Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Their certifications of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) participation in the 2023 youth training programs had nothing to do with the agency’s confidential funds, two Philippine Army officials told the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday.

‘I think wala po akong pinapatunayan sa paggastos ng pera, your honor. It’s only stating that we conducted the YLS (Youth Leadership Summit) in our area of operation, your honor,’ Col. Magtangol Panopio of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division said.

(I think I did not attest to how the money was spent, Your Honor. It only states that we conducted the YLS (Youth Leadership Summit) in our area of operations, Your Honor.)

His remark was in response to Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros’ question whether the certification he signed on December 05, 2023 was in support to the accuracy of how the DepEd spent its confidential funds.

The DepEd, at that time, was being headed by Vice President Sara Duterte.

A separate certification of the DepEd’s participation in the YLS and the Information Education Communication (IEC) campaign activities was also issued and signed by Col. Manaros Boransing II of the1st Infantry (Tabak) Division on January 01, 2024.

Their certifications were among the documents that the education agency submitted to the Commission on Audit to prove its use of P15.5 million in confidential funds.

‘So simpleng ang certification may dinaos na ganitong mga gawain. Wala pong sinasabi kung paano o anong pondo ang ginastos ng particular ng DedEd yun whether regular funds nila or confidential and intelligence funds nila. Wala po yun sa certification?’ Hontiveros asked again.

(So, the certification simply states that these activities were conducted. It does not say how they were funded or what specific funds DepEd used, whether their regular funds or confidential and intelligence funds. None of that is stated in the certification?)

‘Wala po yun sa certification, your honor,’ Panopio answered.

(That is not stated in the certification, Your Honor.)

Hontiveros earlier asked Boransing the same questions, with the latter confirming the conduct of eight summits and an EIC in 2023 with partner agencies, including DepEd.

‘So bilang signatory po nung inyong certification, pinapatotohanan nyo ba na tama ang paggamit ng DepEd sa kanilang confidential and intelligence funds?’ Hontiveros asked.

(So, as the signatory to your certification, are you attesting that DepEd properly used its confidential and intelligence funds?)

‘No, ma’am,’Boransing said. ‘The certification was their DepEd’s and other stakeholders’ participation in the Youth Leadership Summit and the Information Education Communication Campaign, ma’am.’

‘Wala kayong pinatotohanan doon na gumastos sila ng pondo, whether regular or confidential and intelligence funds, para doon sa activities ng Philippine Army?’ the senator asked again.

(You did not attest that they spent any funds, whether regular or confidential and intelligence funds, for those activities of the Philippine Army?)

The witness replied in the affirmative.

Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds released to the DepEd and the Office of the Vice President is one of the four articles of impeachment lodged against her.

The Social Security System (SSS) is expecting to generate P71.4 billion in investment income by the end of 2026, with the bulk of its portfolio remaining in government securities as it seeks to balance higher returns with a cautious investment approach.

At its 69th anniversary press conference, SSS officials announced that they expect the pension fund’s investment portfolio to reach P1.441 trillion by year-end, resulting in a 6.11 percent return on investment.

The state-run firm expects to invest P724.11 billion in government securities, which will generate P34.75 billion in income.

The portfolio will consist of P191 billion in equities, projecting a yield of approximately P8 billion. Following that, member loans will amount to P153.67 billion, also projected to generate around P8 billion in income.

The fund will allocate the rest of its portfolio to capital markets, money market instruments, corporate loans and bonds, and property investments.

‘The key message here is we’re balancing the security of our members with the need to improve the service. It’s a tricky balancing act. You don’t want to be too conservative because then, you don’t generate enough income necessary to pay for pension. At the same time, you need to be a little more aggressive,’ SSS Commissioner Victor Limlingan said.

‘The balance is divided accordingly. We have corporate loans and bonds, equities, mutual funds, and experimental loans. A big thrust that we’re doing is we’re trying to improve our loan portfolio,’ he added.

Already, SSS’s total investments from January to June stood at P1.27 trillion, generating P27.2 billion in income. Breaking down the portfolio, SSS allocated P629.05 billion to government securities, P179.44 billion to equities, P154.56 billion to property, P151.90 billion to member loans and P96.34 billion to corporate notes and bonds.

Foreign investments

Notably, SSS has earmarked P15 billion for foreign investments this year, which would mark its first foray into offshore investments. It also plans to allocate another P20 billion for overseas investments in 2027.

However, the pension fund has yet to provide estimates on how much income these investments could generate.

SSS is reviewing other investment opportunities, including government assets for possible disposal.

‘We are constantly working with the team in the Department of Finance with regards to government assets, if SSS is interested. But we have always maintained a conservative approach,’ SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro said.

‘One consideration would be the capital appreciation,’ he added.

This year, the expected investment income will boost the state-run pension fund’s net income to at least P100 billion. This comes as SSS’ January-to-July net income had already slipped to P55.5 billion

Meanwhile, member contributions reached P235.33 billion, while expenses stood at about P7.1 billion. The Mandatory Provident Fund, a compulsory retirement savings scheme for higher-income members, reached P263.12 billion and covered 9.18 million members.

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela met with regional officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to resolve environmental concerns delaying the Victoria-Sablayan Bypass Road Project.

The Victoria-Sablayan road project has drawn environmental scrutiny because of its potential proximity to areas inhabited by tamaraws, whose remaining population is concentrated in protected areas in Mindoro.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tarriela said he met with DPWH Mimaropa Regional Director Rosita Tinawin and DENR Mimaropa Regional Director Felix Mirasol, along with their technical staff, to discuss the project’s pending issues.

Tarriela said the proposed bypass road would connect the towns of Victoria in Oriental Mindoro and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, serving as a bypass between the two provinces.

The project has been in the works for some time but encountered delays due to environmental concerns, particularly the possibility that road construction could affect the tamaraw, the critically endangered wild buffalo endemic to Mindoro.

‘We need to find solutions on how the project can proceed while still protecting the environment,’ Tarriela said in Filipino.

He stressed that infrastructure projects are important to the development of the province but should be implemented in a way that protects the environment for future generations.

The meeting also covered other projects that require an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the DENR, including several coastal road projects, the Lipitan Reservoir Irrigation Projects, and proposed footbridges and bridges in various towns in the province.

Tropical Depression Pilandok will not directly affect the country, while the southwest monsoon, or habagat, will continue to prevail over Luzon and the western part of Visayas on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, weather specialist Veronica Torres said that Pilandok was last estimated 1,050 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon. It maintained its strength as it was carrying a maximum wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 70 kph.

‘Walang direktang epekto sa ating bansa at napakababa naman ng tyansang maglandfall sa anumang parte ng bansa,’ Torres said.

(This does not have a direct effect over the country and it has a low chance of making landfall in any part of the country.)

Torres also said that Pilandok will move east-northeastward and then northeastward in the next 24 hours. It may also traverse northwestward and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

It is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours.

Meanwhile, Torres noted that the habagat will bring heavy rains in the western portion of Luzon. She added that Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan will experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall on Tuesday due to habagat.

Weather disturbances outside the country

Torres also shared that there are currently three weather disturbances being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR.

Tropical Storm Saudel, formerly locally named Obet, was last located 965 kilometers west of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m. Torres said that because of its east-southeast movement, its chance of re-entering the PAR is not ruled out.

A tropical depression seen 645 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes is not forecast to enter the PAR.

Lastly, a low pressure area 3,000 kilometers east of Southern Luzon has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours. Its possibility of entering the PAR is not ruled out.

Malacañang on Tuesday advised motorists to avoid the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) for now after scores were left stranded along sections of the expressway due to severe flooding.

At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed proposals to temporarily suspend toll fees on NLEX, saying that doing so could result in heavier traffic.

‘Bakit ka pa papasok kung traffic na? Wag mo na gamitin muna. I mean, diba? For the meantime, huwag na muna kayong dumaan doon kung hindi naman din siya makakalusot,’ she said.

(Why would you still go there if there’s already heavy traffic? Don’t use it for now. I mean, right? In the meantime, avoid passing through there if you won’t be able to get through anyway.)

‘So anong purpose ng libre? Tanong ko lang. Magandang adhikain ‘yung libre, pero kung ililibre natin, mas maraming sasakyan na papasok. So pag mas maraming papasok na sasakyan mas lalong magkakaroon ng traffic, so dapat nga iwasan muna nila tong NLEX,’ the Palace official continued.

(So what’s the point of making it free? I’m just asking. It’s a good initiative to make it free, but if we make it free, more vehicles will enter. And the more vehicles that enter, the worse the traffic will get. So for now, they should.)

Castro said there was no order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sanction NLEX operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, as the President was focused on finding ways to ease the traffic congestion.

The heavy traffic was caused by severe flooding in the Tulaoc and San Simon Interchange sections in Pampanga, triggered by the overflowing Pampanga River due to persistent monsoon rains.

As of 6:15 p.m. on September 1, heavy traffic was still reported in the northbound and southbound lanes of the Tulaoc (San Simon) and San Simon Interchange.

Despite the heavy traffic, the NLEX corporation said all types of vehicles could pass through Lane 1, while Class 2 and 3 vehicles could pass through Lane 2 of Tulaoc (San Simon).

On Monday, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation said it understood the public’s frustration and apologized for what motorists-especially those traveling with children, elderly passengers, or individuals needing medical attention-had to go through.

Lane 1 of San Simon Interchange is passable by Class 2 and 3 vehicles, except for Class 1 vehicles. Meanwhile, the corporation said that the Libtong, Sta. Rita Northbound Entry, and Pulilan Northbound Entry are temporarily closed to all vehicles while approximately two-kilometer traffic buildup is observed at the Sta. Rita Northbound Exit.

The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) said the ‘Kadiwa on Wheels’ featuring the region’s produce opened at the main office in Quezon City on Tuesday, marking the start of its Metro Manila run.

‘There’s durian, mangosteen, pomelo and various other fruits from Davao being displayed,’ DA-11 said in a public post.

The initiative aims to bring the region’s harvests closer to consumers in Metro Manila and other parts of the country while expanding market opportunities for farmers.

The DA central office will host the first leg of sales until Sept. 3, followed by ‘Kartilya ng Katipunan’ near the Manila city hall on Sept. 4.

Subsequent stops include Cebu City on Sept. 10 to 16, Baguio City on Sept. 25 to 28, and World Trade Center in Pasay City on Oct. 8 to 10.

DA-11’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division aims to strengthen market linkages, expand consumer access, and create better opportunities for local growers.

Based on data, the participating farmer cooperatives and associations are the Davao City Durian Industry Development Council and the Durian Industry Association of Davao City.

The target volume of the Kadiwa on Wheels initiative is 70 metric tons.

The NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament will see two experienced coaches call the shots for Lyceum and Mapua.

First, former Magnolia coach Chito Victolero was appointed as the newest shot-caller for the Cardinals, replacing champion tactician Randy Alcantara.

Not long after that, Lyceum tapped former Phoenix mentor Jamike Jarin to return to the collegiate basketball scene and steer the Pirates.

With both tacticians holding pedigrees in the PBA, the competition just got a lot tougher. Just ask San Beda coach Yuri Escueta and Benilde’s Charles Tiu.

‘It’s such a big thing for college basketball and the NCAA to have coaches of their caliber. For me as a a coach, it’ll be a pleasure to play against them and learn from them,’ Escueta told the Inquirer after the Season 102 press conference at Mall of Asia Arena on Monday.

‘You really have to prepare when you face these kinds of coaches. They’re not just ex-professional league coaches but they’re champions as well. They know how to win titles.’

Victolero made a name for himself in the PBA after helping the Hotshots win the 2018 Governors’ Cup title.

Jarin, meanwhile, is definitely no stranger to the NCAA as he steered the Red Lions to the Season 92 title in 2016 via a sweep of Arellano in the Finals.

Now, both coaches are heading back to the Grand Old League, and while Tiu feels it’ll be a challenge for the Blazers, it will also be a welcome addition to the NCAA.

‘They’re great experienced champion coaches. They will all raise the level of basketball in the NCAA,’ said the Fuel Masters mentor.

‘[It] may be bad for us in our chances to win but good for the league overall,’ he added.

The NCAA officially opens the curtain for Season 102 on September 13 at the same venue.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will push through with the national simultaneous school safety drill for active threat scenarios on Sept. 3 to build ‘calm operational confidence,’ noting fear-inducing elements will be strictly banned.

‘Our goal for September 3 is to build calm operational confidence and muscle memory through proper orientation, not fear,’ said Education Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement on Tuesday.

‘Preparedness saves lives, and trauma-informed execution protects our learners,’ Angara added.

The drills followed school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City.

Earlier, the department postponed the Aug. 25 drill to provide ample time to align its simulation with the child-centered and trauma-informed standards of medical and mental health professionals.

Angara emphasized that school safety policies must treat physical security and mental health as inseparable priorities, with the drills now following health professionals’ suggestions.

‘Safety is not just about physical security; it is equally about protecting our children’s peace of mind,’ said Angara on Tuesday.

‘We are working closely with our medical experts and psychiatric societies to ensure our shared priority for the total well-being of our children remains at the center of our implementation,’ he added.

Under existing disaster risk reduction guidelines, DepEd reiterated that the drill will strictly ban all hyper-realistic or fear-inducing elements such as threat simulations, active aggressor role-players, weapons, and graphic elements.

The first active shooter simulation in July featured a mock role-play attacker using a plastic toy pistol.

During the nationwide drill, classes will practice a step-by-step walkthrough on securing entry points, practicing silent concealment away from windows and reviewing evacuation safety routes.

Police authorities are also strictly prohibited from displaying tactical disarming drills and aggressive uniform displays.

Police were urged to conduct external perimeter security, emergency notification systems, testing dispatch response times, and post-incident learner tracking.

Schools will also provide alternative activities to learners with special needs, disabilities or sensory sensitivities recommended by their parents and guardians.

‘Every kid has their own level of strength and understanding, that’s why we can’t conduct a one-size-fits-all approach to safety,’ Angara said.

After the simulation, guidance personnel and school health officers will also provide first aid and post-drill debriefing sessions to students. -With a report from Sheridan Delfino /

The country’s rice supply is ‘quite secure’ until the end of the year, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., citing rice importation and start of harvest season.

He made the guarantee at the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Rep. Sarah Elago asked Tiu Laurel about the dangers of the country’s dependence on rice importation to our food security.

Tiu Laurel said that as the country aims to lessen its dependence on rice importation, there is a need to irrigate more lands for rice production.

‘As far as our food security for rice, for the year 2026, I’m happy to announce that we are quite secure in our rice requirements until the end of 2026,’ Tiu Laurel said.

He then told lawmakers that the country imported around 3.8 million tons of rice last week. He also attributed the rice security to the start of harvest in the country.

Meanwhile, the DA previously said that the agricultural damage from the effects of southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng rose to around P2.3 billion.

The agency last Thursday noted that 69,615 farmers and fishers were affected by the habagat.

The calamity victims are in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol and Western Visayas.

Despite over 60,000 hectares of farmland affected, Tiu Laurel said that the harvest can still suffice until the end of the year.

‘Our harvest seems to be going well this harvest season. That should carry us over until the end of the year,’ he added. The secretary also said that the country may import up to five million tons of rice this year due to the effects of El Niño.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. and state-owned Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) have secured the coveted original proponent status (OPS) for a P14.8-billion water and wastewater project in New Clark City, which they plan to develop in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

In a statement on Monday, the BCDA said it granted the two companies OPS on Aug. 28 following the evaluation and negotiation of their unsolicited proposal, which seeks to raise New Clark City’s water capacity to about 150 million liters per day (MLD) from the current 20 MLD to 30 MLD.

Securing OPS gives Maynilad and K-Water an advantage as the public-private partnership (PPP) project moves through the approval and competitive challenge process.

The OPS, which is valid for one year, gives the consortium the right to match the best competing offer during the Swiss Challenge. In case of a tie between the original proponent and a challenger, the PPP project will be awarded to the original proponent.

As the project advances, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said the planned infrastructure would help New Clark City meet growing demand for water and wastewater services as more investments move into the Tarlac site.

Among the largest developments being planned for the site is the Pax Silica hub, a 1,619-hectare artificial intelligence and industrial enclave expected to accommodate facilities such as semiconductor and electronics factories.

‘Growth requires infrastructure that can keep up with it. Water and wastewater are fundamental to that growth; and we want New Clark City to have a system that is reliable, sustainable and built to meet the needs of the metropolis for the long term,’ Bingcang said.

‘We are building New Clark City for the decades ahead. That means putting in place the basic systems that will allow businesses to invest, communities to grow and the city to manage its resources responsibly,’ he added.

The OPS award follows Maynilad’s board approval of its participation in the nearly P15-billion joint venture, which the water concessionaire said was being considered for a 25-year term.