Category: Philippine Star

Amid the flood control scandal, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has been appointed as ombudsman, declaring he will spare no one being linked to corruption, including Vice President Sara Duterte and her supporters.

Remulla, who gave the clearance for the arrest of the Vice President’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court, succeeds Samuel Martires, whose term ended in July.

After being officially informed of his appointment yesterday, Remulla said he is taking the job ‘amidst a firestorm’ of issues, especially the flood control scandal. He vowed to ‘sort out this mess’ and prosecute those accountable.

‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ Malacañang said in announcing the appointment of Remulla.

The formal announcement of Remulla’s appointment was preempted last Sunday by President Marcos’ elder sister and Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos, who described the incoming ombudsman as ‘unworthy’ and ‘tainted with injustice.’

Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will serve as DOJ officer-in-charge.

Malacañang brushed aside criticisms of Remulla’s designation, maintaining that the Marcos administration ‘remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists.’

‘As ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Asked to react to concerns that Remulla would not be impartial as an ombudsman, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the justice chief went through a ‘very stringent process’ required under the Constitution and was vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

‘I don’t believe there is basis to that concern,’ Gomez told reporters yesterday. ‘We have the highest confidence in Secretary Remulla. He will be very impartial when he assumes his new role as the ombudsman.’

Pressed about Remulla’s advantage over the other candidates, Gomez replied: ‘At the end of the day, after the President receives the recommendation of the JBC, it is still the decision of the President after he receives the shortlist.’

Remulla was appointed the 59th secretary of the Department of Justice in June 2022. According to the PCO, the DOJ under Remulla advanced major reforms to modernize the justice system, decongest prisons, accelerate case resolution and expand access to legal services.

Remulla’s decades of service as a legislator, governor and lawyer have earned him ‘broad respect for his integrity and commitment to public service,’ the government’s lead communication arm added.

President Marcos ‘reaffirms that transparency, fairness and the rule of law will remain the guiding principles of this administration’s pursuit of a Bagong Pilipinas that truly serves the Filipino people,’ Gomez said.

The incoming ombudsman completed his political science and law degrees at the University of the Philippines.

No weaponization of law

Interviewed after his appointment, Remulla vowed more transparency in the ombudsman’s investigations. He also vowed not to weaponize the law against the administration’s political foes, addressing critics who claim he would be an attack dog against the allies of the Duterte family.

‘The law will not be weaponized, I’m making sure of that,’ he said.

‘There should be no weaponization of the office. There should be real gathering of evidence, strong evidence that would be presented to the courts. We want continuous and speedy trial,’ he added.

He also vowed to give the media and the public greater access to the operations of the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘I think there will be more interviews and news coming from the ombudsman’s office when we start there. I think it’s a necessity because the people are really craving for transparency and accountability,’ he said at a press briefing.

‘It’s not just prosecutorial, it’s also the voice of the people. Whatever the government needs to do should be closely watched by the ombudsman,’ he said.

He also plans to introduce ‘crowdsourcing mechanisms’ to allow the public to submit leads or information that could help in the investigation of erring officials.

Remulla said he expects to be sworn into office by Oct. 9 and buckle down to work the following day.

His marching orders from President Marcos, he said, is to ‘prioritize the accountability of public officers.’

ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said Remulla should prove that he is more loyal to the people than to the President who appointed him as ombudsman.

‘Now more than ever, we need a true tanodbayan – an ombudsman who is loyal to the people, not to the one who appointed him. This remains to be seen with the newly appointed Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who must prove his independence,’ De Lima said in a statement.

‘Now that we have an ombudsman, the investigation and filing of cases, not only in the anomalous flood control projects, but also in the rampant corruption, plunder and collusion in government,’ De Lima said.

‘He should not favor anyone, he should not spare anyone. He should listen to the voise of the people who are too angry with corruption,’ she said.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said Remulla, as new ombudsman, should allow public access to the Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials.

Cendaña said the new ombudsman should also ‘begin the process of filing criminal cases against those involved in the massive flood control corruption.’

He said the previous ombudsman ‘became a barrier to transparency and accountability of public officials,’ referring to Samuel Martires, who restricted public access to SALN of government officials.

Sharp legal mind

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said President Marcos’ appointment of Remula was an acknowledgement of the former justice chief’s sharp legal mind.

‘That fact was known to the President and that was what mattered. As justice secretary, Remulla served the country with exemplary distinction. He infused energy and meticulousness into how the DOJ did its work to pursue justice for Filipinos,’ Garbin, a member of the Commission on Appointments, said in a statement.

‘Not even health issues could stop him because even from the hospital, he was running the department. He chose his team well because it ran efficiently while he was recovering. As soon as he was well enough, he returned to the DOJ with even more fighting spirit,’ he added.

For Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the appointment of Remulla as ombudsman ‘is an important addition to the country’s accountability mechanisms, particularly in bringing to justice the perpetrators of corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects – whoever they may be and whenever these acts may have been committed.’

In a statement, Ridon said Remulla is empowered to initiate both administrative and criminal proceedings against all individuals found liable for the plunder of public funds like public works officials, legislators, executive officials and government contractors.

For Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Remulla’s appointment as ombudsman is a ‘mockery of our Constitution.’ He said Marcos appointed Remulla to conceal corruption issues besetting his administration.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Appointments yesterday deferred the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of retired Supreme Court justice Jose Mendoza as a member and as a retired justices’ representative in the Judicial and Bar Council.

The CA committee on justice and the JBC deferred Mendoza’s confirmation and recommendation to the plenary due to ‘lack of material time.’

Mendoza’s confirmation was deferred after Senator Marcos questioned the JBC’s leniency in the application for the ombudsman shortlist of Remulla.

Marcos and her allies blocked Remulla’s application by filing cases and disbarment against Remulla before the Office of the Ombudsman for his role in the arrest and turnover to The Hague of former president Duterte.

Remulla was appointed to the ombudsman post despite the controversy.

During her interpellation of the applicant, Sen. Marcos questioned the JBC’s inclusion of Remulla in the shortlist despite their opposition.

Mendoza said the JBC cannot disclose their closed-door discussions about the applicants. He also noted that Remulla was able to obtain a clearance from the ombudsman for his application.

The ombudsman’s dismissal of the complaint against Remulla convinced the members that the latter was qualified to be included in the shortlist, Mendoza said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has shut down three resorts found to be operating illegally within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in Rizal.

The Danum Baker Resort, Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis have been issued cease and desist orders for allegedly operating without the required permits from the DENR.

The closure order was served on Oct. 3 by a composite team led by DENR Assistant Secretary for legal affairs and enforcement Norlito Eneran, DENR-Calabarzon director Nilo Tamoria and Rizal provincial environment and natural resources officer Ramil Limpiada.

After coordinating with the local government of Baras, the DENR team padlocked the main gate of the Danum Baker Resort in the presence of the resort caretaker.

The team installed a chain and signage marked ‘CLOSED,’ reinforcing an earlier notice of violation issued by the DENR.

At Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis, which share a common entrance, the team found the main gate already locked and unattended.

To allow residents from nearby communities who rely on the route to pass through, the team opted not to padlock the gate.

Instead, a signage marked ‘CLOSED’ was also attached on the common gate of the establishments to inform visitors and excursionists that the resorts are no longer available.

The three resorts were among nine establishments operating within the protected area that were issued either cease and desist or show-cause orders.

The DENR said that among the facilities ordered to stop operating, only the Danum Baker Resort, Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis were found to have defied the closure order.

The remaining six establishments have since complied and ceased operations.

The Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, a critical watershed supplying water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has long been under environmental pressure due to illegal structures and tourism activities.

The brazen corruption surrounding flood control and infrastructure projects is like acid poured on the nation’s wounds. It lays bare how government officials squander hard-earned taxes for personal gain while showing no regard for the people’s welfare. They put millions of Filipinos and their livelihoods in peril to floods while laughing all the way to the bank.

Yet, rather than wielding the full force of the presidency to hold the guilty to account and plug the loopholes in the system, President Marcos has met the scandal with a misplaced reliance on a toothless commission – the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

Weak leadership

The Filipino people would have wanted the President to match its rage (which he professed to share) with decisive actions. These were the steps expected of him:

First, immediately suspend persons of interest – not just contractors and middle-rank DPWH executives, but legislators as well. Any official under credible suspicion should have been relieved of duty pending investigation, not protected by political shields.

Second, the ombudsman and DOJ should have been strengthened and granted full operational autonomy to pursue cases without political interference.

Third, the assets of all persons of interest should have been frozen to prevent laundering or concealment, alongside the swift issuance of hold-departure orders.

Fourth, the President should have directed that hearings of the ombudsman and DOJ be made public, broadcast live and completed within a fixed timeframe.

Fifth, Congress should have been pressed to expedite the enactment of structural reforms (which I outlined last week) to ensure that institutional plunder never happens again.

This is not what we got. From the outset, President Marcos’ response to the scandal has been marked more by emotion than action. Shedding tears on camera may have struck a chord with some, but it revealed a deeper problem – a leader who confuses symbolic grief with decisive governance. Crying over corruption does not dismantle the machinery that enables it nor does it hold the perpetrators to account.

Rather than immediately suspending implicated officials, freezing assets, imposing hold-departure orders and empowering state prosecutors to pursue cases swiftly, the President chose a timid middle ground – the creation of the ICI.

Granted, the ICI can play a role in investigation, but the snail’s pace of its investigations will allow plunderers to cover their tracks and conceal their ill-gotten wealth. It allows the guilty to build their defenses around legalese. It grants corrupt officials the time to intimidate whistleblowers and manipulate documentation. Worse, by relying on hearings and endless ‘fact-finding’ meetings, the ICI’s final report could arrive in months – if not years – way after public anger has waned. This is the classic formula of inaction disguised as accountability.

A toothless ICI, lacking credibility

The ICI may issue subpoenas and recommend suspensions, but beyond that, it has no bite. It has no power to prosecute, arrest or hold anyone in contempt. It can request bank records and testimonies – but cannot compel compliance when the powerful refuse. Instead, it must rely on the cooperation of the very officials it is supposed to investigate. This is not a commission of accountability, it is theater. The ICI projects the illusion of action while giving plunderers a window to escape culpability. In effect, it is an advisory body masquerading as an accountability mechanism.

Barely four weeks since its creation and the ICI has already lost credibility. The resignation of Mayor Benjie Magalong as special adviser and investigator was a serious blow. Magalong gave the ICI a semblance of independence and credibility. His decision to step down, citing doubts over the body’s mandate and independence, signals that the ICI is compromised.

Unfortunately, the personalities left at the helm do not inspire confidence. Chairman Andy Reyes, a retired Supreme Court justice, is viewed by critics as overly cautious and steeped in proceduralism – the kind that allows cases to languish for years. His deferential stance towards the accused makes us uncomfortable, as if he owes them a debt of gratitude.

Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the former PNP chief tapped as Magalong’s replacement, left the police service under a cloud of criticism over the 2022 shabu heist and alleged cover-up. His appointment raises questions about whether the ICI is meant to investigate wrongdoing or to protect political allies.

More disturbing is that the ICI has nothing to show even after four weeks in operation. No high level suspensions, no frozen contracts, no new whistleblower testimonies. In other words, no urgency. Meanwhile, those implicated were given precious weeks to conceal evidence, launder money and tighten political defenses.

The very design of the ICI reveals weakness on the President’s part. Instead of actually being in control, he has effectively outsourced the fight against corruption to a commission ill-equipped to handle entrenched interests.

And by allowing the ICI to take the lead, Marcos positions himself as someone ‘waiting for findings,’ thereby avoiding personal accountability. The ICI serves as a convenient shield. This is not the kind of leadership we need, nor deserve, at this time.

Government is failing us again. Now the burden now falls on the public. Civil society, investigative journalists and watchdog groups must demand transparency at every stage of the investigation. Closed-door hearings, selective leaks or sanitized reports will only protect the guilty. We have seen this happen before.

The proceedings must be broadcasted live, documentary evidence must be made public and the timelines strictly adhered to. Only constant public pressure can prevent the ICI from becoming another shield for the powerful – a smokescreen that hides corruption instead of exposing it.

It’s not too late. Marcos can still course-correct. We hope he rises to the occasion – leading the investigation, restitution, prosecution and structural reforms with the iron hand this crisis demands.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has entered into a long-term lease agreement with the consortium of Istana Development Corp. (IDC) and Meridian Commercial Centers Inc. (MCCI) for the P560-million redevelopment of the Mile-Hi property in Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

The BCDA said the agreement to transform the 6,647-square-meter property into an upscale commercial hub was signed with IDC and MCCI yesterday.

While the property is being redeveloped, the BCDA said the parties would be preserving its historical significance and enhancing the natural environment of the surrounding area.

Under the agreement, the consortium committed to integrate sustainable design features in the property’s redevelopment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption, as well as waste generation.

These may include integrating solar-oriented architecture and green roofs and walls.

‘Mile-Hi will once again be a place that welcomes visitors, strengthens local livelihoods and sustains the spirit of Baguio for generations to come,’ BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said.

MCCI president Jesus Emmanuel Yujuico expressed the organization’s commitment to the project and to work with the BCDA and John Hay Management Corp.

‘We thank BCDA’s leadership for its confidence in our vision that seeks to balance heritage, sustainability and innovation,’ Yujuico said.

The redevelopment of Mile-Hi is in line with the BCDA’s aim to unlock the full potential of Camp John Hay.

The BCDA, which took over Camp John Hay in January, aims to transform the area into an investment hub and premier ecotourism destination.

Filipino fans of “Friends” have the chance at recreating their favorite scenes from the popular series with the arrival of “The Friends Experience” in the Philippines.

After hitting over 30 locations in the United States, Europe, and Australia, the Experience makes its Asian debut in Manila at The Space at Solaire in Parañaque.

Aptly subtitled “The One in Manila,” “The Friends Experience” takes fans through recreated sets from the “Friends” show that starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc.

Iconic sets include the iconic orange couch and fountain from the show’s intro, Joey and Chandler’s living room, Monica’s kitchen, and of course, Central Perk.

There are photo opportunites beside the purple door with a yellow frame, the hallway in between the two apartments, and re-enacting Ross’ attempt to “pivot!” a couch on the stairs.

Outside of recreated sets are props from the show like clothing pegs of each character, several signed scripts, Pat the Dog, and the turkey Monica wore over her head.

Detailed across the walls are numerous quotes and outtakes from the show, kicked off by messages from “Friends” showrunners David Crane and Marta Kauffman.

Fans will be most eager to read the full 18-page (back-to-front) letter Rachel wrote to Ross after snapping photos at her different hairstyles, and the full dating history of the main cast.

At the end of the Experience and open to all Solaire visitors is a retail store selling exclusive merchandise and mementos from fans’ visits like set photo opportunities.

Some items fans might want to get their hands on are stuffed toys of Marcel, The Chick, and The Duck; a necklace of the yellow frame; and clothes bearing “How you doin?” or “He’s her lobster!”

“The Friends Experience: The One in Manila” runs until November 30 at The Space at Solaire in Parañaque, courtesy of GMG Productions.

Forty-five years ago, corruption in government was one of the major issues which led to EDSA People Power and the change in government. A few months before the event, at the lowest ebb of our country, I wrote a widely appreciated article in the leading newspaper titled, ‘Values – Cornerstones of a Society’s Destiny.’ My contention then was that changing some people in government, changing a whole government or even changing the system of government will not solve our problems as long as we do not change our values. Our country’s history since then has proven this view correct.

Today, almost half a century later, corruption has not only persisted through several administrations, but has become progressively worse, costing up to 40 percent of our annual national budget per some estimates. This easily amounts to trillions of pesos.

To solve the problem, successive leaders have created (in addition to the Constitution-mandated Office of the Ombudsman) special commissions, i.e., Presidential Commission Against Graft and Corruption (Magsaysay); Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (Macapagal-Arroyo); Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (Duterte). All these special bodies ‘eventually disappeared into irrelevance,’ as a columnist put it.

Today, to keep the Filipino people’s ire from boiling over in the face of unmitigated corruption in the use of government funds for its flood control projects, President Marcos Jr. again created another special body, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, to investigate and take appropriate action against all perpetrators, regardless of their position or influence. Once again, our long- suffering countrymen’s hopes and expectations for the full accountability of all guilty parties have been revived.

But judging from past experience, many still ask if this latest move will really provide the lasting solution our country needs. Will identifying, prosecuting, convicting and imprisoning some guilty parties in government and their accomplices in the private sector prevent future epidemics of corruption? Or are these steps just superficial band-aid remedies, as our long history has shown?

I strongly believe that the solution lies not in short-term fixes, but in a long-term reset of our values system (including values we preach but whose opposites we practice). The solution I propose is a generational task, but its fruits are also generational. It is realistic, not just a pie-in-the sky aspiration. I’m referring to institutionalizing in our schools a values education program, starting in the primary grades and covering all levels in our K-12 curriculum.

Why do I know this works? Because it is at the heart of the basic education system of the only ASEAN country which is exemplary in many aspects of national life – economic, political, civic and social. I refer to Singapore, the first and at present the only first world country in the ASEAN community. Singapore has zero tolerance for corruption in public service, and its anti-corruption culture is reinforced by proven, effective measures to root out and severely penalize offenders.

Let’s look at what Singapore has done to get to where it is today. An integral pillar of Singapore’s pursuit of its national vision is its basic education system, which places strong emphasis on character development and values education. This is institutionalized in what it calls Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), a cross-disciplinary program that permeates the educational curriculum, starting in the primary grades (the child’s earliest academic experience). As the name implies, CCE’s goal is to produce citizens with good moral values, civic awareness and social skills with which they can positively and productively engage their total environment.

Using Singapore’s decades-long (since 1959) CCE model as a guide and without reinventing the wheel, my simple proposal is to make character development and values education an integral part of our own basic education system (K-12). This calls for recalibrating our present system beyond the intermittent teaching of Civics and GMRC (good manners and right conduct), which might not even be part of the present curriculum. A paradigm shift in the training and attitude of teachers is also called for, because in Singapore, ‘every teacher is a CCE teacher.’

In my view, deeply instilling the right values in our youth at the earliest possible age is the most effective and lasting solution, not only to endemic corruption, but to other social ills that plague our country today. Ultimately, it is also the key to changing our fortunes as a people.

To end this piece, think about this: Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig has become the rare ‘poster boy’ for integrity and good governance by a young leader in government. Imagine if we had a hundred, a thousand or even a hundred thousand Vico Sottos in public service. This is what a deliberate, encompassing values education can help accomplish, as Singapore has been proving to the world for a long time.

I was in Cebu City when the October 15, 2013 Bohol earthquake hit Central Visayas. One moment, I was having breakfast with my Aunt Mila and Lakang when everything just shook uncontrollably. I had to herd both seniors out of the house to be safer. I remember that I was crying for no reason, the fear eating me as I watched the tall apartment near our house sway until parts of its wall crumbled and fell. This powerful earthquake measured 7.2 on the magnitude scale and, according to official reports, was strongly felt across Central Visayas, particularly in Bohol and Cebu. It was also experienced in many parts of the Visayas, reaching as far north as Masbate and as far south as Cotabato in Mindanao. Around 222 lives were lost with eight missing and 976 injured.

Recently, another strong quake hit again, this time with its epicenter in Bogo City, Cebu. Its magnitude was 6.9, with at least 72 people killed and 559 injured. Once again, though, Cebuanos from all over immediately banded together and displayed that well-known Cebuano resilience, strength, and faith.

The province of Cebu has always lived with the reality of earthquakes. Its geography places it near several active fault systems in the Visayas. The Central Cebu Fault runs across the island itself, while nearby seismic sources such as the Negros Trench and East Negros Fault add to the risk. Cebu also lies within the collision zone of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, where seismic activity is a constant threat. This vulnerability has left its mark on Cebu’s history.

Records show that in 1877, the Visayas island felt the effects of a destructive earthquake in northern Mindanao. In Camiguin, a volcano once believed extinct erupted after weeks of tremors. The shocks destroyed churches in Mambajao and Catarman and triggered landslides across Camiguin, Bohol, Cebu, and nearby.

In 1922, Cebu suffered another strong earthquake, this time destroying major landmarks: the Bishop’s Palace, the Convent of the Recoletos, and the Protestant Episcopal Church. It was a stark reminder that even in more settled times, the ground beneath Cebu was never truly at rest.

Fifteen years later, in 1937, a mild earthquake was felt across the eastern Visayas, including Cebu, Samar, Leyte, and Bohol. Occurring at 9:24 A.M., it went unnoticed in Manila but was a reminder of the region’s ever-present seismic activity. On May 23, 1941, another tremor shook Cebu at 10:49 A.M. Measured at intensity 4, it lasted only seven seconds but was enough to cause panic. Workers at the Capitol and the customhouse rushed into the streets; fortunately, no damage or casualties were reported.

Then in 1948, one of the most destructive quakes of the mid-20th century struck the Visayas. At least 21 died, with many injured. Panay bore the brunt of the destruction, as Iloilo’s water system was crippled and massive fissures tore across its roads and railways. Cebu, Leyte, and Marinduque, also felt the shocks, though with less devastation.

Later, in 1989, another earthquake struck. At 3:15 P.M., a magnitude 6.6 quake struck off the east coast of Bohol. Cebu reported injuries of at least 15 people. The quake was felt across the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, followed by numerous aftershocks.

The most painful reminder in recent memory was the October 15, 2013 magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol, which toppled centuries-old churches, damaged infrastructure, and claimed hundreds of lives. Cebu, though not the epicenter, also suffered heavily.

From the volcanic eruption of 1877 to the devastation of 2013, Cebu’s story has been shaped time and again by earthquakes. Its place on the Ring of Fire ensures that tremors will always be part of its narrative –a reminder of nature’s power, but also a display of the resilience and strength of its people. Bangon, Cebu!

The Philippines is unlikely to commission new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants until 2030 as global gas turbine shortages cripple the buildout, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

The IEEFA warned that turbine bottlenecks could intensify delays and skyrocket costs for new gas-fired power projects in the Philippines, with developers scrambling to secure orders.

‘The Philippines has one LNG-to-power project expected to begin fully operating in 2025 but is unlikely to bring another LNG-fired power plant online this decade,’ the think tank said in a report released yesterday.

This refers to the 1,275-megawatt Excellent Energy Resources Inc. in Batangas owned by tycoons Manuel V. Pangilinan, Ramon Ang and Sabin Aboitiz. A 432-MW expansion is in the pipeline.

Amid turbine production backlogs, the country is facing potential delays to proposed LNG projects totaling 10.7 gigawatts (GW), all of which remain in the early stages of development, the IEEFA said.

‘Relying on alternative suppliers is challenging given the limited number of established heavy-duty gas turbine producers and the complexity of turbine systems, contracts and procedures,’ said Sam Reynolds, LNG/gas research lead at IEEFA Asia.

According to the report, a surge in turbine orders from the United States and the Middle East, coupled with supply chain constraints, has triggered a global shortage.

In the US alone, around 19 GW of gas-fired power projects are expected to be developed annually through 2030, the IEEFA said.

Given this, the IEEFA expects emerging Asian economies like the Philippines to accelerate investments in renewable energy and battery storage for grid balancing.

‘Every year of delays for gas and LNG-fired power plants means that less gas and LNG will be needed in the long run,’ Reynolds said.

In the Philippines, the Department of Energy has positioned LNG as a transition fuel to shift away from coal-fired facilities while paving the way for wider adoption of renewables in the long term.

Latest DOE data showed that natural gas accounted for around 14 percent of the country’s power mix, with coal and renewables making up 63 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, an additional 3.98 million tons per annum of LNG facilities are needed to meet the forecasted natural gas supply requirements by 2050.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has faced challenges in serving official notices to the companies of contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, as they were “uncooperative,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.

Lumagui said this when asked why the tax evasion case against the contractor couple was filed only this year, despite the bureau having audited them since last year, saying that the couple sometimes refused to accept the bureau’s documents.

“Nahihirapan tayo dahil medyo pasaway rin. Binibigyan natin ng due process. Minsan ‘di nila tinatanggap ang mga notices. Kaya nagreresort tayo sa iba’t ibang paraan para maiserve ito,” he said in an interview with reporters on Wednesday, October 8.

(We’re having a hard time because they’re being quite uncooperative [or ‘defiant’]. We are giving them due process. Sometimes they don’t accept the notices, so we have to resort to different methods to get them served.)

“Ang proseso na pinagdadaanan ay hindi rin naman puwedeng i-shortcut ‘yon,” he added.

(The process being undergone cannot be simply shortened.)

The tax chief also said that even if the Discaya couple paid their tax liabilities, the case would still continue, as the act of tax evasion is already consummated, according to Lumagui.

Lumagui also said that even if the individuals were to become state witnesses, they would still be required to pay their tax liabilities, emphasizing that this payment is separate and does not count as restitution for the criminal offense.

“So kahit bayaran ‘yan, patuloy pa rin ang magiging criminal case na tutuloy pa rin ang pagtakbo ng criminal case,” he added.

(As far as the BIR is concerned, the tax evasion case is already consummated. Therefore, even if it is paid, the criminal case will still continue and proceed to run its course.)

Lumagui, in his capacity as Internal Revenue Commissioner, filed multiple criminal tax evasion complaints against the couple and another corporate officer of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue assessed a total tax liability of P7,182,172,532.25, stemming from unpaid income, excise and documentary stamp taxes from 2018 to 2021.

The construction and infrastructure companies associated with the Discaya couple secured a massive P31.04 billion in government contracts, encompassing approximately 421 projects awarded between 2022 and 2024.

These deals primarily involved flood control projects that are currently the subject of anomaly allegations.

Notably, the firms founded solely by the Discayas accounted for P25.2 billion of that value across 345 projects.

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order for 31 individuals.

The request targets over two dozen current and former lawmakers and officials involved in the ongoing probe into anomalous public works projects.

From one rivalry game to another.

Following a huge win over archrival La Salle this weekend, Ateneo is off to get another victory over rivals University of the Philippines, but Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin believes it will be a ‘rugged’ ‘Battle of Katipunan’ Wednesday.

Ateneo, undefeated through four games, will take on the Fighting Maroons, who are currently tied with La Salle with a 2-2 win-loss record.

Game time is 5 p.m.

Baldwin, after their 81-74 victory over La Salle on Sunday, said the Fighting Maroons are still dangerous despite their up-and-down season thus far.

‘Well, I mean I can say that UP is, as they were billed in the preseason, they’re a real problem. They’re a really, really good team. But, you know, NU really had them on the ropes,’ Baldwin told reporters.

On Saturday, UP clawed out of a 13 point deficit to grab the win over the National University Bulldogs, 66-59.

‘We know that UP, it’s going to be a rugged game. It’s going to be two teams that… UP fighting to get back into where they know that they belong, back into the top four and top four contention. Us trying to hold on to a really outstanding start to the season,’ the coach added.

‘So both teams playing for a lot, but I think that’s pretty much always the case early in the season.’

Ateneo, so far, is second in the league in scoring with 76.5 points per game. UP, on the other hand, is putting up 71 points a contest.

The Blue Eagles are also on top of the least field goals allowed per game with 36.9%, while UP is third at 37.7%.

Both teams are forcing their opponents to commit 15.7 turnovers a contest. The Fighting Maroons, though, allow just 6.5 fast-break points a game.

The retooled Diliman-based squad struggled in the start of UAAP Season 88. They lost their first two games – a 20-point demolition at the hands of University of Santo Tomas and a three-point loss against Adamson – before finding their rhythm against University of the East and NU.

UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon, for his part, said they will have a ‘same approach’ against the Blue Eagles.

‘We’re gonna give them a fight. Hopefully, pagdating ng Wednesday, everybody will be healthy and ready to go.’

Before the Battle of Katipunan, the National University Bulldogs will take on the Adamson Soaring Falcons at 2 p.m.