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To jail, no bail

the word, the crime-rhymes with thunder. Massive, roaring, shaking the ground on which we stand. Shattering like the lightning strikes that go with it. Plunder is so destructive like the series of earthquakes that has been hitting our islands almost daily in the past weeks, even while we implore the heavens for no more of them in the coming days. But we are told, it is not a matter of if but of when.

Under Philippine law (Republic Act No. 7080, Anti-Plunder Act), plunder is committed when a public officer amasses at least P50 million in ill-gotten wealth. That’s peanuts nowadays. The persons of interest under investigation have looted in the billions. They face life imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from public office, and forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth. Private persons who participate in a public official’s plunderous acts can themselves be punished for the crime. Ill-gotten wealth is defined as ‘wealth amassed, accumulated, or acquired through illegal means.’

Once again, it is as if we are in a review class. Déjà vu. One can either turn cynical or engage in something short of criminal just to vent anger. But hope returns because of renewed interest in cases that seemed to have been ‘buried in oblivion’-to use the words of the new Ombudsman-and, more importantly, their revival. I associate the word revivalism with spiritual and cult-like movements that stoke back to life the fervor of their followers. But revivalism to bring back honesty, transparency, and integrity in the criminal justice system-why not? One thing’s for sure, there is no need to revive the public’s outrage.

Speaking of revival, the Inquirer’s headline and banner story two days ago was, ‘Plunder raps vs Du30 and Go over infra deals revived.’ The kicker: ‘Back with a complaint earlier dismissed by the previous Ombudsman, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV alleges that ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go conspired to award nearly P7 billion in projects to two firms owned by Go’s relatives.’ SenTri at work.

And last week, it was ‘recall and review’-which also mean revival-of the anomalous multibillion-peso Pharmally case during the COVID-19 pandemic under the watch of Duterte, who is now in the Scheveningen Prison of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands. ‘Mang Kanor,’ as he is fondly called by trying-hard boneheads, is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

While I was writing this piece, news broke that a fire hit an office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Quezon City. No incriminating documents went up in flames, the public has been assured. Still, we cannot help being suspicious.

Man of the hour, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, announced in a press conference that cases have been filed against persons involved in overpriced, substandard, and ghost infrastructure projects, they who had filled their pockets with the people’s money. Dizon read the initial list that includes private individuals and officials in the bureaucracy. No errant elected officials have been charged as yet, they who have been in connivance with the contractors. If or when?

The charges: violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation through falsification of public documents, and violation of the Government Procurement Act. Dizon emphasized that the charges are nonbailable (because the P50 million ceiling has been breached) and the penalty is life imprisonment. Nonbailable and life imprisonment, he kept repeating.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has given a tour of the detention facility where the accused would be held while on trial, there to himas himas the malamig na rehas. Used as a quarantine facility during the pandemic, the place could now serve as a showcase of justice at work. Never mind that it might be standing in the vicinity of the earthquake fault that could trigger the dreaded Big One, not if but when the earth breaks open and holds us in its maw.

Masampolan is the Pinoy wish for at least a few lawmakers to languish in jail-for starters-who had snatched away the food of the poor and drowned them in floodwaters. Incidentally, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David revealed that persons under investigation have come to seek his advice. David has spoken strongly against their greed. My own admonition: ‘Admit your guilt, return all-all to the last centavo-that is not yours, suffer the punishment that you deserve and make reparations. The best lawyers in the world cannot save you. But you are not beyond redemption. Go and sin no more.’

Under my breath: ‘We are so sick and tired, we just want to hang you all, or line you up against the wall. So, to jail, no bail. Reclusion perpetua awaits you. You won’t be back.’

We look forward to watching with sheer delight the Independent Commission on Infrastructure’s live streaming of its investigation

Police break silence on fresh arrest of Sowore

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports suggesting that activist Omoyele Sowore was arrested on fresh charges and secretly transferred to Kuje Prison, describing such claims as ‘procedurally incorrect’ and misleading.

Reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that Sowore was not taken to prison on any new charge, but in line with a valid remand warrant issued by a competent court.

He noted that the police acted strictly according to due process, stating that no correctional facility in the country can admit a suspect without a court-issued remand order.

‘The story that he was arrested on a fresh charge and ‘whisked away to Kuje Prison to be arraigned on Monday’ is procedurally incorrect. A person arrested on a fresh charge cannot be taken straight to prison. No prison will accept such a person without a remand warrant duly issued by a competent court,’ Hundeyin stated.

According to him, Sowore was remanded at Kuje Prison based on the court’s directive pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

‘He was taken to prison as instructed on the attached remand warrant pending when he meets his bail conditions, nothing more! Once the court grants bail, it comes with the caveat that until the bail conditions are met, the suspect remains in custody,’ the police spokesperson added.

Hundeyin further clarified that when a court order specifically directs that a suspect be remanded in a correctional facility rather than police custody, it becomes the duty of the police to hand over the suspect to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), which then processes the bail conditions.

‘This has always been the practice. Why should this be different?’ He queried, stressing that the police followed established legal procedures in Sowore’s case.

He also reaffirmed that law enforcement officers are empowered by law to employ appropriate and proportional force when carrying out their duties, insisting that there was no irregularity or misconduct in the handling of Sowore’s remand process.

Army builds mobile kitchen to serve troops in austere settings

An Army battalion in Sultan Kudarat has officially launched on Thursday, Oct 23, a military mobile kitchen aimed at serving all its units and enhancing the Army’s operational and sustained capabilities.

The mobile kitchen is the first within the area of jurisdiction of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), primarily serving units in Bagumbayan, Isulan, Sen. Ninoy Aquino, and part of Esperanza towns, all in Sultan Kudarat province.

‘This state-of-the-art mobile kitchen is a significant leap in enhancing the Philippine Army’s operational and sustainment capabilities, particularly in remote and unpredictable environments,’ said Lt. Colonel Tristan Rey Vallescas, commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) based in Barangay Kayapa, Bagumbayan town.

‘It is a landmark achievement for military logistics and troops’ welfare of 7IB combatants,’ Vallescas said.

Vallescas said the kitchen was designed with modular cooking stations, a sanitation system, and food storage facilities to ensure safe, efficient, and timely meal preparation even in the most austere operational settings.

‘This innovation demonstrates our commitment to modernizing and improving the living conditions of our personnel, especially those deployed in far-flung locations,’ he said, adding that it was also designed to help not only soldiers, but the public as well, get safe and nutritious foods.

Vallescas said this milestone forms part of a broader modernization initiative under the 6ID, aimed at strengthening self-reliance, readiness, and responsive service delivery across all its units.

Traditionally, mobile kitchens are deployed for emergency response to provide immediate food relief for disaster-stricken communities

Don’t waste your campaign on South West, Primate Ayodele warns ADC

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to focus its 2027 campaign efforts on the South East and parts of the North, warning that the South West will be a difficult terrain for the party to penetrate.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele cautioned the ADC against ‘wasting campaign energy’ in the South West, stressing that winning any state in the zone would be almost impossible.

‘ADC, don’t waste your campaign in the South West; it will be very difficult to win in those states. Focus on the South East and some parts of the North. Make sure you pick a candidate who can remain loyal to your party – don’t pick a hungry candidate. The South West will be very difficult,’ the cleric warned.

Primate Ayodele further urged the party to be strategic in its choice of candidate, noting that internal betrayal could pose a major threat to its success.

The prophet also highlighted the political influence of President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a ‘formidable political force’ with the capacity to neutralize opposition parties.

‘Tinubu isn’t an easy person; he is a big masquerade with the political strategy to take you out. Some of your stakeholders will betray you,’ he stated.

On the South-South, Primate Ayodele predicted that the region would also pose significant challenges for the ADC but added that with the right candidate, the party could secure at least one state.

‘The South-South will also be difficult, but you can win one state there because the people want PDP and APC out – it all depends on your candidate. With the right person, you can achieve that,’ he said.

He also cautioned the party to be mindful of some Fulani-dominated states, predicting that support there would be minimal.

‘In some Fulani states, you won’t get votes. Kano may be difficult except the APC fails to do the right thing,’ Primate Ayodele added.

Paombong, Bulacan execs seek ICI help in infra probe

Fed up with persistent flooding in their town, the municipal council of Paombong in Bulacan province also wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to also look into the public infrastructure projects there.

The council, through its secretary, lawyer Isay Nunag, on Thursday turned over to the ICI pieces of evidence identifying P700-million worth of flood mitigation works from 2022 to 2025 as being nonexistent or ‘ghost’ projects. Documents related to about 10 allegedly anomalous projects were the basis of the ‘request letter’ that Paombong council representatives delivered to the ICI.

‘We asked for assistance from the ICI to be able to respond to our problems and also to help us be enlightened about the state of flood control [in our town],’ Nunag said in an interview with reporters after submitting the local government’s records to the fact-finding body.

‘There were flood control projects that were nonexistent . This is to [shed light] on the issue . You don’t hear much about our municipality when it comes to the flood control issues,’ she said.

Among the evidence that the council, led by Vice Mayor JC Castro, filed were findings from site inspections as well as local government and barangay reports that showed that the flagged projects had not been properly coordinated between government and private contractors.

Nunag, however, declined to name the contractors or construction firms found to be purportedly involved in the questionable projects, but she said that their findings were based as well on the Sumbong sa Pangulo website.

The same documents will also be submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Nunag said.

Sept. 21 protest

The controversy surrounding these projects sparked public outcry when nearly 1,000 residents, mostly young professionals and students, staged the ‘Tindig Paombong’ protest rally outside the town plaza on Sept. 21.

The protest was prompted by the discovery of more than P500 million in flood control projects that appeared to have been fraudulent, covering 11 projects across 14 barangays.

Former Vice Mayor Cristina Gonzales told the Inquirer on Thursday that the flood control structures were ineffective, particularly in Barangay Sto. Rosario, where floodwaters can rise up to 1.21 meters (4 feet).

According to Nunag, flooding is common in Paombong, with some parts of the town still submerged even after rains had stopped.

Paombong, a second-class municipality (average annual regular income of P160 million to less than P200 million), is also covered by the first district of Bulacan, where dismissed engineers of DPWH, Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, allegedly took control of anomalous infrastructure projects and colluded with lawmakers to pocket chunks of the funds. INQ

Just in: Court grants Sowore, Kanu’s lawyer, 11 others bail

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, on Friday granted bail to activist, Omoyele Sowore, alongside Aloy Ejimakor, lawyer to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, and eleven others arrested over the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in the nation’s capital.

The court admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of ?500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

The 13 defendants were arraigned for inciting public disturbance and breach of peace during Monday’s protest in Abuja.

While Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested during the demonstration and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Sowore was picked up on October 23 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, after showing up to express solidarity with Kanu at his terrorism trial.

Manuel L. Quezon’s grandson slams Jericho Rosales, director over biopic

A grandson of the late President Manuel Luis Quezon confronted the producers and actor Jericho Rosales during a post-screening discussion over the new historical film ‘Quezon,’ calling his kin’s biopic a ‘satire’ and a ‘joke’.

The eponymous biopic premiered in the Philippines last October 15, but it will start screening in other countries on October 30.

During the post-screening event, Quezon’s grandson Ricky Avanceña called out director Jerrold Tarog and Rosales over the movie’s portrayal of his grandfather.

The heated exchange, caught in an exclusive video by Inquirer.net Digital Content Producer Samuel Yap, happened during the QandA session following a special screening organized by TBA Studios on Wednesday in Makati.

In the clip, Avanceña questioned Tarog about whether the film was meant to be satire, expressing anger over what he called a distortion of Quezon’s legacy.

‘So nagbibiro ka lang pala? So joke pala ito?’ Avanceña said, his voice rising as he addressed the director. ”Wag natin papaniwalaan, joke pala ito! It is satire!’

Tarog kept his composure, saying, ‘We’ll leave that to the audience to decide if it’s something they want to process.’

Rosales, who portrays the late president, stepped in to calm the situation. ‘With all due respect, sir, I understand your feelings. But this is a QandA for our film,’ he said, but Avanceña shut him down, saying, ‘Jericho, huwag mo ko ganyanin ha? One minute and I’m done.’

Avanceña accused the filmmakers of profiting off what he called a ‘misrepresentation’ of his grandfather’s character before storming out of the venue.

‘Canceling Quezon’

Avancena is the son of Zenaida ‘Nini’ Quezon-Avanceña, second daughter of the late Commonwealth president with former First Lady Aurora Quezon.

Hours after the confrontation, Avanceña posted a series of remarks on Facebook criticizing the film and its creators.

‘F***ing Jericho Rosales tried to block me, in effect canceling a Quezon from a Quezon movie which sullied his reputation,’ he wrote.

The former president’s grandson urged his followers to watch the film ‘and then join me in a social media defense,’ claiming that the project reduced Quezon to a caricature.

Reputable references, fictional elements

In a statement released Friday, TBA Studios defended the film, stressing that it was based on extensive research and credible sources.

‘The film is grounded in verified historical accounts, including President Quezon’s own autobiography and other reputable references,’ the studio said. ‘While it includes fictional elements for dramatic purposes, the facts and context presented are easily verifiable.’

TBA added that it released a companion book and study guide containing the materials used in developing the screenplay.

‘General Luna’ steps in

John Arcilla, who played Gen. Antonio Luna in Tarog’s earlier films ‘Heneral Luna’ and ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,’ also weighed in through the comments section of Avanceña’s post.

Arcilla echoed Avanceña’s sentiments, explaining that they were ‘entitled’ to their reactions despite that the film’s satirical angle was its ‘best defense.’

‘We share the same sentiment. All the people involved are my colleagues and friends, and while I cannot apologize on their behalf-because, as you said, they have their own principles and freedom of expression-I believe that if the living family and descendants feel bothered by the matter, you/we are fully entitled to our reactions, or even to seek proper clarification or action if necessary,’ said the actor.

‘Still, I understand that the ‘satirical’ angle might be the film’s best defense. It looked satirical in the way they styled the early rigodons of political opponents and some of the ‘actings’ but the content itself doesn’t feel like one,’ continued Arcilla.

Quezon marks the final installment in Tarog’s so-called ‘Bayaniverse’ trilogy, following ‘Heneral Luna’ (2015) and ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral’ (2018). It explores Quezon’s leadership in the pre-war years, including his struggles with politics, illness, and national identity.

HEFAMAA leads statewide drive to expose fake health facilities

The Lagos State Government has intensified its drive to improve healthcare standards with a community sensitisation campaign in Eti-Osa, aimed at educating residents on the importance of patronising accredited health facilities.

The campaign, organised by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), seeks to enlighten residents on how to identify duly accredited centres and understand why using only such facilities ensures safe, reliable, and quality medical care.

Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, explained that accreditation is granted only after thorough inspection and evaluation of facilities to confirm compliance with safety, hygiene, and professional standards.

She added that accredited centres not only guarantee patient safety but also enjoy access to government support and resources.

Represented by the Deputy Director of Health Education, Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, Dr. Idowu spoke at a town hall meeting held at the Eti-Osa Local Government Council headquarters, where she said the outreach became necessary to protect residents from falling victim to quack operators.

‘HEFAMAA was created under the 2006 Health Reform Law to monitor all health facilities in Lagos. Many residents are still unaware of our role, so we are visiting every local government to educate them on how to access quality care and where to report complaints,’ she said.

The Permanent Secretary identified quackery as one of the agency’s biggest challenges, noting that illegal practitioners often operate from private homes or hidden locations.

‘We’ve been tackling this menace with support from the government and through our improved monitoring system. Many unregistered facilities have been discovered, shut down, and guided on proper registration,’ she stated.

She urged residents to support HEFAMAA’s efforts by reporting suspicious practices or illegal operators through its complaint channels.

‘If you see something, say something,’ she appealed, adding that every accredited facility now displays a QR code that allows visitors to verify its status and lodge complaints directly.

According to her, the agency has covered nine of the 20 local government areas in Lagos and plans to complete sensitisation in 14 by year-end, with the remainder scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

The Medical Officer of Health for Eti-Osa Health City, Dr. Yebanji Ilegbushi, commended the initiative, noting that many residents struggle to differentiate between hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.

She said the campaign will help residents identify accredited providers and make informed healthcare choices.

Dr. Ilegbushi also cautioned against pharmacies and laboratories performing unauthorised medical services such as administering vaccines or prescribing drugs.

She explained that HEFAMAA conducts unannounced biannual inspections to ensure strict compliance and maintain public health standards.

During the interactive session, community members raised concerns over religious leaders and unlicensed chemists engaging in healthcare practices.

HEFAMAA officials clarified that while other agencies monitor pharmacists and chemists, the agency collaborates closely with all relevant regulators to track and sanction offenders.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of Lagos residents by ensuring that all health facilities operate within approved standards and by continuously engaging communities in the fight against quackery.

Oborevwori suspends Polytechnic rector, bursar

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the suspension of the rector and bursar, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku for six months over alleged administrative misconduct and financial breaches.

The approval is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu.

According to the SSG, Oborevwori also upheld the earlier suspension of the Registrar of the institution by the Polytechnic’s Governing Council.

The statement explained that the suspension was ‘to allow for a thorough and unbiased investigation into allegations of administrative misconduct and financial breaches levelled against them by the governing council’.

‘Oborevwori further directed that the Deputy Rector shall act as Rector, while the most senior accountant in the Bursary Department will serve as Acting Bursar for the period of the suspension,’ the statement added.

Water supply interruption in Mandaluyong set for Oct. 25-31

Some areas in Mandaluyong City will experience temporary water supply interruptions from October 25 to 31 due to scheduled maintenance, the Manila Water Company announced.

In a Friday advisory, Manila Water urged residents in the affected areas to stock up on water.

October 24, 10 p.m. to October 25, 4 a.m.

Boni Avenue corner Loufel Street, Barangay Poblacion

Due to line meter declogging in Poblacion, New Zaniga, and Hagdang Bato Itaas

Barangka Drive corner Talumpong Street, Barangay Malamig

Due to line meter declogging in Barangay Malamig

October 27, 10 p.m. to October 28, 4 a.m.

Along Shaw Boulevard in front of Paddington, Barangay Highway Hills

Due to the interconnection at Barangay Highway Hills

October 30, 10 p.m. to October 31, 4 a.m.

Countryside Street, corner of Pantaleon Street, Barangay Barangka Ibaba

Due to line meter declogging at Ibaba Ilaya and Barangka Drive

Boni Avenue corner Edsa, Barangay Highway Hills

Due to line meter declogging in Barangka Itaas, Barangka Ibaba, Barangka Ilaya, and Malamig, Manila Water advised residents to let their taps run for a few minutes until the water clears once service is restored.