Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

‘Surrender now.’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this to the suspects still at large – including former House of Representatives appropriations committee chairperson and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co – in the case of an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

In a video posted on his social media on Monday morning, Marcos announced that authorities already have custody of some of the 16 suspects in the case filed before the Sandiganbayan.

‘To all the accused still at large, I advise you to surrender now. Don’t wait to be chased after. It’s better for your situation to surrender now so that you can answer to the allegations against you,’ Marcos stressed.

‘To those who plan on helping them hide, remember that you will also be held accountable somehow,’ he added.

In a joint press conference later on Monday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed mugshots identifying the suspects in custody as:

OIC-Chief, DPWH 4B Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division; Regular Member, Bidding and Awards Committee (now OIC-Chief, Planning and Design Division) Dennis Pelo Abagon

Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa (DPWH 4B) Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan

Assistant Regional Director (now Director of DPWH Bureau of Maintenance) Gene Ryan Alurin Altea

Assistant Regional Director Ruben delos Santos Santos Jr.

Chief, DPWH 4B Construction Division Dominic Gregorio Serrano

Chief, DPWH 4B Maintenance Division Juliet Cabungan Calvo

Project Engineer III Felisardo Sevare Casuno

DPWH 4B Bidding and Awards Committee Account IV Lerma Dotado Cayco

8 remaining suspects

As for Co, authorities only said he was still at large.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said the former lawmaker’s last known location was in Japan ‘a few days’ before the issuance of the arrest warrant.

At the press briefing, however, Remulla detailed that three more suspects were known to be abroad:

Sunwest president and board of directors chairperson Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar – Last known location in New Zealand

Sunwest treasurer and board of directors member Cesar X. Buenaventura – Last known location in New York, United States

DPWH 4B OIC-Chief Planning and Design Montrexis T. Tamayo – Last known location in Jordan

‘Save for Zaldy Co, the other members believed to be abroad have made contact with our law enforcement agencies and are expected to show up at the embassy and begin immediate repatriation towards the Philippines,’ Remulla said.

‘They have done so voluntarily, informing us of their whereabouts and we informed them of their right to proceed immediately to the embassy as soon as possible,’ he added.

The other suspects still at large are:

DPWH 4B Material Engineer Timojen Adiong Sacar

Sunwest board of directors member Conseulo Dayto Aldon

Sunwest board of directors member Engr. Noel Yap Cao

Sunwest board of directors member Anthony L. Ngo

Remulla addressed the suspects still at large, ‘Surrender to the nearest authorities, surrender to the nearest police station. For the sake of your families, for the sake of the country, surrender immediately.’

‘No matter where you are in the world, we will find you. If you are at large, we will find you. If you are hiding in the Philippines, we will find you,’ he stressed.

Tropical Depression Verbena may reach a severe tropical storm at its peak, but only once when its center goes out of the country’s landmass, state meteorologists said on Monday.

‘Verbena may peak at severe tropical storm category while in the middle of the West Philippine Sea, north of Kalayaan Islands,’ said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). in its 11:00 p.m. report.

Verbena is also likely to cross Visayas only as a tropical depression, before it could reach tropical storm category, either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea.

But to date, Verbena remains a tropical depression packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gustiness of up to 75 km/h.

The tropical depression was last spotted over the coastal waters of Anda, Bohol, and made its first landfall at Bayabas town in Surigao del Sur.

Also, Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (winds of 39 to 61 km/h with minimal to minor threat to life and property) across parts of Luzon, the entire Visayas, and parts of Mindanao:

Luzon: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, the northern and central portions of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, and mainland Masbate Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno)

Visayas: Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte

Mindanao: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Bukidnon (Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasug-Ong, City of Malaybalay, Malitbog, Cabanglasan), the northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Baliangao, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Aloran, Panaon, Jimenez, Concepcion), and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Sibutad, Rizal, Mutia).

Makabayan bloc lawmakers have called on concerned authorities to conduct an urgent investigation following the recent video statement of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, where he gave a more detailed account of how he allegedly transferred kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a statement on Monday evening, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Atty. Renee Louise Co, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago expressed alarm over Co’s video, noting that it now includes specific names, addresses, and detailed descriptions of the alleged kickback scheme involving government projects.

‘This is no longer just an allegation – there are names, there are details, there are places. Particularly alarming is Co’s naming of Department of Justice Undersecretary Jose ‘Jojo’ Cadiz Jr., who formerly served as Senate staff to then Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This connection directly implicates the President’s inner circle in the alleged corruption scheme,’ the lawmakers said.

They also pointed out Cadiz’s direct connection to Marcos, noting that he had been a member of Marcos’ Senate staff when the latter was still a senator.

‘Co alleges corruption spanning three years involving P56 billion in payoffs through DPWH projects and budget insertions. He claims systematic transactions with fixed percentages, regular monthly deliveries of P2 billion, and coordination among House leadership and executive undersecretaries,’ the lawmakers said.

‘Three years of alleged systematic theft – money that should have gone to roads, bridges, and flood control for the people,’ they added.

Among the claims that Congress, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure must probe are the DPWH budget insertions from 2022 to 2025; the monthly fund deliveries of P2 billion; the role of Cadiz in the alleged scheme; the involvement of Usec. Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara; alleged 2024 bicameral conference and budget insertions; and standard operating procedures for DPWH project implementation.

‘These allegations emerge while millions struggle with high prices, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. If P56 billion was stolen from DPWH projects, these are funds that should have built roads, bridges, and flood control systems,’ the lawmakers stressed.

‘Full transparency and accountability – fearless, impartial, no one exempted,’ they added.

Calling for public officials to resign is not among the messages of the Trillion Peso March against corruption on Nov. 30, Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo confirmed.

‘Our advocacy here at the Trillion Peso March is not to overthrow our current elected officials. We are not calling for the resignations of our leaders of our country. What we are fighting for is to imprison, expose, and return those who stole from corruption,’ Bagaforo said at a press conference on Monday.

The rally was arranged amid the probe on flood-control projects where government officials, including elected public officials, were linked to massive misuse of government funds.

Such instances have triggered several rallies from different groups since, with some calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after he was named by former Ako-Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, who was also implicated in the scandal.

Talks of destabilization have also been a concern, most recently with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson claiming he was offered by retired military officers to be part of a ‘civilian military junta.’

Bagaforo, however, denies that the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) is in support of any efforts to topple the government, saying they want to honor the Constitution.

‘We do not support the forces that will establish a military junta or revolutionary government or anything else that will replace our current government. In other words, we adhere to the call of the Constitution- democratic precipice is what we will follow,’ the bishop added.

Bagaforo also wished that the situation doesn’t come to a point where there is a need for a ‘regime change,’ adding that there are still ‘legal and constitutional remedies’ that may be explored to fight corruption.

During the protest, should there be calls for any public official to resign, Tindig Pilipinas Convenor Francis ‘Kiko’ Dee says, the organizers will also exercise ‘maximum tolerance’ within itself to respect the freedom of expression.

However, Dee warned that marshals during the event will intervene if they observe a group of people ‘insisting on that position,’ adding that the organizers and Quezon City police have separate roles in terms of security during the event.

‘We hope it won’t escalate to the point that we will have to ask the help of the QC police, as much as possible, because the deal is the marshals will keep order within the rally premises and the QC police will secure the perimeter,’ Dee explained.

The group’s anti-corruption rally will be held at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) People Power Monument in Quezon City, simultaneous with several other demonstrations across the country commemorating Bonifacio Day.

It was an emotional homecoming for Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao who was given a heartfelt welcome by her pageant sisters, executives of the national tilt, and fans.

Tiglao, who scored a back-to-back victory at the Miss Grand International 2025 tilt, met her fans at a homecoming parade along Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati on Monday, November 24.

She was also joined by Miss Grand International (MGI) founder Nawat Itsaragrisil and first runner-up Gotchabell Suranrat Puagpipat.

The reigning titleholder, who looked spectacular in a fiery orange gown with an off-shoulder neckline resembling flames, was emotional throughout the parade. She was perched on a motorcade with a black crown with orange accents and shrubs lined with orange flowers.

Riding on a separate vehicle are Puagpipat and Itsaragrisil, while queens under the ALV pageant franchise such as Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Mate and Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez rode on a white motorcade with a crown perched on top.

Before Puagpipat and Itsaragrisil rode on their vehicle, they were seemingly overwhelmed by the support of the fans. They were also spotted entertaining photo requests, giving warm smiles to the fans, and even gamely joining in their interactions. Despite the unpredictable weather – as it rained at some point during the parade – the energy among Tiglao, the MGI team, and her fans never wavered all throughout.

A homecoming media con followed afterward, where Tiglao changed into a sultry green gown showing off her curves.

‘Grabe, ‘yun ang una kong masasabi. Grabe ang inyong pinakita. Mainit ang inyong pinakitang suporta sa akin. I missed you all so much. I’ve stayed in Thailand for a month and now, we’re here. We’re bringing a back-to-back win,’ she said in her opening speech.

After messages from Puagpipat and her pageant sisters, Tiglao couldn’t help but tear up again after receiving a heartfelt lookback from her predecessor CJ Opiaza.

‘I’ve seen you for how many years and I’ve seen how you put your heart, your dedication, and perseverance into your goal to get the crown and represent the country,’ Opiaza said. ‘You represented our country for the second time and I think that everything happens for a reason. I already know how dedicated [you are] as a person, I know how [you put your heart into things] and I want to acknowledge that.’

Eight suspects tagged in the alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, who are now in the authorities’ custody, were presented to the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City for processing.

They were turned over to the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division for the issuance of their commitment orders and for booking procedures, following their arrest and surrender. Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways released mugshots of the suspects at a joint press conference.

The eight suspects under custody are as follows:

OIC-Chief, DPWH 4B Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division; Regular Member, Bidding and Awards Committee (now OIC-Chief, Planning and Design Division) Dennis Pelo Abagon

Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa (DPWH 4B) Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan

Assistant Regional Director (now Director of DPWH Bureau of Maintenance) Gene Ryan Alurin Altea

Assistant Regional Director Ruben delos Santos Santos Jr.

Chief, DPWH 4B Construction Division Dominic Gregorio Serrano

Chief, DPWH 4B Maintenance Division Juliet Cabungan Calvo

Project Engineer III Felisardo Sevare Casuno

DPWH 4B Bidding and Awards Committee Account IV Lerma Dotado Cayco

Face-to-face classes in all levels, in both public and private schools here, were suspended on Monday amidst dark skies and steady morning rains as the northeast monsoon (amihan) and shearline strengthened over Northern Mindanao, and amid Tropical Depression Verbena.

Mayor Amie Galario ordered the suspension of classes upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as a precautionary measure against threats of landslides and flash floods in the area.

Many students were already on their way to school when the announcement was made.

Traffic slowed past 7 a.m. near the gates of the densely populated Valencia City Central School and Valencia City National High School, where students alight from motorized tricycles and other vehicles caught in the morning rush.

Valencia City was the first locality in Bukidnon province to suspend classes due to heightened weather risks brought by Tropical Depression Verbena.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the northeast monsoon (amihan) and shearline had strengthened over Northern Mindanao. At the same time, a former low-pressure area east of Mindanao had developed into a tropical depression, CDRRMO chief June Valero said.

These combined systems brought persistent light to moderate rainfall across Bukidnon.

Valencia City has been placed under blue alert status, with all 31 barangays conducting round-the-clock monitoring of weather conditions linked to TD Verbena.

The city government said attendance and reporting arrangements for teaching and non-teaching personnel will be left to the discretion of individual school heads

The three Catholic bishops of Negros Occidental issued Sunday a united and urgent appeal to keep the province’s farms free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The bishops said they were opposed to the proposed ordinance pending before the Provincial Board that seeks to reintroduce GMOs into Negros Occidental, calling it ‘a dangerous reversal’ of nearly two decades of GMO-free and globally recognized sustainable agriculture on Negros Island.

The statement was signed by Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, Kabankalan Bishop Louie Galbines and San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza.

‘This is not just a policy issue. This is a moral, ecological, and public health concern. Negros has long chosen life through organic and sustainable agriculture. To reverse this now-without scientific consensus and without genuine public consultation-places our people and our land at risk,’ the bishops said.

The statement came as Negros continues to recover from the devastating impacts of Typhoon ‘Tino’ (international name: Kalmaegi) and Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) that struck on Nov. 4 and Nov. 9, respectively, which exposed the island’s fragile ecological state-denuded forests, silted rivers, substandard infrastructure, eroded mountainsides and widespread flooding, Alminaza said.

Moving backward

The bishops warned that GMO agriculture, with its dependence on toxic chemicals and patented seeds, will worsen ecological vulnerability and deepen farmer indebtedness.

They also expressed concern over the Philippine government’s silence at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belém, Brazil, on the global fossil fuel phaseout roadmap, noting that this inconsistency reflects a troubling pattern.

‘At a time when the world is moving toward ecological responsibility, we cannot afford to move backward at home,’ they said.

The bishops emphasized that Negros’ GMO-free status has become a global model, drawing international recognition through Terra Madre, Slow Food movements, and decades of organic farming efforts that empowered local farmers, protected local seeds, and strengthened food sovereignty.

‘Seeds are life. Seeds carry memory, culture, and future. No corporation should control what God has given freely to our people,’ they said.

The bishops are calling on the provincial government to also defend and fully enforce Negros’ GMO-free ordinances; restore and strengthen support for organic and ecological agriculture; ensure transparent, science-based, and community-led consultation on all matters affecting food security and farmers; and align local policies with the late Pope Francis’ exhortation on the climate crisis and the global commitments toward integral ecology.

‘For nearly twenty years, Negros has protected its land, its farmers, and its identity. For the sake of the next 20-and the generations beyond-Negros must remain GMO-free,’ they said.

The bishops called on all Negrenses, parishes, civil society organizations, farmers’ groups, and local governments to stand together to safeguard the island’s ecological integrity and food sovereignty.

No one would have faulted Karl Eldrew Yulo if he celebrated his breakthrough triumph as if it were the culmination of his long journey.

But the rising gymnastics star showed wisdom beyond his age when he put his bronze medal on Day 4 of the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships in its proper context.

‘I think my journey’s started,’ an emotional Yulo told reporters in Filipino. ‘Maybe it starts here. I know I’ll have to endure more disappointments, but I’m so happy right now.’

‘This isn’t just any competition. [Winning] makes me want to cry,’ the 17-year-old standout added.

Yulo notched his first podium finish in the junior worlds by taking the bronze in the floor exercise final after collecting 13.733 points with his performance.

And to make the victory even sweeter, Yulo accomplished the feat in front of an adoring home crowd.

The pressure was on Yulo to deliver, competing as the second gymnast out of eight world-class competitors.

Bothered by a hurting right ankle, Yulo lowered the degree of difficulty of his routine, a planned safety precaution he had earlier announced. He let his performance do the heavy lifting and made up for the 0.100 shaved off his routine to set a high bar for the remaining six finalists.

But already at third, Yulo faced his most agonizing wait as Arsenii Dukhno, the Russian-born gold medalist in the all-around, took the mat.

‘I was so nervous,’ Yulo said.

‘I just started telling the Lord, ‘if You’re really kind, You’ll give this to me,’ but I didn’t mean it in a bad way,’ he added in jest.

‘Best friend’

Dukhno had a chance to overthrow the rising Filipino gymnast but landed outside the mat during his routine, ultimately giving Yulo his podium spot.

‘When he stepped outside, I didn’t know what to feel. I don’t know if I should feel bad or good. It felt bittersweet. I don’t think of him as my enemy; he’s my opponent and also my best friend,’ Yulo said.

‘I’m still so happy even if this is just bronze. Even if I couldn’t hear our national anthem, I still raised the Philippine flag for us, so it’s still a great fight for me, even though it’s just bronze. This is my journey and it’s starting now,’ he added.

Yulo can take another significant step in that journey when he competes in the vault and the horizontal bar finals on Monday.

‘I [have high hopes] on the high bar. In the vault, I’m still managing my pain, but I’ll fight. I’ll do everything in my power tomorrow. Whether it’s by power or magic, I’ll do it all to win more medals,’ he vowed. INQ

Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co claimed that he was not involved in the splitting of alleged kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects, saying the funds only passed through him and were immediately delivered to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as instructed.

Co made the clarification in another video statement he posted on Facebook on Monday afternoon, following the issuance of arrest warrants against him and several others. The video also contained a more detailed account of how he reportedly delivered the funds to Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s residence.

‘I want to make it clear that I did not take part in the actual process of splitting the amounts. The money only passed through me and was immediately delivered to Speaker Romualdez. My only role was to confirm with the speaker once the money had been brought to his house,’ the former lawmaker said, speaking Filipino.

‘And from the first order in 2022 until the final delivery in 2025, more than P55 billion was delivered to former Speaker Romualdez. The P2 billion that the Speaker asked for each month was often not completed, which is why that was the final total,’ he added in Filipino.

In a separate post, Co uploaded a list alongside photos of dozens of luggage allegedly delivered to the residences of Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to Co, he learned from Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz that Marcos was ‘upset’ because he had not received any remittance around the time the lower chamber was in budget deliberations in 2024.

‘And because the President always scolds Speaker Martin from September to November, he ordered me to deliver P1 billion for BBM (President Bongbong Marcos),’ he narrated speaking Filipino.

Co said the Marcos instructed to have Cadiz deliver the fund at a house in South Forbes Park in Makati, a purported drop-off point allegedly near the President’s residence.

‘Speaker Martin Romaldes also told me that PBBM ordered him to buy the house at No. 30 Tamarin Street to use as a warehouse and store money, as well as SOPs, collections, and deliveries for the President,’ he added in Filipino.

The former lawmaker claimed to have personally delivered P200 million to Cadiz in the same drop-off point on December 2, 2024, and another P800 million on December 5, 2024.

‘In total, I personally delivered P1 billion. I myself gave the money, along with my driver and staff. And all this was based on the direct order of Speaker Martin Romaldez. And that formed the total amount of P56 billion sent from 2022 to 2025,’ he added.

Last week, Co also posted a video on social media detailing alleged cash deliveries tied to the 2025 national budget. In the video, Co claimed that he and his staff were instructed to deliver suitcases of money to the residences of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and to Malacañang.

He described these deliveries as linked to P100 billion in projects that he was allegedly told to insert during the 2024 bicameral conference on the national budget.

Co said that the amounts were determined as a fixed percentage and that he repeatedly sought Romualdez’s clearance on the amounts and the transfers. He also mentioned that Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin provided him with a list of the P100 billion in projects, which he understood to be tied to the cash deliveries.

The former lawmaker also revealed that there were ‘receipts, evidence, and names’ associated with the transactions, and that multiple meetings were held to lay out the list of projects and corresponding amounts. /jpv