Category: Philippine Star

Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson flagged the P50 billion transferred from unprogrammed appropriations (UA) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for infrastructure programs-with a whopping P30 billion for flood control projects alone.

Lacson, who is eyeing a possible return as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair, is seeking to expand the Congressional probe from flood control projects to other anomalous infrastructure efforts.

“In 2024 alone, the DPWH diverted P50 billion from unprogrammed appropriations for infrastructure projects, including P30 billion for flood control projects. This means DPWH officials have become comfortable with funding such projects even if this means violating the government’s master plan,” Lacson said in a media interview.

In the 2024 national budget, the DPWH was given a whopping P996.7 billion, while unprogrammed funds were set at P731.4 billion. Both the 2024 DPWH and the UA budgets were increased beyond what the executive branch asked for.

Lacson said that the appropriations would be spread out across several districts.

‘The public fund was abused because of the collusion between some lawmakers and DPWH officials, to the point that lawmakers gave the DPWH bigger funds than the education sector – and in 2025, they continued this practice until it exploded in our faces,” the senator said.

Following the DPWH’s flood control corruption scandal, many have turned a scrutinizing eye on the UA. Many have called it a form of pork for politicians.

The Department of Budget and Management has defended the use of UA funds, calling them standby funds that have specific triggers before they can be used.

Despite this, the Senate is seeking to remove the UA funds in the 2026 national budget in response to the public outcry over mass corruption in government.

Philippine National Bank (PNB) of taipan Lucio Tan posted a 23-percent increase in its consolidated net income to P18.5 billion from January to September, driven by growth in loans, investments and fee-based income.

In a statement, PNB said total revenues expanded by eight percent during the nine-month period, supported by the nine-percent rise in loans and a 13-percent growth in investment securities.

Fee-based income also contributed an 18-percent increase, while other income climbed by four percent, aided by asset disposals and foreign exchange gains.

Operating expenses grew by nine percent year-on-year, in line with the bank’s business expansion and higher transaction volumes.

Despite the increase in costs, provisions for impairment and credit losses dropped by a significant 87 percent due to improved credit quality and a decline in non-performing loans.

PNB chief financial officer Francis Albalate said the bank is now reaping the rewards of its strategic efforts to strengthen its lending operations.

‘The bank is now harvesting the benefits from focusing on the improvement in the quality of the lending portfolio through deliberate acquisition of quality customers and improvements in the credit and lending processes and policies,’ Albalate said.

As of end-September, PNB’s total assets stood at P1.25 trillion, while total liabilities reached P1.02 trillion. The bank’s capital also grew by eight percent compared to December 2024.

PNB president Edwin Bautista expressed optimism about the bank’s growth prospects, highlighting the ongoing digitization initiatives.

‘We expect steady business growth with a strong plan in place to grow corporate, commercial and consumer businesses. The bank’s plan for digitalization will further expand opportunities across all areas of the business as the bank prepares itself for advancing innovations that will prioritize improving service to the bank’s customers,’ Bautista said.

Meanwhile, PNB’s investment banking arm, PNB Capital, received industry recognition for its achievements in sustainable finance. It won the ‘Renewable Energy Deal of the Year-Solar’ and ‘Renewable Energy Deal of the Year-Rooftop Solar’ awards.

Euromoney has named PNB as the best bank for investment research in the Philippines during its Private Banking Awards, marking the lender’s fifth consecutive win since 2021.

The recent slowdown in the government’s infrastructure spending is unlikely to drag down the country’s gross domestic product target, as catch-up measures including post-election spending and soft infrastructure are expected to sustain momentum, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

Retaining an optimistic view in reaching the expansionary targets, DBM Undersecretary Joselito Basilio said that increased private consumption, driven by lower interest rates along with the agriculture sector, are considered as drivers for growth in the third quarter of this year.

‘Even if flood control projects are reduced, the funds will be redirected to soft infrastructures such as hospitals and regional health centers,’ he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2025 Fiscal Policy Conference.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation quickened to 1.7 percent in September from 1.5 percent in August. It was also the fastest since it hit 1.8 percent in March.

Further, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent, which represents the lowest since September 2022.

Basilio said that redirecting the funds toward other projects will actually improve the attainment of the administration’s growth targets by promoting greater efficiency in spending.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) lowered this year’s economic growth target to 5.5 to 6.5 percent from the earlier projection of six to eight percent.

For Basilio, he said that the private sector remains the key driver, particularly in capital outlays, which are expected to continue despite lower infrastructure spending on the national government.

‘Current infrastructure spending is just continuing existing projects, so only those that have yet to begin will be put on hold,’ the DBM’s principal economist noted.

From January to August, the government’s spending on infrastructure remained behind by 5.6 percent to P798.4 billion. Which is a reduction of P46.9 billion from P845.3 billion in the same period last year.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier mentioned that the Philippine economy might fall short of meeting its full-year growth target, as slower revenue collection and dampened government spending weighed on the country’s expansion projects.

Korean actor Lee Dong-wook is coming back to the Philippines after six years as an early Christmas gift for Filipino fans.

Dong-wook will hold his “My Sweet Home” fan meeting in Parañaque’s The Theater at Solaire on December 20.

The venue announced the event on its social media pages, describing it as a “one-night-only fan meeting that promises warmth, laughter, and unforgettable memories.”

Further details like ticket section and prices will be announced at a further date.

The 43-year-old actor’s first visit to the country dates back to 2006 to promote his hit show “My Girl” with Lee Da-hae and Lee Joon-gi, inspiring a Philippine adaptation starring Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee.

His most recent trip to the Philippines was in 2019 for the #LoveKOrea Culture and Travel Fiesta event organized by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Apart from “My Girl,” Dong-wook is best known for starring in “Goblin,” “Tale of the Nine Tailed,” “A Shop for Killers,” and most recently, “The Divorce Insurance.”

Earnings of BDO Unibank Inc. inched up by four percent to P63.3 billion from January to September compared to P60.7 billion in the same period last year.

The country’s largest bank owned by the family of the late retail and banking magnate Henry Sy attributed the increase to the sustained performance of its core business segments.

For the third quarter alone, BDO’s net income increased by 6.3 percent to P22.56 billion from P21.23 billion in the same quarter last year.

In a statement, the bank said that the Philippines is expected to demonstrate continued resilience despite global trade uncertainties from higher tariffs imposed by the US and local political issues, supported by stable inflation and strong domestic consumption.

‘Meanwhile, BDO’s robust capital foundation and diversified business portfolio position it well to navigate current risks and capitalize on emerging growth prospects,’ the listed bank said.

In its quarterly report disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange, BDO said its net interest income grew by 8.5 percent to P150.02 from P138.3 billion, owing to asset expansion.

Its annualized return on common equity stood at 14.1 percent during the nine-month period.

The listed bank booked a 14-percent increase to P3.5 trillion in gross customer loans as it recorded broad-based growth across all market segments.

Asset quality remained stable with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.77 percent as of end-September and an NPL cover of 134 percent.

Total deposits grew by 10 percent year-on-year, while the current account savings account deposit ratio at 67 percent. Non-interest income also rose by 14 percent, fueled by a 15-percent growth in fee-based businesses.

The bank’s other operating income went up by 13.9 percent to P57.4 billion, driven by strong growth in fees and service charges, trading gains as well as earnings from trust fees.

Shareholders’ equity went up by 10 percent year-on-year amid continued profitable operations. Capital levels strengthened, with book value per share increasing by 10 percent to P116.42. BDO’s common equity tier 1 ratio was higher at 14.4 percent compared to the 14.1 percent last year.

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,800 consolidated operating branches and more than 5,900 teller machines nationwide.

It also has 15 international offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East, including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Flood control project or reclamation activity?

This is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s urgent concern in Laguna de Bay, after flagging a supposed flood control project that turned out to be reclamation activities within the lake.

During the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget hearing before the Senate yesterday, DENR Undersecretary for integrated environmental science Carlos Primo David said they have identified several questionable projects presented as flood control initiatives but appeared otherwise, based on remote monitoring.

‘This is a flood control project within Laguna de Bay, but if you look at the satellite images, they are actually reclamation projects within the lake right along C6,’ David said.

‘This is a different kind of issue because there are much, much more permits, environmental impact, maybe it even causes further flooding within the Laguna Lake area when you do reclamation projects,’ he added.

David urged the DPWH and investigating bodies to look deeper into the findings, noting that the DENR’s role is limited to environmental monitoring.

Meanwhile, senators are looking to have the DPWH coordinate with the DENR and the National Irrigation Administration in implementing flood control projects across the country.

Sen. Loren Legarda said that studies on flood-control projects must be science-based, emphasizing the need for strong inter-agency coordination among water and environment agencies.

Reclamation activities around Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest inland lake, have continued to raise concerns over environmental compliance. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) maintained that no reclamation permits or clearances have been issued for projects within the lake since April, yet some undertakings by local governments and private developers have proceeded without authorization.

The agency has been pursuing legal actions to challenge ownership claims in areas where reclamation and backfilling have been reported.

It has also identified ongoing activities along C6 Road involving both local government units and private entities. The LLDA noted that such developments pose potential risks to the lake’s ecological balance and could affect the region’s water supply.

Meanwhile, in a July 2025 directive, the Philippine Reclamation Authority reiterated that no reclamation project within Laguna de Bay has been approved and ordered the immediate cessation of any ongoing or proposed activities.

The PRA warned that any government office or local unit allowing reclamation without its clearance is violating national reclamation policy and environmental laws. Such activities, it added, are ‘void ab initio’ and may expose involved parties to administrative, civil and criminal liability.

The revelation comes as the DPWH’s budget and project spending face mounting scrutiny amid allegations of ghost and anomalous flood control projects tied to potential kickback schemes.

Environmental experts and watchdogs have long warned that reclamation disguised as infrastructure development not only undermines flood management programs but also deepens flooding in Metro Manila and nearby low-lying areas that rely on Laguna de Bay’s natural capacity to absorb floodwaters.

The PRA said it is conducting a legal review, field validation and inter-agency coordination to identify violators and halt illegal operations in the area.

Meanwhile, communities around Laguna de Bay continue to suffer from recurring floods worsened by the lake’s siltation and reduced capacity to absorb rainwater.

In Biñan City, particularly in Barangays Dela Paz, Malaban and San Josef, floodwaters often submerge homes and roads for months, causing an estimated P50 million to P100 million in annual damage.

One of the contractors for a P200-million flood control project in Biñan is St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp., owned by the Discaya family – currently under probe for alleged flood control corruption.

John Mark Tokong and three other local stars made the round of 32 of the World Surf League QS6000 Siargao International Surfing Cup off Cloud 9 in General Luna on Siargao Island.

Despite the break due to the small waves and current conditions, Siargao’s very own Tokong, Eduardo Alciso, Shelamae Arjona and Nilbie Blancada survived the grueling round of 64 to go deeper into the competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Rusillon-Sajulga, and Surigao Del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers.

Tokong, 29, conquered the island’s challenging waves with a precision ride to score 9.83 points in Heat 16 where Australia’s No. 1 junior surfer Dane Henry (11.83), Japan’s Jin Suzuki (8.67), Indonesia’s I Made Ariyana (11.30) and Italy’s Diego Cordeiro (9.20) also made the grade.

Alciso, on the other hand, placed second behind Heat 4 leader Shohei Kato (12.40) of Japan with 8.00 to also advance reach the next round, which organizers had to postpone for Monday because of rains and a small current.

Also progressing were Australians Dom Thomas, Kyan Falvey, Ash Jenner, Harley Walters, Morgan Cibilic, Axel Curotta, Ben Lorentson, Lennix Smith, Ty Richardson, Tane Dobbyn, Eden Hasson and Tom Whitpaine.

The other Japanese in the next phase were Ikko Watanabe, John Azuchi, Yuma Nagasawa, Ikko Watanabe, Reo Inaba, Takumi Nakamura, Raiki Masuda, Roi Kanazawa, Shohei Kato and Tenshi Iwami.

In the women’s QS6000 round of 48, 24-year-old pro Sheila Mae Arjona tallied 6.43 in Heat 6 to move to the round of 32.

Nildie Blancada, one of the country’s finest bets, was seeded to the Round of 32.

The other qualifiers were Japan’s Mirai Ikeda, Anon Matsuoka and Sara Wakita; Australia’s Isi Campbell, Paige Hareb, Freya Prumm, Tayla Brown and Ziggy McKenzie and Great Britain’s Sky Brown and Milla Coco Brown.

After Siargao, the Qualifying Series goes to Baler from November 17 to 23 and La Union from January 11-16 and 20-26.

Obscure but unflinching, rookie pro Jeffren Lumbo stole the spotlight from a field of seasoned campaigners with a brilliant five-under 67 to seize the first-round lead in the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estate here on Tuesday.

Mixing power with precision on a course that humbled even the tour’s biggest names, the 29-year-old from Sarangani turned in a poised and confident performance that left his more accomplished rivals scrambling to keep pace.

With veterans Jhonnel Ababa and Reymon Jaraula matching steady 70s and returning Keanu Jahns opening with a 71 to join a big group of pursuers, Lumbo carved a three-stroke cushion heading into the second round of the P3.5 million Philippine Golf Tour event – an early but significant statement from a player many barely knew before the week began.

Just a shot behind Jahns’ pack were Guido van der Valk and three others at 72, while seven more, including James Ryan Lam, opened with 73s – setting the stage for what could be another tight, down-to-the-wire finish come Friday.

The South Pacific layout again proved unforgiving, yielding only 11 under-par cards under erratic weather, making Lumbo’s 67 stand out as a round of rare control and composure.

‘Hindi ko po ini-expect na mag-lead kasi madaming magagaling dito. Nag-enjoy lang ako sa laro ko,’ said Lumbo, who leaned on his power off the tee and a hot putter to birdie Nos. 12 and 18, both par-5s, before closing with three birdies in his last six holes.

‘Nag-click ang putting kaya naka-score. Mahirap kasi ang green, hindi mo alam saan pupunta ang bola. Mabuti na lang sinuwerte ako,’ he added.

It wasn’t Lumbo’s first flash of brilliance. He made quite a stir at Forest Hills last June, opening with the same 67 and finishing fifth after a final-round 66. After a brief break from competition, he returned fresh and focused – clearly ready to seize the moment.

Still, the chasers are no pushovers. Ababa, chasing an end to a season-long drought, birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to stay within striking distance. Jaraula, meanwhile, recovered from an up-and-down frontside with clutch birdies on Nos. 12 and 16 to rekindle his bid for a second career crown after ruling his home leg in Del Monte.

‘Medyo masama palo ko sa Apo pero dito maganda. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,’ said Ababa, who last won via playoff over van der Valk at Apo last year. ‘Mahirap lang ang green dito.’

Jaraula, for his part, credited improved putting after a frustrating week in Apo.

‘Sa Apo hindi maganda ang putting, hindi tumatama. Pero after practice, medyo naka-adjust na dito,’ he said. ‘Wala naman ako gaanong expectations, basta laro lang at enjoy.’

Jahns, a two-leg winner this season, birdied two of his first nine holes but bogeyed the 13th to settle for a one-under card alongside Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Ryan Monsalve, American Collin Wheeler, Korean Jaehyun Jung, and Fil-Australian Fidel Concepcion.

Concepcion, fresh from his maiden win at Apo, was poised for another strong finish before stumbling with a double bogey on the last hole to fall four strokes off Lumbo.

Meanwhile, van der Valk slipped out of the 71 group with a closing bogey to finish with a 72, sharing 122th place with Russell Bautista, Arnold Villacencio and John Michael Uy.

Among the notable names, Angelo Que and Clyde Mondilla both struggled to sustain solid starts. Que fired early birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 but faded on the back nine with a six-over stretch capped by a double-bogey on the par-3 15th for a 76. Mondilla stumbled early as well, offsetting mid-round birdies with costly errors to post a 75.

Hidilyn Diaz’s influence is in full effect.

Weightlifters from her training centers in Rizal and hometown Zamboanga City made their moves even as tracksters propelled Manila to an early lead in the explosive second day of the 2025 Batang Pinoy yesterday at the Barangay Labangal Gymnasium here.

Both avid fans of Diaz with hopes of following her suit, Stephanie Mandigma led Rizal’s three-gold medal haul while Kyle Nathan Kue carried the fight for Zamboanga en route to a five-gold medal harvest.

The 14-year-old Mandigma lifted a total of 113 kilograms to rule the girls’ 40kg division while Kyle Nathan Kue carried a total of 150kg (65 in snatch, 85 in clean and jerk) to reign supreme in the boys’ 12-age category.

‘Coach Hidilyn inspires me. Thankful po ako na maging coach si Hidilyn kasi kung wala po siya, hindi ko makukuha itong gold,’ said Mandigma.

‘It inspires me to work harder so I can be the next Olympian of the Philippines, win many medals throughout my life and become famous like my idol, Ate Hidilyn,’ said Kue.

Pep Samantha Agosto, also from Diaz’s training center in Rizal, topped the girls’ 11-age category with a 135kg lift.

For Zamboanga, Hero Anthony Alas-as (95kg in boys’ 10), Jane Marie Manalo (108kg in girls’ 10), Cydrille Jay Andalahao (115kg in boys’ 38kg division) and Precious Jade Lozada (90kg in girls’ 36kg division) took top honors.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has sent a new subpoena to former House appropriations chairperson Zaldy Co for him to appear for its two hearings scheduled in November.

The ICI delivered the Oct. 20 subpoena to Co’s addresses in Pasig City and Bicol, ordering him to appear on November 11 and 12 at 9 a.m., ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said at a press briefing on Tuesday, October 28.

Co has yet to return to the Philippines and earlier snubbed the ICI’s first summons for him to attend its October 14 hearing.

That first subpoena to Co was sent alongside subpoenas to former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Both appeared before the ICI.

Co is being asked by the ICI to explain his role as chair of the House’s powerful appropriations committee, a position he held before stepping down in January.

The ICI initially shared that it had considered citing Co in contempt due to his refusal to show up, but decided not to do so due to a supposed difficulty in serving the first subpoena.

On Tuesday, Hosaka said that if Co fails to heed the ICI’s summons again, they would study if there is “enough basis” to pursue remedial measures, including whether to cite him in contempt.

Co has yet to return to the Philippines amid allegations he masterminded dubious insertions in the 2025 budget to allow for kickbacks in flood control projects. He has since denied these allegations.

The former lawmaker has been tagged by the Department of Justice as a person of interest.