Category: Philippine Star

Host-actor Edu Manzano reminded politicians that they are sworn to serve the Filipino people, who are growing tired of widespread corruption and needless politicking.

Edu has been filling his social media pages with posts taking digs at flood control project contractors and their families supposedly flaunting their wealth following outrage over flood control anomalies.

The public anger has only risen after several politicians were tagged in the controversies, allegedly even receiving kickbacks from these projects.

Among the host-actor’s latest Facebook posts was a letter he said was making the rounds on Ateneo groups addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of the 20th Congress.

It should be noted that Edu is a graduate of De La Salle University and also dabbled in politics, serving one term as Makati vice mayor.

“Enough of the polite lies. This letter is not wrapped in diplomacy, because you no longer deserve it. This is anger in ink, disgust in words, a mirror of the nation’s fury you pretend not to see,” the letter began.

“Each of you swore an oath – not to yourselves, not to your dynasties, but to the people. Yet what have you delivered? Endless committee hearings that go nowhere, speeches bloated with hot air, budgets swallowed whole by ghost projects and cronies. You strut like statesmen but you crawl like parasites. You treat government not as a sacred duty, but as your personal ATM.”

The letter brought up the recent protests in Nepal and Indonesia, where people rose up against their respective governments who thought themselves “untouchable.”

“But rage, once ignored, becomes revolution. Hindi ninyo kayang takasan ang galit ng taong bayan,” the letter pointed out.

The topic pivoted to issues in the Philippines, including flooding, hospitals and classrooms lacking supplies, farmers in debt, and workers dealing with inflation, all while politicians “bicker over pork, positions, and contracts.”

“Every motorcade of black SUVs you ride in is a slap in the face of the millions forced to commute like sardines. Every peso stolen is food stolen from the mouths of children,” it continued.

The letter said legislators and the president were “sitting on a volcano” and the fire beneath was being fed every day that the issues are stalled, every peso pocketed, and every law twisted for personal gain.

“Do not mistake Filipino patience for weakness. Hindi kami hangal. The day will come when no convoy, no palace walls, no title before your name will save you from the wrath of those you betrayed.”

“Do your mandated work – and do it now. Not for applause, not for legacy, but because you have bled this nation long enough. Restore decency, protect the treasury, legislate for the people or step aside before you are swept aside.”

The letter reminded again of the Nepal and Indonesia protests and how Filipinos could relate.

“Learn from Nepal. Learn from Indonesia. Or prepare to be remembered not as leaders, but as the carcasses of a corrupt empire finally torn down,” it ended, signed off by “The Filipino People You Mock, Rob, and Underestimate.”

As Tropical Depression ‘Paolo’ strengthens and approaches the Philippine land, PAGASA raised Wind Signal No. 1 over four areas in Catanduanes on Wednesday, October 1.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau last located Paolo about 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression is moving west-northwest at 25 kph and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday, October 3.

PAGASA hoisted Wind Signal No. 1 over Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga in Catanduanes, signaling winds of 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains anticipated within the next 36 hours.

Under the lowest wind signal, little to no infrastructure damage is expected. However, the state weather bureau urged residents to immediately inspect their homes for necessary repairs and clean up drainage systems to prevent possible flooding.

In its latest weather advisory, PAGASA also said that the tropical cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rain across several provinces in Northern Luzon from October 2 to October 3.

Rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters:

Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Aurora

Apayao

Abra

Benguet

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

Bataan

Paolo is expected to gain strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea, potentially intensifying into a severe tropical storm by early Friday, with Wind Signal No. 3 as the highest possible alert.

Producer prices posted growth in August, reversing a contraction in the previous month, driven by a slower decline in prices of computer and electronic products, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Preliminary data released by the PSA yesterday showed that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for manufacturing returned to positive territory, registering a 0.6 percent growth in August after the 0.1 percent drop in July.

It was also an improvement from the 1.3 percent dip posted in August last year.

The PPI measures the average change in factory gate prices relative to a base period.

Average PPI growth from January to August stood at 0.4 percent.

‘The upturn in the annual growth rate of the PPI for the manufacturing section in August 2025 was primarily due to the slower decrement in the annual growth rate of the PPI for manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division,’ the PSA said.

In particular, the computer, electronics and optical products industry division posted a 0.1 percent decline in August from a one percent drop in July.

Also driving the upturn in PPI growth was the faster increase in basic metals at two percent in August from 0.4 percent in the previous month.

The PSA said the slower decline in the growth of transport equipment at 0.2 percent in August from the previous month’s 1.3 percent also contributed to the PPI growth performance.

Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 11 exhibited annual increases, while eight industry divisions registered annual decreases in August.

Those which posted increases in August are coke and refined petroleum products; food products; beverages; chemical and chemical products; tobacco products; rubber and plastic products; furniture; leather and related products including footwear; wearing apparel; textiles; and printing and reproduction of recorded media.

On the other hand, those which registered declines are other non-metallic mineral products; electrical equipment; machinery and equipment except electrical; fabricated metal products except machinery and equipment; basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations; wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products; other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment; and paper and paper products.

Even the houses of God were not spared by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu late night on September 30, including a century-old church.

Videos and photos of church facades and interiors collapsing or partially damaged surfaced on social media in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu posted a series of photos that showed the damages it has incurred due to the tremors, including photos of a ceiling partially damaged and rubbles off its century-old walls.

The Daanbantayan church said that while there were damages to structures, its tabernacle and some religious images, such as the Image of Santa Rosa de Lima, Virgen del Carmen and the Immaculate Conception, were unscathed.

‘The image is wrapped around some unused plastic Bags for protection from heavy rains and dust,’ the church said about its Image of Santa Rosa de Lima in its Facebook post.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima was built in 1886. The 139-year-old church is declared the first archdiocesan shrine in the Philippines dedicated to St. Rose of Lima in 2022.

The Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol in Bantayan, meanwhile, was captured in videos with its outer lights exploding and its facade with a cross breaking and falling apart. The church was completed in 1863. It was built with coral stones found on the island.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has posted a seven-point guidance on how to safely move historic objects, which includes a reminder to check the safety and stability of the premises from the aftershocks and wearing protective gear.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) said the earthquake’s epicenter was located at sea about 21 kilometers (10.5 miles) northeast of Bogo City.

The Cebu government has put the entire province under a state of calamity, with the death toll at 31 as of press time.

A powerful earthquake struck Cebu last night, sending residents rushing out of their homes, damaging heritage churches and prompting the evacuation of a hospital in Cebu City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the magnitude 6.9 tectonic earthquake struck at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter located east of Bogo City in Cebu and its depth at 10 kilometers. Phivolcs warned that aftershocks were expected.

Residents reported that the centuries-old Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan town partially collapsed. On Bantayan Island, residents posted videos showing another heritage church, the Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol Bantayan, swaying during the quake and parts of its façade falling apart.

Intensity 6 was recorded in Cebu City and Villaba, Leyte; Intensity 3 in San Fernando, Cebu and Intensity 2 in Laoang, Northern Samar, Phivolcs said.

It advised residents in Biliran, Cebu and Leyte to stay away from coastal areas, and for residents to move farther inland amid threats of a tsunami.

Patients and staff of the Cebu City Medical Center were evacuated outside the building, according to Mayor Nestor Archival.

Home Credit Philippines proudly marked a new milestone ahead of its 12th anniversary: 12 million customers served with accessible financial solutions in August 2025.

Since entering the Philippine market in 2013, Home Credit has become a trusted leader in consumer finance-helping millions of Filipinos access essential goods and services through affordable installment plans, cash loans and digital solutions. This milestone reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to making its credit solutions more accessible, especially for everyday needs.

‘Reaching 12 million customers is more than just a number-it’s a reflection of the trust Filipinos have placed in us,’ said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

‘We’ve seen a significant increase in new customers compared to last year, driven by the growing demand for inclusive financing and the relevance and attractiveness of our oFers.

As of this writing, Home Credit has disbursed close to P500 billion in total sales across its different credit offerings. This reinforces its position as a leading player in the consumer finance industry and highlights the growing demand for inclusive and accessible financial solutions.

Now available in over 18,000 retail stores nationwide and a mobile app available on both Android and iOS, Home Credit oHers a seamless experience-from loan application to account management and payments. Its #ReadytoHelp sales force has grown to 9,000 strong, and its portfolio now includes motorcyles, expanding its reach into mobility financing.

Financing what matters

As it approaches its 12th year, Home Credit is focused on expanding its digital capabilities, launching customer-first products and deepening partnerships across industries. But beyond innovation, its mission remains clear: to finance what matters most to Filipinos-whether it’s a first phone, a new appliance for their home or business or a way to get to move around the metro.

Because for Home Credit, progress isn’t measured in pesos or percentages-it’s measured in the everyday wins of the people it serves.

Before plenary debates took place, the House appropriations committee’s subcommittee approved the realignment of over P255 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control funds.

The task of reviewing amendments fell to the budget amendment review subcommittee (BARSc), which replaced the traditional and severely criticized small committee.

Sector-wise, the subcommittee under the appropriations panel prioritized allocations for health, agriculture, education and government assistance, significantly increasing the budgets of the agencies concerned.

Here’s how 27 government agencies and fund items benefited from the flood control fund realignment.

Health (DOH, PhilHealth)

One of the largest allocations went to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which received a P60-billion increase – nearly a fourth of the P256.5 billion realigned funds.

In the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the executive branch had proposed P53.26 billion for PhilHealth’s 2026 budget. Congress previously stripped off government subsidies from the state insurer in 2025, citing ‘excess’ or ‘surplus’ reserves PhilHealth failed to utilize.

The funds allocated to PhilHealth, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), are largely dedicated to supporting indirect contributors by serving as their premium contributions. Indirect contributors are composed of indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.

With the additional P60 billion, PhilHealth’s budget would rise to at least P113.26 billion to support the country’s universal health care program and expand benefit packages and case rates available to Filipinos.

The state insurer also funds the zero-balance billing program promoted by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., which allows PhilHealth members to receive free services and admission when confined in basic or ward accommodations of Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.

The DOH also received a P29.28-billion increase – well above its P16.58-billion request – bringing its proposed 2026 budget to around P289.47 billion. The amount also covers additional funding for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

In the NEP, P260.19 billion was earmarked for the DOH, excluding the attached corporations and agencies.

DOH, PCMC get P29.28 billion from flood control funds

Combined allocations to the DOH and PhilHealth make health the sector with the largest share of the rechanneled flood control funds, surpassing a third of the total realignment.

Agriculture (DA, NIA, DAR)

After health, agriculture emerged as the next major priority, with P44.97 billion realigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

This represents roughly 17.5% of the realigned funds.

The BARSc proposed a P39.37-billion increase for the DA, much of which would go to farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of post-harvest facilities and financial subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk.

This allocation is about P9 billion higher than the DA’s request for P30.44 billion in additional funding, bringing the House-proposed budget to P174.31 billion in new appropriations.

Meanwhile, the NIA and the DAR received far less than what they sought, with the committee granting them a P5 billion and P600 million increase, respectively.

Agriculture receives P44.97 billion from flood control funds

While less than its 2025 budget, the augmentation would bump up NIA’s budget for 2026 to P50.07 billion. The DAR’s budget was also increased to nearly P18 billion, around P7 billion more than its 2025 budget.

Education (DepEd, DOST, CHED, TESDA)

With an expected budget exceeding P1.224 trillion, education – spanning basic and higher levels and related programs – received the third-highest share of the flood control fund realignment (14.5%).

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to receive more than twice the additional funding it requested, with P26.55 billion realigned from flood control funds, largely for classroom construction and rehabilitation, facility improvements and the school-based feeding program.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), meanwhile, was granted P9.31 billion more funds, exactly how much it requested to fund the tertiary education subsidy and Tulong Dunong programs for universities and colleges.

To also settle the three-year funding gap of the Free Higher Education program, the committee agreed to allocate P12.3 billion from CHED’s budget and Congress’ funds during the plenary debates.

However, several state universities and colleges (SUCs) are expected to receive reduced funding if their proposed budgets in the 2026 NEP are retained in the executed budget.

Included in the education sector, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was given P450 million, significantly lower than its requested amount of P763.8 million.

Instead of scholarship augmentation, the BARSc focused on funding the construction and rehabilitation of the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City. Only P100 million was allocated for S and T scholarships, as opposed to the requested P413.8 million.

Two programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) focused on work training and scholarship are expected to receive P991.2 million in total from the DPWH funds. This, however, is less than a tenth of the requested P14.35 billion.

Education gains P37.3 billion from flood control funds

Social aid programs

Other than the health, agriculture and education sectors, the BARSc also proposed to augment the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) financial assistance programs with P35.91 billion from the DPWH’s budget cut.

The largest share was allocated to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), with an additional P32.06 billion to support a specific number of beneficiaries. It is slightly below the DSWD’s P37.07-billion request.

AICS provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food and financial assistance to Filipino families during emergencies, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, a capacity-building initiative for marginalized households, received the second-largest boost with P3 billion – still falling short of the agency’s P17-billion request by roughly P14 billion.

Despite the executive branch cutting funds for the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program, the BARSc has not proposed restoring its 2026 budget.

AKAP, which is former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pet project, is primarily implemented by the DSWD. It has faced criticism for overlapping with the AICS program and being perceived as a potential pork-barrel tool for lawmakers.

Cash dole-out programs get P35.9 billion from flood control funds

After the flood control fund adjustments, the DSWD may have a 2026 budget of roughly P257 billion.

Not yet final

The House continues plenary debates, where lawmakers scrutinize agency budget utilization and key programs, while budget sponsors from the appropriations committee defend allocations or pledge adjustments during the period of amendments.

This amendment period allows for revisions to line items in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

For example, appropriations chair Rep. Mikaela Suansing (Nueva Ecija, 1st District) promised to realign P12.3 billion to cover the free tuition law deficit as requested by concerned agencies.

Although over P255 billion has been approved for realignment to specific projects and agencies, final allocations may still be adjusted.

The BARSc, a 23-member subcommittee, reviews budgetary revisions from agencies, known as ‘institutional amendments.’ Should lawmakers seek additional funding or cuts to specific programs, Suansing said they would have to coordinate with the agencies for their requests to be considered.

Once the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) passes second reading – after institutional amendments have been reviewed by the BARSc, approved by the appropriations panel, and voted on by the plenary – no further amendments should be made.

Any more changes are expected to occur instead during the bicameral conference committee, where the House and Senate reconcile differences in the versions they approved.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a price freeze on agriculture and fishery products in Masbate after the province was placed under a state of calamity due to damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

The prize freeze order, signed on Monday by DA-Bicol executive director Rodel Tornilla, was issued in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act, which mandates an automatic price freeze in areas devastated by calamities.

The law directs retailers, wholesalers, traders, processors and market operators in Masbate to maintain the prevailing retail and wholesale prices of covered commodities as of Sept. 25, the day before the typhoon struck.

Among the commodities covered by the order are rice, corn, vegetables, fruits, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, sugar, garlic, onion and cooking oil.

‘Hoarding, artificial scarcity, price manipulation and other unfair trade practices are prohibited,’ the DA warned.

Violators will face sanctions provided under RA 7581 and RA 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

To ensure compliance, joint monitoring and inspection will be conducted by the DA and the offices of the provincial agriculture, market management, and disaster risk reduction and management as well as the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.

Commodities unlawfully withheld from the market or sold beyond the allowed price levels may be seized and distributed to the public.

The price freeze will remain in effect for 60 days or until the state of calamity in Masbate is lifted, whichever comes first.

The DA directed municipal and city mayors, market operators and local trade groups to disseminate the advisory and certify compliance within 48 hours.

Aside from Masbate, a price freeze on basic commodities has been imposed in Biliran, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon as well as in the municipalities of Ibajay in Aklan, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, Dagupan in Pangasinan, and Calbayog and San Vicente in Samar.

The Department of Trade and Industry said prices and supplies of basic goods in areas hit by Opong and Super Typhoon Nando remained stable.

Power restoration

Meanwhile, restoration of power infrastructure in Masbate will cost around P400 million, according to the Department of Energy.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin yesterday led an onsite inspection and assessment of the situation and assured local officials and residents that power would be immediately restored.

Masbate is reeling from a massive power outage due to Opong.

‘We are moving with urgency but also with care. Safety remains our priority for both workers on the ground and the public,’ Garin said.

Twelve power cooperatives in Luzon and the Visayas were placed under monitoring as of 1:55 p.m. yesterday due to the combined impact of Opong, Nando and the southwest monsoon.

Of the 12 power cooperatives, 11 were experiencing partial service interruptions, while the Masbate Electric Cooperative remained under a total power outage.

The San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City has been upgraded to a Level 2 general hospital with modern facilities and expanded services to cater to more residents.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval on Monday led the inauguration of the six-story, 200-bed hospital along Panghulo Road.

The hospital features operating rooms, a labor room, an intensive care unit, a surgery consultation room, an emergency room and a spacious lobby.

‘Through the support of our partners and the initiative of former congressman Ricky Sandoval, we now have a more modern hospital that can provide comprehensive services for more Malabueños. This assures our people of better health care alongside the city’s other programs,’ Sandoval said.

The medical facility will offer departmentalized services in medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and anesthesiology.

It is equipped with MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, 2D echo, colposcopy machines, therapy services and a clinical laboratory.

The local government said it would acquire a digital fluoroscopy machine, a digital C-arm machine and hystero-laparoscopy equipment.

The former congressman filed House Bill 5791 in the 17th Congress that paved the way for the expansion of the hospital.

‘It is a milestone for Malabon. From a small women’s hospital, it is now a Level 2 general hospital ready to provide quality medical services to our people,’ he said.

Founded in 1990 as the San Lorenzo Ruiz Municipal Hospital, the facility evolved into the San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital in 1998 before being converted into a general hospital under Republic Act 11289 in 2019.

Corruption in the Philippines has been a never-ending problem. Scandal after scandal, government officials always find ways to appease the people’s anger, but nothing really changes – they live to rob the nation another day. Corruption festers because the very laws and systems meant to prevent them are riddled with loopholes. These loopholes are left there by design.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has the golden opportunity to drastically minimize corruption for good, but only if it takes deliberate steps on three fronts: (1) by preventing flight by persons of interest and holding them to account, (2) by preventing them from hiding assets and restitution to the state and (3) by pushing for reforms to plug the legal loopholes.

What the ICI does in the next few months will determine whether this moment serves as a genuine turning point for the country or just another chapter in our endless cycle of exposés, denials, arrests and pardons.

Preventing escape

It has become routine for accused Filipino officials to hide abroad to evade accountability. Apart from being an act of cowardice, this caper gravely undermines the rule of law. For government to allow the guilty to slip away sends the dangerous signal that justice can be avoided. Such impunity weakens law enforcement and corrodes public trust in our institutions. Government must decisively close this escape route, otherwise, Philippine law risks becoming a hollow abstraction, powerless against those it was meant to restrain.

Thus, the ICI must immediately coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration and the judiciary to ensure that no person of interest slips through the cracks. The ICI should immediately request the DOJ to issue hold departure orders (HDOs) for key suspects. The Department of Foreign Affairs should track passport renewals, replacements or foreign citizenship applications of those under investigation. If escape has occurred, the ICI must request blue/red notices from the Interpol and pursue extradition.

By showing vigilance against flight, government affirms that it is serious in its pursuit of justice and that no one escapes the hand of the law.

Prevention of asset hiding

Corruption thrives in the Philippines because plunderers have gone unpunished and are allowed to keep their loot.

Some of the more common strategies of wealth concealment include: bogus divestments and the use of proxies to register companies, land, treasury accounts and other assets; the use of layered corporate ownerships in offshore shell companies; conversion of cash to valuable assets like jewelry, art, antiques or cryptocurrency, all under proxy entities; stashing cash in bank secrecy havens abroad, among others.

To counter these tactics, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) must immediately freeze suspicious accounts. Too, local governments must cross-check land titles with declared income.

Globally, the ICI should use cross-border cooperation under the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to track and recover stolen wealth.

Justice only becomes real and lessons are learned when ill-gotten assets are frozen, sequestered and visibly returned to the state.

Legal and institutional reforms

Investigations are useless unless they lead to systemic reform. The ICI must use its findings to push for reforms across two fronts: Supreme Court jurisprudence and political reforms.

As repeatedly requested by former undersecretary Cielo Magno and former COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza the Supreme Court must rule decisively on constitutional questions relating to corruption. In particular, the constitutionality of confidential and intelligence funds, the constitutionality of transferring surplus funds from GOCCs to the national government and the question about political dynasties (although the Constitution prohibits political dynasties, Congress has failed to define it for self-serving purposes; an SC ruling that affirms the illegality of dynasties would be historic).

Political reforms include: for the SALNs of public officials to be made public again; for automatic lifestyle audits to be conducted every two years, with public disclosure; for politicians with unresolved Notices of Disallowance from the COA to be barred from running for office until they reimburse the national treasury and of course, the enact the Freedom of Information Law.

Moving forward, civil society must play a formal role in infrastructure projects with the legal standing to file graft cases. As Mendoza and Magno pointed out, DPWH infrastructure projects currently rest in the hands of only four officials – the bids and awards head, the certifier of work, the inspector and the approving officer – thus, creating a monopoly ripe for abuse. To break this, civil groups should participate. Members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants must certify project costs, while members of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers must certify design specifications and lead the inspections of projects before final payments are released. Citizen oversight is the strongest deterrent against collusion and corruption.

We must also strengthen corruption watchdog oversight. Currently, the ombudsman, Sandiganbayan and COA are weakened because their leaders are appointed by politicians and their budgets are controlled by Congress. This undermines independence.

To address this, structural reforms must be enacted. An independent appointments council composed of retired justices, bar associations and civil society must be formed to select watchdog leaders. These watchdogs must have fiscal autonomy with automatic appropriations constitutionally protected. One non-renewable term for watchdog leaders, preventing them from currying favor for reappointment.

Other broader reforms include: the establishment of a blockchain-based platform which publishes contracts, bids and payments in real time; the ban on political donations by government contractors; the creation of a public registry that rates contractors, banning those with a record of fraud or substandard work; that all campaign donations go through a clearinghouse with public disclosure; that gross negligence that enables corruption be criminalized.

Many say that PBBM is sincere about instituting anti-corruption reforms this time. I hope they are right. I pray PBBM listens to his heart and carries out these enduring reforms.