Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday questioned why nearly half of the Office of the President’s (OP) proposed budget next year falls under secret funds, a query left unanswered after lawmakers opted to forego questioning.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 37-5 to swiftly end debate on the OP’s P10.1 billion proposed budget, cutting short discussions after the panel deferred questioning over its spending plan due to parliamentary courtesy.

But Tinio pressed his point, urging transparency be applied across all agencies.

‘Why is it that almost half of the budget of the Office of the President is confidential and intelligence funds?’ he told lawmakers in Filipino, as around P4.56 billion was earmarked for spending beyond traditional scrutiny.

Confidential and intelligence funds are to be spent on surveillance and intelligence information gathering activities, according to a 2015 joint circular between the Commission on Audit (COA) and several agencies.

Tinio said the OP should explain its allotments meant for secret expenses, amid claims that Vice President Sara Duterte misused secret funds that had formed a key plank of impeachment efforts against her.

‘If P612.5 million in confidential funds is under scrutiny… why is the Office of the President not explaining why its confidential and intelligence funds are that big?’, he said.

‘We need a fair application of the principle of transparency,’ he added.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has the right to hold secret funds as the nation’s chief executive.

He also noted that COA had rendered an unmodified opinion on OP’s finances, which he described as ‘the highest opinion ever for all government agencies.’

‘The president is the chief executive officer. The president is the head of state, so his first job is to ensure law and order and that is where confidential funds are being used,’ he told reporters in mixed English and Filipino. ‘To the intelligence fund, he is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and that is important for national security,’ he added.

he Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Tuesday appealed for budget increases in some of their projects to respond to the possible impacts of El Niño in the country.

During the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the budget proposal of the two agencies, committee chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing asked both agencies if they allotted contingency funds under the 2027 National Expenditure Program for possible effects of El Niño on farmers and fisherfolk.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that his agency needs budget increases for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAF), noting that the distribution rate of PAF for this year stood at 57.67 percent and may be exhausted by next month due to the effects of southwest monsoon to the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.

He added that the agency needs another P8.7 billion for the fertilizer assistance funds for farmers and additional P10 billion to P12 billion for fisherfolk under the programs of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Meanwhile, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen asked the House lawmakers for an increase in the agency’s quick response fund (QRF). He shared that the NIA only has P300 million allotted for its QRF this year, which he said will not be enough.

Suansing then asked them to categorize the items allotted for El Niño response, noting that this is for them to give special consideration to their requests.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said that a moderate to strong El Niño is present in the Tropical Pacific. Citing climate models, it added that El Niño will persist until the first half of 2027 and may reach a very strong state until the end of 2026

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is seeking to ease requirements for listing sponsors as part of efforts to encourage more small, medium and emerging (SME) companies to tap the stock market.

In a consultation paper, the bourse outlined seven proposed changes covering sponsor accreditation, continuing sponsorship, ownership limits and fees.

Comments will be accepted until Sept. 7.

Among the key changes is the removal of the three-year firm-level track record requirement for certain sponsor applicants.

Under the proposal, an applicant may qualify either by having at least five years of experience in a leading role in initial public offerings or significant corporate finance transactions or by having at least two key officers with such experience.

The PSE said the change would open the program to firms that may lack the required corporate track record but employ sufficiently experienced personnel.

‘The main objective for the removal of the professional indemnity insurance requirement is to reduce the upfront costs for potential sponsors,’ the PSE said.

Big fee reduction

Sponsors, however, remain responsible with the listing applicant for false, inaccurate or misleading information submitted to the exchange.

The PSE also proposed cutting the initial admission fee to P50,000 from the current P3.5 million. In exchange, sponsors will pay a fixed P250,000 endorsement fee for every applicant they endorse for listing.

The local bourse also wants to remove the existing safe harbor exception to increase sponsor accountability, strengthen market integrity and protect investors.

Perpetual accreditation

Another proposal is to make sponsor accreditation perpetual, subject to annual review and continuing compliance with qualification and reportorial requirements. Accreditation currently lasts three years.

The PSE noted that sponsor accreditation in Bursa Malaysia, Singapore Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Exchanges and Japan Exchange Group is perpetual in nature and just subject to annual review and fees.

Meanwhile, the PSE wants to remove the requirement for sponsors to provide continuing sponsorship services for three years after a company’s listing, an obligation that potential sponsors described as ‘too onerous.’

The exchange is likewise proposing to remove the current 5-percent limit on a sponsor’s ownership in the sponsored company after listing.

The 20-percent threshold at the time of filing the listing application will remain.

Failure to sponsor or endorse at least one company within five years of initial accreditation could also become a ground for regulatory action, subject to an exception when the sponsor can show it had evaluated prospective applicants but found them unsuitable after due diligence.

Gilas Pilipinas shifts from the euphoria of completing a home sweep in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers to making sure it can defend its gold medal in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Coach Tim Cone is making a quick turnaround as he is now set to handle a completely different lineup-and even a completely different system-for the continental showcase set Sept. 10 to 20.

‘From what I’ve seen from that team, they’re a lot of fun to watch,’ Cone said. ‘I think the fans and the countrymen are gonna have a lot of fun watching that team.’

An all-PBA squad will comprise the team for the Asiad, with a spot reserved for Justin Brownlee should he decide to return after skipping the window.

NLEx’s Robert Bolick and Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum are among the notable candidates to make the Asiad roster, with their games seemingly fitting the team’s playing style.

On the other hand, three players from the window pool will move into the Asiad buildup: Converge twin towers Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana and Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos.

Abarrientos didn’t make the cut for the window, Baltazar saw limited action against Jordan, while Arana was placed in the final 12 against Iran after Carl Tamayo went down with a sprained ankle.

Cone said Arana had already trained with the Asian Games squad, while Baltazar and Abarrientos will have to get up to speed when they join Tuesday’s practice.

Assistants Richard del Rosario, Josh Reyes and Jong Uichico were tasked to oversee the Asiad preparations while Cone was busy with the Qualifiers, and Cone has allowed that squad to go in a different direction.

‘It’s a different system, they’re not playing my system,’ Cone said. ‘They’re playing a different system, and more of an up-tempo, push the ball because they’re a little bit smaller. Obviously they’re smaller because they don’t have Kai [Sotto] and AJ [Edu] and June Mar [Fajardo] playing.

‘So they’re smaller, so they’re gonna use their speed and quickness to get up and down the floor. So it’ll be really interesting to watch and see how they play against Jordan or Iran, and kinda compare them to the window team.’

Police units across Mimaropa arrested 697 fugitives and seized about P45.7 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled goods as the Police Regional Office in Mimaropa intensified its anti-criminality campaign from May 8 to Aug. 31.

The arrests included 204 Most Wanted Persons and 493 other wanted individuals, the MIMAROPA police said.

Police also conducted 139 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted in 157 arrests and the seizure of 680.82 grams of shabu, 80.53 grams of marijuana leaves, 5.4353 grams of marijuana kush, and 2,015.90 grams of cocaine. The drugs were estimated to be worth P15,330,062.12.

Meanwhile, 8 anti-smuggling operations resulted in the arrest of 22 suspects and the seizure of smuggled goods valued at about P30.4 million.

Combined, the two operations accounted for approximately P45.7 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled goods seized during the period.

Mimaropa police also stepped up its campaign against loose firearms, conducting 171 operations and accounting for 177 firearms. Of these, 148 were voluntarily surrendered, 29 were confiscated, and one was captured.

Authorities turned over 89 firearms for safekeeping while two cases were filed in court, police said.

The campaign against illegal logging yielded 21,347 board feet of lumber and other forest products valued at about P1.47 million. Police conducted 46 operations, arrested 49 suspects, and filed 11 cases in court.

In its campaign against illegal gambling, PRO Mimaropa conducted 27 operations that led to the arrest of 97 people and the confiscation of cash and other items valued at P63,303.

‘Our personnel have to remain focused on the ground. We have to act on information, go after those involved in criminal activities, and prevent these threats from reaching our communities,’ said Police Brig. Gen. Dela Cruz, Mimaropa police regional director.

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is considering listing its international business in Hong Kong as the homegrown fast-food giant moves forward with plans to separate its overseas operations from its Philippine business.

On Tuesday, JFC said it was contemplating a separate listing of Jollibee Foods Corporation International (JFCI) on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).

JFCI would hold the group’s existing international business.

The company chose Hong Kong after assessing which market would best suit JFCI’s geographic footprint, business profile and long-term ambitions.

JFC said HKEX would give the international unit access to a broad pool of global and regional investors.

JFCI sees Hong Kong as a natural fit, leveraging its Asia presence and brand recognition to support North American expansion.

The move advances JFC’s plan, first announced in January, to create two independently listed companies with separate strategic priorities and investment profiles.

Under the contemplated transaction, JFC will distribute JFCI shares to its existing shareholders based on their current interests in JFC as of a specified record date, while adhering to applicable taxes and legal and regulatory requirements.

Meanwhile, JFC will remain listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and will retain the group’s Philippine operations and businesses.

The transaction remains subject to corporate restructuring and diligence, market conditions and required approvals, including clearance from HKEX’s listing committee.

JFC stressed that the final terms and timing-and whether the separation and listing will ultimately proceed-remain uncertain.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday formally placed the province under a state of calamity over damage caused by the southwest monsoon and by Tropical Depressions Maymay and Neneng.

The resolution was approved upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano.

According to the PDRRMC assessment, total damage across various sectors had reached P2.195 billion.

Infrastructure and agriculture were among the sectors hardest hit by prolonged rains, according to the provincial government.

The declaration will allow the provincial government and concerned agencies to mobilize resources and implement measures to assist affected communities and sectors.

The province is also seeking the allocation and utilization of P25.726 million in the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to address the immediate needs of residents affected by the calamity.

The state of calamity declaration comes as authorities continue to assess and respond to the damage caused by the adverse weather in Occidental Mindoro.

House leaders paid tribute to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III on his 65th birthday on Tuesday, praising his ‘steady, inclusive, and results-driven leadership’ in strengthening and restoring public trust in the lower chamber.

In a surprise birthday activity organized by House officials and staff, Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Ferdinand ‘Dinand’ Hernandez of South Cotabato praised Dy, saying: ‘I have always believed in your sincerity, determination, and unwavering commitment to introduce meaningful change in Congress, even when the decisions were difficult, and the challenges seemed overwhelming. You stood your ground, ushered in a new normal, and helped restore the public’s trust in the institution.’

‘You have quietly and steadily done the job, never seeking the spotlight, and let the results speak for themselves – Congress has delivered a remarkable performance and continues to do so under your watch,’ Hernandez added.

Hernandez also thanked Dy for the trust and friendship they developed in Congress.

‘I’m proud to call you my Speaker, my boss, my mentor, and most importantly, my friend. I will always be grateful for your friendship, guidance, and most of all, the trust you have placed in me. God bless you always! Together with my constituents from the 2nd District and the Province of South Cotabato, we wish you a happy birthday, Boss Bojie!’ he added.

Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos of Ilocos Norte also thanked Dy for his leadership and for helping him fulfill his responsibilities.

Marcos credited the speaker for rallying members of the House and keeping the chamber united and focused on performing its constitutional mandate for the people.

For Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Dy’s ability to work with lawmakers across political lines is rooted in both his character and his long experience in public service.

‘Napakabuting tao,’ Libanan said of Dy.

(‘A very good person.’)

Libanan noted Dy’s being in public service for four decades, beginning as a barangay chair and eventually rising to become House speaker, attributing his longevity to ‘competence, hard work, and humility.’

He also credited Dy with taking the helm of the House at a difficult period when public ratings of the institution had declined, and successfully steering the chamber toward improved public trust and approval ratings.

Meanwhile, House Secretary General Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil called Dy ‘the best Speaker in the history of the House,’ citing in particular his genuine concern for the welfare of House employees.

Visibly moved by the surprise celebration, Dy thanked his House colleagues and staff for their support, saying: ‘Sa amin sa probinsya, laging pinagmamalaki namin yung unity – pagkakaisa natin – regardless kung ano yung paniniwala natin, kung ano yung ating posisyon sa buhay… pero pagdating sa trabaho, pagdating sa kabutihan ng mas nakakarami, nagsasama-sama tayo para diyan.’

(‘In our province [Isabela], we’ve always been proud of unity – our unity – regardless of what we believe, of what our station in life is… but when it comes to work, when it comes to what’s good for the majority, we joined together for that.’)

‘Palakasin pa natin yung ating paniniwala na kayang-kaya nating ibangon ang Bagong Kongreso,’ he added.

(‘Let us strengthen our trust that we can easily raise the Bagong Kongreso [New Congress],’)

Flood control measures in Central Luzon, including an ongoing river dredging program for the past seven years and the construction of flood control structures along major waterways, have proved ineffective in the past days against flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or ‘habagat.’

Thousands of families were again forced to evacuate as the death toll in the region from the effects of the monsoon rose to 31 as of Monday, with most of the fatalities from Zambales and Bulacan.

Damage estimate

The Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that 710 families, or 14,052 people, had so far been evacuated. Of these, 552 families, or 10,242 people, were in evacuation centers as of Aug. 30.

Botolan recorded the highest number of evacuees in shelters with 3,491 people, followed by Cabangan with 1,938.

Agricultural damage and losses, on the other hand, reached P37.55 million, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. Rice accounted for P21.58 million, affecting 1,069.42 hectares and 1,267 farmers.

A state of calamity was earlier declared in Zambales following widespread flooding and damage from successive days of heavy rains.

‘Ground zero’

In Bulacan, the so-called ‘ground zero’ of the flood control controversy, at least 15 people have died and three others injured since Aug. 10 amid heavy rains and widespread flooding.

The province also remains under a state of calamity, with all 23 towns and cities affected by floods as high as 1.8 meters (6 feet) in some areas.

Fed up with the situation, at least 34 people’s organizations staged an anti-corruption rally in Bulacan on Monday, demanding an end to reclamation projects and calling for accountability among officials linked to the flood control scandal.

The groups, under the banner of Kilos Bulacan, also called for comprehensive environmental and flood control measures, compensation for flood victims, and stronger action on climate change.

The protesters first gathered at Malolos City Hall Amphitheater and near MacArthur Highway before proceeding to the provincial capitol to hold a short program.

Kilos Bulacan leader Obet Rodrigo said many of Bulacan’s rivers remain swollen, while Leonides Laderas of Hagonoy said the Aug. 31 rally was only the first in a series of planned street protests.

Heavy traffic on NLEx

In Pampanga, motorists traveling on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) on Sunday were stuck in traffic for hours because of floodwaters ranging from knee to waist-deep in the San Simon and Tulaoc areas.

‘Five hours hardly moving, with nowhere to go and no way to get off the expressway,’ Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said of his ‘miserable’ experience in a Facebook post on Monday.

Ironically, the Tulaoc overpass bridge had been raised by 0.7 meters three years ago to help prevent flooding in the area. It was also the first time the San Simon Interchange ended up underwater.

The flooded portions along NLEx resulted in a long line of vehicles stretching about 8 km on the northbound side and roughly 6 km on the southbound side, NLEx Corp. assistant vice president for traffic operations Robin Ignacio said in a television interview.

For David, the ordeal was particularly ‘frustrating’ because flooding in San Simon was hardly a surprise while NLEx Corp., which had access to real-time traffic information, knew which sections were flood-prone.

‘We pay substantial toll fees precisely because we expect a toll expressway to provide a reasonably safe, properly maintained and efficiently managed facility,’ he said.

Monthlong death toll

Successive tropical cyclones, combined with the enhanced habagat, have caused widespread flooding in many parts of the country since Aug. 1, leaving 33 dead.

The Office of Civil Defense said on Monday that it is verifying reports about 14 additional fatalities.

Eleven of the fatalities are still under verification, supposedly drowned-nine in San Marcelino, Zambales; and one each in Olongapo City and Capas town in Tarlac. The remaining three were killed in landslides – two in Zambales and the third in Porac, Pampanga. OCD Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro IV said that four other individuals were missing after the collapse of the Agana Bridge in Tarlac City. This was on top of the three previously reported.

The death toll of 33 was reported earlier in the day by OCD Director Vicente Gregorio Tomas in a press briefing. He said that 19 others had suffered injuries, while the monsoon has so far affected a total of 8.8 million people nationwide

Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) saw revenues rise in the first half of 2026, giving the tollway operator a lift as it works to seal its mammoth merger with conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

MPTC said toll revenues grew 8 percent to P19.6 billion during the January-to-June period, driven by its expanding road network in the Philippines, stronger operations in Indonesia and contributions from overseas investments.

That growth came despite slightly softer traffic at home, which accounts for more than 90 percent of its revenues, as average daily vehicle entries declined 1 percent to 715,200.

Across MPTC’s regional portfolio, however, average daily vehicle entries still edged up 1 percent to about 2.5 million, buoyed by a 3-percent increase in Indonesia to 1.67 million vehicles a day.

MPTC attributed the revenue growth partly to the opening of Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B Phase 1 and Calax Subsection 3. In Indonesia, stable logistics activity, tariff adjustments and improved toll-road access also supported its performance.

The company said earnings from its equity investments in Indonesia likewise boosted core profit.

Only MPTC’s Philippine tollway assets are expected to be folded into the planned merger with SMC, Pangilinan said earlier.

Both groups are now working to seal the deal before year-end, with SMC chair and CEO Ramon Ang expected to lead the combined tollway company. Pangilinan previously said SMC could own about 55 percent.

Ahead of the planned merger, MPTC continues to expand its domestic network.

Capital expenditures reached P7.6 billion in the first half, although this was 5-percent lower year on year as right-of-way and construction issues affected project completion schedules.

Ongoing projects include North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Segment 8.2 Section 1A, the remaining Calax subsections, Cavitex-Calax Link Expressway, Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B Phase 2 and remaining works on the NLEx Connector.

MPTC’s regional portfolio now spans more than 1,100 kilometers of toll roads across the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

In the Philippines, the company operates the NLEx, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and the NLEx Connector.