Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding bid-rigging in flood control contracts.

Assistant Director Genevieve Jusi, from the Competition Enforcement Commission of the PCC, said the complaint covers three flood control projects in Bulacan.

‘Right now, we are looking at several entities and public officials,’ Jusi said.

The PCC is asking for a possible evaluation and preliminary investigation to determine the liability of public officials and contractors for potential violation of Section 14(a)(2) of Republic Act No. 10667, or the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits bid-rigging.

However, Jusi refused to disclose the identities of the contractors and the officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said: ‘The DOJ will evaluate the referral of the Philippine Competition Commission on possible violations of the Competition Act, particularly on bid rigging.’

‘We will subpoena the respondents in due time when we are already ready to conduct the preliminary investigation,’ Andres added.

Graft and other criminal complaints have been filed against Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and several provincial officials before the Office of the Ombudsman after a private lawyer accused them of orchestrating ‘systematic corruption’ and financial irregularities amounting to more than P352 million during Escudero’s tenure as Sorsogon governor.

Atty. Eldrige Marvin Aceron filed the complaint on Friday, citing alleged irregularities flagged in the Commission on Audit’s (COA) 2021 report on the Sorsogon provincial government.

Aside from Escudero, the following provincial officials were also named as respondents for possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as Articles 220 (Technical Malversation), 213 (Frauds Against Public Treasury), and 171 (Falsification of Public Documents) of the Revised Penal Code:

Members of the Bids and Awards Committee

Acting Provincial Accountant Rena Garcia

Provincial General Services Officer Rosalina (surname not indicated)

The provincial treasurer (name still to be determined)

The complaint was filed a month after Aceron also lodged an ethics case against Escudero at the Senate over alleged illegal campaign donations.

Aceron said the case involves purported irregularities and potential malversation totaling P352,679,063.46 in public funds during Escudero’s administration in Sorsogon.

Citing the 2021 COA report, he said auditors flagged eight questionable transactions, including:

P125,704,889.93 in ‘physically impossible’ overlapping infrastructure contracts awarded to the same contractors using the same personnel and equipment

P15,474,262.65 in national government funds, including P10 million in typhoon relief money, that were allegedly unimplemented for up to six years

P8,440,701.12 in janitorial and laundry contracts supported by purported falsified documents, conflicting notarizations, and fabricated client references

P1,655,400.00 in TUPAD disbursements with defective signatures, missing authorizations, and alleged improper implementation by board members

P5,654,955.90 in development projects allegedly charged to the 20-percent Development Fund but not included in the approved procurement plan

P195,748,853.86 in purported unreliable Property, Plant, and Equipment accounts, including ghost assets and demolished structures that remained recorded in government books

‘These are not mere accounting errors. These are deliberate acts that robbed the children of Sorsogon of their future. While families struggled through the pandemic, public funds were diverted, mishandled, or left to rot in government accounts,’ Aceron said in a statement distributed during the filing.

‘Moreover, 2021 is not an isolated year of malfeasance. The COA reports for 2022 and 2023 reveal the same pattern-qualified opinions on the province’s financial statements that persist to this very day,’ he added.

Reporters tried to get Escudero’s reaction on the matter, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

A new era of living well begins at Elara.

Rising within the University Town of Villar City, this residential enclave sets a new benchmark for modern, holistic living in Metro South. Perched 120 meters above sea level, Elara reimagines how communities can grow, integrating wellness, sophistication, education, and sustainability into a nature-rich environment that’s shaped by an ambitious long-term vision.

At the heart of Villar City’s masterplan lies Elara, an exclusive enclave composed of 62 prime lots ranging from 300 sqm to 600 sqm.

A new kind of luxury

At the heart of Villar City’s masterplan lies Elara, an exclusive enclave composed of 62 prime lots ranging from 300 sqm to 600 sqm. This low-density design embodies a new kind of luxury-privacy, space, and tranquility amid the momentum of an emerging Villar City, a 3,500-ha megacity touted as the metro’s new center of gravity.

It also speaks to a maturing real estate market where livability and long-term asset stability are the priorities. By limiting density and emphasizing thoughtful design, Elara aligns with Villar City’s broader vision of self-sustaining, future-proof communities.

What truly distinguishes Elara however, is its location within UTown, the dedicated education and innovation district of Villar City.

Education and innovation district

What truly distinguishes Elara however, is its location within UTown, the dedicated education and innovation district of Villar City.

The Stadium at Villar City

Surrounded by the upcoming University of the Philippines-Dasmariñas campus, The Stadium at Villar City, and a world-class championship golf course, Elara positions its residents at the center of learning, enterprise, and recreation. Its proximity to schools, enterprises, and lifestyle destinations creates a vibrant environment that encourages growth and connection.

At the same time, this same community fuels value, supported by steady development, robust infrastructure, and a growing network of institutions that anchor Villar City’s progress.

For those who call it home, Elara thus offers opportunity and inspiration. For those who invest, it promises stability and long-term growth in one of the South’s most dynamic urban landscapes.

Geography of growth

Beyond UTown, Elara also draws strength from the larger vision of Villar City, a megacity designed to shape the South’s future.

Spanning 11 cities and municipalities, Villar City is transforming the geography of growth in the South. Its proximity to a network of major roads-including Daang Hari, Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex)-ensures ease of mobility between Metro Manila’s business centers and Southern Luzon’s emerging economic corridors.

This infrastructure advantage positions Villar City as the new southern gateway to Metro Manila, and Elara as one of its most refined residential anchors, offering convenience and calm amid the growing dynamism of this megacity.

Connectivity

Elara’s design philosophy extends this connectivity into daily living.

Its Vitality Pods transform open spaces into active environments that promote health, interaction, and mindfulness. These are not amenities for leisure alone but are rather integral systems that make movement and well-being a natural part of your lifestyle.

Beyond these active spaces, Elara’s surroundings complete the experience.

Elara thus stands as a community where the next chapter of modern living begins-one that redefines what it means to live well, and sets the pace for what comes next.

Surrounded by educational, medical, and lifestyle landmarks including DLSU Medical Center, Forresta Café and Evia Lifestyle Center, Elara places residents near essentials and modern creature comforts, without needing to sacrifice peace. Elara residents will thus enjoy a rare kind of duality: the vitality of an urban hub within the serenity of nature.

Essentially, Elara’s place within UTown in Villar City connects residents to the forces shaping the South’s future: education, innovation, infrastructure, and sustainability. Elara thus stands as a community where the next chapter of modern living begins-one that redefines what it means to live well, and sets the pace for what comes next.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday honored the late Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile or JPE, paying tribute to his decades-long political career and his contributions to the nation.

Enrile passed away on Thursday at the age of 101, as announced in a social media post by his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile.

‘Across his six decades of distinguished service to the nation, Manong Johnny was steadfast in his championing of the interests of the Filipino people. In his capacity as a Cabinet member across various administrations, he worked tirelessly and selflessly to strengthen our institutions and to uphold the principles and tenets that make our nation great,’ Bersamin said in a statement.

Describing him as a ‘legal luminary and political titan,’ Bersamin said Enrile crafted legislation and ‘promoted and safeguarded the dignity and well-being of all citizens’ during his tenure as a Senator.

‘His stint as Senate President strengthened the chamber, enabling it to overcome the many political challenges of the time,’ he added.

He also highlighted Enrile’s iconic mantra-‘Gusto ko happy ka!’-as something that will be etched in the minds of Filipinos for a long time.

‘As we grieve his loss, may we find inspiration in his work and example, and strive to preserve the worthy legacy he has left behind,’ said Bersamin.

Born on Feb. 14, 1924, Enrile was the country’s oldest active public official, with his career spanning over several administrations-making him one of the country’s longest-lived legal luminaries.

It was during his tenure as defense minister from Feb. 9, 1970, onwards, when Enrile began gaining prominence and controversy.

He played a key role and was known as one of the architects in the implementation of martial law during former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration, which lasted for 20 years.

Enrile later withdrew his support and became one of the central figures in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, which forced the Marcoses into exile.

Justin Brownlee will continue to miss action for the Meralco Bolts in the East Asia Super League (EASL) even as the Gilas Pilipinas star arrived in the country on Friday.

Despite returning to the Philippines, Brownlee won’t be joining the Bolts here for their weekend game against Macau Black Bears.

‘We learned that he actually arrived in Manila already but that was also because he also has a commitment to play for our FIBA qualifiers, he will be joining the national team,’ Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo said on Friday during a press conference at the Citadines Hotel here.

‘Definitely, he’s not going to reach our game this weekend.’

Trillo also disclosed that pneumonia caused Brownlee to miss the Bolts’ campaign so far in the EASL, where he was supposed to team up with rival import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

‘As far as how ready he is, we all learned that he was dealing with pneumonia some weeks back. So it’s a health issue, I guess,’ Trillo said.

‘We don’t know how healthy he’ll be, even just in time for the qualifiers. We’re not really sure. But as he progresses, then we’ll see if he’s ready to be in game shape.’

Fortunately, all signs lead to the longtime Ginebra import getting back in shape, and Trillo is not closing the door on Brownlee donning a Meralco jersey for the regional tournament.

‘We have one more game left in December. We’ll see first how he fares with the national team and take it from there’ Trillo said.

The Bolts, who have a 1-2 record in Group B, will take on the debuting Black Bears at 6 pm.

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta may be asked to explain why he failed to disclose the campaign donations he received when he ran for the Senate in the May elections, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) begins examining the statements of contributions and expenditures (Soces) filed by senators and House representatives.

In an ambush interview with reporters on Thursday, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia confirmed that the poll body’s political finance and affairs department has started investigating the Soces of those who ran in the midterm elections, including all sitting members of Congress.

Donors’ request

Asked if Marcoleta was among those who would be asked to explain, Garcia said it was only proper to allow him to do so.

‘If it reaches that point, yes. It might reach that point because, of course, to also give an avenue or venue for the candidates or public officials to have a way to explain themselves. That is only proper because, as everyone should remember, we have what you call presumption of innocence,’ he added.

Marcoleta’s Soce came into question after he said in a recent interview on NET25 that he did not include any of the contributions he received for the midterm polls in his Soce because the donors had asked that they not be identified.

Based on his Soce, the senator received zero contributions as he reported over P112 million in campaign expenditures. The figure was much higher than his declared net worth of P51.96 million in his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) as of June 30.

‘True name’ required

Marcoleta explained that he would be forced to reveal the identities of his campaign contributors had he included their donations in his Soce.

Garcia, on the other hand, noted that Section 98 of the Omnibus Election Code requires the disclosure of the contributors’ real names and prohibits the use of pseudonyms or aliases.

The provision states in full: ‘True name of contributor required-No person shall make any contribution in any name except his own, nor shall any candidate or treasurer of a political party receive a contribution or enter or record the same in any name other than that of the person by whom it was actually made.’

Section 99 of the election code also provides that ‘the report required to be submitted by candidates or political parties must contain no lies and only facts. This is the basis of the submission of Soces,’ according to Garcia.

‘It says there that all of the contributors must be detailed, all that were received must be detailed, and all expenditures must also be detailed, including the money that was donated or those that came from personal funds,’ he explained.

According to the Comelec chief, violation of the provisions would constitute an election offense, with a corresponding penalty of one year to six years of imprisonment. Putting wrong information in one’s Soce may also be classified as perjury or falsification of public documents, he added.

SALNs needed

In conducting its investigation, the Comelec would have to compare an individual’s Soce against their SALNs to determine any discrepancies between the two.

Garcia said they were studying how to request the SALNs of the elected officials they were investigating and whether this should be addressed to the Ombudsman or to the offices or agencies of the officials themselves.

‘Our only problem here is that the SALN is not certified. The court will need that certification. The Comelec does not have the power to subpoena the SALNs,’ he noted.

‘In the same manner, which our Ombudsman already mentioned, there are processes before we can obtain these SALNs,’ Garcia said.

GT Capital Holdings’s banking and automotive businesses continued to be its growth drivers, with core profit rising by 21 percent to P26 billion in the first three quarters of this year.

Company president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said the group achieved this growth even with the local economy seeing its slowest pace yet in four years last quarter.

‘Loan growth and continued motorization drove the businesses of our main operating companies,’ Bautista said.

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. saw a record profit of P37.3 billion on the back of loan growth.

Toyota Motor Philippines, meanwhile, posted a 38-percent rise in January-September earnings with P16.8 billion. Consolidated revenues also climbed 11.6 percent to P199.6 billion.

Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson cast doubt on the neutrality of the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with its ongoing investigation into controversies surrounding anomalous flood control projects.

‘What do you think? Look at who appointed him (Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla)?’ Singson said during a forum in Quezon City on Friday, responding to a question about the actions taken by the anti-graft body’s chief.

‘The Ombudsman should be neutral,’ he added.

Asked if he believes the Ombudsman is neutral, Singson replied, ‘Do you believe he is?’

Apart from this, Singson earlier claimed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is skipping Ilocos Norte – the home province of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – in its investigation of the flood control anomalies.

In a recent interview, Singson said the ICI should investigate Ilocos Norte first to give the flood control probe credibility.

‘ICI, it was created by the President himself. They are stopping those who are speaking there. They are stopping when something is said and has already been mentioned, ‘don’t put that in.’ That I’m sure,’ the former governor said.

When asked who was hindering resource persons from mentioning certain names, Singson said, ‘Chairman [Andre] Reyes [Jr].’

However, the commission chair denied these allegations.

Meanwhile, ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin said no ‘ghost’ projects were found in the four flood control sites inspected by the commission and the Department of Public Works and Highways in Ilocos Norte.

‘So far, it’s okay, because we saw that in the projects we went to, at least, no ghosts were seen,’ Azurin said in Filipino.

‘As for the standard, that’s what we’re going to violate now, and what the engineers will leave behind here; they’ll look at the other projects that they say have ghosts,’ he added.

In the same forum, Singson later escalated his criticism, saying the President should resign.

‘Better for the president to resign, he has no way out here, the people are fed up now,’ he said.

‘That’s more honorable, he should not wait for the people’s wrath, ‘ he added.

Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co is surprised as to why President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly claimed that he was unable to recognize the then-proposed 2025 national budget from Congress when the insertions were supposedly the idea of the chief executive himself.

Co finally broke his silence over the budget mess and the flood control controversy through a video statement on Friday, saying that everything started after Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman called him to inform that Marcos allegedly wanted P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 national budget.

Ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo implicates new names in flood control mess

Former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated a new mix of senators, former senators, and a sitting secretary in the flood control mess, alleging that the individuals likewise received kickbacks from DPWH projects.

In a supplemental affidavit he presented during the Senate panel on blue ribbon’s probe into anomalous flood control projects on Friday, Bernardo came clean and enumerated one by one the people involved in the scandal.

Sara Duterte: Honestly, I’m just waiting when gov’t would put me in jail

Vice President Sara Duterte admitted that she has reached a point where she is simply waiting for the current administration to have her jailed, adding that she is prepared for whatever may come.

Duterte made the remarks on the sidelines of the Office of the Vice President’s 90th anniversary event at Makati Shangri-La on Friday, where she also expressed her office’s support for upcoming anti-corruption protests.

Pump prices poised to climb anew on Nov. 18

There will be no let-up in rising pump prices of fuel as local oil firms are expected to announce another wave of hikes next week.

In an advisory on Friday, Jetti Petroleum Leo Bellas said the per-liter prices of diesel might increase by P1 to P1.20 on Nov. 18.

Filinvest Development Corp.’s (FDC) profit in the first nine months rose by 21 percent to P11.5 billion. This, after its core businesses reported double-digit growth rates.

In a stock filing Friday, the company said its consolidated net income also hit P14.3 billion. That was up 19 percent from the year-ago P12 billion.

The group said its banking, real estate, power, hospitality and sugar enjoyed solid performances during the January to September period.

Total revenues and other income showed a modest gain of 4 percent, reaching P90.3 billion.

‘The Filinvest group delivered double-digit profit growth in the first nine months of 2025 despite challenges in some parts of our business,’ FDC president and CEO Rhoda Huang said.

‘We remain committed to delivering strong results in the full year 2025 and in the years ahead, even as the business environment continues to evolve, with the support and agility of our people,’ Huang said.