Category: Philippine Star

Investigation on massive corruption should expand from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of Health (DOH), Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Friday.

‘Not only DPWH – what’s happening in DOH is getting close, too,’ Magalong said after corruption complaints were filed against Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and five other officials, specifically for misusing P44.6 million worth of government-bought psychiatric medicines, allegedly given to a private group.

‘Si Herboza, malapit na yan,’ he said in radio interview.

Lawmakers have also flagged DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

Many health centers supposedly built under the program turned out to be unfinished or unusable, and some were even described as ‘ghost’ facilities.

Lack of staff has made many of them non-operational. Magalong is part of Mayors for Good Governance.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, however, questioned Magalong’s own record, citing his P110-million Baguio tennis and parking facility project linked to Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction.

Magalong, who resigned from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on ‘conflict of interest’ concerns, may need to present more solid proof of corruption in the DOH, as he did in the case of the DPWH, according to his detractors.

Even before his shortlived stint as ICI adviser and investigator, he claimed to have already submitted documents and other pieces of evidence to President Marcos to back up his allegations against officials linked to anomalies in flood control projects.

President Marcos joked about lawmakers ‘getting fat’ as he greeted a chef-turned-congresswoman during an event in Pampanga on Friday.

‘Our latest, newly elected congresswoman, Congresswoman Florabel, is the one feeding the entire House of Representatives now, so our congressmen are getting fat,’ Marcos said, referring to Nanay Party-list Rep. Florabel Yatco.

Marcos made the joke at the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk plant in San Simon, Pampanga, amid a flood control corruption scandal implicating several lawmakers and other public officials.

Yatco is the owner of the Florabel Group of Restaurants, which includes Florabel, El Corazon, Crisostomo and Sisa’s Secret.

During the distribution of carabaos and farm equipment to Aeta communities, the President reminded the beneficiaries that the help they receive comes from taxpayers.

‘I tell those who receive little benefits who express their gratitude to us, ‘Don’t thank us because this is really our job. It’s your money, so we’re just giving it back to you’,’ he said.

Among those present at the inauguration were Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Farm Fresh Milk founder and chief executive officer Loi Tuan Ee, Farm Fresh Milk Inc. Philippines CEO Shawn Pu and other officials.

The day after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook Cebu, leaving destruction, injuries and deaths in its wake, the Senate, voting 15-3 and two abstentions, passed a resolution calling for the house arrest of International Criminal Court (ICC) prisoner Rodrigo Duterte, citing ‘humanitarian grounds.’ How compassionate of them. Their sense of humanity for the architect of the bloody drug war seems far more urgent than for the Filipinos reeling from an actual natural disaster.

Leading this display of moral piety was none other than Bible-quoting Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Hallelujah! Always ready to act as the ambassador of Jesus Christ, he asserted that ‘humanitarian treatment and due process are essential to justice.’ How Godly cute of Alan Peter. This is coming from the same man who denied the existence of Duterte’s extrajudicial killings before the United Nations when he was secretary of foreign affairs, with the gusto of a militant Holocaust denier and flat-earther. This is also the senator who rationalized corruption as long as there is ‘repentance.’ If Alan Peter can’t get his brother, the ‘good Cayetano,’ Lino, to buy into his ‘holiness,’ perhaps he should keep his preaching to himself.

The resolution came after impeached Vice President Sara Duterte accused the ICC of inhumanely treating her father. Depending on the day, Digong is either frail, collapsing on the floor, battling early dementia or, if we are to believe Senator Bato dela Rosa’s latest melodrama, simply wants to go home and eat monggo. Shedding monggo tears to win sympathy? Such claims might sound plausible if Duterte were detained in Guantanamo Bay or some North Korean dungeon. But in the Netherlands, renowned for human rights and excellent health care? Please. Sara’s assertion, like a fat penguin, doesn’t fly. And why should people believe her? Just six months ago, she was quoting her father, likening his ICC detention quarters to those of a hotel.

So what is the most compassionate thing we can do for Digong? Let him stay exactly where he is. After all, the ICC facility is among the most humane in the world. And frankly, far kinder than our jails and the graves where thousands of his EJK victims now lie.

The resolution, of course, has absolutely no legal bearing on the work of the ICC. The ICC exists precisely as the court of last resort for people victimized by crimes against humanity and betrayed by their countries’ institutions. It is built to resist pressure from outside forces, especially from those it is currently trying. If anything, the Senate resolution only reinforced the argument for keeping Duterte in the ICC. It showed that he still influences Philippine politics, even from a detention cell in The Hague.

However, politically, the resolution did reveal one thing: the Senate remains the happy hunting ground for the Dutertes, even if their hardliners have slipped to the minority. The majority bloc led by Senate President Tito Sotto is proving to be challenging.

It also exposed the weaknesses of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. The resolution seemed like a barometer. Many senators are unimpressed with how Marcos has handled the flood control issue, with some getting ready to take their bets on the return of the Dutertes in 2028. This is not just about the ICC; this is a preview of the coming presidential race.

Senator Chiz Escudero had his own moment in the spotlight. Prior to the drama involving Duterte, the ousted Senate president took the podium and claimed that the corruption allegations against him were all part of a script by former House speaker Martin Romualdez, who had also lost his leadership post after being caught up in the same scandal. Romualdez shot back at Escudero, calling his speech a ‘DDS script.’

Yet, what made Escudero’s performance stand out was not only the sheer contradictions of his lines but whom he seemed to be most anxious to please in the audience – Sara Duterte, who was sitting in the Senate VIP gallery. Some said that Chiz’s performance felt less like a speech and more like an audition for Sara’s running mate in 2028.

‘Why me?’ Escudero whined before reminding his accusers that when you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you. Is this the best argument he has? If anything, this is no defense at all. It’s more like an admission. Like a man caught urinating on a wall, only to complain that he shouldn’t be singled out because others relieved themselves on the same spot.

Then came Chiz’s pompous statement: ‘I can defend myself, but who will defend our institution?’ Really? He wants a reminder as to how the Senate lost its credibility under his short and chaotic leadership? First, he shelved Sara’s impeachment. Second, his P30-million donation from a contractor. Third, his alleged multi-billion budget insertions. Fourth, the Marcoleta-led flood control probe, where his contractor-friend, Senate allies and the Dutertes were untouched. Finally, the botched and hurried plan to turn the Discaya couple into state witnesses. He doesn’t need to worry about defending the Senate. The damage under his watch already did that.

This week gave us two lousy scripts: the ICC’s ‘inhumane treatment’ of Digong and Chiz’s non-defense defense. Different scripts, same teleserye – the endless squabbling of dynasties, where the people are reduced to extras.

It’s time to rip up their scripts, unmask the real villains and celebrate our true heroes, leading to 2028: former Justice Antonio Carpio, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, Rep. Leila de Lima, Heidi Mendoza, Cielo Magno and Mayor Vico Sotto, to name a few.

We follow our own script now. It’s time to write our story, our history, our destiny.

The private sector is set to conduct a review of regulatory processes in the country to help address the longstanding issue of red tape.

The review is being spearheaded by the Philippines – Ease of Doing Business Foundation Inc. (EASE PH), which serves as the private sector convenor of the Buklod Bayani Coalition composed of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of the Interior and Local Government and business groups including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. and Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

EASE PH president Roberto Alvarez Jr. told reporters during the initiative’s launch that the private sector is undertaking the review to simplify processes for securing permits and clearances.

Alvarez said the initiative would also support ARTA’s ongoing review of processes.

While the ARTA is undertaking a review focusing on certain sectors, he said the agency has limited manpower.

The review will involve working with industry organizations in all sectors including real estate, mining, telecommunications and energy.

After the review, Alvarez said the private sector would come up with recommendations to be presented to the government agencies and local government units involved, as well as the ARTA and President Marcos.

‘Many of the steps are unnecessary. Some of these were placed by the government before. Maybe two presidents or three presidents ago. It’s no longer necessary. So, we will tell them to remove that,’ he said.

Apart from simplifying and reducing the number of steps, he said the initiative is expected to help curb corruption.

‘When they know they will get caught or they know they can be seen, they will hesitate to do it. If they know they can get away with it, many people will just do it, right? But now, if they think that somebody’s looking at them, then it’s going to be harder,’ he said.

While the initiative may not eradicate corruption, he said it may make it harder for such to take place as the process for doing business becomes easier.

Board of Investments chief investments specialist Lubin De Vera Jr. said the Ease of Doing Business – Anti-Red Tape Advisory Council has passed a resolution recognizing EASE PH as the convener of private sector participation in the review of regulatory processes, acknowledging the crucial role the sector plays in advancing reforms.

‘Businesses, both domestic and foreign, still encounter regulatory complexities, delays and inefficiencies,’ De Vera said, noting that it can take up to 75 days for local firms and more than 100 days for foreign firms just to complete registration.

These numbers are above global averages and those seen in other Southeast Asian countries.

‘If we are serious about making the Philippines an investment destination of choice, these delays must be addressed directly and decisively,’ De Vera said.

Alvarez said the initiative would also be presented during the PCCI’s Philippine Business Conference later this month to increase awareness and get more sectors involved.

Ateneo continues to roll in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

In front of 17,185 fans, the Blue Eagles thwarted a furious rally by archrivals La Salle Green Archers to grab a wire-to-wire, 81-74 victory in their first meeting of the season Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

La Salle sliced a 33-point lead to single digit late, but its fightback came a little too late against an Ateneo side that banked on defense to build a mountain of an upperhand.

The troika Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar and Shawn Tuano had 15 markers apiece for Ateneo. Joshua Lazaro chipped in nine points.

The Green Archers trailed by as big as 33 points, 68-35, after a pair of free throws by Ian Espinosa toward the end of the third period.

But a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Doy Dungo made it a 30 point deficit, 38-68, heading to the fourth quarter.

This sparked the Taft-based squad, who slowly nipped the disadvantage to 11, 57-68, after a split from the line by Vhoris Marasigan.

An and-one play by Shawn Tuano, though, snapped the run and push Ateneo’s lead to 14, 71-57.

However, La Salle already had more pep in their step, as they inched to within single digits, 66-75, with 1:43 to go following a pair of free throws by Mike Phillips.

A Phillips putback made it a five point game, 72-77, with 30.4 seconds remaining.

But finishing touches by Tuano and Andrew Bongo iced the game.

Leading by just three at the end of the first quarter, 14-11, Ateneo soared over the Taft-based squad with a 22-8 second frame to grab a 36-19 lead.

The onslaught did not stop there, as Blue Eagles took a lead as big as 33 points, before La Salle’s searing run.

Mike Phillips stood tall for the Green Archers with 17 points, 20 rebounds and six assists. Kean Baclaan produced his best game for La Salle thus far with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Jacob Cortez had 10.

Ateneo thus remained unbeaten through four games this season. It has equaled its win total from last season, when it with a 4-10 win-loss record.

La Salle dropped to 2-2, tied with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers and condoled with victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night.

Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy yesterday said he received a message from Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown that the pope has expressed sympathy and is praying for the quake victims.

‘The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, called me to convey the Holy Father’s heartfelt sympathies for all the survivors of the earthquake, and his prayers for the eternal repose of the victims,’ Uy said.

He said the pope assured the faithful of his spiritual closeness as communities grieve and begin recovery efforts.

In his homily for the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Uy urged the faithful to embody the mission of angels by helping people in need.

‘In these difficult days, we are invited to show the spirit of angels by sharing whatever we can: food, clothing, shelter, prayers and even our time. Every act of generosity becomes a way of guarding, guiding and comforting others,’ Uy said.

He said to be an angel for someone is protecting the weak, comforting the lonely and giving hope to those who have lost much.

‘This is the best way to honor our guardian angels, by imitating their missions of love,’ he said.

On Wednesday, Uy visited parishes severely affected by the earthquake.

He offered prayers at the Daanbantayan District Hospital where several quake victims are being treated for injuries.

The wholesale prices of goods increased at a slower pace in August from the previous month due mainly to the movement in prices of chemicals, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Data released by the PSA yesterday showed the growth in the General Wholesale Price Index (GWPI) at the national level eased to 2.4 percent in August from the previous month’s 3.1 percent.

The latest GWPI growth, however, was faster than the 1.9 percent uptick in August last year.

The PSA attributed the latest GWPI growth primarily to the slower increase in prices of chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats at 8.1 percent in August from 12.8 percent in July.

In addition, crude materials, inedible except fuels registered a lower increment of 40.2 percent from 90.7 percent.

Also posting slower increases in August were manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials (0.6 percent from the previous month’s 0.9 percent) and machinery and transport equipment (0.9 percent from 1.1 percent)

On the other hand, those with higher mark-ups in August were food (1.8 percent from the previous month’s 1.6 percent) as well as beverages and tobacco (4.1 percent from 3.6 percent).

Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials registered 0.2 percent growth in August from a 2.6-percent drop in July, while miscellaneous manufactured articles retained the July growth rate of 0.4 percent in August.

Meanwhile, data also showed that wholesale prices of building materials in Metro Manila declined at a slower pace in September from the previous month.

The Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region registered a 0.2-percent decline in September from 0.5 percent in August.

The PSA said the slower decline in CMWPI was primarily driven by the 0.2-percent increase in the heavily weighted index of concrete products in September from a 0.6-percent decline in the previous month.

A faster increment was also observed in tileworks at 1.6 percent from 1.5 percent and asphalt at 5.5 percent from zero growth.

Other commodity groups with slower decreases in September are cement, electrical works as well as fuels and lubricants.

On the other hand, those with slower increases include hardware, lumber G.I. sheet, doors, jambs, and steel casement and painting works.

It’s down to the last four queens in the inaugural season of “Drag Race Philippines Slaysian Royale.”

Three Filipina queens – drag sisters Brigiding and Viñas Deluxe of “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1, and Season 2 runner-up Arizona Brandy – and he sole international queen Suki Doll, from “Canada’s Drag Race,” will battle it out for the crown.

The recently aired eighth episode culminated with an epic lip sync battle between Viñas and Season 3 runner-up Khianna, two of the best lip syncers of the entire “Drag Race Philippines” franchise to date, with the former emerging victorious.

Philstar.com spoke to Viñas in an exclusive interview where she described her reaching the Top 4 as amazing, pressuring and deserving.

Back on her original season, she was eliminated at the seventh episode, making it a personal win for the drag queen.

“I think my edge is showing who the real Viñas is, all my sides, everything I can as a drag artist: designing, performing, being a sister,” said Viñas. ” Everyone deserves to be on top but I think I am more relatable, in some aspects. I want to inspire people to achieve their dreams.

Viñas took time to praise Khianna, calling her an amazing performer and admitted being worried to go up against her.

“Sino ba ang kayang tumapat kay Khianna diba?! Napunta sa akin ang baraha and I’m so lucky to be that person. Khianna deserves more than this. I’m so happy na Top 4 ako ngayon,” the drag queen.

Of the remaining queens, Viñas shared being nervous facing Arizona as she believes the latter can “do camp on a higher level” than her.

She did also call her drag sister Brigiding “the most experienced” in Top 4, but Viñas is more worried about her “inner saboteur” tendencies.

Brigiding and Viñas are members of the Divine Divas along with “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 winner Precious Paula Nicole, who served as a guest judge on the seventh and eighth episode of “Drag Race Philippines Slaysian Royale.”

The eigthth episode saw Suki and Arizona jointly winning Ru badges for their Dragcon Slaysian maxi challenge perfomances.

It marked Suki’s first maxi challenge win and just the second time an international queen earned a Ru badge after Yuhua who was eliminated before Khianna. Arizona meanwhile now has two badges, as many both Viñas and Brigiding.

Viñas is hopeful that the Philippines will one day host its own Dragcon, pointing out the local drag community is very talented and deserves to be noticed.

“I hope I am making you proud. I am doing my best to make the Philippines proud and sana nagta-transcend ito sa likod ng mga camera,” Viñas said in her message to fans, sharing that more happens behind the scenes and the hour-long episodes viewers watch.

She appealed to fans to remain calm, be more appreciative and spread only love, this as many believe the Pambansang Bunganga is huge frontrunner to take the Slaysian crown.

“You are making me stronger everyday, dahil sa support niyo lumalaki ang drag industry sa Philippines, dahil ‘yan sa inyo,” Viñas ended.

Mapua rode on the stellar performance of Clint Escamis as it turned back an upset-conscious Arellano University, 90-87, on Saturday to seize the solo lead in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Season 99 MVP unloaded a 29-point barrage, including a perfect four-and-four from beyond the arc, and laced it with three rebounds and the same number of assists and steals.

It was a bounce-back effort for Escamis after a forgettable eight-point performance in their 90-89 double overtime victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University in last Wednesday’s inaugurals at the Big Dome.

‘I just want to make up for that bad game,’ said Escamis, who is on his final tour of duty.

‘I know my teammates got my back, but I really want to perform for them,’ he added.

It was another come-from-behind win for the back-to-back title-seeking Cardinals, who trailed by as much as 13 points in the second quarter before turning the tables around in their favor in the second half.

‘We showed the never-say-die mentality that we’re used to and our heart of a champion that refuses to lose,’ said Escamis.

Escamis said they still have more to give.

‘We haven’t reached our full potential yet, we still have lapses offensively and defensively and improve on our decision making more,’ he said.

The scores:

Mapua 90 – Escamis 29, Cuenco 14, Gonzales 12, Nitura 10, Sapasap 9, Reyes 5, Concepcion 5, Lazarte 4, Recto 2, Gulapa 0, Igliane 0, Delos Reyes 0, Ryan 0.

AU 87 – Valencia 13, Abiera 12, Hernal 11, Ongotan 10, Libang 10, Camay 8, Cabotaje 6, Borromeo 5, Vinoya 4, Geronimo 4, Demetria 4, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0, Miller 0.

Quarterscores: 20-22; 46-51; 67-64; 90-87

The Cebu City Government has approved Supplemental Budget (SB) 2 amounting to ?81 million, which will be allocated for the livelihood program, the increasing number of beneficiaries of senior citizen financial aid, and the asphalting of various city streets.

The Committee on Budget and Finance stated that this will be charged against the savings of the city government which is about ?489 million in the third quarter after cutting expenses on ‘unnecessary’ spending such as foreign travels by employees and government officials.

In an interview yesterday, Committee on Budget and Finance Chairman Councilor Dave Tumulak enumerated the breakdown of the recently-approved SB2, which totals around ?81,395,000.

At least ?550,000 of this amount is for the livelihood program to be introduced by the Office of the Mayor in the last quarter of the year. However, Tumulak said they do not yet know what kind of livelihood program will be launched.

Another ?40 million is intended to reinforce the financial aid for senior citizens in the last quarter of the year.

‘Nahinloan na ni (list of beneficiaries), gikuha natong mga deceased,’ said Tumulak.

He said they had to request an additional budget after discovering that the previously-approved budget for seniors’ aid was insufficient due to the increase in the number of beneficiaries in the second quarter of this year.

Another item under SB2 is road asphalting in preparation for the Yuletide season and the Sinulog celebration, which also amounts to ?40 million.

‘For the past days we experienced heavy rain, nangabuslot na ni atoang mga main roads,’ said Tumulak.

He also highlighted that Cebu City was able to save at least ?489 million in the third quarter. According to him, to save more, the city cut local and foreign travels of employees and officials, as well as ‘unnecessary projects and programs.’

Meanwhile, Tumulak said the executive department has yet to send its budget proposal for 2026. He added the City Council has already passed a resolution urging the executive to submit its proposals earlier to allow the conduct of budget hearing marathons in October.

Tumulak further said they are targeting to finish the budget deliberations by the end of November.

‘We urge the executive to submit right away kay ma-busy man gud sad ta sa preparations sa Sinulog,’ said Tumulak.

He also mentioned that they are aiming to have the annual budget approved earlier.

The approval of SB 2 was made during a special session. In the same session, the Cebu City Council also approved ?20 million in financial assistance for areas heavily affected by the earthquake, namely the Bogo City, San Remigio Town, and the municipalities comprising Bantayan Island.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is reminding all senior citizens that the final day to claim their financial assistance for the current distribution cycle is on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Beneficiaries may proceed to the Cash Disbursement Division, 2nd Floor, City Treasurer’s Office at City Hall to receive their aid after a week in their respective barangays.

The City Treasurer’s Office reiterates its advisory: ‘To all our Lolos and Lolas, please be informed that the last day to claim the Senior Citizen’s Financial Assistance is on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Claim at the Cash Disbursement Division, 2/F, City Treasurer’s Office.’

This round of distribution, which began on September 27, covers the third quarter of the year and amounts to ?3,000 per qualified senior citizen, representing ?1,000 per month for July, August, and September.

Following the completion of the senior citizens’ payout, the distribution of financial assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will commence on October 10 or 11, to be conducted at their respective barangays using the same disbursement scheme.

After the latest distribution, Mayor Nestor Archival floated the idea of shifting from the current quarterly release to a monthly payout system, citing budget sustainability and the need to discourage ineligible claimants.

‘If we give it monthly, dili kayo mabug-atan ang panudlanan,’ Archival said, adding that a monthly schedule could help weed out non-residents who continue to claim benefits.

However, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Senior Citizens, has called the proposal impractical.

Alcover emphasized that the quarterly scheme was adopted for logistical efficiency, especially given the growing number of beneficiaries –now over 90,000 registered seniors in Cebu City.

‘Sauna tingali madala pa og monthly-monthly kay naa ray 20,000, 30,000, kaya pa kaayo i-monthly. Pero karon unsaon nimo pag-monthly ana nga 90,000 plus naman na,’ Alcover said. He also cited the burden of preparing thousands of payroll pages and deploying disbursing officers across barangays.

Alcover said he plans to file an amendment ordinance to formalize the quarterly distribution, aligning it with the preferences of senior citizens’ associations that favor fewer trips to claim aid.