Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Candy Pangilinan organized a fun-filled birthday celebration for her son Quentin, whom she described as a blessing and her ‘ticket to heaven.’

The celebration of Quentin, who has been diagnosed with autism, started with a Mass held at the mother and son’s home, as seen on Pangilinan’s Instagram page on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Among those who were in attendance was Pangilinan’s fellow actress Gelli de Belen, who is Quentin’s godmother.

‘Thank you to those who came. Thank you Lord for a fun-filled, love and blessed gathering,’ Pangilinan said in the caption.

In a separate post, the celebrity mom dedicated a heartfelt message to her son while showing some of their recent moments together.

‘Happy 22nd Birthday to my partner, inspiration, teacher, son, best friend and ticket to heaven, Quentin!’ she wrote. ‘We thank God for your life. Continue to be a blessing to me and everyone you meet.’

She then thanked all those who sent their greetings. ‘We truly appreciate [them],’ she said.

Quentin graduated from senior high school in 2024, then had an on-the-job training in Quezon City last May.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Thursday called for the passage of a law creating a body similar to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) but with more authority, including summoning individuals to testify and prosecuting suspects.

The call came after controversial contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya declared they would no longer cooperate in the ICI investigation into alleged anomalies in government flood control projects.

The House members said the Discayas’ move only proved that the commission, established through an executive order, needed more teeth to run after public and private individuals in the multibillion-peso corruption scandal.

Kamanggawa Rep. Eli San Fernando and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, alongside other minority lawmakers, filed House Bill No. 4453 last month seeking to create an independent commission with a purpose similar to the ICI’s.

‘Toothless, powerless’

Such a body would be distinct from the executive-led ICI, which currently has no powers of contempt. Erice said this cast doubt on the commission’s ability to compel witnesses and secure critical evidence.

They called on President Marcos to call a special session to pass HB 4453.

San Fernando warned that the Discayas simply walking away from the inquiry ‘sends a message to those involved in anomalous and ghost flood control projects that, even if the ICI summons them, they can refuse.’

‘[This shows] how toothless and powerless the ICI is . It’s just turned into a massive PR campaign and we can’t blame the people if they see the ICI as a way to whitewash or protect allies of the administration,’ he said.

San Fernando also wrote directly to ICI Chair Andres Reyes on Thursday requesting that the commission’s proceedings be open to the public ‘as a tangible expression proving their commitment to transparency and accountability.’

Erice, meanwhile, stressed that only a commission created by an act of Congress can summon any individual and cite them in contempt if they refuse to testify or submit documents.

Undermining credibility

‘Under an executive order, the commission depends entirely on the President for funding and can be abolished at any time. A legislated commission, however, cannot be dissolved easily and will possess true independence,’ he said.

‘Without a law, the commission is powerless and could become inutile. This refusal to cooperate will encourage others to do the same, undermining the credibility of the investigation and delaying justice in what may be the biggest public fund heist in Philippine history,’ Erice added.

Not necessary

Based on an announcement made by ICI spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka on Wednesday, the Discayas opted out of the ICI probe after hearing an unfavorable opinion expressed by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson, one of the commission’s members, who said the couple would not qualify to be state witnesses.

At the Department of Justice, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon on Thursday said the Discaya couple had yet to indicate any intention to withdraw their cooperation from the separate probe being conducted by the department.

But the government, Fadullon said, would still be able to press charges even without state witnesses.

‘Because even as we speak now, we are also looking into evidence where there is no need for a state witness,’ he said.

Fadullon also stressed that the Discayas were ‘not in a position to demand anything at this time.’

‘They’re applying for supposedly witness protection coverage and we have our procedures to determine whether or not they will be qualified or not. It is not for anybody to dictate to us how we will go about doing the evaluation. It is not for anybody to impose any conditions,’ he said. -WITH A REPORT FROM JANE BAUTISTA INQ

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Arrey Perez has resigned from his post in the agency after he was linked by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to flood control contractors, said Sec. Vince Dizon on Friday.

Dizon said Perez submitted his irrevocable resignation to give way to the investigation and to prevent being a ‘distraction’ to the DPWH.

‘So as of today, Usec. Perez is no longer part of the DPWH. He voluntarily resigned, and we respect his decision,’ Dizon said in a press conference.

‘But of course, the investigation will still continue,’ he added.

Dizon then committed that the investigation within the DPWH will not be affected by personalities, political affiliations or past associations.

This, he said, is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘The cleansing process will spare no one and show no favoritism, whether they’ve been here before, have already resigned, are from the previous administration, or are people I personally brought in,’ he emphasized.

‘No one will be exempt, and that’s what we need to do,’ he said.

It was Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste who named Perez on Friday morning as one of the DPWH officials allegedly linked to flood control contractors.

Leviste revealed the undersecretary’s name after Dizon earlier challenged the lawmaker to identify the DPWH officials Leviste alleged were reportedly connected to contractors involved in the questionable flood control projects.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa revealed on Friday that the number of ‘non-operational’ super health centers identified by the Department of Health (DOH) nationwide has risen to 300.

‘Yesterday, I announced 297. I thought the number had decreased because some I visited had opened, but it didn’t decrease-it increased. Now it’s 300,’ Herbosa said in a press briefing following his appearance at an inter-agency coordination meeting with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday.

According to the DOH chief, most of the non-operational super health centers are in Luzon.

‘Majority, of course, are in Luzon because it is the largest landmass. I think over 170 of the 300 are in Luzon, with the rest distributed across Visayas and Mindanao,’ he said.

Herbosa added that he has already instructed regional directors to inspect the 300 non-operational centers.

Following the briefing, the DOH released data showing that a total of 878 super health centers were funded under the Health Facility Enhancement Program nationwide. Of these, 300 are non-operational, 196 are operational, 17 are partially operational, and 365 are under construction as of Friday.

Herbosa said the DOH will continue investigating super health centers, with support from the ICI.

The health secretary also announced plans to establish a Citizens Participatory Audit, providing the public with a platform to report potential issues concerning super health centers in their communities.

Introduced in 2021, super health centers were designed as an upgraded version of rural health units./mcm

Delivery season is picking up early this year. Thousands of packages are already moving across the Philippines daily as online shoppers and small businesses prepare for the holidays. Most reach their destinations safely and on time, though many more face delays or mix-ups – and no one wants to spend the weeks and days leading up to Christmas tracking a lost parcel.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), online transactions, including Marketplace selling, digital payments, and food or parcel deliveries, remain the top source of consumer complaints in recent years, reflecting the country’s fast-growing digital economy.

Nearly one million new business names were registered with the agency in 2023, more than 18,000 of them under ‘Retail Sale via Internet.’ The boom continued as Philippine e-commerce hit USD 28 billion in 2024, based on Payments CMI data.

More buying and shipping also mean more chances for mistakes or scams. To help consumers stay alert, Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, has launched PadaLala 101, a safety-awareness campaign featuring a short video series on safer, smarter deliveries, developed in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The campaign runs on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, targeting both customers and partner drivers.

One clip shows what happens when a wrong location pin sends a partner driver in circles. Another reminds users to verify a partner driver’s name and plate number before handing over a package – a simple step that can prevent fake bookings. A third episode explains why matching a parcel with the right vehicle matters, since overloading can damage goods or endanger riders.

Each video features a representative from the agency validating the advice. The tone is light but the message is practical: safe deliveries start with small, consistent habits.

‘Consumer education is key to a safer and more e-commerce environment,’ said Atty. Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon, Officer-in-Charge of the DTI E-Commerce Bureau. ‘We commend Lalamove for taking the lead in promoting responsible delivery practices and working closely with DTI to educate and protect the public. This partnership with Lalamove plays a vital role in keeping the growing digital marketplace safe and reliable for everyone. These kinds of initiatives are aligned with the core objective of Republic Act No. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 to build trust on e-commerce.’

Lalamove echoed the agency’s call for shared responsibility between customers and couriers.

‘Deliveries carry people’s livelihood and trust,’ said Djon Nacario, Managing Director of Lalamove Philippines. ‘PadaLala 101 is about making safety second nature for everyone who books or receives a delivery. This is just one of the ways that we’re educating Lalamove users; we’re also continuously working on various ways to ensure that consumers and drivers are safe and protected from scams and mishaps.’

PadaLala 101 is timed for the holiday rush, when e-commerce traffic peaks and couriers work around the clock. Each episode runs for only a few minutes but distills basic precautions that can prevent costly errors, from double-checking delivery details to choosing the right vehicle size.

Before hitting ‘Book Now,’ the campaign reminds users to pause for a quick check: confirm the address, review the contact number, and verify the driver’s information. A few seconds of care can make the busiest months less stressful for everyone on the road.

Granting Maverick Ahanmisi’s trade wishes has allowed Barangay Ginebra the opportunity to potentially land a high-value player in the next PBA Rookie Draft in early 2027 after acquiring Terrafirma’s first-round pick in return.

A league source confirmed that Ginebra will get Terrafirma’s pick even if it lands at No. 1, despite a new PBA rule that prohibits the No. 1 overall selection being dealt by the team that takes him for the two seasons.

The loophole in that rule? The Dyip don’t hold the No. 1 selection just yet and won’t know if they will until the end of the current season.

But Ginebra should like its chances.

Terrafirma has selected first in five out of the last seven Rookie Draft stagings, including last month when it took 6-foot-9 Geo Chiu-who won’t be available until he concludes his MPBL stint with Abra.

Ginebra got the first round pick from Terrafirma in exchange for Ahanmisi, who bared in his recent vlog that he asked San Miguel Corp. (SMC) management for a trade, citing his desire for bigger minutes and better opportunity.

Veteran Aljon Mariano was also traded to the Dyip to complete the deal that Ahanmisi was glad to have finally happened.

‘That’s what I’ve asked for,’ Ahanmisi said after watching Ginebra’s 92-77 win over TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. ‘I appreciate [SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua], management and Coach Tim [Cone] [and] no bad blood between us.’

The trade also opens the door for Ahanmisi to join forces with his younger brother Jerrick, who is also in his first season with Terrafirma after being traded from Magnolia in the offseason for Javi Gomez de Liaño.

Their first game together is next Wednesday against Converge at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A win will further raise expectations that Terrafirma is eager to make the playoffs under new coach Ronald Tubid. The Dyip are at 1-1 after Sunday’s upset of the NLEX Road Warriors.

How Terrafirma performs or underperforms from now till late-2026, the end of the 50th season, will perhaps be put under the microscope since it will affect Ginebra’s chances of choosing first.

And the next Rookie Draft may or may not include some of the big names that have yet to make the jump to the league, including those in the B.League and Korean Basketball League or in the UAAP.

Ginebra improved to 1-1 behind Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, Norbert Torres and a flu-stricken RJ Abarrientos, but will have little time to rest as it faces Meralco at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Big Dome.

The Philippine economy is expected to see ‘stronger growth ahead’ as the government takes steps to address the loss of taxpayer money to questionable infrastructure projects, according to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

Recto said in a statement that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) could expand faster than the average growth of 5.9 percent per year that was observed so far during the Marcos administration.

This was lower than the government’s target growth rate of at least 6 percent. Still, Recto said the Philippine GDP growth had been ‘one of the highest’ in the region.

For 2026 until 2028, the Marcos administration’s economic team is shooting for 6 percent to 7 percent. This was a downward revision from the previous target of 6 percent to 8 percent for the same period.

Recto said growth would be faster over the next three years, considering that ‘the government is addressing the leakages exposed by the recent flood control controversy and building stronger institutions and better governance.’

He said faster growth would be driven by ‘low inflation, easing policy rates, strong consumer spending and a vibrant labor market.’

Biggest task, same budget

Related to this, Recto said the Department of Finance and its attached agencies were primed for a bigger task without a significant increase in resources.

The DOF alone is proposing P37.78 billion for its 2026 budget. If Congress approves, the amount is just one percent higher than the department’s allocation in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

‘The amount is very small compared to its [DOF’s] herculean task of collecting P13.65 billion a day in revenues and plugging the P4.51-billion deficit per day to support the P18.61 billion daily spending of the government,’ Recto said.

He said that, to ensure a reliable revenue stream, tax collection needed to grow by 10.2 percent yearly from 2025 to 2028.

This would push total revenues toward P6 trillion by the end of the President’s term in mid-2028.

Also, if revenues achieved such growth, total intake would breach the P7-trillion mark by 2030.

‘If the government strictly adheres to its refined fiscal program and maintains disciplined and efficient spending, the size of the Philippine economy is projected to reach P42.6 trillion by 2030, while keeping debt at P24.7 trillion, equivalent to 58 percent of GDP,’ Recto said.

The low-pressure area east of southeastern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression and was named Ramil, the weather bureau said Friday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Ramil was last located 1,145 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 55 kph.

It is moving slowly west-northwestward, Pagasa added.

The weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in parts of Luzon and the Visayas, where strong winds of 39 to 61 kph may be felt within the next 36 hours. Affected areas include:

Luzon

Easternmost portion of Quezon (Tagkawayan)

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Camarines Sur

Albay

The northern and eastern parts of Sorsogon (Donsol, Pilar, Castilla, Sorsogon City, Gubat, Prieto Diaz, Casiguran, Barcelona, Bulusan)

Visayas

Eastern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Catubig, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Pambujan, San Roque)

Pagasa said Ramil may pass close to Catanduanes by Saturday morning or afternoon and could make landfall in Aurora or Quezon by Sunday, Oct. 19.

The weather bureau also warned that Ramil may intensify into a tropical storm or even a severe tropical storm before making landfall. /mcm/abc

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the driver’s license of a motorist involved in a viral road rage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the driver’s license was suspended by the LTO for 90 days upon issuing a show cause order against the motorist.

‘Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez strongly reminded drivers not to let their tempers flare on the roads,’ the DOTr said in a statement on Friday.

‘Instead, always practice proper driving behavior and strictly follow traffic laws for the sake of order and safety,’ it added.

In a viral video online, the driver was seen being asked by a traffic enforcer to leave because stopping or waiting in that area in Naia is prohibited.

Instead of complying, the driver got angry, cursed and even gave the traffic enforcer the middle finger.

Promoting price transparency in agricultural supply chains is the most recent pilot by the year-old Makati Business Club Agriculture Committee (following our pilot with the Department of Agriculture on cooperatives). MBC has long advocated for free and transparent markets to level playing fields in various industries. We believe applying such an approach to agriculture, given what we have learned so far-that it is fragmented, multilayered, and opaque-would have a significant effect.

With 5 million farmers tilling a hectare each (due to land reform), and three to eight trading layers between farmers and market vendors, the 10-20 percent increase in farmer incomes estimated by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization in 2008 from trading post price boards could be surpassed; allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to crawl the resulting price data could push upsides even higher.

One would assume fresh produce ‘bagsakans’ would have boards with bid/ask prices posted for various crops, like any exchange. Yet there were none that we could find; instead, prices were individually negotiated, and transaction data was disseminated only among insiders. Such insider trading is illegal in most exchanges because it benefits insiders at the expense of outsiders-in this case, farmers who are not even present, their farms too small to reach the bagsakan without a middleman.

We are now actively seeking a local government unit partner with jurisdiction over a major agricultural produce bagsakan to put up a price board that other LGUs might emulate. LGUs often control or own bagsakans, and are in the best position to bring this about.

Farmer clients

The project was conceived following a presentation to the committee by my daughter, Bee, who visited Card’s farmer clients in La Trinidad, Benguet, with a portable Starlink (available only recently) to see how they might use AI.

Here is some of what she had to say: Ate Erlinda uploaded a picture of the rot that had blighted her cabbage for generations. An issue she had once believed incurable was easily addressed by AI, which suggested neem oil-an organic solution that could be bought for P180/liter online. My grandkids will be free of at least this problem, she exclaimed. Many told me farmers were too uneducated to use a complex tool like AI.

I can now tell them they have grossly underestimated both. We presented the technology at Card’s group borrower meetings. Out of the typical 15 participants, three to four were illiterate and thus excited that they could now access information by talking to AI in Ilocano. Surprisingly, the most engaged tended to be women in their 50s and 60s, who worried for their grandchildren’s increasingly bleak future in farming. On the lighter side, a joke that it might help them better pick lottery numbers elicited much laughter.

‘What do I plant, and when?’ was by far the most frequently asked question. AI first asked for soil test kit results-none had them, but many seemed convinced the P500 they cost was now worth the investment if AI could tell them what crops suited their soil best.

Not enough online info

Answering the question of when to plant was far more complicated, as it is a function of estimated market pricing. Though AI provided a range of values (with a wide range of error), the AI prefaced its answers with a warning that there wasn’t enough information available online to provide more concise estimates.

This did not surprise them. One farmer shared how, after selling her potatoes for P20 per kilo to the trader who would bring them to the trading post, she later found out the market price was actually P35.

Nor did it surprise me. At the La Trinidad Trading Post, despite all the noise of trucks coming and going, loading and unloading, I sensed a different kind of silence in the absence of the price board I had expected-whispers between traders that I thought would’ve been shouts to secure the best deals. A single whispered price could decide an entire week of meals and school supplies, it seemed.

Shared hopes

Farmers may not understand that they suffer from what my economics class refers to as information asymmetry, but they told me they were hopeful prices would become more transparent someday. Sharing those hopes, I spent the rest of my summer interning at MBC.

The MBC agriculture committee shares those hopes as well, and more. If AI can help even illiterate farmers with neem oil and soil tests, we imagine what it might do if it had access to price data. Could it result in fairer pricing from middlemen, harvests timed to market demand that even out prices, reducing the scarcity that necessitates imports?

There is much to worry about with AI, but perhaps also much to be hopeful for-if we all manage to share a collective vision on what we want from it.