Category: Business Mirror

AYALA Corp. heiress Mariana Zobel de Ayala and Robinsons Land Corp.’s president and CEO Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio landed on the Forbes magazine’s list of 20 Asia’s Power Businesswomen.

Mariana, the eighth-generation leader of the Ayala family, is shaping the future of the Philippines’s oldest conglomerate, Ayala Corp., Forbes said.

She currently handles the leasing and hospitality business of its listed property arm Ayala Land. Mariana was given a $1.5-billion fund to refresh its extensive portfolio of malls, offices and hotels.

The company’s redevelopment of eight existing malls and build of new ones is expected to increase gross leasable area by a third to 2.9 million square meters by 2028.

Mariana is also steering a $500-million hospitality capital expenditure, seen to double Ayala Land’s room inventory to 8,000 by 2030.

That includes the 578-room New World Makati, acquired in June from Hong Kong’s New World Development, the opening of new Mandarin Oriental, Marriott ‘s Moxy and Hilton’s Canopy hotels in the Makati financial district next year.

‘In March, Mariana was appointed Ayala Corp.’s managing director, 12 years after she left her job as an investment analyst at JPMorgan in New York to join her family’s 191-year-old, banking-to-property group, where her father, Jamie Augusto Zobel de Ayala, is chairman,’ Forbes said.

Mariana, a Harvard graduate who earned her Masters in Business Administration from Insead, was named senior vice president at Ayala Land in 2023.

First woman to lead RLC

Meanwhile, the Gokongwei family named GoBio as its new president and CEO of its property development arm RLC, earlier this year.

She is the first woman and non-family member to lead the developer, founded in 1980 by the late John Gokongwei, who was succeeded by his son Lance Gokongwei, executive chairman.

Gokongwei described Aragon-GoBio as ‘The best [hu]man for the job.’

GoBio joined RLC in 1993 as an administrative assistant and went on to oversee the company’s logistics business as well as residential and office projects. In May, she laid out a five-year, P125 billion expansion) plan for the company.

‘By 2030, she aims to double net income to P25 billion, boost the number of malls it operates to 69 from 55 and grow its office portfolio by 50 percent to 1.2 million square meters of leasable space.’

The roadmap also includes a 25-percent increase in hotel rooms to 5,300, doubling logistics capacity and building new mixed-use estates.

GoBio has a degree in international business from the University of Antwerp.

Forbes listed 20 accomplished leaders in the region who are at the forefront of the region’s fast-evolving business and economic landscape.

‘The roll call of trailblazers, hailing from a dozen countries and territories, includes those playing key roles in powering the AI and advanced tech boom by heading up companies in sectors such as data centers, semiconductors and rare earths,’ Forbes said.

Others are remaking family legacies, taking charge at storied enterprises in property, hospitality, retail and sports gear as they steer them toward new growth.

More than half of the women are high-performing professional managers with proven track records in fields such as banking, consumer goods and transportation. Three are first-generation entrepreneurs, including one who has launched two profitable unicorns, it said.

A MORE gradual and flexible tariff adjustment on rice shall be adopted starting January 1, 2026 depending on the change in international prices, according to the Economy and Development (ED) Council chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) announced Tuesday night.

This, the Council said, after it approved the recommendation of the Tariff and Related Matters Committee (TRMC) to maintain the tariff rate on rice imports at 15 percent until December 31,2025, for both in-quota and out-quota imports.

‘Starting January 1,2026, a more gradual and flexible tariff adjustment shall be adopted, with adjustments by 5 percentage points per 5 percent change in international prices, subject to a minimum rate of 15 percent and a maximum rate of 35 percent,’ the DEPDev statement read.

The socioeconomic planning body said the TRMC’s recommendation is part of a ‘broader’ government strategy to ensure ‘stable’ rice prices and protect both farmers and consumers, while safeguarding macroeconomic stability.

For his part, DEPDev Arsenio M. Balisacan underscored that the recent decision made by the President-upon the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) recommendation-to extend the rice import ban until the end of December ‘renders the rice tariffs redundant,’ adding, ‘they no longer affect local market prices.’

In an interview with reporters on Monday, Balisacan said DA’s assessment is that there is ‘good enough supply’ for the rest of the year.

‘Our data also shows that there is good enough supply to prevent increases in retail prices,’ the DEPDev secretary also noted.

He pointed out that the overall goal is to protect farm gate prices from further falling.

‘Because in the past almost a year now, farm gate prices have dropped by more than 30 percent. It is quite sharp. I’ve seen that kind of decline in recent years, many years. So it’s a concern that our poorest of the poor which is in the rural communities are hitting such a .’ Balisacan noted.

He emphasized the importance of using a ‘combination of tools to achieve both the farm problem and the consumer problem’ to make food prices affordable to consumers while at the same time preventing any upward pressure on inflation and hurting the economy in the longer term.

‘So those things will require different tools and the import ban is very temporary,’ the DEPDev chief said, adding, ‘We are setting in place a more permanent ecosystem for the rice sector and the food sector in general.’

Apart from the rice tariff, the ED Council approved other key programs on Education, Water Access, and Social Protection.

Among the approved measures is the Program for Learning Upgrading and School Development (PLUS-D) of the Department of Education (DepEd), with a total cost of P38.27 billion.

Proposed for official development assistance (ODA) loan financing from the World Bank, PLUS-D seeks to enhance learning outcomes and strengthen education management and delivery systems nationwide, DEPDev said.

The agency said PLUS-D, which is scheduled for implementation from 2026 to 2032, will introduce ‘system-level’ interventions, provide targeted support to schools, and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

The program aims to improve literacy and numeracy among Kindergarten to Grade 6 learners, and boost reading and math proficiency for students in Grades 7 to 10.

Balisacan said this project ensures that education reforms reach every Filipino learner, especially those in disadvantaged areas.

‘By strengthening schools and supporting teachers, we hope to create better learning environments that enable every child to achieve their full potential,’ Balisacan noted.

The Council likewise approved the Accelerating Water Supply and Sanitation for the Poor and Lagging Areas (AWSPSA) project, with a total cost of P14.98 billion.

Also proposed for ODA loan financing from the World Bank, AWSPSA aims to improve access to safe water supply and sanitation services in underserved communities, addressing public health and local development challenges, DEPDev noted.

‘Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.’-Steve Jobs

EMERGING technologies, including artificial intelligence, affect everybody.

For the professional accountant, the transformation of the environment in which he/she operates is evident from the way the clients operate and render their financial reports and the tools available to hasten tasks. The continuing rapid changes yield opportunities and challenges and at times, threats.

The International Standards Setting Bodies (ISSBs) are very much aware of robust changes in the eco-system where professional accountants operate. In a report rendered to the Stakeholder Advisory Council during its October 21 to October 22 meeting in New York, they highlighted some of the attributes of the challenges and may I focus on three.

1. Opacity. The technological tool’s logic or decision-making process is not transparent.

2. Non-determinant. Identical inputs can yield varying outputs due to probabilistic processing, contextual sensitivity or other unpredictable influences.

3. Propensity to bias. The tool may have the tendency to yield not necessarily objective results, for influences from other ’embedded’ dimensions from the tool development process may be in place.

The two ISSBs-the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants-recognize the transformative potential of technology in enhancing audit and engagement quality. At the same time, the ISSBs emphasize the importance of safeguarding the public interest through sound quality management and alignment with ethical requirements. The risks and challenges of using technological tools aside from what are cited above include misinformation, automation bias, keeping data privacy, accountability and speed of change.

In the exchange of views among the members of the Stakeholder Advisory Council, it was evident that all welcome emerging technologies for all the positive impact like speed and efficiency that they contribute. Key principles guiding the professional accountant were often invoked like confidentiality, professional competence, diligence, due care, managing complexity, and independence in the context of audit and assurance engagements. Not to be set aside are the need to maintain clarity, consistency, and acceptance around the application of quality management and ethics principles related to emerging technologies.

While comments from the members of the Stakeholder Advisory Council vary, one observation forwarded said, ‘Technologies are mere tools and prudent use thereof bring about more upside than downside. At the end of the day, the professional accountant is responsible for his conduct, use of tools and generated report.’

Indeed, emerging technologies do not change the responsibility of the professional accountant and his/her relationship with the client. To end this note, may I cite a quote: ‘AI can’t build human relationships like you can. Trust forged between two people-client and accountant-is a bond impossible for AI to replicate.’

Conchita L. Manabat is the president of the Development Center for Finance, a Trustee at the University of San Carlos, and San Carlos School of Cebu Inc. She is a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of the International Federation for Ethics and Audit. She also chairs the Advisory Council of the International Association of Financial Executives Institutes. The views she expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror’s.

The recent floods and earthquakes that battered the country should not be seen as natural disasters only-they are wake-up calls. They remind us, in the most painful way, that no one is spared when systems fail, when complacency takes over, and when accountability is ignored.

In the past, many Filipinos would shrug off problems that didn’t affect or hurt them directly. If a flood only submerged another town, or an earthquake only damaged another province, we turned away and carried on. We didn’t care if there were obvious lapses, omissions, and commissions that made the impact on lives more severe.

The same attitude explains why we tolerate so many violations in our everyday lives-from ukay-ukay stalls selling smuggled goods, to tricycles clogging main highways, to government agencies bending the rules.

The smuggling and sale of used clothes slowly killed our textile and garment industries. From having about 1.5 million spindles that could hire 35 people on a 24-hour basis decades ago, we now only have about 100,000 spindles in the country. Ukay-ukays are still everywhere: in the malls, garages, subdivision garages, and public markets. Most people don’t care because they are not directly affected.

Government red tape persists despite constant efforts by the administration to curb it. Yes, many are affected, but not everyone, so most of us just let it slide. These acts may seem minor or unrelated, but collectively, they represent a national culture of looking the other way-of tolerating what is clearly wrong because it doesn’t hurt us yet. But today, as we wade through floodwaters and brace for tremors, we see the consequences of that indifference.

Take, for instance, the recent revelations involving a state-owned bank that allegedly allowed a contractor to withdraw as much as P480 million in cash as payments for DPWH projects. Having been in the banking sector myself, I can say with certainty that this is not just bad policy-it’s a dangerous precedent. It erodes trust and exposes how impunity can thrive even in institutions meant to uphold financial integrity. This should also be investigated.

We have seen how disregard for the law and its long-term consequences led to substandard infrastructure-ghost projects, weak flood controls, and poorly built roads and bridges. Now, we are all paying the price. When a retaining wall collapses or a river overflows, it doesn’t ask who you voted for, or what your income is. It simply destroys everything in its path.

I am reminded of the 1980s, when then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. deployed secret marshals to fight rising crime in buses and public transport. Many protested the measure, arguing it was excessive or invasive. But those who had been victims of theft or violence knew why such steps were necessary. Sometimes, decisive -even unpopular-action is needed to restore order and discipline.

Today, we face a similar challenge. To rebuild our cities, protect our environment, and ensure honest governance, we must first restore accountability and end our culture of apathy. Every citizen, every official, every business must recognize their role in this effort.

Because in truth, the floods and earthquakes are not just natural phenomena. They are mirrors reflecting the cracks in our systems and in our collective conscience.

Let these calamities serve as a wake-up call-that unless we work together, enforce our laws, and care beyond our own interests, we will keep rebuilding from the ruins we ourselves allowed to happen.

We commend Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque for her quick response to our letter bringing to her attention the online sale of unverified automotive batteries, including the one branded ‘GR Lithium Batteries.’

These imported batteries do not bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark, a clear violation of the law, and could present hazards to our motorists. We don’t know if these batteries have passed the government’s quality standard tests, yet they are being marketed with lofty promises and wild claims.

The office of Secretary Roque announced in the media that the DTI will investigate the sellers of these batteries and coordinate closely with the Federation of Philippine Industries.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has officially released the draft terms of reference (TOR) for the special auction on waste-to-energy (WTE) projects, revising its earlier target power generation capacity to 170 megawatts (MW) from 330MW that could be sourced from waste feedstock within Metro Manila and Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) areas.

‘The 335MW earlier mentioned was the total potential for WTE projects but given some consideration, we will only offer 170 megawatts,’ said DOE Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol in a Viber message, adding that the these considerations are related to ‘project timelines’.

The drafted TOR states that assured feedstock in Metro Manila and HUCs can generate an estimated 12.4 million metric tons (MMT) of municipal solid waste, equivalent to a total of 170 MW baseload.

Per region, the chunk comes from Luzon (9,369.24 MMT in Metro Manila). In Visayas, 706.89MT will come from Cebu and 451.23MT in Bacolod. In Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro registered 542.88MT and Davao with 1,335.51MMT.

The target completion for these WTE projects is 2028. The special auction is expected to happen early next year.

‘The special auction round shall be conducted exclusively for WTE projects employing thermal combustion technology and are RPS-eligible and qualified under GEAP [green energy auction program] guidelines,’ the draft TOR stated.

As an emerging renewable energy technology, WTE project development is one of the country’s strategies to address solid waste management, serve as flood control mitigation, and provide additional clean energy.

‘Hopefully, this will help the flooding concerns in Metro Manila because there’s 13,000 million tons, I think, per day. We need more of this so we cannot just collect the garbage but also produce energy,’ said DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

This initiative is aligned with the objectives of the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) and the government’s renewable energy targets of 35 percent in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

‘The integration of WTE projects into the GEA framework underscores the DOE’s commitment to ensuring energy security, environmental protection, and private sector participation in the country’s transitioning to clean and sustainable energy,’ the agency said.

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) urged government offices to keep their spending during the holiday season to a minimum, citing challenges that beset the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman reminded government employees to be ‘prudent, sensitive, and responsible’ in spending this coming holiday season, especially amid the recent spate of calamities that devastated several parts of the country.

‘While celebrating milestones and camaraderie is important, let us not forget that many of our kababayans continue to struggle, especially those who are hit by recent calamities,’ Pangandaman said.

To ensure responsible spending, the DBM issued a circular letter calling on government entities to strictly observe existing rules on the judicious use of public funds during Christmas and New Year activities.

This includes government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs).

The letter cites Executive Order (EO) 292, Republic Act (RA) 6713, and COA Circular No. 2012-003, which prohibit irregular, unnecessary, and extravagant expenses, such as luxury venue rentals, liquor purchases, or lavish parties funded by public money.

Pangandaman encouraged government employees to hold simple, inclusive, and heartfelt celebrations that reflect the values of compassion, unity, and integrity in public service.

She also urged agencies to consider alternative activities, such as community outreach, volunteer work, or gift-giving programs that extend holiday cheer to underprivileged sectors.

‘The DBM promotes the efficient and responsible use of government funds, especially during the holidays when spending tends to increase,’ Pangandaman said.

The DBM noted that all heads of departments and agencies were instructed to ensure full compliance with fiscal accountability measures and to disseminate awareness of the guidelines throughout their respective offices.

‘The best way to celebrate is to give back. Let our gatherings embody service, generosity, and solidarity,’ Pangandaman said.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has lowered the electricity consumption threshold to 100 kilowatts (kW) from the 500 kW average monthly peak demand to allow more end-users to choose their electricity supplier.

The new threshold will take effect on June 26, 2026, paving the way for more medium-sized enterprises and institutions to directly choose their electricity suppliers or aggregate their demand under the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

‘By expanding retail access to more end-users, we are promoting genuine consumer choice and driving competition that can lead to better prices, improved service quality, and innovation in the power sector,’ said ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan.

The commission has opted for a phased and coordinated approach to ensure market readiness and operational stability. The eight-month transition period before effectivity allows Distribution Utilities (DUs) and Retail Metering Service Providers (RMSPs) sufficient time to procure and install compliant metering facilities.

This approach also addresses key concerns raised by stakeholders during the public consultations held in September, particularly on the availability of the DUs’ Advanced Metering Infrastructure, procurement timelines, and potential stranded capacities from existing Power Supply Agreements (PSAs).

In line with this, the ERC has also amended and issued the new Rules to Govern the Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) by DUs and ERC-authorized entities, which will guide the rollout of smart metering systems across the country.

The ERC said it will closely coordinate with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) to ensure that billing, registration, and settlement systems are ready to accommodate the increased number of retail customers and transactions.

To guide the transition, the ERC will prepare and publish a Comprehensive Roadmap detailing the phased implementation of customer choice programs-including RCOA (Retail Competition Open Access), RAP, and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP)-up to eventual household-level participation.

Currently, the retail market records over 2,300 customers who have switched under RCOA and 37 Retail Aggregated Groups (RAGs) with a combined demand of nearly 31 megawatts (MW), indicating growing confidence and readiness among consumers to engage in retail competition.

‘Lowering the contestability threshold to 100 kW and implementing it in a deliberate and orderly fashion marks a significant advancement in unlocking the full potential of open access and consumer choice in the Philippines. This move underscores our commitment to fostering a fair, competitive, and transparent electricity market that delivers enduring benefits to Filipino consumers,’ Juan said.

In a groundbreaking move for local healthcare, the Province of Bulacan has inaugurated the country’s first locally funded Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility, marking a milestone in accessible and modern diagnostics for Filipinos.

Situated at the Bulacan Medical Center, the new open MRI system, developed and powered by Time Medical Systems, a U.S.-FDA-registered and CE-marked global innovator in advanced imaging technology, represents a pivotal step toward universal and equitable healthcare across the country.

‘Ideally, every tertiary-level hospital should have an MRI for diagnostics,’ said Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando. ‘For years, people have to travel far and spend more just to get the scans they need. Now, Bulakenyos can access world-class diagnostic services right here in our province, safely and affordably.’

A First for LGUs

While most MRI facilities in the Philippines remain privately owned, with only around 160 units nationwide as of 2022, Bulacan’s initiative stands out as the first-ever LGU-funded open MRI system.

This project exemplifies how local governments can lead the way in bridging healthcare gaps, complementing the Department of Health’s national vision for universal healthcare. Fernando’s administration spearheaded the initiative to give every Bulakenyo access to essential diagnostic services without the financial strain of traveling to private hospitals or major urban centers.

‘This project shows how public-private partnership can come together for real impact,’ said Joyce Socao, CEO and Managing Director of Time Medical Philippines. ‘We are proud to work alongside the Government of Bulacan under the leadership of Governor Fernando in delivering advanced and affordable MRI technology to the people, proving that world-class healthcare should be accessible to all.’

For many Filipinos, routine checkups stop at X-rays or ultrasounds. With this MRI now in Bulacan, residents finally have access to the gold standard in detecting critical conditions, from tumors and cysts to clots and cancers, without having to leave their province.

Technology That Works for Filipinos

The installed system, Time Medical’s PICA Open MRI, is designed specifically for patient comfort and practicality in local settings. Its open architecture reduces anxiety for claustrophobic, elderly, and pediatric patients, while its helium-free, permanent magnet technology makes it more cost-efficient, low-maintenance, and power-stable, particularly suited for provincial hospitals. For better comfort, the patient can be accompanied by a loved one while having the procedure.

In addition, the MRI’s built-in Teleradiology feature, a first of its kind in the country, allows radiologists to interpret scan results remotely and in real time, ensuring faster turnaround and expanding access to medical expertise even in remote areas.

‘Time Medical’s mission has always been clear-to make medical imaging accessible to every population, not just in major cities,’ Socao added. ‘With Bulacan taking the lead, we hope other LGUs will follow suit and make advanced diagnostics part of every Filipino’s right to healthcare.’

Setting a Model for Future Healthcare Partnerships

Former Bulacan Governor and now Time Medical Chairman Roberto ‘Obet’ Pagdanganan also expressed pride in seeing his home province lead this innovation:

‘As a Bulakenyo, I see this project as a symbol of progress, with Governor Fernando exemplifying how LGUs can embrace technology to serve their people better. This partnership proves that local government and private industry can build stronger, smarter, and more inclusive health systems together,’ he said.

The initiative also aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Memorandum Circular No. 26, issued on July 14, 2023, which adopts the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040. The directive encourages local government units and private partners to collaborate through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to close infrastructure gaps and strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide. Bulacan’s investment in its own MRI facility demonstrates how LGUs can actively translate this policy into tangible improvements in medical access for their communities.

By establishing this LGU-funded MRI facility, Bulacan has not only brought high-quality medical imaging closer to its people but also set a benchmark for other provinces looking to modernize their public healthcare infrastructure.

THE government should halt the approval of new mines amid environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining, according to an international climate organization.

This, after a report by Climate Rights International (CRI) showed that nickel mining heightened the vulnerability of residents and workers in the Caraga Region to the climate crisis.

CRI’s report titled ‘Broken Promises: Philippines Nickel Mining Threatens Rights and Increases Climate Vulnerability,’ also revealed that mining destroyed fishing and farming livelihoods, and caused severe environmental pollution that threatened drinking water and health.

As such, CRI researcher Krista Shennum urged the government to prevent and remedy environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining.

‘We’re also calling on the Filipino government to stop permitting new mines until the industry cleans up its act,’ Shennum told reporters at the press conference of the report’s official launch in Quezon City on Tuesday.

‘If the industry is not following laws, if it’s not fully enforcing and complying, then to add more mines is quite concerning,’ she added.

The country stands as the second-largest nickel producer following Indonesia and the world’s leading exporter of raw nickel ore, a mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and the stainless steel industry.

CRI noted that harms to local communities and the environment were being driven by the individual and cumulative activities of these nickel mining projects.

‘Many nickel mining companies in the Caraga Region have links to powerful actors in the Philippines, including active and former politicians, politically connected families, and wealthy businesspeople,’ the organization said.

With this, the CRI said nickel companies should take immediate action to address water and air pollution caused by their operations and ensure proper disposal of mine waste to minimize environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, the international organization said EVs and battery companies that source nickel from the Philippines should use their leverage to ensure that suppliers end and remedy rights abuses, clean up water and air pollution, and protect the rights of environmental and human rights defenders.

EV companies should also increase transparency by providing public information about all companies in their transition mineral supply chains, it added.

‘Electric vehicle and battery companies have unique leverage to demand that the mining industry cleans up its act. Their customers are environmentally conscious and will decide to buy from companies with the cleanest record,’ Shennum said.

‘If EV companies want to position themselves as global leaders in the fight against climate change, they must demand that mining companies in their supply chains respect the rights of communities and end environmentally destructive practices.’

RESIGNED Ako Bicol Party List Representative Zaldy Co has engaged the services of veteran lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain to defend him over possible criminal charges that may be filed against him for his alleged involvement in the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects of the government.

Rondain, who co-founded the Rondain and Mendiola law firm, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines’ Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Bachelor of Law.

He was also a former associate at the ACCRA law and served as legal counsel for former Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo in a tax case.

On Wednesday, Rondain appeared for the first time before the media on behalf of Co, who left the country last August 8 to purportedly undergo medical treatment in the United States.

Rondain said he last spoke to Co on Tuesday night but did not discuss his whereabouts.

‘I’m curious personally, but I can’t be curious as a lawyer because it is not relevant. And I don’t want to lie to you if you’re asking me now. I’m looking at you in the eye. I’m telling you honestly that I don’t know because I never asked him,’ he said.

However, the lawyer said Co has no intention of returning to the country despite the subpoena issued by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for him to appear before the investigating body on November 11 and 12 and shed light on accusations that he received huge kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects of the government.

Co, who previously served as chair of the appropriations committee, is also being required by the ICI to bring various documents in relation to flood control projects undertaken by companies where he or his family have beneficial interest.

‘I don’t think there’s any intention to come home.A subpoena has to be served, you cannot subpoena a person who is not here,’ Rondain said.

The lawyer said Co’s main consideration in refusing to come back home was his safety.

‘He’s deathly afraid of coming home because there are serious threats that one half of the country wants to throw him in jail and throw away the key, the other half wants to string him up by the nearest tree,’ Rondain said.

The lawyer said he would not even persuade Co to immediately return, fearing possible ‘vigilante attacks’ against him.

Rondain also noted that there are no criminal charges filed against Co before yet before any court.

‘For me, personally, my bigger fear is vigilante violence, everyone hates him. That’s the reason I’m here.The reason I’m here is because maybe we can tone down the temperature, we can lower it a little bit,’ Co’s lawyer said.

The ICI earlier recommended before the Ombudsman the prosecution of Co and together with 17 other individuals for criminal and administrative charges in connection with the P289.5 million anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Among the charges recommended against Co and other DPWH officials were violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Article 171 of the RPC or falsification of public documents by a public officer

The recommendation stemmed from the inspection conducted by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon of the project that was undertaken by Sunwest, Inc., the construction firm being linked to the family of Co.

The project involves the construction of a road dike along Mag-Asawang Tubig River.

The Office of the Ombudsman has already issued an order for Co to answer the charges against him.

But Rondain said their camp would likely waive the filing of a counter-affidavit, as he believes that the Ombudsman has already pre-judged this case.

‘My thinking is the Ombudsman has already pre-judged this case. And this is bolstered by the statements of [DPWH] Secretary Vince Dizon, who said 60 people will be in jail before Christmas,’ Rondain said.

‘Under these circumstances, there’s really no tactical benefit to filing a counter-affidavit. So the answer is, at this time, the way things are going, no, he does not intend to file a counter-affidavit,’ he added.