Category: Philippine Star

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed multiple criminal complaints against controversial government contractors Sarah Discaya and Curlee Discaya for alleged unpaid taxes totaling P7.18 billion.

The cases involve unpaid income, excise and documentary stamp taxes tied to the couple and their companies, including St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp.

Aside from the couple, another corporate officer of St. Gerrard Construction was also slapped in the tax evasion complaints, covering the years 2018 to 2021.

‘We have assessed a total tax liability of P7,182,172,532.25,’ BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in a statement Wednesday, October 8.

Besides income and excise taxes, the Discayas have also failed to remit taxes for transfers of shares in four of their construction companies, the tax chief said.

‘This is composed of several investigations on the unpaid individual income taxes of Curlee and Sarah Discaya, the unpaid excise taxes on their nine luxury vehicles, and the unpaid documentary stamp taxes on their supposed divestment from four of their construction firms,” Lumagui added.

Divested? Not quite, BIR says

The spouses had publicly claimed at Senate hearings in September that they had given up much of their ownership in companies allegedly involved in substandard and ghost flood control projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) since 2016.

The BIR, however, said that the Discayas remain the beneficial owners of four firms-St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and Alpha and Omega-which have big-ticket deals with government.

‘The Spouses Discaya never divested from St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and Alpha and Omega. The BIR has no record of any return or payment for such divestment,’ Lumagui said. “They never divested because they never paid the corresponding taxes necessary for such divestment.”

Not just P7.28 billion

The latest BIR filings represent “only the tip of the iceberg,” Lumagui said. He noted that the bureau’s audit of Discaya-owned construction firms could lead to more tax evasion cases.

‘Once we have finished our audit of the Discaya-owned construction firms, we expect findings of billions of tax deficiencies. Expect more cases to be filed,’ he said.

In a separate interview with reporters, Lumagui said that the agency’s auditing started last year before the flood control fund scandal broke out.

“Actually itong kaso na sinampa natin nagsimula tayo ng audit nito last year pa. Hinintay lang natin yung response ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para masigurado natin na makuha natin lahat ng impormasyon na kailangan para mabuo itong assessment na ginawa natin ngayon,’ Lumagui said. (“Actually, this case that we filed started with an audit last year. We just waited the response of different government agencies to make sure we get all the information needed to complete the assessment we made.”)

Other construction firms of the Discaya couple are also undergoing audit to determine its tax liabilities.

‘Ang nandito palang ay yung individual liabilities nila at St. Gerrard ang sinampa natin,’ he said. (“All that’s here are their individual liabilities at St. Gerrard, the basis for the case filed today.”)

Kapuso actress Carla Abellana will reportedly be getting married by the end of the year, according to veteran showbiz journalist and talent manager Ogie Diaz.

On the latest video of Ogie’s YouTube channel series “Showbiz Update,” a source told him that Carla will tie the knot with a non-showbiz partner.

Ogie shared the lucky man, according to his source, is a chief medical officer of private Quezon City hospital.

The doctor reportedly dated Carla back in high school and recently rekindled their friendship and romantic relationship.

“Guwapo raw ito in person, ha. At chinito!” Ogie quipped.

Carla did confirm last August she was currently seeing someone, saying at the time she opening herself to dating and meeting people.

“I decided to try it,” Carla said at the time. “Yes, there’s a second date. We’ll see if there’s gonna be more dates.”

The actress was previously married to Tom Rodriguez but their union only lasted a few months, eventually ending in divorce.

Tom is now a father to an infant son, Korben, also with a non-showbiz partner.

Ogie reiterated in his video that it is up to Carla to confirm, deny, or give details about a supposed partner and wedding.

Five senators are being considered to replace Sen. Panfilo Lacson as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee following his decision to step down from the post, Senate President Vicente Sotto III revealed yesterday.

According to Sotto, the shortlist includes Senators JV Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros.

A caucus among the Senate majority is scheduled today to formally discuss the leadership vacancy created by Lacson’s departure.

Despite strong public calls for Lacson to stay, Sotto admitted he was unable to convince the senator to reconsider.

He said that after several days, Lacson remained firm in his decision to step down from the chairmanship, although he will continue to sit in the committee as an ex-officio member by virtue of his position as Senate President Pro Tempore.

Sotto described Lacson as an objective investigator who follows the evidence, and not one who targets his fellow lawmakers arbitrarily.

However, he acknowledged that the intense scrutiny during the committee’s probes left the former chair ‘frustrated.’

The vacancy follows tensions in the Senate after Lacson’s remarks that nearly all senators had made insertions into the 2025 budget – a statement that initially caused friction among his colleagues but has since been addressed in a previous caucus.

Among those being considered for the post, Sen. JV Ejercito has expressed hesitation.

While grateful for the consideration, he admitted he would likely decline the offer, citing other senators who may be better suited to lead such an important committee.

Senator Raffy Tulfo also released a statement respectfully declining the position to focus on his current committee chairmanships in labor, migrant workers and public services, which are his main areas of advocacy.

Meanwhile, other senators continue to appeal to Lacson to reconsider his resignation, with some arguing that his leadership is crucial for maintaining the Senate’s credibility, particularly in sensitive investigations.

Senator Lito Lapid voiced support for Lacson’s retention, emphasizing his investigative credentials as a former police chief, likening him to figures such as Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

The Blue Ribbon committee’s hearings on flood control projects have been temporarily suspended due to scheduling conflicts, as several members also sit on the committee on finance.

Hearings are expected to resume after the congressional break in November.

Perjury cases

In a related development that may impact the ongoing Senate inquiries, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has filed four counts of perjury against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez.

Estrada accused Hernandez of making false statements under oath during congressional investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

The complaint, filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, arises from Hernandez’s testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the House committee on public works and highways.

Estrada said these statements were ‘maliciously fabricated’ to damage his reputation.

According to the senator’s legal team, the perjury charges relate to four separate falsehoods allegedly made by Hernandez.

These include claims that Estrada demanded a 30 percent kickback from P355 million worth of flood control projects in Bulacan, the supposed involvement of Estrada’s staff member ‘Beng Ramos’ in ghost projects, Hernandez’s denial of his role in the anomalous projects and his alleged use of a fake driver’s license under the alias ‘Marvin de Guzman’ to enter casinos.

Estrada emphasized that Hernandez’s kickback claim was ‘retaliatory,’ made immediately after he was cited in contempt and detained by the Blue Ribbon committee.

‘These malicious statements were deliberate lies made under oath, intended to destroy my name and reputation,’ Estrada said. ‘The evidence presented in subsequent hearings completely disproves his baseless accusations.’

‘I don’t know why he mentioned my name in the House hearing. It was all done to smear my character. The next day after his detention, he fabricated stories and dragged my name into it,’ he told reporters.

The complaint asserts that testimonies from contractors contradicted Hernandez’s claims.

Engineer Henry Alcantara reportedly told the Senate he had no transactions with Estrada, while DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo also denied the senator’s involvement in any kickback scheme.

Estrada’s camp further submitted affidavits from Divina Gracia ‘Beng’ Ramos and contractor Mina Jose, both stating they had no links to the senator and highlighting multiple inconsistencies in Hernandez’s statements during the hearings.

While Hernandez initially denied involvement in the flood control projects in Bulacan, Estrada said it later emerged that he was the mastermind behind them, receiving a 20 percent share from each ghost project.

He also refuted Hernandez’s story about Mina Jose visiting his office, saying it was later proven she had gone to a different office entirely.

‘You can clearly see that Brice Hernandez is a habitual liar,’ Estrada noted.

The complaint invokes Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes perjury with imprisonment, fines of up to P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Estrada also requested the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order to prevent Hernandez from fleeing the country, citing his use of aliases and falsified identification cards as signs of being a flight risk.

Hernandez is reportedly under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.

Estrada, who was instrumental in citing Hernandez in contempt during the Blue Ribbon hearings, reiterated that the accusations were clearly retaliatory.

He expressed confidence the perjury charges would hold up, citing the live broadcast of the hearings as evidence of the inconsistencies in Hernandez’s statements.

‘Nationwide naman ang coverage. The public saw for themselves how deceitful this person is,’ Estrada said.

Regarding the Blue Ribbon committee’s leadership shift, Estrada said he would continue to participate in the hearings regardless of who replaces Lacson as chair.

He believes the investigation must proceed, pointing out that key individuals such as former House speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Albay Rep. Zaldy Co have yet to be called to testify.

Addressing rumors of another leadership shake-up in the Senate, Estrada dismissed the speculation, saying he was unaware of any such moves.

When asked about Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s suggestion for a ‘snap election’ within the chamber, he responded, ‘That is his own opinion, not the opinion of the minority.’

Hernandez, who previously served as assistant district engineer for the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, had earlier accused multiple public officials of benefiting from alleged flood control kickbacks.

Estrada has consistently denied any involvement.

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office is expected to evaluate the complaint to determine if probable cause exists for formal charges.

If convicted, Hernandez could face imprisonment and permanent disqualification from public office.

Bolder probe

Amid shifting leadership and mounting legal battles, former senator Richard Gordon has called for a more aggressive approach to the unfolding flood control controversy.

He urged prosecutors, oversight bodies and Congress to act decisively, warning that political delays and strategic appointments could undermine the push for accountability.

Speaking on One News’ ‘Storycon,’ Gordon weighed in as both the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) continued parallel investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects and questionable budget insertions.

He noted that the Blue Ribbon committee’s momentum had already been shaken by recent leadership changes, particularly the resignation of Lacson as its chair.

Gordon emphasized that the responsibility now lies with prosecutors, the Office of the Ombudsman and other watchdog agencies to pursue the truth without political interference.

He called for former Senate leaders and oversight figures to resume a more assertive role in ensuring government accountability and urged the ombudsman to act motu proprio when warranted.

‘If the people who are supposed to file the cases are afraid, that’s where we should force them to act,’ he said, stressing that investigators must ‘swing that bat’ and not be timid in pursuing justice.

Gordon also raised concerns over political maneuvering within the Senate, suggesting that certain lawmakers were considering leaving the majority due to dissatisfaction with how the Blue Ribbon probe was being handled.

He warned that any reorganization aimed at stalling investigations would signal bad faith.

Without naming specific individuals, Gordon questioned the timing and implications of appointing administration allies to key government posts during an active investigation.

He cautioned that such moves could create perceptions, or realities, of protection for implicated officials.

He directed a pointed appeal to incoming ombudsman Boying Remulla, urging him to show resolve and act swiftly on available evidence by ‘filing the case right away.’

Turning to the ICI, Gordon acknowledged the commission’s efforts but pointed out its limited authority.

He argued that without clear legal mechanisms or stronger cooperation with prosecutorial bodies, the ICI’s work might fall short of delivering actual accountability.

‘Let the Blue Ribbon do its job. Let Congress do its job,’ he said, adding that the ICI ‘cannot even issue a warrant of arrest on their own’ and calling for either expanded powers or better coordination with entities capable of enforcement.

He warned that continued inaction or delay by prosecutorial offices and watchdogs would only lead to greater public frustration and skepticism.

Transparency and speed, he stressed, are vital.

‘If the prosecutors are fast and the courts are fast, we can accelerate this,’ Gordon said.

He also called on the public to demand more from their institutions, urging citizens to hold lawmakers and investigators accountable and push for meaningful justice.

Framing his appeal as a moral obligation, Gordon reflected on his own record in pursuing corruption cases and emphasized the importance of political courage.

‘When you take an oath you must swing that bat and you must not be afraid,’ he said, warning that failure to act leaves ordinary Filipinos ‘victimized by these people.’

According to Institute for Risk and Strategic Studies Inc. chair Joey Sarte Salceda, September’s inflation rate of 1.7 percent gives the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas enough room to start cutting policy rates while maintaining price stability.

Salceda believes that after nine straight months of inflation below two percent, the country is now in a period of predictable and steady prices that should be used to encourage investment and growth.

He pointed out that with a core inflation rate of 2.6 percent, underlying pressures are contained. At this level, he said, the BSP can safely begin easing rates to support credit and business expansion.

‘At 1.7 percent headline inflation and 2.6 percent core, the BSP can act confidently. The risk now is not inflation, but slow growth. We should use this window to release liquidity and allow more credit to flow to firms and households,’ he said.

The former Bicol lawmaker noted that the global price environment remains favorable for the Philippines. Gold, oil and fertilizer prices, he noted, have been stable, while world grain prices are well below their 2022 levels.

‘Global commodities are calm. This means we can move proactively without the risk of imported inflation. The data tell us that this is the time to act decisively on growth,’ Salceda said.

He further cited the Philippine Statistics Authority report that national headline inflation rose slightly to 1.7 percent from 1.5 percent in August, while core inflation eased from 2.7 percent to 2.6 percent.

The year-to-date average of 1.7 percent, he said, remains below the midpoint of the BSP’s target range of two to four percent, providing ample space for a 25-basis-point rate cut before the end of the year to support lending and private investment.

The small uptick in September inflation, Salceda said, came mainly from transport and vegetables, while other prices such as meat, rice and utilities either slowed or declined.

‘This is supply-side inflation. Prices rose because of logistics and weather, not because of high demand. The right policy response is to improve supply chains, not to keep interest rates high,’ he said.

Salceda is thus urging the government to take advantage of this calm price environment to secure forward contracts for rice, fuel and fertilizer deliveries during the lean season.

He clarified that these are not import orders, but future delivery agreements that lock in prices and guarantee supply when seasonal shortages occur.

He stressed, ‘We should not wait for prices to rise before we act. The government can secure rice, fuel and fertilizer now at current prices through forward contracting with local suppliers and producers. This is smart planning, not import dependence.’

Salceda explained that such contracts would stabilize costs for farmers during the planting and harvest transitions when the demand for fuel and fertilizer is at its peak.

‘Farmers face their highest input costs right before planting and during drying. If we already locked in prices months ahead, inflation would stay low even when the lean season arrives,’ he said.

Salceda is encouraging the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy to coordinate on this approach. He pointed out that rice, fuel and fertilizer prices move together and should be managed together.

‘If fuel prices rise, fertilizer follows, and then rice becomes more expensive a few months later. We can break that pattern through advance contracting and better logistics coordination among agencies,’ he said.

Furthermore, Salceda elaborated, inflation is expected to remain between 1.5 and two percent for the rest of this year. He added that lower power generation costs, stable oil prices and tariff adjustments on rice will further reduce risks.

‘We are in a low inflation environment. This is the best time to invest, the best time to build and the best time to secure our supply chains,’ he said.

Salceda concluded that this period of stability should be used to generate visible benefits for households and farmers.

‘At 1.7 percent inflation, every peso buys more rice, more fuel, more fertilizer and more security. Stability is not the end goal. It is the foundation on which we must build higher productivity, better wages, and sustained growth for our people.’

Better late than never

As a baby boomer, I still remember when Western Union was the go-to remittance company in the Philippines. Back then, Western Union was the most reliable way to remit money to the Philippines, or at least to my knowledge.

Through the years, however, remittances eventually were coursed more easily and directly through the banking system, but Western Union continues to be a major player in the remittance market in the country, especially in the provinces, with the recipient receiving notification and then proceeding to a physical branch to collect the remittance.

But I was truly surprised to learn that Western Union has only now launched a new mobile app in the Philippines that will finally allow Filipinos to more easily send and receive funds from abroad while enjoying competitive foreign exchange rates.

The Philippines, it turns out, is also the first global market where Western Union is launching an app with both send and request capabilities. With its new mobile app, users who download the app can send funds abroad seamlessly, and through Western Union’s global financial network.

To send funds, app users have the option to pay online securely using the national QR code payment method QR Ph. Users of the app can request funds from senders in the US, Australia, Singapore, the UK and several other global markets with large Filipino communities, simply by filling their receiver info.

Senders will then be able to complete the transaction online from the country they reside in. Receivers have multiple options to access their funds: cash withdrawal at a retail location, deposit to bank account or directly to a digital wallet, depending on the market.

Additionally, when funds are sent from abroad, recipients will be able to redirect the funds to their preferred bank account or digital wallet. Consumers can track their transfers by entering the transaction tracking number in the app.

According to Gregory Laurent, Western Union vice president for the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the launch of the new app is an important milestone to serve Filipino consumers better and connect them to their families and loved ones across the world.

While the TBA Studios’ “Bayaniverse” trilogy revolves around three different historical characters, an argument can be made that the franchise can be considered the Emilio Aguinaldo trilogy, given the direct roles the country’s first president has in all three films.

Mon Confiado portrays Aguinaldo in all three movies, including the upcoming entry “Quezon” which stars Jericho Rosales as the titular second president of the Philippines.

In fact, the film will depict Quezon’s rise to power as an attorney, governor of then-Tayabas, the lower and upper houses of Congress, and the highest seat in the country.

History buffs will know that Aguinaldo was Quezon’s biggest rival in the 1935 presidential election, which will also be depicted in the movie, adding another layer of knowledge about Ka Miong.

However, individuals have begun viewing Aguinaldo as a villain rather than a hero, amplified by the antagonistic role Confiado portrays Aguinaldo in the first “Bayaniverse” movie “Heneral Luna,” which softens a bit in the follow-up “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”

At the press conference for “Quezon” last October 7 at the historic Manila Hotel, Philstar.com asked Confiado how he balances his performances of Aguinaldo with the public’s historical perception of the latter, and in doing so marrying the two.

Confiado acknowledged the controversial perception of Aguinaldo in “Heneral Luna” which led to many questions about his heroic status.

“Noong ginampanan ko character ni Aguinaldo sa ‘Heneral Luna,’ hindi ko siya tinitignan as kontrabida,” Confiado said, a sentiment he shares across all his “villanous” roles.

In embracing Aguinaldo, he learned of the first president’s positive aspects like being a revolutionary against the Spanish and Americans, as well as waving the Philippine flag to declare the country’s independence.

In contrast though, as Confiado points out what director Jerrold Tarog (who helmed all “Bayaniverse” films) does in the franchise, all our heroes are only human.

“‘Yun ang maganda kasi pinapakita ang lahat ng flaws nila, lahat ng kapalpakan at pagkakamali,” Confiado added.

The actor also said that Aguinaldo’s loss in the revolution and eventual capture by the Americans made him an even more complicated individual.

Confiado said he still found it a blessing to portray Aguinaldo and expressed his hope that “Quezon” would be a hit at the box office so that TBA Studios would walk back their decision to end the “Bayaniverse” at three movies.

“Baka kainin ni Ma’am Daphne [Chiu] ang sinabi niya na huli na ‘to, gusto ko bawiin niya,” Confiado teased as he embraced the producer seated beside him.

Confiado quipped that if TBA Studios wanted to make another movie about a president, there is a huge likelihood that Aguinaldo will be present.

Aguinaldo passed away in 1964 a month shy of his 95th birthday – meaning he lived during the presidencies of Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal.

Benjamin Alves, who will reprise his role as a young Quezon, previously told Philstar.com that there is a character in “Quezon” that could serve as the next central character of a potential future entry.

After confirming that the said character does not appear in the official trailer, Alves advised that audiences stay for the duration of the film.

Alves reiterated Confiado’s quip that the cast aims to make TBA Studios reconsider its decision about ending the “Bayaniverse” franchise.

“Gusto namin mamroblema na humihingi ang tao for a next one, and that’s only possible for [if] people enjoy the film and they have an opinion on it,” Alves said, adding that while his specific character may not be around anymore, at least he will be supporting as a viewer.

Starring with Confiado, Rosales and Alves in “Quezon” are Karylle, Romnick Sarmenta, JC Santos, Angeli Bayani, Bodjie Pascua, Joross Gamboa, Ketchup Eusebio, Jake Macapagal, Therese Malvar and “Game of Thrones” star Iain Glen as Leonard Wood.

Arron Villaflor and Cris Villanueva will also reprise their roles as the fictional character Joven Hernando at different ages.

“Quezon” will hit Philippine theaters nationwide beginning October 15.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking Congress to raise the government’s crop insurance subsidy to P8 billion to provide coverage for up to 4.2 million agricultural workers, aiming to shield them from climate risks and rising production costs.

In a statement yesterday, the DA said only 2.3 million farmers are currently insured under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), which represents just over half of the country’s agricultural workforce.

Further, the government agency said the PCIC provides a maximum coverage of P20,000 per hectare for rice farmers, only a third of the estimated average production cost of P60,000 per hectare.

‘PCIC’s current subsidy level is simply inadequate,’ said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

‘We need to insure more farmers at realistic levels that reflect the true cost of production, especially as climate change and market volatility continue to impact the sector.’

Under the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act, the PCIC’s subsidy remains at P4.5 billion, the same level since 2022.

Tiu Laurel described the funding amount as ‘stagnant,’ undermining the government’s ability to protect farmers from mounting risks.

‘To insure 4.2 million farmers, we need about P8 billion. That means we’re short by P3.5 billion,’ he said.

‘Of the 4.2 million farmers we aim to cover, 2.2 million will be rice farmers, an increase of nearly a million from the current number.’

Expanding insurance coverage is a strategic investment in the country’s food security, the agriculture chief said.

By boosting PCIC’s capacity, the government can provide a stronger safety net for smallholder farmers, especially rice producers, who face the dual burden of rising input costs and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

‘Crop insurance isn’t just a financial product. It’s a critical lifeline,’ Tiu Laurel said.

‘When typhoons, droughts or pest outbreaks hit, insured farmers can recover faster and get back to planting. Without it, many are left in debt or forced to abandon farming altogether.’

He called on lawmakers to prioritize agricultural resilience in the national budget, highlighting that a well-funded insurance system is essential to stabilize rural incomes, encourage continued production and secure the country’s food supply.

Former senator Cynthia Villar welcomed the signing of Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA), a measure aimed at revitalizing the country’s livestock, poultry and dairy sectors through a P200-billion investment over the next ten years.

‘I thank President Marcos, Representative Mark Enverga, the Department of Agriculture, and all industry stakeholders for their support in the passage of this vital measure,’ Villar said. ‘This law will strengthen our animal industries, ensure food security and help build a more resilient agricultural sector.’

Signed into law on Sept. 25, RA 12308 elevates the Bureau of Animal Industry into a line agency under the Department of Agriculture, expanding its regulatory functions and authority. The measure also strengthens the Philippine Carabao Center and National Dairy Authority by assigning them new mandates, including biotechnology, vaccine development, and herd repopulation programs.

Villar said the initiative was driven by the devastation caused by the african swine fever outbreak in 2022, which led to a 20.8 percent decline in pork production and economic losses estimated at P100 billion in 2023.

The former senator also emphasized the need to strengthen the local dairy industry, which currently produces only one percent of the country’s milk requirements.

‘Our dairy sector faces persistent challenges such as low herd population, lack of breeding farms, and insufficient training on animal nutrition and management. The AIDCA will help us address these issues through better programs and funding,’ Villar added.

A major feature of the law is the creation of the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), which will receive P20 billion annually from tariffs on livestock, poultry and dairy imports.

The AnCEF was patterned after the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which Villar also principally authored. It will serve as a supplementary fund to the National Livestock Program.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies will monitor the implementation of the AIDCA and release an annual performance report beginning in its second year.

In its third year, the allocations under the AnCEF will be reviewed to assess program effectiveness, while a mandatory review by the Committee on Cooperatives and Farmer Modernization will be conducted on the law’s tenth year to determine whether amendments or extensions are needed based on improvements in farmers’ incomes.

‘Pork, chicken and milk are essential to the Filipino diet. Through this law, we aim to make our animal industry more competitive and sustainable,’ Villar said.

‘This measure not only strengthens food security but also ensures better income for our farmers and livestock raisers,’ she added.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Mandaue City Division has instructed schools to create contingency plans based on their current situation to ensure the continuation of classes in affected areas following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that severely struck northern Cebu.

DepEd Mandaue spokeswoman Marinel Oro told reporters yesterday that these contingency plans may include options allowed under DepEd orders, such as adopting the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) or implementing class shifting schedules.

Oro said that when the earthquake hit last September 30, school principals were immediately advised to prepare contingency measures, as DepEd anticipated that some areas and school buildings could be structurally affected.

‘We instructed them to come up with their own contingency measures for students whose classrooms cannot yet be used,’ Oro said.

She added that the contingency plans will be prepared at the discretion of each school principal, depending on their respective situations.

‘It will depend on the principals how they address the situation –whether through shifting or ADM,’ she said.

Oro clarified that the plans will vary per school and are not a uniform directive from DepEd. She added that the principals will determine the appropriate measures based on the condition and circumstances of their schools.

Since Monday, district supervisors have been conducting field monitoring across 48 schools to determine what technical assistance the DepEd can provide to school heads in addressing their concerns.

To recall, at least 16 out of 48 public schools in Mandaue City sustained partial damage following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

Oro said a Quick Response Fund (QRF) from the DepEd Central Office may be tapped to assist affected schools.

She added that the division is preparing data on the extent of the damage, the affected schools, and the current status of the buildings. Once completed, this report will serve as the basis for the release of the QRF budget from the central office.

During the inspection conducted by Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano last Monday, cracks were observed on several columns at the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School. At the Looc Elementary School, the building locally known as the ‘Petron Building’ was found to be tilted. Meanwhile, at the Mandaue City Central School, columns with visible cracks were also discovered.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has been fined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a misstatement reflected in its unaudited consolidated financial statement as of June 30.

SMC said that based on the SEC’s Office of the General Accountant (OGA), the misstatement pertains to the incorrect classification of cash outflow related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment under operating activities instead of under investing activities, as provided under Philippine Accounting Standards PAS 7, statement of cash flows.

The assessment was made in connection with the evaluation by the OGA of the financial statement of the company in relation with the public offering of the 266.67 million Series 2 preferred shares with an oversubscription option of up to 133.33 million Series 2 preferred shares.

The OGA gave SMC a conditional clearance to proceed with the offering and was directed to submit its unaudited consolidated financial statement as of June 30, as amended to reflect the findings of the OGA.

It was also directed to update the financial information, particularly the cash flow-related information in the prospectus in relation to the public offering.

SMC was imposed a penalty of P1 million.

‘The corporation will comply with the directive of the OGA and pay the penalty,’ SMC said.

The government is extending legal assistance to 25 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on death row in various countries.

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the DMW is committed to defending and protecting the rights of OFWs, including those on death row.

The OFWs on death row are assisted in accessing all opportunities for clemency or sentence commutation, he said.

Cacdac emphasized that the government’s support for distressed OFWs is extended beyond legal aid.

He said psychological, moral and financial assistance are also given to the families of affected OFWs.

The DMW reported that OFWs on death row decreased to 25 from 60 earlier this year following reforms in Malaysia’s sentencing laws and the government’s continued diplomatic engagement.