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Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson said that while the Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, was still awaiting some developments in the case before scheduling the next hearing, it would already send invitations to Romualdez and his colleagues.

He stressed that this should debunk the perception of some sectors that the Blue Ribbon Committee is targeting, favoring or even ‘protecting’ some personalities.

‘We are not covering up for anyone here,’ the senator said.

In the case of Romualdez, the invitation will be coursed through House Speaker Faustino Dy III, ‘in observation of the time-honored inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two houses of Congress.’

In Co’s case, Lacson said the invitation letter will be sent to his address.

‘Now we know he is abroad and will not show up. If that is the case, we will issue a subpoena, and then a show-cause order,’ Lacson said in an interview on NET25. ‘If the show-cause order is not satisfactory, we will cite him in contempt of the committee and issue a warrant for his arrest,’ he added.

Government troops, acting on community tip-offs, unearthed a cache of firearms and explosives believed to belong to remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Cogon, Carigara, Leyte, on Sunday.

Soldiers from the 93rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, in coordination with the Philippine National Police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), discovered the hidden stockpile at Sitio Eraya, Zone 3.

According to Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commander of the 93IB, the recovery was made possible through the ‘active vigilance’ of residents who relayed information to authorities.

The arms cache was traced to the dismantled Platoon 2, IC-LEVOX of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Items recovered included an M16 rifle, a hand grenade, 118 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, three short magazines, an empty shell, two improvised blasting caps, subversive documents, a Lenovo tablet, five kilograms of rice, assorted clothing, medical supplies, and a backpack.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the cooperation of Carigara residents in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

‘We commend the troops of the 93IB and the PNP for their swift action on the information provided by the community. The cooperation of the people is vital in putting an end to the crimes being perpetrated by the remaining NPA members in Carigara,’ Vestuir said in a statement.

He also renewed his call for the remaining NPA members in Leyte to lay down their arms and avail themselves of government programs designed to help former rebels reintegrate into society.

The latest discovery follows a clash in the same barangay in June 2025 that left three IC-LEVOX members dead, including Juanito Sellesa, alias ‘Tibor,’ a ranking member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee

Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines has officially announced the availability of the new HONOR 400 in Smart Stores nationwide and via the Smart Online Shop, bundled with Smart Signature Plan Plus 1499.Following the successful launch of the HONOR 400 last June 17, the excitement and demand from the public showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, the AI-powered HONOR 400 sold out within just four days after its availability was announced. Today, HONOR proudly brings the much-anticipated HONOR 400 to Smart, one of the country’s leading telecommunications service providers.

‘We’re excited to make the HONOR 400 available through Smart’s Signature Plan Plus 1499. With unbeatable perks, free accessories, and ViLTE support for clearer connections, this offering gives Filipinos the best value to upgrade their mobile lifestyle,’ said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

The HONOR 400 offers a sleek design, AI-powered performance, and seamless 5G connectivity-now made more accessible with Smart’s best-in-value Signature Plan Plus. Smart customers can choose from its three dynamic colorways: Desert Gold, Tidal Blue, or Midnight Black. Every purchase of HONOR 400 with Smart Signature Plan Plus 1499 comes with a FREE JISULIFE Handheld Pro 1S, making it an even smarter deal. Freebies will be available until September 30, 2025, only.

Smart Signature Plan Plus 1499 Inclusions:

40 GB Data for 6 Months and/ 120 GB Data for 6 Months

Unlimited 5G Data for 12 months

Unlimited AllNet Calls and Texts

Unlimited Landline Calls (excluding special numbers)

Free Netflix Mobile Plan or ?149 off on existing plan

Access to Postpaid Perks

Extra 20 GB FREE data for 6 months

The HONOR 400 is available at a total device cost of ?19,700 only, with the added convenience of 0% downpayment when purchased using all major credit cards in the country.This makes owning the latest HONOR smartphone more accessible than ever, giving Filipinos flexible payment options while enjoying premium technology and exclusive Smart Signature Plan Plus perks.HONOR 400: Smarter Connections with Smart ViLTE

Now available with Smart, the HONOR 400 takes everyday communication to the next level with Smart’s Video-over-LTE (ViLTE) feature, exclusive for Smart Postpaid subscribers. With this, Smart users can enjoy:

High-definition video calls with sharper clarity and more reliable connections compared to traditional voice calls

Seamless and stable end-to-end connections, ensuring uninterrupted conversations

No need for third-party apps-simply enable Smart VoLTE and use HONOR’s default Phone app

To maximize this feature, ViLTE calls are supported only between two Smart users, with at least one being a Smart Postpaid subscriber. The device must also be updated to version 9.0.0.165.

Tourism Malaysia is participating in the 3rd annual Travel Sale Expo (TSE) 2025 organized by the Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) in collaboration with Oneklik Event Management The expo is being held at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from September 26 until September 28, 2025. The event aims to highlight unique travel destinations ranging from urban areas to rural landscapes while promoting immersive travel experiences and cultural exchanges. This aligns with this year’s theme, ‘Your Gateway to the World.’ emphasizes Malaysia’s role as an accessible and diverse travel destination for international travelers.

One of the standout features of this year’s expo is the Malaysia Pavilion, designed to resemble a Traditional Malay House. The pavilion provides visitors with a glimpse into Malaysia’s cultural richness, offering interactive exhibits, authentic Malaysian cuisine, and a chance to engage with representatives from various sectors of the Malaysian tourism industry.

Joining Tourism Malaysia in the pavilion are key industry players including Malaysia Airlines, KL Hop-On Hop-Off, Berjaya Hotel Makati and affiliated travel agency MAVP Travel and Tours, which promotes easy exploration of Kuala Lumpur’s top tourist spots. The booth features a range of Malaysian experiences, from culinary delights to cultural performances brought from Malaysia. Visitors can also participate in exclusive prize draws, try-on traditional costume generously supported by partners such as HOHO, Touche Production, Berjaya Hotel Makati and Solaire Resort North. This year, Malaysia is aiming to attract 43 million foreign visitors, with a target of 47 million for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026. From January to July of this year, there were 349,012 Filipinos visited Malaysia, reflecting an 8.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The Travel Sale Expo 2025 is a great platform to help increase the number of Filipino travelers visiting Malaysia. This initiative not only seeks to attract more visitors to the country but also aims to foster strong connections and meaningful partnerships among various organizations, clients, and travelers.

Explore Malaysia at the Travel Sale Expo 2025 at SM Megamall and discover your next getaway.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday it has submitted additional evidence to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the long-running probe into the disappearance of individuals linked to online cockfighting operations.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group turned over five flash drives and new witness affidavits to prosecutors handling complaints of murder and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

The complaints were filed by the missing individuals’ relatives against businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and several others.

‘The submission of these files is part of our continuing effort to build a strong and credible case,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

He added that the PNP cannot disclose details due to the sensitivity of the case.

‘We believe they will help establish accountability and aid in the identification of those responsible,’ Nartatez added.

At least 34 men linked to online cockfighting, or e-sabong, went missing in separate incidents between 2021 and 2022. This prompted investigation on their disappearance.

Nartatez assured the victims’ families that the PNP remains committed to resolving the case.

‘We recognize their long and painful wait for answers, and we continue to exert all efforts to bring closure,’ he said, adding that the police are working closely with the DOJ to pursue all leads.

‘The PNP operates on the principle that no one is above the law,’ he added.

‘We will not allow power or connections to interfere with the investigation or the pursuit of justice.’

No minors remain in the custody of the Manila Police District (MPD) following the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rally in Mendiola, authorities said on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

MPD spokesperson Major Philipp Ines confirmed this in a Viber message with Inquirer.

‘We don’t have any more minors in custody since Sept. 24,’ said Ines.

‘What we have (detainees) are those of legal age who have not yet posted bail,’ he added.

Ines said he was still waiting for an update on the number of remaining detainees so far.

In a separate statement, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reported that 91 minors were initially processed by the Women and Children Protection Center of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development before being transferred to the Manila Social Welfare Office.

Of these, 68 were later released to their parents, while others were either sent to their respective local government units or remained in a youth facility awaiting pickup.

While acknowledging the Manila government’s efforts to uphold children’s rights by focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the CHR stressed the right to peaceful assembly.

‘CHR stands in solidarity with the Filipino people in condemning corruption, which deprives communities of essential services and violates fundamental rights,’ it said.

‘However, while protest is a legitimate exercise of democratic freedom, acts of violence and destruction of property cannot be condoned as they endanger public safety and harm communities,’ the commission said.

The Sept. 21 anti-corruption protest saw mass demonstrations of different groups across the country, with the largest rallies held in Metro Manila denouncing corruption surrounding billion pesos worth of flood control projects.

While demonstrations at the two major sites in Luneta and Edsa remained peaceful, violence broke out in Manila, particularly in Ayala Bridge, Recto, and Mendiola. Over 200 individuals, including minors, were detained.

In a statement released on Sept. 29, the MPD denied allegations of keeping detainees in appalling conditions.

‘Manila – PBGEN ARNOLD E ABAD, Acting District Director, Manila Police District, assures the public that the individuals, including minors and a person with disability (PWD) who were taken into custody were given proper care, disposition and intervention,’ according to the official statement.

MPD said it provided detainees a ‘spacious and air-conditioned room, nutritious food, decent clothing, other basic necessities, and 24-hour security to ensure their safety and welfare.’

It added that no torture, physical abuse or any sort of maltreatment was inflicted upon the arrested individuals in police custody. /cb

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

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday named former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as special adviser and investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Azurin replaces Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who had served only as ICI special adviser but not as an investigator.

‘The administration is confident that General Azurin’s experience and leadership will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate to uphold accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,’ a statement from the Office of the President (OP) on Monday read.

According to the OP, Azurin will formally assume his duties after completing his personal and administrative arrangements.

Meanwhile, the president expressed gratitude to Magalong for his service and contributions during his tenure.

The OP noted that Magalong’s efforts in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the commission had been vital to the government’s campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects.

An llocano like Marcos, Azurin was the first PNP chief appointed under the Marcos administration, taking on the post a month into the president’s term.

He stepped down in April 2023 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Azurin is a member of the Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989.

He served as commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area and the Southern Luzon Police Area and also held star-rank positions at Camp Crame, including as head of the Directorate for Comptrollership and the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management.

Role reviewed

In a briefing earlier on Monday, Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed that Marcos had accepted Magalong’s resignation.

‘The president has received and respects Mayor Magalong’s decision. Our president acknowledges Mayor Magalong’s competence, but we pray that his resignation as special adviser will not affect the work of the ICI, as the commission is fully staffed,’ she said.

The Baguio mayor’s resignation from the ICI followed Marcos’ order to review whether he should remain as special adviser to the ‘super body,’ which is investigating questionable public works projects.

The review was prompted by a P110-million tennis court project in Baguio City, awarded in 2022 to St. Gerrard Construction, one of nine firms owned by contractor-couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya.

Labor groups also recently questioned Magalong’s role in the ICI, arguing that he cannot simultaneously serve as Baguio City mayor and special adviser to the commission.

Call for transparency

Also on Monday, past and present members of the House of Representatives urged the ICI to livestream its hearings on the controversial flood control projects so the public can monitor developments.

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares separately asked the ICI to uphold transparency, noting that the people have been engaged in the latest corruption scandal.

‘This is very disappointing and frustrating – a body with limited powers to investigate anomalous flood control projects, and which is merely a recommendatory board, is not fully accessible to the public,’ De Lima said in a statement.

‘When everyone is fully engaged on the issue of corruption as revealed by the congressional hearings, here comes ICI denying what the public wants. Saang banda ang transparency dun (Where is transparency there)?’ she added.

‘Now that Filipinos are aware of a huge conspiracy and corruption in flood control and other government projects, we should not deprive them of the chance to understand details and join discussions,’ De Lima said. -With a report from Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Young Filipinos know what it takes to stay healthy, but far fewer follow through, highlighting ‘significant’ gaps between awareness and action.

This is based on a new Manulife Philippines study that surveyed 500 respondents nationwide, 40 percent of whom are in Metro Manila.

The survey found that while 83 percent described themselves as knowledgeable about health and wellness, only 76 percent were taking sufficient action.

Millennials and Gen Zs, the study noted, often fell short of their own standards.

On nearly every health measure, the insurer said, practice lagged behind awareness.

About 78 percent of respondents agreed that monitoring sleep quality was essential, but only 63 percent actually did so. The same pattern held true for nutrition, blood pressure, body weight and cholesterol.

The gap was even starker when it came to behavior. While nearly three-quarters of respondents said maintaining a balanced diet was crucial, just 58 percent said they followed one.

Fewer still reported practicing good sleep habits, exercising regularly, balancing work and life, or avoiding smoking.

‘Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs face notable health and wellness gaps,’ the study concluded.

Without a stronger shift from awareness to action, it warned, younger Filipinos could face mounting risks to their long-term well-being and quality of life.

‘While wellness may be a recognized priority, many young Filipinos struggle to consistently practice key health behaviors-especially women, who report a larger gap in achieving work-life balance,’ it added.

Key challenges

The study also found that stress was the most frequently cited obstacle to healthier living, with 64 percent of respondents blaming it for keeping them from their desired level of well-being.

Other barriers included excessive screen time (48 percent), sleep deprivation (45 percent), lack of exercise (42 percent) and poor diet (39 percent).

Millennials reported feeling the strain the most: 69 percent said they struggled with stress, compared with 58 percent of Gen Z respondents.

The two generations also differed in their approach to health and longevity. Millennials placed greater emphasis on physical health and family relationships, while Gen Zs said they were more focused on finding a sense of purpose.

For both, however, maximizing lifespan was not the goal. Just 13 percent of respondents said living as long as possible was a priority.

It seems even the Department of Health (DOH) has its own ‘flood control version’ after the agency revealed that most of the health centers built under its health facilities enhancement program (HFEP) remained idle due to lack of personnel.

During the House plenary debates on the DOH’s proposed P253-billion budget for 2026, Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno questioned why only 200 out of the 600 health centers built under the HFEP were functional as of 2025 despite the allocation of over P170 billion for its infrastructure and equipment in the past decade.

‘Is the reason why the Secretary of Health described the HFEP as the flood control version of the DOH, was because only a few, according to him, of the health centers are actually functioning?’ he asked.

Diokno was referring to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s comment at the committee-level briefings for the DOH budget where he called the HFEP-which aims to improve delivery of basic, essential and specialized health services-as the ‘flood control version’ of the DOH.

Budget sponsor and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia clarified, however, that the HFEP had no ‘ghost health facilities’: ‘They exist, but because of the lack of personnel and health care professionals who could run them, they are not functioning.’

He also explained that the department had entered into memoranda of agreement with local governments ‘in good faith,’ expecting them to provide personnel for the facilities they requested.

‘Probably some of our LGUs lacked the funds to hire doctors and midwives, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the secretary,’ Garcia said, adding that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) may need to step in since it oversees LGUs.

‘But they are there waiting to be activated and hopefully we can assign personnel to them so they could provide services to our countrymen,’ Garcia added.

Launched in 2008, the HFEP is a banner program under the DOH that aims to ensure that the poor and marginalized sectors of society have access to appropriate health facilities.

Specifically, it provides funding assistance for infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities nationwide, including barangay health stations, rural health units, district and provincial hospitals, and specialty centers.

In a 2017 performance audit, the Commission on Audit (COA) had already flagged deficiencies in HFEP implementation, including problems with procurement of equipment not aligned with the actual needs; undistributed equipment at DOH regional offices, and the construction of health stations on ineligible and nonworkable project sites.

Diokno noted it had been seven years since the findings but only now was the DOH enforcing stricter controls.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in a 2025 study, likewise found inequities in HFEP’s grant distribution, with some LGUs receiving funds despite not being among those most in need.

To address gaps, the DOH said it had launched a ‘catch-up plan’ in the second half of 2025 by revising HFEP guidelines to expand implementation modes, and opening 55 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers nationwide to temporarily provide primary care while idle facilities await personnel. /cb