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Military rescues 21 abducted persons, nabs seven suspects

The Nigerian Military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims and arrested seven suspected terrorists, cattle rustlers and other criminals in separate operations across the country.

In an operational report made available to newsmen on Thursday, the military said the operations were conducted between Monday and Wednesday.

The military said the troops of 223 Battalion under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued 21 kidnapped victims after engaging terrorists in Fafala and Dandikwa villages in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi.

It said the troops forced the terrorists to abandon the victims and flee, after which the rescued persons were reunited with their families.

It added that troops of 171 Battalion arrested two suspected terrorists around Yantumaki in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

It said the suspects reportedly disclosed that they were associates of a terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori and were handed over to the police.

‘In Plateau, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during a raid on their hideouts at Perka Village, Mangu LGA. The troops also recovered 27 suspected rustled cattle, which were moved to a secure location while local Fulani leaders were invited to assist in identifying their owners. In Kaduna State, OPEP troops rescued a minor after engaging criminals who abducted a mother and her child at Ungwan Nungu Village, Sanga LGA. The criminals abandoned the child and fled after troops engaged them at Tayu high grounds in Tayu Village. The rescued child was reunited with the father, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the mother and apprehend the perpetrators,’ it said.

The report further revealed that troops of 195 Battalion apprehended an impostor wearing military camouflage along the Okene-Auchi road in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.

According to the report, the suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation. It added that troops of 12 Brigade apprehended a suspected illegal miner while allegedly moving mining equipment by boat along the River Niger corridor in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

‘The suspect and recovered mining equipment were kept in military custody for further action. Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH arrested a suspected terrorist in the Sai general area of Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue. In Nasarawa State, troops of the operation also raided a suspected terrorist enclave at Nunku in Akwanga LGA, recovering three locally fabricated Dane guns, 13 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and six cartridges,’ it added.

Yas supports maternity services at Same hospital

Same District Hospital in Kilimanjaro Region has received maternity equipment and supplies from Yas Tanzania to strengthen care for expectant mothers.

The support, provided through the telecommunications company’s Tumaini Campaign, includes delivery beds, wheelchairs, bedsheets, khangas, aprons and maternity kits for mothers and healthcare workers.

Speaking during the handover, Yas Northern Zone Director Henry Kinabo said the initiative was part of the company’s commitment to supporting communities alongside its investment in telecommunications services’As we continue to invest in communication services, we also want to make a difference in the communities we serve. Through the Tumaini Campaign, our aim is to support expectant mothers and help improve the care they receive during childbirth,’ he said.

Mr Kinabo said some of the donated items were contributed by Yas employees through the Tumaini Campaign, while others were provided under the company’s corporate social responsibility programme.

Acting Nurse-in-Charge at Same District Hospital Endutuja Mbwambo said the support would help to address shortages at the facility, where maternity equipment and supplies are in constant demand due to the high number of deliveries.

‘We receive around 270 to 300 women for delivery every month, so the need for these supplies remains high. This support will help us provide better maternity care and address some of the shortages we face,’ she said.

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Beyond the storefront: 3 Iloilo entrepreneurs on what digitalization really takes

Across the country, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are showcasing the excellence and ingenuity of 100% Filipino-grown and handcrafted products, whether in food, fashion or retail.

Yet a strong product and meaningful local ties may face barriers to participating in the digital economy. Moving online can involve learning how to manage an online storefront, finding reliable logistics and securing the time or capital needed to sustain growth.

Take, for example, the experiences of three Iloilo City-based entrepreneurs Paul Kaldi Coffee founder Paul Dayanan, Modern Ilongga founder Maggerose Carado and Iloilo Capiz Shell Flowers and Antiques owner Janice Saladan.

Established in 2021 by Paul Dayanan to help coffee farmers recover from the pandemic, Paul Kaldi Coffee today supplies 15 independent cafes and several well-known brands across Iloilo.

‘All our beans are locally sourced in the Philippines,’ Dayanan shared. ‘The company sources not just from farms in Iloilo and as far as Batangas, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat. As a graduate of BS Applied Mathematics at West Visayas State University, Dayanan embraces digital tools to improve his business, utilizing a digital point-of-sale (POS) system to track Paul Kaldi’s cash flow, transactions and inventory.

‘Digitalization is very important when it comes to growth for startups like us,’ he notes.

But digital tools do not address every challenge that comes with growth. One of Dayanan’s concerns is finding a reliable partner that can ship Paul Kaldi coffee beans nationwide at rates that work for a growing business.

Modern Ilongga, meanwhile, is a social enterprise that transforms traditional hablon textiles into contemporary wear.

Carado explained that, with access to more capital, she could hire dedicated staff to manage an online shop. At present, she handles most of Modern Ilongga’s operations, from creative direction to supply chain, while continuing to rely mainly on social media for sales and transactions.

Businesses like Carado’s Modern Ilongga have also been a lifeline for many rural weavers, helping sustain the livelihoods of seven weaving communities in the towns of Oton and Miagao in Iloilo province, as well as in neighboring Antique. Depending on order volume, one weaver can earn between P2,000 to P4,000 a week.

At Iloilo Capiz Shell Flowers and Antiques, owner Saladan illustrates what wider digital reach can make possible.

Saladan began selling wearable accessories made from capiz shell flowers on Shopee about two years ago. Around 70% of the business’s sales now come from these accessories, which are sold through Shopee and at trade fairs.

‘Malaking tulong po talaga ang Shopee kasi ang dami-daming umu-order kahit saang part ng Philippines. Talagang passive income po ang Shopee (shop) namin (Shopee has really been a big help because there are so many orders coming in from all over the Philippines. Our Shopee shop has become an additional source of income),’ she explained.

The wider reach has allowed Saladan to continue working with local communities, including fishermen, single mothers, senior citizens and persons deprived of liberty, who help source materials and create her products.

Taken together, the three different businesses reflect different ways MSMEs can approach digitalization.

A holistic approach to equip and empower MSMEsThe three stories point to a wider question facing regional MSMEs: how can an online channel complement a business’s existing operations and sales channels?

Some MSMEs may have built their businesses through physical stores, trade fairs, or social media, while still exploring how e-commerce can help them reach customers beyond their immediate communities. For these entrepreneurs, the question is not only how to get online, but how an online channel fits into their existing operations and growth plans.

‘Technology can be transformative when it brings opportunities within reach of more businesses. At Shopee, we see e-commerce as a way to connect Filipino entrepreneurs with a wider community of buyers and sellers,’ Jack Ng, head of Commercial at Shopee Philippines, said.

‘Through Tatak Pinoy, we want to bring that opportunity closer to regional MSMEs, particularly in areas where access to digital training may be more limited, and create a space for them to learn more about how online selling works,’ Ng continued.

Shopee Philippines saw these differences in readiness firsthand through the Shopee Tatak Pinoy MSME Roadshow, organized with local governments across the country. After engaging more than 1,200 entrepreneurs across 20 cities and municipalities, Shopee found that simply onboarding businesses onto a digital marketplace was not enough.

Some entrepreneurs still needed help opening and managing an online store, while others needed support in logistics, financing and sustaining growth after onboarding.

These insights shaped the direction of Shopee’s Tatak Pinoy program as it entered its second year. Building on practical seller education offered during the Roadshow’s first year, Shopee is continuing its grassroots approach with more targeted learning support and stronger follow-up for MSMEs at different stages of digital readiness.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas with Shopee Philippines’ Head of Commercial Jack Ng at the Shopee Tatak Pinoy MSME Roadshow in Iloilo

The next phase was launched in Iloilo City last July, when the Roadshow was held alongside the first-ever Iloilo City MSME Summit. The event marked the culmination of the Roadshow’s first year, welcomed nearly 200 Ilonggo MSMEs, and began a sustained partnership between Shopee and the city.

Dayanan, Carado and Saladan were among the entrepreneurs who took part.

“Iloilo City itself has a strong foundation for helping small businesses. We are happy to partner with the LGU and Mayor Raisa Treñas, and to continue the conversation beyond the Roadshow as local MSMEs consider how digital tools may fit into their businesses,” Ng said.

Under the partnership, MSMEs will receive quarterly coaching integrated into the Iloilo City government’s SIGE Asenso Program. Eligible graduates who begin selling on Shopee will also receive six months of onboarding support.

Through the training, MSMEs learn about tools and services available on Shopee and within its broader ecosystem. It also covers some of the practical considerations involved in running and growing an online business, including storefront management, fulfillment and logistics and access to financing options.

How scaling can help sustain communitiesFor these entrepreneurs, their plans for growth extend beyond their own sales.

Dayanan dreams of opening a flagship café that will house the company’s beans, roastery, merchandise and more.

Carado, meanwhile, is developing a textile recovery project that would collect discarded fabrics from the city’s flour mills, which would be shreded and spun into new threads. Weavers could use the repurposed thread to make new textiles or pieces of clothing, creating a more circular business model.

Saladan’s wider customer base allows her to continue working with local communities to source materials and create her products.

The ambitions of these entrepreneurs are different, but they share a common thread: digital tools and access to wider markets can be useful when they fit the realities of a business and the community it supports. And the possibilities extend beyond the storefront to the businesses and communities built around Filipino-made products.

Tinubu excited as tribunal rejects Sunrise Power’s $680m claim against Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has described the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal judgment rejecting a $680 million claim by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd. against Nigeria as a significant step toward resolving legal obstacles to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

The International Arbitration Tribunal, sitting under the auspices of the ICC in Paris, issued the award on Thursday.

The President disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him on Thursday in Abuja.

Sunrise had demanded $680 million as settlement and interest in an arbitration relating to its claim for over $2.7 billion.

The larger claim concerns disputes associated with the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba.

Tinubu said the judgment affirmed Nigeria’s determination to defend its interests against what he described as predatory and exploitative claims.

‘On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I strongly commend the tremendous efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in this matter,’ he said.

The President also commended Nigeria’s defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP.

‘I also commend the FRN defence team, led by Ms Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr Tolu Obamuroh, both of Paul Hastings LLP, for their professional and excellent defence of the country,’ Tinubu said.

He commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Muhammadu Buhari for their patriotism and support, noting that both testified in the case.

Tinubu said the dispute dated back to a 2003 contract for a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba under a build-operate-transfer model.

He said the contract was not authorised by the Federal Executive Council.

The President also commended former Ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu, as well as other witnesses and experts.

He acknowledged their contributions toward defending Nigeria’s interests in the arbitration.

Tinubu further commended the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the case.

The President assured that Nigeria remained committed to partnering genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations.

He, however, said the country would continue to strongly defend opportunistic claims against its commonwealth.

‘Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,’ Tinubu said.

Cabinet approves Rs. 2.5 b top-up for Paddy Marketing Board as Yala season purchases continue

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved an additional allocation of Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board, on a reimbursement basis, to ensure the continued purchase of paddy under the 2026 Yala season procurement program.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the additional funding was needed to ensure uninterrupted paddy purchases in affected districts as the harvest continues.

He said the Paddy Marketing Board had earlier received Rs. 6,000 million from allocations under the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry to carry out the Yala season paddy purchase program, and had been using those funds to purchase paddy from farmers. However, with the harvest still ongoing in the districts of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Mannar and Mullaitivu, as well as in the Mahaweli B, C and H zones, it was observed that funds currently allocated for those areas were insufficient to meet demand.

‘To address the shortfall, the Cabinet approved the release of a further Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board, drawn from the additional Rs. 7,500 million previously allocated to the Fund at the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry for implementing the 2026 Yala season paddy procurement program,’ Dr. Jayatissa said.

Responding to questions, Dr. Jayatissa revealed that actual paddy purchases have far outpaced initial projections. ‘The original Rs. 6,000 million allocation was intended to purchase 35,500 tons of paddy, to be stored across 143 storage facilities. Now, we have purchased 67,156 tons at Rs. 8,221 million. This additional sum of Rs. 2,500 million is being provided to facilitate the recovery of these funds,’ he said.

He added that purchases have continued to grow even beyond that figure, noting: ‘We have purchased over 30,000 tons more at present’, suggesting total procurement volumes are continuing to climb as the harvest progresses in the remaining districts.

Dr. Jayatissa singled out Ampara district as a significant contributor to the procurement effort, noting that 19,426 tons of paddy had been purchased from farmers there alone, worth Rs. 2,350 million.

The additional Rs. 2,500 million allocation is expected to ensure the Paddy Marketing Board can continue purchasing paddy without interruption as harvesting wraps up in the remaining districts and Mahaweli zones.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha.

Zanzibar cracks down on drug trade as 2025 report is tabled

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) has presented the 2025 Drug Situation Report before the House of Representatives, as a parliamentary oversight committee recommends measures to strengthen security, health and social welfare.

The report was submitted pursuant to Section 11 of the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority Act No. 8 of 2021.

Tabling the report on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the acting minister of state in the First Vice President’s Office, Mr Hamza Hassan Juma, revealed that the volume of illicit drugs seized in 2025 dropped to 533.552 kilograms.

“This quantity is different from the 729.587 kilograms seized in 2024, with this decline largely caused by a decrease in the seizure of methamphetamine and ketamine,” said Mr Juma.

The report also highlighted the global situation based on data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), showing that approximately 316 million people, representing six percent of people aged 15 to 64, used illicit drugs worldwide in 2023.

According to the statistics, cannabis led globally, with 244 million users.

In Zanzibar, according to the report, cannabis continued to record the highest number of suspects, with 183 of the 232 suspects apprehended in 2025 linked to the drug.

“Overall, the vast majority of suspects arrested in 2025 were men at 207 (89 percent) and 25 women,” said the minister.

Mr Juma said a total of 213 cases were reported across all districts of Zanzibar, with Urban District leading with 45 cases (21.13 percent), followed by West B District with 38 cases (17.84 percent).

Of the 148 cases brought to court, Mr Juma said 10 resulted in convictions, seven were acquitted, while 131 are ongoing in various courts across Unguja and Pemba.

In terms of achievements, the Zanzibar Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (ZDCEA) has successfully dismantled three major criminal syndicates and confiscated assets valued at Sh1.135 trillion derived from the illicit drug trade and money laundering.

Additionally, through the Kidimni Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, 440 of the 728 addicts admitted between 2022 and 2025 are living drug-free while receiving vocational training in auto mechanics, tailoring and modern agriculture.

Education on the effects of drugs and the law was provided to 23,691 people (11,755 women and 11,936 men) in schools, community meetings (shehia) and public institutions.

“The toll-free reporting system received 563 crime tips from citizens in 2025, and complete information was acted upon,” he said.

Despite these achievements, the Committee Overseeing Offices of National Leaders, chaired by Machano Othman Said, outlined key challenges and directives in its feedback statement.

The committee expressed concern over the large-scale trafficking of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis through maritime routes.

“Given Zanzibar’s geography surrounded by the sea, the committee advises the government to increase the pace of marine patrols, strengthen port security, and install modern inspection equipment,’ he said.

Furthermore, the committee censured the misuse of prescription drugs with narcotic properties, expressing concern over some pharmacy operators violating the law.

According to the committee’s observations, a report from the Food and Drug Agency showed that in 2025, 25,000 millilitres of ketamine were imported into the country, the highest volume ever recorded.

The committee urged the government to tighten controls at pharmacies and take appropriate legal action against violators.

Another area highlighted by the committee is the challenge of secure storage for seized drugs and court exhibits.

The committee advised improving storage systems and establishing secure, designated facilities to protect the integrity of such evidence.

Additionally, the committee urged the government to equip the ZDCEA with modern tools and technological systems, as well as develop specialised educational programmes for residents in coastal and island communities.

Romualdez aide in plunder case left PH before travel ban – BI

Philstar.com / Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines – The personal assistant of former House speaker Martin Romualdez, who is charged with him in a P7.44-billion plunder case, left the Philippines before the Sandiganbayan banned them from exiting the country, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

Joselyn Tragua Serenio left the country prior to the issuance of a hold departure order, the bureau said. However, another co-accused, Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation, remains in the Philippines.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the hold departure order on September 7.

The BI did not give details of Serenio’s travel or other personal information, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Romualdez, Serenio, Guevarra and former House appropriations chair Elizaldy Co are the persons accused in the P7.4 billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.

The former House speaker pleaded not guilty yesterday and his defense team plans to file a petition for bail.

The Ombudsman filed charges against Romualdez for allegedly benefiting from kickbacks of anomalous flood control works from 2022 to 2025.

The charge sheet says some of the money was delivered to properties owned, occupied or linked to Romualdez, where Serenio and others allegedly acting for him received it.

Guevarra, meanwhile, is accused of facilitating simulated dollar-to-peso transactions through Samchan.

Romualdez is the only one of the four in custody. Co is in Europe, and a request for an Interpol red notice against him is still pending.

Sandiganbayan found probable cause against all four accused and recommended no bail.

Romualdez’s arrest is the most high-profile yet in the flood control scandal, which drew massive public outrage last year and set off a series of protests.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka hosts inaugural Reserve Management Conference in Colombo

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) successfully hosted its inaugural Reserve Management Conference on 10 -11 September 2026 at The Kingsbury, Colombo.

This distinguished gathering brought together leading central bankers, sovereign asset managers, policymakers, economists and investment professionals to exchange perspectives on the evolving global challenges and opportunities shaping official reserve management. Approximately 50 speakers and participants joined the conference, representing institutions including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank, Banque de France, Bank for International Settlements, Bank Indonesia, Bank Negara Malaysia, Bank of Korea, Bank of Thailand, Inter-American Development Bank, Reserve Bank of India, Swiss National Bank, World Bank and World Gold Council.

The conference addressed a broad range of issues shaping the future of reserve management. Key areas of discussion included strategies for building and strengthening foreign reserve buffers; the implications of geopolitical fragmentation for Asia and the global economy; the evolving role of digital and tokenised assets in official reserves; currency power and the continued prominence of the US dollar in international reserve portfolios; and the role of gold and other alternative assets. Participants also explored how technological innovation and artificial intelligence could support reserve management through enhanced investment decision-making, market intelligence, portfolio optimisation and risk management.

The keynote address was delivered by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, on ‘Challenges in Building Foreign Reserves Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainties.’ The Governor emphasised that reserve accumulation cannot be considered in isolation from the broader macroeconomic policy framework, noting that sustainable reserve accumulation must be underpinned by sound external-sector fundamentals and an economy capable of generating and retaining foreign exchange. Drawing on Sri Lanka’s experience during the 2022 economic crisis, the Governor highlighted the critical role of international reserves as a first line of defense against external shocks, providing countries with valuable time and policy space during periods of heightened vulnerability. The Governor further noted that geopolitical developments have become an increasingly important consideration for reserve managers, with fragmentation, sanctions, trade tensions and disruptions to global financial markets influencing investment, liquidity and portfolio management decisions.

A Special Guest Address was delivered by AIIB Treasurer Domenico Nardelli, who shared his perspectives on the evolving international financial landscape and its implications for reserve and asset management.

Over the two days, expert presentations and panel discussions facilitated in-depth dialogue on emerging developments and strategic issues in reserve management. The conference provided an opportunity to draw on diverse international experiences, share lessons and innovative approaches, and strengthen professional networks among central banks, international financial institutions and market participants.

The inaugural Reserve Management Conference marked an important milestone in CBSL’s engagement with the global central banking community with an emphasis on international reserve management arena. By convening leading practitioners and experts from across the global financial system, the conference provided a timely forum to consider the changing nature of reserve management and the importance of remaining agile, forward-looking and resilient in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment.

2,200 firms suspected of nominee land holding

Thai authorities have identified about 2,200 companies suspected of illegally holding land through foreign-majority ownership as part of a crackdown on nominee businesses.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said after a meeting with the Justice and Commerce ministries, that agencies were sharing information on nominees, foreign capital and scam operations.

The Department of Lands will accelerate investigations into the 2,200 companies and pursue compulsory sales of land where violations are confirmed, he said.

He said authorities have also identified more than 11,000 companies considered suspicious because of possible changes in shareholders or bank accounts.

Their estimated asset value has risen from 65 billion baht two weeks ago to 85 billion baht, he said.

Police, the Business Development Department, Land Department and Department of Provincial Administration will investigate the companies to determine whether they are legitimate or nominee businesses as part of their probe.

The investigations are expected to be completed by the end of September, he noted.

NBI sees ‘red flags’ in 47 flood control projects in Paolo Duterte’s district

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has flagged 47 of 100 flood control projects in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Thursday.

The projects are part of the P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in Duterte’s district, all of which Matibag said were awarded to Genesis88 Construction, Inc.

Matibag said the contractor is close to the Dutertes.

‘There are projects that were red-flagged… About 47 out of 100,’ Matibag told reporters in an interview, citing records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

When asked about the nature of the ‘red flags,’ Matibag cited ‘ghost’ and ‘substandard’ projects.

‘There’s a project with one coordinate and five budgets, each with a different title,’ he added. ‘This isn’t gossip. I saw the document.’

However, he clarified that only about six projects had clear problems.

The NBI director said they would start issuing subpoenas on Friday to 51 individuals from Genesis88 Construction, as well as Gemma Construction, Agong Construction, the DPWH, and the Commission on Audit to shed light on the investigation.

Matibag later clarified that the bureau would first issue subpoenas to four individuals from the three construction companies and the DPWH.

He did not provide further details on the identities of the individuals, but he said Duterte was not included in the list.

Duterte: There must be no ‘selective’ probe

Following Matibag’s remark, Duterte said that while he welcomed the investigation into Davao City’s flood control projects, there must not be a ‘selective investigation.’

‘Taga Dabaw kami. May malasakit kami sa lungsod namin. Kaya gusto naming makita ang ebidensya, documents, videos, at mismong projects na sinasabing may problema… I hope may media coverage sa hearing niyo para makita ng buong bayan kung ano yang nakita mong substandard at ghost project,’ Duterte said.

(We are from Davao. We care about our city. That’s why we want to see the evidence, documents, videos, and the projects themselves that are said to have problems… I hope there is media coverage of your hearing so the entire nation can see what substandard and ghost projects you found.)

‘Pero sana lang kung seryoso tayo sa imbestigasyon, dapat pare-pareho ang standards sa lahat ng lugar… Kung may ghost o substandard projects, imbestigahan lahat-Davao man o saan mang bahagi ng bansa. Walang selective investigation,’ he added.

(But I hope if we are serious about the investigation, the standards should be the same in all areas… If there are ghost or substandard projects, investigate them all-whether in Davao or any part of the country. There is no selective investigation.)

He also questioned whether the NBI would investigate flood control projects in the district of Matibag’s wife, Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag.

‘Congresswoman Matibag, kumusta naman ang mga alegasyon at ebidensya tungkol sa mga proyekto sa inyong distrito? May videos at documents din ba?’ Duterte asked.

(Congresswoman Matibag, how are the allegations and evidence regarding the projects in your district? Are there videos and documents?)

‘Ipa-subpoena rin ba ang mga contractor na Discaya sa dalawang project na sila rin ang contractor? Kasi may hawak kami na videos sa projects sa distrito ni Ann Matibag at ng mga Discaya,’ he added.

(Will the contractors Discaya also be subpoenaed for the two projects that they are also the contractors for? Because we have videos on the projects in Ann Matibag’s district and the Discayas.)