Category: Philippine Star

Considering the systematic plunder of public funds in flood control projects, it’s not surprising that corruption is also being unearthed in the construction of farm-to-market roads.

So far the amounts of the non-existent roads unearthed by the Department of Agriculture total only P75 million – a drop in the bucket compared to the billions and even trillions of pesos believed to have been lost to ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects undertaken in recent years by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the P75 million covers only two projects done in 2021 and 2023 – one in the Davao Region and another in Zamboanga City. The DA has vowed a deeper probe, which will likely uncover more questionable ‘farm-to-pocket’ roads.

While at it, the DA can expand its probe to cover other farm-related projects, including cartel-like operations to control the prices of certain commodities and farm support services such as drying and milling.

In its audit and pursuit of corrupt deals, the DA must heed lessons from the past and ensure that the guilty will face punishment.

Corruption in the farm sector is not new. In March 2004, Panfilo Lacson, already a senator, had exposed the diversion of P728 million in fertilizer funds, which he said went to the presidential election campaign of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The P728 million was distributed to congressional districts, several of which did not even have farmlands, Lacson said.

The accused mastermind of the scam, Jocelyn ‘Joc-joc’ Bolante, resigned as agriculture undersecretary and fled to the US in October 2005 before he could face a Senate probe. He was later deported back to the country, and cleared Arroyo. Former agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo also fled the country.

They were all later acquitted, however, including one of the players, businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who would later be indicted in the bigger scam involving the congressional pork barrel.

Several lesser players, however, have been convicted in the fertilizer scam, with other cases still pending. So the ongoing audit of the DA could bear fruit in rendering justice.

As in the flood control scandal, however, the DA audit could lead probers to influential and wealthy people who benefited from non-existent or substandard farm-to-market roads. Such people can be expected to put up a strong legal defense to escape punishment. The DA must ensure that it is up to the challenge.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 has granted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the drug case against Rep. Leila De Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Partylist).

In a resolution dated September 30, the Muntinlupa RTC accepted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, filed on July 14, 2025, effectively closing and terminating one of De Lima’s drug cases, the one that led to her nearly seven-year imprisonment.

‘WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Motion to Withdraw (Motion for Reconsideration dated 14 July 2025) filed by the prosecution is GRANTED. With the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, this case is hereby deemed CLOSED and TERMINATED,’ the court’s ruling read.

The court explained that every acquittal becomes immediately final upon issuance and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment.

According to the court, granting a motion for reconsideration on the case would violate the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, as it would essentially subject the acquitted individual to a new prosecution.

‘Considering that this case already involves an acquittal, the Court shall exercise sound discretion and allow withdrawal of the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration,’ the court’s order read.

‘Indeed, the directive of the Honorable Prosecutor General upon the panel of prosecutors to withdraw the motion is impressed with merit,’ it added.

On July 23, the Department of Justice ordered the Muntinlupa prosecutors to withdraw the motion for reconsideration on the drug case of De Lima filed in RTC Branch 204.

Timeline of De Lima’s acquittals. February 2021: De Lima was acquitted in her first drug case by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205.

She was later acquitted in her second case by RTC Branch 204 in May 2023 due to lack of evidence.

Following this second acquittal, prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration with RTC Branch 204.

Following this second acquittal, prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration with Branch 204. However, the court denied the motion and upheld the acquittal, citing reasonable doubt and the recantation of key witness Rafael Ragos.

Her third and final drug case was dismissed in June 2024 after the court granted her demurrer to evidence, effectively clearing her of all charges.

On Sept. 4, 2024, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), then headed by Menardo Guevarra, filed a petition for certiorari – not an appeal – with the Court of Appeals, claiming RTC Branch 204 committed grave abuse of discretion in acquitting De Lima.

The appellate court’s eighth division granted the OSG’s petition and remanded the case to RTC Branch 204 for a new ruling consistent with Court of Appeals guidelines. The appellate court found that the RTC failed to clearly state the facts and legal basis for its decision.

Upon remand, RTC Branch 204 reaffirmed its original ruling and again acquitted De Lima, maintaining that the absence of Ragos’ testimony due to his recantation created reasonable doubt. This prompted the prosecutors to file a second motion for reconsideration, which the DOJ now plans to withdraw.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has appointed seasoned banker Alexander Patricio as independent director strengthening the Yuchengco-led lender’s governance and compliance framework.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, RCBC said its board approved Patricio’s election during its meeting on Sept. 29.

His appointment took effect at the close of business on the same day, subject to regulatory approvals from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other agencies for his interlocking positions.

Patricio is filling the vacancy left by Vaughn Montes, who recently concluded his term as independent director. Aside from leading the risk oversight committee, he will also serve as a member of the anti-money laundering committee as well as the audit and compliance committee.

‘Patricio has over 41 years of banking experience,’ RCBC said, citing his extensive background in risk management and regulatory compliance.

According to RCBC, Patricio spent 13 years with Citibank and 18 years with ING Bank Philippines before joining the government sector as executive vice president and chief risk officer of the Development Bank of the Philippines from May 2013 to March 2017.

Publicly available professional records show that Patricio’s career spans senior leadership roles across local and international banks. He served as vice president in various positions at Citibank Philippines from 1976 to 1989, senior risk manager at Citibank Australia from 1989 to 1991 and senior credit officer at Citytrust Banking Corp. from 1991 to 1995.

He then became country risk manager at ING Bank Philippines from 1995 to 2013 before moving to DBP.

Beyond banking, Patricio has been an independent director of CTBC Bank Philippines since 2018 and of the Intellicare Group of Companies since the same year, roles that further deepened his expertise in corporate governance and oversight.

Krelz Gecosala and Kresthan Belacas delivered standout performances with double victories in their respective divisions, grabbing the spotlight in the boys’ category of the Gov. Edwin Jubahib National Juniors Tennis Championships in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

The fifth-seeded Gecosala defied the odds in the boys’ 18-and-under division, stringing together three straight-set wins before overpowering No. 4 seed Kurt Alcantara, 6-1, 6-3, in the finals. The 16-year-old Midsayap, North Cotabato native also dominated his own age group, dropping just eight games across three matches, culminating in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Wallaen Cabigas in the finals.

Not to be outdone, Belacas of Mlang, Cotabato sparkled in the younger age groups. He held off Tyronne Caro in a tight 7-5, 6-3 win to secure the 12-and-U crown, then added the 14-and-U title after Caro retired in the second set, trailing 3-6, 4-2,

Their back-to-back victories earned both Gecosala and Belacas co-MVP honors alongside Faith Lazaro from Tagum City, who made waves in the girls’ division of the five-day event hosted by Gov. Jubahib in his continuing commitment to help develop the sport in the region.

Lazaro snapped Ayl Gonzaga’s winning streak in the Palawan Pawnshop nationwide junior circuit with a gutsy semifinal comeback win, 0-6, 6-4, 6-2. She then claimed the 16-and-U crown with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Telko Ello. Though she fell short in the 18-and-U finals, losing to Sultan Kudarat’s Sanschena Francisco, 6-3, 6-3, Lazaro’s strong performance earned her a share of the MVP award.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga, who has been a consistent force in both Luzon and Mindanao legs of the nationwide talent search initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, bagged the girls’ 14-and-U title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over doubles partner Justine Gumbao, replicating her triumph in Sultan Kudarat.

In other results, Maureen Mamaba of Davao de Oro shocked the girls’ field by clinching the 12-and-U crown with a 6-3, 6-3 upset of Alexandrea Bendoy; while Brandon Luchavez, an unseeded player, won the 10-and-U unisex title, defeating top seed Storm Tozer, 5-4(3), 4-0.

Gonzaga, on the other hand, bounced back in doubles play, securing two titles. With Gumbao, they trounced Sam Rodriguez and Shan Tuyor, 8-1, in the 14-and-U finals. She later paired with Francisco to beat Ello and Yana Reyes, 8-3, in the 18-and-U finals.

In the boys’ doubles, Alcantara and Cabigas captured the 18-and-U trophy with an 8-5 win over Harinne Antiola and Jaime Gultiano, while Caro and Gecosala clinched the 14-and-U crown, downing Belacas and Dimzon, 8-3.

The Group 2 tournament was presented by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta with support from Universal Tennis and ICON Golf and Sports, utilizing both the DavNor Sports Complex and Tagum City courts to accommodate a record number of participants.

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank’s (CL Bank) Iponventure campaign has earned international acclaim with a Bronze Stevie Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year at the prestigious International Business Awards (IBA).

The award highlights the bank’s efforts to make saving simple, consistent and accessible for millions of Filipinos, proving that financial empowerment can begin with small, steady steps.

‘This recognition reaffirms our belief that true leadership is not measured only by growth and profit, but by how many lives we uplift and how much positive change we create. Iponventure is proof that even the simplest tools can spark a culture of saving, empower families and open doors to a brighter financial future for every Filipino,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, as he reflected on Iponventure’s global win.

At the heart of Iponventure is the IPONBOX, a simple but powerful tool that has been distributed to more than 700,000 clients nationwide. This visual savings container serves as a constant reminder to set aside even small amounts of money regularly.

Shared through branches, community events, employee programs and social media content from financial experts, the IPONBOX has grown into a recognizable symbol of the message: start small and save consistently.

The campaign also makes formal saving more accessible through Micro Savings Accounts, which can be opened with just a P50 initial deposit.

By breaking down one of the biggest barriers to banking, Iponventure empowers Filipinos to begin their savings journey. This effort is further supported by the Cebuana 24k Rewards Program, a free loyalty program that gives clients incentives for using the bank’s financial services, helping them save even more along the way.

In 2024, Iponventure opened over 1.1 million new Micro Savings accounts and raised balances among IPONBOX users. These savings have helped families handle emergencies, grow small businesses, and plan for their children’s future-showing that even modest deposits create real security.

Unlike short-term campaigns, Iponventure drives lasting behavior change by combining practical tools, financial education, and community involvement, making saving a daily habit championed by both clients and employees.

By aligning its social responsibility programs with its mission to promote inclusive financial empowerment, CL Bank has gone beyond offering services. It has started a movement that makes saving personal, practical and achievable for every Filipino.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has yet to speak with Commissioner Mario Lipana about his possible resignation or early retirement, as he remains hospitalized and reportedly unable to speak.

During the House plenary debates on Wednesday, October 1, Rep. John Tracy Cagas (Davao Del Sur, Lone District) stood in as COA’s budget sponsor and answered questions on the agency’s behalf.

Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) asked for an update on her earlier request for COA Chair Gamaliel Cordoba to talk to Lipana.

She and two other minority lawmakers want Lipana to address concerns about a possible conflict of interest, especially in connection with the ongoing investigation into irregular flood control projects.

Cagas, however, said he was told that Lipana remains hospitalized and is still too sick to communicate, showing the medical certificate sent to COA.

This surprised De Lima, prompting her to ask COA if they did not even try to speak with Lipana’s relatives, let alone his wife or a common friend, when the issue he faces is a matter of public interest.

‘Kailangan po kasi masettle po yung issue na ‘yan because as I said, it affects very much the commission itself. Hindi pwedeng tumagal hanging itong issue na ito,’ De Lima said. (We have to settle this issue because as I said, it affects very much the commission itself. This issue can’t be left hanging.)

Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, owns a contracting firm that secured over P1 billion worth of flood control projects in Bulacan between 2023 and 2025.

She served as the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corp.

Bulacan is not only Lipana’s hometown, but public works officials have also accused him of receiving kickbacks from projects in the province.

De Lima also questioned why Cordoba had not communicated with Lipana in writing, given the latter’s medical condition. However, neither the budget sponsor nor the commission provided an answer.

During committee-level budget hearings, Cordoba committed to personally addressing the conflict-of-interest concerns with Lipana once the commissioner returned from medical leave. That leave was expected to end in September.

As of October, however, Lipana remains hospitalized. In the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing, state auditor Tracy Ann Sunico said Lipana was in Singapore.

Cagas only said that the COA commits to exhausting all means to communicate with Lipana.

De Lima then asked whether a motu proprio investigation has been launched into Lipana’s ties and involvement with a government contractor, to which Cagas said the Ombudsman already has.

This was already confirmed about a week ago during COA’s first round of plenary debates.

Two separate testimonies have tied Lipana to irregularities in infrastructure projects in Bulacan.

Dismissed district engineer Henry Alcantara claimed Lipana received P1.4 billion in kickbacks from local projects. In a corroborating narrative, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Roberto Bernardo said Lipana asked to be introduced to officials from Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office.

He said he referred Lipana to Brice Hernandez, another DPWH official who has since been dismissed and implicated in the flood control controversy.

Apart from the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice said it is also reviewing Lipana’s liability in the case, especially as state auditors are involved in conducting post-audits for public works projects.

De Lima warned again that if Lipana refuses to step down, Congress may have to file impeachment raps against him.

After months of renovation for next year’s Asean Summit, the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City has been reopened.

‘We recognize the PICC as a symbol of Filipino resilience and creativity. That is why, with the PICC’s golden anniversary in 2026 and, coincidentally, our hosting of the ASEAN Summit, we reaffirmed our commitment to preserving and modernizing the PICC for many generations yet to come,’ President Marcos said yesterday.

Closed for renovation in March, the PICC will showcase a newly curated art collection and key pieces from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), he noted.

Owned by the BSP, the PICC was opened to the public on Sept. 5, 1976, during the term of Marcos’ father and namesake.

Among the historic events held at the PICC were the Miss Universe pageant in 1994 and the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reaffirmed in finality its decision to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth Party-list, effectively leaving three seats in the 20th Congress up for grabs.

In its September 30 ruling made public on October 1, the Comelec en banc affirmed that Duterte Youth’s registration was invalid from the beginning for failing to publish its petition and hearing notice, a responsibility of the party-list rather than the poll body.

Beyond the jurisdictional requirement, the poll body also cited six grounds to cancel Duterte Youth’s registration.

Among these were ‘untruthful statements’ on its nominees’ eligibility and the mass withdrawal of nominees in 2019, which led chairperson Ronald Cardema to attempt a substitution despite being over the age limit to represent the youth.

Comelec called this ‘back-and-forth switching’ a ‘mockery’ in the election process.

The en banc also upheld the view that Duterte Youth failed to prove its genuine intent to represent the youth sector, adding that its calls for violence against groups it branded as subversive, including activists, went beyond political rhetoric.

The last two grounds cited by the poll body were violations of election rules and laws, particularly the National Youth Commission’s support for Duterte Youth. Cardema chaired the NYC Luzon Commission from 2017 to 2018 before being promoted to national chair later that year.

Comelec also explained that the ruling became immediately executory since the Supreme Court did not issue any temporary restraining order within 30 days of Duterte Youth’s receipt of the decision to deny the party-list’s motion for reconsideration.

Cardema, in a Facebook post, accused the poll body of accepting bribes to cancel the group’s claim to three House seats.

Duterte Youth’s canceled registration was borne out of a 2019 disqualification petition filed by four private individuals, with the Comelec eventually echoing their arguments in its 2025 decision.

The party-list, whose name stands for ‘Duty To Energize the Republic Through the Enlightenment of the Youth,’ has long aligned itself with the Duterte administration and family since it was founded in 2016.

In the 2025 party-list race, it received about 2.34 million votes, placing second and earning three seats under the Party-List System Act.

But with its final disqualification, the suspended proclamation was voided – and the three seats are now expected to go to party-lists that originally fell short of the cutoff.

Comelec Chair George Garcia said the three party-lists set to take over Duterte Youth’s seats will be proclaimed on Thursday, October 2.

Based on the party-list rankings, Abono, Ang Probinsiyano and Murang Kuryente could each secure one seat.

In today’s hyper-transparent world, companies rise and fall not only on the strength of their balance sheets, but also on the credibility of their leaders. This truth was once again underscored with the release of the CARMA PH CEO Media Index Report 2025, which I had the privilege of unveiling during my plenary talk at the 32nd National PR Congress of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

The Index, developed by global media intelligence firm CARMA, provides a detailed analysis of how ten of the Philippines’ top CEOs are portrayed in traditional and digital media. It goes beyond counting clippings or mentions. Specifically, CARMA profiles CEOs based on five trust-building attributes:

Strong leadership: The ability to guide and influence others while effectively communicating vision and actions in ways that shape public perception and trust.

Strong communication skills: Delivering meaningful and favorable content for the brand.

Great foresight: Showing critical thinking when it comes to future planning and possibilities.

Openness and transparency: A readiness to communicate openly and share clear, honest and accessible information.

Ethical behavior: Acting with integrity and responsibility, ensuring decisions and actions align with moral values.

Who stood out

The 2025 results put Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) and Ramon S. Ang (RSA) at the top of the rankings.

MVP dominated coverage in infrastructure, telecommunications and sports, often framed as a leader with great foresight and strong leadership in industries crucial to national development. RSA, meanwhile, was highly visible in aviation, energy and philanthropy, frequently highlighted for his decisiveness and social responsibility.

But perhaps the most telling finding is that ethical leadership was largely absent from media narratives, even in coverage of CEOs’ sustainability initiatives and commitments. The exception was RSA, who was consistently portrayed as acting with integrity and responsibility, particularly when his companies’ community support and disaster relief programs were covered.

Another important insight is that while CEOs often appear in news stories, headline visibility was limited. Two executives stood out here: MVP, through his leadership of Meralco and RSA, through his stewardship of Petron Corp. and San Miguel Corp. Both registered the highest number of headlines directly carrying their names, highlighting their prominence not just in the body of stories, but in the most visible and influential parts of coverage.

The Index also captured how new leadership can draw immediate attention. Carl Raymond Cruz of Globe Telecom, who took the helm in April 2025, was featured in a significant number of headlines compared to other CEOs. His entry into a critical industry at a pivotal time was quickly reflected in heightened media visibility, underscoring how leadership transitions can shape reputational narratives.

Why this matters

The results of the Media Index matters because the CEO effect on reputation is enormous. Global studies suggest that as much as 45 percent to 50 percent of a company’s reputation is directly attributed to its chief executive.

When a CEO is consistently framed with trust attributes the halo effect extends to the entire organization. It enhances investor confidence, reassures regulators, builds customer loyalty and boosts employee morale. Conversely, when CEOs are portrayed as opaque, inconsistent or ethically questionable, the reputational damage cascades from the individual down to the enterprise.

In short, CEOs are no longer just managers. They are frontliners of reputation and their visibility and credibility can either stabilize or destabilize corporate trust.

A tool for PR professionals

What makes the CARMA CEO Media Index especially valuable is that it is not just a research report. It is a practical tool for communicators.

PR professionals can use it to:

Benchmark executive visibility and credibility against peers and competitors, showing boards how their CEO stacks up in the public arena.

Diagnose reputational strengths and gaps by analyzing which trust attributes are consistently associated with their CEO, and which are absent or underplayed in media coverage.

Guide content and engagement strategies, for example, if a CEO is seen as strong on leadership but weak on openness and transparency, communicators can design speaking opportunities, interviews and digital engagement to reinforce that missing attribute.

Defend budgets and strategies by presenting objective, third-party data to CEOs, CFOs and boards, proving that PR outcomes are measurable, comparable and actionable.

In essence, the Index transforms PR from reporting vanity metrics to presenting boardroom-ready insights. It equips communicators with the language and evidence that decision-makers respect.

Implications for reputation management

The implications are clear: reputation management today must include executive positioning as a strategic priority. It is no longer enough for companies to tell great brand stories or launch creative campaigns. The CEO’s narrative has become a core driver of stakeholder trust.

This means:

CEOs must embody strong leadership and foresight in ways that inspire stakeholders.

Communications teams must help leaders demonstrate openness and transparency, particularly in moments of scrutiny.

Ethical behavior must move from being absent in coverage to being central, and PR must help CEOs communicate these commitments credibly.

The bigger message is this: the plot twist in public relations is not about chasing more attention. It is about proving credibility and banking trust.

For communicators, the challenge is to stop measuring noise and start managing narratives. For CEOs, the challenge is to recognize that they are not just figureheads of companies, they are the currency of corporate trust.

And for organizations as a whole, the reminder is timely: in an economy where scrutiny is sharper and trust is fragile, reputation is built not only on what companies do, but on how their leaders are seen, heard and believed.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association is alarmed by the way access to coverage was used recently as a backhanded form of censorship, and is concerned about its impact on members of the free press.

The decision taken by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and its president, Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, on September 23, 2025, revoking the credentials of Spin.ph, a digital site of 13 years’ standing, has spurred the PSA into strengthening the protection of its members from all forms of pressure and harassment while in the performance of their duties.

That these credentials were eventually restored is not enough. We acknowledge the effort made to restore Spin.ph’s accreditation, but we call attention to the fact that revoking the website’s access should never have occurred to begin with. Let us be clear: the very fact that the press is barred, however briefly and inconsequentially – and for no justifiable reason – is unacceptable.

Standing by the belief that the issuance and revocation of media credentials must never be used against reporting that is honest, hard-nosed, and executed without fear or favor, the PSA is adopting the following measure:

Henceforth, any official or organization responding to critical reporting by withholding or forfeiting a PSA member’s standard access to any coverage without due process and prior notice will be declared persona non grata.

Censorship does not always arrive as a law or as an organizational rule. Sometimes it comes as a locked gate, a revoked pass, or an inquiring voice admonished, with the hint of repercussions, that it cannot ask the question.

This is clearly prior restraint and strikes at the very heart of a free press.

To ensure that the measure is not subject to misuse, the PSA will:

Police its ranks and provide continuing guidance to its members on fair and impartial reporting.

Create a committee to handle dialogue between officials/athletes/organizations and PSA members to ensure due process in any case where the revocation of credentials is at issue.

Even if the PNVF’s September 23 attack against one media group has been undone, a chilling effect lingers: a whispered warning to journalists that their next critical piece – be it a short or longform article, in video form, as interview transcript – can result in non-access.

In this republic, unless the 1987 Constitution has been upended, freedom of the press is not an optional adjunct – it is a constitutional pillar. Article III, Section 4, is in fact so unequivocal about this that it constructs the point with an admonition: ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.’

The section is so framed that even the combined legislative force of both chambers of Congress and the vast executive powers of the President are not enough to legislate censorship in any form.

It stands to reason that no sports official or organization can.

We pass this measure with a singular conviction: That the PSA, as a member of the country’s free press, cannot, and will not, accept being silenced, not even temporarily. That a single act of suppression, left unchallenged, risks becoming the standard practice of the future. And that today’s exception can become tomorrow’s rule, while today’s silence can become tomorrow’s permanent mistake.

We don’t ask for favors; we ask for fairness.

We don’t seek permission to speak; we seek protection for our speech.

We don’t demand that people we write about meet us with a warm welcome; we demand that they do not thwart us in our work.

We end with this vow: We move forward ready to cover the games with the same vigor and fairness, respect and responsibility, commitment and passion we have always brought to our profession as journalists.

To fulfill this vow, we shall not stand idle when press freedom is threatened – not today, not tomorrow, not ever.