Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña has called out the transfer of unprogrammed funds for infrastructure projects in the proposed 2026 national budget to Foreign-Assisted Projects (FAP) – noting that it is just another unprogrammed appropriations (UA).

In a virtual interview on Thursday, Cendaña said that while allocations for the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) were transferred to FAP, there is still a need to clarify where the funds would go because both are considered UA.

‘That is what we have observed, the reduction of the SAGIP projects, but when we saw it, it seems it was just transferred to the FAP, the Foreign Assisted Project,’ he said. ‘So we really need to scrutinize the allocations under UA.’ According to Cendaña, while there are reforms initiated for the budget process, it should be clarified how the UA will be appropriated.

‘Because while we have mentioned improvements, reforms, a lot still has to be explained, like the basic issues, like why are these items placed under the UA, if these are obligations that we should pay for our healthcare workers, if these are obligations under foreign loans when we implement foreign assisted projects,’ he said.

But Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong allocations for FAP are necessary because the country just cannot renege on its obligations to projects backed by foreign loans.

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‘The Foreign Assisted, these mostly are big ticket projects, we cannot avoid that, we cannot just renege from our obligation to the agreement that we had with Foreign Assisted Projects. So we cannot turn back on that,’ Adiong, a vice chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations, said.

`Open to any abuses’

‘Number two, it’s a matter of really restricting, for example, it’s restricting the usage so that it may not be open to any abuses. That’s why we removed the infra projects from SAGIP, because that in a way is a room for probably using these funds to allocate to some projects that are not really that important,’ he added.

Adiong also assured the public that there are safeguards to ensure that the placement of SAGIP funds to FAP would not be prone to production.

‘So here, we prioritize. I mean it comes to the Foreign Assisted projects, we know that there are big ticket projects and there are guidelines on how to source out that fund,’ he said.

‘It’s not as easy as just getting a portion of that and using that indiscriminately to whatever programs that one may think should be allocated to,’ he added.

Earlier, Adiong was also asked about the presence of the payment for healthcare workers’ allowances during the COVID-19 pandemic in the proposed 2026 budget, even if these were already paid in 2025.

According to Adiong, both the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) should explain this, agreeing with views that having line items for programs that have been completed raises suspicions.

‘Well, we cannot answer for DBM [.] I for one do not know how, but I’m sure the DBM has the perfect [.] explanation for that. But I cannot quite for certain give you a direct answer to that,’ Adiong, a vice chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations, told reporters.

‘Well, one would think of it that way,’ Adiong said when asked if having the line item for healthcare workers’ allowances was suspicious. ‘Because if it is already paid, of course, it should not be there. So again, it’s something that our executive department (should explain), but I’m pretty sure that they have the answer for that.’

Adiong explained that the discovery of the line item for health workers’ payments were made after agencies approached the BARSc, a sub-panel of the appropriations committee, about projects that they prefer to be prioritized.

DOH apparently told the BARSc that they have already completed the payments, and therefore can be removed from the proposed 2026 budget.

Last September 2, the DBM announced that it has released the P6.8 billion final balance for the payment of health emergency allowance to healthcare workers who served during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, or from 2021 to 2023.

This is not the first time, however, that there were reports of projects already completed being present in the 2026 National Expenditures Program. Early September, Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno suggested that the NEP be sent back to the DBM due to several problems – like the discovery of multiple or redundant entries. Puno revealed that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) programs in the district level still received allocations despite these being completed already, citing the case of Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro who experienced the said issue. Puno said he also checked the allocations for his own district – the first district of Antipolo – and he found out that projects provided by the district and regional engineering office of the DPWH were no longer in the NEP.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has affirmed that it is expediting the construction of relocation sites in Naic, Cavite, designated for families affected by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said 12 of the 82 three-storey buildings are expected to be completed by December this year.

It added that the 12 buildings can provide housing for 360 families affected by the project.

The funds to be spent for the 82 three-story buildings under the Social Housing Finance Corp. will come from the DOTr.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition IC Calaguas and Naic City Administrator Rodolfo Uy III visited the relocation site and assured that it is complete with facilities.

They also ensured that the site has a school, day care centers, rural health centers, and covered courts.

The DOTr is also set to visit a relocation site for residents affected by the NSCR project in Angeles City, Pampanga, this week.

The 190-kilometer NSCR project from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna, is set to be finished by 2032.

The local government of Zamboanga City had placed its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on high alert following continuous rains since Tuesday.

According to a statement from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), its personnel have been on standby to respond to cases of emergencies, especially in flood-prone communities.

It noted that the water level at the Pasonanca diversionary weir is at 74.68 meters, which is already ‘critical above normal’ as of 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

‘The public is advised to take precautionary measures as the city continues to experience inclement weather,’ the CDRRMO added.

On Wednesday, the city government declared a suspension of classess in all levels in private and public schools to protect the safety and the welfare of students and school personnel amid the bad weather.

The CDRRMO cited an advisory from the state weather bureau that Zamboanga City ‘will continue to experience light to moderate to at times heavy rains due to the intertropical convergence zone.’

The public alert has been raised since Tuesday, prompting Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs) to continuously monitor the situation in their area of responsibility

Heavy rains will continue to affect Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, Oct. 8, the weather bureau said.

In its 11:56 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds will affect the provinces within the next two hours.

In Laguna, the towns of Santa Maria, Pakil, Paete, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Mabitac, San Pedro, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti, and Luisiana are expected to experience these conditions.

In Nueva Ecija, the affected areas will be General Tinio, Gapan, Peñaranda, San Isidro, San Antonio, Cabiao, San Leonardo, and Jaen.

Meanwhile, similar conditions are already being experienced in Metro Manila, Quezon Province, and Rizal. This may continue within the next two hours and affect nearby areas.

Pagasa also reported that as of 8 a.m., a tropical depression is still being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It is unlikely to directly affect the Philippines.

The tropical depression was last spotted at 1,795 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph. It was moving northwestward at 35 kph. /mcm

Rain will continue across the Philippines as the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), northeasterly windflow, and localized thunderstorms persist, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The ITCZ is a belt of low pressure near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet.

A northeasterly windflow, on the other hand, is a current of air blowing from the northeast, associated with the early stages of the Northeast Monsoon, or Amihan, in the Philippines.

In its latest update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms over Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan.

The northeasterly windflow will affect Quezon and Camarines Norte, bringing cloudy skies with rain. Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Aurora will experience partly cloudy skies with isolated light rain due to the same system.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated showers caused by localized thunderstorms.

Tropical depression

As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, a tropical depression is still being monitored outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

It was last located 1,985 kilometers east of Luzon, packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph. Its movement was northwestward at 15 kph.

‘It will slightly or somewhat graze our area of responsibility. We are also not ruling out that it may enter our PAR briefly or momentarily and then move away again,’ said Pagasa Weather Specialist Loriedin De La Cruz during the 5 a.m. weather forecast.

She added that the tropical depression is not expected to directly affect the country.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday that it arrested 110 people linked to cybercrimes across the country in September, as part of intensified efforts to protect Filipinos online.

Data from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) showed that 77 of the suspects were caught in entrapment operations, 31 were wanted individuals, and two were apprehended by the Women and Children Cybercrime Protection Unit.

Authorities filed 239 cases nationwide during the same period – 167 through regular filing and 72 through inquest proceedings.

Police also served 118 cyber warrants, most of which were for disclosing computer data, to support investigations and strengthen case buildup.

The arrests were part of an intensified campaign by law enforcement to curb online scams, hacking, and exploitation. Police said the figures reflect their expanded operations and legal actions to hold offenders accountable.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. praised the ACG’s performance, saying it reflects the administration’s push for stronger digital security.

‘We are determined to protect every Filipino from crimes that exploit the digital space,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

He said the commitment shown by cybercops reflects the PNP’s broader mission to keep communities safe – both on the ground and online.

The ACG conducted 2,689 cyber patrols, which helped detect and prevent various online crimes. Investigators also carried out 131 digital forensic examinations and reported 25 convictions linked to cybercrime cases. Six minors were rescued from online abuse, while two children in conflict with the law were taken into custody.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño also underscored the role of the public in ensuring online safety.

‘Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,’ Tuaño said. ‘The PNP continues to strengthen its cyber operations, but public vigilance remains key. When citizens are aware, alert, and cooperative, we make cyberspace a safer place for everyone.’

The PNP urged the public to remain cautious online and to report cyber incidents through ACG hotlines and official social media channels.

Police have filed criminal charges against a man in South Cotabato for allegedly selling nude photos of minors to foreigners, the Philippine National Police Women and Children’s Protection Center (PNP WCPC) said on Wednesday.

In an interview with reporters in Camp Crame, WCPC spokesperson Maj. Shari Deseo did not name the suspect.

Deseo said he was a 25-year-old with a teacher’s license who was not practicing the profession and was instead operating a small internet cafe and selling snacks to schoolchildren.

‘A case was already filed before the prosecutor’s office against the perpetrator,’ she noted.

The case was for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; and RA No. 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.

‘He takes pictures of the children and make them pose in sexual ways, has them undress, and sells the materials to foreigners. on a social media platform,’ the spokesperson detailed.

‘Three of them were neighbors. One of them is the perpetrator’s sibling,’ she added, further saying the suspect offered the victims P50 to P600 to take pictures of them.

The suspect was arrested at his home in Banga town, South Cotabato last Friday, following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the WCPC.

During the arrest, the four male minors the suspect allegedly victimized – with ages between 10 and 16 – were brought from their homes to the province’s social welfare and development office to undergo psychological assessment. /apl

Thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

In its latest advisory issued at 10:08 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds are expected in the areas mentioned within the next two hours.

In Cavite, the affected areas are Kawit, Imus, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Silang, Carmona, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite City, and Noveleta.

In Bulacan, the towns of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Bocaue, Balagtas, Bustos, Santa Maria, Angat, and Pandi will be affected.

Similar conditions are already being experienced in Rizal, including Binangonan, Cardona, Pililla and Jala-Jala, which may persist for two hours and possibly affect nearby areas.

Authorities advised the public to remain cautious of possible flash floods and landslides and to continue monitoring official updates./mcm

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sens. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva, ex-Sens. Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay, and several others.

Villanueva was not included in the first copy of the ICI’s ILBO request to the DOJ, but after an hour, the commission clarified that the senator was actually also covered.

Then, it sent an updated copy of the request order to the DOJ.

Aside from Romualdez, Escudero, Estrada, Villanueva, Revilla, and Binay, the following are also to be subject to the ILBO:

Commissioner Mario G. Lipana

Marilou Laurio-Lipana

Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar

Carlene Villa

Maynard Ngu

Rep. Roman Romulo

Rep. James ‘Jojo’ Ang

Rep. Patrick Michael ‘PM’ Vargas

Rep. Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde

Rep. Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones

Rep. Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro

Rep. Florida ‘Rida’ Robes

Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona

Rep. Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Agarao

former Rep. Florencio Gabriel ‘Bem’ Noel

Rep. Leody ‘Ode’ Tarriela

Rep. Reynante ‘Reynan’ Arogancia

former Rep. Marvin Rillo

Rep. Teodorico ‘Teodoro’ Haresco, Jr.

Rep. Antonieta Eudela

Rep. Dean Assistio

Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar

District Engineer Loida Busa

Bogs Magalong

District Engineer. Ramon Devanadera

District Engineer Johnny Protesta, Jr.

District Engineer Arturo Gonzales Jr.

The request, dated October 8 and addressed to Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, was signed by ICI chair Andres Reyes.

‘An initial investigation, with the cooperation of relevant coordinating agencies, on DPWH officials and key officers of certain construction companies, allegedly involved in ghost projects and/or substandard implementations of flood control projects, which is a matter under inquiry by the Commission, puts the subjects in a relevant position that operates to make him an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process,’ Reyes said in the letter.

The ICI chair likewise said the ILBO is necessary ‘to enable the Commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.’

Aside from the request for the issuance of the ILBO against these personalities, the ICI likewise asked that ‘the Bureau of Immigration be instructed to immediately inform the Commission and other law enforcement agencies of any information regarding the impending travel of the subjects.’

The ICI is currently conducting a series of hearings on its ongoing investigation into the alleged multibillion-peso anomalous flood control irregularities across the country. /apl

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed Wednesday criminal complaints against contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya for allegedly owing a total of P7.1 billion in taxes.

The BIR filed complaints with the Department of Justice against the Discaya couple, as well as Steve Balano, a corporate officer of their construction company, St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation.

According to BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., the main complaint filed against the Discaya spouses and Steve Balano stemmed from their individual liabilities for failing to file billions in income taxes from 2018 to 2021.

Another case involves their failure to file documentary stamp tax returns and pay the corresponding taxes following their supposed divestment from four of their construction companies.

Lumagui pointed out that failure to pay these taxes indicates that the divestment was not properly carried out, as such filings are essential to legally effect the transfer of shares.

‘They never divested because they never paid the corresponding taxes necessary for such divestment,’ Lumagui said.

A separate complaint concerns the Discayas’ failure to pay excise taxes on nine luxury vehicles registered under their names.

In total, Lumagui said the Discayas’ tax liabilities amount to P7,182,172,532.25.

More cases expected vs. Discayas, other contractors

Lumagui said the Discayas’ other corporations are still under audit, which means additional complaints could be filed.

‘We’re just getting started. The audits of the other construction companies owned by the Discaya spouses are still ongoing,’ Lumagui said in Filipino.

‘So far, we’ve only filed cases based on their individual liabilities and those related to St. Gerard. The audits of the other corporations involved in the flood control projects are still ongoing,’ he added.

When asked if other contractors are being audited apart from the Discayas, Lumagui responded in the affirmative, noting that other individuals are also under investigation.

‘We are continuously conducting audits and investigations on all contractors-not just the contractors. In fact, we are also carrying out lifestyle checks on various individuals involved,’ Lumagui said.

These individuals, he added, include politicians.