Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday filed two complaints of bid rigging against two contractors and DPWH personnel over ‘ghost’ and ‘substandard’ flood control projects in La Union and Davao Occidental.

The DPWH said that the complaints, filed before the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), involve St. Timothy Construction Corporation, Silverwolves Construction Corporation, and DPWH officials and employees from the two provinces. The agency noted that this filing is for the PCC’s preliminary inquiry.

‘The president said that those responsible must be held accountable and jailed, and the stolen public funds must be recovered. As long as we have evidence, we will continue to recommend filing of charges,’ Dizon said in Filipino in a statement.

Dizon also said that approximately P3.13 billion worth of penalty may be fined to those who will be proven to have violated Chapter III Section 14 of the Philippine Competition Act.

The DPWH recently signed a memorandum of agreement with PCC to fast track the referral of fines against contractors involved in bid rigging and other violations under the Philippine Competition Act.

Last October 23, the DPWH filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against the same contractors and several DPWH officials. Dizon earlier said they were charged with malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents for separate flood control projects in the two provinces.

The filing of separate cases came after Dizon inspected what he described as ‘substandard’ and ‘ghost’ flood mitigation structures in the two provinces.

Last September 16, Dizon inspected two flood control projects along the Bauang River Basin in La Union worth P89.7 million each, which were awarded to Silverwolves Construction Corporation. However, Dizon found out that the projects were substandard despite being fully paid already.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier tagged Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap as the ‘person of interest’ behind Silverwolves Construction Corporation.

Remulla said that while Yap divested from it years ago, ‘there’s still reason to suspect that he’s still the beneficial owner of the company so there’s clear conflict of interest punishable under Republic Act 3019.’

Yap previously denied any involvement in alleged kickbacks in government infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Dizon also personally assessed what he described as a ‘ghost’ flood control work in Davao Occidental worth P96.5 million. He said that this project was awarded to Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and was already fully paid after the contractor promised to complete the project.

Celebrity couple Vice Ganda and Ion Perez looked back on the toughest challenge they faced in their relationship as they celebrated their seventh anniversary.

In Vice Ganda’s latest YouTube vlog, the couple recalled the viral 2023 ‘icing’ scandal that put them under public scrutiny.

According to Perez, the controversy deeply affected him and triggered his depression that made him want to leave the noontime show.

‘May time nga sabi ko sa kanya ayoko na, eh. Gusto ko na sanang magpaalam sana no’n, ayoko na, kasi wala naman talaga kaming ginawa, ‘di ba? Pero kung mapanghusgahan ka ng tao,’ he said.

(There was a time I told him I wanted to quit. I wanted to say goodbye because we really didn’t do anything wrong. But the way people judge you.)

Vice Ganda added that the incident was a challenge for both of them to show how important they are to each other.

‘Sobrang bigat nu’ng challenge na ‘yun. ‘Yun ‘yung time na kailangan namin iparamdam sa isa’t isa na ‘magkakampi tayo. Hindi pwedeng hindi sabay maka-recover. Kailangan sabay tayong maka-recover. Kasi sabay kaming nasaktan, sinaktan, hinusgahan. Kaya kailangan magsuportahan kaming dalawa,’ he explained.

(That challenge was really heavy. That was the time when we needed to remind each other that we’re on the same team. We had to recover together. We were both hurt, judged, and criticized. So, we had to support each other.)

Perez admitted he lost interest in the things he used to love during that period, with Vice Ganda adding that they both struggled emotionally, which made them decide to undergo couples therapy.

”Di ba nga sabi nila parang kailangan daw magkasama kayo para kung mahina ang isa, ikaw ang magiging lakas niya. Hindi ‘yun ang nangyari noong panahon na ‘yun kasi walang malakas sa amin at that moment. So, we chose to stay weak together,’ expressed Vice Ganda.

(They say that when one is weak, the other should be strong. But that wasn’t the case for us then-neither of us was strong. So, we chose to be weak together.)

The comedian noted that after several therapy sessions, their relationship became stronger and more genuine.

It can be recalled that in 2023, Vice Ganda and Perez became controversial after they had a sweet and playful encounter on ‘It’s Showtime’ that resulted in the temporary suspension of the show by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

The viral moment showed Perez holding a cake and using his fingers to taste the icing. He then approached Vice Ganda, who took some of the icing from Perez’s fingers with his own before tasting it.

At the time, the MTRCB asserted that the scene was a violation of Section 3c of Presidential Decree No. 1986, which states their power over portions that are deemed ‘immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people.’

Vice Ganda and Perez began their relationship in 2018. They publicly confirmed their relationship the following year. In October 2021, the couple celebrated their third anniversary with a commitment or wedding ceremony in Las Vegas.

‘Apply lang nang apply.’ It’s the phrase echoing across job boards, group chats, and TikTok videos-a rallying cry turned inside joke for today’s job seekers. Behind every ‘We regret to inform you’ email is a generation caught between qualifications and disillusionment, wondering how finding work became a full-time job in itself.

Even qualified, fresh graduates and most dedicated workers struggle to break through. And it begs the question: Why does landing a job feel impossible for so many Filipinos today?

A dystopian market

The aftermath of the flood control corruption scandal has left economic scars. What began as an exposé of misuse of public funds quickly cascaded into a crisis of confidence among investors, businesses, and consumers.

Behind every ‘We regret to inform you’ email is a generation caught between qualifications and disillusionment, wondering how finding work became a full-time job in itself

During the week of Aug. 25 to 29, the Philippine Stock Exchange saw a drop in capitalization by 1.71 percent-roughly P330 billion-reflecting investor unease as revelations of public fund mismanagement continued to surface.

When investors lose confidence in a country’s economy, they are less likely to put money into businesses or new projects. Without investment, companies may postpone expansion, reduce hiring, or even lay off workers. This directly affects employment, as fewer jobs are created and existing positions may be at risk.

When investors lose confidence in a country’s economy, they are less likely to put money into businesses or new projects. Without investment, companies may postpone expansion, reduce hiring, or even lay off workers

Funds that could have supported and stabilized micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were instead lost to corruption. MSMEs, regarded as the backbone of the Philippine economy, employ the majority of the country’s workforce and drive much of its domestic commerce. Already struggling with high operating costs and a weak post-pandemic recovery, these businesses now face even greater barriers to survival and growth.

Government-backed financing, such as loans from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), provides some relief but remains insufficient to meet demand. As a result, MSMEs struggle to expand, hire, or even sustain operations, leaving fewer job opportunities for Filipino workers.

The combination of corruption, diverted public funds, and limited government support has created a dystopian market-one in which economic stagnation constrains both business growth and employment prospects.

The (dystopian) beauty pageant of hiring

As employment opportunities shrink, job hunting in the Philippines has transformed into a high-stakes contest for visibility.

Graduates and entry-level workers searching for stable employment must now compete not just on skills and education but on their ability to market themselves online. Even on LinkedIn, the process can give the illusion of an easy opportunity. A few clicks on the ‘Easy Apply’ button seem to open doors-but in reality, many job postings demand years of experience or over-the-top qualifications for entry-level roles, often with salaries that do not match the qualifications required. For fresh graduates and younger applicants, simply meeting the listed requirements can feel impossible.

Graduates and entry-level workers searching for stable employment must now compete not just on skills and education but on their ability to market themselves online

The June 2025 Labor Force Survey by the Department of Labor and Employment revealed a 2.6-percentage-point increase in unemployed college graduates, rising from 35.6 percent in December 2024. These numbers reflect the growing frustration among young Filipinos navigating a hiring system that often favors connections and self-promotion over skills alone.

Online guides often suggest rewriting a résumé for every single application. Considering it can take roughly 100 applications to land one offer, this means hundreds of tailored résumés just to secure a chance at an interview. The later stages of hiring can demand even more unpaid labor: Multi-round interviews, skill assessments, and assignments-all before a single job offer is extended-if you are lucky.

Long-term employment versus freelancing

At this point, the process can feel like a full-time job in itself.

This grueling process has contributed to a widening mismatch in the job market. Many graduates no longer pursue positions aligned with their education or expertise, instead settling for roles that are more accessible, even if unrelated. At the same time, the booming freelance and gig economy has created alternative pathways for income.

Instead of traditional, long-term employment, many workers now take on temporary, contract, or freelance jobs arranged through digital platforms connecting them with clients. These jobs are often unstable, underpaid, and come with little to no benefits or insurance.

Yet for countless Filipinos, freelancing has become a necessary lifeline, patching the gaps left by a labor market in crisis and a state unable to provide decent, stable employment.

So remember: If you’re still looking for a job, it’s not automatically a ‘you’ problem. Graduates and workers are navigating a labor market defined by systemic challenges-shrinking opportunities, fierce competition, and structural barriers. Struggling to find work is not automatically a reflection of effort or skill; these obstacles are built into the system, not the individual.

A church treasurer was shot Thursday morning, police said.

The incident happened inside the compound of the Seventh-day Adventist Church along Licoan Road in Barangay Puntod.

The victim, identified as Benjamin Mendez, was rushed to a nearby hospital. His current condition is not yet known as of this posting.

Police have cordoned off the area near the church compound with crime scene tape as personnel gathered evidence.

Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots.

Mendez’s son, Jediah Mendez, confirmed to Magnum Radyo that his father had previously received death threats from the suspect, whom he said is a fellow church member.

The younger Mendez said his father even filed a legal complaint against the suspect.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene in his Toyota Vios car but surrendered to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Police authorities have yet to name the suspect who is now in their custody.

It appears that Kiray Celis and her non-showbiz fiancé Stephan Estopia are tying the knot very soon as they had already released their prenup photos taken in Japan.

The actress gave a glimpse of their photo shoot through her Instagram page on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Celis donned a white bridal dress, denim pants and a veil, while Estopia sported a casual long sleeve top and denim pants paired with a black suit coat.

In the photos, the pair were photographed having fun at the Shibuya Crossing, and in the streets of Tokyo.

‘Sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, ikaw ang pinakapaborito ko,’ she captioned her post. (Of all the people in the world, you are my favorite.)

Celis then asked the help of her followers in crafting a hashtag for their wedding, promising a P5,000 cash prize for the netizen with the best entry. Celis made her relationship with Estopia public in 2019, describing him at the time as the ‘right person’ for her. The couple announced their engagement last April.

Experts have identified over a dozen other geological sites in Northern Samar province after the recent recognition of Biri Rocks as the Philippines’ newest National Geological Monument (NGM The Northern Samar provincial government reported on Thursday that these additional geosites are spread across 11 towns in the province.

‘These sites, rich in geological and ecological value, are now being considered as potential additions to the country’s list of geological monuments,’ the provincial government said in a statement.

These potential geological gems include the Pinusilan Lagoon and Naputad Rock in Mapanas town; Mampugay Falls, Sleeping Lion, and Rakit-dakit 2.0 in Palapag; Malobaroc Beach and Mombon Sandbar in Mondragon; Lulugayan Falls in Bobon; Macaningning Islets; and Baitan Cave and Rocks in Laoang.

Other sites are Pinipisakan Falls in Las Navas; Hilulugayan Falls in Silvino Lobos; Busay Falls in San Isidro; Bantayan Tidal Channel and Beach in San Roque; Imaga Rocks in Allen; and Miol-biol Rocks in Lavezares town.

‘While the recognition of Biri Rocks is a major achievement, the geological wonders of Northern Samar do not end there. The newly identified geosites represent a diverse array of natural formations – from pristine waterfalls to secluded caves, beaches, and unique rock structures,’ the provincial government said.

Experts found the potential of these sites through a recent week-long exploration led by the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS), in collaboration with experts from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Recognized as the newest NGM in June 2025, Biri Rocks in Northern Samar is composed of seven rock islets with unique geological features. (PNA)/coa

The destructive impacts of Typhoon Tino (presently Kalmaegi as it exited PAR) in eight regions across the country have left 2 million people affected, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded on Thursday noon.

In total, 2,100,905 people, or 587,550 families, were affected by Tino across 7,538 barangays spread across Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Caraga, the NDRRMC reported.

According to the NDRRMC, the most affected region is Western Visayas, with 764,007 people (233,694 families) affected. Caraga was the second most affected with 422,545 people (114,333 families), followed by Central Visayas with 389,679 people (89,132 families).

In other regions, the number of affected individuals is as follows:

Eastern Visayas: 359,884 people / 101,105 families

Negros Island Region: 103,180 people / 28,701 families

Bicol Region: 36,779 people / 13,083 families

Mimaropa: 24,572 people / 7,424 families

Calabarzon: 259 people / 78 Of the over 2 million affected, 350,495 individuals or 97,181 families were served inside 3,516 evacuation centers, while 81,841 or 24,350 were served outside of evacuation centers.

On Thursday morning, the NDRRMC also reported 114 fatalities, 127 missing and 82 injured persons.

The NDRRMC recorded a total of 103 flooded areas, and 39 remain flooded as of 12 n.n on Thursday. Western Visayas has 36 flooded areas, while Mimaropa has three.

Ten landslides were also recorded due to the typhoon. Six of the landslides were in Caraga, three were in Negros Island Region, and one was in Western Visayas.

There were also 12 fallen trees, two overflows, and two incidents of fallen debris reported. Additionally, NDRRMC said 6,762 houses were damaged by the typhoon, 145 of which were totally damaged. The estimated cost of the damages stands at P130,000.

Five bridges and 42 roads remain completely impassable, the NDRRMC added.

Twelve roads are impassable in Mimaropa, 10 in Central Visayas, six each in Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas, and two in Caraga.

Two bridges are fully impassable in Western and Central Visayas, while one bridge can not be utilized in Mimaropa.

Meanwhile, 75 other infrastructures in Caraga were damaged, costing approximately P6,330,000.

The NDDRMC also reported 119 cities or municipalities experiencing ongoing power interruptions in five regions.

Listed below are the number of cities with power outages per affected region:

Central Visayas: 67

Western Visayas: 25

Caraga: 18

Mimaropa: 8

Calabarzon: 1

Seven municipalities were affected by an interrupted water supply, and none of them have been restored, the NDRRMC said.

Four of the cities or municipalities experiencing cut water supply are in Caraga, two are in Central Visayas, and one is in Mimaropa.

Areas in Caraga and Mimaropa are also suffering from non-functional communication lines. In Caraga, eight cities or municipalities have no communication, while in Mimaropa, two are experiencing the same. Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the declaration of a national calamity across the Philippines to hasten the assistance needed by the victims of Typhoon Tino, while also preparing for the impact of a potential super typhoon.

The state weather bureau is monitoring Tropical Storm Fung-Wong outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, anticipating that it may intensify into a typhoon before entering, then into a super typhoon before making landfall in the northern or central portions of Luzon. Fung-Wong is forecast to enter PAR between Friday evening and early Saturday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said. /

Finding the ‘black box’ that contains crucial data which could help determine the cause of the Super Huey helicopter crash proved to be difficult for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The chopper, which was deployed to conduct damage assessment for Typhoon Tino, crashed in Agusan del Sur’s Loreto town on Tuesday, Nov. 4, killing six PAF personne,l including two pilots and four crew members.

‘As of now, we’re having a hard time because as you saw in the other videos, it [the Super Huey] was really on fire upon impact,’ said PAF spokesperson Maria Christina Basco in an interview in Filipino on Thursday when asked if the black box of the plane was already found.

The black box contains a flight data recorder that logs technical data like speed and altitude, and a cockpit voice recorder which records audio from the cockpit.

While the black box is yet to be found, Basco said investigators are also gathering eyewitness accounts, the videos of the incident circulating on social media accounts, as well as an investigation of the debris to shed light on what happened.

Basco did not provide further information on the ongoing probe.

‘While the investigation is ongoing, we cannot give piecemeal information because it’s hard to come up with assumptions of what happened,’ Basco also said in the interview before the arrival of the remains of four PAF airmen who died in the crash at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

PAF identified the pilots as Captain Paulie Dumagan and Second Lieutenant Royce Louis Camigla.

The airmen were Sergeant Yves Sijub, Sergeant John Christopher Golfo, Airman First Class Ericson Merico and Airman Ameer Khaidar Apion.

Basco said the remains of Sijub and Apion were earlier brought to their hometowns in General Santos City and Zamboanga City.

On the other hand, Dumagan, Camigla, Golfo and Merico were brought by a C-130 transport aircraftto the air base that serves as PAF’s national headquarters.

The families also tearfully met the fallen soldiers for the first time since the tragedy occurred.

All of the deceased airmen were awarded a posthumous Distinguished Aviation Cross medal in a solemn ceremony upon the landing of their remains.

Subscribe The award is conferred on military personnel who have shown heroism or achievement during aerial operations.

Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, chair of the board of Inquirer Interactive Inc., formally opened here on Wednesday the Asian Media Leaders Summit (AMLS) attended by about 200 journalism industry leaders and media professionals from Asia.

Organized by the World Association of News Publishers, or WAN-Ifra – of which Prieto-Romualdez is Asia-Pacific chair – the AMLS is the Asian counterpart of WAN-Ifra’s World Congress.

WATCH: Inquirer chairman opens Asian media leaders’ meet

According to Prieto-Romualdez, news leaders’ concerns worldwide, as captured by WAN-Ifra’s own industry outlook, include:

lack of trust in news media

global geopolitical economic uncertainty

creating sustainability of business models

platform power and unpredictability

aging audiences

user habits and expectations

‘But the outlook will show you also that there’s a general sense of optimism because of opportunities that have come our way,’ she said, adding that these present new action points for the news industry.

‘It’s important to build direct relationships with our readers and consumers, double down on our journalism, collaborate like never before, and develop other revenue streams,’ she said.

Key themes

These will be key themes at the two-day conference, which has gathered attendees from 41 countries representing 106 companies.

Many speakers and session moderators are senior editors and news industry leaders. But there are headline sessions that tackle artificial intelligence and news content creators, and how these affect publishing content and business, and some best cases and practices on these worldwide.

AMLS is ‘Asian-centric and aligns closely with the business environment that Asian media operates in. It is a compact but intense conference, with plenty of learning and networking opportunities,’ WAN-Ifra says on its website.

The Philippine National Police said on Wednesday it is ready to secure a three-day religious rally by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at Rizal Park in Manila on Nov. 16 to 18, where around 300,000 participants are expected to attend.

PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said nearly 10,000 personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be deployed to ensure public safety during the event. The security force will include civil disturbance management units, traffic enforcers, K9 teams, medical support groups, and quick reaction forces.

The National Parks Development Committee has approved the INC’s request to hold the gathering at Rizal Park. The religious group had originally planned to hold its rally at the People Power Monument along Edsa.

Tuaño said the venue change was made to prevent possible traffic congestion if large crowds gathered along Edsa.

‘Full alert’

He said the Manila Police District has already met with the city government of Manila, which pledged to provide perimeter support outside Rizal Park. The city government will also deploy 14 ambulances around the park and tap its Department of Public Services to assist in the operations.

‘While this is a religious and not a political rally, the NCRPO will still implement full alert status to maximize police presence and readiness,’ Tuaño said in a briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday.

Tuaño said the initial crowd estimate of 300,000 came from NCRPO intelligence data, but the number could still change following a coordination meeting scheduled for 2 p.m.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police are coordinating with the city government, event organizers, religious leaders, and other agencies to finalize security and traffic plans in compliance with President Marcos’ directive to ensure public safety during the event.

Security protocols

‘We welcome this large-scale religious gathering, and we are one with the organizers in ensuring that it becomes a peaceful and meaningful event. Our police officers will be there not to interfere, but to protect-to make sure that everyone who comes in faith also goes home safe,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

Tuaño urged attendees to cooperate with authorities and follow security protocols, such as submitting to bag checks and avoiding prohibited items.

‘We appeal for understanding and cooperation from the public, especially from those attending,’ he said during the briefing. ‘Simple acts like complying with security checks, avoiding prohibited items, and looking out for one another will help us keep the event safe.’

The PNP also advised motorists to expect heavy traffic and road adjustments around Rizal Park and nearby areas, with rerouting schemes and entry-exit points to be announced after a final coordination meeting.