Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Quezon City government said on Tuesday that it has terminated four infrastructure projects awarded to construction companies linked to the Discayas, who have been tagged in anomalous flood control projects.

The city government said in a statement that the projects were terminated after the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board issued Resolution No. 075 on September 1, which revoked the licenses of companies connected to spouses Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya due to violations of licensing requirements and procurement laws.

The same resolution also canceled the memberships of the construction firms owned by the controversial couple in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System or PhilGEPS.

Terminated

‘After the observance of the periods required by law, or as of September 19, 2025, all four of the said projects involving Discaya-linked companies have been terminated,’ the Quezon City government said.

The proposed projects that were terminated were a six-story building with a multipurpose deck, a reinforced concrete canal at Ermitaño Creek, and Phases 1A and 2 of the Balingasa high-rise housing in Barangay Balingasa.

According to the local government, the four projects accounted for just 0.3 percent of all 1,300 infrastructure projects in the city since July 2019.

It said that it has maintained transparency in all of its procurement processes, including its competitive bidding, publication, and posting.

It added that all infrastructure projects are publicly posted on the city’s website and that it welcomes all examinations of its projects and processes.

‘We condemn any and all malicious insinuations that only seek to distract from the actual schemes and perpetrators that have victimized our city and our country,’ the city government said in the same statement.

‘We remain steadfast and unwavering in upholding the trust of our people, and we will continue to ensure that public funds are used solely for the benefit of our QCitizens,’ it stressed.

In hot water

All companies linked to the Discayas have been in hot water amid an ongoing investigation into billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects that were found to be nonexistent or substandard.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said last week that his department was set to turn over to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which is conducting the investigation, evidence showing the Discayas were awarded P78 billion worth of government contracts from 2016 to 2025.

The contract value cornered by the couple alone under the Duterte and Marcos administrations is equivalent to 1,214 infrastructure projects, Dizon noted.

The Discayas themselves have admitted that they gave money to several lawmakers and government officials in exchange for bagging billions of pesos worth of contracts for infrastructure projects.

Portalets were installed at three Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) stations after Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez found out that restrooms were repurposed as storage rooms.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the LRT-1 private operator, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), installed portalets at Vito Cruz, United Nations Avenue, and Pedro Gil stations while their restrooms undergo renovation.

The move followed Lopez’s visit to Pedro Gil station last week, where he found the restrooms closed and filled with piled-up items.

‘It is thus unavailable for passenger use,’ the DOTr said in Filipino.

‘The secretary immediately ordered the repair of the comfort rooms at LRT-1 stations,’ it added.

LRMC President Enrico Benipayo has apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the inaccessible restrooms and promised to ‘further commit to work hand-in-hand with our partners in government to improve passenger experience.’ /mcm

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) championed the true spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie as it concluded its Sports Fest with a festive closing ceremony held at the Gatorade Sports Center.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, Sports Committee Chairperson Atty. Isidro Martin Reyes, Jr., and other members of the organizing committee led the closing of the event.

In his address, GM Robles extended his heartfelt congratulations to all employees who took part in the various sporting events, with special recognition given to those who excelled and emerged victorious in their respective categories. More than just celebrating competition, he emphasized the deeper value of the games: unity, discipline, and fair play.

Robles also highlighted a memorable line that captured the true essence of PCSO’s Sports Fest: ‘Ang kalaban ay hindi kaaway, siya ay kalaro,’ a reminder that sportsmanship should prevail above rivalry.

Adding thrill to the festivities, the Sports Fest was capped off by a nail-biting basketball showdown where the Executive Sector edged the Security Force by a solitary point, 73-72. That victory proved decisive, contributing to the Executive Sector’s overall triumph as the 2025 PCSO Sports Fest Champions.

Complete Team Events Results:

Basketball – Champion: Executive | 1st Runner-Up: Security | 2nd Runner-Up: Administrative

Volleyball – Champion: Administrative | 1st Runner-Up: Executive | 2nd Runner-Up: Gaming

Badminton – Champion: Branch Operations | 1st Runner-Up: Executive | 2nd Runner-Up: Administrative

Billiards – Champion: MSS | 1st Runner-Up: Gaming | 2nd Runner-Up: BOS

Chess – Champion: MSS | 1st Runner-Up: Executive | 2nd Runner-Up: Charity

Darts – Champion: Charity | 1st Runner-Up: Executive | 2nd Runner-Up: Gaming

Table Tennis – Champion: Charity | 1st Runner-Up: Executive | 2nd Runner-Up: Gaming

The closing ceremony not only marked the end of weeks of competition but also served as a testament to PCSO’s commitment to promoting wellness, teamwork, and camaraderie among its employees.

There was no room for panic.

After stumbling out of the gate, both Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) responded with gritty bounce-back wins in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday-one emphatic, the other just enough.

The Arellano Chiefs showed little hesitation in dismantling San Sebastian, 82-66, at the San Juan Arena. Renzo Abiera orchestrated a flawless outing, scoring 19 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting clip.

‘What’s beautiful here is that every player and every coach is doing the work,’ said coach Chico Manabat. ‘Sometimes, it’s not about how many wins you get but about winning the right way-and at the right time.’

Arellano’s dominance was a statement of intent. After falling to defending champion Mapua in their opener, the Chiefs refused to fall into a dangerous 0-2 hole. Instead, they made the most of their offensive flow, turning a tight first quarter into a comfortable cushion by halftime.

On the other side of the bracket, EAC didn’t have the same luxury of separation. The Generals had to sweat out a tight finish against Jose Rizal University, escaping with a 68-65 win that came down to one shot-and one steady hand.

With 1:25 left and the score knotted at 65, Nico Quinal buried a cold-blooded triple that held up as the game-winner. He finished with 10 points, but none bigger than the final three.

‘I reminded the boys that if we lost this game, it would be hard for us to reach our short-term goal of landing in the top two of our bracket,’ said coach Jerson Cabiltes.

Wilmar Oftana and Oman Omandac added 13 and 10 points, respectively.-INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF

A deputy police chief in Cavite province – whom authorities did not name – was put into restrictive custody for allegedly raping a detainee in their station, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the relieved deputy police chief was taken into custody last Sept. 19 and charged last Sept. 23 for violating Republic Act No. 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law, Tuaño noted.

‘This deputy chief of police, our suspect is currently in restrictive custody at the Cavite Police Provincial Office. Our victim is being considered to be moved to another custodial facility,’ he detailed.

The PNP public information chief did not name the deputy police chief but said he had the rank of police lieutenant and was stationed at the Noveleta police station.

According to Tuaño, the rape incident allegedly occurred in the station early Sept. 4 morning.

The victim – a 34-year-old woman detained in Noveleta for drug-related charges – reported the incident to the police on Sept. 18, Tuaño added.

‘BAs part of our zero-tolerance policy, that the Philippine National Police leadership will not tolerate these violations by their men, their police chief was replaced last Sept. 19,’ Tuaño further noted.

Additionally, Tuaño said the PNP was looking to file administrative cases against the relieved deputy police chief and his superior over the alleged rape incident. /mr

Several senators welcomed the appointment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman, saying the latter’s extensive experience in the field of investigation is an advantage.

‘It’s a big deal that he has a vast background in investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and he will bring it with him at the Ombudsman,’ Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters.

‘He is the tribune and protector of the people, fearless in the search for truth and justice,’ he added.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the appointment of Remulla as the new Ombudsman comes at a time when the nation is confronting serious corruption challenges.

‘As a former Justice Secretary, he brings with him extensive knowledge of the country’s major corruption cases and the workings of our justice system. The nation now looks to him for decisive and impartial action in the fight against corruption,’ he said in a statement.

‘This appointment should send a clear signal that corruption, abuse of power, and other forms of misconduct have no place in government and that restoring public trust begins with holding everyone, regardless of rank, accountable under the law,’ added Gatchalian.

For Sen. Alan Cayetano, Remulla should be given a clean slate but people should watch him closely.

‘It’s a clean slate for me. Give Boying Remulla a clean slate then let’s keep an eye on what he will do,’ Cayetano said in a press briefing.

‘Congratulations to him and just follow your oath,’ he added. ‘I believe that all people have talent..it’s tough when it comes to judiciary, COA (Commission on Audit), Ombudsman, once you take an oath, it all depends on you.’

‘So if you allow yourself to be used in politics, if you have a group or if you have a personal agenda, you can do that. But that’s your call, that’s your conscience,’ he added.

The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) clarified that it was inspecting vehicles with green plates to prevent their misuse.

HPG Director Col. Hansel Marantan earlier said the national police’s traffic unit would inspect electric vehicles to ensure they have a certificate from the Department of Energy (DOE).

‘I apologize to you if I caused you pain and inconvenience with my statement. That is not the intention of my statement,’ Marantan said, speaking in Filipino during a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday.

‘I am referring to the owners of MVs (motor vehicles) sporting green plates that are not supposed to use that because that is illegal – illegal in the sense that they are not listed on the DOE list,’ he added.

Green license plates are a special type of license plate issued to electric vehicles, which are exempted from the number coding scheme imposed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Marantan said the HPG was investigating ‘thousands’ of motor vehicles illegally using green plates, though he declined to give further details, citing their ongoing investigations.

‘It’s manageable still, but it’ll become alarming if law enforcers will not intervene,’ the HPG director said.

He added that the HPG will be coordinating with the Land Transportation Office to curb misuse of green plates.

The World Bank (WB) said the Philippines can continue to lean on resilient domestic demand to cushion its economy from the fallout of higher US tariffs, which threaten to slow growth across East Asia.

In its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, the Washington-based lender kept its growth forecast for the Philippines at 5.3 percent this year and 5.4 percent in 2026, pointing to steady consumer spending and sustained government investment in infrastructure development.

That relatively stable outlook stood out in a region bracing for trade disruptions and weaker external demand. The WB expects the broader East Asia and Pacific economy to expand by an average of 4.8 percent this year, easing from 5 percent in 2024.

3rd fastest growing

With those projections, the Philippines-which was slapped with a 19-percent American tariff-is poised to be the region’s third fastest-growing economy this year, trailing only Vietnam’s robust 6.6 percent and Mongolia’s 5.9 percent.

Still, the bank’s forecast fell short of the Marcos administration’s target of 5.5- to 6.5-percent growth this year and 6 to 7 percent in 2026.

‘The Philippines will benefit from robust domestic demand, supported by easing inflation, lower interest rates and strong labor markets,’ WB said.

‘Growth will also be sustained by public infrastructure investment exceeding 5 percent of gross domestic product and private investment spurred by the reforms discussed above,’ it added.

Some of that momentum is already visible.

New challenges

In the second quarter, the economy expanded by 5.5 percent as household consumption grew at its fastest pace in more than two years, lifted by moderating inflation and lower borrowing costs. Even so, consumer spending remained below the prepandemic five-year average of 6.2 percent.

Zooming out, the WB said East Asia and the Pacific continued to outperform much of the world, but sustaining that momentum would require ambitious reforms as the region navigates an uncertain global environment.

The bank warned that the region’s once-successful model of inclusive development now faces new strains. Recent job growth has been concentrated in low-productivity, often informal service sectors that offer limited prospects for advancement.

Labor constraints

At the same time, many young people are struggling to find work, and women continue to participate less in the labor force.

While about 25 million people in the region are expected to escape poverty between 2025 and 2026, the WB noted that the share of those vulnerable to falling back into poverty now exceeds the size of the middle class in most countries.

‘East Asia’s export-oriented labor-intensive growth lifted a billion people out of poverty in the last three decades, but the region now faces the twin challenges of trade protection and job automation,’ said WB East Asia and Pacific chief economist Aaditya Mattoo.

‘Reforms of the business climate and improvements in education could unleash a virtuous cycle between opportunity and capacity, leading to higher growth and better jobs,’ Mattoo added.

Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia has assured the public that the Senate has already given its concurrence for the House of Representatives to extend its session until Monday, October 13, to pass and approve the proposed 2026 national budget.

In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Garcia – senior vice chairperson of the House committee on appropriations – said that there are no complications should the House continue with its session on Monday despite the calendar for the 20th Congress’s first regular session, stating that the session will adjourn by Oct. 11, Saturday.

‘There are no complications because there is a communication from the House to the Senate that we can extend the calendar days of the House to October 13, to approve the budget on the third reading. So that’s okay already,’ Garcia, speaking in Filipino, told reporters at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

‘As far as I know, yes,’ he added, when asked if the Senate had given its concurrence. ‘Because that is allowable up to three days before the adjournment, we can hold session. So that’s within the rules of the House and the Senate, calendar of both Houses.’

Garcia explained that previously, Congress was allowed to conduct sessions even up to the last Friday of the final session week, even if the House usually adjourns by Wednesday.

But after being reminded by reporters that such Fridays – like October 10 – are explicitly included as part of the regular session, Garcia said Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos and committee chairperson Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing made sure that what they will do is within the bounds of the rules.

‘They have made adjustments already. If you remember in the past, usually sessions end on a calendar day on a Wednesday, that’s the last day of the session. But we can hold sessions until Friday because the schedule allows a three-day extension,’ Garcia said.

‘They issued a communication, I believe. And I can double check later to make things clearer [.] Majority Leader Marcos and Chair Mika Suansing made sure that what we will be doing is within the rules,’ he added.

Extended plenary session

Last October 1, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 320, which seeks to extend the plenary session up to October 13, 2025, so that it can approve the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026 on time.

Under the original schedule of the 20th Congress, the session would take a break on Oct. 4 – which means that the last session day would be October 3, or this coming Friday.

However, last Aug. 12, the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 4, which amends the legislative calendar for the 20th Congress’s first regular session – pushing the adjournment of session for the first break to October 11, 2025.

HCR No. 4 was filed by Majority Leader Marcos and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.

Marcos, on Aug. 13, confirmed that the House requested this extension, ensuring that the proposed 2026 national budget will be approved on time.

Marcos, in an ambush interview, said that without the extension, they might not be able to transmit the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) – or the House’s version of the budget as contained in House Bill (HB) No. 4058 – to the Senate if Congress sticks with the original October 4 break.

The Minority head said back that they hope to finish the House’s GAB and send it to the Senate on October 8 or 9.

‘Hopefully, by Oct. 9, 8, we will have finished all that needs to be done, and then we will transmit to the Senate on the last day, before adjournment on the 10th. This is the ideal situation na hindi tayo magkaroon ng problema (if we do not encounter any problem),’ he said. /mr

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco on Wednesday renewed his call for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

He also wants the department to compel his return to the Philippines to face investigation over the alleged misuse of public funds in anomalous flood control projects.

Tiangco issued the statement after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) subpoenaed Co to appear at its Oct. 14 hearing on the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal that has implicated several lawmakers and contractors.

‘Time is of the essence. He must be compelled to come home at the soonest possible time and not given any more time to be able to secure another passport or citizenship in another country,’ Tiangco said.

‘If the DFA continues to dilly-dally and he is able to secure a passport in a country with which we have no extradition treaty, who will be accountable for this?’ the lawmaker asked.

Co, who served as the House appropriations chair in the 19th Congress, resigned from the House in late September following mounting public scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood control projects linked to his company, Sunwest Inc.

He and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez are also being accused of masterminding the irregular insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) that led to the enlargement of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget.

His current whereabouts remain unclear, though his official excuse is that he has sought medical treatment in the United States for an undisclosed condition.

House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy had ordered him to come home within 10 days in a Sept. 19 letter revoking his travel clearance – but Co instead decided to resign his post on Dy’s deadline.

Before Co stepped down, Tiangco filed an ethics complaint against the former appropriations chair to compel him to explain these issues.

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales herself questioned why Romualdez did not move to cancel Co’s passport while he was still speaker, especially after Dy was linked to multibillion-peso insertions to fund questionable flood control projects.

‘He (Romualdez) seems to be covering for him,’ Carpio-Morales told ANC.

Tiangco echoed her sentiment, saying that the cancellation of Co’s passport was both justified and urgent given the gravity of the allegations.

‘I fully support the position of former Ombudsman Carpio-Morales. Zaldy Co should be sent home immediately. Now that there is a subpoena from the ICI, there is no reason not to cancel his passport. What is being discussed here is the people’s money,’ he emphasized. /apl