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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cleaning up the bureaucracy to ensure that every public servant is worthy of public trust.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony for the 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos’ Medallion of Excellence, Marcos admitted that the fight will not be easy.

‘We will continue to cleanse the ranks of government to ensure that every official and every public servant is worthy of the trust placed in them by the people,’ he said speaking in Filipino.

‘It will be hard and sometimes it will be painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit [and] a nation that they can be proud of, that they can be proud to say, ‘I am Filipino’,’ Marcos also said.

During the ceremony at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace, Marcos personally conferred the medallion of excellence to the awardees, composed of four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers.

They are as follows:

PMSg Ivan A. Velasco

PMAJ Elmira A. Relox

PCOL Frederick E. Obar

UO1 Anro Anthony M. Turallo, PN

Col Ricky L. Canatoy, PA

Col. Joey T. Fontiveros, PA

Mr. Noel V. Sadinas

Mr. Armando Perfecto C. Molin

Ms. Mylene M. Uy

Angelo Mark P. Walag, PhD

In the same speech, Marcos addressed the question of whether the government can still be trusted.

‘And to that, I say: Look at these men and women. In their service, you will find your answer. Because of them, we are reminded that hope is never lost, that integrity lives in our institutions, that honor still defines what it means to be a Filipino,’ he said.

‘Every honest teacher, soldier, and police officer is a victory against the corruption and hypocrisy that plague our country. Join us in inspiring us to strive to correct the wrongdoings of government,’ the President also said.

The event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program. /jpv

The charges of multiple murder and serious illegal detention against businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang and more than 60 others over the disappearance of the ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight enthusiasts) have been submitted for resolution following the conclusion of its preliminary investigation on Tuesday.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said the panel of prosecutors declared the cases that went through preliminary investigation submitted for resolution, meaning they would now evaluate the evidence and testimonies to determine if complaints could be filed in court.

‘The panel will try to resolve the case as soon as possible within the period allowed by the rules,’ Guhit told reporters in an interview.

‘As of now, there is no specific date yet for when we will issue the resolution for this case because there are still many documents that need to be attached to the respondents’ counter-affidavits,’ he said.

Of the 62 respondents, 57 submitted their counter-affidavits, including Ang and celebrity Gretchen Barretto.

Gabriel Villareal, Ang’s legal counsel, said they hope the case would be referred back to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police, arguing that the evidence presented reportedly ‘do not have enough credibility.’

‘As I said previously, I would prefer that the case be re-investigated. That way, we can truly find out who is really involved in the disappearance of the missing cockfight enthusiasts,’ he said in a separate interview.

‘If we simply dismiss this case without a resolution on what really happened, I would rather that it be returned to the CIDG so they can thoroughly study and gather all the complete evidence they can find,’ he added.

According to Guhit, the prosecutors will address in their resolution the issue on whether or not the case should be returned to the CIDG.

‘Technically speaking, this case is pending preliminary investigation. [The] way forward is to resolve the case so it’s either dismissal or for filing [in court],’ the prosecutor explained.

If the case is dismissed, the complainants may refile it and submit additional documents or testimonies to the Department of Justice, he added.

Ryan Bautista, whose brother Michael Bautista was among the missing cockfight enthusiasts, expressed confidence that they would finally achieve justice.

‘When it comes to evidence, we have our whistleblower, and everything he says is true. We’ve also seen proof, like the place where the bodies were supposedly dumped, where bones have actually been found,’ Bautista said.

He is referring to whistleblower Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, who revealed that the missing ‘sabungeros’ were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas. /apl

Converge ICT Solutions has teamed up with Viva Communications Inc. and Reliance Broadcasting Unlimited (RBU) to bring original Filipino entertainment shows to Xperience Hub.

Xperience Hub is Converge’s new top box device that turns a regular TV into a smart TV. It combines internet, cable and smart TV features.

Converge CEO and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy announced the partnership at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Monday.

‘With our ambition to go beyond connectivity, we are packing more functions and content on the Converge Xperience Hub, and among the most important steps to do this is partnering with production companies that know what Filipinos want,’ Us said.

Viva Communications president Vicente G. del Rosario sees this alliance as not just giving a new home to their shows. The goal is to reach more Filipino households.

‘This partnership with Converge and RBU allows us to bring our content closer to millions of homes, making it easier for families to access quality Filipino entertainment anytime they want,’ del Rosario said.

Aside from international streaming applications like Netflix, Converge is now expanding their lineup of contents with original Filipino shows through Viva One and VMX.

Viva One is famous for its Wattpad adaptations such as the Mutya ng Section E, Seducing Drake Palma, and the University series. /rwd

Bloodied, bruised but victorious. Those three words perfectly encapsulated Luis Pablo’s Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Rising to the occasion, Pablo paced the injury-depleted Green Archers past defending champion University of the Philippines, 72-69, in a game where he showed glimpses of who he was back in the NCAA a few years ago.

At the buzzer, the former La Salle Greenhills standout looked like he had come from a 12-round boxing slugfest with multiple bandages on his face.

However, just like he used to do with the Greenies back in 2023 when we won the MVP, he shrugged off the physicality and sent a team to the winning side, this time for La Salle.

If you ask him, though, what he did when he was still with the Greenies is just part of the past, and he’s focused on what’s in front of him.

‘To be honest, I don’t even think about that MVP award anymore because it’s done,’ said Pablo, who transferred to La Salle last year after playing sparingly for UP in Season 86. ‘Now, coach (Topex Robinson) just reminds me of my role here on the team.’

Fielded into the starting five in the absence of injured teammate Mason Amos, Pablo recorded 14 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block in almost 27 minutes of action.

Pablo also cleared that his performance against his former team was nothing personal.

‘Going into the game, I didn’t think that I’d have to score or do this and that, we always talked about having a certain role.’

With Pablo giving La Salle a much-needed lift, La Salle gained a share of the third seed with rivals Ateneo and UP at 4-3 to end the first round of eliminations.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has chosen Bacolod City as the first area outside the National Capital Region (NCR) for its massive river dredging and drainage declogging program, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez announced on Monday.

The short-term solution to the city’s flooding problem is set to begin in mid-November, he said.

Benitez mentioned that an inter-agency task force has been formed, with him and Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya at the helm, to oversee the flood control project.

The task force will include several national agencies, such as the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

This initiative will be called the Greater Bacolod City Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations Task Force, he added.

The clearing operations will be funded by both the DPWH and the private sector, according to Benitez.

Benitez, Gasataya, and other city officials recently met with a DPWH central office team, led by Undersecretary Charles Calima, at the Congressional Office in Bacolod City to discuss the short-term solutions to the flooding problem. The team was sent by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

Additionally, Benitez convened a pre-flood control summit on Monday afternoon at L’Fisher Hotel, where multi-sectoral representatives discussed long-term solutions ‘to address flooding problems once and for all.’

The city’s flood control master plan will be updated, to complete it by February to ensure its inclusion for funding in the 2027 national budget

Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson faces a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly approving the purchase of a property in Narvacan town that was overpriced by P100 million in 2019 when Singson was its mayor.

The Warriors Ti Narvacan, Inc. (The Warriors of Narvacan Inc.) – an organization advocating good governance and public accountability – on Monday lodged the complaint against Singson and 13 others, including a mayor, a former vice mayor, and former councilors of Narvacan.

Singson, who served as Narvacan mayor from 2019 to 2022 and who has become more vocal in his criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, called it ‘a desperate diversionary tactic and a renewed smear campaign orchestrated by political detractors.’

Overpriced

The Warriors alleged that Singson and the others conspired to defraud the local government of Narvacan by approving the purchase of a 99,974-square-meter property from Western Textile Mills Inc. at P149.96 million.

The group, represented by lawyer Estelita Cordero, claimed that the property’s actual value was only around P49.98 million based on zonal valuation, making the nearly P100-million difference a violation of Republic Act No. 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Act.

Also named as respondents were former Narvacan Vice Mayor Pablito Sanidad Sr., former Councilors Edna Sanidad, Joseph Tejada, Jovenniano Ampo Jr., Charito Viloria, Bernadette Lim, Loreto Caballes, Emiliano Clarin, Reina Alexa Antolin, Romulo Rea, Joemar Grey Cabico, former municipal assessor Arlene Debina, and Raymond Ang of Western Textile Mills Inc.

Edna Sanidad is Narvacan’s incumbent mayor.

‘Personal loss’

Singson claimed that the 100,000 sq-m property was valued at P800 million, or P8,000 per sq m, during the transaction, but he arranged its sale to the local government for P120 million.

‘This transaction resulted in a personal loss of approximately P680 million on my part, demonstrating a substantial act of assistance, not an attempt to profit or plunder,’ he said. It is now currently valued at P2 billion.

The series of interest rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could help support demand for loans during the so-called ‘ber’ months without creating too much credit risk for lenders, TransUnion said.

The credit information company said delinquencies may ‘remain stable or even improve slightly’ despite the projected increase in loan appetite to fund holiday spending, thanks to support from remittance inflows that typically enhance repayment capacity.

Lending environment

Overall, TransUnion said lower borrowing costs are likely to drive increased demand for consumer products, such as credit cards, personal loans and buy now, pay later offerings.

‘This latest rate cut by the BSP sets the stage for a more active lending environment as we move through the ber months,’ said Peter Faulhaber, president and CEO of TransUnion Philippines.

‘It’s a timely boost for consumers preparing for the holidays and for lenders aiming to meet that demand,’ he added.

The BSP this month cut the benchmark rate that banks use as a guide when pricing loans by another quarter point to 4.75 percent, with Governor Eli Remolona Jr. hinting at more easing actions in the next policy meetings.

Consumer loans

As it is, outstanding loans from big banks, excluding their short-term placements with the central bank, grew by 11.2 percent from a year ago to P13.62 trillion in August, latest data from the BSP showed.

Dissecting the BSP’s report, business loans, which accounted for 84.6 percent of the total loan book of large banks, expanded by 9.9 percent to P11.51 trillion.

On the consumer side, loans remained robust after growing by 23.9 percent in August, a tad faster than the preceding month’s 23.6 percent. This was driven by credit cards, motor vehicle loans and salary-based borrowings.

NPL

Meanwhile, nonperforming loans (NPL), or debts overdue by at least 90 days and at risk of default, accounted for 3.5 percent of the industry’s total loan portfolio as of August. That marked the highest share since November 2024, when the NPL ratio stood at 3.54 percent.

Banks responded by setting aside P519 billion in allowances against potential losses, putting the coverage ratio at 94.4 percent. Analysts have said the increase in NPLs highlighted the twin pressures on banks: protecting margins in a low-rate environment while managing credit risks.

TransUnion’s Faulhaber said educating consumers to be financially healthy could go a long way in preventing a buildup of unpaid loans.

‘What matters now is how the formal financial industry capitalizes on this momentum,’ he said.

‘By adopting first-mover strategies to deliver more personalized offerings in an increasing competitive market with proactive risk management, while encouraging responsible borrowing to help more Filipinos manage credit wisely, not just for the season, but for the long term,’ he added. INQ

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered law enforcement to ensure ‘speedy justice’ for radio broadcaster Noel Samar, who was shot by an unidentified gunman in Albay.

Samar was hit in the chest and abdomen on Monday morning in Guinobatan town, but he is now being treated at a Legazpi City hospital.

‘Lt. Gen. Nartatez directed the Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) to ensure speedy justice for Noel Bellen Samar, 54, a journalist affiliated with Kadunong ITV and DWIZ in Legazpi City,’ the top cop’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.

‘We are following leads about the motive in the shooting, including the personal and professional angles,’ it added.

Authorities have yet to determine the gunman’s identity and their motives.

Nartatez said investigators have already collected initial evidence and are now reviewing closed-circuit television footage.

‘We strongly condemn this attack against a member of the media. There is no place in our society for this kind of violence,’ Nartatez said in Filipino.

‘Our investigators’ coordination with the victim’s family and local media is also ongoing to collect additional information that may help determine and arrest the perpetrator,’ he added./mcm

No bettor won the P29.7-million prize in Monday night’s Grand Lotto 6/55 draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said.

The winning combination for Oct. 20 draw was 50-51-18-12-15-23.

Similarly, no one bagged the P17.09-million prize in Monday night’s Megalotto 6/45 draw, where the winning numbers were 20-06-40-24-29-41.

A lone bettor last won the Grand Lotto 6/55 in the Oct. 6 draw with a P223.58-million prize.

Another lone bettor won the Megalotto 6/45 in the Oct. 8 draw with a P13.25-million prize.

The next draw for the Grand Lotto 6/55 and the Megalotto 6/45 will be on Wednesday night, Oct. 22. /mcm/abc

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has coordinated with Philippine National Police (PNP) engineers for the field validation of ‘ghost projects’ amid its ongoing investigation on infrastructure anomalies.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said the commission conducted a technical and coordination meeting with PNP engineers for the field validation that they will conduct on the 421 flood control ghost projects that were recently inspected across the country.

‘We wanted to coordinate with them, discuss with them the procedure and how we will go about this. What process, what technology can we use,’ Hosaka said.

He added that the ICI also invited an engineer from the private sector, Engineer Michael Reyes, who is part of the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines, to ask for ‘his expertise on how we can go about the validation of these 421 ghost projects.’

Aside from this, members of and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) were also present at the ICI building this Tuesday.

Hosaka said they invited Soco to seek help in terms of the handling of evidence and how to document the validation of ghost projects in the field.

‘We are [looking at] evidence here. What we are looking at here is that a crime has happened. So we have to make sure that the evidence to be gathered will be acceptable in court. So that is their value why they are here,’ he said.

On October 9, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said at least 421 flood control works were found to be ‘ghost projects’ out of the 8,000 inspected nationwide.

These flood control projects were inspected by the Department of Public Works and Highways, PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. /gsg