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From the time Spanish military forces surveyed its shores in 1868, to the point in history when the United States built its Naval Station here in 1905, Subic has always been valued for its deep-water port.

So, when the Americans finally left in 1991 after almost a century of developing Subic as a military resupply center and a bulwark of its military might in the Asia-Pacific region, Subic’s maritime industry became a focal point of development for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the agency tasked to convert the former military base into an economic zone.

BusinessMirror, which celebrates its 20th founding anniversary this month, was there at the start of Subic’s determined journey to leverage its core advantage as a maritime port, starting with the full-blast construction in 2005 of the New Container Terminal-1, to its efforts to gain more maritime traffic in terms of cargo vessels, cruise ships, and even military ships that visit under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Yet no maritime news from Subic was as compelling as the meteoric rise and fall of the Hanjin shipyard, the $1.7-billion project that made the Philippines at one point the fourth-largest shipbuilding country in the world.

Its story mirrored life’s triumphs and tribulations, and stressed the lesson that man’s undertakings, no matter how well-intentioned, may still fall apart and fail.

Hanjin arrives, and Subic too

HANJIN’S arrival in Subic in February 2006 was the biggest local news that year. When the SBMA signed in Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. of South Korea for a US$1 billion shipbuilding project at the Redondo Peninsula, it created not just ripples, but a tsunami of opportunities in the otherwise placid pond that was Subic Bay.

Immediately, the Hanjin contract made Subic the country’s top heavy-hitter in foreign direct investments (FDIs) with P51.4 billion generated that year. This allowed the SBMA to corner 70.8 percent of the P73 billion investment projects approved by all investment promotion agencies (IPAs), and eclipsing the combined first quarter FDI tally of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

The Hanjin investment also paved the way in 2006 for the entry of six more Korean firms that pledged a total of $6.5 million for various projects.

The growing job opportunities created by more investments further boosted the Subic economy, allowing the SBMA to rein in a total of P4.5 billion in revenues in 2006.

In June 2007, more good news arrived: Hanjin would top its $1-billion original investment with $684 million due to new orders for vessels to be made in its Subic shipyard.

From aAgolikos to Antoine de Saint Exupery

BusinessMirror also bore witness to the evolution of Hanjin’s shipbuilding projects.

In April 2008, the Korean shipbuilder launched the 4,300-TEU bulk carrier ‘Argolikos,’ the first ship ever to be built in its Subic shipyard. Greek firm Dioryx Maritime Corporation, which ordered Argolikos, has also placed orders for at least six vessels to be built by Hanjin, the SBMA said.

From there, Hanjin went on to build more-and bigger-ships. In September that year, the firm announced that it will construct two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) worth a total of $330 million for Emarat Maritime LLC (EML), a shipping firm headquartered in Dubai.

In January 2010, Hanjin unveiled ‘Leyla K,’ the first oil tanker to be built in Subic, thereafter delivering the 114,000-deadweight ton behemoth to the Kaptanoglu Shipping Lines.

In August that year, HHIC-Phil’s then general manager for external business Taek Kyun Yoo said the company had already booked 56 new shipbuilding projects with projected sales $4.9 billion, a return more than double the firm’s total investments of $1.9 billion in the past four years.

The new contracts, Yoo also said, would progressively increase the number of shipyard workers from 16,000 in 2008 to 22,000 by the end of 2010, and up to 24,000 in 2011 and 25,000 in 2012.

Hanjin-Subic made history again in September 2015 when it completed the first locally-made liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier at its Redondo Peninsula facility, the M/V Kaprijke, which had a capacity of 38,405-cubic meters.

The firm’s contribution to the economy was recognized in December 2016 when the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recognized Hanjin as the country’s top exporter in the machinery and transport equipment sector.

Finally in January 2018, Hanjin marked another milestone as it unveiled the CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery, the first 20,600 TEU container vessel built in Subic and one of the biggest ships ever built in the world.

The mammoth container vessel was built over a period of one and a half years, from Feb. 8, 2016 when the first steel cutting was made, to its launching in Aug. 19, 2017.

Fall from Grace

THE Antoine de Saint Exupery was supposed to be the first of three 20,600-TEU container ships that HHIC-Phil has committed to build for CMA CGM, but it turned out to be the last to be completed at the Hanjin shipyard.

On January 10, 2019, BusinessMirror broke the story that the giant shipbuilder, which had delivered 123 vessels since rolling out the ‘Argolikos’ in July 2008, had gone to court to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as ‘An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals’.

As it turned out, the Subic shipbuilder had incurred at least $100 million losses that it attributed to stiff global competition, low prices of ships, and low production at the local shipyard.

Pyong Jong Yu, then HHIC-Phil’s executive director for administration, would also confirm in a meeting with SBMA officials later on that Hanjin has agreed to heavy-tail payments, whereby buyers made larger payment late in the building process, thus resulting to heavy borrowings by the shipbuilder.

As it would eventually come out, Hanjin owed some $400 million in outstanding loans from Philippine banks on top of another $900 million in debts with lenders in South Korea.

White knight

BusinessMirror would also cover the search for a white knight to save the shipyard from totally going under. But the no one was immediately forthcoming, leading to the closure of the Hanjin facility after the shipyard was placed on receivership.

It was only in March 2022 that Cerberus Capital Management acquired the Subic shipyard for $300 million, renaming it Agila Subic Shipyard and starting its redevelopment as a multi-use hub for industrial, naval and logistics operations.

This August, six long years after Hanjin left the shipbuilding facility, Aguila Subic announced that four major tenants have signed in to kickstart the revival of the Subic shipyard. These include Hyundai Heavy Industries, one of the biggest shipbuilders in the world today.

The following month, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines (HHIP) conducted a steel-cutting ceremony at the Redondo Peninsula shipyard, marking the start of construction of its first shipbuilding project.

THE P3-billion allocation for the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (Tikas) Program from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should be transferred to the Department of National Defense (DND), since it has shown low completion rates and idle infrastructure projects.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, the Senate Finance Committee chief, is advocating this transfer, noting the unfinished DPWH projects for the Air Force (PAF) in Pasay City: two multipurpose buildings worth P72 million and P51 million which were tagged as completed but remain unfinished. Two other PAF projects, valued at P60 million and P17 million respectively, also lack complete funding.

‘For 2026, let’s just move to the DND the P3 billion. What’s important is we finish the project and our soldiers benefit from every peso of the fund,’ Gatchalian said during the budget hearing for the DND and attached agencies on Tuesday.

He lamented the opportunity loss and the deterioration of assets that have been set up but are not fully used.

‘Sayang naman yung mga gusali, nakatayo pero hindi nagagamit. Mas mainam na ang DND na mismo ang magpatupad ng mga proyekto dahil sila naman ang nakakaalam ng kanilang mga pangangailangan [What a pity to have structures standing but unused. It’s better that DND itself implement the projects since they know best what they need],’ he added.

At the budget hearing, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reported that out of 944 approved Tikas projects since 2019, only 648 have been completed, with several left unfinished or unusable.

CALVIN OFTANA and Arvin Tolentino form part of the honor roll for next week’s 31st Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps (PBAPC) Annual Awards Night at the Novotel Manila.

Oftana is the recipient of the Order of Merit, while Tolentino will be recognized as the Scoring Champion during the October 13 celebration.

The Order of Merit is awarded to the player who garnered the most number of Player of the Week citations, while the Scoring Champion is determined by the highest scoring average of a player for the season.

Oftana of TNT was Player of the Week four times for Season 49, while Tolentino of NorthPort was the top offensive player with an average of 21.2 points.

Incidentally, the two were also recognized in the recent PBA Leo Awards as part of the First Mythical selection along with nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Robert Bolick.

Oftana played a key role in helping the Tropang 5G make the Finals of all three conferences, including their conquest of the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.

Tolentino won his first Best Player of the Conference award after steering NorthPort to the semifinals of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.

CITIZENWATCH Philippines on Wednesday urged policymakers to prioritize legislation that dismantles regulatory blocks currently stalling the country’s digital infrastructure rollout.

In a statement, the advocacy group emphasized the urgent need to modernize the National Building Code, streamline right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, and clarify rules that allow homeowners’ association (HOA) restrictions to impede access of telecommunications companies.

‘We support the national commitment to digital transformation,’ said Orlando O. Oxales, Lead Convenor of CitizenWatch. ‘To move forward, we need enabling policies that shatter outdated restrictions. Connectivity must be treated as a basic utility, not a privilege,’ he said in a press statement,

Oxales noted that critical legislative proposals-such as measures covering telecommunications readiness of buildings (House Bill 900), ICT infrastructure requirements for housing developments (HB 4472), and ROW guidelines (HB 6571)-were filed in the last Congress but have yet to be refiled in the current 20th Congress.

‘These are critical measures that demand immediate prioritization,’ Oxales said. ‘We urge lawmakers to refile, refine, and pass these bills to create a legal environment fully responsive to modern connectivity needs.’

The group cited persistent barriers telcos face: outdated building codes, restrictive HOA practices, and lengthy, fragmented ROW permitting at the local level.

‘Our Building Code dates back to 1977, long before internet connectivity became essential to life,’ Oxales said. ‘As a result, many buildings lack the necessary provisions for broadband infrastructure, leading to limited or delayed access for residents.’

CitizenWatch strongly supports proposals to mandate telco-ready designs in building plans-from in-building fiber pathways to network access points-integrating these requirements into the permitting and occupancy process.

‘Proactively designing for digital connectivity ensures no community is left behind,’ Oxales added. ‘It also slashes the cost and complexity for providers, directly benefiting consumers.’

Oxales added that reforms must prevent the misuse of the Magna Carta for Homeowners Associations to block vital infrastructure.

‘If the internet is now considered a basic need, then access to it should not be subject to a ‘social acceptability’ requirement,’ he asserted. ‘We do not require public consultation to install water pipes or power lines because they are essential utilities. Internet connectivity must be treated with the same level of non-negotiable importance.’

The group also pointed out that requiring access for multiple telcos to a building or community is vital to foster competition and improve service quality. ‘These reforms must mandate infrastructure designs that accommodate multiple telcos, so residents aren’t forced to rely on just one provider,’ Oxales noted.

‘This prevents a monopoly situation where one internet service provider can hold a building or community hostage.’

The group underscored the importance of aggressively addressing ROW challenges, which continue to cause significant delays in the deployment and energization of telco towers and underground fiber. While the 19th Congress ratified the reconciled version of the ‘Arrow’ Act, CitizenWatch believes there is still room to strengthen its implementation and coordination among national agencies, local governments, and utility providers.

‘We can further streamline permits and harmonize standards across all agencies and LGUs,’ Oxales said. ‘This is essential for rapidly scaling infrastructure rollout, especially in underserved areas.’

Moreover, CitizenWatch called for crafting a national policy guidance to prohibit HOAs and developers from creating arbitrary barriers to telco access. The group advocates for clear rules that ensure fair, non-discriminatory, and reasonable access for telcos and ISPs, especially in high-density residential and commercial developments.

‘Connectivity must be available to all, regardless of whether they live in gated communities, condominiums, or urban centers,’ Oxales said. ‘Policy clarity eliminates inconsistent interpretations that deprive residents of essential broadband connectivity.’

As the demand for digital services continues to rise across education, healthcare, business, and governance, CitizenWatch stressed the urgency of institutionalizing these reforms to enable rapid last-mile connectivity.

‘Digital access is no longer optional-it is foundational to inclusive development,’ Oxales concluded. ‘We urge lawmakers and agencies to swiftly remove every barrier limiting our people’s full participation in the digital economy.’

THE San Francisco 49ers secured a dramatic 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, improving their record to 4-1 and maintaining a perfect 3-0 mark in the National Football Conference (NFC) West-4-1 injury riddled and injury plagued.

The 49ers’ victory underscores their depth and adaptability, even when facing adversity. With a mini-bye week ahead, they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.

The 49ers’ defense delivered a gritty performance, overcoming a series of injuries and key absences. Despite missing stars like Nick Bosa and Upton Stout, the defense stepped up in critical moments to secure the win.

In the win over the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers’ offense delivered a resilient and adaptive performance, overcoming significant personnel challenges.

The 49ers faced notable absences, including their top three wide receivers and tight end George Kittle.

Despite the challenges, the offense adapted by involving multiple players in the passing game and utilizing McCaffrey’s dual-threat capabilities.

Despite the personnel challenges, the 49ers’ defense maintained discipline and focus and executed key plays when needed.

The defensive line, including contributions from rookies and practice squad call-ups, stepped up to disrupt the Rams’ offense.

The secondary, led by cornerbacks Lucas and Lenoir, played tight coverage, limiting big plays and forcing critical turnovers.

The defense’s resilience and timely execution were instrumental in the team’s victory.

The offense demonstrated depth, with players stepping up in the absence of key starters.

Mac Jones’s performance highlighted the importance of having capable backups not just in the quarterback position ready to lead when called upon.

Incorporating both the passing and running games kept the Rams’ defense off balance, contributing to sustained offensive success. Teams should always keep their offence varied and not one dimensional.

The 49ers’ defense showcased depth, resilience, and timely execution in their victory over the Rams. Despite facing significant injury challenges, the defense’s key plays, including the 4th-and-1 stop and crucial fumble recovery, were pivotal in securing the win.

The 49ers’ offense displayed adaptability, versatility and execution under pressure, securing a crucial victory against a divisional rival.

NORDIC embassies in Manila and Tetra Pak have launched an initiative aimed at encouraging and engaging Filipino youth to learn and lead in circular economy solutions.

The ‘Cartons for Communities and Nordic Waste Classification System’ program was activated in Pasig City’s elementary and high schools, as local government units (LGUs) seek to manage post-consumer waste, including food and beverage packaging.

Tetra Pak-a Swedish packaging solutions company-is stepping up its efforts through the program by partnering with schools, private communities, and LGUs to promote the segregation of used beverage cartons (UBCs) for recycling, while also supporting collection through local solid-waste management systems. These are recycled into boards that can be converted into useful everyday items such as chairs and tables.

Pinagbuhatan Elementary School, Pasig Elementary School, Eusebio High School, Pasig Science High School, and Rizal High School will take part in the pilot program. Each will receive collection bins made from recycled UBCs, where students can deposit rinsed and flattened cartons. Participating schools will also join an interschool competition to win prizes for the highest volume collected, with students earning incentives for their contributions.

Science of recycling

AT the launch event, students and teachers learned the science behind Tetra Pak’s food and beverage packaging, as well as the complete recycling processes. These cartons are made of 70 percent paperboard, 25 percent plastic, and 5 percent aluminium, and are recyclable.

Mayor Victor Ma. Regis ‘Vico’ Sotto addressed the students and discussed the reason trash must be kept off the streets: to prevent clogging sewage and drainage systems, therefore helping lessen the flooding of alleyways and inner roads.

Sotto noted that while the local government plays a major role in keeping the city clean, citizens also have an important part, starting with schools and children.

In Sweden, children learn about waste segregation and recycling at an early age at home, shared Ambassador Anna Ferry: ‘This continues in preschool and grade school, where they are taught about the deposit-return system for cans and bottles.’

Ferry explained that ‘this project with Tetra Pak is similar, and a great start to learn about the circular economy model.’

For Tetra Pak Philippines Packaging Portfolio Director and Site Manager Albert del Fonso, ‘we believe that empowering the next generation is key to building a more sustainable future. Through the Cartons for Communities program, we are proud to work alongside the Nordic Embassies and Pasig City to help students become champions of the circular economy. By learning how to recycle and upcycle used beverage cartons, these young leaders are not only protecting the environment-they’re shaping a culture of sustainability in their schools and communities.’

‘Most innovative’

THE Cartons for Communities and Nordic Waste Classification project with Pasig City is supported by the Nordic Initiative on Circular Economy. The Nordic region, represented by the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Embassies in Manila, is home to the most innovative circular economy solutions. In 2024, the embassies signed a memorandum of understanding with Pasig City to support the local government’s transition to a circular economy.

In April and May, city government representatives also participated in a study visit to Denmark and Sweden for benchmarking best practices on circular economy.

THE slower-than-expected inflation rate in September, international economists said, may not prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut rates on Thursday.

However, these economists still believe the easing cycle will resume by December 2025 and continue until the first quarter of 2026.

In an economic brief, HSBC ASEAN economist Aris Dacanay said the BSP is still expected to continue reducing rates until it reaches a terminal rate of 4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026.

‘Our base case is still for the BSP to cut its policy rate to as low as 4.5 percent by 1Q [first quarter] 2026, subject to rice prices being stable,’ Dacanay said.

He explained that the September inflation sets the stage for a 25-basis-point reduction in the fourth quarter to 4.75 percent. This is expected in December 2025 rather than this week.

‘Though, admittedly, the downside surprise in inflation increases the risk that the BSP frontloads its rate cut, we still think the central bank would like to see more data on growth and rice prices before deciding to continue its easing cycle,’ Dacanay said.

Citi Bank NA Manila Branch also said BSP is expected to deal in a 50-basis-point reduction in policy rates. This will be delivered in two 25-basis-point reductions in policy rates slated for December this year and the first quarter of 2026.

In its inflation statement, BSP said that while domestic demand held firm, there are expectations that the economy’s growth could be impacted by US trade policies.

Citi said growth concerns may also emerge due to cyclical headwinds as well as challenges to services employment.

‘With today’s lower-than-expected inflation print, real policy rates will remain somewhat above BSP’s neutral range of 1.5-2 percent in the absence of further cuts,’ Citi Bank said.

‘We continue to expect BSP to resume cuts in December as well as 1Q26 [first quarter 2026], bringing real policy rate firmly to the floor of the 1.5-2 percent neutral range in 2026,’ it added.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the increase in inflation was due to the typhoons that battered various provinces and disrupted supply chains.

These disruptions are compounded by inefficiencies such as corruption, poor planning, and delays when it comes to infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

‘When floods or typhoons hit, these inefficiencies amplify logistical bottlenecks, leading to higher transport and distribution costs, which then push up consumer prices, especially for food and essentials,’ Asuncion told this newspaper.

‘If the only bridge access, for example, to a certain municipality or city, fails because of corruption resulting [from] substandard construction, we immediately observe prices of food and essentials rise and even cause markets to fail,’ he added.

Further, Asuncion said the repair and reconstruction of projects that suffered from corruption, poor planning, and/or delays, would prolong the duration of elevated prices of goods and the cost of services.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera told the BusinessMirror that faster inflation can be a real-world consequence of corruption in infrastructure projects.

When these funds are wasted on ghost projects, infrastructure facilities remain inadequate or unfinished. This leads to ‘disruptions in supply chains, higher logistics costs, and productivity losses especially during calamities or extreme weather events.’

THE Independent Commission on Infrastructure has asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against former Senate President Francis Escudero, former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other present and former public officials linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

An Ilbo is an order issued by the DOJ directing immigration officers to closely monitor and report the travel of ertain individuals.

Aside from Escudero and Romualdez, other officials subject of the request for ILBO are incumbent senators Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and Emmanuel ‘Joel’ Villanueva.

Former senators. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles (now Makati mayor).

The ICI is also seeking Ilbo against several members of the House of Representatives namely Roman Romulo, James ‘Jojo’ Ang , Patrick Michael ‘PM’ Vargas, Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde, Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones, Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro, Florida ‘Rida’ Robes, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Agarao, Leody ‘Ode’ Tarriela, Reynante ‘Reynan’ Arogancia, Teodorico ‘Teodoro’ Haresco, Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, Marivic Co-Pilar; former congresmen Florencio Gabriel ‘Bem’ Noel and Marvin Rillo.

The request also include government officials identified as Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, his contractor-wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Education Undersecrerary Trygve L. Olaivar, campaign distributor of Escudero Maynard Ngu, Department of Public Works and Highways district engineers Loida Busa, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr. and Arturo Gonzales Jr.; Rillo’s aide ‘Bogs’ Magalong and Carlene Villa.

Bureau of Immigration spokesman Dana Sandoval said the DOJ has approved the request of the ICI for the issuance of an ILBO against Escudero, Romualdez and 31 others.

‘We confirm receipt of the ILBO issued by the Department of Justice against 33 individuals today, October 8. Their names have been immediately included in our centralized database and their travels will be strictly monitored,’ Sandoval said.

No public hearings

THE ICI will continue its closed-door proceedings despite calls from the Iglesia ni Cristo and several other individuals ang groups to open its proceedings to the public, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said.

‘Well right now, the policy stays. But as long as we keep on informing the public as much as possible with regard to information that would not trample upon the individual rights to others, then no, nothing will change,’ Hosaka said.

‘As I’ve always said before.when our resource persons accuse others, those accusations have to be verified in some way. It’s difficult if we simply listn to someone’s statement, especially without even checking their background or character. So we also look into that,’ he added.

The Iglesia ni Cristo, through its Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, earlier called on the ICI to be transparent with its proceedings as the group is closely monitoring the issue on flood control projects.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan is also asking the ICI to reconsider its position not to livestream its proceedings.

Summons

THE ICI has finally summoned former former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other individuals to testify about insertions in the national budget and the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.

Romualdez, a first cousin of PresidentMarcos Jr., is among the lawmakers and government officials who are being linked to anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.

The former Speaker had denied both allegations, claiming that he never stole public funds or received bribes.

The summon, dated October 8, was sent by the ICC to Romualdez’s office at the House of Representatives.

It requested Romualdez to appear before the commission on October 14, 2025 at 10 a.m at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ICI said Romualdez will be asked ‘to discuss and confer with the panel under oath regarding his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions and as well as the DPWH flood control projects.’

The ICI also sent an invitation to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to discuss with the panel the procedure of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and Implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) including the procedures for release of the unprogrammed funds.

‘The primary purpose of the request is to seek authoritative guidance from the DBM on matters about the NEP and the GAA more particularly those line projects which are linked to the ghost projects, substandard or otherwise unfinished implementations of flood control projects including the procedures for the release of the unprogrammed funds, which is a matter under inquiry by the Commission,’ the ICI invitation stated.

Romualdez statement

THE office of Romualdez on Wednesday confirmed receiving an invitation from the ICI, stating that the former speaker is prepared to appear before the commission.

In a brief statement, the lawmaker said he welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The former speaker is expected to appear on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., before the ICI.

‘Representative Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,’ the statement read.

Romualdez also expressed his readiness to appear before the commission in connection with its ongoing inquiries.

‘In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission,’ the statement added.

In the case of Party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co of Ako Bicol, who previously served as chairman of the Appropriations committee, the ICC issued a subpoena requiring him to appear before the commission and to bring various documents in relation to flood control projects undertaken by companies where he or his family have beneficial interest.

The documents include contracts, records, and reports for all government projects, project proposals, and master plans related to flood control. Accounting forms and documents such as vouchers, invoices, and official receipts relevant to those contracts.

Incorporation and registration documents, including articles of incorporation, latest General Information Sheets, financial statements, and Income Tax Returns.

Co managed to leave the country for alleged medical treatment in the United States before the massive corruption scandal broke out.

When asked if those persons invited or subpoenaed by the ICI will not cooperate, Hosaka said the commission might seek relief before a court by filing a petition to hold them for indirect contempt.

‘The powers or authority of the ICI is to issue subpoena with regard to contempt powers then we have to go to, to follow a proper procedure which is going to the courts and probably fil a petition for indirect contempt,’ Hosaka said.

A NEW Filipino-developed electric passenger ferry (e-ferry) was launched early this week to serve commuters through inland waterways such as the Pasig River in Metro Manila.

M/B Dalaray, the country’s first ferry running on electric battery, was designed and made in the Philippines. It is capable of carrying up to 40 passengers and three crew members for up to three hours.

It will begin operations along the Pasig River, traversing the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Taguig and Manila, in November.

The launching was led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said M/B Dalaray is meant to showcase government initiative on lessening reliance on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.

‘Ito ay produkto ng pambihirang galing, sipag at pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino [This is the product of the greatness, industriousness and unity of Filipinos],’ Solidum said.

The project advocates for a clean, modern and future-ready system of transportation in the Philippines, contributing to the economy through the use of rivers and improving tourism in the Philippines.

‘Malaki ang matutulong nito upang mabawasan ang problema sa trapiko at magbigay ng mas komportableng biyahe para sa mga pasahero [This would greatly ease vehicular congestion and would provide a comfortable journey for passengers],’ Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan said. PNA

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, has reinforced its market leadership by surpassing the 1 million cumulative retail sales from October 2024 to September 2025.

This achievement highlights HPI’s position as the market leader in the two-wheel industry and reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable motorcycles. Moreover, this also means that at the same time, HPI achieved 1 million customers’ dreams, thus strengthening the company’s mission of bringing the joy of mobility to every Filipino.

The achievement was powered by five of Honda’s most popular models, each known for its performance, style, and reliability. Four (4) of this models: CLICK125, BeAT, XRM125 and TMX 125 Alpha is locally manufactured in the Philippines. In the Automatic Category, one of these models is the very famous CLICK125 that definitely changed the game with its bold and sporty design, reliable and fuel-efficient engine, and digital meter panel that is perfect for urban riders, and The BeAT continues to win young and playful riders with its compact and lightweight design, giving a sleek look. Adventure seekers turn to the ADV160, which combines powerful performance with advanced safety features like Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and enhanced comfort for long rides. For the underbone category, the iconic XRM125 continues to dominate both rural and urban roads, offering versatility, style, and toughness that fit different riding needs. HPI also remains a trusted companion for work and business with the iconic TMX125 Alpha, built for durability, excellent fuel efficiency, and easy handling.

‘This milestone is not just a reflection of our sales success, but also of the strong bond we’ve built with our Riders through the years. HPI remains committed to introducing innovative and reliable motorcycles that match the lifestyle and aspirations of Filipinos,’ said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.

Honda’s achievement underscores its dedication to making two-wheel mobility more exciting, safe, reliable, and convenient for every Filipino, from students and professionals to entrepreneurs and big bike enthusiasts. And as the company celebrates this major milestone, it continues to look ahead with the promise of creating more models that blend performance, efficiency, and comfort for the modern rider.