Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A human rights advocate slammed the defense panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, branding its warnings of criminal liability an ‘absurd, desperate move’ and an outright ‘assault on press freedom.’

Carlos Conde, former senior researcher at Human Rights Watch – Asia Division and former secretary general of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), pointed out that while it might be too early to detect a widespread chilling effect, he would not be surprised if the defense’s persistence has already made some members of the press cautious.

He expressed surprise that Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero allowed such warnings to be aired in the first place, pointing out that the tribunal had already ruled the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents were permissible in the hearing.

‘These documents are being trotted out openly in an impeachment court,’ Conde told the Inquirer. ‘I don’t think journalists should find it hard to justify reporting on these documents,’ he added.

The controversy erupted during a tense confrontation inside the impeachment court on Monday, where defense attorney Mark Vinluan aggressively grilled a witness over the penal provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), demanding answers regarding a potential ‘breach of information security and confidentiality.’

Pressing the legal risks on the witness stand, the defense highlighted that violations carry penalties of three to eight years’ imprisonment, along with perpetual disqualification from public office.

The confrontational tactic drew swift censure from Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo, who intervened to call out the defense teams’ ‘intimidation’ and ‘veiled threats.’

Rather than backing down, Conde urged newsrooms to use such an incident as an opportunity to ‘push the envelope’ and report on the documents fairly, while remaining mindful of the accused’s right to due process.

‘What the defense is doing is…a really desperate move to try to prevent the public in general from exposing these alleged transactions,’ Conde said.

‘It is up to the media now to really reject that by being persistent in reporting what the documents say,’ he added.

During the trial, the witness repeatedly said he could not respond to questions about AMLC records outside the court’s subpoena.

-Thus said Mohagher M. Iqbal, in his reaction to several social media posts about a political coalition among four political parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Iqbal used to be the Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education during the transition period. To recall, he was ousted rather unceremoniously from this post after a new interim chief minister was installed and appointed by President Marcos.

An ideologue and key member of the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Iqbal also heads the MILF Peace Implementing Panel, which was organized after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The CAB is the main reason for the establishment of the BARMM, the new autonomous region that replaced the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. For almost two decades, Iqbal headed the MILF peace negotiating panel in the painstaking but landmark peace process between the MILF and the Philippine government. The CAB was signed in 2014, but the BARMM was only made fully operational starting early 2020, after a plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that became the legal framework for the region’s creation.

The said posts, allegedly from supporters of one political party, claimed that a huge coalition of three political parties and two members of the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) has been forged and that the members of the said coalition ‘… have already taken their oath, administered no less by the Supreme Court.’ In these posts, pictures of the leaders of the political parties are shown to have ‘forged the coalition,’ with pictures of leaders of the four political parties in one frame, as if the said coalition was already a done deal. It was made to appear that the different political parties that got Parliament seats in the Sept. 14 elections had decided together to be a ‘super’ majority in the forthcoming regular Parliament. The three political parties include the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the Serbisyong Inklusibo-Alyansang Progresibo, a political party associated with traditional politicians in Lanao del Sur.

In a statement released by the editorial desk of the Luwaran, the official information outlet of the MILF, Iqbal denied that the UBJP had already agreed to coalesce with three other political parties to form a ‘super’ majority party in the new Bangsamoro Parliament of 80 members.

In his characteristic sharp and terse remark, Iqbal reacted to the posts by summing up his denial saying, ‘nothing is over until it’s over…’ He reiterated his denial on his social media page.

The asymmetrically designed BARMM Parliament has 80 seats to be filled, but two of these have already been assigned prior to the first parliamentary elections. These are the seats reserved for NMIP in the BARMM from the Téduray and the Téduray-Lambangian groups, namely Jo Genna Jover and Leticio Datuwata.

After the controversial social media post was made public, the two issued a statement denying that they have joined any coalition, maintaining their independence, and that no political party ‘owns’ them. They strongly asserted that their mandate comes from their Indigenous Political Structure that nominated them for the two reserved seats, and not any political party.

Both BFP and UBJP figured in several preelection and election-related controversies, ranging from pre and postelection violent incidents that killed at least five and injured 43 people, mostly supporters of the UBJP, to ballot shading in the polls of different localities.

As the regional version of Mr. Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the BFP ran a well-oiled and aggressive political campaign, and convinced some UBJP stalwarts to join it, including the new interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua. Macacua used to be the commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the armed wing of the MILF, and was appointed governor of Maguindanao del Norte before he was appointed by Mr. Marcos as the new interim chief minister in March 2025.

All these have led to strained relationships between Macacua and the MILF, particularly with both the former interim Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, aka Al Haj Murad and Iqbal.

Consequently, the peace process mechanisms that were integral in the signing of the CAB and even in the provisions of the BOL came to a halt, abetted by the moves of some regional interlocutors who connived with key national officials close to Mr. Marcos to sow divisions among the MILF and eventually within the UBJP.

Heard of gray predators? These are elderly people who are victims of crime, from petty theft to murder. They are targeted because age slows down their responses to sudden moves against them, usually theft.

The digital age has increased digital assaults on a massive scale, most alarmingly through the stealing of digital information. In many cases, lolo or lola willingly surrenders digital information (passwords) to relatives and people they think they can trust, which may as well be tantamount to opening one’s safe to allow their trusted ones total access to wealth: cash, credit cards, land titles, and more. Ironically, as we develop more sophisticated digital safeguards, we find that they have become easier to breach safety protocols, particularly the signatures.

In fact, the elderly are victimized more and more through simpler methods: sweet talk. All you need is a clever young relative looking over your shoulder as you are inputting a password on a form or device to allow modern-day versions of Alibaba’s thieves, and all it takes is one thief. Other elderly people just hand over their ATM cards and/or Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System cards, after a relative ‘kindly’ offers to handle the cumbersome withdrawals.

I wanted to concentrate today on gray predators of a different kind. Here, the predator(s) are themselves senior citizens.

The scariest ones are those who are actually authorized to handle digital information. They can be people working in your bank, government office, or collecting office. We’ve seen so much of this done through public works, but it seems it doesn’t even have to be done through official channels.

I still remember a rich barangay in Makati that overpriced its purchases of street lights. It was a major scandal that led to the officials’ ouster.

A recent ongoing case was uncovered when a security guard agency threatened to cut off their services to a barangay, saying they had not been paid by the neighborhood association. It turned out the collections had been made by residents, but one unscrupulous official in the association was pocketing the collections. I haven’t figured out how this was done but it seems there just wasn’t enough oversight going on-officials were all too busy and left the collections to the treasurer. In another case, at a major university office, collections were dutifully made, but receipts were questionable.

In the end, though, it seems old-fashioned sweet talk is probably still the most popular criminal modus when victimizing gray prey. Remember the predators approaching the elderly with some information they have about an elderly resident and claiming to know a relative, information obtained from talking with drivers and other household employees.

The thief says she’s short on money, or needs to help a sick relative. The amounts may be small but accumulate and can run into several thousands. In the stories told to me, it seems it’s in richer barangays where amounts are much higher, with the thief claiming the employer is unable to make the appeal personally because they were in an accident.

One amazing case had someone claiming she was trying to help an old man who needed money for a ‘palit-ulo’ case-the old man’s son had been arrested for drug trafficking, which carried very serious penalties. But the ‘kind’ people working in the penitentiary offered to get his son out if the price was right, in a ‘palit-ulo’ scheme, which literally means ‘swapping heads.’ There are poor enough petty criminals willing to serve out a prison sentence, or at least a part of it, if someone needs to have a convicted relative out of jail-exchange heads, as the expression goes. This includes elderly women needing money and figuring they can sacrifice their old age for the family.

Why the elderly? Although many of the elderly are often cash-strapped too, it’s the elderly who may have larger amounts of cash on hand, the proverbial ‘under the mattress’ emergency not-so-petty fund.

The compassion factor is easier to mobilize with the elderly. More people have become almost like family. After I finished my term as chancellor at the University of the Philippines, I was approached by the daughter of a barangay official. She appealed to my friendship with the barangay official, now retired. I never got paid back and I didn’t want to press the case since I knew the barangay official had financial problems too.

Just remember it’s almost impossible to retrieve financial loans. You could try a promissory note and keep your fingers crossed but a promissory note is only as good as an IOU note scribbled on pad paper.

My mother would lend money out in exchange for a land title as a guarantee. She always said she knew land titles don’t have any legal value but always thought they had some moral hold and that many would pay back the debt. But people seemed more honorable before and many would pay back the debt on time.

Heavy to intense rains may hit parts of Metro Manila and Luzon due to localized thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau.

In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 1:55 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that heavy to intense rains with lightning and strongwinds may affect the following areas within the next two hours.

Metro Manila (Muntinlupa and Las Pinas)

Batangas (Tuy, Balayan, Calatagan, Tanauan, Malvar, Balete, Mataasnakahoy, Santo Tomas, San Jose, Batangas City, Taysan, Lobo, Ibaan, and Cuenca)

Bulacan (Dona Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, and Hagonoy)

Cavite (Ternate, Maragondon, Magallanes, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Alfonso, Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta, Cavite City, Dasmarinas, Carmona, and Gen. Mariano Alvarez)

Laguna (Calauan, Bay, Los Banos, Nagcarlan, Rizal, Majayjay, Liliw, San Pedro, and Binan)

Nueva Ecija (General Tinio, Palayan, Bongabon, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Llanera, Talavera, Cabanatuan, Santa Rosa, Penaranda, Gapan, San Leonardo, San Isidro, Jaen, San Antonio, Cabiao, and Zaragoza)

Pampanga (Angeles, Floridablanca, Lubao, Sasmuan, Arayat, Bacolor, San Fernando, Macabebe, Magalang, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin, Santa Ana, Santo Tomas, Mabalacat, Guagua, Porac, and Santa Rita)

Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Mulanay, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Pitogo, Unisan, Gumaca, Lopez, Buenavista, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Plaridel, General Nakar, Tayabas, Lucena, and Lucban)

Rizal (Tanay, Cardona, Jala-Jala, and Pililla)

Tarlac (Capas, Bamban, Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Concepcion, Tarlac City, and La Paz)

Bataan

Meanwhile, intense to torrential rains with lightning and strong winds are currently affecting the following areas and may continue persist in the next two hours:

Metro Manila (Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Paranaque, Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan, Pateros, Marikina, and Manila)

Batangas (Nasugbu, San Juan, Rosario, Padre Garcia, Lipa, and Lian)

Bulacan (Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bulakan, Bustos, Calumpit, Malolos, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Guiguinto, Marilao, Norzagaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, and Santa Maria)

Laguna (San Pablo and Alaminos)

Nueva Ecija (Gabaldon and Laur)

Pampanga (Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, and Apalit)

Quezon (Tiaong, Dolores, San Antonio, Candelaria, and Sariaya)

Rizal (Antipolo, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Angono, Baras, Cainta, Morong, Taytay, Teresa, and Binangonan)

Tarlac (Mayantoc and San Jose)

Zambales

‘All are advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards which include flash floods and landslides,’ Pagasa said.

The weather bureau earlier reported in its 5 a.m. weather advisory that Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may be affected by localized thunderstorms on Tuesday.

Government employees are expected to receive their salaries, bonuses, and allowances faster after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) removed a separate request requirement for agencies seeking funds to cover personnel-related deficiencies.

In a statement on Monday, the DBM said Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon signed Circular Letter No. 2026-10, dated Sept. 30, allowing the agency to identify and facilitate the release of funds for covered Personnel Services (PS) deficiencies, using personnel and financial data already regularly submitted by government agencies.

‘Now, because of the President’s directive that benefits due to citizens and employees should not be delayed, [these benefits] should not be unnecessarily delayed,’ De Leon said.

The new system eliminates the need for agencies to go through another round of paperwork for covered deficiencies, allowing the DBM to act based on information already available in government records.

‘[Agencies] no longer need to request [the funds]. They only need to update what we call the master list of their plantilla positions,’ De Leon said.

‘Once we see that there is a deficiency, even without a request, we will download to them the funds needed to cover the deficiency,’ he added.

Step increment

For instance, the almost a million public school teachers often wait several months-from a short two months, to even six months or longer-to receive their updated salary adjustments due to a step increment on their salary grade every three years of their continuous service.

Under the circular, agencies are required to review their Personnel Services Itemization and Plantilla of Personnel and update their Plantilla of Personnel every last week of the month.

The updated records, together with required Financial Accountability Reports, will serve as the basis for the DBM’s assessment to determine their actual funding PS requirements and facilitate the corresponding fund releases.

The streamlined process covers deficiencies involving salaries, step increments, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance, uniform/clothing allowance, midyear bonus, year-end bonus and cash gift, medical allowance, Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI), representation and transportation allowances.

The reform also includes government counterpart contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Pag-Ibig Fund, Employees Compensation Insurance Premium, and Retirement and Life Insurance Premium.

Improved processing

The improved processing under the new circular will be tested as several mandated bonuses, such as cash gift, year-end bonus, and PEI, are due to be given to government workers in November and December.

According to the DBM, the measure is intended to reduce paperwork for agencies while allowing it to respond more quickly to funding requirements for government personnel.

The circular, however, does not cover all personnel-related funding deficiencies.

Requirements arising from hiring, promotion, reclassification, and other human resource actions undertaken after Sept. 30, 2026, when the circular takes effect, will still require a separate budget request for DBM review and evaluation.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will embark on a working visit to Singapore from Oct. 7 to 11 to expand economic engagement, deepen bilateral ties, and advance cooperation in sectors that can contribute to the country’s development.

Marcos has also been personally invited by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Analyn Ratonel said in a statement on Tuesday.

Wong will host Marcos to dinner during the Singapore Grand Prix, where the two leaders will also have a private engagement on the sidelines of the event.

‘The Singapore Grand Prix brings together government leaders, business executives, and investors from around the world. It would provide an opportunity for informal engagements to complement his meetings focused on attracting investment and strengthening the Philippines’ partnerships,’ Ratonel said.

There are no formal bilateral meetings scheduled between Marcos and other Singaporean leaders.

Ratonel, however, said the President may have opportunities to engage with leaders and senior officials, not only from Singapore but also from other countries, as well as business executives, during the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Singapore Grand Prix will be held from Oct. 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

In 2022, Marcos drew criticism after attending the event barely a week after a super typhoon wreaked havoc on parts of the Philippines.

The trip was also not publicly announced beforehand.

Asean chairship, PH gains

Marcos’ trip comes as the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ends this year, with Singapore set to assume the chairship next year.

‘This working visit builds on the momentum of the President’s working visit to Singapore last July, when the President reaffirmed the strength of our bilateral relations with Singapore and engaged investors in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and other priority sectors,’ Ratonel said.

‘This time, our economic engagement will have a broader global focus,’ she added.

Nuclear research, safety

One of Marcos’ main agenda is a visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute, which will provide insights into the Southeast Asian nation’s work on nuclear research, safety, regulation, and emerging technologies, she said.

‘Nuclear energy may be a key topic, given the Philippines’ growing power needs and the expansion of energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and data centers,’ said Ratonel.

‘The Philippines may learn from Singapore’s experience in nuclear research, safety, regulation, and capability-building as it considers its own long-term energy options,’ she added.

Forbes Global CEO Conference

Additionally, Marcos will participate in the Forbes Global CEO Conference, where he will sit down for a one-on-one dialogue with Forbes Media Chair and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes.

He will also advance opportunities that the Philippines offers in digital technology and AI, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and other sectors that will drive the country’s continued transformation.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) attempted to ‘forcibly’ bring former Davao City information officer Jeffrey Tupas to Manila in exchange for money and other promises, Vice President Sara Duterte said Tuesday.

Tupas was among the individuals mentioned by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed he delivered suitcases filled with cash to Duterte on orders from former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, for whom he served as an aide.

‘Tupas himself told me that when NBI agents attempted to forcibly take him away in North Cotabato on September 29, 2026, his family was promised money, a residence in Forbes Park, and other things,’ Duterte said during her press conference in Davao City.

‘He also possesses evidence showing he was advised to first hold informal talks with the NBI in Manila, accompanied by offers and promises,’ she added.

Tupas had previously said that the NBI informed him of an alleged ‘verifiable’ abduction threat from the Duterte family.

He was then offered security arrangements, which he declined, and instead requested a formal investigation. The NBI then issued a subpoena ad testificandum, directing Tupas to appear before the agency on Oct. 1.

‘So, what is the real plan? Keep the person hidden for their safety, or bring them to the NBI to testify?’ Duterte asked after mentioning Tupas’ account of the alleged threat by her family.

‘And all of that-Jefry Tupas holds the evidence,’ she added.

However, Matibag said Tupas was the one who brought up threats to his life, without naming anyone.

Matibag also said Tupas expressed willingness to cooperate and even committed to going to the agency’s headquarters in Pasay City before requesting a subpoena.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has validated alleged ‘cash houses’ identified by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that are allegedly owned by his former boss, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and his wife, Rowena, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.

In an interview on Tuesday, Matibag said the bureau established a connection between the Velasco couple and two residences in Valle Verde in Pasig City that Gracioso mentioned in his affidavit detailing his ‘cash delivery’ claims.

‘Nitong nakaraang araw, ang vinalidate natin, yung claim niya doon sa mga cash houses na sinasabi, and we were able to establish-doon sa seven cash houses na sinasabi, we established already two that are owned by the Velasco spouses,’ Matibag told reporters.

(In the past few days, we validated his claim on the cash houses that were mentioned, and we were able to establish-out of the seven cash houses that were said, we already established two that are owned by the Velasco spouses.)

Matibag specifically mentioned a residence on Champaca St., Valle Verde 2, and Sampaguita St., Valle Verde 2.

According to the NBI, the residence on Champaca St. is registered to Eagle Assets and Realty Inc., in which Rowena is allegedly listed as president.

Meanwhile, the bureau said the property on Sampaguita St. ‘is titled to a member of Rowena’s personal staff’ and ‘is also the address Mrs. Velasco declared in Eagle Assets and Realty Inc.’s SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registration.’

Aside from this, Matibag mentioned that the bureau looked into Gracioso’s claims that ‘a lot of money is being used to invest in a resort in Torrijos, Marindique-Sara Resort and Cabanas.’

‘When we checked, sa SEC ownership, lumalabas na sa mag-asawang Velasco. May mga inassign nang shares without consideration. Iniimbestigahan natin yan,’ Matibag said.

(When we checked, in the SEC ownership, it appears to be from Velasco couple. There were shares assigned without consideration. We are investigating that.)

The Sara Resort and Cabanas is supposedly operated by 888 Wealth Star Corporation and incorporated in March 2025.

The NBI said Velasco’s wife was found to be the corporation’s president and chairperson, holding 60 percent of its shares.

Matibag also said another resort Gracioso mentioned-Amara Resort and Villas-was operated by Amara Equity Ventures Inc., incorporated in 2018, with the Velasco couple serving as its principal incorporators and holding 80 percent of its subscribed shares.

‘Amara is the second name of Rowena. Rowena Amara Enriquez-Velasco siya eh,’ Matibag said.

(Amara is the second name of Rowena. She is Rowena Amara Enriquez-Velasco.)

‘Anong ibig sabihin nito? Doon sa mga claims ni Mr. Gracioso ng bahay at pag-aari ng mga Velasco, tumatama na,’ he said.

(What does this mean? Mr. Gracioso’s claims of the Velasco house and property are now valid.)

The INQUIRER reached out to the Velasco couple’s legal counsel regarding the matter but has yet to respond as of posting time.

‘Cash houses included in the August raids’

Matibag said that the identified residences are included in the three houses raided by the NBI on August 28 after receiving intelligence information of illegal high-powered firearms in some houses in Valle Verde.

But he clarified that it is not the house where the operatives discovered an ammunition box containing various empty cartridge cases identified as caliber 5.56mm and several loaded 9mm magazines.

Matibag noted that the house where NBI agents found the ammunition-along with two police IDs-was on Cattleya St., which was supposedly also owned by the Velascos.

He said Rowena was even present during the implementation of the search warrant issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court and admitted owning the houses.

‘The possession of bullets, magazines, and shell casings that establish ownership of firearms also and under the law, yung pag-possess noon without the necessary license to possess and to own, magbubunga ng violation ng pag-possess ng firearms and explosives,’ Matibag explained when asked if violations of law had already been established.

(The possession of bullets, magazines, and shell casings that establish ownership of firearms also and under the law, possessing without the necessary license to possess and to own, will result in a violation of possessing firearms and explosives.)

But the NBI director said that no charges have been filed yet regarding the incident because ‘they’re claiming that the IDs recovered really belong to the police who were there.’

Matibag said two police officers, supposedly detailed to Rowena, were found residing in the house and were verified by NBI agents.

‘But there’s a presumption na dahil bahay nila yan, yung ownership niyan dapat kayo may sagot diyan. But if it can be established na talagang ito mga aide namin at sila ang gumamit niyan, then mas madali naman nating maipaliwanag kung dapat kasuhan o hindi,’ said Matibag.

(But there’s a presumption that because it’s their house, the ownership of it, they should have an answer for that. But if it can be established that these are really their aides and they used it, then it will be easier for us to explain whether they should be charged or not.)

Matibag said the bureau will continue its investigation regarding the ownership and assets of the properties Gracioso identified in his ‘cash delivery’ allegations.

Gracioso is claiming to have delivered more than P2 billion to Vice President Sara Duterte, P1 billion to the former President Rodrigo Duterte, and P100 million to Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte in tranches starting in 2018 upon Velasco’s instructions.

Parañaque City has deferred the implementation of its no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP). its local government said Tuesday.

Parañaque public information officer Erel Cabatbat confirmed to the Inquirer that the policy ‘is not being implemented as of now.’

The local government had yet to provide a reason for the deferment as of publication.

Earlier, Valenzuela City also temporarily suspended the return of NCAP, citing road conditions.

Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian said the city’s current situation was not suitable for reimplementing the policy because road construction projects were affecting traffic flow.

‘Road construction projects are being carried out in succession on our major roads, and traffic flow changes daily,’ Gatchalian said in a Facebook post. ‘Let us prioritize the smooth and safe flow of traffic for our fellow Valenzuelanos.’

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the city would proceed with NCAP, with its dry run starting Monday.

‘I will push through. There’s a bigger chance the government will make a mistake with our enforcers. With the technology existing, nobody is special nowadays. Everyone is equal,’ Moreno said during a briefing Tuesday.

Moreno said two cameras had recorded 190 violations during the dry run.

Under NCAP, traffic violations are detected through closed-circuit television and digital cameras. Local governments then issue citation tickets and send them directly to vehicle owners.

Vehicle owners who fail to pay their fines within seven days may be barred from registering their vehicles.

Moreno said NCAP would also enforce existing traffic rules more strictly by documenting violations through photos and videos.

‘There is now certainty in implementing laws and regulations that are already existing in the streets of Manila,’ he said.

AMLC Executive Director lawyer Ronel Buenaventura clarifies during Day 34 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial that the tabular summaries and reports covering billions of pesos in transactions are not conclusive proof of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio’s cash on hand, cash in bank, unexplained wealth or ill-gotten wealth.

Buenaventura said the records only reflect transactions reported to the AMLC.