Category: Philippine Star

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into a much larger pool of Davao infrastructure contracts than previously disclosed, with a preliminary Commission on Audit (COA) report putting the value at about P7 billion for 51 projects awarded to one contractor from 2018 to 2024.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the figure surfaced as the bureau reviewed documents in its investigation of alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Davao City.

The amount is significantly higher than the previously reported P1.9 billion worth of projects awarded to Genesis88 Construction Inc. in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. The NBI has identified 47 projects for closer examination, with six initially described as clearly questionable based on the documents reviewed.

‘The initial report we received from COA was P7 billion,’ Matibag said over dzRH on Thursday. ‘One contractor had P7 billion worth of projects, with 51 projects.’

The contracts span from 2018 to 2024, although Matibag said the bulk of the projects were awarded from 2022 to 2024. The NBI is now examining why one contractor repeatedly secured projects and whether the bidding and procurement processes were properly followed.

Matibag said the bureau would also consult the Philippine Competition Commission to determine whether the pattern of contracts raised competition concerns. ‘There are many contractors. Why is it that only one or two repeatedly receive the contracts?’ he said.

The NBI had earlier reported possible ghost and substandard projects, as well as projects appearing to have the same coordinates but different titles and separate budgets.

Matibag said officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were being asked to explain the projects and provide supporting records, while the NBI would formally seek additional documents from COA.

The bureau has already identified the owners of the construction companies involved and plans to summon them as the investigation progresses.

Matibag stressed that the investigation is not directed at any particular politician and that receiving projects in a congressional district does not by itself establish wrongdoing by the lawmaker representing it.

‘What we will first look at is the bidding process,’ he said. ‘It does not automatically mean that a person is criminally involved or conspired in wrongdoing.’

The NBI director said investigators would need evidence of intervention or participation in the procurement process before linking any public official to possible criminal liability. He added the bureau would continue examining projects regardless of the political affiliation of officials involved.

Matibag noted the investigation remains ongoing and that the documents and testimony being gathered will determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

DPWH Davao chief appears before NBI

DPWH Region XI Director Juby Cordon appeared before the NBI on Thursday to comply with a subpoena issued in connection with the bureau’s probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Davao.

Cordon arrived at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City at around 1 p.m. but declined to answer questions from reporters.

Ten boxes of documents from DPWH Region XI were also brought to the NBI as the bureau examines around 50 flood control projects flagged for possible irregularities.

Cordon was subpoenaed to provide records covering 37 contracts, most of them in Davao City and Davao del Sur.

The subpoena, issued on Sept. 17, cited possible violations of the Revised Penal Code on malversation, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Matibag earlier said the bureau found red flags in 47 of 100 projects reviewed based on DPWH records. Six of the 47 were initially identified as clearly questionable, including projects suspected to be ghost or substandard and those that appeared to carry different titles and funding despite having the same coordinates.

There’s been a development in the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts in Luzon, but it’s not exactly good news.

According to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, some families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts have withdrawn or stopped cooperating in the cases, including an obstruction of justice complaint against a defense lawyer.

As of last hearing, only one complainant showed up.

A report from GMA has Fadullon adding that even if complainants recant or withdraw their statements, the cases can still proceed without them. The Department of Justice also said the lack of cooperation from the families of those missing won’t affect the criminal aspect of the cases, only the claims for damages.

So what’s the bad news we’re referring to here? The case will proceed anyway.

If speculation is to be believed, the families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts are slowly losing interest in the case or abandoning it altogether because they’re being threatened or paid.

One is worse than the other.

We understand why some would back down due to threats. Those behind the disappearances of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts are likely very influential individuals with connections to even more powerful people, who may not think twice about making even more people disappear.

But if they’re being paid for their silence, then that’s different.

Because it shows that some families are willing to forget that someone they loved was snatched, murdered, then dumped God-knows-where in exchange for money. Even if the guilty don’t get punished, even if they can never bury that loved one properly.

But it might not be that simple. Some families might have been threatened, others paid off. Or threatened until they just agreed to get paid off. Or they might have just lost interest because they have decided to forgive and move on.

We won’t know exactly because people aren’t talking about it.

But one thing’s sure. If some people are willingly accepting money for silence or non-cooperation then it sends the message that those who are rich enough can afford to just pay people to look the other way if they do something wrong. And that some of us are totally cool with it as long as we’re getting paid.

Body-swapping and time travel drive the drama in “Dive Into You” starring Kim Ji-yeon, more popularly known as Bona, Jang Se-hyuk, and Park Seo-ham.

Bona and Se-hyuk play twins Ha-na and Ha-ru who learn they are capable of travelling back in time using an old camcorder.

Together they rewrite history in order to save Seo-ham’s Jung Woo-jae, Ha-na’s first love who lost his life protecting her.

Ha-na, a seasoned celebrity in adulthood, returns to her teenage years but ends up in Ha-ru’s body.

The 12-episode series premieres on September 26 in the Philippines via the streaming service Viki, hailed by the platform’s chief content officer Jaehee Hong in a statement as “a place where fans around the world can discover and connect over Asian stories they love.” “With ‘Dive Into You,’ we’re continuing to invest in original stories that bring together the creativity, talent and emotional storytelling that audiences look to Korean dramas for,” Hong also said. “We’re excited to bring this series to our global community and give fans another story to fall in love with.”

Bona is a member of the girl group WSJN and her acting credits include “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” “Joseon Attorney,” “Pyramid Game,” and most recently “The Haunted Palace.”

Se-hyuk debuted in “Bitch x Rich” before going on to star in “Our Unwritten Seoul,” “Love, Take Two,” “Pro Bono,” and “Filing For Love.”

Seo-ham is best known for playing Jang Jae-young in the “Semantic Error” show and movie, also starring in “The Murky Stream” and “Our Universe.”

The Wednesday Club reaffirmed its dominance over the Monday Hoopers, 108-99, in the 1st Edgar Cokaliong Memorial Cup Basketball Tournament sponsored by Shell Pilipinas Corporation last Tuesday, September 22, at the Don Edgar Stadium of Cokaliong Tower.

Wednesday Club launched a fierce opening assault, 28-12, and never looked back from there onwards to hand the Monday Hoopers their fifth straight loss.

Jonel Camboanga exploded for 34 points, while Cyfandel Amora banged in 26 points as the Wednesday Club completed its campaign in the double-round elimination with a 2-4 win-loss record.

Reil Young chipped in 15 points, while Dexter Stella and Alvin Bustos combined for 21 for the Wednesday Club, which will face the twice-to-beat Toyota Mandaue North in the Final Four.

Regardless of the outcome of its game against the Monday Hoopers today (Friday, September 25), Toyota Mandaue is already assured of the No.2 spot in the semifinals with a 3-2 card.

The Chester Cokaliong-led Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All Stars are the top seeds with a perfect 6-0 slate. Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, they will go up against the fourth-ranked Monday Hoopers in the semis next week.

The scores

Wednesday Club (108) – Camboanga 34, Amora 26, Young 15, Bustos 11, Stella 10, Tero 6, Tadefa 4

Monday Hoopers (99) – Advani 36, Salibay 25, Abella 23, Mata 9, Dizon 6

Quarterscores: 28-12;54-40;81-70;108-99.

It’s been over a month since the PBA put the Governors ‘Cup on hold to give way to Gilas’ participation in the fourth FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Hostilities will resume on Oct. 7 with rule and import changes to be introduced.

While on break, the PBA scheduled five provincial games in a tour that ends in Candon, Ilocos Sur, tomorrow with TNT taking on Rain or Shine. NLEX, sharing the top of the standings with San Miguel Beer at 7-2, lost twice during the series as Robert Bolick attended to Gilas. The first setback was a 109-107 squeaker to Blackwater in San Jose del Monte last Sept. 9. No imports played that game. Then, the Road Warriors dropped a 95-81 decision to Magnolia in Batangas City last Sept. 19 with new import Deonte Burton scoring 11 points.

Other tour winners were San Miguel over Phoenix, 94-89, in Ilagan City last Sept 12 and Meralco over Converge, 96-89 in Santiago City the next day. Marcio Lassiter fired 30 points for the Beermen who were without June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Don Trollano and Jerrick Ahanmisi. CJ Cansino hit 21 points to pace the Bolts. Jordon Varnado, Chris Newsome and Brandon Bates sat out for Meralco while Justine Baltazar and Jusin Arana were excused for Gilas duties.

Aside from Burton, TNT’s Nick Hornsby and Ginebra’s Jordan Murphy will make their first PBA appearance this conference. They both flew in yesterday. TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa said Hornsby won’t play in Candon tomorrow. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is back in the US to attend his grandmother’s funeral and will return on Oct. 5. He’s expected to be ready to play starting the quarterfinals. Ginebra assistant coach Richard del Rosario said while Murphy will take over from Riley Grigsby, there’s still hope for Justin Brownlee to reemerge. Coach Tim Cone said nothing is final with Brownlee. ‘We’re hopeful, we’ll see,’ noted Cone. ‘In the meantime, (for Gilas), we’re still working on Bennie (Boatwright).’

Hornsby, 31, played in four NCAA seasons with Sacramento State and never averaged in double figure points until his senior year in 2016-17 when he shot an average of 11.3. He has seen action in four years in Germany and Canada, three in Israel and one each in Mexico and Indonesia. Hornsby starred in Indonesia last season, averaging 24 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 77.9 percent from the line.

Murphy, 29, has seen action for the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico national teams. He averaged in twin digit points in four years with the University of Minnesota and came close to joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2019-20 NBA season. Murphy has been a mainstay in the Puerto Rico league since 2021. Last season, he averaged 12.3 points for Leones de Ponce, hitting 57.6 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from three.

The rule changes will conform to FIBA’s modifications which take into global effect on Oct. 1. The major difference is the removal of the unsportsmanlike foul. Now, fouls are classified into flagrant, disruptive and technical. Flagrant will be called on a non-legitimate play against an opponent as in a reckless or violent act. Disruptive will be called on no legitimate attempt to play the ball in transition. Technical will be called for disrespectful behavior, excessive swinging of elbows, flop, delay of game, hanging on the ring and goaltending on the last free throw.

Access to online community platforms Discord and Reddit has been restored after the companies have agree to comply with the safety guidelines set by the Philippine government.

The two platforms reportedly became inaccessible to some users earlier this week after Philippine authorities gave them a 24-hour ultimatum to establish their presence in the country.

In a press release on Friday, September 25, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced that the platforms have formally agreed with the government’s standards amid the ongoing evaluation of children’s online safety.

‘The temporary restriction successfully compelled both tech giants to establish binding, operational commitments with the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC),’ the press release read.

According to DICT, Reddit and Discord committed to establish a ‘green lane’ for local authorities for immediate removal of exploitative materials and channels targeting minors.

Also included in the agreement is the implementation of age-verification systems and close coordination with the country’s cybersecurity agencies.

The agreement prompted the DICT to direct the National Telecommunications Commission (NCT) and internet service providers in the country to restore the access on Reddit and Discord nationwide.

The recent move of the DICT and CICC came following the deadly school shooting incident in South Cotabato on September 18, which intensified concerns over influences of nihilistic violence extremism (NVE) online.

The ban on Discord, however, sparked criticisms from users who use the platforms for jobs, businesses, and other non-gaming related purposes.

On Thursday, September 24, the CICC publicly apologized to the inconvenienced users, admitting that they were unaware that Discord is not exclusively a game-messaging platform.

It’s Friday, and for most Filipinos nowadays, the weekend is for malling. More so now, because of the unwanted effect of the Middle East War that has caused crude oil prices to rise.

Going out of town, even just to nearby Tagaytay, can now burn a big hole in a family’s budget – with the price of gas now over P90 per liter and more than P80 per liter for diesel.

If the Middle East conflict continues to escalate, crude oil prices could rise even higher.

On top of the higher cost of gasoline and diesel, traveling outside of Mega Manila also entails tolls – depending on how far one is going.

While in the past out-of-town trips involved homemade picnics, nowadays there are a lot of fast-food chain outlets and restaurants to choose from, racking up expenses.

Thankfully, Filipinos’ penchant for shopping has resulted in a robust malling culture that has now beaten what was once America’s domain. In fact, the era of big shopping malls in the US has significantly declined.

Here in the Philippines, it has become so ingrained in our culture that even restaurants are now located in the malls and are moving away from stand-alone structures.

This mall culture has likewise spread outside of Metro Manila, so much so that big retailers such as SM have learned to capitalize on this love of Filipinos for weekend malling.

It is safe to say that SM can be credited for finding the retail goldmine by leading the shopping mall concept and regional expansion of retail marketing as well.

At least from what I recall in the past, the well-known department stores were COD Department Store in Cubao, especially for its annual Christmas display.

In the downtown area in Manila, the most well-known was Ever Department Store in Quiapo.

Rustan’s Department Store started as a small high-end boutique store in San Marcelino in Manila, eventually moving to Makati and opening the Rustan’s Department Store, which was then considered the swankiest store in the then-developing Makati Commercial Center of Ayala Corp.

SM, of course, started as a mere shoe retailer in Carriedo and became well-known for its wide range of reasonably priced and well-made sturdy shoes and footwear.

It eventually put up the Shoemart Department Store in Quiapo, expanding to clothes and other household consumer items.

Eventually, it was able to open its first-ever department store in Makati, which by then had already evolved into the now well-known SM brand, offering a more economical shopping option to Rustan’s, which had already established its ‘luxury’ status.

Fast forward to 2026 and there is no longer any doubt that SM has changed the face of the retail market, not only in Mega Manila but honestly in the entire Philippines. It can also be credited for spreading the mall culture that combined shopping with dining and entertainment.

SM, if I may say so, has even beaten its regional competitor in the south – the Gaisano Department Store, which was then the most well-known in the Visayas and Mindanao.

SM is now a byword in the Philippine retail market and even so much more.

It has been noted that the local retail market is now seeing most of its growth from outside Metro Manila.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, all 18 Philippine regions recorded economic growth in 2025, with Western Visayas posting the fastest growth at 6.4 percent, ahead of the National Capital Region at 4.35 percent. Wholesale and retail trade also remained among the largest contributors to Philippine economic growth in the second quarter of 2026.

Regional retail expansion is also a form of decentralization, with economic activity moving away from Metro Manila.

While Metro Manila will remain the country’s largest consumer market, regional economies are expanding as infrastructure improves. Local entrepreneurs have more opportunities to reach larger markets.

According to Colliers Philippines, property companies are expanding their retail footprint outside Mega Manila to take advantage of regional economic growth and rising purchasing power. It points to markets such as CALABARZON and Western Visayas, where a growing consumer base is supporting new retail destinations.

There is considerable room for retail to grow as household consumption continues to be a major driver of the Philippine economy. Improving roads, transportation, logistics and digital connectivity are making regional markets easier to serve.

Preferences, however, vary by region. Local brands matter. Even the way families use malls and other commercial spaces can reflect local lifestyles.

The next phase of Philippine retail growth may be more about recognizing that different markets are growing, and the key is to learn how to serve each one well.

At the recent National Retail Conference and Expo, one insight was how to stay relevant as customers and markets change.

I guess for SM, the key was to stay close to the customer. It did not assume that what works in Metro Manila will work everywhere. Instead, it opted to understand how people in different parts of the country live, shop and make choices.

Recent developments reflect this approach. SM has opened new malls in Zamboanga and La Union, while SM Nuvali in Laguna is expected to open this year as the company’s largest mall in the province.

SM’s strategy is to deploy capital in high-growth regional markets where rising incomes, better connectivity and expanding urban centers are supporting demand. It has also taken note of micro, small and medium enterprises as they account for the majority of Philippine businesses and are major sources of employment.

SM Supermalls works with entrepreneurs through platforms such as the Negros Trade Fair and Department of Trade and Industry-led regional fairs.

The lesson SM is imparting is that the next phase of Philippine retail is learning how to serve each region well.

Transparency International created a frightening corruption story, which I would like to share with you.

No matter where you live, you probably know someone who has fallen victim to a scam. Scams promise easy money or invent a crisis – a computer virus, a blocked account – to trick people into handing over money or personal details.

With new technologies such as AI, these threats are becoming more sophisticated and targeting people on a global scale. But scams carry a less visible cost: the so-called scam industry is a significant governance and human rights issue, and corruption is what keeps it running.

Scam centers have become one of the world’s most lucrative forms of organized crime, stealing an estimated US$1 trillion globally in 2024 alone. Nearly all share the same basic components: a physical site, access to digital tools, a workforce and management structures. Bribery, political protection and law enforcement collusion multiply their reach, giving criminal networks cover to recruit, move and exploit victims, and vanish before police arrive.

The mechanics of fraud

To the outside world, these facilities appear to be standard IT or business support offices, often housed in modern business centers. They operate not merely through random calls, but through a highly organized system of psychological engineering and technical manipulation.

Scammers employ a specific playbook of ‘tricks’ designed to dismantle a victim’s skepticism, followed by ‘solutions’.

How a scam call center works

The pattern repeats across continents. This week, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, resigned amid corruption allegations related to scam centers in the country. Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators say they have identified a money-laundering scheme in the Prosecutor’s office. In exchange for bribes, the officials allegedly protected fraudulent call centers that carried out phone scams and laundered millions in assets. Kravchenko denies the allegations.

In Myanmar, reports show that the Karen Border Guard Force, which is connected to the Myanmar military, controls and provides security to scam compounds in exchange for a cut of profits.

In Georgia, allegations against senior officials and politically connected actors illustrate how scam centers can become embedded in state-linked protection networks. Corrupt actors allegedly shielded operations in exchange for kickbacks.

In Cambodia, scam operations are connected to political elites and housed in hotels, resorts, casinos and office parks. Wider kleptocratic and patronage networks help sustain the business.

Beyond the money, scam centers are connected to serious human rights abuses. Workers are trafficked into these compounds through fake job adverts, then held through debt bondage, violence and restrictions on movement. ???Corruption enables this at nearly every stage, with officials reportedly waving trafficked workers through border checkpoints.

Even rescue isn’t always safe: some escaped victims say police demanded bribes before letting them go.

Why this keeps happening

Scam centers cluster where oversight is weakest: border areas, special economic zones and conflict-affected regions. Southeast Asia is a regional hotspot: six of ten ASEAN countries still lack adequate laws against private-sector bribery. Only three have whistleblower protections. Without those foundations, protection rackets can run with almost no legal risk.

Special economic zones are a particular blind spot. Designed to attract investment through lighter regulation, zones in Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines have all been cited as hosting scam operations.

What can be done

The required responses are as much about governance as policing. On the criminal side, the report highlights the importance of stronger regional law enforcement cooperation, technological safeguards against increasingly sophisticated scams, and reintegration support for trafficked workers who escape. Without this support, many risk being pulled back into the same networks.

On the corruption side, there is a need to tighten the anti-corruption framework in states that shelter these operations and enhance oversight, so it actually reaches border areas and special economic zones. Officials complicit in trafficking need to face prosecution too, not only the low-level operators usually caught in raids.

In the Georgian case, it was not law enforcement that exposed the network – it was a whistleblower, an IT specialist working inside the scam structure. He identified specific high-ranking officials allegedly protecting criminals. According to the testimony, the network was vast, spanning hundreds of locations and employing tens of thousands of people. A single call center could generate up to US$500,000 a day.

Whistleblowers, investigative journalists and civil society groups are often the first to dig where others won’t. That work is getting harder as ‘foreign agents’ laws spread and require NGOs to disclose sources of foreign funding. Protecting them isn’t a side issue in the fight against corruption. It’s how the fight gets fought at all.

Given the fact that Transparency International and the Integrity Initiative are working together, I have read their report various times in order to find solutions for us in the Philippines. I would deeply appreciate if readers could find solutions beyond what is stated under What can be done above. Do you agree that a new generation of political leaders may have to be elected?

Finally, Mr. Ariel Nepomuceno said in his recent column PERCEPTIONS:

We have to realize that we are drowning in politics, while poverty devours our future.

The ALV Pageant Circle and Mister World Philippines organization presented its 2026 male titleholders in a media event at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

The Mister World Philippines 2026 winner and his court, known collectively as Islands Philippines Kings, gamely posed before the pageant media, as well as shared about their coming international pageants.

Christian Manalo, who won Mister Philippines Tourism, will compete in either the Mister Tourism International or Mister Tourism Worldwide. The Kapampangan gent will compete early next year.

Jessie Guinto, who was proclaimed Mister Glam International Philippines 2026, will try his luck at the international finals on December 3. The Bulakeño will be wearing Nat Manilag designs.

Mister Interglobal Philippines Alex Herberich hopes to win the international title, just like how Margarette Briton recently won the inaugural title of Miss Interglobal in the Bali finals. The proud Pangasinense will compete on the global stage in February 2027.

Wendell Panfilo, Mister Model International Philippines, is currently polishing his pageant skills. The Nueva Ecija delegate says walking and media presence are important in a modelling contest. He will fly to Barranquilla, Colombia for the October 31 finals.

Logan Culp, who hails from the Overseas Filipino Community of Canada, was named Mister Universe Philippines 2026. He will compete in Los Angeles in November.

Paris Cabuco was proclaimed Mister Globe Philippines 2026. The delegate from Baguio City is the nephew of celebrity athlete Mark Mugen Streigl.

And Mister World Philippines 2026 Aaron Davis is an international athlete. The winner from Polangui, Albay is busy preparing for his international competition next year.

Authorities have confiscated over P254.8 million worth of illegal drugs in Metro Manila in a span of 30 days, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.

NCRPO officer-in-charge director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said intensified anti-narcotics operations from Aug. 23 to Sept. 23 targeted distribution networks and criminal groups operating across Metro Manila.

The bulk of the drug haul – around P204 million – was seized from a lone high-value suspect in Las Piñas City on Sept. 19.

Authorities also confiscated dried marijuana leaves amounting to P103,032 and P1,000.

Police also seized 923.65 grams of Kush marijuana, but no street value was provided.

‘The NCRPO will continue to pursue a focused and intelligence-driven campaign against illegal drugs,’ Abrahano said in a statement. ‘Every operation we undertake is geared toward preventing these substances from reaching our communities and ensuring that those involved are held accountable.’

Abrahano warned drug traffickers that intelligence efforts and focused operations would disrupt their activities.

‘Every seizure is a reminder that illegal drugs have no place in our communities,’ he said.