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Amid public concern over why no one has been jailed yet in connection with anomalous flood-control projects in the country, Malacañang on Tuesday urged the public to remain calm as the filing of cases could not be done overnight.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, during a press briefing, said the government was doing everything to hold accountable those involved in the flood-control controversy.

‘Just stay calm. Again, this isn’t something that can be done instantly. Maybe it’s because I’m a lawyer myself who handles cases and personally appears in court, so I know how to properly present a piece of evidence,’ she replied in Filipino when asked to comment on public sentiments asking why no one is put in jail yet regarding this matter.

Castro, who is also a lawyer, explained that it was better to gather as much solid evidence as possible before filing cases than to immediately file cases that might eventually be dismissed due to insufficient proof.

‘This cannot be rushed. And if it were to be rushed, that might look good in terms of numbers-many cases filed in court-but later on, all of them get dismissed. Which would you find harder to accept: filing many cases that all get dismissed because they were premature and lacked sufficient evidence?’ she said in Filipino.

‘Let’s allow the ICI [Independent Commission on Infrastructure] to conduct their investigation and complete the necessary documents. They have promised that after a week, or by the fourth week, they will be able to file cases or recommend the filing of cases,’ the Palace official also said.

Earlier in the day, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed to share all the information he knows with the ICI to help ‘speed up’ its investigation into alleged corruption in government infrastructure projects nationwide.

He attended the hearing after being subpoenaed by the ICI to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions, as well as the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] flood control projects.’

Romualdez is one of the lawmakers implicated in the flood control corruption scandal, following claims by a former security consultant of former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co that the former House leader received kickbacks from government projects-an allegation Romualdez has since denied. /jpv

Chery Tiggo may have lost its first two games to start the PVL Reinforced Conference, but Mylene Paat was grateful to finally return to action after being out for more than a year due to a shoulder injury.

Paat suffered a supraspinatus tear-a muscle in the rotator cuff-in her left shoulder that required her to go under the knife. ‘Honestly, I was so happy. I didn’t expect to be on the court that long today. So my mindset has always been: every time I get subbed in, I’ll give my best and perform,’ said Paat, who contributed eight points off the bench in Chery Tiggo’s 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7 loss to Akari on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘And I’m just really grateful that my coaches are starting to trust me more, even if I’m not yet 100 percent back to form.’

The former league MVP reflected on her journey, stressing the importance of mental strength and a strong support system.

‘I went through a lot. But even during those tough times, I never completely left training. While the team was practicing, I’d be there too, recovering on the sidelines. So I still saw what was going on, I still felt connected,’ said Paat. ‘During my recovery, there were so many ups and downs, or honestly, more like downs, downs, and more downs. But now, I feel like I’m slowly rising again.’

‘Mental strength is everything, especially after an injury like this. This was the most major injury I’ve ever had. But I think it actually helped me become mentally tougher. I learned a lot about patience, especially since my recovery took so long,’ she added.

The former Alas Pilipinas captain thanked her husband and Kazakh volleyball player Sergey Rezanov, who pushed her to keep going amid adversities.

‘Even when we were apart, he’d call me just to say things like, ‘It’s time for your range of motion exercises,’ and kept pushing me to stay consistent. He always reminded me, ‘Don’t get lazy. This is your path. And if you ever go back to zero, embrace it. Go through everything,’ she said. ‘I’m really thankful to him-he’s been such a big part of my comeback, encouraging me to push and play again.’

As she continues to regain her old form, Paat preaches patience as she continues to work her way into regaining her old form.

‘Even if I don’t get something right the first or second time, I know I’ll get it eventually. It’s all about sticking with it,’ Paat said. ‘What we need now is to finish strong. Endgame execution. We need more composure during those crucial moments and tighter sets. It’s all about our mentality, staying calm and tough inside the court.’

Chery Tiggo tries to get into the winning column against Petro Gazz on Saturday in Ilagan City.

The fallout from the ongoing controversy over anomalous flood control projects has gone beyond the halls of Congress, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the private contractors involved.

According to Ramon Monzon, president and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange, some P185 billion in market capitalization was lost in the preceding weeks as the issue raged.

He agreed with the earlier statement of Securities and Exchange Commission chair Francis Lim assailing the level of corruption in the country and its adverse effects on the economy and financial markets.

Although the stock market is not a microcosm of the state of the economy, sharp movements in stock trading are considered snapshots of the reaction of investors to significant political and economic events.

Decisions

They influence the decision of investors on whether to unload their shares before things get worse or load up on stocks whose price had been or are expected to be adversely affected by those events.

News about the misuse of government funds in ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects are not confined to the Philippines. Several international news agencies have picked them up and reported them in their print, online and TV reports.

They were also featured in some podcasts or online chat rooms that deal with commercial or business issues in different parts of the world.

No doubt, the hedge funds and foreign companies that have substantial investments in Philippine companies, in particular, those listed on the stock market, including international financing institutions that have extended enormous credit to flood control-related infrastructure projects, are seriously concerned about the effects of the corruption issue on their money.

Easy sell

Sad, but true, the Philippines is not exactly an easy sell for foreign investments, so those who took a leap of faith on the country may now be questioning the wisdom of their action.

Their knee-jerk reaction could be to hold in abeyance earlier plans to expand their investments or sell their shares at the best price possible to minimize possible losses, or both.

The top executive of listed companies with foreign stock portfolios who may get calls in connection with the corruption issue would be walking on eggshells, so to speak, in responding to nervous investors.

How can they discuss that issue and truthfully comment on it without impliedly shaming the government or impugning the integrity of the members of Congress who had been implicated in the anomaly?

Fudging or skirting the issue is not going to be easy and, worse, may not sit well with investors who know their onions, so they might as well tell the truth about corruption in government, in particular, how some lawmakers have used their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the people and feel smug about it.

Controversy

What puts things in a tighter spot is the fact that the present controversy is a virtual repeat of the 1996 scandal when several members of Congress (again!) were enmeshed in pork barrel scams with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who is now in jail for the crimes she had committed in tandem with them.

But the irony of things is, many of her co-conspirators are still on the loose and whether or not they would eventually share her fate is a big question mark.

Given those circumstances, a foreign investor cannot be faulted for thinking that the same result could come out in the flood control project anomalies. Hence, it may be the better part of discretion to pull out the investment and put it elsewhere in the region where corruption in government is less perverse.

It would take a lot of persuasion to make an anxious foreign investor believe that the corruption issue is being forcefully addressed by the national leadership, that the guilty parties would serve time in prison and, most importantly, that the Philippines remains a viable area for investments.

Note that once business or investor confidence is lost, getting it back is not going to be easy. INQ

Kakai Bautista called on local government officials to fulfill their duties and serve the Filipino people following the series of earthquakes that recently hit parts of the Philippines.

In a video posted on her Facebook page, Bautista criticized politicians who made grand promises during the elections but have yet to deliver on them.

”Yung mga bida-bida diyan nu’ng eleksyon, it’s your time to shine. Now is the time to serve the people dahil nag-serve na kami sa inyo noong eleksyon,’ she said.

(Those who were show-offs during the elections, it’s your time to shine. Now is the time to serve the people because we already served you during the campaign period.)

The comedian reminded elected officials, especially those in local government units (LGUs), that public service is mandatory.

‘Niluklok na namin kayo sa inyong mga posisyon. Kayong mga nasa LGU, munisipyo, ang mga namumuno sa bawat bayan at bawat lungsod dito sa buong Pilipinas. This is not a request, it’s your job to serve the people. So mamigay na kayo ng mga Go Bags, mga emergency kits dahil ang Pilipinas ay nanginginig,’ she stressed.

(We have put you in your positions, those in LGUs, municipalities, and city halls across the Philippines. This is not a request, it’s your job to serve the people. So distribute Go Bags and emergency kits because the Philippines is shaking.)

Bautista then praised Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for proactively distributing Go Bags to residents as part of disaster preparedness measures.

‘Gayahin natin si Mayor Vico na hindi kailangang utusan, nagkukusa,’ she stated. (Let’s follow Mayor Vico who takes initiative.)

Bautista mentioned that other cities like Taguig, Quezon City, and San Juan have reportedly begun similar efforts but stressed that more needs to be done.

‘Dapat lahat ng households, bigyan n’yo. Hindi lang mga estudyante at hindi n’yo ibibigay kung kailan n’yo lang gusto. Saka hindi n’yo ibibigay sa mga gusto n’yo lang bigyan,’ the actress added.

(All households should receive them, not just students, and not only when you feel like giving, or to people you just favor.)

Bautista emphasized that ordinary Filipinos couldn’t have a go bag with them given that the funds intended for them are already ‘stolen’ by public officials.

‘You know better, hindi talaga kaya ng bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng Go Bag on their own. Kasi nga ‘di ba, minatmat n’yo na ‘yong mga salapi. Paano pa bibili ‘yong mahihirap? So, kilos na. It’s your time to shine,’ she said.

Over 125,000 families were affected by the ‘doublet earthquake’ that recently struck Davao Oriental following the 6.9 earthquake that hit northern Cebu on Sept. 30. /edv

When University of Santo Tomas opened the season with two straight wins-convincing ones over the protagonists of last year’s championship battle-everybody talked about how the UAAP men’s basketball tournament was no longer a two-school race.

Then National U and Ateneo entered the picture, building wins over tough programs (the Eagles routed rival La Salle early in their showdown before settling for a scary victory) to also put themselves in the championship conversation.

University of the Philippines started slow, but then racked up four straight wins, including a tense one against a struggling Far Eastern U that essentially typifies the Season 88 picture.

‘As we always say, the UAAP is composed of teams that you cannot take for granted, whether it’s teams above, below, or the same as us,’ assistant coach Christian Luanzon said after the Maroons’ 69-66 victory over the Tamaraws late Sunday.

The stats are not making sense either.

League-leading National U is winning on defense, based on data provided by UAAP stats team head Pong Ducanes. The Bulldogs are the best at scoring off turnovers (18.7), anchored by a top-3 turnover-forced rate (16.0). And yet, when the Bulldogs escaped the Archers, 82-78, La Salle had more points off turnovers, 14-12.

NU will argue that defense wins games-as most coaches at any level will. But Adamson is this season’s stingiest team, allowing a season-best 63 points per game, but has won just twice in six games.

And University of Santo Tomas ranks last in defense, yielding 83 points per game, but has won four of five. The Tigers are doing it with their league-best offense (91.6 points per game).

UST’s offense breathes through its 51 percent shooting from inside the arc (No. 1) and 41.6 points in the paint (No. 1). Then again, Ateneo is 4-2, streaking to four straight wins to start the season with a lot of help from its three-point shooting.

The Blue Eagles still lead that department despite back-to-back shooting setbacks, making a league-topping 49 triples on a second-best 28.8 percent clip.

Last season, a total of 14 games were decided by five points or less. With still six games left in the first round, eight games finished within that margin-all but one with a difference of a single field goal.

And that’s not counting two UST games-a loss to NU where the Tigers were within a basket under the final two minutes before the Bulldogs peeled away, 76-69, and an epic 98-89 victory over the Eagles that took three overtimes to finish.

‘Considering the limited amount of games, you can expect every game to be like a dogfight,’ Luanzon said.

And you can expect that numbers will only reveal half the story in figuring out who the real title favorites are.

Like UST assistant coach Juno Sauler said after beating the Eagles in that lung-busting marathon of a game: ‘Throw away the numbers. It was all heart for both teams.’ INQ

Tennis is quickly emerging as one of the Philippines’ most promising sports, with rising stars like Alex Eala inspiring a new generation of athletes and fueling a nationwide passion for the game. As the sport continues to capture the hearts of Filipinos, Cebuana Lhuillier-under the leadership of its President and CEO, Jean Henri Lhuillier, who also serves as long-time President of United Tennis Philippines (UTP)-has long been at the forefront of this movement, championing tennis development even before its current surge in popularity.

For years, Cebuana Lhuillier has invested in grassroots programs and supported homegrown athletes, laying the foundation for the country’s tennis pipeline. Through nationwide tournaments like the Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Program-which empowers athletes aged 18 and below-along with training opportunities and international support, the company continues to elevate Philippine tennis while the rest of the nation embraces this growing enthusiasm for the sport.

‘I have always been a believer in the talent and potential of Filipino tennis players,’ said Lhuillier. ‘We’ve been doing this for years, long before tennis became a national conversation. And now, thanks to the excellent efforts and rise to fame of Alex Eala, the world is seeing what we’ve known all along-that Filipinos can compete at the highest level. We at Cebuana Lhuillier and UTP vow to continue supporting Philippine tennis so that we can discover and develop more Alex Ealas who will proudly carry our flag on the global stage.’

At the helm of this mission, Lhuillier’s leadership has helped bring Philippine tennis from local courts to international arenas. Cebuana Lhuillier has stood behind some of the country’s finest tennis players who have carried the flag abroad-Davis Cup veterans and international achievers such as Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Katharina Lehnert, Jeson Patrombon, and Eric Tainio-each a testament to the company’s enduring commitment to nurturing talent from grassroots beginnings to international success.

Today, this legacy continues through Cebuana Lhuillier’s Tennis Ambassadors-Alberto ‘AJ’ Lim, Ruben Gonzales, and Francis Casey ‘Nino’ Alcantara-who are already making their mark on the global stage. Lim, the youngest in the roster, achieved a breakthrough when he helped lead the men’s team to Davis Cup promotion in 2025, signaling a powerful resurgence for Philippine tennis. Gonzales, a doubles specialist with a career-high ATP ranking of No. 116, has delivered victories for the Philippines at both the Davis Cup and the SEA Games while competing on the ATP Challenger Tour. Alcantara, who captured the 2009 Australian Open Boys’ Doubles championship, has since established himself as a consistent performer for the Davis Cup team.

‘I am deeply grateful to Cebuana Lhuillier for making it possible for me to compete at the highest level. Their unwavering support inspires me to give my best every time I play for the country,’ added Ruben Gonzales.

‘Having Cebuana Lhuillier behind me gives me the confidence to pursue bigger goals in tennis. Their support reminds me that with hard work and the right backing, Filipinos can shine on the world stage,’ shared Alberto ‘AJ’ Lim.

Through Cebuana Lhuillier’s grassroots programs and international campaigns, Filipino athletes are steadily climbing the rankings and proving that with the right support, they can stand tall among the world’s best.

Looking ahead, Cebuana Lhuillier remains committed to expanding the country’s tennis pipeline and opening more doors to international competition, ensuring a stronger, brighter future for Philippine tennis.

Facing the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied allegations that he received kickbacks in the implementation of government infrastructure projects.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka bared this development following the conclusion of Romualdez’s first appearance in the ICI’s closed-door hearings.

According to Hosaka, ICI commissioners asked Romualdez about allegations thrown against him, particularly how he allegedly had money delivered to him in exchange for infrastructure deals.

Romualdez, however, refuted the accusations.

‘He was asked, and he denied,’ said Hosaka.

Hosaka said ICI commissioners also tried to pry Romualdez to deduce his involvement over the flood control corruption scandal.

‘Of course, we are looking into what really happened and him being the speaker, the leader of the House at that time, will be able to provide us with important information,’ he said.

‘As far as role is concerned or possible liability or accountability, that is up to the commission to decide,’ he added.

ICI to invite Romualdez back, other lawmakers

Meanwhile, Hosaka said the ICI will invite Romualdez back to its hearings, along with other lawmakers involved in the creation of the national budget.

This, said Hosaka, is based on the information Romualdez provided during Tuesday’s hearing, as well as due to an affidavit voluntarily submitted by the former speaker.

‘That’s why what the commission did was invite him back so that questions could be asked regarding that affidavit-so he will return again next week,’ he added.

Hosaka explained that the information provided by Romualdez during the hearing was ‘helpful’ as he was able to clarify his and his colleagues’ role in the deliberations on the national budget.

‘So these people will be invited soon to shed light on their participation on the budget preparation which also pertains to the anomalous flood control projects,’ he said.

Hosaka, however, refused to divulge the names of the lawmakers who will be invited by the commission.

This is Romualdez’s first time to attend a hearing in the ICI, the investigative body in charge of investigating not only corruption in flood control projects, but also all national government infrastructure works over the past 10 years.

Romualdez attended the hearing after being subpoenaed by the commission to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions, and as well as the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’

The former speaker is also among the lawmakers implicated in the flood control corruption scandal after a former security consultant of former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co accused him of allegedly receiving kickbacks from government projects-an allegation he has since denied. /apl

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday denied that there are plans to destabilize the government, and added that the current inistration is ‘insecure’ from protesting people.

‘There is no destabilization happening. People are just talking. The administration is just insecure, afraid of the power of the people’s voices. But in reality, no one is planning destabilization,’ Duterte said on Filipino in a press briefing.

‘What I noticed is that the word destabilization always comes from the administration because it makes them insecure,’ she added.

She also dismissed the rumors that meetings are being held among groups to shake up the current administration.

She, however, pointed out that if there’s a group that would hold meetings on the issue, it would be the Makabayan bloc.

‘That’s really the vision of Makabayan, to overthrow the government because they want to take over. So if there’s a group that’s meeting to overthrow the administration, it’s Makabayan. There’s no one else,’ she said.

In response, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chairperson Teodoro Casiño told the Inquirer that calling those demanding accountability in a ‘corrupt system of governance’ as ‘destabilizers’ is ‘the ultimate form of gaslighting.’ Casiño clarified that Makabayan’s aim ‘is not to destabilize the government, but to change it.’

The Makabayan bloc denounces corrupt political dynasties, Casiño added, claiming that the vice president herself may be ‘afraid that people are now looking for alternatives to the bureaucratic capitalist system that she and her family have milked for decades.’

Rumors of destabilization attempts surfaced during the September 21 anti-corruption protest where protestors clashed with the police and allegedly made attempts to storm Malacañang.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, however, dismissed the rumors. /gsg

The Philippines again observes National Indigenous Peoples Month this October. This commemoration recognizes, promotes, and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs). It should also serve as a reckoning with their ongoing struggles and the structural injustices that deny them their rights.

Among the gravest concerns are the murders committed against the Teduray and Lambangian peoples in the Bangsamoro. On Sept. 30, 2025, Ramon Lupos was beheaded by armed groups in Barangay Limpongo, Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur. He was reportedly ambushed while tending his farm. Lupos is the 86th Teduray killed since the 2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite.

How can there be a celebration when ICCs/IPs live under constant threat? The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, led by Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., must fulfill its promise to the Teduray and Lambangian peoples. It should prevent violence and the displacement of these communities. On July 3, 2025, Opapru pledged to work with the sixth Infantry Brigade and the Municipal Task Forces to End Local Armed Conflict, but the killings go on.

Without action, the government’s slogans for Indigenous Peoples Month will remain empty gestures, simple box-ticking exercises rather than genuine commitments. Without life, no other indigenous right-be it representation, free, prior, and informed consent, or cultural integrity can be exercised.

Let the refrain not be one of mourning but of change. There can be no true Indigenous Peoples Month until indigenous lives are protected.

Palace press officer Claire Castro denied on Tuesday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his family are seeking ‘perpetuation in power’ as claimed by Vice President Duterte in a press briefing in Zamboanga City.

‘I’ve been saying that for a long time, haven’t I? This government is doing nothing but politicizing and spending the Philippine budget on corruption.They no longer have an objective for their tenure in the administration other than to engage in politics and their end goal is perpetuation in power,’ Duterte said partly in Filipino.

Castro dismissed the vice president’s comments, saying Duterte has no proof of her accusations, and claiming that the current government is cleaning up after the previous Duterte administration.

‘All words. all accusations, no evidence, no value. Even when the truth is President Marcos, Jr. is fighting corruption which the previous administration failed to do,’ Castro said.

‘What’s worse is that they even defended those who ‘allegedly did not abuse the public treasury’ like in the Pharmally scandal. They are now cleaning up what they spread in the past. They shouldn’t divert the sins they committed against the people,’ added Castro.

Duterte also accused the administration, and the Office of the Ombudsman of ‘controlling the narrative,’ saying that when the corruption probe comes too close to the Office of the President, the investigation dies down.

‘Why is the investigation specific? Why aren’t all corruption scandals investigated? That’s why we say everyone is controlling the narrative because they choose what they want to investigate, if someone in the Office of the President gets hit, the investigation suddenly dies or disappears or gets buried or drowned,’ the vice president pointed out.

It must be noted that newly-appointed Ombudsman, former justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said that the complaints made against Duterte over her office’s and the Department of Education’s alleged misuse of confidential funds will be reviewed. /gsg