Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

After not being picked in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, graduating Lyceum guard Ato Barba is out for blood.

The Pirates’ 90-89 loss to Mapua in double overtime to open their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball campaign didn’t dampen Barba’s idea of a revenge tour.

‘After the PBA Draft, I really got sad and frustrated,’ Barba told the Inquirer at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

‘I told myself that I’ll bounce back here because this is the only place I could show my talent now. I have to give my best because after college, I don’t know where my career will go.’

Unlike former teammate JM Bravo, who was drafted by Terrafirma, Barba wasn’t tapped despite being one of the league’s top scorers last season.

While struggling in their Season 101 opener, finishing with just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting, he remains determined to tackle Lyceum’s upcoming games with full intensity.

‘I don’t really want to show coaches that they should regret not picking me because I’m also thinking that my game isn’t at the professional level yet. I still lack a lot,’ Barba said.

‘This season, I’ll try to improve those things here. I’ll play my best.’

Barba hopes to make more impact for Lyceum this Sunday when they take on Perpetual Help at San Juan Arena.

The death toll from the strong earthquake in Cebu has increased to 26, with most fatalities recorded in the tremor’s epicenter of Bogo City in Cebu province, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its situation report on Wednesday.

Of the 26 deaths, most were reported in Bogo City with 19, San Remigio town with five, while one death each was logged in the towns of Tabuelan and Medellin.

NDRRMC said these deaths have yet to be validated.

Additionally, 147 were reported hurt.

Most of the injured were also in Bogo with 119 victims, San Francisco with 14, and five each in the towns of Tabuelan and Catmon, and four at Daanbantayan town.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Cebu on Tuesday night, state seismologists said.

It occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, with a shallow depth of five kilometers.

Newly-installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has ordered a structural assessment of all churches and rectories in the province following a strong earthquake on Tuesday night.

In a Facebook post, the archbishop also directed parishes in the northern portion of the province who were affected ‘to refrain from using your churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until the proper experts have carried out the assessment and declared the structures safe for use.’

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially measured the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9.

The earthquake occurred at 9:59 p.m. with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu.

In a social media post, parishioners said that the centuries-old Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan town partially collapsed.

Meanwhile, videos showed that Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol was swaying during the earthquake, with lights and parts of the facade crumbling.

Uy’s installation rites were held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who attended the installation, described the earthquake as Uy’s ‘first major test.’

‘We continue to pray to our Loving Father for calmness and strength in the midst of these trials,’ the archbishop said.

Investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) surged by more than 30 percent in the nine months ending September on strong investor confidence.

In a statement on Tuesday, Peza said it had approved P154.7 billion worth of investments in the January to September period, 33.5-percent higher than the P115.89 billion posted in the same period last year.

‘These approvals demonstrate enduring investor confidence in the Philippines. Backed by sustained momentum and robust investment activity, we are on track to attain our P250 billion goal and strengthen our standing as a leading investment destination in Asia,’ Peza Director General Tereso Panga said.

‘These investments reinforce our position as a premier hub in Asia and affirm that the Philippines is fast becoming the destination of choice for global industries,’ Trade Secretary and Peza Chair Cristina Roque added in a statement.

2025 target

However, the end-September number means that Peza has so far just achieved 61.9 percent of its goal this year of P250 billion.

In the first nine months, Peza said it had approved 215 new and expansion projects that are expected to generate 50,430 direct jobs and $4.49 billion in export revenues.

Of these, P123.79 billion came from 24 big-ticket projects.

The manufacturing sector drove investments in economic zones with 98 projects, followed by the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector with 55 projects, and domestic-related activities with 18 projects.

Japan regained its position as the top country investor, accounting for 9.55 percent or P14.78 billion in new and expansion projects.

‘Japan’s return as our leading partner reflects the fruit of our investment missions and strong collaborations with stakeholders. With nearly 10 percent of this year’s total project approvals coming from Japanese companies, we see undeniable proof of the Philippines’ standing as a trusted and highly competitive hub in Asia,’ Panga said. INQ

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will expand the livestreaming of the bidding process of projects in a bid to promote transparency.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday said that the agency would post all livestream links on its social media pages for the public to access.

While all biddings at the central and regional offices are already livestreamed, Dizon said the policy would now cover the district offices.

The ongoing probe of anomalous flood control projects has so far uncovered either ‘ghost’ or substandard undertakings emanating from the district office level.

As Dizon lifted the suspension of procurement activities for locally funded projects under the agency, a memorandum order dated September 16 provided preliminary measures that must be followed during the bidding process, which included livestreaming.

Dizon added that the DPWH would initiate this process during the procurement phase for the multimillion-dollar Bataan-Cavite interlink bridge project.

‘If the DPWH [personnel] will be the only ones monitoring this, there might not be enough scrutiny. If we can do something for the public to be aware of this and keep an eye on the projects of DPWH, I think monitoring will be strengthened and corruption in the past will not happen again,’ Dizon stressed.

New undersecretaries

At the same time, President Marcos has appointed five new undersecretaries of the DPWH.

Taking their oath administered by Dizon on Sept. 29 were: Arrey Perez, undersecretary for operations in charge of convergence projects and technical services; Arthur Bisnar for regional operations; Charles Calima Jr. for special concerns; Ricardo Bernabe III for the Office of the Secretary; and Samuel Rufino Turgano for legal services.

The DPWH also signed on Tuesday a partnership agreement with the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) to boost transparency and accountability in national infrastructure projects.

The DPWH and BCP committed to launch Integrity Chain, a blockchain-powered platform which aims to provide a real-time public dashboard that tracks progress on infrastructure projects, such as bidding, planning and awarding.

The DPWH said the platform also allows the public to scrutinize the projects and report anomalies and tampering of records.

Dizon said its pilot implementation would begin with the foreign-assisted projects, as their funding and documents were already vetted by multilateral and international organizations.

Dizon said he expected ‘greater transparency’ now that the agency had partnered with the private sector on the use of blockchain technology.

ICI-AMLC cooperation

Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) signed on Tuesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for cooperation in the ongoing investigation of alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

The pact was signed by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. as chair of the AMLC.

Representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Insurance Commission, both AMLC members, likewise took part in the signing.

Unprogrammed funds

‘As you may know, the ICI is still very young. We have been in existence for only 15 days, with just four lawyer-volunteers carrying the weight of a tall task. Yet despite our size, our mandate is broad: to investigate irregularities, demand accountability, and restore integrity in public infrastructure. This is why the assistance of the AMLC is both timely and indispensable,’ Reyes noted.

In Congress, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday urged Malacañang to ‘stop washing its hands off the corruption allegations’ relating to infrastructure projects implemented under President Marcos’ watch.

Tinio noted that the majority of the projects funded under unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in 2023 and 2024 went to ‘favored regions’ now being flagged for anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

‘It is only the President’s discretion that determines how UA (funds) are used,’ he said.

Citing official data from the Department of Budget and Management, Tinio disclosed that the DPWH received P61.4 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2023 for 1,889 projects and P153 billion in 2024 for 1,811 projects.

This means that, in these two years alone, the President approved 3,770 public works projects worth P214.4 billion from unprogrammed funds.

In 2023, the top regions that got the largest share in UA were: Central Luzon, with 283 projects worth P11.7 billion; Bicol with 138 projects worth P7.6 billion; and Central Visayas with 170 projects worth P7.2 billion.

In 2024, Mimaropa got the lion’s share of UA with P29.4 billion for 201 projects, followed by Central Luzon again with P25 billion for 285 projects, and then Metro Manila with P16 billion for 181 projects.

At least a third of these funds for both years went to flood control projects.

Former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was also receiving kickbacks from illegal gambling apart from flood control projects, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed on Monday.

‘It’s not only flood control. Martin Romualdez is also receiving money from illegal gambling,’ she told reporters after she faced the Senate finance subcommittee, which deliberated on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President. The panel swiftly approved the P902.895-million budget in less than an hour.

At the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Sept. 25, Orly Regala Guteza, who said he used to be one of the security personnel for Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, testified that he delivered suitcases full of cash to the homes of his boss and Romualdez. The money was supposedly their cut from flood control projects.

According to Duterte, she was not surprised by the talks of cash deliveries to Romualdez.

‘It’s not odd for Martin Romualdez because he was already involved in heavy luggages [sic] regarding the Okada case. If you remember it correctly, there is a case in the state of Delaware in the US in which he was named [.] as allegedly receiving cash stashed in luggage,’ Duterte further said.

She was referring to claims that the former House speaker was allegedly bribed by the management of Okada Manila to influence local courts amid a courtroom battle.

Reacting to the allegations, Romualdez maintained that he never accepted anything from illegal gambling.

Pure fiction

‘I heard the accusations. I will directly say this: it is not true that I received anything from illegal gambling. These stories about ‘suitcases of cash’ are pure fiction. A figment of their imagination. It’s easy to point fingers-but the truth is that they cannot prove it. Until today, there is no evidence shown-only hearsay evidence being repeated by people,’ he said in a statement.

‘With the Okada/Delaware issue, it is clear: I am not part of it, I was not investigated, and I am not an accused in the case. I have no involvement in that case, which is a fight between two businesses. It is being resurrected to destroy my reputation,’ Romualdez said.

According to him, it is saddening that the Vice President herself, who has been accused of the improper use of hundreds of millions of pesos worth of confidential funds, is now spreading lies.

‘There is no turning back here.’

This was what the lawyer of Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya said after the contractor couple attended the hearing of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in connection with the flood control anomalies on Tuesday, September 30.

The Discaya couple separately arrived at the ICI office in Taguig City on Tuesday morning at around 9 a.m. to attend the investigation, which lasted until around 2:30 p.m.

The contractor couple refused to give any statement to the media. Instead, their lawyer, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III, was the one who answered questions in an ambush interview.

According to Samaniego, just like before the Department of Justice, the Discayas also told everything to the commission during its proceeding on Tuesday.

‘About money, about the particular persons mentioned in the affidavit, what the transaction is, what the history is.. we were ‘tell-all’ [during the probe],’ the counsel said.

‘There is no turning back here,’ he emphasized.

When asked for the names that the Discayas mentioned at the ICI hearing, Samaniego refused to answer, saying instead that ‘it’s already in the affidavit.’

He said the Discaya couple decided to reveal everything they know on the flood control anomalies after flood survivors and environmental groups threw mud and rocks, and wrote ‘magnanakaw’ (thief) and ‘ikulong’ (jail them), on the gates of their residence in Pasig City earlier in September.

The Discayas are currently under investigation for alleged involvement in anomalies in flood control projects. /apl

Philippine National Bank’s (PNB) move to let go of its Bahrain operations and dissolve two of its units would allow it to cut costs and focus on expanding its core business, according to an analyst.

Ron Acoba, chief investment strategist at Trading Edge Consultancy, told the Inquirer that PNB could still serve its Middle East market. This is mainly overseas Filipino workers sending money home through a correspondent bank.

This, he said, would be more cost effective for the banking arm of the Lucio Tan Group.

PNB on Monday said in a regulatory filing its board of directors had approved plans to shutter its PNB Bahrain Representative Office, although this is still subject to regulatory approval.

PNB currently operates across 17 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. However, it recently noted that it was facing stiff competition from banks and nonbanks in these locations.

‘To maintain its market position in the industry, the bank offers diverse products and services, invests in technology, leverages on the synergies with the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and builds on relationships with the bank’s other key customers,’ PNB said in its annual report.

Consumer lending

At the same time, PNB’s board has decided to dissolve the bank’s consumer finance and enterprise services sectors.

‘[This] will allow [PNB] to focus on expanding its consumer lending business,’ Acoba said in a text message.

In the first semester, PNB benefited from higher demand for loans, resulting in a 22-percent surge in earnings to P12.5 billion.

Its net interest income had climbed by 7 percent to P25.8 billion.

Loans and investment securities grew by 5 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

To stand out among their competitors, PNB president and CEO Edwin Bautista earlier said they were looking to ‘unlock new revenue streams’ to boost the bank’s net income through exploring the use of technology, such as data science and artificial intelligence, in its businesses.

The Senate on Tuesday blasted the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for undertaking road projects before settling right-of-way (ROW) issues, which could waste billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, during the organizational meeting of the DPWH and other government agencies, also said that right-of-way issues are the usual cause for the delay in carrying on the country’s infrastructure projects.

‘Why do we start projects even if the ROW issues have not yet been resolved. when there are properties that may be affected by the project because of ROW issues? These issues should have already been addressed since we have the funds to settle this. But how come this is becoming the reason for projects to stop because of the fact that there are complainants? Shouldn’t we talk to the affected people or pay whoever the owners of these properties first?’ asked Tulfo.

DPWH Assistant Secretary Constante Llanes Jr. explained that among the implementation challenges in addressing ROW issues include the delays arising from limited ROW budget allocation, opposition from affected lot owners, and absentee and corporate land-ownership issues.

He said there were also deficiencies in claimant documentation, pending permits, expropriation proceedings, utility line obstructions and the resettlement of informal settlers.

Llanes said he strongly agrees with Tulfo that the ROW issues should be addressed first to prevent delays in infrastructure projects.

‘We strongly agree with what you mentioned, Mr. Chair, particularly for foreign-assisted projects, that is actually the principle. In fact, these are the requirements of the foreign funding institutions, Mr. Chair, that you have to come up with a resettlement action plan,’ he said.

‘For example, you have to compute everything and identify the payables before you proceed with the project and that’s a requirement, a matter of requirement. So all of this has to be taken care of and cleared first. But if we lack enough funds to pay these affected people, the properties, even the structures.that could be a reason for delay,’ he explained. /das

The mission is clear for Juan Gomez de Liaño in his rookie year with Converge.

The goal is to show the league what the FiberXers’ young core can do and he’s more than excited to get the ball rolling when Season 50 opens this Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.

‘I’m super excited. I feel like we really have a tough squad,’ he said during a launch party at BGC in Taguig on Monday night.

‘We’re a young group with a few vets. I can’t wait to get going with the boys and show the PBA what we’re capable of doing.’

So far in the preseason, Gomez de Liaño and company have shown promise.

Most recently, they beat the reigning champions of the Philippine Cup, San Miguel Beermen, 114-99, at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

After taking down the Beermen, though, the State U product still thinks the team has a long way to go before reaching top form.

For one, the FiberXers are still in the process of getting accustomed to their new roster that also included changes in their coaching staff.

‘We’re just trying to get familiarized with each other and, pretty much, build chemistry before approaching the season but it’s been good so far.’