Category: Business Mirror

THE government is revving up its push for transparency and accountability in vehicle importations to curb smuggling and collect proper taxes.

This was after officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) signed a memorandum of agreement to tighten controls on imported vehicle registration.

A statement issued by the BOC last Tuesday read that the agreement prompts the two agencies to improve coordination and exchange of key documents, such as ‘Certificate of Payment,’ ‘Certificates of Registration’ and official receipts.

A joint task force will also be created to conduct enforcement operations against unlawfully imported, misdeclared, or misclassified vehicles, which are violations under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the statement further read.

Within 30 days of signing the agreement, the BOC and LTO will then form a joint technical working group (TWG) to develop and implement the necessary rules and guidelines for the effective implementation of the agreement.

The agreement also seeks to safeguard the public by deterring fraudulent practices, curbing unfair competition and protecting government revenues vital to national development.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the agreement reflects the collaborative effort between the BOC and LTO in promoting transparency and coordinated enforcement.

‘This mutual cooperation with the LTO reinforces our shared goal of ensuring transparency, efficiency, and strict compliance with customs laws and other government regulations. By working together, we want to make sure that every vehicle import and registration process is handled with the highest standards of integrity,’ Nepomuceno was quoted in the statement as saying.

The initiative is also in line with the President’s directive for stronger and more unified action against smuggling in all its forms to ensure that government revenues are properly collected.

LTO Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao turned over to the BOC one unit of Lamborghini Urus, which was recently intercepted by LTO personnel in the Bonifacio Global City area. Lacanilao said the move would allow the BOC to evaluate the vehicle if it went through legal and customs processes.

‘This initiative highlights the BOC’s commitment under Commissioner Nepomuceno’s leadership to modernize operations, strengthen integrity, and ensure that government services remain accountable, transparent, and responsive to the public’s call for a more credible and reliable governance,’ the BOC’s statement read.

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday announced that its Western Naval Command, through its missile boat BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), successfully recovered a suspected Chinese rocket debris off the waters of Bataraza, Palawan last Oct. 19.

This follows after successful maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea.

‘After completing its patrol and drug recovery operations, BRP Lolinato To-Ong sighted a metallic debris suspected to be part of a Chinese rocket at coordinates 08°28.490’N, 117°39.805’E, approximately 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan,’ the PN said.

In the said drug recovery operation, the PN ship recovered some PHP19.2 million worth of suspected marijuana kush off Sabina Shoal, West Philippine Sea last Oct. 18.

The crew of the BRP Lolinato To-Ong immediately conducted retrieval operations and secured the debris aboard the vessel.

‘The item was subsequently transported to Puerto Princesa City for proper documentation, assessment, and disposition in coordination with concerned authorities,’ the PN said.

It also said that the recovery of such debris underscores the importance of continued maritime surveillance in protecting Philippine waters and ensuring the safety of local communities potentially affected by foreign rocket remnants.

It can be recalled that China on Oct. 16 launched a Long March 8A rocket from its Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site as part of its efforts to deploy internet satellites into space.

‘CONCRETE actions’ on the flood control investigation are expected to unfold in the next few weeks, particularly in recovering the assets of those involved in the multibillion corruption mess, according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ Dizon.

‘In the next few weeks, mayroon na pong mga kongkretong aksyon kayong makikita. Mayroon po tayong batas ‘yung civil forfeiture law, bihira pong ginagamit ito [we will see concrete action. We have a civil forfeiture law, which is rarely used],’ Dizon said during the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Tuesday in Pasay City.

‘The President said we must use that law, because it allows for quick action. The case is not for a criminal charge, that is only a civil case. With just a lower level of evidence, we can auction off the assets of all those who stole from taxpayers,’ added the DPWH secretary, speaking mostly in Filipino.

Dizon said this after he had a chance to meet with Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) alongside 15 government agencies involved in the ‘restitution’ of the stolen flood control funds.

These agencies, he said, include the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Land Registration authority, Land Transportation Office, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Solicitor General, Secretary of Justice, and the Bureau of Customs.

‘Ngayon ko lang nakita na nagsama-sama kaming lahat na iisa lang ang objective: Habulin at ibalik ang perang ninakaw sa ating lahat. [It’s only now that I’ve seen all our agencies united with one objective: run after and restore to the people the stolen funds],’ added Dizon.

In a statement released by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) over the weekend, 34 business groups including the Makati Business Club, Philippine Exporters Confederation, and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, told President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure ‘restitution’ of ill-gotten wealth and embezzled funds of the government.

The business groups called on the chief executive to address without delay the massive corruption scandal crippling flood control and infrastructure projects, which has ‘eroded public trust and is threatening the country’s national security.’

‘We have contributed to national funds thru taxes locally and nationally and have paid additional assessment of taxes. We provided many fees to enable us to do business. Yet, trillions of pesos supplied and intended to protect our communities from disasters have been squandered through ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts,’ they said in their statement.

PBC resolutions

Meanwhile, the largest business group in the Philippines said it had to revise its set of recommendations for the government for this year as the flood control corruption came in the picture, now placing anti-corruption and good governance at the top of its priority list.

On the sidelines of the business conference, the chairman of PCCI’s Science and Technology, Ferdinand Ferrer, said: ‘You know the PBC resolutions, we discussed it for months. With this flood control corruption scandal, we had to revise it.’

As reflected in the paper on recommendations submitted by PCCI to the government, the Resolution on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption is placed on top of the list. This is the first time in four years that the business group highlighted in its resolutions the need to fight corruption.

The 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC and E) Resolutions read: ‘Strongly urging the National Government to put an end to unabated, continuing, and excessive corruption in government projects and transactions by instituting strict monitoring, transparency, and accountability mechanisms across all levels of governance.’

Under this recommendation, the business group underscored the importance of ensuring that public officials and private partners involved in ‘collusion’ are investigated, prosecuted, and penalized ‘to the fullest extent of the law.’

The resolution stressed the need for stolen public funds to be recovered and ‘redirected towards programs that genuinely serve the Filipino people, especially the poor.’

The four-point action plan related to the resolution, PCCI stressed, should be done by ‘creating multisectoral oversight bodies with private sector participation to strengthen governance and integrity in public projects.’

On transparency, PCCI said the government should ‘institutionalize’ open governance systems and publish data on project implementation, procurement, and fund utilization for public access.

It should provide for ‘stricter monitoring, auditing, and reporting mechanisms in all government projects to ensure full transparency and integrity,’ PCCI underscored.

The group also prodded the government to enforce accountability and sanctions on public officials and private entities involved in corruption and collusion.

The Resolution on Digitalization and Innovation, the central theme of PCCI’s business conference this year, only came second to anti-corruption on the list of priority recommendations.

Under this proposal, PCCI urged the government to invest in, regulate, and ‘swiftly adapt’ to Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and emerging digital technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in public service delivery, ‘while fostering innovation, data sovereignty, and global competitiveness across both public and private sectors.’

As for agriculture and energy, PCCI urged the National Government to promote smart agriculture systems and ‘resilient’ agri-value chains, and ensure a ‘balanced’ energy transition that accelerates renewable energy adoption while maintaining ‘reliability, affordability, and competitiveness’ of supply for industries and consumers.

PCCI said the government should implement a Digital Agricutlural Land Mapping Program to identify ‘optimal’ crops and provide farmers with technical assistance and seedlings.

It cited the need to develop a ‘comprehensive’ Renewable Energy Roadmap that attracts investments in solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen.

PCCI also prodded the government to improve the overall business environment in the country.

The business group’s recommendation on MSME Development and Ease of Doing Business pressed the Department of Finance (DOF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Small Business Corporation (SBCorp.) to improve access to affordable financing for MSMEs, especially for startup capital, working capital, and green enterprise investments.

PCCI also called on the government to invest in broadband networks, data centers, and common towers to expand digital connectivity nationwide, particularly in ‘underserved’ areas.

ASIDE from ghost projects, some flood-control projects are poorly situated and worsen flooding instead of solving the problem, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Science Carlos Primo David said the DENR has identified not only ‘ghost flood control projects’ but also projects funded by the government, but did not solve the problem. Instead, they exacerbate flooding because they are poorly situated.

Speaking at the DENR’s budget hearing of the Senate subcommittee on finance led by Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday, David said these projects are not part of the Master Plan and are not backed by a comprehensive study.

‘What we have noticed is that, okay, we do have ghost projects. We see them, much, much more than what the DPWH is reporting. Secondly, these are not the projects, kumbaga pinakamasama [that are, shall we say, the worst]. What we have are structures that are poorly situated and exacerbate the flooding. They were constructed, but they exacerbate the flooding,’ David said, drawing surprise and dismay from lawmakers.

‘Ginastosan na, nakasama pa [People spent for them, and yet they did more harm]?’ Legarda burst out.

Legarda said the DENR, through the WRMO, should assert its mandate, saying that as far as the DPWH is concerned, it is only mandated to implement infrastructure or hard engineering projects.

‘DENR must know and must approve all flood control masterplans-flood mitigation, adaptation all of that-it should be with you because it’s your mandate to conserve our forests. It’s your mandate to clean our inland waters and seas; their [DPWH’s] only mandate is providing the infrastructure. The two of you should always be talking,’ she said, partly in Filipino.

David was referring to a draft National Flood Management Master Plan being pushed by the DENR Water Resource Management Office, headed by him in a concurrent capacity.

Through the WRMO, the DENR is monitoring flood control projects of the DPWH.

He said the DENR uses satellite imagery to monitor flood control projects and through ground validation by the Water Resources Utilization Section of the DENR Regional Offices.

He explained that in 2023, the subcommittee on water resources, which handles all water projects that go through the program convergence budgeting of the Department of Budget Management when agencies submit their projects for funding, as chair, decided that the DENR should monitor these projects.

‘When the committee decided in 2023 that we should monitor this, we wanted to know if there are projects with convergence with water supply. We monitored these on the ground and from our office, we use satellite imagery,’ says David.

The draft National Flood Master Plan, which promotes Nature-Based Solutions to flooding problems, names infrastructure as one, but not the most important component.

‘This is different from the Master Plan of the DPWH that is infrastructure-heavy,’ he said.

David said the core principles of the Masterplan are anchored on Watershed Management, Stormwater Impoundment, Green-Grey Infrastructure, and Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning.

‘If our watersheds are not intact, then pretty soon all the rain will transform into runoff. Secondly, we promote impoundment instead of diverting water to the ocean, meaning river dikes,’ said David.

He said storm or rainwater impoundment was a strategy of the Philippine government back in the 1960s. He said this is also where the LGUs come into play, by implementing rainwater harvesting under the Rainwater Harvesting Act.

Pitching calls for more water convergence projects between concerned government agencies, the DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the agency has identified 15 multipurpose dams, projects that were the subject of feasibility studies.

‘They would be ready for implementation in the 2026 budget, but it’s not part of our budget. What we want to show is that we can have convergence of all that has been mentioned. In addition, the National Irrigation Administration has 81 multipurpose projects that would involve water retention and detention, and they can be used for; potable water, irrigation, agriculture, and incidentally, even in tourism and hydropower,’ Lotilla said.

In Claveria, he shared that a multipurpose dam was inaugurated by President Marcos, and people now enjoy irrigation and tourism. The DENR, he said, is now looking at the potable water component of the project.

CHANELLE AVARICIO-still smarting from a back-nine collapse that cost her the Del Monte crown last week-mounted a gritty rally for a first-round 72 and a one-stroke lead in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Apo Golf Classic on Tuesday in Davao.

Avaricio faltered in the front nine with three bogeys at the demanding Apo Golf and Country Club, but flipped the script by birdying three of the final eight holes to reach the top of the leaderboard of the P1-million championship marred by rain at the finish.

‘It’s a difficult course, especially the greens,’ said Avaricio, acknowledging the tricky conditions and sweltering heat that tested both skill and stamina. ‘I actually hit my irons better at Del Monte than here, but I really tried my best.’

What makes her opening-round lead more compelling is the emotional weight she’s carrying. Just days ago at Del Monte, Avaricio seemed poised for victory until a costly back-nine slide opened the door for Sarah Ababa to steal the win in sudden death. It was a painful loss-but one that Avaricio appears determined to transform into fuel.

‘I have no expectations, but I’ll do my best,’ she said. ‘Hopefully, this time, it will be a great week.’

Standing in her way, however, are not just the challenges of the Apo course, but also a surging local field-Mafy Singson, the Eagle Ridge champion earlier this year, posted a steady 73 to trail by just one.

Like Avaricio, Singson-looking to rebound after a disappointing ninth-place finish at Del Monte-leaned on course familiarity to stay in the hunt, despite an up-and-down round.

‘I don’t think there was much difference in my mindset compared to Del Monte, but I’m more familiar with this course,’ said Singson, who hails from Davao and grew up playing at Apo. ‘Though it’s hot, I tried to stay cool the whole day.’

Also in the mix was Apple Fudolin, who briefly held the lead after a fiery mid-round charge that featured three straight birdies from No. 16.

She faltered slightly coming home at the front but steadied herself with a birdie on the eighth to salvage a 73 and a share of second place.

‘The difference here was really my putting,’ said Fudolin, who credited improved green-reading and chemistry with her caddie for her performance. ‘My shots at Del Monte and here were the same actually, but this time my stroke clicked.’

Just two strokes behind Avaricio was Daniella Uy, who was cruising at one-under through 11 holes before bogeys derailed her finish.

Uy settled for a 74, one shot ahead of Princess Superal, Chihiro Ikeda, Rev Alcantara, Monica Mandario and Marvi Monsalve, who all carded 75s, while Kristine Fleetwood and Pamela Mariano matched 76s for joint 10th, while Angela Mangala posted a 77.

Meanwhile , defending champion Ababa struggled with a surprising 78-marred by a frontside 41 that left her six shots off the pace.

She now finds herself in an unfamiliar chase pack that includes Florence Bisera, Tiffany Lee, Kayla Nocum, Martina Miñoza and amateur Johanna Uyking.

With just three strokes separating the top nine contenders and conditions expected to remain tough throughout the week, the race for the ICTSI Apo crown is shaping up to be a tense, tactical battle.

But for Avaricio, it’s about more than just winning-it’s about-closure, confidence and proving to herself that she can finish what she starts.

‘I’ll just keep doing my best,’ she said.

AT the rate things are going, the largest business group in the Philippines is not fully satisfied with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to solve the flood control mess in the country. However, they strongly reject calls for him to resign, calling it a needless aggravation in an already dire situation.

‘We feel that we need more. And we need decisive actions and decisions. We don’t want cover-ups. We don’t want railroading. We want really those responsible to be punished and to be identified, and the only person that can really do that by appointing those that are really into it and addressing it is our president,’ Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Enunina Mangio told reporters on the sidelines of the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on Monday in Pasay City.

Mangio said this after over 30 business groups made an appeal to Marcos through a joint statement issued on Sunday to address, without delay, the corruption scandal ‘crippling’ flood control and infrastructure projects in the country.

‘That’s why we’re calling the attention of our President to be decisive and to really give power to the ICI in addressing this and identifying those that are guilty,’ the PCCI chief said during the interview on Monday.

While several names were already dropped during the investigation on the anomalous flood control projects, Mangio said ‘We feel there are still some that have to be identified.’

To fast-track the process of going after the culprits behind the flood control mess, Mangio underscored the need to give legal authority to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

Currently, she explained that the ICI has not yet earned the power to prosecute.

In a statement issued on Sunday, 34 business groups said: ‘We therefore urge His Excellency to immediately and transparently adopt the following measures: Empower the ICI with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation, free from political influence.’

This was on top of the list of the groups’ proposal.

The business groups said this as they pointed out that the corruption which stemmed from flood control projects is more than financial loss. Rather, they said it is a ‘fatal breach of public trust that leaves our people vulnerable and outraged.’

They also called this a ‘crisis’ that has eroded public trust and now threatens the country’s national security.

However, on the calls for the President to step down from his position amid the flood control mess, Mangio said Marcos ‘doesn’t need to resign because we can see his seriousness in addressing this.’

‘And remember, he was the one who brought this up,’ the PCCI chief pointed out.

She explained that the clamor for Marcos to resign has prompted the business groups to release the said statement, adding, ‘We are trying to prevent aggressive actions to take place.’

Ty-led Federal Land Inc. said it will start to turn over the second tower of its Grand Midori Ortigas in Pasig during the latter part of next year.

Federal Land has inaugurated the first tower last week, with 80 percent of the 480-unit Japanese inspired residential condominium already sold. The company has started to pre-sell the second tower, which has 490 units.

With an average selling price of P253,823 per square meter, company chairman and CEO Alfred V. Ty called it as the ‘most affordable’ condo unit in the area.

‘It’s not the lowest value, because it’s not of the smallest units. But in spite of that it’s bigger than most. We wanted our residents to enjoy their space and more comfortable one bedroom or two-bedroom units inside,’ Ty said.

‘As Federal Land’s first foray in Pasig City, the Grand Midori Ortigas was envisioned as a modern Zen-inspired sanctuary in the heart of Ortigas Center. It is a welcoming retreat that brings balance, serenity, and harmony to city living. Today, that promise stands tall before us.’

Jose Mari H. Banzon said the second tower is already 40 percent sold.

‘The first tower is ready for occupancy, meaning you can move already after paying a certain amount,’ he said.

The two-tower development is designed in collaboration with Tange Associates, the world-renowned Tokyo-based architectural firm founded by Pritzker Laureate Kenzo Tange.

Units range from studios at 35.5 square meters to 38 square meters to one-bedroom at 46 square meters to 64 square meters, two-bedroom at 70 square meters to 107 square meters and three-bedroom at 105 square meters to 109 square meters configurations.

Each unit is designed to make the elements flow in harmony, with light and airy interiors framed by expansive windows, the company said.

The development, facing Tektite towers in Ortigas center, offers a rare opportunity to live steps away from work while coming home to a peaceful retreat.

A unique highlight of the tower 2 of the development is the 64-square meter one-bedroom flex suite, with an additional 30-square meter multi-purpose area that can be customized into a nursery, home office, studio or workout space.

Tower 1 features a fully equipped fitness gym, meeting and function rooms, a lap pool, jacuzzi, and a landscaped Zen garden.

The company said it is adding more amenities at Tower 2, designed to enrich the holistic and balanced lifestyle.

I CAN’T help but tip my hat off to Pató Gregorio. Barely warming up his seat as the newly-minted chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), he has already done tremendous strides to uplift sports to heights of prominence.

He has even stepped out of the box, flying to Davao to fulfil an appointment to speak before my fellow sportswriters in that far-flung part of Mindanao.

I like what Chito Malabanan, an eminent member of the Davao Sportswriters Association and a columnist of the prestigious Neil Bravo-edited Edge Davao, lifted from Gregorio’s speech, and I quote: ‘Politics in sports is worse than politics in politics.’

Pató, known for being an action man and a decisive thinker, has upped athletes’ allowances to P5,000 a month and increased to 1,600 the number of athletes and officials to the Southeast Asian Games in December in Bangkok.

‘C’mon, this is the nearest competition for our grassroots athletes, why deny it to them,’ said Pató, who scrapped the restriction that only athletes that matched the bronze medal finish in the previous edition are qualified.

Ever the humble fellow, the PSC chair, in his dealings with either the high or the low, loves to remind them to address him as simply ‘Pató,’ his nickname that has endeared him to one and all.

But Pató’s biggest achievement thus far since he took over in July 2025 is his forging a partnership with the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

This means the three-year agreement from October 2025 to October 2028 will make PAL the airline sponsor for PSC’s official sports delegations to major events, including the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, 2026 Asian Games, 2027 SEA Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In a statement, PAL said it will extend special travel support to the PSC to help enhance the comfort and convenience of national athletes on official trips, including exclusive fare discounts and additional travel benefits.

PAL will also reward medal-winning athletes from the Southeast Asian and Asian Games with Mabuhay Miles incentives.

‘At Philippine Airlines, our vision is to be a globally recognized airline trusted for our world-class excellence and customer experience,’ said PAL President Richard Nuttall. ‘As the country’s flag carrier, our pledge is to promote Filipino athletes and the values that inspire pride and global recognition for the whole nation. We stand together with the country’s sports champions as they aspire for greatness, ensuring that they are supported with the warmth and care of the Filipino heart.’

Gregorio called the alliance as ‘a crucial step in streamlining athlete mobility and representing Filipino excellence abroad.’

‘When you touch the heart of an athlete, they start winning.

And when they start winning, they touch the hearts of 110 million Filipinos,’ Gregorio said. ‘Philippine Airlines is giving our athletes a runway to take flight and achieve for the nation.

We are blessed that they understand this so well: that we are one flag, one heart.’

PAL said the collaboration ‘underscores PAL’s ongoing mission to uplift Filipino sports and strengthen the nation’s presence in global competitions. By easing the travel burden and celebrating athletic triumphs, the airline reaffirms its role not just as the country’s flag carrier but also as a proud supporter of the Filipino sporting spirit.’

Here’s to a partnership that cements unity in sports. A knockout.

THAT’S IT Golf goes global when Bingo Plus presents the LIV International series at Sta. Elena from this Thursday to Sunday with 144 players entered in the US$2-million event that features former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen facing the challenge of a crack local crew led by Asian Tour winner Miguel Tabuena.Deepest condolences to the family of Gen. Eduardo R. Ermita, the former executive secretary of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Ermita was a key cog in the country’s national golf association when we hosted the World Team Golf Championship at the Manila Southwoods in 1996, a milestone event since it will not happen again here in 50 years or so due to rules on continental hosting rotation. Rest in peace now, General. Fond memories will remain in the heart.

Life is essentially a question of values (Mier Kahane). The same is true with sales leadership organizations. The rise and fall of corporations depend largely on the values that the team and its leadership practice. And these values are at the core of organizational existence for they are essential and non-negotiable principles that serve as compass for its daily and long-term decisions. Here are three reasons why values are at the core.

Values influence culture

According to sales leader and entertainment media mogul Patrick Whitesell, ‘You can have all the right strategies in the world; [but] if you don’t have the right culture, you’re dead.’ Peter Drucker simplified this thought by stating that ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast.’ Organizational culture is shaped by the consistent actions and behaviors of its members, and serves as the underlying foundation of how organizations think, behave and react. In fact, ‘if you get the culture right, most of the other stuff will just take care of itself’ (Tony Hsieh). Yet at the core of it all, culture is but a reflection of the shared values of people within the organization. So as a sales leader, if you wish to shape your team’s culture, you need to be mindful of the values that you and your team will consistently practice.

Values personify the brand

Procter and Gamble pioneered the concept of brand management. This refers to the crafting and maintenance of a brand’s value and reputation over time. Lasting brand value is earned when people see their own personal values authentically reflected in the organization. In other words, people will tend to develop brand loyalty if the values that they have are reflected in the brand-because like attracts like. Brand trust is significantly higher with people who share the same values with the company’s core values. However, core values are not practiced by the company but by people within the organization. Hence core values are personified by people, whom customers directly interact with. So as a member of the organization, you represent the brand, hence, you are the brand.

Values guide decisions

According to Roy E. Disney, ‘When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.’ Core values basically define the manner by which members of an organization acts and reacts. These are statements of non-negotiable principles that companies follow. In fact, policies, codes of conduct and reward systems revolve around core values. It also influences the decisions that leaders take, whether it’s a simple decision or a gargantuan verdict that may change the course of business. For instance, if integrity is a company’s core value, then corruption and bribery are not going to be an option for action. Once core values are identified and used as a moral compass, decisions can be consciously aligned towards the right business priorities.

Alexey Rola Cajilig is the Founder, President and CEO of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc., and Senior Vice President and COO of EM-CORE DOTNET Inc. He is a Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, Human Ecologist and Author of Life is a Classroom, The Effective Seller, Solving the Sales Puzzle and Practical Market Intelligence. He is also the creator of ARCH Styles, a behavioral and personality assessment and discovery tool.

AN assistant majority leader of the House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Senate leadership to exercise restraint in making public remarks regarding the ongoing investigation into alleged multibillion-peso irregularities in flood control projects, saying it is best to let the investigation and the evidence speak for themselves.

Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos made the statement after Senate President Vicente Sotto III publicly expressed doubts over the Villar family’s alleged involvement in the flood control scandal, saying he believed they were being unfairly targeted.

The lawmaker stressed that public officials-especially those in top leadership positions-should avoid comments that might influence or preempt ongoing inquiries.

‘Let the investigation run its course. Any premature defense of the accused undermines the integrity of the process. If we want fairness, we should allow the Independent Commission for Infrastructure [ICI] and the Ombudsman to do their jobs without interference,’ Santos added.

Santos said the call for restraint is rooted in the need to preserve public confidence in accountability mechanisms and to ensure that the process remains free from political bias or undue influence.

‘It’s not the role of the Senate President to clear anyone through the media. His job is to ensure that truth and accountability prevail. If he truly believes in fairness, he should support the investigation instead of casting doubt on it,’ Santos said.

‘This is not about politics-it’s about accountability. If there’s nothing to hide, then there’s nothing to fear. But no one, not even the most powerful political families, should be above scrutiny,’ the assistant majority floor leader added.

Legislators back MBC call

LAWMAKERS on Tuesday backed the Makati Business Club’s (MBC) call for due process and fairness in the ongoing probe into alleged flood control irregularities, stressing that the rule of law must prevail over speculation and political color.

The House Infrastructure Committee Overall Chairperson, Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said the statement of MBC Executive Director Apa Ongpin serves as a ‘timely reminder’ that justice must be grounded on facts and evidence, not rumor or pressure.

‘Mr. Ongpin’s statement is a timely reminder that the rule of law-not rumor-must prevail,’ Ridon said. ‘We welcome his call for due process because it ensures that investigations are based on facts, not politics.’

He emphasized that no one-whether in the executive, legislative, or private sector-should be beyond scrutiny when public funds are involved. At the same time, he underscored that everyone must be granted the right to be heard and to defend themselves in lawful proceedings.

‘Let the institutions work independently and let the truth come out through evidence,’ Ridon said. ‘That’s how justice is served-and how trust in government is rebuilt.’

Ortega, for his part, likewise supported Ongpin’s call, saying it upholds fairness and impartiality in the investigation being undertaken by the ICI.

‘We welcome Mr. Ongpin’s statement as a reminder that justice must never be selective. The process must be based on facts, not political color or pressure,’ Ortega, who represents La Union, said.

Ongpin said that like anyone else, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, deserves due process and a fair, independent investigation. He also stressed that investigators must act free from political interference and ensure all those accused are given the chance to defend themselves properly.