Category: Philippine Star

From the start, the parting seemed inevitable.

As Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson took the helm of the Blue Ribbon committee, people thought it was only a matter of time before the panel’s probe on flood control and budgeting anomalies would lead to the doorsteps of the Senate itself.

Yesterday, amid reported grumblings from colleagues about the direction taken by the Blue Ribbon probe, and accusations that he was shielding congressmen led by resigned speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co from blame, Lacson announced his resignation from the committee.

His resignation comes on the heels of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong quitting the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Magalong resigned after being told that he was merely an adviser and not an investigator of the ICI in the flood control mess, and amid insinuations that he and the Baguio government had dealings with controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya.

Considering the role of lawmakers in the budget process, and their possible involvement in crooked deals with contractors and public works officials, Congress can in fact allow the ICI to take over the flood control probe.

But with the ICI refusing to open even portions of its hearings to the public, the Blue Ribbon sessions led by Lacson have helped enlighten the nation about the modes and extent of the thievery that has become institutionalized in government.

The flood control mess is also not the only issue covered by the oversight functions of the Blue Ribbon. Whoever replaces Lacson must be deemed credible, impartial and competent in conducting a congressional probe.

Lacson has vowed to continue his crusade against corruption. He can continue delivering privilege speeches backed by efficient investigation, similar to the bombshell that he dropped on substandard and ghost flood control projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro.

The Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman can also pick up where the Blue Ribbon left off. Nothing stops the ombudsman and the DOJ, which has supervision over the national prosecution service and the National Bureau of Investigation, from initiating probes into criminal activities involving trillions of pesos in public funds. This is part of their mandate, which they can carry out even without waiting for recommendations from the ICI.

What people want is transparency in uncovering the corruption, speedy and impartial prosecution, swift punishment of crooks, and reforms to prevent their repeat.

Even outside the Blue Ribbon, Lacson can still contribute to this effort. His short-lived stint in the Blue Ribbon shows what happens when someone disrupts business as usual in the old boys’ club at the Senate.

World Chess Olympiad veteran Idel Datu delivered a vintage performance and topped the inaugural Daily Fantasy Chess Grand Prix held on lichess.org over the weekend.

The 53-year-old Datu won his first six games including the sixth and penultimate-round upset over Grandmaster Darwin Laylo before splitting the point with Homer Cunanan in the final round to rule the one-day event with 6.5 points.

Cunanan finished second with six points while Laylo wound up third with 5.5 points while earning 48, 47 and 46 grand prix points, respectively, of this first of a 10-leg series.

The top 100 players after 10 stages will then qualify to the grand finale set January 11 next year.

Ronald Dableo, who is rating points away from breaching the 2500-mark and snaring the GM title, wound up at No. 4 with five points while FIDE Masters Noel dela Cruz and Arden Reyes, Mark Gerald Reyes, Eric Mordido, Stephen Manzanero, Jr. and Jake Tumaliuan rounding out the top 10.

Greenfield District Chess Club is organizing the event and is supported by Daily Fantasy, a sports fantasy app that emphasizes the importance of strategy in every battle.

Registration is free and participants only need to sign up with Daily Fantasy and use the code CHESS100.

Singer Regine Velasquez shares the sentiments of most Filipinos – a Philippines without corruption.

Regine shared a TikTok AI-generated video of a corruption-free Philippines showing a progressive country.

“Imagine a Philippines without corruption. Bullet trains, world-class cities, thriving communities, and limitless opportunities. What do you think the future could look like?” the TikTok post read.

The gargantuan task, the singer noted, is impossible with corrupt officials.

“Kung hindi ninanakaw pera natin KAYA to eh!!!!!” she said, frustration lacing in her statement.

“The thing is hindi sila marunong mahiya kahit sabihan silang magnanakaw, makapal ang mukha at isinusuka na natin sila, waley pa rin. Magtuturo lang sila ng iba pang magnanakaw hangang maubos na lang nila ‘yung ninakaw nila tapos nakaw uli,” she added.

Regine also questioned the taxes imposed on Filipinos, among which is VAT at 12%, the highest in Southeast Asia.

“In the meantime, we continue to pay taxes na pinagpaguran natin. Ano pa pwede nila lagyan ng tax ano pa!!!!! Baka paggising natin isang araw pati hangin may tax na!!!!!!” she said.

Regine shared how “helpless” she feels waiting for accountability and jail time for those proven corrupt. She also noted how little will change even if a new set of public servants will be elected or appointed. Regine hopes to see effective change even as she is in her mid-50s.

“Anong ba gagawin natin para maituwind ang baluktot na pamamalakad na ito?? At kahit iba ang ilagay natin dyan, I don’t think it will change!!! I’m 55. Konting panahon na lang ang ilalagi namin sa mundo sana man lang maabutan namin ang isang maluwaltahing pamumuhay para sa mga Pilipino,” she wrote on Instagram.

In another post on X, Regine questioned the justice system in the Philippines.

“Hay, hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko. Nagagalit talaga ako. Alam n’yo kung bakit hindi natatapos ang kurapsyon?? Kasi walang consequences. Justice is selective,” she said.

The Philippines and Japan have committed to enhancing cooperation in agricultural trade and technology, with Manila pressing Tokyo to remove tariffs on Philippine bananas and improve market access for pomelo, and Japan seeking to export fresh grapes to the Philippine market.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Japanese Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro met on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Agriculture and Forestry Ministers Meeting to discuss trade, technology transfer and sustainability collaboration.

Tiu Laurel said the Philippines raised concerns over banana tariffs, which currently reach 18 percent, making exports less competitive. Despite remaining as Japan’s top supplier, the country’s banana market share in Japan fell to 75 percent in 2024 from 94 percent in 2023 amid increased competition from Ecuador and other countries.

Asked at a news conference if banana tariffs were addressed in the talks, Tiu Laurel said: ‘Yes… (Koizumi) promised to look into it.’

He added that while Manila continues to explore tariff-free access through the Common Effective Preferential Tariff framework, it is also considering a bilateral trade arrangement to accelerate market access.

Japan, the Philippines’ second-largest importer of agricultural and fishery products in 2024, with purchases exceeding $1 billion, is also seeking to expand exports to Manila.

Koizumi confirmed Japan has submitted a pest risk analysis and technical documents to the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry in support of its request to export fresh table grapes.

Tiu Laurel proposed expanding the existing Philippines-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation to cover fisheries, smart agriculture, mechanization, postharvest technology, pest and disease management and diagnostic laboratory upgrades.

Tiu Laurel welcomed Japan’s ongoing support under the ASEAN-Midori Cooperation Plan, aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development and climate resilience, and thanked Japan for its recent rice donation to disaster-affected communities through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Tier 3 Program.

The ministers also discussed the Joint Crediting Mechanism, which encourages the adoption of alternate wetting and drying technology in rice farming to reduce methane emissions and conserve water.

The two countries also agreed to hold the second Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture next year, ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Japan invited the Philippines to participate in GREENxEXPO 2027, an international horticulture exhibition in Yokohama.

Actress Nadine Lustre revealed that she is not yet ready to become a mother.

The actress told ABS-CBN News that she is not yet ready to take on another major responsibility. She is currently focused on her acting career, as well as her businesses, including a local coconut milk brand she put up with her boyfriend Christophe Bariou.

“Nakakatakot maging nanay, honestly, like every time we (referring to Christophe) talk about it. I’ve been working for as long as I can remember, and I can’t imagine having another responsibility other than my career,” she said.

“I am so focused with my career and, of course, this guy and our businesses as well. So, parang hindi ako ready. So, saludo talaga ako sa mga moms,” she added.

On the big screen, Nadine is cast as a beauty queen in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Call Me Mother” with Vice Ganda.

“I’ve done a lot of research when it comes to being a beauty queen. Research and I’ve done a few days of training, because my character in the film is a beauty queen and it’s very important for me to know about the industry and about my character as well,” she said.

The actress said that she particularly focused on her fitness training since she would film pageant scenes for the movie.

“I would say the trickiest part of my role is that every time I’m on set or every time we’re filming or shooting a scene, my posture needs to be different, and the thing is I’m used to… I’m hunched all the time. But in the movie, I have to be upright and beauty queen posture, so it’s kind of tricky. It’s very challenging because I always have to remember,” Nadine said.

RAGE, RAGE against the massive corruption that has been destroying our beloved country, depriving our citizenry of their basic needs, better schools, roads, hospitals, health services, much-needed infrastructure for the protection and safety of communities.

RAGE, RAGE against political dynasties that deprive patriotic men and women, willing to serve genuinely for our people’s welfare and interest, of valuable services to our country. as political dynasties are deeply-entrenched with vast resources, money, power, influence, connection.

RAGE, RAGE against the erosion of morality and humanity of politicians, elected to serve the people, of government employees appointed to provide services for the interest of the Filipinos.

RAGE, RAGE against the election of politicians unfit, unworthy of the positions they hold. wasting precious time and people’s taxes that pay for their salaries, perks, etc.

RAGE, RAGE against politicians, contractors, government employees, who shamelessly, mockingly and ostentatiously flaunt their ill-gotten wealth. amid the suffering of our kababayans dying, drowning in shocking, never-before-witnessed or experienced floods that befell us.

RAGE, RAGE against ghosts and substandard projects affecting our daily lives and survival. Maki-alam, mag-demand. these are our people’s money!

KEEP, KEEP UP THE RAGE. Until the stolen wealth is returned. Until all the perpetrators of the grandest raid on our government coffers are persecuted, brought to justice. Until they all are jailed. To ensure that massacre of our public funds, our people’s hard-earned taxes, will NEVER be hijacked/stolen ever again, FORTHWITH!

Peace, good health, abundance to us all!

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday lauded a Tarlac court’s ruling voiding the birth certificate of suspected Chinese spy Alice Guo.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 111’s decision on Sept. 24 is a ‘landmark victory’ amid President Marcos’ directive to uphold the integrity of Philippine identity and civil registry documents.

Guo, former mayor of Bamban, had been identified as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, as authorities probed crimes committed by Philippine offshore gaming operators.

Viado assured the public that the BI will continue to coordinate with the Department of Justice and other agencies to deport foreigners posing as Filipinos.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, saying he has sensed some of his colleagues in the majority bloc no longer agree with how he has handled the committee’s investigations.

Lacson, whose leadership of the Blue Ribbon committee led to the implication of senators and government officials in the flood control corruption scandal, said he was drafting a letter of resignation to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, although he intended to first announce his decision on the Senate floor before the session adjourns for recess.

‘All committee chairpersons, whether in the Senate or in the House, we serve at the pleasure of our peers, particularly the members of our majority bloc,’ Lacson said yesterday in an interview over radio dzBB.

‘When my peers already lack faith in me, especially when a majority of them are unhappy over how the Blue Ribbon is being handled, maybe stepping down is an option,’ he added.

He said he has heard expressions of disappointment from majority senators such as JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian, which prompted him to reflect on whether it was time to yield his post.

Ejercito had earlier said he and four other members of the majority have started mulling over leaving the bloc, citing how senators are ‘burning down our own house’ by focusing on the alleged involvement of its members in flood control corruption while neglecting accountability for members of the House of

Representatives.

He issued the statement after Lacson revealed in interviews that almost all senators of the 19th Congress had questionable insertions into the 2025 national budget.

Gatchalian, meanwhile, voiced his wishes to leave the investigation of the flood control corruption scandal to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying ‘political agenda’ has tainted the Senate’s own probe.

Despite these, Lacson believes he has handled the hearings properly, though perceptions have been colored by frequent disruptions at the start of proceedings.

He also denied claims that the inquiry was selectively targeting certain senators – including former Senate president Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva – while sparing other figures linked to the alleged ‘architects’ of the controversy in the House of Representatives.

Lacson also addressed criticisms that his comments on the P100-billion budget insertions were dividing the chamber, saying his remarks were not meant to ‘burn the house down’ but to wake the Senate to public anger over questionable allocations.

‘I did not say the insertions were illegal. What’s wrong is if you inserted projects in the amendments, meddled with the implementation and earned a commission – that’s what’s wrong,’ he explained, saying he himself would introduce insertions into the budget of the Anti-Money Laundering Council due to its insufficient funding.

Lacson said he also took offense at remarks of some senators who insinuated to his face that he was grandstanding to build political capital, saying his fresh term would be his last.

‘I don’t have any political ambition or plan after 2031,’ he said.

Asked about the possibility of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta taking back the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon panel if he steps down, Lacson said he would respect the decision of his peers.

Sotto’s leadership

Lacson said his respect and support for Sotto’s Senate presidency remain intact, stressing that his leadership has been marked by consensus and stability.

‘He governs smoothly, there is consensus, he does not dictate, he does not decide by himself,’ Lacson said. ‘If you will ask me, I will continue to support him.’

He also credited Sotto for reforms in the ongoing budget process, including the agreement not to certify the appropriations bill as urgent and to allow senators at least three days to review the budget between second and third readings – a move Lacson said promotes transparency.

Senate coup

Lacson also rejected talk of an alleged Senate coup to replace Sotto with Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

‘It’s the same old rehashed psy war tactic all over again intended to confuse and sow intrigue among the members of the majority,’ Lacson said in a message to reporters yesterday.

He said the rumor had nothing to do with his decision to resign as Blue Ribbon chair.

‘All I can say is – I can handle all the pressure. It’s frustration that’s hard to bear,’ he said.

‘Rest assured, there’s no waver ing in my advocacy against the corrupt and rotten system, particu larly the misuse and abuse of public funds,’ he added.

‘Turning point’

For House committee on public accounts chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, Lacson’s exit ‘leaves a significant vacuum in the fight for accountability in public infrastructure spending.’

Ridon highlighted that under Lacson’s stewardship, the Blue Ribbon committee has uncovered a broad conspiracy involving multiple layers of government and the private sector.

‘His leadership of the panel has yielded the most consequential testimonies and evidence among all proceedings,’ Ridon said.

Key admissions from individuals such as Henry Alcantara and Roberto Bernardo before the Senate panel were instrumental in exposing a complex network of corruption, Ridon noted.

These testimonies built upon earlier confessions from Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza at the House infrastructure committee, pointing to collusion among contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways officials, lawmakers, and even members of the executive branch.

With Lacson’s departure, Ridon called on the ICI to ramp up its efforts. ‘This should now compel the Independent Commission to conduct a broad, unrelenting and open sweep of all individuals named in both Senate and House hearings,’ he said, urging that accountability must not be derailed by the senator’s exit.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged that the government’s investigation into flood control anomalies has implicated some of his allies and that many of those accused are likely guilty.

But Marcos made it clear: all charges must be backed by solid proof.

In his new podcast, Marcos addressed criticisms that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was being selective in its probe.

While he is aware of pubilc calls for swift justice, the process must prevail and building airtight cases was more important than acting quickly.

‘Much of what we’ve heard are allegations. We have to prove it. You don’t want to go after people who are innocent. Now, we know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,’ Marcos said.

The president cautioned that rushing to file weak cases that might later be dismissed would only set back the government’s anti-corruption drive.

‘We go after the guilty ones. You know, because some of the guilty ones, they’re trying to derail the system,’ Marcos said.

Asked about the investigation’s possible impact on his political allies, Marcos said he was aware that some were already implicated.

Not for ‘political advantage’

While he did not name names, his cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been tagged in reports as a recipient of alleged kickback funds.

‘Why would I even start such a thing if it was somehow for political advantage? The reason I brought it up and made it part of the national discourse was quite simply because this could not go on,’ Marcos said. ‘If it kept going, we would discover how deeply entrenched this entire system was.’

Marcos said corruption is not only damaging to the economy but to lives and communities.

He first raised the issue of anomalous flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address in July, triggering investigations that have since exposed widespread corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Billions of pesos are suspected to have been lost to kickback schemes involving contractors and government officials.

Among those implicated are Romualdez, former Senate president Chiz Escudero, and resigned House appropriations chair Zaldy Co, who is currently abroad.

Whose nerve was struck?

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro posed this question to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who resigned last week from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Magalong had expressed surprise that he was not supposed to serve as an investigator but merely adviser to the ICI.

‘I think I struck a nerve,’ Magalong said last week, adding that he ‘may have hit too close to home.’

‘Whose nerve?’ Castro asked last Friday on One News’ ‘Storycon,’ as she urged Magalong to name names instead of making insinuations.

She maintained that President Marcos did not ask Magalong to resign, adding that her earlier announcement was merely based on what Marcos said: a review of Magalong’s dual role as mayor and ICI adviser to ensure that it would not violate the Constitution.

Castro confirmed that Magalong held a position as member of the commission, but he declined as he did not want to resign as Baguio mayor.

Magalong earlier called out Castro over a recent press briefing that supposedly cast doubt on his role at the ICC.

Castro also denied that the ICI would simply duplicate the responsibilities of other government agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ombudsman.

‘Based on EO (Executive Order) 94, (the ICI’s mandate) is recommendatory. They will gather the documents, and they can recommend the filing of a case to the ombudsman or the DOJ,’ Castro said.

‘It will be easier on the part of the DOJ or ombudsman if the documents are already complete and they will just check it,’ she added.

Although the DOJ, through the National Bureau of Investigation, can also investigate alleged anomalies in infrastructure projects, Castro noted that these agencies also handle other cases.

‘It will be easier if there is an investigating body that is focused (on issues on infrastructure),’ she said.

Several legislators are pushing for a law that will institutionalize an independent body tasked to probe alleged anomalies in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Proponents noted that the ICI, which was created only through the President’s EO, lacks powers as it is merely fact-finding in nature.

Castro maintained that even if it was created by the President, the ICI is an independent body and Marcos has no control over its process.

She made this remark after the ICI drew flak over its decision not to make public its hearings on the anomalies.

‘It will be up to the ICI to determine its policies since it is independent from the executive. The President will not interfere. Whatever process they decide to take will be entirely within the ICI’s discretion,’ she said.