satellite-based geotagging will be used moving forward to enhance accuracy and prevent falsification.

‘We will pursue criminal charges against anyone found tampering with geotags or falsifying documentation,’ he told the committee.

Mallillin also said COA is reviewing proposals to reintroduce pre-audit procedures for agencies with weak internal controls.

‘If an agency has weak internal controls, we are studying the resources required to conduct a pre-audit, especially in terms of manpower and facilities, and we will balance this with the agency’s operational speed,’ Mallillin said.

While drawing up the procedures for public access to government officials’ asset statements, the Office of the Ombudsman is planning to revive the deputization of resident ombudsmen in agencies deemed to be graft-prone.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said an earlier agreement allowed the office to deputize state prosecutors under the Department of Justice, which he used to head, as well as state auditors to serve as anti-corruption watchdogs in selected agencies. But the agreement has not been implemented.

Meanwhile, the regional office in Bacolod of the National Bureau of Investigation is opening online channels where people can send messages detailing complaints or providing tips about government anomalies starting with flood control projects.

Members of the Mayors for Good Governance, who are moving to institutionalize reforms to prevent corruption in local governments, are also preparing to launch a website featuring infrastructure projects, which will include among other things the identity of the contractor, the project specs, costs and implementation dates. This will allow the projects to be subjected to public monitoring for possible anomalies.

These initiatives complement the sumbongsapangulo.ph, a portal launched by Malacañang to jumpstart the anti-corruption crackdown in flood control projects. As of last week, the portal had received over 19,000 reports of possible anomalies in flood control projects all over the country.

Action on the complaints is critical to sustain the momentum of public vigilance. Similar digital portals have been launched in the past years, only to fade into obscurity as people saw no response to their grievances.

In the case of sumbongsapangulo.ph, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, members of the House infra comm, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, among others, said they found many useful tips in the portal in tracking down anomalous projects.

Acting on thousands of tips and complaints will require more manpower. The Commission on Audit, whose officials defended yesterday their budget proposal for 2026, cited the lack of auditors assigned to local engineering offices. While acknowledging accusations that auditors including COA Commissioner Mario Lipana were themselves possibly complicit in corruption, the COA officials at the budget hearing said the lack of personnel contributed to the agency’s failure to detect the massive flood control anomalies in Bulacan involving public works engineers.

While waiting for additional personnel, the different agencies can pool their resources to provide channels for reporting possible anomalies in government. Seeing complaints acted upon will ensure that citizen vigilance won’t be a flash in the pan and will continue beyond the flood control scandal.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the proposal to demonetize the P1,000 bill is not that simple, warning that such a move could do more harm than good.

Amid the corruption scandal involving flood control projects, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. told reporters that the central bank is studying the proposal, but noted the negative experiences of other countries with similar measures.

‘The P1,000 bill is widely used. For a small inconvenience to contractors, you’re going to make life difficult for many people. But we’re still studying it. We haven’t decided yet,’ he said.

Remolona called it a tantalizing proposal, but emphasized that it is not a simple issue, comparing it to ‘cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face,’ and warning that it could cause more damage.

Former finance secretary Cesar Purisima floated the idea of demonetizing P1,000 and P500 bills to make it harder for corrupt officials to conceal and transport illicit funds by raising logistical barriers.

Last September, sacked public works engineer Brice Hernandez earlier told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that about seven vans were used to deliver P1 billion in cash to a congressman. The panel is probing anomalous flood control projects nationwide.

Remolona added that the cap on withdrawals to P500,000 is deemed effective despite complaints, noting that the central bank continues to listen to concerns while maintaining that it remains a sound policy.

‘So we’re looking at that to try to enhance it, making it easier for us to connect the dots. Essentially, we use it to link one bank account to many, or many accounts to one-patterns like that,’ the BSP chief added.

In explaining the cap, Remolona said that banks are required to report all transactions amounting to P500,000 or more, whether in cash or not, as this serves as the threshold for cash transactions.

He added that banks also submit suspicious transaction reports, which provide detailed information on the source of funds and assess whether the amount is consistent with the individual’s income.

Last week, the Anti-Money Laundering Council announced that it had secured a sixth freeze order from the Court of Appeals, covering assets linked to the alleged flood control scam, which includes 39 bank accounts, four insurance policies, and 59 real estate properties.

The 141-strong Philippine delegation carries a big fighting chance when it plunges into action in the Third Asian Youth Games set October 22-31 in Manama, Bahrain.

‘We’ll train and do our best to get a a medal,’ said boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido, one of two of the country’s flag bearers in the 10-day, 45-country quadrennial meet during the national team’s photo shoot on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Lobrido, a Bago City (Negros Occidental) native who turned 16 only last Friday, is one the nation’s top bet for a medal, most probably a gold, being a decorated internationalist after having won in the Fourth Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge Shenzhen, China, late last year.

High school volleyball star Harlene Serneche, the other Filipino flag-bearer, is also optimistic that they will make the country proud.

‘We have potential and hopefully we’ll be competitive there,’ said the 18-year-old incoming National University freshman also during the photo shoot that featured 30 athletes to rally support for the delegation led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino and the organization’s partners Avel Bacudio, Milo and Oishi.

‘Yes, this team has a strong fighting chance,’ said Tolentino, adding the goal is to match or surpass the gold medals won by taekwondo’s Pauline Lopez and golfer Mia Legaspi – along with three silver medals – in the games’ last edition in 2013 in Nanjing, China.

Also in the photo shoot wearing classic uniforms designed by renowned Avel Bacudio were Pi Durden Wangkay and Lorainne Batalla (athletics), Jan Brix Ramiscal (Muay), siblings Charlie and Travis Ratcliff (MMA) and Rhose Alemndralejo (volleyball).

The volleyball team is composed of National University’s high school squad plus its talented new recruit Rhose Almendralejo, an 11th grader from Tay Tung High School in Bacolod City.

‘It’s a big pressure for me because this is only the second time I’m competing outside the country,’ Almendralejo said. ‘I hope to help the team and do well.’

Volleyball president Ramon ‘Tats’ is the chef de mission of the Philippine team that will vie in 18 of the 26 sports in the Manama program.

These are volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, muay, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, aquatics, jiu-jitsu, kurash and pencak silat.

Tolentino said that Bahrain is ready to host 4,250 athletes, 900 team and technical officials and 700 coaches in the games.

From the newly reopened Singapore Oceanarium to the exciting Minion Land, Sentosa Island is home to several must-see attractions.

The Singapore Oceanarium, which opened in July, features 22 zones with giant aquariums, tunnels, and exhibits that showcase the ocean’s past, present, and future. It is three times larger than its predecessor, the S.E.A. Aquarium.

Universal Studios Singapore – the only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia – now houses Minion Land as its newest themed zone, based on the hit franchises “Despicable Me” and “Minions”.

Potterheads can wave their wands and cast spells at the interactive art installation Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, which includes two new rooms exclusive to Singapore – The Chamber of Secrets and The Trap Door.

From tall water slides to wave pools, Adventure Cove Waterpark offers splashes of fun with marine encounters, with visitors being able to feed rays at the Ray Bay Encounter.

Six sensory gardens enchant and captivate the senses at Sentosa Sensoryscape, a 350-meter walkthrough blending nature, architecture, and innovative technology.

Marikina First District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro yesterday filed perjury complaints against two policewomen assigned as his close-in security when he was mayor, who accused him of rape by sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness.

Alma Mallonga, lawyer for Teodoro, said the charges were filed against the policewomen before the Manila prosecutor’s office for allegedly fabricating stories to tarnish the lawmaker’s name.

‘Congressman Teodoro charged his accusers who falsely claimed that he committed various acts of sexual abuse against them,’ Mallonga said.

She maintained that the complaints filed against Teodoro before the Department of Justice were baseless, saying the accusers admitted that they had no evidence to support their allegations.

‘Several witnesses testified that Congressman Teodoro had never been alone with the complainants. There was no opportunity for him to have committed the crimes they impute. This means they perjured themselves,’ Mallonga said.

Under Republic Act 11594, perjury is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. If the offender is a public officer, the penalty may reach up to 12 years, with a fine of up to P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

According to Mallonga, the policewomen continued to report for duty after the alleged sexual incidents transpired.

‘They interacted with their colleagues even on the same day they claim to have been sexually abused,’ she said.

Mallonga said there was no rape, adding that the complaints against Teodoro were filed only to ‘smear his reputation.’

‘As the complainants themselves admitted, no force or intimidation was employed upon them. They were not threatened, they were not harmed. Congressman Teodoro had no weapons,’ Mallonga said, noting that the policewomen carried their own service firearms.

Mallonga said Teodoro would pursue the perjury case against the female police officers.

‘In the end, he is confident that the truth will prevail,’ Mallonga said. ‘False claims of rape harm everyone, especially women who are true victims of the crime.’

Teodoro expressed confidence that the charges filed against him would be dismissed, but stressed that those who lied under oath should be held accountable.

‘I am confident that I will obtain justice and that these fabricated complaints will be dismissed. But those who lied must be punished,’ Teodoro said. ‘The justice system should never be used as a weapon by those with malicious intent to destroy the innocent.’

Convinced that the accusations against him were politically motivated, Teodoro appealed for an end to ‘dirty politics.’

‘It is heartbreaking that we have come to a point where ambition prevails over truth and decency –

where some people no longer fear God, only losing power,’ he said.

Now a two-time world titlist, Pinay cue wizard Chezka Centeno considers her record-tying feat in the 2025 WPA Women’s 10-Ball World Championship in Bali more of a ‘triumph of the spirit.’

‘This victory is one of the miracles of my life,’ Centeno posted on Facebook hours after adding a second to her first jewel in 2023 with a thrilling 3-2 win over Rubilen Amit in Sunday night’s finale.

The 26-year-old pride of Zamboanga mustered every once of effort and grit in hammering a 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2 title clincher over Amit, the celebrated countrywoman she joined in the record books as the only ones to rule as 10-Ball queens twice.

‘I wasn’t at my best, but God prepared me for this moment. I’m still in awe of how it all unfolded, and I know without a doubt it was all Him,’ she said.

The former child prodigy shared she’s gone through a period of self-doubt after heartbreaking runner-up finishes in the Women’s 8-ball World Championship and the 10-Ball event of the World Games.

‘For the past four months, I’ve been competing non-stop, reaching three finals and falling short in two. I kept telling myself it was okay, that life goes on, but deep inside, the fire started to fade,’ she said.

Her ‘quiet battle within’ raged on even through the Bali worlds, where she sustained a 1-2 loss to Taiwanese Chen Chia Hua in the qualification stage and had to work her way to the top by winning seven straight matches.

‘After losing my second match, I even thought about giving up. But God showed Himself to me and reminded me to keep going and trust Him,’ she said.

‘The next day, I woke up feeling light and at peace, as if God had restored my confidence and spirit.’

Centeno hopes her triumph will help boost not only women’s billiards players but also counterparts from all sports in the country.

‘It is a great honor to bring another title back home to the Philippines,’ said the former child prodigy, who proudly held the Philippine flag during the medal ceremony. ‘I wish for women’s pool to grow bigger and for women athletes to be more recognized.’

No untoward incident occurred during a protest against corruption in Forbes Park, Makati led by Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the rally, which started on Sunday night ended peacefully at 4:20 a.m. yesterday.

Around 300 people joined the rally, according to police.

Barzaga and the other protesters rallied outside Forbes Park where ambassadors, government officials and affluent people reside.

‘Our targets are only the thieves. No one else,’ Barzaga told reporters. ‘We just want our money back and the corrupt imprisoned.’

Barzaga said similar rallies would be held daily in front of exclusive villages.

Tuaño said police are ready to provide protection whether demonstrations happen in public or gated areas, such as in Forbes Park or Dasmariñas Village.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has instructed police to allow public assemblies as long as these remain orderly.