Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by TAPE Inc. in the Eat Bulaga copyright infringement lawsuit filed by TV hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) against the production company.

The CA affirmed that the trio owns the copyright of the audiovisual recordings and jingles of Eat Bulaga, which the company used without consent. The appeals court also ordered TAPE to pay damages and attorney’s fees totaling P3 million.

‘For having determined that TAPE committed unfair competition and copyright infringement, we sustain the RTC’s award in favor of TVJ, et al. the following amounts of PHP 2,000,000.00 as temperate damages, PHP 500,000.00 as exemplary damages, and PHP 500,000.00 as attorney’s fees pursuant to Sections 156.1 and 216.1 of the Intellectual Property Code as well as Article 2208(1)6 of the New Civil Code,’ a part of the decision read.

Senate President Tito also spoke about the ruling in a statement released by his office. ‘The decision upholds the earlier ruling recognizing TVJ as the copyright owners of the materials in question.’

The Intellectual Property Office (IPOPhl) favored TVJ in December 2023 and dismissed the trademark registration of TAPE for the names ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘EB.’

The following month, TVJ won their copyright infringement and unfair competition case against TAPE after the Marikina City Regional Trial Court ruled in favor of the trio

It was not an exposé but a script similar to that used by Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) and trolls on social media.

This was what Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said about Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero’s speech at the Senate on Monday where the latter alleged that he was behind the ploy to divert public anger over the flood control mess to senators.

‘I listened to the privilege speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero. With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS script-the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Nothing new and no truth either,’ the former Speaker said in a statement released shortly after Escudero’s speech.

‘Instead of answering the serious questions he himself must face, Senator Escudero chose to deflect. He did not deny the allegations against him. He did not explain his own role in flood-control kickbacks. Instead of explaining, he just pointed fingers,’ Romualdez added.

‘Personal interest’

Romualdez, who stepped down as speaker on Sept. 17, said Escudero’s speech was not meant for the pursuit of accountability, but to ‘profess loyalty and service’ to Vice President Sara Duterte.

‘The truth is clear: Senator Escudero’s speech is not about accountability, but to push for his personal ambition,’ he said.

‘It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to Vice President Sara Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028. His true line of service is not for the truth, but for a personal interest and political plans,’ he added.

Escudero accused Romualdez of orchestrating a ‘sarswela’-a local theater and opera show that evolved from the Spanish zarzuela-to distract the public.

Cooperation

Romualdez, meanwhile, assured the public that he will cooperate with investigations.

‘For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny. I don’t have anything to hide. As for Senator Escudero, kung tunay na pananagutan ang hanap, sa presinto na siya magpaliwanag (if he is seeking real accountability, he should explain in the proper forum),’ he said.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos condemned government officials and contractors who allegedly earned kickbacks at the expense of people suffering from heavy flooding even during mild rain showers. This led to congressional investigations and the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to probe alleged corruption in flood control projects. Romualdez has not been linked to any of the top companies that cornered big-ticket projects. He denied allegations that he received kickbacks, calling them ‘false’ and ‘pure fiction.’

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday called on Congress to prioritize several measures, including amendments to school-based feeding programs and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act.

DepEd made the call during a meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, which was presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘In the New Philippines, we must ensure that every student has adequate nutrition, quality teachers, safe schools, and equal opportunities-whether they study in public or private institutions. These proposals are concrete steps to make sure that not a single learner is left behind,’ Education Sec. Sonny Angara said in Filipino in a statement.

The priority education bills endorsed to Congress include:

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (RA 11037): Expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program to 160 feeding days and universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 3; inclusion of marginalized groups such as indigenous learners and adolescent mothers; allowance of milk-based substitutes for the Milk Feeding Program; weekly micronutrient supplementation for female learners; and establishment of Central Kitchens in every School Division Office, among others.

Amendments to the E-GASTPE Act (RA 8545): Institutionalization of anti-fraud mechanisms through centralized verification, audits, whistleblower protection, and data- sharing with other agencies; expansion of voucher coverage to Kindergarten through Senior High School learners and teachers, among others.

Amendments to the Teacher Professionalization Act (RA 7836): Flexibility in creating distinct licensure examinations per teacher education program, diversification of the Board for Professional Teachers, and additional graduate quality assurance measures such as portfolio assessment and literacy and numeracy testing, among others.

Amendments to the Local Government Code – Special Education Fund (SEF): Raising the SEF levy from 1% to 2% of assessed property value and expanding allowable uses to cover operations of special education, IP and madrasah classes, open high schools, flexible learning, school site acquisition, and school building maintenance, among others.

Meanwhile, Angara also noted DepEd’s support of the Classroom Building Acceleration Bill to fast-track the construction of classrooms nationwide by providing flexibility and engaging more partners in the implementation.

According to Angara, strengthening these programs is essential to deliver better learning outcomes and to give every Filipino learner a fair chance at success.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said they need to know the address of former Marine Orly Regala Guteza so that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can serve him a subpoena.

Guteza is the former security aide of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. He was introduced before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last week by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Marcoleta said former Quezon City Third District Rep. Michael Defensor introduced him to Guteza.

In his affidavit, Guteza tagged former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control controversy, saying he delivered several suitcases containing ‘trash,’ their code for cash, to the houses of both Co and Romualdez.

Remulla said the last time he talked with Guteza was in the Senate, where the secretary was able to get a copy of the former Marine’s affidavit, a part of which stated that he wanted to enter the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The appointment was scheduled for Guteza to be at the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Friday for an interview, but he failed to appear.

‘But here’s the thing: I talked with him to come here for that purpose. We’re going to ask for his address so we will have the NBI serve a subpoena, just to make everything crystal clear, right?’ Remulla asked.

However, since then, Remulla had no more communication with the ex-Marine.

‘Nothing,’ Remulla said when asked if he heard of Guteza again after the latter was a no-show at their supposed meeting last Friday.

‘We have no contact.So we are just hoping he is okay and that he can shed light on his affidavit,’ the secretary said.

Remulla said the people who presented Guteza in the Senate should stand by his testimony. ‘They shouldn’t let him go. Also, they should be responsible for him because a witness like that-it’s scary if they don’t bring him out again,’ he said. /apl

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon province has reminded business establishments to abide by the 60-day price freeze on basic goods following the September 17 flash floods that devastated at least eight barangays here.

DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Christopher Diaz said the price freeze will remain until November 17, 2025, unless the state of calamity declared by the local government is lifted earlier.

The city government declared a state of calamity on September 19.

To ensure compliance, DTI-Bukidnon issued letters of inquiry to 10 major stores in the city after observing price changes, though no significant hikes are expected.

DTI urged consumers to report retailers selling above the prevailing prices.

Items covered by the price freeze include canned goods, milk (condensed, evaporated, and powdered), coffee, soap, noodles, bottled water, and iodized salt.

However, milk products classified as supplements or nutritional milk are excluded.

Diaz clarified that medicines, liquified petroleum gas, fuel, fish, and meat fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Department of Energy.

Meanwhile, Josh Rey Caparoso of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO, who heads the rapid damage and needs assessment, said they are still receiving more information about flood-damaged vehicles, along with infrastructures, farms, houses, livestock, appliances, and other valuables.

He noted that figures continue to change due to the extensive destruction, with the final report expected this week.

As of September 29, five fatalities have been confirmed: Jaya Taña, 27; King Winston Adran, 13; Larry Labay, 53; Princess Kyarah Dacoycoy, 17; and Deejay Ark Taña Viña, 4.

Search and retrieval operations are ongoing for three missing individuals: Johnny Borbon, 63; Dina Consolacion, 48; and Andrea Vistal

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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it may look into banks after a congressional inquiry flagged large cash transactions linked to a flood control scandal, although the watchdog declined to say whether such an investigation was already underway.

The state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), meanwhile, ‘strongly refuted’ any insinuations of irregularity in its handling of government contractor accounts, stressing that all questioned transactions had complied with mandated procedures.

AMLC Executive Director Matthew David told the Inquirer that under its supervisory and investigative mandates, the council also examines potential administrative and criminal liabilities of covered entities, including banks and their employees, for compliance lapses.

Still, David stopped short of saying whether the AMLC had opened a specific probe, citing confidentiality rules.

Sanctions

But he said the AMLC may check whether banks and other covered entities were meeting their legal duties, including vetting clients under ‘know your customer’ rules, keeping proper records, and filing required transaction and suspicious activity reports on time.

‘Noncompliance with these obligations may result in enforcement actions under the Enforcement Action Guidelines, and administrative sanctions under the Rules of Procedure in Administrative Cases,’ David said, adding that failure to submit required reports may also give rise to liability under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

‘The AMLC remains committed to upholding the integrity of the financial system and ensuring that all covered entities adhere to their legal obligations in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing,’ he continued.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched its probe into potential vulnerabilities of concerned banks in relation to transactions involving flood control projects. The review, it said, was aimed at determining the scope of any lapses and holding lenders accountable where shortcomings are found.

The BSP opened the inquiry following explosive testimony in congressional hearings, where witnesses described large cash withdrawals and deliveries to lawmakers allegedly tied to irregular flood control projects.

Photos of stacks of banknotes submitted as evidence of kickbacks to legislators intensified public anger, sparking mass protests on Sept. 21. The AMLC has issued more than 700 freeze orders covering bank accounts, insurance policies and other assets of individuals linked to the alleged scheme.

At a Senate hearing on Sept. 25, senators questioned contractor Sally Santos, who admitted withdrawing P457 million in cash in just two days from a LandBank branch in Bulacan. Santos, owner of Syms Construction Trading, is among several contractors implicated in the flood control scandal.

Lawmakers also pressed Ma. Lilibeth Lim, the branch manager who authorized the withdrawal. Lim reasoned out that since the account was tied to a government agency, it was not treated as suspicious. Under existing laws, transactions involving P500,000 or more in cash must be reported to the AMLC as a covered transaction.

In a statement on Monday, LandBank said the funds were legitimate government allocations under the annual national budget law, not private or unverified sources. Therefore, it argued that the bank, ‘or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements.’

‘LandBank reiterates that its role is to faithfully execute banking transactions in accordance with law and regulatory standards, and not to assume investigatory functions outside its legal mandate,’ it added.

The validity of motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses expiring on September 30 will be extended to October 3, in consideration of those affected by inclement weather, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Tuesday.

‘The validity of all motor vehicle registration expiring on 30 September 2025 and driver’s license due for renewal on 30 September 2025 shall be extended and no penalties shall be collected until 03 October 2025,’ the memorandum signed by LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II read.

The LTO also scrapped penalties for delayed renewals of vehicle registration and driver’s licenses.

Similarly, those with traffic apprehension cases will also be given an extension to settle their matters.

‘The 15-day period for the settlement of traffic apprehension cases, effective 26 September 2025, shall be extended until 03 October 2025,’ the memorandum continued.

According to Mendoza, the aforementioned extensions were also due to cancellation of government work in Metro Manila and other areas affected by the past few cyclones and other weather systems.

‘Aside from Typhoon Opong that hit Bicol Region, Visayas and southern part of Luzon, heavy rains due to southwest monsoons, and tropical cyclones Mirasol and Nando resulted in cancellation of government works,’ the LTO said. /das

The revelation of a ‘ghost factory’ of flood control projects in Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office by the Commission on Audit (COA)-initially worth P340-P360 million-confirms the existence of its systematic and syndicated theft of taxpayer funds.

Forged documents, mismatched addresses, and duplicate claims were all parts of this elaborate and time-consuming recycling plan. Results from the audit indicate that district engineers and contractors led them to locations that did not comply with the contract specifications, that slope protection and riverbank structures were already in place when the contracts began, and that critical documents were missing.

A system where, a factory turns paper into profit, where contractors are paid in advance for projects that were never developed, or finished works counted more than once, and records vanish. Deeply involved is a syndicate inside the DPWH DEO involving all of its senior officials.

The recent Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings were equally explosive. OIC ARD and former DE Henry Alcantara confirmed that there are approximately 50 ghost flood control projects implemented in his district, with an estimated cost of P4 to P5 billion. He insisted he has no participation in those ghost projects and pointed to the culprits led by former DE Brice Hernandez and the others.

in contrast, DE Hernandez says he was merely following instructions from his boss Alcantara under a 40-20 -20-20 partition rule for ghost projects with Alcantara getting 40 percent while he and engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Paul Duya get 20 percent each.

In a later hearing, resigned DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo denied his involvement but confirmed in his affidavit the 40-20-20-20 partition rule on ghost projects of Alcantara, Hernandez and engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Arjay Domasig.

There were inconsistencies between Alcantara, Hernandez and Bernardo specifically on their respective shares. Bernardo said he was only getting 15 percent from Alcantara , but Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza insisted that they are preparing 25 to 30 percent for Usec Bernardo. There was also talk that from the 25 percent commission allegedly for rep. Zaldy Co, both Bernardo and Alcantara they claim receive just 1 percent each.

It was a great though that DPWH sec. Vince Dizon acted quickly and seventeen officials of the Bulacan First district Engineering office from top to bottom including all section chiefs and engineers were dismissed administratively, filed charges before the Ombudsman and ordered an AMLC asset freeze against them.

Also charged were contractors Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corp., Mark Allan V. Arevalo, owner of Wawao Builders, Sally Santos of Syms Construction Trading, and Robert T. Imperio, owner of IM Construction Corp.

The billions of pesos pocketed by this syndicated operation flooded tax payers money into their private pockets. No wonder, most of them lived in shameless lifestyle while and racking up massive gambling losses of P950 million in thirteen casinos spread over Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga for many years.

But another worrying fact is Alcantara’s influence on neighboring DPWH engineering districts. Funds totaling P5.6 billion allegedly coming from Rep. Zaldy Co were dispersed among the following DEO’s in 2023 and 2024: Tarlac First Engineering District, Tarlac Second District Office, Pampanga Third District Office, and Bulacan Second District Office. What happened with these allocations will of course be revealed only after DPWH internal investigations and COA fraud audits very soon.

The Bulacan First DEO promoted DE Henry Alcantara to his post in 2019. He admitted leading this syndicated operations and tagged boss of the (Bulacan Group of Contractors) BGC boys. In the Senate, Alcantara addresses DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo as his boss from way back. Bernardo had been with Alcantara from Laguna to the City of Manila Engineering office and finally to Bulacan.

In their sworn affidavits before the Senate a lot of big names were mentioned, Alcantara revealed the involvement of former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy and Ferdstar Builders Contractors.

Meanwhile Former DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo tagged Senator Chiz Escudero and his friend businessman Maynard Ngu, former Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Nancy Binay, COA Commissioner Mario Lipaña, DEPEd Usec Trygive Olaivar while citing conversations and deliveries of money from Alcantara to Congressman Zaldy Co. Also in his affidavit, Bernardo revealed he was consulting then DPWH sec. Manny Bonoan regarding the release of funds for SP Escudero.

Hernandez mentioned new names of involved politicians when he was summoned by the Independent Committee on Infrastructure. His lawyer, Atty Raymond Fortun went public that six more senators will be implicated, however his client Brice Hernandez denied this in a Senate hearing. We expect more fireworks in the coming days.

But there are other important questions waiting for answers.Alcantara assumed office as DEO in 2019, when former President Duterte was in office, what happened? Considering the clear connection between Usec Bernardo and Alcantara, might it be inferred that Mark Villar, the current senator and former secretary of the DPWH, was also privy to the operation they were running? Who are the 2019-2022, 2020-2021, and 2022 Duterte officials or politicians who funded flood control projects of Alcantara and Bernardo ? Which contractors are involved in this projects? Which politicians were behind the 2019 and beyond Senate/House budget insertions, the Unprogrammed Funds, and the National Expenditure Program?

It is my belief that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should continue to focus on this ‘organized plunder’ in Bulacan and how these phantom flood control projects are created from the DPWH, the DBM, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Bicameral conference committee.

What is the true story here?

We want to know the other Senators, Congressmen, Undersecretaries, senior government officials and contractors who benefitted from this Bulacan ghost flood project factory. The Filipino people have a right to know the whole truth-no embellishments-because they have been deeply hurt. (next)

Don’t Lock the People Out: ICI’s Closed Sessions Betray the Public Trust

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s decision to hold closed-door hearings into the Bulacan flood-control scandal is not merely disappointing; it is a dangerous abdication of the public’s right to know. The COA has exposed a gargantuan pattern of alleged theft and organized plunder in Bulacan. In response, the ICI should be inviting the public in, not shutting them out behind a bureaucratic curtain.

The ICI’s stated fear – that public proceedings might become a ‘trial by publicity’ – is both overstated and self-defeating. Transparency is not the enemy of fair process; secrecy is. When a new commission with limited powers refuses public scrutiny while investigating allegations that implicate powerful officials, it fuels the very suspicions it claims to dispel. If the ICI lacks confidence , the correct remedy is to tighten those procedures, not to keep citizens in the dark.

The ICI should commit to making its hearings public and accessible – but with safeguards designed to protect the integrity of testimony and the safety of witnesses. While we agree to disallow live streaming or broadcasting, they must publish verbatim transcripts and ‘completely verified’ exhibits within 24 hours of every session.

At the end of every hearing, the commission should hold a same day public press briefing summarizing what was covered, clarifying the status of unverified claims, and identifying next steps. This prevents misinformation from filling the vacuum.

These measures strike the balance the public demands: openness that prevents secrecy-driven impunity, and safeguards that protect fair process and personal safety. There is a larger point here. The Bulacan revelations triggered public outrage for a reason: ordinary Filipinos see their taxes turned into a slush fund for unscrupulous operators while their communities remain exposed to danger from shoddy or phantom flood-control work. The ICI’s legitimacy depends on how visibly and resolutely it counters that perception. Secrecy will only deepen mistrust and ignite street protests; visibility, combined with discipline, will build credibility.

Finally, let me be blunt: in a republic, public hearings are not a courtesy to the press; they are a safeguard for the citizenry. The people do not merely have an interest in these proceedings – they have a right to observe them. The ICI must open its doors, adopt robust safeguards against abuse, and show the nation that its investigations are about accountability, not cover-up. Anything less is a betrayal of the public trust and the promise of reform. If the commission refuses, it will invite one of two outcomes: either the very real danger of politicized spectacle, or the far worse danger of a quiet, bureaucratic burial of evidence. Neither is acceptable.

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) on Monday opened its new office building in Quezon City as part of its modernization plans. It features ‘touchless’ and facial recognition technology.

RLC business unit general manager Jericho Go told reporters GBF Center 2 at the Bridgetowne estate would be the first to use these new features.

‘We have a full destination control system,’ Go said.

According to him, the GBF 2 lobby features facial recognition-enabled turnstiles and ‘state-of-the-art filtration systems.’

An employee’s face is recognized at the entrance after registering their biometrics via the Go Work mobile application. Then, their assigned floor is identified and they are assigned a specific elevator in the lobby. This ensures efficient operations and electricity savings, Go explained.

The 30-story GBF 2 follows the 2023 launch of GBF Center 1, which has already leased out 60 percent of its available space.

‘Premiumization’

According to Go, they were looking to also upgrade the lobbies of their other office buildings as part of RLC’s ‘premiumization’ strategy.

Earlier this month, RLC announced it would develop a new office tower in Davao City to expand its footprint across the country’s second-largest island group. The nine-story building is slated for completion in the first half of 2027.

Once completed, this will add to the developer’s Mindanao portfolio. This consists of eight shopping malls, three GoHotels, one Grand Summit Hotel and two office buildings.

This expansion and upgrade of its office portfolio forms part of RLC’s plan to double its net income to P25 billion by 2030.

Apart from office buildings, this includes the expansion of RLC’s portfolio of upscale condominiums and introduction of luxury and ultra-luxury hotels.

RLC also recently launched The Jewel. It will have a mall, four office towers and a five-floor basement parking area.

The Jewel will have a projected gross leasable area of around 320,000 square meters. This would make it RLC’s biggest project in a single location. INQ