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Anne Curtis reposted an art card that bears the sentiments of many Filipinos on accountability on the controversial flood control projects.

The vocal “It’s Showtime” host shared the post of the popular page Follow The Trend Movement (FTTM).

’42 days since hearings on flood control project started. Wala pa ring napapanagot,’ the art card read.

She captioned the art card with ‘Ung totoo? Ano naaa po?’

Anne, like many of her fellow celebrities, has been airing her frustrations on the flood control issue and calling for end to corruption.

‘Bilang mga taxpayers it allow us to ask an important question: Saan ba talaga napupunta ung taxes natin lahat?” Anne wrote in her past post.

‘We all work hard. Some spend late nights away from their families, endure long commutes, and sadly, many still suffer the consequences of flooding and other hardships.

‘I DO BELIEVE in paying taxes – when they’re used for the growth of our nation, the betterment of our communities, and most importantly, in support of our fellow Filipinos who need the extra hand.

‘Specially, for the youth and children who don’t have access to proper nutrition and education. It’s time we use our voices to END CORRUPTION in our country para sa mga anak natin at para sa future generation of Filipinos.

‘Para sa’yo, mahal namin Pilipinas!’

She marched along with thousands of Filipinos at the Trillion Peso March last September 21, calling for accountability and an end to widespread corruption.

The spirited booters of the University of the Philippines (UP) High School Cebu made their debut as a football varsity team a memorable one.

In a performance that is truly one for the books, the Fighting Maroons prevailed over the Azkals Development Academy (ADA) Cebu, 2-0, via penalty shootout in the thrilling finals to secure the school’s first ever championship crown in the 16 Under division of the 4th City of Naga Football Festival recently.

Playing cool under heavy pressure, Ceaje Bungcaras and Jude Earl Jurado delivered the decisive goals that powered UP High Cebu to a historic title.

Before reaching the finals, UP High performed remarkably well in the elimination round, booting out Cebu United and Naga City-B with three key goals from Qyel Ino Sollano and one from Bungcaras. Sollano knocked in another goal against Naga City-A in the semifinals, propelling the team to the gold-medal match which they eventually won.

‘This win is very special and historic for us. For the first time in UP High School history, our football team has brought home a championship trophy. What makes it even more meaningful is that these students are the very first group to form our football varsity team,’ said UP High School Cebu head coach Ricor Marfil.

The team was only formed last August, with the student-athletes training together for just two months before entering the tournament.

‘In that short span, they learned to trust one another, to fight for each other, and to balance the heavy demands of academics with the discipline of football training. To see them achieve this milestone fills us with so much pride,’ Marfil continued.

He credited the team’s success to their grit and values: ‘It was their character, effort, and heart that made the difference in every practice and every match.’

The 11-strong Fighting Maroons of the UP High School Cebu Football Team also include Gyle Veloso, Matthew Jun Baldoza and Val Andri Goles from Grade 7 and Cyan Manuel Villaflor, Vince Christopher Rodil, Marvin Roy Cervantes, John Martin Jaluague, and Steve Andrei Redondo from Grade 11.

The ground-breaking feat marks the rise of UP High School Cebu in grassroots football and highlights the school’s growing support for athletics alongside academic excellence.

The Equi-Parco Construction Company (EPCC) continues to push forward with key infrastructure projects that are reshaping communities across Northern Mindanao, including newly built roads and bridges to flood control systems that protect lives and livelihoods.

EPCC is a private sector focused on implementing infrastructure projects across the Philippines.

Since its earliest undertakings in 1991, such as the Construction of the Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon By-Pass Road awarded in 2015, EPCC has steadily expanded its portfolio of priority projects aimed at improving connectivity, accessibility and safety for residents and industries alike.

Its latest project, the Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Logistical Highway, awarded in early 2020, reflects this ongoing momentum to link strategic areas through modern, resilient infrastructure.

‘Our goal has always been to ensure that communities feel the real impact of these projects, not just in terms of roads built or bridges completed, but in the way these developments change lives for the better,’ said EPCC.

Decongesting, connecting

Among EPCC’s major undertakings are road projects designed to ease urban congestion and enhance trade routes. In Cagayan de Oro City, the construction of bypass and diversion roads in Barangay Gusa has provided alternative routes for delivery trucks and commuters who used to face hours of gridlock along the city’s main thoroughfares.

Before the project, heavy traffic disrupted daily life and hampered logistics operations. But after completion, motorists could traverse Gusa to Puerto more smoothly, helping cut travel time and improve the flow of goods in and out of the city.

‘These bypass roads do more than move vehicles; they move economies,’ said EPCC. ‘Businesses now operate more efficiently, and residents experience a better quality of life.’

Life-changing, life-saving

Bridges have also played a key role in EPCC’s portfolio. In one project, engineers addressed the challenge of deep seabeds that made rock embankments impractical. The result is a reliable bridge that now ensures safe and steady passage between previously disconnected areas. The new structure has since opened up opportunities for commerce and community interaction that were once impossible.

Flood control and drainage systems form another critical component of EPCC’s work, particularly in areas frequently hit by storms. In Barangays Macasandig and San Simon in Cagayan de Oro City, for instance, as well as Hinaplanon and Santiago in Iligan City, new flood mitigation structures have significantly reduced flooding incidents that once displaced families and damaged property every rainy season.

Before these interventions, residents endured frequent disruptions, with rising waters cutting off access to schools and workplaces. Today, the new drainage and embankment systems provide peace of mind during heavy rains, ensuring safer passage and protecting homes and businesses.

‘Flood control projects are life-saving infrastructure,’ said EPCC. ‘They safeguard entire communities and allow development to thrive even in disaster-prone areas.’

Regional resilience, equitable growth

EPCC’s priority projects go beyond roads and flood control. The cluster has also taken on building construction and water supply systems, signaling its shift toward comprehensive community development that includes essential facilities and public utilities.

These efforts align with the government’s broader push for regional resilience and equitable growth, particularly in Mindanao, where access to quality infrastructure has long been a key driver of economic and social progress.

With dozens of ongoing and completed projects across the region, EPCC renews its commitment to delivering infrastructure that serves people first, building connections, ensuring safety and laying the groundwork for a more resilient and connected Mindanao.

EPCC said: ‘We measure success not just in kilometers of roads or meters of bridges, but in the stability and prosperity they bring. That’s the kind of development we aim to build-lasting, inclusive and genuinely felt by the communities we serve.’

In the Philippines, the holiday season begins long before December. As soon as the ber months roll in, homes light up, playlists turn festive, and families prepare for the most anticipated celebration of the year. In the provinces, the holiday spirit carries a special kind of comfort, quiet nights under wide-open skies, gatherings that brim with laughter, warmth and traditions passed down from one generation to another.

This is the best time to start styling your home, little by little. Blast your favorite Filipino Christmas songs and let this article guide you on how to elevate the holiday vibe in every corner of your space.

A holiday look that works beautifully in rural homes is the Whitewood design. It embraces natural textures, warm wood, crisp whites and subtle hints of greenery. The result is serene and stylish, yet very easy to achieve even outside the city, especially in the province.

Living room: Kuwentuhan over a spread of classic Filipino merienda

The living room is often the first stop for anyone who enters the home. It has to be warm and welcoming to reflect the Filipino culture of hospitality, family-orientation and sociability. To achieve this, arrange your living room with cozy furnishings such as sofa and center and side tables. Invite abundance of natural light with airflow-friendly open layouts or through using large windows. Add natural materials such as wood, air-filtering plants or artificial fiddle potted or cactus.

Do not stop there and put holiday comfort with throw pillow cases, and a soft brown carpet that grounds the look in warmth. Freshen up corners with weave basket organizers to keep things neat while doubling as rustic accents.

As the evening deepens, switch on the LED lantern. Its golden glow creates the dreamy, soft shine that mirrors how many provincial homes light up during Christmas nights.

Dining room: Noche Buena moments

No rustic Christmas is complete without a long table filled with Noche Buena dishes. Anchor your dining space with a dining table and chairs. It is perfect to host gatherings that stretch into the night.

Set a festive yet grounded mood with natural placemats and the shiso serving tray. These add artisanal charm. Level up the feast with a nordic flatware set in gold and black, paired with diamond engraved glassware. It’s a simple way to make every serving feel special.

Light plays a big role in setting the tone. A rattan pendant light creates a soft, inviting glow, while the metal candle holders add flickers of warmth. For a subtle touch, place a reed diffuser at the center to complete the mood. The result is a dining room that feels festive, grounded and ready for neighbors dropping in to share a meal.

Bedroom: A retreat after the festivities

When the celebrations end, nothing feels better than retreating to a restful space. A high-quality bed frame anchors the bedroom with a clean, modern profile. Layer it with different kinds of throw pillows for a mix of comfort and style that feels just right for the December chill.

Accent the room with the round mirror and side table, then bring in a touch of greenery with a potted plant. As you wind down, let a table lamp cast its glow.

Why whitewood fits the provincial spirit

The whitewood look fits perfectly with provincial living. Clean whites and warm wood tones reflect the simplicity of rural homes, while rattan accents and greenery embraces the beauty of nature that surrounds them. This theme captures both the quiet and the joy of a Paskong Pinoy. It gives you a home that feels festive and timeless.

No matter where you are, Wilcon Depot makes it easy to bring this look to life. With branches across the provinces, you can find these pieces nearby and start preparing for Christmas today. A whitewood holiday setup is simple to achieve, yet it brings a fresh glow to every provincial home ready to welcome the season.

It took a village for Barangay Ginebra to tally its first win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, as the Gin Kings blasted the TNT Tropang 5G, 92-77, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Six Ginebra players finished in double digits, led by Japeth Aguilar with 17 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Abarrientos chipped in 14 markers off the bench, while Troy Rosario had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt and Norbert Torres each had 10 points for the winning squad.

TNT actually started the game off with a three-point lead, but it did not take long for Ginebra to find its rhythm and leave the Tropang 5G in the rear-view mirror.

After an and-one play by RR Pogoy to make it a three-point game, 10-13, Ginebra dropped a massive 20-4 run capped by a layup by Norbert Torres to break the game wide open.

That hot start was enough for the Gin Kings to breeze through to the finish line, as TNT could not close the gap to within 10 points.

Simon Enciso tried to shoot TNT back into the game, sinking five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

But Ginebra’s lead was just too big to overcome, as the Tropang 5G had an answer for every run.

Jeremiah Gray produced eight points for the Gin Kings while Sonny Estil had seven.

Enciso top-scored for TNT with 17 points in 17 minutes. Kevin Ferrer chipped in 11 points, as none of the Tropang 5G’s starters finished in double digits.

Ginebra will be back in action against the Meralco Bolts on Friday at the same venue, while TNT will take on the Converge FiberXers on Saturday at the Chavit Coliseum in Ilocos.

Bansot is a Tagalog word that means stunted, often used to describe a person, animal or plant whose growth or development has been arrested. It can refer to being physically short, but it can also imply mental or psychological growth has stopped.

Can a country be considered economically bansot? A country we are familiar with is probably a good example. It stopped growing as fast as it should have due to wrong policies and overwhelming corruption. Its neighbors overtook it and it doesn’t look like it is doing much to reverse the trend.

Before this country can stop being the regional bansot, it must save its next generations from the curse of being bansot. It must pour the resources needed to provide mothers the prenatal care they need and thereafter, to make sure their children get the nutrition required for normal physical growth and mental development.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) held a lecture last week with the theme: ‘Bata, bayan, bukas: Reducing childhood malnutrition and stunting through economic freedom.’ The lecture highlighted the urgent need to treat nutrition not merely as a health and nutrition issue, but as an agricultural and economic policy challenge.

It is an agricultural and economic policy issue because our policies have kept food expensive, a reason why there’s a lot of malnutrition.

Low-income families spend about 60 percent of their meager income on food, half of that on rice because rice is cheap and filling. Households that can’t afford more diverse foods often have diets low in protein, vitamins, minerals.

The lecture opened with FEF’s award-winning short documentary on stunting, malnutrition and agricultural policy, which recently won the Atlas Network’s Public Policy Impact Award in New York.

The film underscored how child undernutrition and agricultural inefficiencies are intertwined challenges requiring urgent national action. ‘Malnutrition is not only a public health issue – it is an economic freedom issue,’ said FEF president Calixto Chikiamco in his opening remarks.

Child malnutrition is every Filipino’s concern. There is substantial scientific evidence showing that inadequate nutrition in early childhood (especially before age five) can compromise both physical and intellectual (cognitive) development.

Children who are malnourished (or stunted – meaning chronic undernutrition leading to low height-for-age) often score lower on measures of cognition (IQ, attention, memory, language skills).

The problem is huge. One in four Filipino children under five is stunted. That irreversibly limits physical growth, brain development and lifetime earning potential. That’s a tragedy.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara told me that he wants to be involved in child feeding programs now under DSWD. Sec. Sonny said that unless the feeding programs are done right, by the time the children are in elementary school, it becomes more difficult for the school system to make them learn the basics of math, reading and science.

The World Bank declared that the Philippines’ learning poverty rate is at an alarming 91 percent. This means nine out of ten 10-year-olds cannot read and understand a simple text.

The World Bank warned that ‘If this situation is not addressed, the country risks having a less skilled workforce in the future.’ And that’s putting it kindly.

The FEF estimated that undernutrition costs the Philippines $8.5 billion (P496 billion) annually – around two to three percent of GDP – through lost productivity, higher health care costs and diminished human capital.

In her presentation, Atty. Benedicta ‘Dick’ Du-Baladad, a Fellow of the FEF, reframed nutrition as a strategic business investment.

Numerous Filipino children, she said, are ‘born with promise’ but whose potential is ‘diminished before their second birthday. [This] is a lifelong economic penalty,’ she said.

According to Du-Baladad, uncurbed malnutrition ‘directly undermines economic freedom’ by limiting individual capacity, fostering people’s dependency on social safety nets and distorting the labor market.

Du-Baladad urged the private sector to integrate nutrition into business strategies, workforce development and food system reforms, warning that failure to act risks reversing hard-won gains in malnutrition reduction.

Here’s a thought: for a start, can the highly profitable manufacturers of cup noodles infuse their products with nutrients? Can we have a rice variety with vitamins?

Indeed, the difficulty that our business sector is having in hiring qualified staff is traceable to our failure to provide proper nutrition to our children. Stunted development as it affects the brain means the current generation of potential workers will be difficult to educate, train and make economically productive.

We are missing the train again. We are not likely to benefit from a demographic dividend which we should be enjoying because we have a large working-age population. Malnutrition and stunting among children under five significantly undercut the potential upside.

This is such a pity because more people in the productive age range (roughly15-64) means more potential workers, which can support faster economic growth, especially if the ratio of dependents (young and old) is lower.

A larger labor pool can mean more specialization, greater innovation, higher aggregate output and more capacity to invest in infrastructure, education, health etc.

If education, health, skills training and jobs are available, the large working population can boost consumption, tax revenues and economic dynamism.

Instead of a demographic dividend, we will have the burden of a large unemployable working age population requiring hand-outs or ayuda from the government. This may be a source of political strength for our political dynasties, but bad for the nation.

Dr. Mildred Guirindola of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in her lecture before the FEF said ‘Malnutrition, particularly stunting, is not only a health issue but also a barrier to human capital, productivity and national progress.’

Guirindola pointed out that stunted children are more likely to drop out of school, earn less as adults and face lifelong health risks, with their economic productivity as adults clipped by more than 10 percent in their lifetime.

‘Reducing stunting is not just saving lives. It is securing our nation’s future,’ Guirindola added.

It’s never an easy call for a referee to stop a fight. A premature ending will lead to a howl of protest particularly if a fighter is still able to defend himself and retaliate. But a late halt could be damaging and put a fighter’s life in serious danger. Referee Carlos Padilla recalled that in 1979, he waved off the bout between Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez with only six seconds left in the 15-round WBC welterweight title match at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Padilla said it didn’t matter how much time was left in the fight. His main concern was to protect the fighters in the ring. Leonard had floored Benitez with 30 seconds remaining. Benitez got up, fought back but after taking two more solid punches, Padilla stepped in. It’s often said that a second early is better than a second too late in stopping a fight.

Last month, WBA/WBO minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico was awarded a seventh-round TKO over Filipino challenger Jayson Vayson in Indio, California. Vayson’s chief second Allan Alegria signaled to referee Tom Taylor to call it off. Vayson took a mandatory eight-count in the first round and was badly behind on points when the end came.

It appeared that Vayson was running out of gas when Collazo began to step up his attack in the sixth round. Thrice, Taylor checked on Vayson in between rounds. The California State Athletic Commission representative in Vayson’s corner was worried about his condition. When Collazo put on the pressure in the seventh, Alegria waved the white flag even as Vayson wasn’t totally out of it.

A respected boxing authority, watching the fight on TV, said it looked like Vayson’s corner was ‘spooked’ by Taylor and the California State Athletic Commission. The corner could’ve panicked, the authority said. The promoter Golden Boy obviously wanted a big win by Collazo who’s Puerto Rican like its CEO Oscar de la Hoya, cheering at ringside.

Vayson’s corner insisted it did the right thing. Note that last August, two Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from brain injuries suffered from separate bouts on the same card in Tokyo. Last May, Ginjiro Shigeoka lapsed into a coma with a blood clot in the brain after losing on points to IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran in Osaka. Only last week, Filipino Jino Rodrigo sustained a subdural hematoma after a 10th-round KO loss to Cain Sandoval in Santa Ynez, California. Rodrigo is now out of the hospital but remains under guarded observation.

Cornermen know their fighters better than a referee. Yet many hesitate to pull the plug, hoping there’s still a chance to win despite a heavy beating. The recent rash of boxing injuries and fatalities should remind cornermen that more than a referee, they’re the first line of defense to protect their fighters from serious injury.

As his administration faces a public works corruption controversy, President Marcos yesterday highlighted two infrastructure projects in Cagayan as examples of properly implemented and effective government undertakings.

Marcos led the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, designed to protect rice fields from flooding and provide year-round irrigation to boost crop yields.

He also inspected the nearly completed Camalaniugan Bridge, which will connect the towns of Aparri and Camalaniugan.

During a dialogue with farmers, Marcos said the completion of the Union Water Impounding Dam demonstrated that it is possible to implement an effective and reliable flood mitigation project.

‘That means we have proven that we can construct a good flood control (structure) that is effective. As long as the construction is done properly, the design is sound and the implementation is proper, we do not see any problem,’ the President said in Filipino.

Marcos noted that the dam was finished in only 14 months.

‘It started during my term. It also ended during my term,’ he said.

The dam, a joint project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), features a sluice gate system that diverts water to irrigate up to 3,600 hectares of farmland.

Part of a broader flood control, irrigation and rural development strategy, the structure is expected to benefit more than 1,000 farmers across seven barangays.

After meeting with farmers, Marcos visited the Camalaniugan Bridge, which aims to cut travel time, improve mobility and boost economic activity in the region.

Considered the longest cable-stayed bridge in Cagayan Valley, the project was designed to provide an alternate route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, the only bridge that currently crosses the Cagayan River in northern Cagayan.

Construction began in May 2020, with 99 percent of civil works completed as of Sept. 30.

‘We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well on time and it was done properly,’ Marcos said.

The President commended the agencies and local officials who closely monitored the construction, expressing hope that the bridge would open by Christmas.

‘They are really watching over this huge project to avoid problems, so it won’t end up becoming a ghost project that is not finished, problems that we sometimes see in other projects,’ he said.

‘It is really nice to see the true capability of the government if each centavo is used properly,’ he added.

The bridge is expected to reduce travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros towns from one hour to 20 minutes and serve about 6,000 travelers daily.

The Philippine economy might fall short of meeting its full-year growth target, the Department of Finance (DOF) said, as slower revenue collection and dampened government spending continue to weigh on the country’s expansion prospects.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto also revealed that the Philippines was poised to receive a credit rating upgrade from ‘BBB+’ to ‘A-‘ from S and P Global Ratings this year, if not for the corruption scandal that erupted over the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Recto noted that several factors could influence the country’s economic performance, as a rebound in private sector confidence and sustained household spending amid easing interest rates could help offset the slowdown.

‘We could miss it, 5.5 percent? We hit 5.4 percent,’ Recto told reporters after the Senate deliberations on the DOF’s budget.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee lowered this year’s economic growth target to 5.5 to 6.5 percent from the earlier projection of six to eight percent.

‘We reduced the interest rates last week. It will be wind in our sail moving forward. And more rate cuts will be good for the economy. But it all depends on where inflation will be,’ Recto added.

The Philippine economy expanded in the second quarter to 5.5 percent, slightly faster than the 5.4 percent recorded in the first quarter of this year.

However, Recto admitted that an economic slowdown would likely rein in due to subdued spending, which could have an impact on overall economic activity.

‘There may be a possible slowdown in growth this third quarter because of the reforms being initiated by the President to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent properly in executing the budget,’ Recto said during the budget deliberation.

He added that the economic outlook remains positive moving forward, as the economy is expected to realize its full growth potential once current issues are resolved.

‘As the government slows down its spending, the economy may also be slightly affected,’ the Finance chief added.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management showed that government spending on infrastructure and other capital outlays decreased to P93.3 billion in July, from P124.9 billion the previous year.

The DBM attributed the decrease to the muted disbursements, citing delays in procurement activities and contractors’ incomplete submissions and billings.

Recto added that the favorable demographic data and a stable macroeconomic environment could easily sustain growth, provided that the government executes the budget properly and ensures the proper use of taxpayers’ funds.

‘The good news is that moving forward, everything will be on the upside because we are fixing the problems. This, however, remains the biggest internal threat,’ he said.

The finance chief earlier stated that economic growth could have reached six percent, as economic losses from alleged corruption in infrastructure projects are estimated to be between P42.3 billion and P118.5 billion.

During the budget hearing, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian said he does not want people to lose confidence in the government and boycott paying taxes because of the corruption of public funds in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

‘That’s why it’s important to fight corruption and curb corruption. I commend the DOF for stating that the department will never tolerate corruption,’ he stressed.

Domino effect

When asked if there’s a significant chance of a credit rating reduction, Recto said there remains a strong possibility that the country’s credit rating will be maintained, although he noted that the likelihood of an upgrade had been much higher before the controversy.

‘You know, if not for this flood control issue, when we met with S and P, they were ready to give us a credit rating upgrade. When we met with them last week, they were ready, we were already set to move one notch higher. So it’s really unfortunate,’ he said.

A high credit rating indicates that the country is considered creditworthy, meaning it is very likely to repay its debts on time. An improvement in the rating signals a strong economy, rooted in sound fiscal management, which can lead to lower borrowing costs.

S and P Global Ratings has previously revised its growth outlook for the Philippines downward to 5.6 percent from the previous 5.9 percent, citing weaker private consumption, slower investment activity and ongoing global economic uncertainties.

With the proposal to reduce the value-added tax to 10 percent from the current 12 percent, Recto warned that a decrease in revenues could surely impact the Philippines’ global rating.

He added that he would likely share the same view if he were in the credit agency’s position.

‘It is governance. We have to improve on that and I’m convinced that we will be able to do it. It will take us a few months to finish all of that,’ he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday denied that Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga is getting orders from her family, saying she is not calling for the resignation of President Marcos.

‘I never asked him to resign. That is a pointless call. He will not resign,’ Duterte said.

Barzaga led a protest against corruption in Forbes Park, Makati on Sunday.

‘I do not control Congressman Kiko Barzaga. He is his own person. He has his own principles and he has his own free will and there is nothing wrong at all with what he is doing because as I said, we are all covered by freedom of speech and expression,’ Duterte said.

Around 300 people joined the rally, according to police.

‘Considering the personality of Congressman Barzaga, can he be handled by other people? As you can see his independence in thinking, you also see his courage, his principles,’ Duterte added.

‘All nonsense’

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday denied Duterte’s claim that Marcos wants to stay in power.

‘All talk, all accusations, no evidence, all nonsense,’ Castro said in Filipino when asked for comment on Duterte’s latest tirades against the President.

To Duterte’s assertion that the Marcos administration is doing nothing, Castro said the President has been fighting corruption, which was not done during the administration of her father.

‘What’s worse is that they even defended those who allegedly abused public funds, like in the Pharmally scandal,’ Castro said.

The Palace press officer was referring to the multibillion-peso corruption scandal involving COVID-19 pandemic supplies under the Duterte administration.

‘They are now cleaning up their mess. Don’t divert attention from the sins they committed against the people,’ she said.

Sara awaits ICC ruling on appeal

The Vice President declined to comment on the decision of the International Criminal Court after the defense team of her father former president Rodrigo Duterte filed an appeal after the ICC rejected his interim release.

The former president’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman confirmed that an appeal was filed a week ago.

The ICC has released the redacted version of the Sept. 26 decision denying the interim release request.

The Vice President was mum on the ICC using her previous statement as basis in rejecting the interim release of the former president.

‘Yes, I have a comment on that, but I really want to wait for the decision on the appeal so that we can have only one comment,’ she said in Zamboanga City.

She also belittled the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations, which showed one in two Filipinos agreed that her father should be held accountable for killings in relation to his administration’s so-called war on drugs.

‘Assuming that the data in the survey is truthful and faithful, it is not useful here in our country, because the case is not happening here in our country,’ Duterte added.

She thanked senators for passing a resolution calling for the house arrest of her father.