Category: Philippine Star

I’m no blogger nor am I a content creator or a so-called influencer and neither am I a vlogger – all of which I believe have been proven to greatly impact the lives of so many Filipinos here and abroad. In truth, in recent months, too many people of diverse professions, even the street vendor or the parking valet, participate so strongly on issues that are currently affecting our country.

While I am just an old-fashioned journalist who also did some broadcast work for a little over a decade and for an advocacy I loved but not loved by many, that being education, I continue to impart what I can to help others learn. I love radio. It has always been my platform to share with others on how we can help make the educational experience better for everyone. At RJ AM, I always carried the tagline of ‘bringing the streets into the classroom and the classroom to the streets’ – that was because I firmly believed that learning must always be applied and multiplied. I still do.

Especially today when there is so much happening around us and the need to protect and at the same time advance our youth is at stake. In the social media world, for example, learning continues to evolve as this has provided all of us a platform for instant communication and access to many resources as well as making various connections that enable people to collaborate anytime from anywhere. I didn’t really get that from AM radio until we started to connect our programs to social media platforms for better reach.

It is truly amazing what technology has done our lives. It has at the same time also revealed so much about who we are – including how we think and act. The challenge that the Filipinos are facing today, however, lies in the fact that we are sadly too polarized, as there is just so much political strife. You are either pro or anti somebody and sadly, this dominates the narrative and even more so the headlines.

I’ll be honest and say that I felt this coming a few years back and fast forward to today, I have been hoping to see something fresh – new perspectives that help shape the way we think, especially for the young people. When it came to matters that I generally considered close to my heart, such as issues on insurgency and national security and how this continues to affect our democracy and political landscape, with the next generation in my opinion still being a heavy target, I somewhat fearfully expressed how politics might affect the discourse.

I also worried about the long-standing problems in the educational system and the ways we learn about many different things in this incredibly complex century that includes artificial intelligence and other strategies necessary to be at par with the rest of the world. As I continue to navigate social media in my lifelong educational journey, I am thrilled to discover one new media player that is rapidly and, quite frankly, doing big things across the board, across multiple generations and, more importantly, regardless of color.

Peanut Gallery Media Network or PGMN is giving us a fresh perspective on how we see things instead of the usual spectacle of escalating feuds and enabling people to participate in better conversations to attain significant changes in areas of interest that are at the moment overloaded by extremely polarizing information. While I am not undermining the issues or any issue for that matter, at the very least, I think that PGMN is leveling the playing field with real conversations instead of telenovela types of discussions and elevating the issues relevant to national interests.

When I reflect on my own education journey, considering this is lifelong, I stand on the basis of colorless possibilities that should be explored and made available to everyone by expanding the narrative and turning them into fruit-bearing discussions. By doing so, we also successfully put an end to destructive disinformation. It’s time to veer away from the overly exploited zarzuela plot types that are not helping Filipinos who need to think beyond this playbook so that we can finally understand what the real problems are and, more importantly, help in the solution.

As a teacher who has always promoted the idea of thinking out of the box, PGMN looks like it ‘gets’ what the young people are looking for and in turn is inspiring them to participate in nation building. As a teacher, I like that. Considering that the young ones feel like they are often not part of the conversation, a network such as PGMN is giving them a voice.

Sometimes things start small but, sometimes, it is also in the small things where change and revival can happen. They say that Gen Z’s are ‘shaking things up’ across the political, cultural and even economic landscapes but I also think that they can make a lasting impression with the help and wisdom of the older generations, especially the Gen X connectors – something you may not expect out of the so-called latch key generation.

As both a teacher and a Gen X-er myself, one can’t help but be thrilled in finding the much needed ‘force’ that could finally put the splintering pieces together. Maybe it’s easier said than done – maybe it’s peanuts. But just like Charlie Brown said, keep looking up – that’s the secret of life.

Young actress Andrea Brillantes signed a contract with MQuest Ventures, becoming a Kapatid after 15 years with ABS-CBN under Star Magic.

Andrea was joined in her contract signing by several MQuest and TV5 executives led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan and Jane J. Basas.

The actress later expressed to entertainment reporter MJ Marfori her gratitude and excitement for her future plans.

She confirmed wanting to explore doing more movies after being relatively known for appearing in television shows, noting the storytelling is different in films.

Just a few of her television projects include “Kadenang Ginto,” “Annaliza,” “Hawak Kamay,” “Senior High” and its sequel “High Street” and her last appearance for ABS-CBN “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”

Andrea is no stranger though to films having had supporting roles in “Crazy Beautiful You,” “Everyday I Love You,” “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes,” “The Mall, The Merrier,” “Momzillas,” and “On the Job: The Missing 8.”

Following her “Batang Quiapo” stint, Andrea is eager to do more action projects but is also open to trying out romance and comedy as she mostly did dramas as a child actress.

“Madaming mga first time ko palang gagawin sa gagawin kong project,” Andrea teased to her fans.

We are facing nine years of darkness if our string of bad luck continues: three remaining years of BBM and six years of the brat, assuming the surveys are right and she will be elected in 2028.

Our only hope now is for BBM to get out of his lackadaisical mode and move as if his life depends on it. Those bastards responsible for this massive corruption scandal must go to jail soonest. Otherwise, an unspeakable nightmare is our future.

It’s the fault of our voters who stupidly elected two people with no proven ability for good governance. Both are just nepo babies of previous strongmen. What is happening now shouldn’t be surprising.

In the face of this trillion-peso robbery of the treasury, the sitting nepo baby should be eager to save his ass. A recent survey showed the brat at the top of the list of candidates who may be elected president in 2028. That’s not counting the possibility that the old man may croak at The Hague. That should give BBM nightmares.

BBM may not mind being exiled the second time but his children’s future will be dim.

As I pointed out in a past column, it all starts with BBM. He signed the budget used to legally scam the taxpayers. He failed to veto the provisions that provided the legal means for carrying out ghost projects. His DBM Secretary didn’t warn him that he is signing the permission for ghost projects.

In a sense, there is blood in BBM’s hands. There is no way BBM can claim he didn’t know. His son is Deputy Speaker and should have known and should have told him about the insertions in the budget. Unless they are also looking forward to the fruits of insertions.

That’s why BBM should make a clean breast of it, admit his shortcoming that allowed the mess to happen and ask the people to trust him to fix things. A mea culpa will improve credibility.

Then, BBM should move fast. instruct government prosecutors to follow the advice of Kim Henares to pick the low hanging fruits right away.

‘Tingin ko yung ghost projects madaling file-an ng kaso kasi lahat yan documentation lang. Mayroong bidding, may award ka, may binayaran ka, puntahan mo yung project, wala kang nakita, yan ang kaso. Wala ka nang kailangang ibang ebidensya. Puede nang i-file yan.’

Oo nga naman. What could be simpler? And the ball gets tossed to the Sandiganbayan. Because these cases look like open and shut cases, continuous hearing of a week may get guilty verdicts. And the first set of culprits, DPWH district engineers and contractors, march off to jail.

Substandard projects may require expert testimony or maybe not. Most of these substandard projects are obviously damaged and that’s proof enough of the crime committed. More district engineers and more contractors can be jailed quickly.

Jailing the district engineers and some contractors will buy BBM some time. What will test BBM’s sincerity is how he deals with the political fat cats on top of the corruption value chain.

Principal suspects include his own cousin and the resigned congressman now apparently seeking refuge in Europe. Then there are the senators and more congressmen who made the insertions in the first place.

What is worrisome now is the possibility that BBM underestimates this seething anger over corruption. Politicians including BBM may think they are in the clear and even stop pretending to clean up. Then we lose the momentum in the fight against corruption.

The full-page ad expressing the collective sentiment of our business sector on the corruption scandal is welcome. But hopefully, they are not just riding the tide of public clamor for reforms. The responsibility of the business sector does not end with publishing that ad.

‘This wasn’t a PR move,’ Apa Ongpin of the Makati Business Club said. ‘Our members were crying out for a statement. They were emotionally appalled and kept telling us, ‘We have to say something.”

Say something! Of course, we all have to say something. But the business community should do more than saying something. Getting the bastards to jail is a complicated process that needs support beyond expressions of disgust.

There are things the business community can do to follow through.

The Ombudsman, the DOJ and DPWH need trained eyes, hands and feet to help them go through all those documents to strengthen the cases to be filed. Can all those organizations that signed the statement contribute to a fund to hire lawyers, engineers and accountants to help?

Don’t think bid rigging has ended because the rats at DPWH are laying low. Credible contractors should join biddings if only to keep the bastards honest.

It is no secret that big business contributes big money to politicians during campaign seasons. Can they please remember how badly they felt the past few weeks when the same politicians come to collect their expected contributions?

How about refusing to support any politician implicated in this corruption mess? There are some business risks in denying politicians who think such donations are their birthright. But it is hypocritical for business to denounce corruption today and go on financially supporting corrupt politicians.

Given the nationwide network of all the corporations behind the organizations that signed that manifesto, can they organize monitoring teams to check on public works projects in their areas? Catch ghost projects early.

Get the professional associations of engineers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, etc. to throw out of their organizations those involved in corruption cases. Work with the PRC to revoke the licenses.

Make it socially undesirable to be seen living the high life financed by stolen funds from the national treasury.

Nine years of darkness, most likely more, is upon us. We must move as one to stop this madness. Let everyone drill that in everyone’s head.

Malacañang on Friday, October 24, distanced itself from the Sandiganbayan’s decision to acquit Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile and other alleged cohorts, telling the public to respect the court’s decision.

The anti-graft court acquitted Enrile, his former staff member Gigi Reyes and businesswoman Janet Napoles of the remaining graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam.

‘Igalang po natin kung ano ang desisyon ng korte,’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Friday. (Let us respect the decision of the court.)

Asked if the Sandiganbayan’s ruling may cause the public to doubt the government’s ability to convict alleged plunderers, Castro maintained that the Palace had no hand in influencing the court’s decision.

‘There is a separation of powers and we need to respect this because if not, we will not respect the decision of the courts, the country will become chaotic,’ Castro said in Filipino.

The country’s anti-corruption mechanisms have recently come under fire following the suspected multibillion-peso kickback scheme in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

A secret deal?

One of the senators tagged in the DPWH flood control scam is Sen. Joel Villanueva. Ombudsman Boying Remulla recently sought to reinforce a previous ruling by then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to dismiss Villanueva from office over his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

However, her successor, Samuel Martires, had apparently granted Villanueva’s motion for reconsideration in a ‘secret decision.’

Castro said that if this decision is true, it is worrisome and may cause the people to doubt the country’s justice system.

The Palace expressed faith in Remulla’s capability as the new Ombudsman to probe the matter.

Nearly 9,000 officers from the National Capital Region Police Office will be deployed across Metro Manila during this year’s observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the NCRPO said yesterday.

The NCRPO will be on full alert starting Oct. 31 – a special non-working holiday.

‘Our preparation for Undas is anchored on anticipation, coordination and compassion,’ said NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin in a statement yesterday.

He said 8,575 personnel from the five districts, regional headquarters, regional mobile force battalion and support units will be stationed in cemeteries, worship places, major thoroughfares, transportation hubs and ‘rally convergence points.’

An additional 1,330 police officers will conduct anti-criminality operations, including beat and mobile patrols, checkpoints, traffic management and medical assistance.

Metro Manila is home to some of the largest cemeteries in the country, including Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Libingan ng mga Bayani, Manila Memorial Park and La Loma Cemetery.

Aside from Undas, the NCRPO is preparing for the White Friday protests on Oct. 31.

‘Even with simultaneous rallies expected across the region, our goal is to maintain peace without compromising the rights of the people,’ Aberin said.

Meanwhile, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said the NAIA is ready to accommodate from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 some 1.3 million passengers, including Filipino balikbayans and overseas workers who will join this year’s Undas.

New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. chairman Ramon Ang said the country’s main airport will become the best airport after its rehabilitation as he, along with NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez and Manila International Airport Authority chief Eric Ines, showed Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez improvements done at the terminals, including the facial recognition kiosk in airline counters, drop bags and immigration e-gates.

‘From the worst airport, NAIA will become the best airport after rehabilitation,’ Ang said.

Alvarez said passenger experience has also improved with the on-time performance rated above the global standard of 85 percent.

Maximum police visibility for holidays

Beyond Undas, Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) to implement maximum police visibility, particularly in the capital city’s busiest districts as the Christmas season approaches.

During a meeting yesterday, Moreno ordered the MPD to ‘deploy additional personnel and conduct round-the-clock patrols in high-density areas such as Binondo, Recto, Quiapo, Ermita, Malate and the University Belt.’

Moreno said police presence would be augmented by barangay personnel who will be tapped to ensure peace and order during the holidays.

‘Police officers should be on the roads, they should be seen and felt by the people. We want residents and visitors to feel that they are safe during the holidays,’ Moreno said in Filipino.

For the host country, this couldn’t have unfolded any better.

Miguel Tabuena, the Philippines’ homegrown golf hero, delivered a masterclass Friday at the Sta. Elena Golf Club that electrified local fans and reignited hopes for a memorable finish.

Just a week after celebrating his 31st birthday, the diminutive yet dynamic shotmaker produced one of his finest rounds in recent memory – a near-flawless display of power, precision and poise that set the International Series Philippines ablaze.

And not to be outdone, Angelo Que produced his own moment of brilliance as dusk settled over the course, capping a blazing start with an equally fiery finish to card a superb 65 and catapult himself into joint fourth at 135 alongside four others.

Suddenly, the Philippines found itself not with just one, but two legitimate contenders in the thick of the title chase – a sight that ignited fresh hopes among the home crowd.

Coming off a steady but unspectacular 70, Que wasted no time announcing his intentions. The amiable Manila Southwoods pro, known for his fearless shot-making and unflappable demeanor, came out firing – birdieing four of the opening nine holes to rocket up the leaderboard. He carried that momentum into the back nine with another birdie on No. 10, shaking up the standings and reminding everyone why he remains one of the country’s most accomplished shotmakers.

A lone bogey, the result of a missed green midway through his round, briefly slowed his charge. But Que, drawing on the experience that has brought him three Asian Tour titles and two Philippine Golf Tour victories this year alone, refused to fade.

As the sun dipped low and shadows lengthened across the fairways, he closed out with a flourish worthy of the moment – three birdies in his last four holes, each one greeted with growing anticipation from the galleries that had begun to sense something special unfolding.

His late-round surge vaulted him into a share of fourth with Yosuke Asaji (66), Soomin Lee, Wang Wei-Hsuan, and Matthew Cheung (all 67s), just five strokes behind leader Sarit Suwannarut.

With Que now joining Tabuena near the top of the board, the host country suddenly boasts two aces within striking distance of the top prize – a scenario that could turn the weekend into a rousing showcase of local pride and resilience.

Trailing the Thai leader by five strokes, Tabuena teed off early, determined to make a move. Starting on the par-5 10th, the two-time Philippine Open champion quickly went to work – opening with a birdie, then adding fireworks to the morning with a spectacular hole-in-one on the par-3 14th that sent the gallery roaring.

Not done yet, he eagled the par-5 16th and closed the backnine with another birdie on the 18th, completing a sizzling six-under 30 on his first nine holes.

It was a breathtaking stretch that had almost every kind of scoring highlight possible in golf – a birdie, an ace, an eagle and another birdie – all in one stretch that turned Sta. Elena into his personal stage.

By the time he reached the turn, Tabuena was suddenly in the clubhouse lead at nine-under overall, his name atop the leaderboard sending a wave of excitement across the fairways and among Filipino fans following every shot.

He wasn’t finished. After a steady par on No. 1, Tabuena rolled in back-to-back birdies on the next two holes, momentarily threatening to pull away. Though the ‘law of averages’ caught up with him with a bogey on No. 4 and a cooling run of pars afterward, he still capped the round with an explosive 65 – a 35-30 masterpiece that showcased not just talent, but timing and temperament.

Statistically, it was not a perfect round – 11 fairways hit, 15 greens in regulation and 28 putts. But in golf, moments matter more than math, and Tabuena’s brilliance came exactly when it mattered most.

‘It’s not every day you make a hole-in-one, but I was glad I kept it together after that,’ said Tabuena, smiling as fans crowded the ropes. ‘That eagle on 16 was a perfect seven-wood – that’s a hole I know very well, and that’s my favorite pin position there. It was a green light all the way.’

His return to form couldn’t be better timed. Just a week removed from turning 31 and still fresh from a forced withdrawal at the SJM Macao Open due to a neck spasm, Tabuena showed no signs of rust. Instead, he looked energized – feeding off the home crowd and the familiarity of Sta. Elena, his home club.

‘There’s a lot of golf to be played,’ he said cautiously. ‘But it’s been six years since my last ace – and only my second in a competition. To have it happen here, in front of friends, family, and home fans, it means a lot.’

Even with Suwannarut regaining the overall lead at 14-under 130 after a fine 66, Tabuena’s 134 kept him within striking distance – just four shots back heading into the weekend.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa joined Tabuena at second after a 69.

And with two rounds left in this $2 million championship, the door remains wide open.

Former Masters champion and LIV Golf star Patrick Reed also surged into contention with a 66 to tie for ninth at 136 with Denzel Ieremia (67) of New Zealand and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (69), while seven others, including former Major winner Charl Schwarzel (66), former Asian Tour No. 1 Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand (69) and former Philippine Open champion Stevel Lewton of England (63) posted identical 137s for a share of 12th.

Meanwhile, Justin Quiban rallied with a 68 to post a 138 total, good for a share of 19th place.

The other local hopefuls, however, struggled to keep pace and fell by the wayside.

Sean Ramos actually made a strong charge with a 68 for a 142 aggregate, but missed the cut by one.

Keanu Jahns settled for another 72 for a 144 total, while Carl Corpus stumbled with a 73 for a 145. Aidric Chan also turned in an even-par 72 for the same 145 aggregate.

Clyde Mondilla, who opened with an impressive 69, skied to a 77, also for a 146, while, Rupert Zaragosa and Enrico Gallardo finished with 149s after 75 and 76, respectively.

But the spotlight, unquestionably, belonged to the hometown favorites.

Tabuena and Que’s inspired performances didn’t just lift them up the leaderboard – it lit up the entire tournament. Even Dustin Johnson, Tabuena’s flightmate and former world No. 1, must’ve felt the heat as he stumbled to a 73 after an opening 67 to fall to joint 37th at 140, 10 shots off the pace.

For fans, though, this second round was a showcase for the two Pinoy aces – their stirring resurgence from morning to afternoon felt straight out of a movie script.

With their confidence surging and the crowd rallying behind them, the final two rounds promise to be a festival of Filipino pride and world-class golf. If Tabuena and Que can sustain their form, they won’t just be contending – they’ll be inspiring a new generation of local golfers who witnessed how brilliance, patience and heart can converge in a single unforgettable day at Sta. Elena.

For fans, though, this second round belonged to Tabuena – and his resurgence couldn’t be better scripted.

With his confidence surging and the crowd rallying behind him, the final two rounds promise to be a festival of Filipino pride and world-class golf. If Tabuena can sustain this form, he won’t just be contending – he’ll be inspiring a new generation of local golfers who witnessed how brilliance, patience and heart can converge in a single unforgettable day at Sta. Elena.

Following the lightning protests at the doors of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the Palace again asked protesters to remain patient as the fact-finding body does its work.

Protesters from the People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors and the Kalikasan People’s Network stormed the ICI office in Taguig City, attempting to push past the gates of the commission while decrying the lack of transparency and arrests related to corruption.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the government is currently working to address the corruption scandal.

Castro said that there were many cases to be filed, with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon already filing several complaints.

‘Hindi po dapat siguro mainip ang ating mga kababayan hanggang nandiyan po at may nagtatrabaho at ang intensiyon naman po ay maganda, para po mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,’ Castro said in a press briefing on Friday, October 24.

(I think our countrymen should not be impatient while there are people working and their intention is good, so that there can be accountability.)

Castro told the protesters to let the system work, and that they should not be too negative about what the government is doing.

A DPWH on fire

The DPWH is currently the focal point of government corruption, with billions of pesos suspected of being funneled through the agency in kickback schemes. Several high-ranking officials have been tagged in the scheme, including House lawmakers and senators.

A fire recently hit the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards in Quezon City, with many suspecting the agency of tampering with evidence. Initial findings ruled it a case of short circuit.

Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is satisfied with the current explanation, the Palace reiterated that the investigation into the case is still ongoing.

While the DPWH has said that no vital documents were destroyed and that they are already digitizing the materials, several agencies still suspect foul play, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman.

After so much hemming-and-hawing, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will start next week the livestreaming of their proceedings. ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. announced the livestreaming of their proceedings currently held behind closed-doors. Under intense criticisms, the ICI finally relented to public demand for more transparency in their fact-finding investigations into the alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects initially at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Reyes, retired Supreme court associate justice, made the announcement last Wednesday at the public hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights amid public disillusion over the ICI’s avoiding public scrutiny of its proceedings. Ironically, the Senate public hearing dwelt on the proposed bill that seeks to create a new anti-corruption watchdog in the mold of the ICI.

The proposed legislation is authored by no less than Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III who authored Senate Bill (SB) 1215 proposing to create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC). Originally, Sotto cited, SB 1215 seeks to constitute a five-man body to serve as an investigatory and recommendatory body of all government infrastructure projects under review. As proposed in Sotto’s bill, the IPC will report its findings directly to the President and to recommend prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Attending the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum last Wednesday, Sotto explained the proposed IPC will have greater authority, not only the power to issue subpoena. Sotto added the power to cite in contempt individuals who ignore the IPC invitation and subpoena, and against anyone who refuses to cooperate with their investigation.

Also, Sotto disclosed, he will amend SB 1215 to empower the IPC to initiate by itself the prosecution of accountable government officials and private individuals, business or corporate entities found liable in any anomalous transactions involving government projects. ‘Even if it (IPC) will submit a report to the President and to Congress, I will clarify the intention that it may initiate prosecution,’ Sotto pointed out. ‘We’ll try to find a good line to be able to define it properly,’ he added.

SB 1215 was one of the first 10 bills that Sotto filed last July at the start of the first regular session of the 20th Congress. Sotto told us he will seek its inclusion in the common priority bills agreed upon at the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). This is to ensure the passage into law of SB 1215 at least before the end of this year, he cited.

SB 1215 is not included in the eight bills listed in the common legislative agenda forged during the first LEDAC meeting with the new leaders of the 20th Congress. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) convened LEDAC last Sept. 30, taking place after the changes of leadership in both chambers of Congress.

Sotto took over from erstwhile Senate president Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero last Sept. 8. Two weeks later, Isabela Rep. Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy was elected to replace ex-speaker Martin Romualdez. The leadership changes were the immediate aftermath of the multibillion-peso worth of alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects that were siphoned off from the annual Congress-approved budget law.

Sotto noted their House counterparts led by Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno co-authored and filed a similar House Bill last month. The House version seeks to create also a five-man Independent Commission to investigate misuse of funds for flood control and other infrastructure projects of the government. Sotto promised to convince their House colleagues to just adopt the Senate version to speed up its enactment.

Smarting from the previous Congress’ budget insertions brouhaha, Sotto reiterated the decision of the present leaderships of the 20th Congress to livestream the bicameral conference committee (bicam) meetings on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) bill. Dubbed as the ‘third congress,’ the bicam is tasked to reconcile the differing versions of the budget bill approved separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Sotto revealed an added innovation to further improve transparency will be to allow senators and congressmen to attend even if they were not designated to constitute the bicam for the GAA bill. Under existing rules of Congress, a bicam is composed of equal numbers of senators and House members.

Likewise, Sotto promised to replicate at the Senate the proposal of Navotas Rep.Toby Tiangco at the House-approved 2026 GAA bill. Tiangco recommended that the ‘proponents’ of each congressional insertion and initiative be identified in each line-item in the GAA bill. Before they adjourned for their Undas recess last Oct.13, the Lower House approved the proposed P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 under House Bill 4058.

Although they adjourned days ahead, Sotto clarified the Senate continues with its own public hearings on the proposed 2026 GAA bill. ‘We will make sure any amendments by any individual or institutional amendments will be identified on who the proponent is,’ Sotto vowed.

‘A clean budget, to me, that is the most important piece of legislation that Congress passes every year,’ Sotto stressed.

As earlier agreed during the LEDAC meeting, PBBM welcomed the livestreaming of the bicam sessions on the GAA bill to ‘encourage transparency’ and identify who proposed what insertions or amendments in the national budget.

Also agreed during the same LEDAC meeting, Sotto disclosed PBBM informed them he would no longer ‘certify as urgent’ the proposed 2026 GAA bill. In this way, Sotto explained, both chambers will be constrained to stick to the deadline of the budget’s enactment before the end of the fiscal year on Dec. 31.

Sotto reassured the public there will be no more ‘small committee’ that used to have the final say on the bicam-approved budget. A veteran lawmaker of Congresses past, Tiangco denounced earlier before the ICI how this ‘small committee’ can override the annual budget bill that was already approved by both chambers.

With livestreaming, a real-time transmission to the public of the bicam session will make our lawmakers behave while under close watch.

Here comes the brigade. A proud team of world champions from muay secured a pair of bronze medals with a chance at the gold even as taekwondo and teqball chipped in a silver and a bronze, respectively, in the 3rd Asian Youth Games at the Exhibition World Bahrain here yesterday.

Lyre Anie Ngina, a 14-year-old world champion, came through with the best score of 8.90 out of eight participants in the girls’ wai kru qualification phase for 14 and 15 years old at the EWB’s Grand Hall C, D, E.

With that, the ninth-grader from University of Baguio secured at least a bronze for being one of the four who qualified to Sunday’s finals where she will have a chance at an even more precious mint.

And she vowed to go for it.

‘I was so nervous in the qualification that I almost lost my balance,’ said Ngina. ‘I hope to be confident in the finals for me to have a chance at winning.’

Also assuring the country another bronze in the same event was Jasmine Dagame, who was second in the 16-17 division after an 8.83 behind only Thai Rungthipwa Koakaw’s 8.90.

Dagame, a world championship bronze winner, Koakaw and two others advance to the finals.

Kristen Ambriel Aguila succumbed to Zeinab Shahrriari of Iran to settle for the silver in the girls’ individual recognized poomsae at Hall 2.

In teqball at Hall 10, Crystal Cariño and Nicole Tabucol bested host Bahrain’s Rawan Abdulaziz and Fatima Albanna, 10-12, 12-10, 14-12, to claim the girls’ doubles bronze in the discipline that is a hybrid of sepak takraw and table tennis.

In all, the country has now raked in a gold, a silver and two bronzes with the two bronzes in muay to be counted only after Sunday’s finals.

It wasn’t all sunshine for the Filipinos as Euan Arrow Ramos and Peter Sancho del Rosario ran into misfortunes and missed out on a medal in triathlon’s boys’ individual sprint, which started and finished at the Sofitel Bahrain.

Ramos crashed out and suffered bruises all over after a spill on one of the turns while Del Rosario was disqualified due to an infraction on the second transition of the race that drew 39 participants.

Metro Pacific Health Corp. (MPH) has expanded its hospital network to 29 with its investment in Tanza Specialists Medical Center (TSMC).

MPH president Augie Palisoc Jr. said the company’s investment in Tanza marks its 18th provincial partnership and the third in the province of Cavite.

‘We are deeply grateful for the continuing trust of hospital owners and doctors nationwide who have chosen to partner with Metro Pacific Health. Their confidence enables us to further develop and expand health care services in their respective communities,’ Palisoc said.

‘As our network grows, more hospital owners are approaching us to collaborate, inspired by the significant improvements we bring to the hospitals we invest in,’ he added.

Strategically located along Daang Amaya in Tanza, TSMC is well positioned to serve the rapidly expanding communities nearby and be the health care leader in its side of Cavite.

Similar with its previous partnerships, MPH has developed an ambitious strategic roadmap for TSMC geared toward unlocking its full potential.

MPH said it plans to enhance operational efficiency, elevate clinical standards and deliver improved patient experience at TSMC.

‘Joining the Metro Pacific Health network opens new opportunities for Tanza Specialists to grow and serve our patients better,’ Ronald de Roxas, former president and one of the hospital’s founding members, said.

‘On behalf of our founders, we are confident that this partnership will enable us to expand our facilities, introduce advanced technologies and provide even greater care to our community,’ he said.

With the addition of TSMC, MPH now operates 11 hospitals in the National Capital Region, 10 in Luzon, two in the Visayas and six in Mindanao.

The 29 hospitals under MPH have a combined capacity of 4,700 beds, supported by 12,500 doctors and 24,000 health care staff, serving approximately 5.2 million patients annually.