Category: Philippine Star

Creamline will open its title defense without the one player it had hoped would play – Jia de Guzman – as PLDT eyes a third straight title in the forthcoming Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

‘Management has decided Jia is sitting this one out,’ said Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez during yesterday’s PVL presser at the Discovery Suites.

No reason was given but De Guzman is apparently focusing on training for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December with Alas Pilipinas where she is the team captain.

De Guzman, who last saw action for the Cool Smashers two years ago, is expected to return to her mother club in next year’s All-Filipino Conference.

Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters, who have won two titles in a row in the PVL on Tour and Invitational, are hoping the stars would align anew for a shot at a third crown.

Helping the High Speed Hitters in chase of glory is Russian import Anastasia Bavykina.

‘She’s a good fit,’ said PLDT manager Bajjie del Rosario of their reinforcement.

The Reinforced Conference kicks off Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban with ZUS Coffee and Akari pitted in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser followed by the 6:30 p.m. showdown between Capital1 and Choco Mucho.

Interestingly, Petro Gazz, has appointed husband and wife Gary and Lisa Van Sickle as coach and assistant, respectively.

The Marcos administration is considering launching a dedicated auction for nuclear energy projects as the country gears up for its first operational power plant.

The government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), is also open to seeking funding from multilateral agencies to mitigate project risks, according to an energy official.

‘We are studying the possibility of having its (nuclear energy) own auction, but we are looking into the legal framework,’ DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino said yesterday on the sidelines of the 2025 Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF).

Aquino said the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) intends to transition from preparatory activities to implementation-ready frameworks in a bid to achieve the country’s targets.

Under the existing nuclear roadmap, the Philippines wants to have at least 1,200 megawatts of commercially operational power plants by 2032 and to scale this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

Aquino, who serves as NEP-IAC technical secretariat head, said it is also a ‘very good idea’ to tap the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank to help minimize financial risk exposure for nuclear proponents.

‘We’re hopeful that with the push of the United States, multilateral agencies like the World Bank and ADB will revisit their investment direction and instruction when it comes to nuclear because right now, they’re not actively investing in nuclear power projects,’ he said.

With the recent passage of the nuclear safety law and the implementation of energy reforms, Aquino is optimistic that the Philippines’ nuclear ambitions could attract more foreign investments.

The 2025 PINSCF, for instance, drew nuclear technology leaders, policymakers, regulators, industrial partners and development agencies from the US, South Korea, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Argentina.

These participating countries, he noted, are all interested in supporting the Philippines’ nuclear journey.

‘It was a privilege to learn from these different countries successfully operating resilient nuclear plants and reaping benefits from their safe use,’ Aquino said.

‘We will continue to strengthen the ties we have forged in the two forums as we work toward achieving a clean, reliable and secure energy future for the country,’ he said.

President Marcos recently signed a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

Republic Act 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act provides the legal and institutional groundwork for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power.

According to Aquino, the law’s implementing rules and regulations are targeted to be issued within this year.

This week I attended an embassy reception, for the first time in months – not only because I like the ambassador, but also to find out if the Filipino party crowd had thinned since the flood control scandal erupted.

Sure enough, for the first time since I began attending such receptions ages ago, I didn’t spot any senator or prominent congressman in the crowd. No Cabinet secretary or well-known local government official either.

An analyst joked that no one wanted to be caught getting off a Mercedes Benz-Maybach S-Class backed by a security convoy of several identical black Benz SUVs. I actually spotted such a Benz fleet parked outside one house in Forbes Park just last week.

These days, folks avoid being seen strutting in Manolo Blahniks, holding a Hermes clutch while flashing a Patek Philippe wristwatch along with a huge Paraiba tourmaline ring.

If you can’t flaunt those ultra-luxe baubles at parties, why attend?

In the hotel basement parking area I spotted a Maserati and a Lexus. I wondered if those were among the luxury vehicles now being hunted down for seizure by the state.

All is not lost for the conspicuous consumers; they can still use their hard-stolen money to splurge on luxuries under the radar of the envious scrum. A public works employee, for example, has reportedly just plunked a cool P2 million in advance payment for dental implants.

But overall, the fun has been taken out of wealth flaunting by the obscenely rich.

This embarrassment over the ostentatious display of fantabulous wealth has descended on the country practically overnight.

It happened after the systematic looting of public coffers for personal purposes came to light, in the most public way, beginning with that privilege speech by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

That kind of public shaming could not have happened if the offenses imputed on thieves had been kept under wraps, with the plunderers invoking presumption of innocence and presumption of regularity in their official acts.

This is another reason why public hearings are so important.

The bicameral conference in the previous 19th Congress has been dubbed the Chamber of Secrets, where magical things happened to the national budget that would put to shame Voldemort, the villain ‘who must not be named’ in the Harry Potter series.

It turns out that there were several Chambers of Secrets in the budget process, among them the House ‘small committee’ where no minutes were kept. The chair of the Senate finance committee at the time, Grace Poe, says she did not take part in any small committee for the budget. She did disclose that P26 billion was inserted for AKAP or the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, with the Senate agreeing after P5 billion was allotted to its members and P21 billion went to the House.

Poe faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure a week ago. But the ICI session with her was closed to the public, although she answered questions from the media afterward. The Discayas also faced the ICI and gave a ‘tell all, plus plus’ (as per the couple’s lawyer).

We may never know the full details of what Poe, the Discayas or sacked public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told the ICI. The commission is starting to be seen (unfairly, according to its defenders) as the latest addition to the Chambers of Secrets.

Another chamber is the Supreme Court, which did not bother holding oral arguments on a case so vital as the impeachment of the vice president of the republic. The SC, whose members probably believe they are indeed gods unaccountable to no one, were in such an admirable rush to resolve that case it even used among its premises for its decision a non-existent news report. Our country faces a plague of ghosts.

The record of the judiciary in resolving cases is one of the reasons why there is such dismay over the decision of the ICI to hold its hearings behind closed doors.

Defenders of the ICI want critics to give the commission a chance, saying its method is similar to Special Counsel investigations in the US. But all along, legal illiterates like me thought it would be patterned after the Philippines’ Agrava Fact-Finding Board on the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, whose hearings were open to the public. Perhaps President Marcos should have clarified this matter when he organized the ICI with the promise of promoting transparency.

The ICI wants the nation to wait for its findings to be known as the details are processed through the usual legal channels.

It’s a reasonable request, if only our legal system wasn’t in such a mess. Those who want ICI sessions to be opened to the public don’t want to wait for months or even years to find out how we lost trillions in tax money to thieves. As the cases crawl along at the usual glacial pace in the judicial mill, the looters will be demanding (as is their right) presumption of innocence. They will be working to unfreeze their assets to finance their legal battles, and possibly buy their way back to politics. They could employ delaying tactics in court, after which they can move to have the case dismissed for inordinate delay, or else claim advanced age and cognitive decline to end their prosecution.

As we have seen, that’s a ginormous amount of money we’re talking about here, which can be deployed for magical political comebacks.

The various Chambers of Secrets could be perceived, unfairly or not, to be complicit in this.

We can wait for the new minority in the Senate to present another witness, even without Lacson’s by-your-leave, against the guy Senator Chiz refers to as he who must not be named.

Escudero must also be a Harry Potter fan. He might want to amplify calls for open hearings by the ICI. But it can’t be a selective call, covering only he who must not be named. Open hearings will be the quickest way for Escudero to refute the accusations against him, hit back at his critics and bolster claims of innocence.

The gods of Padre Faura – and their retired colleague in the ICI – may want to take inspiration from God’s order: let there be light.

Asiabest [ABG 26.00 unch; 10% avgVol] [link] said it has executed a subscription agreement with Concrete Stone Corp. (CSC), owned by builder Francis Lloyd Chua, at a ‘discounted’ price of P15 a share, valuing the deal at P150 million. In a disclosure, ABG said it made the initial investment on 29 September 2025 through the subscription of 10 million primary common shares in CSC. The company said the transaction will provide working capital for CSC and is ‘in line with the corporation’s plan to fold CSC as its subsidiary.’ The investment is part of a broader transaction with Chua’s two firms: Industry Holdings and Development Corp. (IHDC), which manufactures construction solution materials through CSC, and Premium Lands Corp. (PLC), a developer behind the Kabalayan mass housing brand. IHDC and PLC offered to subscribe to up to 6 million new common shares in ABG at P25 apiece, valuing the deal at P15 billion, in exchange for shares in CSC, Industry Movers Corp. and/or Kabalayan, as well as ‘specified real properties.’ ABG said it will raise its authorized capital stock to accommodate the share-for-share and share-for-real-estate swap.

MB bottom-line: ABG is now owned and controlled by Francis Lloyd Chua, who also owns and controls CSC and a somewhat diversified group of other companies. This subscription by ABG basically transfers capital from ABG to CSC, that I presume CSC will use to finance the build-out of the manufacturing facility construction that it announced in August. While this stake doesn’t make CSC a subsidiary of ABG, it is in the company’s plan to acquire CSC by Q1/26, so any stake buy now will make the eventual push to acquire control that much easier. Still, since this activity all springs from a backdoor listing, we’re basically flying blind with respect to value. Is this a good move for ABG shareholders, or are they now holding Mr. Chua’s bags? We just have to wait.

Foodies in the Philippines can now savor the taste of Osaka’s award-winning yakitori as Ikoka Japanese Yakitori opening its doors in Metro Manila.

Founded by Chef Masashi Hara and recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand for five consecutive years, the restaurant has earned global acclaim for its mastery of yakitori or grilled chicken skewers.

Each skewer enhanced with salt or signature tare sauce reflects years of artisan training, a craft that has placed Ikoka among Japan’s most celebrated dining experiences.

“Yakitori is more than food – it is culture, tradition, and craftsmanship,” Chef Masashi in a statement, adding that chefs in the Philippines have been trained to deliver the same Michelin-recognized quality and authentic flavors as in Japan.

The newly opened restaurant showcases wood-crafted interiors inspired by Japanese design, offering a refined yet inviting atmosphere suitable for dates, family gatherings, or business occasions.

Counter seating provides diners with a front-row view of the live grilling, creating an immersive culinary experience.

The Philippines marks an important milestone in Ikoka’s global expansion vision. With a vibrant, youthful market and strong appreciation for authentic dining, the country is a natural home for Osaka’s renowned yakitori tradition.

The restaurant is now open at Bonifacio Global City’s Two Meridian in Taguig.

Content creator couple Cong TV and Viy Cortez are allowing their son Kidlat to explore his curiosity freely.

Kidlat was recently tapped as an ambassador of Kids Learning Ville, during the launch of which Cong shared he and Viy let Kidlat discover what he wants to be in life.

That includes explosing him to as many activities possible to see what catches the three-year-old’s eye.

“Pa-discover mo lahat. Pakita mo sa kanya yung gitara, piano, soccer, kung anong mga activity. Doon talaga nagsisimula para mahanap mo kung ano yung mga bagay na passion niya paglaki,” Cong added, noting how basketball stayed with him since childhood.

Cong did admit it will take years for Kidlat to become ready to explore more things, “Tina-try naming ipakita sa kanya lahat ng puwedeng ma-experience sa mundong ito kahit ganito pa lang ang edad niya.”

At the moment Cong and Viy are seeing Kidlat try out swimming, however the child always cries in the pool as he doesn’t enjoy being underwater.

On her part, Viy said that they are letting Kidlat choose his own path without any pressure.

“Hindi ko muna iniisip kung magiging doktor ba ‘to o vlogger. Basta ako, mabuti lang siya,” Viy shared. “Kung gusto niya maging Spider-man. Ako, wala akong, ‘Gusto ko paglaki mo.’ Sa akin, wala.”

Viy noted how young their son still is and wants to just enjoy, so she and Cong are there to support him.

She did recall something Cong told her while she was pregnant with Kidlat upon asking what they’d do if their son had different interests.

“Ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Alam mo, yung anak mo, hindi mo pagmamay-ari. Nandiyan ka para lang i-guide. Kung ano yung gusto niya maging paglaki niya, nandiyan ka para i-guide, pero hindi para sabihin na hindi yan dapat gawin. Nandiyan ka lang to guide,'” Viy ended.

The business community is becoming highly skeptical about the viability of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) created by President Marcos to look into the massive corruption in flood control projects.

In fact, the business sector has expressed the belief that the ICI probe may be doomed from the start, with a nebulous goal, funding, manpower and legal authority to mete punishment on those it is supposed to investigate.

As Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro had previously said, the ICI is merely a fact-finding body that is not supposed to mete punishment on any person who does not attend the hearings of the commission.

Sources in the business community point out that the scope of the investigation by the ICI is a logistical nightmare alone in hiring clerical staff, investigators, lawyers and competent assessors to help collect, check, verify documents and records, and then to compile and safeguard all testimonies, documents and paperwork submitted and gathered by the commission on the numerous flood projects that involves several government agencies.

The investigation, business observers note, could very well cover at least 10 years, and would therefore take even more time to validate and check.

While they are glad that former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson is part of the ICI, sources say that he was only prevailed upon by President Marcos to join the commission, even as he had previously rejected a return to government.

Singson’s corruption-free stint at the DPWH during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III has earned him the respect of international financial and aid organizations.

In fact, in a recent Asian Development Bank infrastructure seminar, just before the ICI was formed to investigate the corruption in flood control projects, Singson had told members of the media who attended the event about his strict and business approach to dealing with legislators and contractors who visited his office.

According to Singson, ‘Unlike others, I never offer my visitors anything to eat or drink when they come, because I do not want them to become comfortable or too friendly and stay longer than needed.’

Singson preferred to keep a formal and arms length approach in all his government dealings.

Perhaps, this approach in the conduct of the ICI hearings is being followed, much to the dislike and suspicion of some observers, since a public hearing allows for some theatrics by some of the legislators and witnesses.

The coverage of the investigation, sources said, is so extensive, and to synthesize all of the findings would itself be a humongous undertaking that may not be credibly completed in just a couple of months.

There is likewise no set timetable for the ICI to complete its work, leaving suspicion and causing frustration that the whole exercise is just a ploy to string the public along until the people get tired and bored, and decide to move on to the next political brouhaha.

The recent resignation of Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is also being met with dismay by the business sector, which heightens their suspicion about the ability of the ICI to complete its task.

In the meantime, the stock market continues to tank while the economic managers continue to wax optimistic, and the political pot continues to be stirred by talks of military dissatisfaction.

Businessmen admit that the corruption probe has had a ‘chilling effect’ on business and the construction sector, which has a multiplier effect on the economy, has slowed down.

Fortunately, local and international economists remain optimistic that while the Philippine growth scenario will not be as robust as originally projected at the start of this year, it will remain in a slightly lower growth scenario even with the risks it faces.

The ADB, just this week, affirmed a resilient growth outlook for the country while acknowledging some uncertainties from global trade and investment policies and continued and heightened geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and from the Russian-Ukraine war.

In a briefing, ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries acknowledged that ‘Though these uncertainties pose increased risk, we see strong domestic demand anchoring growth, with sustained investments and an accommodative monetary policy supporting the economy’s expansion.’

The ADB forecasts inflation to ease this year, slowing to 1.8 percent before rising to three percent next year. It notes though that adverse weather conditions and climate shocks could put pressure on commodity prices.

Other downside risks to the growth outlook, the ADB cited, are external headwinds from heightened uncertainty, further shifts in global economic policies, and rising trade barriers that could affect market sentiment and hinder economic growth.

One factor it highlighted could be the fragility of China’s property market ‘that could weaken growth in the rest of the region.’

Sustained government investments, including for social services, are seen boosting domestic demand, the report said. Business sentiment remained positive, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Q2 2025 survey, though softer amid external headwinds.

Consumer outlook stayed optimistic for 2026. This bodes well for private consumption growth, which is partly supported by steady inflow of remittances from overseas Filipinos.

The government, the ADB noted, aims to maintain infrastructure spending at five to six percent of gross domestic product, or GDP, over the medium term.

The recently signed Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way Act is expected to streamline land acquisition process for government and public-private partnership projects, which will help speed up infrastructure investments.

The new law, the ADB said, would benefit the government’s flagship projects, including the ADB-financed Malolos-Clark Railway Project and the South Commuter Railway project that would will link Metro Manila to northern and southern provinces in the Luzon region; and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project that will connect the province of Cavite to Bataan and shorten travel time between the two provinces.

The trial of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s graft cases on the alleged misuse of his discretionary public funds or pork barrel will proceed as the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan junked his plea to dismiss the cases for lack of merit.

In a 22-page resolution, Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division said there was no cogent reason to reverse its earlier resolution that denied Estrada’s demurrer to evidence, which would effectively dismiss his remaining graft charges involving the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amounting to over P200 million.

The funds were allegedly diverted to fake livelihood projects that were endorsed to non-government organizations allegedly owned by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, who has had numerous convictions over the misuse of the pork barrel funds.

The anti-graft court rejected Estrada’s argument that there should not be any prosecution for graft since there was already a prosecution against him for plunder from the ‘same set of facts and the same set of transactions.’

The court said there was nothing in the Rules of Court or the laws that there was a directive to dismiss a separate case for graft on account of the charge ‘being a predicate act in a prior case for plunder.’

It also maintained that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case to support a guilty verdict.

‘The only reason to sustain such an argument would be if the same places the accused in double jeopardy, which is not the case herein, as shall be discussed by the court later,’ the resolution read.

The Sandiganbayan also disagreed with Estrada’s argument that the prosecution failed to prove that there was an intent to commit wrongdoing on his part, saying he never knew of the supposed scheme to misuse his PDAF.

The court cited the testimony of Ruby Tuason, who testified she met with Estrada and told him of the scheme of Janet Napoles and that she personally delivered amounts to him at the Senate and at his house.

It also cited the testimony of Benhur Luy, who said he had endorsement letters signed by Estrada through a member of his staff.

‘Estrada’s insistence on the innocuousness of his endorsements is belied by its repetition and deviation from the established procedure,’ the court said.

‘Estrada’s endorsement letters directly implicate him for the crimes charged and there is no basis for his argument that his letters were merely recommendatory,’ it added.

The Sandiganbayan set the presentation of defense evidence on Oct. 2.

The resolution, dated Oct. 1, was signed by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, the division chair; and Associate Justices Maryann Corpus-Mañalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega.

With his medical condition in question, pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) may tap qualified experts to conduct an independent assessment on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s fitness to participate in court proceedings.

The ICC Registry, which is in charge of administration and operations of the court, formally informed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 that the medical officer of the tribunal’s detention facility ‘does not possess the requisite expertise of judicial knowledge to provide such an assessment regarding a detained person’s fitness to stand trial.’

Following the defense’s claim that Duterte is unfit to stand trial, the pre-trial chamber directed the ICC Detention Center’s medical officer to submit a report on the former president’s medical condition.

The Registry, however, told judges that the medical officer’s mandate is only limited to the oversight of the physical and mental health of the detained persons.

While the medical officer can provide limited observations on the health of a detainee, matters related to ‘long-term adjustments to hearing arrangements’ and other issues already fall outside its mandate, the Registry said.

But it said that the Registry maintains a roster of qualified experts who may provide services to the court.

‘The Registry stands ready to provide the Chamber with a shortlisted curriculum vitae of suitable experts from this list in line with the Chamber’s requirements, for its consideration, should the Chamber so decide,’ it added.

Duterte’s defense team has moved to adjourn the trial on the basis of supposed cognitive decline of the former president.

The prosecution has disputed this claim and pushed for the resumption of the proceedings.

Groups slam Senate pro-Duterte resolution

Meanwhile, lawyer’s group Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) decried senators who adopted Senate Resolution 144 urging the ICC to place Duterte under house arrest, asking if those who voted in favor also have compassion and mercy for the thousands of Filipinos who were killed in the war on drugs.

‘Calling for his house arrest is not an act of mercy. It is an act of betrayal,’ the IDEALS said in a statement.

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives denounced the move, saying ‘this is not a humanitarian gesture, but a brazen attempt to obstruct justice and protect a mass murderer responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings.’

‘The senators resolution is not about pity or rights, but a clear cover-up on the crimes of Duterte. This is an example of oppression of justice for the families of the victims of drug war,’ said Act Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co described the measure as ‘nothing more than a political maneuver designed to protect Duterte and his cohorts from facing the full weight of international justice.’

‘The Senators’ resolution is an insult to the families who lost their loved ones due to the endless battering of Duterte’s fake drug war,’ Gabriela women’s party Rep. Sarah Elago said.

No effect

Kristina Conti, a lawyer representing some drug war victims, said the Senate resolution would have no effect on the ongoing proceedings at the international tribunal.

Conti described the passage of the resolution as counterproductive ‘as the Senate is not in any way involved in the ICC process.’

‘It is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court. Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,’ she said.

According to Conti, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 would only consider matters of fact and law as it evaluates various requests filed by Duterte’s lawyers, including the plea for his interim release.

She described Senate Resolution 144 as mere ‘political noise’ that could even ‘backfire’ on efforts to secure Duterte’s release from detention.

The move, she said, can be viewed as political intrusion and a form of undermining the ICC’s independence.

‘The court may also see this as conclusive proof that the Dutertes still exercise significant political clout nationwide. Duterte family members are in positions in Davao, which is why he cannot simply go home there,’ Conti said.

Fifteen senators voted in favor of the resolution calling for the house arrest of Duterte on the basis of humanitarian considerations. At least three opposed it, two abstained and four did not participate in the voting.

For Conti, given that one of the sponsors ‘is probably among the co-perpetrators of crimes against humanity being investigated by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor,’ passing the resolution was ‘patently self-serving.’

Among those who supported the measure was Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is also reportedly being investigated by the ICC for his role as Duterte’s first police chief.

The activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the senators who adopted the resolution are ‘political opportunists.’

Meanwhile, acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte is seeking the disbarment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon before the Supreme Court.

The mayor’s lawyer Israelito Torreon refused to divulge details of the complaint but said it was related to the former president’s arrest and transfer to The Hague in March, which they described as ‘illegal’ kidnapping and expulsion. – Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Daphne Galvez

Several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, including those who have been fired or suspended, are now undergoing what amounts to lifestyle checks.

Their assets have been frozen by the courts upon the recommendation of the Anti-Money Laundering Council. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is working with the AMLC and state prosecutors to determine if tax returns match declared incomes. The Bureau of Customs and Land Transportation Office are also providing inputs in determining if assets are ill-gotten.

Now we know that it isn’t impossible to carry out this type of inter-agency cooperation in trying to ferret out illegally amassed wealth.

Such multi-agency cooperation need not wait for a law against racketeering, which legislators have refused to craft as much as they have resisted proposals for regulating campaign finance, easing bank secrecy rules and curbing political dynasties.

President Marcos ordered the lifestyle checks in the final week of August, with an initial focus on DPWH officials and employees implicated in the flood control scandal.

Inevitably, he was urged to lead by example. In response, Malacañang said the President is ready to undergo a lifestyle check. The Office of the Vice President issued a similar statement, saying OVP officials and employees are also ready.

Now that the DPWH officials face asset checks, Malacañang can make good on its statement and start expanding the initiative.

A good start will be the release of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of the President since he assumed power. Several SALNs are needed to assess any wealth increase or reduction in the past three years. Malacañang has said scrutiny of SALNs is part of the lifestyle checks.

With the President getting the ball rolling, Cabinet members can follow, since they are tasked to oversee the lifestyle checks in their respective agencies.

There’s no need to wait for an order from the Office of the Ombudsman, which has not prohibited anyone from voluntarily making one’s SALN public.

There’s also no need to wait for a formal request from any entity such as media organizations. The three representatives of the Akbayan party-list plus a former member of the group who is currently sitting in Congress released their SALNs to the public with no one formally requesting it.

Before the previous ombudsman turned the SALN into a top-secret document, it was an annual routine for officials starting with the president and all members of both chambers of Congress to release their SALNs, or at least make public the amounts they declared as assets, liabilities and net worth. It’s time to restore this practice.