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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it may look into banks after a congressional inquiry flagged large cash transactions linked to a flood control scandal, although the watchdog declined to say whether such an investigation was already underway.

The state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), meanwhile, ‘strongly refuted’ any insinuations of irregularity in its handling of government contractor accounts, stressing that all questioned transactions had complied with mandated procedures.

AMLC Executive Director Matthew David told the Inquirer that under its supervisory and investigative mandates, the council also examines potential administrative and criminal liabilities of covered entities, including banks and their employees, for compliance lapses.

Still, David stopped short of saying whether the AMLC had opened a specific probe, citing confidentiality rules.

Sanctions

But he said the AMLC may check whether banks and other covered entities were meeting their legal duties, including vetting clients under ‘know your customer’ rules, keeping proper records, and filing required transaction and suspicious activity reports on time.

‘Noncompliance with these obligations may result in enforcement actions under the Enforcement Action Guidelines, and administrative sanctions under the Rules of Procedure in Administrative Cases,’ David said, adding that failure to submit required reports may also give rise to liability under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

‘The AMLC remains committed to upholding the integrity of the financial system and ensuring that all covered entities adhere to their legal obligations in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing,’ he continued.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched its probe into potential vulnerabilities of concerned banks in relation to transactions involving flood control projects. The review, it said, was aimed at determining the scope of any lapses and holding lenders accountable where shortcomings are found.

The BSP opened the inquiry following explosive testimony in congressional hearings, where witnesses described large cash withdrawals and deliveries to lawmakers allegedly tied to irregular flood control projects.

Photos of stacks of banknotes submitted as evidence of kickbacks to legislators intensified public anger, sparking mass protests on Sept. 21. The AMLC has issued more than 700 freeze orders covering bank accounts, insurance policies and other assets of individuals linked to the alleged scheme.

At a Senate hearing on Sept. 25, senators questioned contractor Sally Santos, who admitted withdrawing P457 million in cash in just two days from a LandBank branch in Bulacan. Santos, owner of Syms Construction Trading, is among several contractors implicated in the flood control scandal.

Lawmakers also pressed Ma. Lilibeth Lim, the branch manager who authorized the withdrawal. Lim reasoned out that since the account was tied to a government agency, it was not treated as suspicious. Under existing laws, transactions involving P500,000 or more in cash must be reported to the AMLC as a covered transaction.

In a statement on Monday, LandBank said the funds were legitimate government allocations under the annual national budget law, not private or unverified sources. Therefore, it argued that the bank, ‘or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements.’

‘LandBank reiterates that its role is to faithfully execute banking transactions in accordance with law and regulatory standards, and not to assume investigatory functions outside its legal mandate,’ it added.

Last Sept. 28, the nation should have remembered the birthday of Wenceslao ‘Bintao’ Vinzons. But few did. Many young Filipinos have never even heard his name. Among the older generations, his story has faded into the footnotes of World War II. And yet, in a time when the country is engulfed by scandal after scandal-when public office is reduced to the pursuit of family wealth, dynasty, and kickbacks-Vinzons’ life and death strike with the force of an indictment.

We are living through a crisis of corruption and impunity. The images seared into the public imagination are obscene: bundles of thousand-peso bills stacked on tables, waiting to be delivered as kickbacks; words like tara and obligasyon now part of the common tongue, as if plunder were as ordinary as breathing. Politicians shrug off exposés, tighten their seat belts, and ride out the storm. They know anger can be loud but fleeting. What is left is a public demoralized, persuaded that the Philippine government is little more than a criminal syndicate in barong tagalog.

This is why Vinzons matters now. Born in 1910 in Indan, Camarines Norte, he became the UP student council chair and editor of the Philippine Collegian. He was a visionary, farseeing, brilliant advocate for a pan-Malay union. He founded Young Philippines, a political party of law students who insisted that the youth was not a waiting room but a vanguard. At 24, he was a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention. At 27, he was governor. At 29, a congressman. But his true test came not in the halls of lawmaking but in the forests of Bicol.

When Japan invaded, Vinzons organized 2,800 guerrillas in Camarines Norte. His command was one of the earliest, fiercest resistance groups in the country. For the Japanese, neutralizing Vinzons was essential. When he was captured in 1942, they offered him collaboration: help pacify the resistance in exchange for his life. He refused.

But the refusal did not cost him alone. The Japanese retaliated by executing six members of his family-his father Gabino, his wife Liwayway, his sister, and two of his children. An unborn child was lost with Liwayway. Vinzons knew this was likely. He chose the nation anyway.

This is the staggering reversal. In the Philippines, the family has always rivaled the state for the loyalty of its citizens. Politicians rationalize dynasties as the necessary scaffolding of competitiveness for public office. But Vinzons turned this proposition on its head. He chose to sacrifice his family so that the nation-and the families of 2,800 guerrillas under his command-might live.

Measured against that, how obscene is today’s corruption! We have a President who, in his State of the Nation Address, could only scold the corrupt with the rebuke: ‘Mahiya naman kayo.’ But shame without civic grounding means little. What we lack is the civic virtue that once allowed a 31-year-old congressman to die rather than betray his people. The civic duty that animated Vinzons has all but dissipated.

Corruption begins in the mind. It thrives in the rationalization that ‘everyone does it,’ that loyalty to family excuses betrayal of the nation. Every time we sing ‘ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo,’ we should remember that Vinzons lived and died those words-and that his sacrifice should shame our officials who equate patriotism with lining the pockets of their kin.

The tragedy is not only that Vinzons is forgotten. It is that his sacrifice has not become the beacon it should be. In a time when young people flood the streets in anger at corruption, his story should guide them. He embodied what it means to be a Filipino youth activist: principled, fearless, incorruptible. He was, in every sense, the father of student activism, the proof that youth is not preparation but power.

If our institutions are to regain legitimacy, they must show the courage Vinzons showed-not in death, but in action. Arrest and prosecute the guilty, no matter their family name. Make the national budget a paragon of transparency. Empower civil society and youth organizations to act as watchdogs, armed with technology and civic discipline.

Otherwise, public rage will flare and fade, as it always has. But if we take Vinzons seriously-if we allow his forgotten name to rebuke us-we may yet recover the civic virtue to save this democracy. He died at 31, but he has not finished speaking to the Filipino spirit and soul.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) significantly cut its growth forecasts for the Philippines to below 6 percent, citing external headwinds that could weigh on investments. The ADB trimmed its outlook for the country in 2025 to 5.6 percent, from its old estimate of 6 percent, according to the Manila-based lender’s flagship Asian Development Outlook report released Tuesday.

For 2026, the ADB slashed its forecast to 5.7 percent from 6.1 percent before.

While the revised 2025 prediction would settle near the lower limit of the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target, the ADB’s downgraded 2026 forecast would fall short of the official 6 to 7 percent goal for next year.

‘In the Philippines, forecasts are lowered as global trade uncertainty dampens investor sentiment,’ the Bank said.

‘However, low inflation and an accommodative monetary policy are expected to support domestic demand in the near term,’ it added.

The Italians proved they were still the Kings of Volleyball as they ruled the FIVB Men’s World Championship for the second consecutive time after outlasting the young Bulgarian side, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, in front of a tournament-best 16,429 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

More than keeping Italy on top of the world, team captain and now two-time Best Setter Simone Giannelli put a spotlight on the importance of cementing their legacy in the Philippines, which has volleyball as a rising sport, and inspiring the Filipino youth.

‘It’s very important because we have all things but all around the world is not like this,’ he said.

‘I think that we have to do something great with our presence in every country [that we] visit,’ added Giannelli after displaying his playmaking brilliance to bring out the best in Italy’s Yuri Romano, Mattia Bottolo and MVP Alessandro Michieletto.

Giannelli was one of the six players, Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas also among them, who were painted on the mural of an outdoor court in Parañaque, in the Volleyball Legacy Art Project.

‘I’m very grateful for what the Filipinos did for me,’ he said. ‘Because that playground, it’s amazing, the artist I want to know him and to congratulate him, to thank him and all the volleyball family because it was an amazing initiative. The Volleyball Foundation is very, very good because it makes good things for the sport.’

The hosting of the Men’s World Championship will probably change the landscape of Philippine men’s volleyball after the best of the best, like Italy, surprise runner-up Bulgaria and World No.1 and bronze medalist Poland, showcased their talents here to inspire a new generation of Filipino youth, along with Alas Pilipinas, which proved it belonged on the world stage.

Giannelli, who has won championships for their national team and several clubs overseas, has important advice for the Filipinos who showered him and his team and other participating countries with love.

‘Never in my life [have] I thought that I would be representing a court in the Philippines, in Manila, and to be there forever. It’s amazing for the kids. The message that I can give to them is to try to be a good person,’ said the 2022 World Championship MVP.

‘[Being good] is what we need now, and enjoy the sport and stay together with your friends and family and make the sport great.’

Bottolo, who rose to the occasion in the final, firing seven aces to finish with 19 points, was grateful to the Filipinos for making them feel at home.

‘Being far away from home for three weeks, just training and hotel, was really tough for us. This is the World Championship, and if you want to play that, you have to live this toughness. The Philippines has helped us a lot because your people are incredible,’ said Bottolo. ‘They treated us very well every day, so I have to say thank you very much.’

Romano, who unleashed 22 points in the final, agreed. ‘The fans, the fans are crazy, we feel all their love and we feel they cheer for us. It’s very fun to be here,’ said Romano. INQ

There is something almost sacred about the way we care for ourselves when no one is watching. These moments are unfiltered and unperformed, rituals that ask for no applause and require no audience.

For me, the heart of it has always been the shower. When I say naked, I do not just mean without clothes. I mean stripped of the day’s weight. In the shower I am free. I am not performing beauty. I am experiencing it. A shower after heartbreak, a long night out, or even after a good cry is one of the quickest ways to feel like me again. It is therapy disguised as hygiene. Science agrees with what instinct already knows. Hot water soothes tense muscles, opens pores, and softens the skin so products are absorbed more effectively. It also releases endorphins, which explains why long showers can feel meditative.

Cold water tells a different story. Dermatologists say it tightens pores, reduces inflammation, and boosts circulation. Researchers have even found that it can trigger a natural dopamine rush. Whether I linger in heat or finish with an icy rinse, I step out, feeling changed.

Gestures of care

Then there are the products, which become their own quiet language. I have always preferred body wash. While bar soaps are timeless, they can strip natural oils and may harbor bacteria when left in humid spaces. Liquid cleansers tend to be more hygienic and hydrating, and for my dry skin, that makes a difference. But beyond utility, there is something indulgent about body wash. The creamy texture, the fragrance, the lather. It transforms a basic task into something almost luxurious. I also keep Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Scrub in my shower for when I want something more transformative, a polish that leaves me feeling renewed.

Lately, skincare has become an even deeper act of presence. What used to be a simple two-step routine has grown into something more layered. I now alternate between nine thoughtfully chosen products: hydrating serums, exfoliants, nourishing oils. I have grown especially fond of Good Molecules, but I also reach for the elegance of Clé de Peau. Occasionally, I borrow a little La Mer from my mother’s vanity.

Lately, skincare has become an even deeper act of presence. What used to be a simple two-step routine has grown into something more layered. I now alternate between nine thoughtfully chosen products: hydrating serums, exfoliants, nourishing oils.

It is not about luxury for the sake of it. It is about how it all feels. My skin, once perpetually dry, now feels cared for. Every step is a gesture of respect toward the body I live in.

I never go through these rituals in silence. Music fills the room as I take my time, giving each step its own rhythm. I even dance a little. A ‘dancey dance’ between serums and oils. It makes me smile. It reminds me that beauty does not always require a mirror. Sometimes it is just about feeling good where you are.

Well-being without tension

A few days ago, I stayed at The Westin Manila. I arrived open but exhausted, hoping for a pause I had not made time for. The experience was serene in the best way. It centered rest and invited reflection without demanding it.

On my first afternoon, I was welcomed at the Heavenly Spa, where a full-body massage unraveled the tension I have been holding for months. That massage, followed by sunset yoga on the top floor with the city glowing in streaks of gold, grounded me more than I expected. I embraced my body’s full range of motion, each stretch peeling back a deeper layer I had not realized I was holding. The next morning, I stayed in and gave my body what it asked for: rest. I eventually made my way to their Wellness Market, where I tried a scoop of King Kim’s sugar-free ice cream, which surprised me with its richness. I also picked up a pack of Earth Desserts’ tablea crisps, a healthy treat that I will be repurchasing. The entire space was designed to support well-being without overwhelming the senses, allowing me to be fully immersed in my own rhythm.

The privilege of inner peace

What I love about these rituals is how ordinary they are. They are not reserved for the wealthy or glamorous. They are available to anyone with water, a little soap, and a willingness to be present. Of course, I know not everyone has that access. A long shower, a massage, even stillness. These are all privileges. That awareness makes the rituals more meaningful. Whenever I enter the water or press serum into my skin, I try to treat it as a blessing.

It was my grandfather who taught me to think this way. He swore by his routine, long before I understood why. His skin carried proof of that. Even now, when I smooth on oil or layer something hydrating, I think of him. There is something beautiful in the idea that private acts of care can leave such visible legacies.

Sometimes, these rituals are what prepare us to meet the world with more intention. The way I oil my legs, brush my hair, or dry off with a fresh towel is not about vanity. It is about acknowledgement. I was here. I am still here. And I am worthy of care.

That weekend stay reminded me of that. It showed me that slowing down is not an indulgence. It is a form of listening. And what my body said back was simple: ‘Thank you.’

Because in the end, these small acts accumulate. They are not wasted minutes. They are not vanity. They are checkpoints. Tiny reminders that I am alive. That I am worth showing up for, even when no one else is watching.

Some senators are now reluctant or a bit ‘allergic’ to the term ‘insertion’ in the budget, which has become associated with questionable flood control projects.

Sen. JV Ejercito reiterated during Monday’s hearing of the subcommittee on finance that there was nothing improper with lawmakers proposing amendments after deliberating on the proposed budget of a government agency.

‘Maybe it’s just not being understood because of the issues. Now, some people have become afraid-whenever they hear ‘amendment’ or ‘insertion,’ they think it’s something bad. But not all amendments or insertions are bad, because if they improve, enhance, or supplement effective programs, then they are very important. And that’s part of our job-to make sure we function better,’ he said during the hearing.

‘We’ve become somewhat allergic to the word ‘insertion,” Ejercito later added, noting that it is through legislative interventions or amendments that legislators could help improve an agency’s programs.

Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda rued how the Senate ‘has been unfairly brutalized’ because of amendments in the budget, also referred to as ‘insertions.’

But she noted government agencies are the ones seeking additional funding whenever they present their budget proposal to Congress.

Take the case of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which asked the Senate during Monday’s hearing to realign some items in its budget to other locally funded projects.

At the start of the hearing, Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez appealed to senators to reconsider their budget, as the ‘bulk’ of the agency’s capital outlay for infrastructure is for railway projects.

Lopez then said that, as ‘part of a department initiative,’ the DOTr was requesting some ‘reallocation or realignment’ that it deems important and necessary to fund other locally funded projects.

‘I’m glad that Secretary Lopez mentioned that because in the past days, including today, the Senate has been unfairly brutalized regarding proposed amendments, which were called insertions,’ Legarda said.

However, she said, she has yet to see an agency that does not request additional allocations during budget season.

‘When the Senate adds (funding), we’re judged, and people will say we are already amending, which is our constitutional duty. But for those who perhaps do not understand or are unaware of the process, they call it an ‘insertion.’ So we’re caught in a bind,’ Legarda said. ‘That’s not an insertion-that is a carefully studied amendment by the Senate, and that is part of the Senate’s duty,’ she further said. /das/abc

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson said on Monday that members of the House of Representatives also made their own amendments or insertions in the 2025 national budget, with the total exceeding by ‘much, much more’ those made by the Senate.

Lacson earlier bared that ‘almost all senators’ under the 19th Congress inserted at least P100 billion worth of items in last year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA), mostly in favor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), for infrastructure projects, including flood control.

Citing information he accessed, the chief of the Senate blue ribbon committee said the list of the House members who made insertions in the DPWH’s favor in last year’s GAA was several pages long, with the names in alphabetical order. ‘It was like a roll call,’ Lacson said in an interview on radio dzBB.

When asked if the amount was larger than the insertions made by senators, Lacson replied: ‘Much, much more.’

He explained that the DPWH received such massive insertions because many lawmakers were likely in collusion with the department’s corrupt officials to get their share of huge kickbacks from projects-even if it meant giving the DPWH a bigger budget than the education sector, which was in violation of the 1987 Constitution.

Pattern of corruption

‘The system of corruption has been in place, with lawmakers dealing with the district engineer and former [Public Works] Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. That’s the pattern. You see the DPWH getting a bigger budget than the education sector because everyone involved got greedier and greedier, and stuffed the DPWH’s budget. That is unacceptable,’ he said.

Lacson added that while it is good that a huge part of the insertions were held and tagged ‘for later release,’ this may still affect the economy because properly vetted projects may not get the funding they need.

According to him, budget insertions by themselves are not illegal nor evil, as they are part of the mandate of lawmakers in shaping the national budget.

‘But this mandate has been abused by lawmakers,’ Lacson said.

‘Introducing insertions are not illegal. It is our mandate as lawmakers to review the National Expenditure Program and introduce amendments. The problem is that many lawmakers abused this mandate,’ he added. ‘I hope that in 2026, we will practice self-restraint. The people are angry, so we must reform the way we pass the budget.’

Lacson said the Senate must lead the way in ensuring transparency in budget deliberations, especially during the period of individual amendments in plenary.

Part of regular process

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, defended the individual or institutional amendments or insertions done during Senate deliberations on the national budget, saying these were part of the regular process.

‘It is unfortunate that the issue on ghost projects and failed flood control projects affect and generalized all amendments as illegal or improper,’ Sotto said in a statement on Monday.

He explained that some of the insertions made by lawmakers in the 2025 national budget were for additional classrooms, farm-to-market roads, and bridges that he said would benefit the public, especially those in far-flung provinces.

‘Some of [these] were never funded and were tagged ‘for later release’ (FLR),’ the Senate chief stressed.

Asked then if the insertions by the senators were not improper nor illegal and that only a few may be questionable, Sotto replied: ‘That’s right. Not all of them. They’re usually individual amendments.’

‘Rest assured that for the 2026 budget, the Senate will institute changes for greater transparency, people’s participation and accountability,’ he said.

Sen. JV Ejercito, who was part of the 19th Congress, also defended the amendments in the 2025 budget, saying that introducing changes after the budget hearings was part of the job of lawmakers ‘to support and further improve programs and projects.’ ‘Not all amendments are bad especially those which help agencies and departments,’ Ejercito said.

Damosa Land Inc. has secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its P5.2-million rental pool program, making it the first company to register under the regulator’s new guidelines for real estate securities. The SEC on Tuesday said Damosa Land’s registration statement covered 100 certificates of participation in the condotel project of TRYP by Wyndham Samal, although this is still subject to its compliance with remaining requirements.

The certificates cover 94 standard class condotel units with an offer price of P50,000 each, four deluxe class units worth P75,000 each, and two suite class units at P100,000 each.

Each unit is automatically included in the rental pool program upon purchase. These will be marketed, rented and managed as hotel accommodation for hotel guests without transferring ownership.

Under rental pool arrangements, buyers acquire units that are collectively managed by the developer or a third-party operator. In return, buyers receive a share in the developer’s income earned through renting out the units.

Based on the SEC’s Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2024, rental pool agreements are investment contracts and, therefore, securities that need to be registered with the commission before being offered to the public.

The guidelines cover investment contracts, certificates of participation, profit-sharing agreements and other forms of securities issued by real estate developers in relation to rental pool agreements, such as condotels.

There’s a kind of joy that only toys can bring-the kind that lights up a child’s face the moment they step into a store filled with color, imagination, and endless possibilities. This September, MR.TOY invites families to rediscover that joy through its ‘September to Remember’ celebration, a month-long fiesta of play, surprises, and unbeatable deals.

From September 1 to 30, MR.TOY transforms select malls across Metro Manila and beyond into playgrounds of wonder. Whether you’re a parent looking for the perfect reward, a grandparent planning early Christmas shopping, or simply a kid-at-heart, this is your chance to unwrap happiness-one toy at a time.

Playtime Picks That Spark Imagination Step inside MR.TOY and you’ll find shelves brimming with toys that do more than entertain-they inspire. Highlights include:

Girls Villa and Flying Moco Villa Block Sets – Designed for young dreamers, these building sets encourage storytelling, creativity, and hands-on learning. With charming details and light-up pieces, they’re perfect for kids who love to build their own worlds.

The Infrared R/C Military Dinosaur delivers a roaring fusion of robotics and prehistoric fun, thrilling kids with LED lights, sound effects, and remote-controlled action. Meanwhile, the RoroJump Series brings creativity to life with cheerful brick sets-from birthday boards and pen holders to buildable vehicles-transforming everyday moments into imaginative adventures.

Blast off into playtime with this dynamic duo: the Astronaut-Themed Rubber Bouncy Balls bring lightweight fun and cosmic charm to any celebration, making them ideal for party favors or classroom rewards, while the Carwash Garage Playset-with its rollers, ramps, and rinse stations-invites kids to dive into imaginative storytelling and hands-on motor skill development.

Why Parents Love It Too

MR.TOY isn’t just a hit with kids-it’s a lifesaver for parents. With generous discounts all month long, it’s easier than ever to stock up on gifts, reward good behavior, or surprise your little one ‘just because.’ And with the holidays fast approaching, September is the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping early-minus the stress and crowds.

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Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall

Ayala Malls Feliz

Ayala Malls Marikina

Ayala Malls Manila Bay

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Let the Play Begin!

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Three police officers were wounded during a buy-bust operation that ended in an armed encounter in Batangas City on Monday night, police said.

Batangas police reported Tuesday that around 10 p.m. Monday, members of the city police intelligence unit were conducting a sting operation against suspected gunrunners led by a certain ‘Bonsai’ in Barangay Bolbok.

Investigators said the suspects realized they were dealing with undercover police operatives and opened fire using handguns, hitting a police major and two staff sergeants.

The three injured officers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed by their colleagues to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Police said the suspects fled after the shooting and are now the subject of a police manhunt./coa/abc