Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Sen. Joel Villanueva on Tuesday urged the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to consider waiving or refunding toll fees paid by motorists who were stranded for hours amid severe flooding along NLEx in San Simon, Pampanga.

In his privilege speech before the Senate, Villanueva also called for a clear, funded and permanent solution to the recurring flooding that has repeatedly disrupted traffic along the major expressway.

‘Naniniwala rin tayo na dapat ikonsidera ng NLEx management ang pag-waive o pag-refund ng toll fees para sa mga motoristang matinding naapektuhan ng prolonged closure,’ Villanueva said.

(We also believe that the NLEx management should consider waiving or refunding toll fees for motorists severely affected by the prolonged closure.)

‘Nagbayad ka na ng toll, naipit ka pa sa baha. Hindi po iyon ang serbisyong binayaran ng ating mga kababayan,’ he added.

(You already paid the toll, only to get stuck in the flood. That is not the service our fellow Filipinos paid for.)

Villanueva made the statement amid reports that traffic along the affected portion of NLEX stretched as far as 10 kilometers, with some motorists reportedly spending up to 22 hours on the road.

He also asked NLEx whether immediate assistance had been provided to stranded motorists.

‘May tubig, pagkain, portalets, at medical assistance po ba para sa mga nangangailangan?’ he said.

(Were there water, food, portalets, and medical assistance to those affected?)

Villanueva stressed that the situation should not be treated as a simple inconvenience, given the prolonged period motorists were trapped on the expressway.

‘Usapin po ito ng kaligtasan at kapakanan ng tao,’ he said.

(This is a matter of safety and welfare of the people,)

The Inquirer sought a comment from NLEx on the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Meanwhile, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, operator of NLEx, has previously expressed its apologies to motorists who have been stranded in some sections of the expressway, which were rendered impassable because of severe flooding.

Recurring problem

Villanueva noted that the flooding in San Simon was not a new problem.

He recalled that following a similar flooding incident in 2023, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEx identified the construction of the Tulaoc Overpass and the raising of portions of the expressway as a medium-term solution.

Since then, NLEx has raised a 0.7-meter section of a 200-meter stretch in the Tulaoc area, the senator noted.

But Villanueva said it was clear that simply raising the road was not enough to address the recurring flooding.

He also acknowledged that there were limitations to raising the expressway further because of existing bridges and required vehicle clearances.

While pumping equipment is being used to remove floodwaters, Villanueva said this should only be considered an emergency response, rather than a permanent solution.

‘Critical economic lifeline’

Villanueva described NLEx as a ‘critical economic lifeline,’ noting that the expressway handled an average of more than 350,000 vehicle entries every day in 2024, according to NLEx Corporation.

‘Kapag naparalisa ang NLEx, apektado ang trabaho, negosyo, supply chain, at oras ng ating mga kababayan,’ Villanueva said.

(When NLEx is paralyzed, jobs, businesses, the supply chain, and the time of our fellow Filipinos are affected.)

He also raised concerns over the rerouting of motorists to the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). Villanueva said there were insufficient signs, traffic personnel, lighting, and clear directions to guide motorists through alternative routes.

He also noted that navigation apps may not immediately reflect road closures, potentially leaving motorists unaware of the flood.

‘Sa emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Hindi dapat makarating muna ang motorista sa baha bago niya malaman na hindi pala siya makakadaan dito,’ he said.

(In an emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Motorists should not have to reach the flooded area before finding out that they cannot pass through)

Beyond emergency measures, however, Villanueva said authorities should pursue a ‘clear, funded, time-bound, and permanent solution’ to the recurring flooding in San Simon.

‘Our people deserve an expressway that is not only fast when the weather is good, but safe, reliable, and resilient when they need it most,’ Villanueva said.

A group of criminologists has called for the dismissal of two police officers accused of acts of lasciviousness against two female criminology student-interns inside a police station here.

Gerry Caño, president of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP), said the group would provide legal assistance to the interns and help file administrative complaints.

‘We will lead and take charge of filing the administrative cases,’ Caño said in an online interview.

He said officers found guilty of misconduct and violations of the Safe Spaces Act should face administrative and criminal charges, including possible revocation of their professional licenses.

‘Touching or caressing the body parts of female interns must not be taken lightly or treated as a joke,’ Caño said, urging the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned agencies to strengthen safeguards against sexual harassment during student internships.

PCAP is prepared to assist the victims in filing complaints before the Professional Regulation Commission, National Police Commission, People’s Law Enforcement Board and Office of the Ombudsman, Caño said.

Confirmation

The call followed confirmation by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 that a police captain and a corporal allegedly committed acts of lasciviousness against two female interns inside Police Station 7 of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) on Aug. 8.

PRO-10 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. said the two officers had been placed under restrictive custody at the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

‘Misconduct will not be tolerated,’ Babagay said, stressing that police personnel must uphold professionalism, integrity and respect for the dignity and welfare of others.

He directed the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division to conduct a pre-charge evaluation, while COCPO director Col. Dexter Paje was instructed to assist the alleged victims through the Women and Children Protection Desk in filing criminal complaints.

The COCPO earlier formed an investigation team after a local higher education institution requested the withdrawal of its student-trainees following complaints of sexual harassment.

Happiest Pinoy, Cebuana Lhuillier’s flagship advocacy celebrating Filipino resilience, optimism, and joy, has been named a Bronze Stevie® Winner for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility at the 23rd Annual International Business Awards®. Known as the ‘International Stevies,’ the awards are among the world’s major business honors, drawing more than 3,400 nominations from organizations across 82 nations and territories. More than 210 professionals evaluated winners across 11 specialized judging panels.

For Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, the recognition underscores the role of optimism in creating meaningful social impact. ‘Happiest Pinoy was built on a simple belief: that optimism is not just a mindset, but a powerful force that can shape communities and inspire action. By celebrating the everyday ways Filipinos choose hope and happiness, we hope to spark a ripple effect, one that encourages more people to lift each other up and see the possibilities ahead.’

The 2025 search drew more than 500,000 entries nationwide, expanding its categories to celebrate the many faces of Filipino joy-from upbeat Gen Zs and inspiring seniors to persons with disabilities, OFWs, entrepreneurs, artists, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA+ advocates, and everyday Ka-Cebuanas whose stories show that happiness can be found in every generation, community, and walk of life.

Happiest Pinoy also moved beyond a traditional competition through a nationwide roadshow that brought the advocacy directly to communities. Cebuana Lhuillier engaged student leaders, school heads, local tourism champions, media partners, local government representatives, and marginalized sectors, widening participation and creating opportunities for more Filipinos to share their stories. Entries were accepted online, through video, and at Cebuana Lhuillier branches, making the search accessible to Filipinos across the country.

A distinguished panel of judges from government, business, sports, media, and social development brought together diverse experiences and perspectives on overcoming challenges and making a difference in others’ lives. Together, they assessed the finalists not only for their resilience and optimism, but also for the impact, authenticity, and purpose behind their stories.

Zacarias Mansing Jr., a literacy and disability inclusion advocate, emerged as the overall winner from among 10 national category winners, taking home the ?500,000 grand prize. After an accident left him paralyzed, Mansing transformed his experience into a mission to advance literacy and disability inclusion, reaching more than 50,000 students across 300 remote public schools in Negros Oriental through his Books for Kids Project.

The advocacy has recently expanded into the digital space through #SimpleJoysPH, turning the celebration of happiness into an ongoing movement that can be experienced and shared year-round. Across online platforms, people celebrate the moments that make life meaningful like family milestones and personal wins to simple acts of kindness. Building on the spirit of Happiest Pinoy, #SimpleJoysPH takes the celebration beyond the annual competition, creating more ways to express and inspire everyday joy through meaningful stories, a songwriting contest, and a dance challenge.

The Bronze Stevie® recognizes Happiest Pinoy’s evolution from an annual search into a broader advocacy, one that continues to reach more Filipinos, amplify stories of strength and purpose, and celebrate the everyday optimism that makes the Filipino spirit shine.

A magnitude 6 earthquake rocked Davao Occidental at 9:22 Tuesday evening, the state volcanology office said.

The tremor was tectonic in origin and was traced 115 kilometers south of Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

It has a depth of 93 kilometers.

Intensity III was felt in Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Sarangani: and Tupi, South Cotabato

Intensity II was recorded in Digos City, Maasim, Malapatan and Maitum in Sarangani province; Gen. Santos City and Tboli,South Cotabato.

Intensity I in Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Koronadal City.

No reported damage to properties as of posting.

The national government’s cash utilization improved at the start of the second half of the year as the Marcos administration sought to ramp up spending to support economic growth, latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed.

According to the DBM’s latest Notices of Cash Allocation (NCA) report, the government’s utilization rate improved to 94.6 percent as of end-July, equivalent to P2.955 trillion used out of the P3.125 trillion released. The rate was better than the 94 percent recorded in the same period last year.

The amount of NCAs released in the first seven months was also nearly 5 percent higher than the P2.986 trillion recorded a year earlier.

NCAs refer to the authority issued by the DBM that allows agencies to withdraw funds from the Treasury to cover the cash requirements of their operations, programs and projects.

Line departments, which received the bulk of the releases, recorded a utilization rate of 92.2 percent, slightly higher than the 92 percent posted a year earlier. They used P1.988 trillion out of the P2.156 trillion released.

The Department of Education received the largest allocation among departments at P513.943 billion, of which P478.656 billion, or 93.1 percent, had been utilized.

The Department of Public Works and Highways followed with P320.131 billion in releases. It used P275.932 billion, translating to an 86.2-percent utilization rate and leaving P44.199 billion unused-the largest among departments.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense used 98.4 percent of its P238.590-billion allocation, with P234.878 billion disbursed.

Among agencies with lower utilization rates, the Office of the President posted a 69.4-percent rate (P7.41 billion of P10.68 billion), followed by the Presidential Communications Office at 72 percent (P1.5 billion of P2.1 billion), and the Civil Service Commission at 73.3 percent (P1.38 billion of P1.88 billion).

Outside the line departments, subsidies to state-run firms and allocations to local government units were almost fully utilized, with their combined utilization rate reaching 99.8 percent, better than the 99 percent recorded a year earlier.

Subsidies to government-owned and -controlled corporations reached a utilization rate of 98.9 percent (P132.12 billion of P133.64 billion), while allocations to LGUs were fully utilized at 100 percent (P835.14 billion of P835.47 billion).

Globe Business is addressing this challenge through AI WAN, an intelligent network management solution designed to help anticipate, identify and respond to potential network issues with less manual intervention. Once progressively deployed across Globe’s network infrastructure, AI WAN will continuously analyze network conditions and traffic behavior, allowing potential performance issues to be detected and addressed before they escalate into larger disruptions.

‘The G Summit is designed around the theme of Orchestrating Intelligence, demonstrating how next-generation technologies function together to drive the autonomous enterprise,’ said Glenn Estrella, Vice President at Globe Business, speaking on the sidelines of G Summit 2026. ‘AI WAN serves as a critical network-layer component of our transformation roadmap. By integrating proactive intelligence directly into our infrastructure, we are providing businesses with a stable, self-healing foundation.’

This capability was previewed inside the experience rooms at G Summit 2026, where business leaders witnessed the practical application of self-healing networks. During a live demonstration, a physical hardware port was deliberately disconnected to simulate a network disruption. AI WAN automatically recognized the anomaly, analyzed the event, and rerouted traffic immediately, maintaining complete connectivity with zero operational downtime. Because Globe owns and manages the underlying network backbone, the company is uniquely positioned to execute these complex troubleshooting and restoration workflows on the backend, ensuring a seamless user experience.

AI WAN is designed to predict, explain, visualize and help resolve network issues. It continuously monitors network health and learns an organization’s traffic patterns over time, allowing it to detect unusual behavior and potential performance issues before they develop into larger disruptions. This also helps identify the likely source of an issue faster, reducing the manual work required from IT teams.

The system responds based on the level of risk involved. Low-risk network anomalies can be addressed automatically, standard configuration changes can be prepared for implementation, while higher-risk modifications remain subject to human review. Globe Business keeps enterprise IT teams informed when their input or authorization is needed, maintaining human oversight over critical decisions.

AI WAN can also analyze capacity trends to anticipate future network demand and potential bandwidth constraints. This gives businesses better visibility into when and where additional capacity or infrastructure may be needed, helping them plan investments more efficiently.

‘Businesses should be able to depend on their network without having to constantly think about what is happening behind it,’ Estrella said. ‘When the network can anticipate issues and respond more effectively, IT teams can spend less time troubleshooting and more time supporting the growth of the business.’

AI WAN is slated for progressive deployment across Globe’s network as part of Globe Business’ broader effort to make enterprise connectivity more proactive, resilient and easier to manage.

To learn more about how Globe Business can support your organization’s intelligent transformation journey, visit www.globe.com.ph/business.

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima has called for the suspension of ‘earth-balling’ or relocation of mangroves until the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) crafts a more comprehensive study on the matter.

At a recent House hearing on the DENR’s proposed 2027 budget, De Lima inquired about the status of the department’s Oct. 8, 2025 memorandum providing guidelines for processing requests to earth-ball mangroves pending the completion of a study.

She wondered why the memorandum was issued despite the lack of scientific studies or even consultations.

De Lima also observed that an ‘interim operational guidance’ has apparently turned into a ‘de facto policy’ allowing the earth-balling of mangroves for flagship infrastructure projects.

‘We understand that there is a technical working group (TWG) that was recently created regarding the earth-balling of mangroves. I am wondering why that memorandum was issued at all, even before consultations, or even before the creation of TWG, or a scientific study. What exactly is the survival rate?’ she said.

‘All of these things should have been confirmed or verified first before allowing the issuance of this memorandum,’ she further pointed out.

Commitment to evaluate

In response, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the department deemed it appropriate at the time to issue the memorandum in pursuit of sustainable development.

He also claimed the DENR was in consultation with the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau and Forest Management Bureau, the agencies tasked to study the survival rate of mangroves.

‘We’re encouraged by the initial results that have been sent to us already, but for us to be able to really extensively complete the study, we are targeting December of this year,’ he said.

Hearing this, De Lima advised the DENR to be more direct about the study’s findings, especially if the mangroves’ survival rate is extremely low.

She urged the department to ‘first suspend the implementation, if not do away with the memorandum altogether.’

Cuna committed to evaluate the matter.

House measures

De Lima earlier filed House Resolution No. 1206 seeking to conduct an inquiry into the memorandum as this directly conflicts with the country’s commitments and undermines its standing as a steward of global mangrove conservation.

She also filed House Bill No. 8353 seeking to require the establishment of coastal greenbelt zones to prevent coastal erosion. These zones consist of mangroves and beach forests at least 100 meters wide.

The measure also specifically defines the country’s policy goals and objectives for the management of mangrove resources.

‘The lack of a national policy on mangroves poses a great challenge and has caused existing mangrove protection and rehabilitation efforts to remain ineffective and unsuccessful,’ De Lima said in filing the bill.

‘We must urgently implement a comprehensive mechanism to shield coastal communities, protect habitats, and set the stage for rebuilding our fisheries and achieving food security,’ she added.

De Lima had also sought to establish the ‘legal validity’ of the guidelines, citing laws mandating the protection of mangroves such as Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654, and RA 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act.

Heavy traffic was still reported in the northbound and southbound lanes of the Tulaoc (San Simon) and San Simon Interchange in Pampanga along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) on Tuesday morning due to rising water levels in the Pampanga River, according to the NLEx Corporation.

The update was based on the latest traffic advisory issued at 6:15 a.m.

Despite the heavy traffic, the NLEx Corporation said all types of vehicles could pass through Lane 1, while Class 2 and 3 vehicles could pass through Lane 2 of Tulaoc (San Simon).

Lane 1 of San Simon Interchange is passable by Class 2 and 3 vehicles, except forClass 1 vehicles.

Meanwhile, the corporation said that the Libtong, Sta. Rita Northbound Entry, and Pulilan Northbound Entry are temporarily closed to all vehicles while approximately two-kilometer traffic buildup is observed at the Sta. Rita Northbound Exit.

Light volume of traffic is seen over the southbound portions of Balintawak, Valenzuela, and Meycauayan.

In a separate advisory, the corporation advised that Class 1 motorists coming from Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway or Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and traveling to Manila are advised to take Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) towards Maharlika Highway as an alternative route.

It also said that Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles traveling northbound are being diverted to the Balagtas Exit and advised to proceed to Maharlika Road towards CLLEx as an alternative route due to the rising water levels of Pampanga River, which is affecting the San Simon area of NLEx.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday questioned why nearly half of the Office of the President’s (OP) proposed budget next year falls under secret funds, a query left unanswered after lawmakers opted to forego questioning.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 37-5 to swiftly end debate on the OP’s P10.1 billion proposed budget, cutting short discussions after the panel deferred questioning over its spending plan due to parliamentary courtesy.

But Tinio pressed his point, urging transparency be applied across all agencies.

‘Why is it that almost half of the budget of the Office of the President is confidential and intelligence funds?’ he told lawmakers in Filipino, as around P4.56 billion was earmarked for spending beyond traditional scrutiny.

Confidential and intelligence funds are to be spent on surveillance and intelligence information gathering activities, according to a 2015 joint circular between the Commission on Audit (COA) and several agencies.

Tinio said the OP should explain its allotments meant for secret expenses, amid claims that Vice President Sara Duterte misused secret funds that had formed a key plank of impeachment efforts against her.

‘If P612.5 million in confidential funds is under scrutiny… why is the Office of the President not explaining why its confidential and intelligence funds are that big?’, he said.

‘We need a fair application of the principle of transparency,’ he added.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has the right to hold secret funds as the nation’s chief executive.

He also noted that COA had rendered an unmodified opinion on OP’s finances, which he described as ‘the highest opinion ever for all government agencies.’

‘The president is the chief executive officer. The president is the head of state, so his first job is to ensure law and order and that is where confidential funds are being used,’ he told reporters in mixed English and Filipino. ‘To the intelligence fund, he is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and that is important for national security,’ he added.

he Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Tuesday appealed for budget increases in some of their projects to respond to the possible impacts of El Niño in the country.

During the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the budget proposal of the two agencies, committee chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing asked both agencies if they allotted contingency funds under the 2027 National Expenditure Program for possible effects of El Niño on farmers and fisherfolk.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that his agency needs budget increases for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAF), noting that the distribution rate of PAF for this year stood at 57.67 percent and may be exhausted by next month due to the effects of southwest monsoon to the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.

He added that the agency needs another P8.7 billion for the fertilizer assistance funds for farmers and additional P10 billion to P12 billion for fisherfolk under the programs of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Meanwhile, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen asked the House lawmakers for an increase in the agency’s quick response fund (QRF). He shared that the NIA only has P300 million allotted for its QRF this year, which he said will not be enough.

Suansing then asked them to categorize the items allotted for El Niño response, noting that this is for them to give special consideration to their requests.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said that a moderate to strong El Niño is present in the Tropical Pacific. Citing climate models, it added that El Niño will persist until the first half of 2027 and may reach a very strong state until the end of 2026