Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

If the congressmen do not want to do the job, then the mayors will do the difficult task of finding the individuals who made the anomalous insertions in the national budget for the past three years, including those who proposed the funding of controversial flood control projects.

The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) formally sent a letter to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Thursday, requesting access to documents related to the national budget from 2023 to 2025 – the past three years when the Marcos administration proposed and approved its appropriation laws.

The letter was signed by M4GG convenors Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Isabela, Basilan Mayor Sitti Hataman.

The group was specifically requesting access to National Expenditure Program (NEP) and General Appropriations Act (GAA) records for fiscal years 2023 to 2025, including specific line items and their proponents and/or endorsing offices.

‘We make this request in the spirit of transparency in the use of public funds and to ensure that allocations reflect the true needs of communities,’ said M4GG, which has the support of close to 200 local chief executives across the country since it was launched in August 2023.

‘Having access to these records will help local governments and civil society track implementation, strengthen accountability, and uphold public trust in our institutions,’ it added. Lawmakers in the the House of Representatives and Senate are pointing at each other on whose chamber did the insertions to line items of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget originate in the past years to fund questionable flood mitigation projects in different parts of the country, including those in provinces considered not flood-prone.

Congressional insertions in the national budget under the Marcos administration might have already ballooned to unprecedented levels, and could reach as much as P2 trillion between 2023 and 2025, according to former Budget Secretary Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad.

These include an estimated P600 billion in flood control projects added at the NEP stage.

Abad was referring to revelations in congressional inquiries into anomalous infrastructure projects that congressmen have been proposing flood control projects as early as the budget preparation stage in collusion with DPWH officials. The national budget legislation starts with the submission to the Congress of the NEP, which is prepared by the executive branch, specifically the Department of Budget and Management.

It serves as the blueprint for the succeeding year’s government expenditures.

The NEP is the basis of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which is sponsored, presented and defended by the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee and subcommittees in plenary session.

As with other laws, the House version of the GAB must pass three readings before it is sent to the Senate.

Once both chambers agree on a final version of the GAB, it goes to the President where it is signed into law as the GAA, either as it is or with some line items vetoed.

During budget deliberations, Congress has the power to amend the NEP so long as the overall spending ceiling set by Malacañang is not breached.

This is also where insertions – also called pork barrel or parked funds – made by lawmakers come in.

During last year’s deliberations for the 2025 GAB, last-minute realignments and insertions happened at the bicameral conference committee level and the ‘small committee’ level-a practice flagged by public watchdogs because they occurred away from public scrutiny. As part of budget reform initiatives, the House in the current 20th Congress deliberating the 2026 national budget abolished the small committee, and created in its place the budget amendments review subcommittee (BARSC) under the appropriations panel.

Deliberations under BARSC were made in open plenary to show the public what items in the national budget are increased or decreased, and to note who made the following proposals.

But for Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, if the House leadership was truly serious about its push to reform public budgeting and investigate anomalous infrastructure projects, it should release the amendments made by the small committee at least for the 2025 national budget.

‘To show good faith, the House leadership should ask Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who was the chair of the appropriations committee at the time, to release the amendments made by the small committee for the 2025 budget,’ Tiangco said. ‘If the House leadership doesn’t release it, this is just for show. We cannot move forward and simply forget the wrongdoings of the past. We have to uncover the sins of the 2025 budget,’ he added.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) trimmed its growth forecasts on the Philippines, joining other multilateral lenders in tempering expectations for the economy as higher US tariffs threaten to bite exports and investments.

Following its annual staff visit, the Washington-based institution said it now projects the Philippine economy to expand 5.4 percent this year, slightly below its earlier estimate of 5.5 percent.

Growth next year is expected at 5.7 percent, compared with the previous forecast of 5.9 percent.

The IMF’s downgrade makes it the latest to temper expectations for the Philippines. Earlier this week, the Asian Development Bank held its 2025 forecast at 5.6 percent but trimmed its 2026 projection to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent. In June, the World Bank projected growth of 5.3 percent this year, 5.4 percent in 2026 and 5.5 percent in 2027, and is expected to release updated estimates soon.

Gov’t target

Taken together, the forecasts cluster near the low end of the Marcos administration’s targets of 5.5- to 6.5-percent growth for 2024 and 6 to 7 percent by 2026.

‘The revision reflects factors related to the first half performance, which was weaker than expected,’ Elif Arbatli Saxegaard, who headed a visiting IMF team, said in a press conference in Manila on Wednesday.

The local economy grew by 5.4 percent in the first six months. ‘The important drivers of growth would be the higher tariffs which are imposed on Philippine exports to the US. It will weigh on exports and investment. While the envisioned decline in government expenditure to meet the deficit target is expected to more than offset an increase in private consumption,’ Saxegaard added.

But still ‘resilient’

Looking ahead, the IMF said it expected the Philippines to remain resilient despite losing some momentum amid external headwinds. The Fund suggested implementing ‘concrete and durable tax measures’ to limit the need for restraint in priority spending and help the government make a bigger contribution to growth.

It added that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas still had room ‘for a slightly more accommodative stance’ to ‘reduce economic slack.’

CEBU CITY -The devastating Cebu earthquake that recently jolted parts of the province and neighboring localities has prompted the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant to cancel its preliminary competition that involved the swimsuit and evening gown events in favor of relief operations.

The crucial stage of the pageant was originally scheduled on Friday, Oct. 3, in Lapu-Lapu City. There, the delegates were to be judged in their swimming attire and evening wear, and score points that will help them clinch a semifinal spot.

‘Miss Asia Pacific International stands with Cebu after last night’s earthquake. The preliminary competition has been cancelled out of respect for those affected at this time, our focus is on compassion, safety, and solidarity,’ the pageant posted on social media on Wednesday evening, Oct. 1.

‘True transformation is found not only in pageantry, but in rising together through challenges with empathy, strength, and unity,’ the statement continued. Images posted on the pageant’s social media pages showed several delegates packing rice at a warehouse to be given to victims of the calamity.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 30, on the delegates’ first day in the province, the pageant held its benefit gala night at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City. Just as the program was about to close, it was halted by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake with the epicenter traced to Bogo City.

Hours after the incident, the pageant issued a statement assuring the public that the delegates and members of the organization were ‘safe and secure.’

In a succeeding statement released Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 1, the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant said it was realigning the delegates’ activities ‘in a spirit of compassion and solidarity’ with the province of Cebu.

The international pageant said the delegates ‘will devote their time and influence’ to relief and fundraising events and initiatives, awareness and empowerment, and solidarity events and programs.

‘Through compassion, purpose, and action, Miss Asia Pacific International reaffirms its commitment to its international and local partners-to serve not only in times of celebration, but most importantly, in times of need,’ the statement said.

In the most recent statement on the cancelation of the preliminary competition, the organizers said, ‘we believe it would not be appropriate to hold a celebratory event at this time, as our focus must be on compassion, safety and solidarity.’

Another event that was cancelled was the scheduled press presentation on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 1, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The delegates instead volunteered to pack relief goods at the province’s warehouse.

Lawyer and beauty queen Eva Patalinjug-Lim, the pageant’s president, oversaw the delegates at the relief center. ‘I toured around when I arrived, I toured and asked the candidates how they are, and they said they had no sleep, just like me. But they’re still here because they want to help,’ she said.

‘This day was supposed to be their rest day. I intended it to be the rest day and canceled the press con because I wanted mental and physical rest for them,’ she added.

‘We just asked the candidates who are willing to volunteer, we’re not forcing anyone to do relief packing. But I’m really glad of the turnout because they volunteered from their heart. It’s not because they’re candidates, but because this is volunteer work, they listed their names to be here, so I’m thankful for the candidates,’ Patalinjug continued.

Two more party-list groups – Murang Kuryente and Ang Probinsyano – have been proclaimed as members of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress, following the disqualification of Duterte Youth party-list.

At the House plenary session on Thursday, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos moved to allow Murang Kuryente party-list Rep. Arthur Yap and Ang Probinsyano Rep. Alfred delos Santos take their oath respectively before Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III.

Marcos made the motion following a Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclamation.

‘Madam Speaker, we are in receipt of the proclamation issued by the Commission on Elections declaring Murang Kuryente party-list as winner under the party-list system in the national and local elections on the 12th of May 2025, and to entitle its nominee, Arthur C. Yap, to sit as its representative in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines,’ Marcos said.

‘Pursuant to the aforementioned proclamation, I move to allow Arthur C. Yap, representative of Murang Kuryente party-list, to take oath in open session,’ he added. Marcos made a similar motion for delos Santos. Both motions were separately approved by Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan; no one objected.

Prior to Murang Kuryente and Ang Probinsyano, Abono party-list Rep. Robert Raymond Estralla also took his oath of office before Dy.

This means three party-list seats left vacant due to the Duterte Youth party-list’s disqualification are filled up.

Duterte Youth won three seats in the 2025 midterm elections, ranking second with 2.338 million votes. However, the group was disqualified by Comelec based on the following grounds:

Untruthful statements in its petition, particularly on the eligibility of its nominees

No bona fide intention to represent the sector for which the petition has been filed and thus, preventing a faithful determination of the true will of the electorate

It has advocated for violence or unlawful means to achieve its goal

It was established that it is an adjunct or an entity funded or assisted by the National Youth Commission

On Tuesday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the Comelec en banc decided with finality to cancel Duterte Youth’s registration.

‘The clerk of this Commission just issued today a certificate of finality and entry of judgment on the decision of the en banc [regarding the cancellation of Duterte Youth’s registration],’ Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said on Tuesday in an online interview with reporters.

According to him, the poll body en banc will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the effects of the issuance of the certificate, particularly which party list groups will benefit from the three House seats originally allotted to Duterte Youth.

Garcia said the Comelec came out with the certificate of finality after the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) within 30 days after the en banc upheld the cancellation of the party list group’s registration on August 29.

Originally, the House had a total of 317 seats, but the number grew to 318 following Comelec’s decision to allocate 64 seats to party-lists, instead of just 63.

During the canvassing done by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) last May 15, a lawyer of the Philreca party-list said their computation shows that there should be 64 party-list seats and not just 63 – asking Garcia to heed their call.

In response, Garcia, sitting as the NBOC head, asked groups to provide their position papers on various issues like the number of seats. After the adjustment, Comelec proclaimed Gabriela Women’s Party as a winner of the party-list race. Last September 23, former Kabataan solon and now Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago took her oath of office as a member of the House.

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), the listed semiconductors and electronics manufacturing arm of Ayala Group, has consolidated its China operations and shuttered its Kuichong facility to further cut losses and return to profitability.

In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, IMI said it would integrate operations into its Pingshan facility over the coming weeks after production activities ended in Kuichong on Sept. 30.

‘Throughout this transition period, IMI’s management team will prioritize business continuity and ensure that key customer accounts from IMI Kuichong will be served with minimal disruption,’ IMI said.

Streamlining

‘This strategic move is expected to further improve operational efficiency, increase capacity utilization in IMI Pingshan and further streamline IMI’s footprint in China.’

This is part of IMI’s restructuring efforts as it seeks to plug financial bleeding.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, IMI had four production sites in China.

In June, IMI also divested its Czech Republic business in a P635-million deal with Keboda Deutschland GmbH and Co. KG, a subsidiary of China-listed Keboda Technology Co. Ltd. Turnaround

In the first semester, IMI reported a net income of $7.6 million, a turnaround from its net loss of $8.8 million in the same period last year as a result of its ‘operational efficiency initiatives’ and cost control.

Market softness, however, resulted in a 12.13-percent dip in gross revenues to $497.16 million. Still, IMI CEO Louis Hughes said they were ‘collaborating closely’ with customers to drive profitability and optimize costs.

IMI chair Alberto de Larrazabal earlier said the Ayala Group was keen on keeping IMI despite its losses, saying they would likely end with a net profit this year.

He also noted they were more optimistic about IMI’s core businesses, as subsidiary VIA Optronics was still navigating a challenging business environment.

Paolo has intensified into a tropical storm and may further strengthen into a severe tropical storm before making landfall in northern Luzon, the weather bureau said Thursday morning, Oct. 2.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Paolo was estimated at 705 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gusts of up to 80 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph, Pagasa added.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over several provinces in Northern and Central Luzon, including:

Mainland Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Tarlac

Nueva Ecija

Aurora

The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)

The northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar), including the Polillo Islands

The northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Calabarzon, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the storm’s troughs.

Zambales and Bataan, meanwhile, are forecast to have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.

On its current path, Paolo is expected to make landfall over Isabela and northern Aurora on Friday morning, Oct. 3, before crossing Northern Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea.

Pagasa said the storm could intensify into a typhoon after crossing land once it reemerges over the sea.

Heavy rainfall outlook

On Oct. 3, heavy rains of over 200 millimeters are expected in Cagayan and Isabela.

Quirino, Aurora, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan may receive 100-200 mm, while Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, and Bataan are forecast to get 50-100 mm.

By Oct. 4, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan are expected to receive 50-100 mm of rainfall.

Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 1438, or the ‘Government Construction Project Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025,’ which seeks to mandate drone monitoring for all government construction projects before any payments are processed.

The measure applies to all national government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations engaged in construction, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

‘Persistent challenges including project delays, quality issues, and financial irregularities in public works demand innovative solutions,’ Villar said. ‘This legislation harnesses modern technology to establish an unwavering standard of accountability for every peso of public funds invested in infrastructure.’

The proposal requires independent accredited third-party entities to conduct aerial documentation through unmanned aerial vehicles. It provides for high-resolution geotagged imagery, video footage and orthomosaic mapping of projects. The data will be uploaded to a centralized public transparency portal accessible to citizens.

Under the bill, payments cannot be processed without the required drone verification documentation. Contractors and government personnel who submit or approve falsified monitoring data face penalties under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

‘This initiative transforms how we monitor and manage public infrastructure projects,’ Villar said. ‘It empowers citizens with tangible evidence of project progress while ensuring that government expenditures correspond directly to actual, verified accomplishments.’

The bill also directs relevant agencies to set accreditation standards for monitoring entities within 60 days of enactment. The Department of Science and Technology and Department of Information and Communications Technology will provide technical support in drafting implementing rules and regulations.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday vowed to ‘fully implement’ the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), despite delays.

‘We remain focused on our mandate, which is to guarantee the unimpeded implementation of the PTMP,’ LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Gaudiz III was quoted in a statement.

Gaudiz also shared that the LTFRB is seeking financial assistance from government institutions to cover the loan obligations of modernized jeepney operators.

‘We have been seeking dialogue with our partner government financing institutions to assist modernized jeepney fleets to meet their loan obligations under the PTMP,’ he said.

He then assured that the agency goes through a ‘thorough technical, legal, and financial evaluation’ for the transport groups and commuters.

Former Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said in June 2025 that the PTMP was ‘not viable’ due to the inability of those who purchased the modern jeeps to pay their loans.

By June 2025, the government is expected to have released loans of up to P15 billion through the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, with over P5 billion still outstanding.

Dizon also stated that the program involves ‘a lot of problems,’ but asserted that it will push through.

A special committee was formed in April 2025 to review the government’s modernization program for public utility vehicles, aiming to expedite its implementation.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Thursday visited northern Cebu to assess the situation in areas devastated by the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province earlier this week, leaving at least 72 people dead and hundreds injured.

The President arrived around 10 a.m. in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City-considered the hardest-hit area-where nine residents were confirmed dead inside the SM Cares Village, a relocation site for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Accompanying President Marcos were Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Bogo City Mayor Mayel Martinez, 4th District Rep. Sun Shimura, and other local officials.

Marcos also visited the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish to inspect quake damage and met with the priests. He later proceeded to the Cebu Provincial Hospital, where he spoke with survivors and assured them of government support.

According to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), as of 6 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2025, fatalities have climbed to 72-30 in Bogo City, 22 in San Remigio, 12 in Medellin, five in Tabogon, and one each in the towns of Tabuelan, Borbon, and Sogod. Nearly 300 people were reported injured, many of whom remain confined in hospitals across the province.

Need more help

In Tabuelan, residents appealed for urgent assistance as they continue to endure dire conditions. Resident Jess Colongan reported the absence of water supply, electricity, medical aid, mobile signals, gasoline stations, and even access to ATMs.

He said many families are sleeping outdoors or in makeshift tents, fearing strong aftershocks.

‘Our mayor and local officials are doing their best, but we still need help. Water and medical assistance are the most urgent,’ Colongan said, calling on friends, donors, and higher government offices for immediate relief.

Authorities said relief operations are being scaled up, but access to mountain barangays and hard-to-reach communities remains a major challenge.

Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo) intensified over the Philippine Sea, prompting the weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over parts of Luzon on Thursday, Oct. 2.

In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said areas under TCWS are as follows:

TCWS No. 2

The southeastern portion of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Naguilian)

The northern portion of Quirino (Maddela)

The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

Areas under Signal No. 2 have a 24-hour lead time before experiencing Paolo’s effects. Winds in this category pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

TCWS No. 1

Mainland Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Tarlac

Nueva Ecija

Aurora

The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)

The northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar), including Polillo Islands

The northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)

The warning lead time for Signal No. 1 is 36 hours, with winds in this category posing minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Pagasa said Paolo was located 575 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of up to 90 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

It is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning, Oct. 3, before crossing Northern Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea.

The storm is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning, Oct. 4