Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) wants to exempt more small corporations from the mandatory submission of audited financial statements as it seeks to shrink ‘unnecessary’ compliance costs for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In a statement, the corporate watchdog said it had submitted a policy paper to the Department of Finance (DOF) recommending that corporations with total assets or liabilities not exceeding P3 million be required to submit only annual financial statements.

These must be certified under oath by their treasurer or chief financial officer before submitting the documents in lieu of audited financial statements.

The proposed policy will apply to financial statements covering fiscal years ending on Dec. 31, 2025. This is still subject to the approval of the DOF.

‘Our proposed policy will not only improve the ease of doing business, but will also cut unnecessary compliance requirements for micro entities, in support of the government’s goal of driving inclusive economic development,’ SEC Chair Francis Lim noted.

The SEC currently requires corporations with total assets or liabilities of at least P600,000 to submit annual financial statements audited by an independent certified public accountant.

However, the regulator pointed out that the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines also recognized the authority of the DOF to determine the cap.

In pushing for the expansion of the threshold, the SEC is also seeking to reduce incidents of rubber-stamp audits, cut barriers to registration and simplify compliance obligations.

‘We have repeatedly said that MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, which is why the SEC remains committed to implementing measures that will foster a business environment that is easier to navigate for our budding entrepreneurs,’ Lim said.

This is the agency’s latest move to make it easier for MSMEs to do business. Earlier, the SEC announced that its newest policies have resulted in over P80 million worth of discounts for small corporations. The total covered over 40,000 transactions, including company filings.

Of the total discount, more than half, or P40.9 million, went to MSMEs, according to the SEC.

In July, a time-bound 50-percent discount on the physical and authenticated copies of company filings took effect, translating to over P36.5 million in discounts. These documents include articles of incorporation and by-laws, general information sheets and annual financial statements that used to cost up to P2,000 each.

The discount will be effective until the end of the year.

Under a separate memorandum, the SEC also provided discounted rates on filing fees to support MSMEs. This allowed a total of 8,506 MSMEs to accumulate P21.4 million in discounts on fees that need to be paid before they are registered as corporations.

ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio has thrown his support for the congressional probe on the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project, but Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte has accused the lawmaker of being subservient to the current administration.

Tinio, in an ambush interview on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa complex, said that he sees nothing wrong with the House of Representatives’ committee on public accounts’ looming probe on the dolomite beach issue, noting that the pursuit of accountability should reach the top-including former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration spearheaded the project.

Rep. Duterte is the eldest son of the former president.

‘Well, I think it’s positive and it’s about time that we reveal that this project was truly useless, it was started by the past administration, in the middle of the pandemic, using over P600 million, but it is not even a true rehabilitation of Manila Bay,’ Tinio said.

‘So, this should really be investigated, again, for us to see how much public funds were wasted and the extent of the corruption involved here, and we have to hold everyone involved accountable, up to the (former) president himself, because it was a project of the previous leader,’ he added.

The younger Duterte, however, noted that it seems Tinio is quick to call for accountability, but they were allegedly silent when funds were stolen from the country.

‘You are quick to look for who should be held accountable now, but when the country was being robbed of its funds, you were silent. When it was billions that we were talking about, where are you, people who are quick to judge? When the people are mad about the brazen robbery revealed this year, it seemed that you were quick to forget,’ Rep. Duterte said.

‘Actually, the more pressing question should be: has anyone been held accountable for the billions lost during the time of your bosses? None, right? Do not make yourselves appear like champions of transparency if you are only politicking. If your goal of ‘accountability’ is true, start with yourself-and those whom you serve who are tainted with corruption.’

The terms ‘bangag’ (stupid or stoned) and ‘tambaloslos’ (Visayan mythical creature) have been used by Duterte supporters to describe President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, respectively.

Rep. Duterte also defended his father, saying that it was only during his father’s time that Manila Bay was cleaned.

‘How many decades has it been, and there were no officials from the government who gave the right attention to the problems of Manila Bay, and we were accustomed to the dirt and garbage floating on it. Now, a President from Mindanao did something so that Manila Bay could be useful, and many were happy that finally, Manila Bay is clean,’ he said.

‘But after a few years, and because of politics, you are forcefully trying to make an issue over Manila Bay and are dragging President Duterte to destroy him. There is no problem with accountability from those who are at fault, and like you said FPRRD is part of it because it was his project. But why are you silent on seeking accountability from those who signed the most corrupt budget from 2023-2025?’ he asked.

A quick search on social media and search engines would show that Makabayan has called out the government, and even both the House and the Senate, over issues involving the 2025 budget-and even voted against the budget bills.

After claims of possible issues in the then-proposed 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the former roster of Makabayan-former ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, former Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and former Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel-said that the bicameral conference committee should convene again to address alleged allocation issues.

Progressive group Bayan Muna, a part of Makabayan, has also consistently questioned the need to certify budget bills as urgent, believing such executive powers are reserved for calamities and emergencies.

In December 2024, Makabayan-particularly Castro and Tinio-said that the 2025 budget failed to give priority to the education sector, contradicting provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

Under Section 5, paragraph 5 of the Constitution’s Article XIV, the government is required to ‘assign the highest budgetary priority to education’.

Castro and Tinio said Marcos’ veto of P194 billion line items in the budget was just a ‘deceptive maneuver to create an illusion of constitutional compliance.’

Then, last January 23, 2025, Castro said that if Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab is correct-that there were blank items in the final version of the 2025 GAB-then constitutional issues may arise from it.

The schedule on the dolomite beach probe was announced earlier by Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, who chairs the House committee on public accounts.

According to Ridon, the investigation will focus on whether the project was necessary, and check if the dolomite beach fits the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and the Supreme Court (SC) writ of continuing mandamus on the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

‘The House public accounts committee will begin proceedings on the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project in the week of November 17, 2025,’ Ridon said.

The first hearing will focus on the project’s necessity based on (a) the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and (b) the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay,’ he added.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region X has identified 289 barangays across Bukidnon as susceptible to rain-induced landslides and flooding ahead of the expected landfall of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

The latest geohazard advisory, issued at 2 a.m. on November 2, was based on the 72-hour rainfall forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) using the Global Spectral Model (GSM) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with projected rainfall accumulation of up to 50 millimeters.

The MGB said the list supersedes earlier advisories but remains subject to change as new data emerge.

It also warned that areas not included in the list but located near or downstream of high-risk zones may still experience runoff and debris flow.

Towns with barangays classified under Very High Landslide (VHL) and Very High Flooding (VHF) categories include Valencia City, Impasug-ong, Quezon, Malitbog and Manolo Fortich – areas forecast to receive intense rainfall within the monitoring period.

In Valencia City, at least 15 barangays-including Banlag, Dagat-Kidavao, Guinoyuran, Kahapunan, Lumbayao, Sinabuagan, and Vintar-were listed under multiple hazard categories.

Barangay Banlag was flagged under all risk levels, including VHL, HL (High Landslide), ML (Moderate Landslide), DF (Debris Flow), VHF, HF (High Flooding), and MF (Moderate Flooding).

The upland town of Impasug-ong also recorded several barangays under very high landslide risk, such as Bulonay, Hagpa and Kalabugao, while Quezon’s Lumintao and Kipaypayon were listed under both very high landslide and flooding categories.

According to the MGB, areas with VHL classification have steep, unstable slopes with a history of soil movement, where heavy rainfall can easily trigger landslides.

HL areas are those with steep terrain or disturbed slopes highly prone to collapse during continuous rain, while ML zones may experience landslides only under prolonged or extreme rainfall.

DF areas, meanwhile, are vulnerable to sudden flows of mud, rocks, and logs along gullies and rivers.

For flooding, VHF areas are low-lying communities near river channels at risk of deep, fast-moving inundation, while HF zones are floodplains or riverbanks that may overflow during storms.

MF areas experience shallow or temporary flooding that can still damage crops and small structures.

The OCD and MGB urged local disaster risk reduction and management councils to conduct preemptive evacuations, monitor rainfall levels, and issue timely warnings to residents in vulnerable areas.

‘Even if your barangay is not listed, but you are near riverbanks or foot slopes, stay alert. Water and debris will naturally flow to lower grounds,’ the MGB’s Geohazards Operations Center said.

Authorities also reminded the public to prepare emergency kits, monitor radio and social media updates, and avoid crossing rivers or mountain roads during heavy rain.

Residents are warned of possible flash floods and landslides in areas experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly across the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, including Bukidnon.

The national government’s financing position grew by 2.7 percent in the nine months ending Sept. 30, with net inflows totaling P1.27 trillion.

This year-on-year increase came up as the monthly readout for September slashed the year’s running tally by P117.38 billion.

In September, the government amortized a total of P237.93 billion worth of Treasury bills and bonds and P8.26 billion worth of project loans.

Over the nine-month period, the government repaid a total of P924.9 billion worth of locally issued securities and P196.48 billion worth of foreign loans.

As of end-September, the single biggest chunk of domestic debt incurred rang up at P1.05 trillion worth of Treasury bonds.

Meanwhile, the biggest piece of the foreign debt pie was P191.97 billion worth of US dollar-denominated bonds.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury show that from January to September, gross foreign borrowings were pegged at P434.6 billion. Gross domestic borrowings were recorded at P1.96 trillion.

At the end of September, the total outstanding debt of the Philippine national government decreased for the second month in a row, settling at P17.455 trillion.

The national debt stock was P13 billion less than the P17.468 trillion at end-August recorded at the end of August.

‘The continued decrease reflects the government’s sound fiscal discipline, strategic borrowing strategy and proactive liability management, supported by steady market conditions and robust domestic investor confidence,’ the Treasury said on Thursday.

The country’s financial obligations peaked at P17.564 trillion last July, as did domestic debt at P12.108 trillion. Funds from foreign lenders reached a new peak at P5.482 trillion in September.

The Treasury said that in September, total repayments exceeded new issuances. This offset the impact of an upward revaluation from peso depreciation.

This developed as Fitch Ratings warned that headwinds from American tariffs were already affecting the fiscal consolidation efforts of several governments in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines.

The credit rating agency said policy responses to the weaker global demand and uncertainty would be key toward easing the impact of the headwinds on sovereign credit profiles.

Several TV series have dramatically portrayed succession.

In ‘Game of Thrones,’ it is often violent and bloody. In ‘Succession,’ it is full of plot twists and drama. In ‘The Founder,’ there is so much aggression and ambition.

Instead, succession in a corporate setting is about sustainability and longevity, and therefore is a critical topic for boards, especially of publicly listed companies.

As boards focus on leadership succession, we must address potential issues, such as resistance, miscommunication, loss of corporate momentum or worse, the departures of key executives.

In this essay, I propose practical strategies for leaders initiating succession and for those affected.

A brief story: Many years ago, I was working for a global bank, and I led a team overseeing three locations in the region. It was typical to move every three years, often to take on greater responsibilities or larger teams.

My next move would have been to assume the leadership of the whole region. Our succession templates had the usual ‘ready now,’ ‘ready in one to two years,’ ‘ready in three years or more’ and included typical training and exposure needed for future roles.

My brief story sets up how to prepare for succession. Organizations need to develop succession plans early. Planning means identifying key roles (who will likely move?), and potential successors (if the move happens, who do we put in the vacant role?).

Each leader who might be a successor should be evaluated on their readiness, whether ready immediately or as needed, or perhaps ready in time with leadership interventions, such as temporary assignments or training.

The organization needs to invest in leadership development. Often, this is simply training, but the best ways in developing successors are mentorships, opportunities to build and show their skills, such as working in task forces or ad hoc committees, or even spending some time away from their usual role (a finance person may spend some time selling to customers at a company store, for example).

My favorite advice to future leaders is for them to develop a ‘T’ profile. That is, the vertical bar is a deep functional expertise (such as finance, legal, technology) and a long horizontal bar representing various skills they may have acquired or developed outside of their deep knowledge (example: a finance person who had stints in product management, customer experience or business development).

As succession planning takes root, organizations must ensure all stakeholders understand its importance and that succession goals align with the long-term vision.

These succession plans should be regularly reviewed, with feedback from stakeholders, as organizations are rarely static and need to adapt to changing circumstances.

Organizations must ensure that leaders follow through on board discussions on succession.

My brief story also highlights that communication is the key to a smooth transition. While I thought my logical next move was the regional role, I only found out the regional role wasn’t mine until the organizational announcement.

It’s crucial to clearly explain the reasons for the transition and the chosen successor. To foster trust, an organization needs to immediately and openly address any concerns and questions. This transparent communication ensures that everyone is informed and involved in the transition process.

‘What happens now?’

This is the most frequent question when a transition happens. All key stakeholders should be involved early in the process, from board members to senior leaders and employees.

A company needs to demonstrate how the transition aligns with organizational goals to build buy-in.

And as the new leaders step in, allow these successors to articulate their vision and plans for the future. Every human being is different, with unique beliefs, attitudes and styles shaped by life and experiences.

Therefore, it is vital to highlight the successors’ qualifications and the value they bring to the organization. Throughout the transition, provide regular updates to everyone and encourage feedback.

What are some of the challenges in succession? Possible solutions?

The first and most apparent challenge is resistance to change. An organization needs to involve its employees, emphasize the benefits of the change and hold town halls to address concerns.

The second challenge is the loss of institutional knowledge. A leader who leaves a role and a successor who steps in face real knowledge, skills and work history gaps, and most especially, the skills of the inherited team.

While documentation and knowledge sharing can help, this challenge is best mitigated by a mentorship period. For example, the successor could be a short-term deputy.

The third challenge is the opposite: a leader who stays in one role for too long. This is unhealthy for the organization. That leader could assume more challenging roles, and a successor will then build new skills.

The fourth challenge is poorly defined roles. As organizations are continually pushed to execute faster, their role definitions often become outdated. A succession event helps redefine responsibilities and authority.

The fifth challenge in succession is overlooking the emotional impact. Working together for some time creates bonds, and a transition means re-bonding, which can be an emotional event.

The organization needs to acknowledge the emotional aspects of a leadership change for both the new leader and team members.

It’s essential to provide counseling or team-building support to ease the transition, showing empathy and support for those affected.

The last challenge in succession is not actually moving successors to target roles. Executives may be classified as ‘ready now’ or ‘ready in one to two years,’ but if at every annual review, they are classified the same, there is a talent retention risk.

Did the organization forget the individual’s career path? Wait too long, and the executive might leave for other companies that can better value their talent and potential.

Don’t forget the role of the leader who is leaving for another role. The leader needs to demonstrate commitment to the succession plan and the future of the team and the organization.

The leader should also be transparent about the reasons for moving on, and have confidence in the successor. The hardest part of being a leader who must leave a role is to be able to offer guidance without micromanaging or second-guessing.

The organization also needs to acknowledge the outgoing leader and recognize the potential of the successor.

Often forgotten are the people affected by the succession. If you are one of them, as I have usually experienced in my professional career, embrace change and transition with an open mind and be willing to adapt, aligning your efforts with the organization’s goals. Always ask questions to understand the new leader’s vision and expectations, establishing trust and collaboration.

Do executives leave if they are not chosen?

There are very public examples of executives leaving organizations if they do not get the roles for which they were designated as successors.

Let me go back to my brief story. I felt emotional, disappointed and let down, as I had hoped for the larger regional role that went to someone else.

There was no explanation for ‘why not me?’ Soon after, I realized the regional role wasn’t for me, as a global opportunity arose and I moved to my new HQ job! It may be true then that all good things come to those who are patient and get the job done.

Effective leadership succession ensures organizational stability and growth. As leaders in our respective organizations, we all need to work together to navigate succession and transitions successfully, ensuring business continuity and long-term success.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was prepared for potential cyberattacks that may occur on Wednesday, November 5, which is Guy Fawkes Day in Britain.

The date November 5 was popularized by the 2005 film ‘V for Vendetta.’ It commemorates the failed 1605 plot by a group of English Catholics – among them a soldier named Guy Fawkes – in an attempt to assassinate King James I and members of the Houses of Parliament.

Fawkes’ image is a symbol widely used by hacktivist groups.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) warned of a ‘flood’ of web traffic causing distributed denial of service (DDoS) incidents that may slow down or temporarily prevent users from accessing targeted sites.

‘The PNP is prepared for any possible cyberattacks. We keep reminding our units and personnel to always secure the different systems of the PNP,’ Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

A DDoS attack is a type of cyberattack that uses multiple computers or devices to flood a website, server, or online service with an overwhelming amount of traffic, overloading the target site’s resources and preventing legitimate users from accessing it or using a service.

According to acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the police force is protecting its digital systems and access to its data, particularly its databases for logistics, firearms, electronic warrants, and criminal records.

‘The PNP is continuously protecting our systems, especially since we are already using e-governance. ‘To protect our systems, ginagawa natin ang iba’t ibang activities like to ensure firewalls, to ensure the integrity of hardware and software. To protect our systems, we do activities like ensuring firewalls, ensuring the integrity of hardware and software,’ Nartatez said at the briefing in a mix of English and Filipino.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers said he would keep his hands off the mounting calls among provincial legislators here to investigate ghost infrastructure projects in the province.

According to Barbers, it was not true that he supported the call made by Provincial Board (PB) Member John Cubillan, his ally and party mate, to probe several infrastructure projects here already listed as ‘100 percent complete’ in the portal of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), but were actually missing, half-built or altogether nonexistent upon inspection.

Cubillan had sounded the alarm during the Oct. 20 session of the PB, prompting other PB members to call for a probe.

‘I did not call for any probe. I’m [keeping my] hands off to prevent (giving the issue any hint of) political color,’ said Barbers, clarifying reports that came out of the media.

The ‘real multo’

As Filipinos honor their dearly departed during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Surigao del Norte residents in the mainland and on Siargao Island found that real ghosts came in the form of infrastructure projects like roads, seawalls and flood barriers that were supposed to be implemented but only vanished in thin air, noted Cubillan.

Cubillan called the list a case of ‘systematic falsification.’

‘Who would have thought that our greatest multo (ghost) is the one that got away? The stories we’d tell to scare the children?’ Cubillan asked in his privilege speech during the session.

Among the projects he was referring to were the rehabilitation of the Roxas-Sta. Paz Road in Siargao covered under contract ID No. 23NI0034; the construction of a seawall in Barangay Bitaug, Burgos town, covered under contract ID No. 22NI0056; and the improvement of Barangay Road in San Isidro, covered under contract ID No. 24NI0012-all of which were all reflected as completed on the DPWH portal.

Cubillan also cited the rehabilitation of the junction Surigao-Dapa-Del Carmen Road covered under contract ID No. 22NG0061, which also appeared as ‘completed’ in the DPWH portal, but was found to be either abandoned or remained untouched.

Several concrete bridges in Surigao del Norte’s second district-completed during the tenure of former Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the governor’s brother, also came under fire after residents shared images online of their visible cracks.

Among these projects, the Bonifacio-Poctoy Bridge connecting Surigao city’s barangays Poctoy and Bonifacio drew particular concern, as critics alleged substandard work.

Fake news

Former congressman Barbers, in a recent press conference here, said that reports questioning his projects were ‘fake news’ as construction oversight belonged to project engineers and contractors, not directly to him.

Local media also reported here how Boometrix Development Corp.-a company closely linked to the Matugas family-garnered billions in government projects across the province, with many structures formally declared finished but which were either poorly done, delayed, or altogether absent.

Barangay Captain Ariel Nogaliza of Barangay San Mateo in Burgos town has expressed dismay over an irrigation project that remained unusable years after its completion.

Dapa, Siargao Island Mayor Elizabeth Matugas, mother of Boometrix owner Ronald Abejo, has said in a radio interview that she already relinquished her affiliation with the company since she became mayor in 2013.

PB Member Jeff Larong insisted the ghost projects investigation should also cover the second district in the mainland Surigao del Norte, but his motion for a resolution was not approved by the PB

Alas Pilipinas girls proved they belong in the 2nd AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship, stunning Iran with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 sweep on Sunday at Princess Sumaya Hall here.

After coming up short against defending champion Japan, the under-16 national youth team came out with a sense of urgency, taking down the taller Iran in a must-win game to qualify for the next round. Xyz Rayco powered the team composed of players from different provinces to finish Pool B with a 1-1 record with 13 points off nine kills, three blocks, and an ace.

Team captain Rayco put on the finishing touches in the last two sets to send the Philippines to the next round, depending on the result of the final Pool B game between Japan and Iran on Monday. They will face either the top seed or the No. 2 team in Pool D, which will be disputed by unbeaten teams Thailand and Chinese Taipei.

‘I’m really happy because we didn’t expect this. Iran is such a strong team, but we still found a way to win,’ Rayco said in Filipino.

‘We just kept a positive mindset on the court. Whatever we could do, we gave it our all.’

Madele Gale also stepped up big time with nine points, as she scored three consecutive points for a 19-15 lead in the third set before Rayco caught fire with four straight points en route to match point, 24-20. Iran saved two points but Gale ended the match with a game-winning joust. Resty Jane Olaguir continued to shine in running the plays of coach Edwin Leyva, as Nadeth Herbon and Merish Beltran contributed with seven and six points, respectively.

‘We were hoping to at least take a set against Iran, and we started off with a good score. We just told ourselves to take it one set at a time. And it worked,’ said Alas U16 coach Edwin Leyva. ‘From the first set to the second, we kept the momentum going. We honestly didn’t expect to win in straight sets because Iran is a strong and tall team.’

Alas fought back from a 13-17 deficit in the second with Herbon igniting a 5-0 run to take the lead, 18-17.

Iran tied it at 21, Rayco checked in and scored three consecutive points for the set point, 24-21, followed by service errors from both sides to take a 2-0 lead.

The Philippines came out strong with a 14-7 start and extended it to a 19-16 lead. Iran made it a one-point game, 22-21, only to commit two crucial errors before Beltran sealed the first-set win for Alas.

Iran was led by Bani Bogari Aynaz, who was the lone double-digit scorer with 12 points.

San Miguel Beer overcame another stern test that extended its turnaround from a 0-2 start in the PBA Philippine Cup by defeating the upstart Converge squad on Sunday in this city.

Despite sickness and ailments that hounded the Beermen following their trip to Dubai, San Miguel carved out a 96-90 victory over the game FiberXers at Ynares Center for a third straight win to be in the upper half of the standings.

‘We respect Converge a lot because they’re a powerhouse team and everyone needed to step up,’ said coach Leo Austria, who after spending most of the Middle East sojourn with a bum stomach, dealt with hoarseness in his voice.

June Mar Fajardo had his usual stellar numbers for San Miguel with 24 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. But he was somewhat playing a complementary role for the Beermen.

Juami Tiongson dropped all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter that allowed San Miguel to create a huge cushion over Converge, while the second unit came in and made most of their playing time, regardless if it was sparse or heavy minutes.

Kris Rosales picked up where he left off from his role in Dubai with six points and three assists, while Rodney Brondial, Jeron Teng, JM Calma and rookie guard Chris Miller also provided the spark the Beermen needed in taking down the FiberXers.

San Miguel’s defense also limited super rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño to a conference-low eight points on 2-of-10 shooting with four rebounds and six assists, before Converge opted to sit him out in the final minutes of the fourth.

‘That was what I was expecting from them because the bench really contributed a lot in the previous game,’ said Austria.

The Beermen tied the FiberXers for fifth with the win after hurdling the middle part of a crucial three-game stretch against contenders.

Up next for San Miguel is Magnolia on Friday at the other Ynares Center in Rodriguez, the result of which could solidify its status of completely shaking off the cobwebs of a slow start in its title defense.

CJ Perez added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals for San Miguel.

Fajardo came through yet again after being cleared to play despite an injured toe, while Jericho Cruz played 15 minutes and had six points and two rebounds after being given the go-signal to play at the last minute due to a hamstring injury and being under the weather.

Schonny Winston scored 20 points, Justin Arana had 19 points and 10 rebounds even as Justine Baltazar posted 14 points, 19 rebounds and five steals for the FiberXers in the defeat

The Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office has junked the complaint filed against activist Jonila Castro for allegedly leading a protest against controversial contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya at their office in Pasig City at the height of the congressional inquiry into anomalous flood control projects.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) called the dismissal of the complaint filed by a Pasig police official a vindication for Castro.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rowena Simbahan recommended the dismissal of the complaint for insufficient evidence.

Simbahan said the complainant, Police Capt. Ralph Santos failed to prove that Castro led the public assembly and that she was criminally liable for organizing the protest without securing a permit.

‘Aside from the allegations of the complainant and their witnesses that they obtained the information from one of the rallyists as to the identity of the leader or organizer of the said assembly, no other evidence was submitted to prove that it was the respondent who is the leader or organizer of the said public assembly and is thus criminally liable,’ read her resolution dated Sept. 29.

Freedom of speech, assembly

Castro was part of the Sept. 4 rally outside the Pasig City compound of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., one of at least nine construction firms owned by the Discaya couple. The protesters hurled mud and rocks at the property and spray-painted the words ‘magnanakaw’ (thief) and ‘ikulong’ (jail them) on its walls.

A week after the incident, Santos filed a complaint against Castro for violating Batas Pambansa (BP) No. 880, or the Public Assembly Act of 1985, arguing that the ralliers failed to present a permit during the protest.

Castro denied that she violated the law when she attended the rally, saying she was merely exercising her constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly.

The Discayas have come under the spotlight for their central role in the flood control project mess. After being identified as among the top 15 contractors who bagged P30 billion in flood control projects in the past three years, they have tagged several lawmakers as recipients of kickbacks from substandard or nonexistent projects.

‘Hearsay’ evidence

In her resolution, Simbahan said evidence of the organizer’s identity is indispensable, citing Section 13 of BP 880, which states that criminal liability lies with an organizer of a permit-less public assembly.

In this case, the prosecutor noted that the affidavit of the rallier who supposedly gave the information to the police that Castro was the leader was not submitted as evidence, making it ‘hearsay,’ which carried no weight.

‘The first duty of the prosecution is not to prove the crime but to establish the identity of the perpetrator . Failure to present this proof warrants the dismissal of the instant complaint,’ Simbahan said.

NUPL president Ephraim Cortez said the resolution of Castro’s case was ‘clear proof that [she] was unjustly singled out by the PNP (Philippine National Police), and [the PNP] concocted an obviously baseless complaint against her.’

‘Agitators’

In September 2023, Castro and fellow activist Jhed Tamano disappeared while working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities in Manila Bay. Nearly two weeks later, they were presented in a press conference where they accused the military of abducting them, a charge denied by the authorities.

Meanwhile, in Busan, South Korea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he was worried about troublemakers at the Trillion Peso March scheduled on Nov. 30, but not about the anticorruption rally itself.

‘The only concern I have when we have demonstrations for whatever reason is that there are agitators who will go and try to cause trouble. What demonstrator goes to a demonstration with Molotov cocktails that are not intended to cause trouble or to hurt people?’ Marcos told reporters.

On Sept. 21, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the largest protest yet against the corruption scandal that was marred by riots instigated by masked men, who set a container van on fire near Malacañang in Manila, killing one person and injuring several others.

The police in Metro Manila were monitoring possible recruitment of youths for the Nov. 30 rally through social media to prevent a repeat of the Sept. 21 violence.