Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Two aftershocks with magnitudes 3.9 and 4 struck off Bogo City and Manay, respectively, on Tuesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The magnitude 3.9 aftershock occurred 21 kilometers southwest of Bogo City at 8:44 a.m. with a depth of focus of one kilometer, according to Phivolcs.

Bogo City reported Intensity IV (moderately strong), while Tabuelan town reported Intensity III (weak), the state seismologist added.

‘This is an aftershock of the 2025 September 30 [magnitude] 6.9 Offshore Northern Cebu earthquake,’ Phivolcs explained.

The Cebu earthquake struck 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City at 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Meanwhile, the magnitude 4 aftershock occurred 66 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental, at 8:30 a.m. with a depth of focus of 10 kilometers, according to another set of data from Phivolcs.

‘This is an aftershock of the October 2025 Offshore Davao Oriental Earthquake,’ it said.

Phivolcs has yet to show what intensities were reported as a result of the aftershock.

The Davao Oriental quake had a magnitude of 7.4 and struck 48 kilometers northeast of Manay at 9:43 a.m. on Oct. 10./mcm

More aftershocks from the Davao Oriental earthquake struck off the coast of Manay town on Tuesday morning, according to the latest data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

A magnitude 5.6 aftershock occurred 59 kilometers (km) northeast of Manay at 10 a.m. with a depth of focus of 8 km. The quake was initially measured at magnitude 5.8.

The agency reported that the tremor was felt at Intensity III in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, and at Intensity II in the City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Instrumental intensities were recorded at Intensity I in Davao City and Digos City in Davao del Sur; in the towns of Malita and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental; in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; and in Malungon, Sarangani.

A magnitude 5.2 aftershock then occurred at 10:19 a.m., 97 km northeast of Manay, again with a depth of focus of 10 km and causing Intensity I at Nabunturan.

Then, at 10:39 a.m., another magnitude 5.2 aftershock struck 25 km northeast of Manay similarly at a depth of focus of 10 km, this time causing Intensity II (slightly felt) at Nabunturan.

At 10:51 a.m., a magnitude 4.1 aftershock took place 79 km northeast of Manay with a depth of focus of 24 km, but Phivolcs has yet to release data about the intensity of the quake.

‘This is an aftershock of the October 2025 Offshore Davao Oriental Earthquake,’ Phivolcs noted in the bulletins for each tremor.

The Davao Oriental quake had a magnitude of 7.4 and struck 48 kilometers northeast of Manay at 9:43 a.m. on Oct. 10. /apl/dm

Will we now see a decisive shift in public sentiment that will finally lead to much wider involvement and sustained effort in fighting the evil of corruption in this country? Recently, I wrote, half-cynically, about how Filipinos seem to have a ‘flavor-of-the-month’ mentality in dealing with national issues, especially in matters of bad politics and governance. I was almost betting that the massive corruption scandal involving spurious flood control projects would be out of people’s minds in a matter of weeks or months-and life would go on in its usual course, including for the offenders themselves.

That cynicism is not unfounded, having seen the same corrupt public officials for decades, from the highest levels down to the lowest bureaucrats, still strutting about in positions of power, influence, and (ir)responsibility, still in control of people’s destinies. Some of them now even brazenly and hypocritically declare that they will act to curb and punish the very misdeeds they have been committing all this time. We have degenerated into a society where we cannot even tell who or what to believe anymore.

This is not a recent phenomenon. Years ago, I wrote about how the Philippines in 2014 embarrassingly stood out worldwide with the lowest level of trust, measured as the percentage of people agreeing with the statement ‘most people can be trusted’ (see ‘Trust and social cohesion,’ 1/21/20). This was from the World Values Survey (WVS), a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life. The survey found that only three in every 100 Filipinos surveyed agreed with the statement. Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, and Ghana were the only other countries with trust levels of no more than 5 percent. The 2022 WVS results show Filipinos as still among the least trustful of others (slightly improved to 5.3 percent), in the undistinguished company of Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nicaragua, and a few others.

WVS has consistently shown that the level of trust in a country correlates closely with the cultural, social, and economic dimensions of human well-being. In particular, it has a strong correlation with the level of economic activity and average income (GDP per capita). More intensive research has revealed a causal relationship beyond mere statistical correlation, i.e., that trust indeed drives economic growth and leads to economic prosperity. Conversely, low levels of trust lead to economic stagnation and low incomes, a state the Philippines has been trapped in, together with the above-named countries stuck with us in the lower left corner of the WVS trust-income graph.

Thus, unless and until we Filipinos somehow manage to regain trust in our government and in one another, it would appear impossible to fulfill our dreams to uplift our nation’s economic and sociocultural well-being. Closely tied to the trust we urgently must regain, is hope that we as a people, can triumph over the evil that has been weighing our country down. But mustering that hope is extremely hard when we see how deep and pervasive evil has become in our society. Many see it rooted in our failures in education that have transcended more than a generation, and with our current dismal performance in global educational assessments, even the hope that our salvation lies in the next generation is slipping away. But fixing our schools, teachers, and textbooks will not be enough. It requires fixing our farms, so high food costs won’t deprive so many children of crucial nutrition, especially in their early years when brain development is most critical, and when severe malnutrition and stunting inflict lifelong damage to their cognitive and learning abilities. It thus requires that large budgets meant to help our farmers raise productivity do not go the same way as the massive leakages in public works funds now being exposed in full view (even as such agriculture budget leakages, in fact, had already had their turn as ‘flavor of the month’ before). And we go full circle in the vicious cycle of corruption and poverty our country is trapped in.

What hope do we have, then? Fellow Inquirer columnist Randy David points to the 2028 elections as our chance to install leaders who can help restore trust and inspire hope. Amid loose talk about an extraconstitutional replacement of the government, he insists that we can ‘clean the house without breaking the republic’ (see ‘Cleaning house without breaking the republic,’ 10/12/25). His eminent brother, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, similarly preaches that we need not ‘burn the house down to get rid of the rats.’ But both argue that the hope for lasting change lies in all of us, and it begins with renouncing, in our own daily lives, the same wrong ethical and moral choices that led today’s celebrated public villains to commit the grievous sins that everyone now wants them punished for. Only then can we attain and deserve righteous leaders who will redeem our nation’s future.

Facing the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied allegations that he received kickbacks in the implementation of government infrastructure projects.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka bared this development following the conclusion of Romualdez’s first appearance in the ICI’s closed-door hearings.

According to Hosaka, ICI commissioners asked Romualdez about allegations thrown against him, particularly how he allegedly had money delivered to him in exchange for infrastructure deals.

Romualdez, however, refuted the accusations.

‘He was asked, and he denied,’ said Hosaka.

Hosaka said ICI commissioners also tried to pry Romualdez to deduce his involvement over the flood control corruption scandal.

‘Of course, we are looking into what really happened and him being the speaker, the leader of the House at that time, will be able to provide us with important information,’ he said.

‘As far as role is concerned or possible liability or accountability, that is up to the commission to decide,’ he added.

ICI to invite Romualdez back, other lawmakers

Meanwhile, Hosaka said the ICI will invite Romualdez back to its hearings, along with other lawmakers involved in the creation of the national budget.

This, said Hosaka, is based on the information Romualdez provided during Tuesday’s hearing, as well as due to an affidavit voluntarily submitted by the former speaker.

‘That’s why what the commission did was invite him back so that questions could be asked regarding that affidavit-so he will return again next week,’ he added.

Hosaka explained that the information provided by Romualdez during the hearing was ‘helpful’ as he was able to clarify his and his colleagues’ role in the deliberations on the national budget.

‘So these people will be invited soon to shed light on their participation on the budget preparation which also pertains to the anomalous flood control projects,’ he said.

Hosaka, however, refused to divulge the names of the lawmakers who will be invited by the commission.

This is Romualdez’s first time to attend a hearing in the ICI, the investigative body in charge of investigating not only corruption in flood control projects, but also all national government infrastructure works over the past 10 years.

Romualdez attended the hearing after being subpoenaed by the commission to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions, and as well as the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’

The former speaker is also among the lawmakers implicated in the flood control corruption scandal after a former security consultant of former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co accused him of allegedly receiving kickbacks from government projects-an allegation he has since denied. /apl

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday said it is now studying its next moves against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who did not show up despite being summoned to attend one of the commission’s hearings.

‘We will think about that, and it is something that we will have to study,’ ICI executive director Brian Hosaka said in Filipino in a chance interview.

Co was supposed to attend the hearing after a subpoena was issued by the ICI-together with an invite for former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The former lawmaker was summoned to testify under oath regarding his ‘personal knowledge ever since [he] joined the Committee on Appropriations, of the National Budget insertions and [his] involvement in DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’

Only Romualdez, however, showed up at Tuesday’s hearings.

Co has been facing scrutiny after he was accused of accepting kickbacks from government infrastructure deals.

Both Co and Romualdez are also accused of masterminding the irregular insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Co’s current whereabouts remain unclear but the former lawmaker previously claimed that he has sought medical treatment in the US for an undisclosed condition.

Due to these allegations and his refusal to return back to the country, the Department of Justice has already requested the International Criminal Police Organization to issue a blue notice against Co. /gsg

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the P487.46-million Union water impounding dam project and P247.92-million irrigation component in Claveria, Cagayan Tuesday.

Marcos acknowledged that the dam is a major infrastructure project aimed at reducing flooding, improving irrigation, and spurring eco-tourism in the province.

Marcos added that the dam now provides a reliable water supply to more than 3,000 hectares of farmland, directly benefiting over 3,500 farmers in surrounding barangays. It also serves as a flood-mitigation structure, protecting downstream communities during heavy rains.

With its scenic mountain backdrop and vast reservoir, the Union Dam is also seen to boost local tourism and sustainable livelihoods, Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay said.

The President will travel by helicopter to his next stopover in Camalaniugan, this time for an inspection of the still-to-be-completed Camalaniugan-Aparri bridge.

The project, which links Camalaniugan to the western part of Aparri, is expected to be completed on February 24, 2026./coa

Binibining Pilipinas Annabelle McDonnell is making waves in Albania in the ongoing edition of The Miss Globe pageant, and Filipinos can help push her closer to the crown.

Fans are encouraged to log on to the official online platform of the pageant (https://www.themissglobe.com/participants2025) to vote for the radio and events host from Iligan City.

Even the winner of the ‘Head-to-Head Challenge,’ where the delegates showcased their communication skills and grasp of social issues, will be determined by votes.

McDonnell had already earned the admiration of many pageant fans when she convincingly clinched spots in the final round of two preliminary competitions.

She surprised many with her vocal prowess during the two rounds of talent competitions, showcasing her hidden talent by belting Adele hits.

McDonnell breezed through the qualifying round with ‘Easy on Me,’ then sang ‘When We Were Young’ in the final round.

She also expectedly delivered solid performances in the two stages of the ‘Head-to-Head Challenge,’ and wowed netizens with her impactful yet calm delivery of her thoughts.

McDonnell is aiming to give the Philippines its third victory in the current iteration of The Miss Globe pageant under Deliart Association.

Bb. Pilipinas Maricar Balagtas won the Philippines’ first victory in the pageant in 2001, before the organizational split between two factions of the Miss Globe organization.

Ann Colis from the 2015 Bb. Pilipinas batch was sent as the Philippines’ first entry to the Deliart Association’s own mounting of The Miss Globe pageant, and won the title.

Maureen Montagne followed this victory in 2021. Since 2015, all Filipino representatives in The Miss Globe pageant garnered placements in their respective years.

The Miss Globe will hold its 2025 coronation competition in Tirana, Albania, on Oct. 15 (Oct. 16 in Manila). Montagne will host the ceremonies, together with 2023 Miss Earth Drita Ziri. /edv

Jema Galanza won’t be playing for Creamline at least for the entirety of the Cool Smashers’ title defense in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

Galanza has been ruled out of the conference as she continues her recovery from a left foot injury that she’s been dealing with since the Invitationals in August. Jema Galanza gives an update bout her left foot injury. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5ROWZzkoey

‘Actually, we don’t really know when it started. It’s been hurting for about a year already, but during the Invitational, the pain became something I felt every single day,’ said Galanza, who was wearing a walking boot, in Filipino. ‘That’s when I told my PT that it didn’t feel normal anymore. I finally had an MRI, and that’s when they found something.’

Known for her competitiveness, the former PVL MVP this time said that playing through pain, which risks her career, wasn’t on the table, as per the advice of her physical therapist and doctor.

‘It’s tricky because we don’t really know what stage the injury is at-is it already healing, just starting to heal, or is it still bad? So my coaches and PT decided that the focus now has to be full bone healing. I honestly don’t know how long I’ll be in this boot,’ said Galanza. ‘We always try to play through pain if we can, because it’s part of our job. But as an athlete, you also have to think about the longevity of your career. I can’t be sure if I’d last the whole season if I kept playing through it. And if it gets worse, the recovery will take even longer. The doctor also warned me that if I force it now, there’s a much bigger chance that it could end my career. So we chose to focus on proper healing rather than take the risk,’ she added. In its first two games without Galanza, Creamline split its first two games without Galanza after dropping a five-setter to Akari in its opener on Saturday and bouncing back big time against Petro Gazz on Tuesday.

Galanza is grateful to have the full support of Creamline as she works her way back.

‘Creamline has always been there for me. Of course, they’re sad I can’t play, but they also know that the more important thing is for me to fully recover and come back at 100 percent,’ said Galanza.

‘We still have a long career and a long season ahead. There are so many more chances to bounce back. And like they always tell me, there’s a reason why this is happening.’

There were no ‘untoward incidents or disruptions’ reported during the three-day transport strike staged by the group Manibela, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Manibela launched its strike on Tuesday to protest the apprehension of jeepney drivers by the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation.

‘We did not monitor any untoward incident amid the transport strike. It also did not cause major disruption among our commuters,’ Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.

‘In any case, we are always ready to assist our kababayans who could be affected by this transport strike,’ he added.

Nartatez also reminded drivers and operators joining the strike to keep their activities ‘peaceful and orderly,’ adding that the police will maintain its heightened presence amid the protest. Jossa Rafoncel Par, INQUIRER.net intern /jpv

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the ?6.793 Trillion 2026 proposed national budget with 287 votes in favor.

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste was one of the 12 who voted against, and has been pushing to lower prices to end kickbacks in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Citing former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s testimony that ‘almost 100%’ of bids in DPWH are rigged, Leviste explained his ‘No’ vote: ‘After all the flood control hearings, we should not approve the same prices for projects of DPWH. We should lower prices by 25% to remove ?150 Billion in possible kickbacks.’

According to Leviste: ‘DPWH sets the prices, does the bids, and even if a Congressman does not get a kickback, someone else can get it. Kickbacks are factored into DPWH’s high prices. We should lower prices so there’s no more budget for kickbacks of DPWH. Not lowering prices is tantamount to funding more kickbacks for 2026.’

To prove that kickbacks are factored into the budget for DPWH projects, Leviste has written to the House Committee on Appropriations to ask to lower by 30% the price of DPWH road projects in the First District of Batangas and re-align ?508 Million in savings to fund the construction of over 200 classrooms.

‘I don’t accept kickbacks, so I asked Congress to lower the price of DPWH even just in my district, so we can show that DPWH can build projects at lower prices as long as there’s no kickbacks. If we can end kickbacks in some districts, we can end kickbacks in the whole DPWH,’ Leviste said.

Another reason that Leviste gave for his ‘No’ vote was the inequitable allocation of budgets, citing the example of how Region 4A comprises 15% of the country’s population and Gross Domestic Product, but only gets 10% of the DPWH budget. ‘If the 2026 budget is amended to lower the prices of DPWH, hopefully the savings can be allocated to make the budget more equitable.’

Congress will now transmit the 2026 General Appropriations Bill to the Senate, which is conducting its own deliberations. The 2026 General Appropriations Act is expected to be finalized in time for signing into law before the end of the year.