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If the congressmen do not want to do the job, then the mayors will do the difficult task of finding the individuals who made the anomalous insertions in the national budget for the past three years, including those who proposed the funding of controversial flood control projects.

The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) formally sent a letter to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Thursday, requesting access to documents related to the national budget from 2023 to 2025 – the past three years when the Marcos administration proposed and approved its appropriation laws.

The letter was signed by M4GG convenors Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Isabela, Basilan Mayor Sitti Hataman.

The group was specifically requesting access to National Expenditure Program (NEP) and General Appropriations Act (GAA) records for fiscal years 2023 to 2025, including specific line items and their proponents and/or endorsing offices.

‘We make this request in the spirit of transparency in the use of public funds and to ensure that allocations reflect the true needs of communities,’ said M4GG, which has the support of close to 200 local chief executives across the country since it was launched in August 2023.

‘Having access to these records will help local governments and civil society track implementation, strengthen accountability, and uphold public trust in our institutions,’ it added. Lawmakers in the the House of Representatives and Senate are pointing at each other on whose chamber did the insertions to line items of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget originate in the past years to fund questionable flood mitigation projects in different parts of the country, including those in provinces considered not flood-prone.

Congressional insertions in the national budget under the Marcos administration might have already ballooned to unprecedented levels, and could reach as much as P2 trillion between 2023 and 2025, according to former Budget Secretary Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad.

These include an estimated P600 billion in flood control projects added at the NEP stage.

Abad was referring to revelations in congressional inquiries into anomalous infrastructure projects that congressmen have been proposing flood control projects as early as the budget preparation stage in collusion with DPWH officials. The national budget legislation starts with the submission to the Congress of the NEP, which is prepared by the executive branch, specifically the Department of Budget and Management.

It serves as the blueprint for the succeeding year’s government expenditures.

The NEP is the basis of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which is sponsored, presented and defended by the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee and subcommittees in plenary session.

As with other laws, the House version of the GAB must pass three readings before it is sent to the Senate.

Once both chambers agree on a final version of the GAB, it goes to the President where it is signed into law as the GAA, either as it is or with some line items vetoed.

During budget deliberations, Congress has the power to amend the NEP so long as the overall spending ceiling set by Malacañang is not breached.

This is also where insertions – also called pork barrel or parked funds – made by lawmakers come in.

During last year’s deliberations for the 2025 GAB, last-minute realignments and insertions happened at the bicameral conference committee level and the ‘small committee’ level-a practice flagged by public watchdogs because they occurred away from public scrutiny. As part of budget reform initiatives, the House in the current 20th Congress deliberating the 2026 national budget abolished the small committee, and created in its place the budget amendments review subcommittee (BARSC) under the appropriations panel.

Deliberations under BARSC were made in open plenary to show the public what items in the national budget are increased or decreased, and to note who made the following proposals.

But for Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, if the House leadership was truly serious about its push to reform public budgeting and investigate anomalous infrastructure projects, it should release the amendments made by the small committee at least for the 2025 national budget.

‘To show good faith, the House leadership should ask Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who was the chair of the appropriations committee at the time, to release the amendments made by the small committee for the 2025 budget,’ Tiangco said. ‘If the House leadership doesn’t release it, this is just for show. We cannot move forward and simply forget the wrongdoings of the past. We have to uncover the sins of the 2025 budget,’ he added.

‘They’re probably still waiting for me,’ he quipped in jest during the launch of Titan’s adidas Gilas Pilipinas jersey customization at Bonifacio Global City. The joke landed, but the admiration behind it was genuine.

Now retired from the court, Pingris is best remembered as a cornerstone of the Gilas Pilipinas team that ended the ‘Korean curse’ in 2013. And the former national team enforcer knows exactly what wearing the flag means-and what it takes to win with it.

‘Their lineup now is really different from ours before,’ Pingris said. ‘I think [the current team has] a stronger lineup now. We just looked more solid [before] because of our bond. That’s something this team should have.’

It’s not a criticism, just perspective. The current Gilas squad, coached by Tim Cone, is brimming with talent. But with key players like Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Kevin Quiambao scattered across overseas and domestic leagues, forging chemistry has become a race against time.

Cone barely had a full roster during preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup, where the team placed eighth. Stars like June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez were tied up with the PBA Finals. Training was limited to a single complete week.

‘For me, the lineup is okay. They’re really strong,’ Pingris said. ‘But they lack the time to really get to know each other.’

Still, what he sees in the fight the current crop of Gilas players displays regularly on the floor gives him hope.

‘That’s always been our weapon,’ he said. ‘It’s not about talent. It’s all about our big hearts.’

Pingris knows what kind of leadership that heart needs, and he’s convinced Cone is the right man to provide it. He should know. He captained Cone’s San Mig Super Coffee squad to a rare Grand Slam in 2014.

‘Let’s just give him more time,’ Pingris said. ‘It’s better for us to see coach Tim run his plays.’

The triangle offense that Cone perfected in the PBA isn’t a quick fix. It demands trust, discipline, and-yes-time.

‘He won the Grand Slam because of the triangle,’ Pingris added. ‘He can teach that to the team. It’s up to them to apply it.’

Cone is currently back with Barangay Ginebra duties as the PBA’s 50th season kicks off, but the Gilas program resumes in two months for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Until then, Pingris remains hopeful.

‘They may be smaller, but they fight,’ he said. ‘Their games are improving. The Gilas program is doing well.’

And if they ever do call on him again?

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that it flagged P125 million worth of suspected ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Mindanao.

Although the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has marked the nine projects as completed, DA records showed that work on these has yet to begin, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said on Wednesday.

Citing the DA’s initial audit report submitted to the President, De Mesa said seven of the projects were in Davao Occidental, while the other two were in Lanao del Sur.

According to government records, three of the projects were completed in 2021 and two in 2022 during the Duterte administration, and four in 2023 under the term of Marcos.

The government has been wracked by allegations that senators, congressmen, and private contractors siphoned off funds for flood control projects in the past three years of the Marcos administration.

Relatively small

The allegations have led to the creation of an independent body to investigate the anomalies, triggered street protests, and prompted government scrutiny of infrastructure projects undertaken by the DPWH.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the flagged projects were relatively small and represented a mere 0.03 percent of the overall farm-to-market road projects.

Even so, Tiu Laurel said the DA would coordinate with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on the possible inspection of the suspected ghost projects.

‘So, in the whole scheme of things . It’s not that big. But it’s still alarming, right? Even if it’s small, why is there a ghost?’ Tiu Laurel told reporters.

‘Of course, I don’t want to step on the [toes] of Secretary Vince. But of course, they’re very busy. But if they ask us for assistance to look into it personally and visit those areas, although these are remote areas, we will do it,’ he added.

‘Small-time contractors’

Tiu Laurel earlier vowed to immediately suspend any personnel found guilty of engaging in ‘ghost’ FMR projects, although the DA’s initial findings showed that no official or employee was involved in any of these.

An audit conducted by the DA last month covered more than 4,700 FMR projects from 2020 to 2025 that De Mesa said were implemented by ‘very small’ local contractors.

The DA identifies and validates the FMRs, while the DPWH handles the commissioning, bidding, and construction of these projects.

This year, the government plans to build 131,000 kilometers of roads designed to link agricultural areas with markets. About 70,000 km of these projects were completed as of July, while 61,000 km have yet to be validated.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has stepped up relief efforts to assist victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces Tuesday night.

Acting on the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., PCSO General Manager Mel Robles directed branch offices and authorized agent corporations to deliver aid to affected communities.

Piona Trading and Supply Corp. and King Dragon Gaming and Amusement Corp. were among the first to respond, donating food and other essentials to the Cebu provincial government on Wednesday. Additional donations from other authorized agents were en route, PCSO said.

Charitimba food packs were included in the initial relief efforts. Evacuation supply kits – including mosquito nets, plastic mats, blankets, slippers, flashlights, pillows, towels and other necessities – were airlifted via a C-130 aircraft Wednesday afternoon to support survivors.

‘Our thoughts are with our kababayans in Cebu and the surrounding areas,’ Robles said. ‘PCSO is closely monitoring the situation and will extend further assistance to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected. We are working tirelessly to bring comfort during these challenging times.’

Robles added that the spirit of bayanihan was alive in their efforts and encouraged residents to remain resilient and united, ‘knowing that help is on the way.’

PCSO said it remains committed to a holistic response that goes beyond medical assistance, with comprehensive relief efforts for disaster-stricken communities.

According to the Office of Civil Defense, the earthquake resulted in more than 70 deaths and over 150 injuries.

Robles vowed the PCSO will continue to coordinate with authorities to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The Senate has sought to modernize budget transparency and accountability through the use of ‘blockchain technology’ in a bid to make the national budget publicly available, ensure accessibility, easy to understand, and open for citizen engagement.

During Thursday’s hearing of the Committee on Science and Technology, Aquino said the proposed Senate Bill No. 1330 or the Philippine National Budget Blockchain Act will strengthen collaboration across the executive and legislative branches of the government, civil society organizations and other stakeholders who play a vital role in sustaining and deepening democracy.

‘By no means this is the only solution, but many of us here believe that this can be one of the major solutions to our problems. Putting the budget on the blockchain is a way to ensure that every peso of the people’s money is monitored,’ Aquino stressed.

‘The bill is a possible solution so that every Filipino knows how the country’s money is being spent. Blockchain was also made a priority because it is transparent, honest, and secure,’ he added.

According to Aquino’s proposed measure, blockchain technology provides a powerful tool for this transformation, and its design guarantees accountability.

‘Through blockchain, all budget transactions become transparent, immutable, auditable and accessible to citizens in real time,’ said Aquino.

While the national budget is one of the most important instruments of governance, Aquino said documents related to it have remained closed, highly technical and difficult to understand, making oversight almost impossible even for those who want to scrutinize them.

‘This ensures that every peso can be tracked by the public. No more ‘fly-by-night’ contractors. No more hidden projects unknown to local governments,’ he said, adding that prices of materials can be easily compared across contracts.

‘To put our national budget on the blockchain answers many concerns and issues with our current system, where there are insertions and ghost projects. The public can see how people’s money is spent,’ he said.

A fire that broke out Wednesday evening in Barangay Canlapwas, Catbalogan City, Samar, claimed the life of a government worker and left more than 200 residents homeless, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

The blaze, which started around 5:30 p.m. in Purok 3, was traced to faulty electrical wiring that ignited the roofing of a house owned by Rizalda Magallanes. Made of light materials, the house quickly went up in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly to nearby residences, investigators said.

Firefighters from the Catbalogan City Fire Station, backed by fire volunteers, police personnel, and reinforcements from neighboring towns such as Paranas, battled the fire for nearly four hours. The incident, which was raised to second alarm, was declared under control at 7:20 p.m. and fully extinguished at around 9:23 p.m.

The blaze claimed the life of Reynold Muñez, 30, an employee of the Samar provincial capitol. According to authorities, Muñez ran back inside their burning house, believing his family was still trapped inside. His relatives, however, had already evacuated. His body was recovered after the fire was declared out.

BFP reported that 23 houses were destroyed while three others sustained partial damage. The incident displaced 50 families or about 208 individuals, with property losses initially estimated at P2 million.

The affected families are currently taking shelter at a church in the village and at their barangay hall.

The Catbalogan City government, under Mayor Dexter Uy, has extended relief assistance to the fire victims.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged four nonexistent flood control projects in Bulacan worth more than P350 million, as it filed additional audit reports against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and their private contractors before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

According to COA, the said projects were under the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO).

Below is the list of ghost projects and their respective contractors based on a statement released by the commission on Thursday:

Construction of Flood Control Structure (Revetment), Purok 1 to Purok 2, Barangay San Roque in Baliuag, amounting to P92,688,858.48 (Syms Construction Trading)

Construction of Flood Control Structure along Angat River at Barangay Taal in Pulilan, amounting to P92,710,206.94 (Syms Construction Trading)

Construction of Riverwall at Barangay Pagala, Sta. 00+910 to Sta. 01+310 in Baliuag, amounting to P96,499,500.70 (Triple 8 Construction and Supply, Inc.)

The projects were inspected on September 24, 17, 15, and 23, respectively-all of which were found to be nonexistent.

The parties found to be reportedly liable for all four projects are as follows, according to COA:

Henry C. Alcantara-District Engineer

Sally N. Santos-SYMS Construction Trading

Brice Ericson D. Hernandez-Assistant District Engineer

Ernesto Galang-Planning and Design Section Chief

John Michael E. Ramos-Engineer

Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque-Project Engineer

Jolo Mari V. Tayao-Engineer

Jaypee D. Mendoza-Construction Section Chief

Irene DC. Otingco-Engineer

Joshua Blitz S. Roxas-Engineer

Bernardo Villafuerte-Engineer

Raymond G. Tolentino-Engineer

Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan-Engineer

Elmer F. Arellano-Engineer

Wilfredo M. Natividad-Triple 8 Construction and Supply, Inc.

However, the commission clarified that the initial list of liable persons ‘is not final and may expand as the audit progresses, or new information becomes available.’

The COA stated that these individuals may face graft and corruption charges for possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code; as well as violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform Act.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on September 23, Alcantara denied involvement in ghost flood control projects, explaining that Hernandez and Mendoza were behind those operations.

Alcantara said he used and awarded projects to in-house contractors but told the two other officials not to do ghost projects.

In the same hearing, Hernandez likewise named three politicians in Bulacan who allegedly got kickbacks from the province’s infrastructure projects.

Among them were Bulacan (2nd District) Representative Augustina Dominique ‘Tina’ Pancho, Bulacan (1st District) Rep. Danny Domingo, and former Bulacan (5th District Representative) and now Guiguinto mayor Ambrosio ‘Boy’ Cruz Jr. as the ones who allegedly got a cut from the projects in the province’s first district engineering office.

Currently, COA has submitted 17 fraud audit reports to relevant agencies-nine to the Office of the Ombudsman and eight to ICI, including the four additional reports on the flood control projects mentioned above.

Two more eruptions were observed at Taal Volcano in Batangas province within the past 24 hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its daily bulletin issued at 5 a.m., Thursday, Phivolcs reported a five-minute phreatic eruption and a 13-minute phreatomagmatic blast, although it did not specify the exact times of the events.

On Wednesday, a minor phreatomagmatic eruption from Taal’s main crater occurred from 2:02 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.

The US Geological Survey defines phreatic eruptions as steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or newly formed volcanic deposits.

Phreatomagmatic eruptions, on the other hand, occur when magma and water interact, leading to the ejection of steam and pyroclastic fragments.

During its observation period, Phivolcs also detected 10 volcanic earthquakes, accompanied by four volcanic tremors that lasted two to four minutes.

The agency clarified that volcanic earthquakes originate from active volcanoes and exhibit distinct patterns characterized by their ‘mode of arrivals, periods, and amplitudes.’ Volcanic tremors, meanwhile, are continuous seismic signals with either regular or irregular wave patterns and low frequencies.

In the latest monitoring period, Phivolcs reported that Taal emitted 1,892 metric tons of sulfur dioxide, which rose 600 meters into the air. The agency classified the emission activity as ‘weak.’

No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the main crater lake of Volcano Island, which sits at the center of Taal Lake. No volcanic smog or ‘vog,’ was also detected.

Alert Level 1, or low-level unrest, remains in effect over Taal Volcano.

Phivolcs warned that sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, minor phreatomagmatic activity, ashfall, and the release of volcanic gas may still occur.

Authorities continue to prohibit entry into Volcano Island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, particularly within the main crater and the Daang Kastila trail. Aircraft are also discouraged from flying over the area, as ash from sudden eruptions may pose hazards.

Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, has instructed churches in the entire archdiocese to mandate the praying of Oratio Imperata, or an obligatory prayer for the ‘cleansing and healing of our nation’ amid the corruption in the country.

In a pastoral letter on Thursday, Advincula once again described corruption as a ‘profound moral and spiritual crisis’ and not merely a political or economic problem. However, he also acknowledged the ‘growing awareness’ against corruption, where many people courageously stand up and take their fight to the streets.

He previously emphasized that organized rallies denouncing corruption are not just ‘pockets of political resistance’ but a reflection of the people’s moral conviction and their right to suppress the evil.

‘Dear brothers and sisters, let us stand united in prayer and action so that truth, integrity, and justice may prevail over dishonesty, corruption, and self-interest,’ Advincula said.

With this, he mandates the praying of Oratio Imperata for Integrity, Truth, and Justice in all parishes in the archdiocese.

Advincula said that this prayer will replace the Prayer for the Faithful during the celebration of Holy Mass, which is considered a ‘rare practice reserved only for the gravest of circumstances-as a clear expression of the urgency and seriousness of our situation.’

Aside from this, he ordered the ringing of all bells in churches every 8 p.m. ‘as a prophetic cry of indignation and outrage against the evil of corruption, as well as a resounding call to contrition and conversion.’

He noted that the instructions must be performed starting Saturday, October 4, which also coincides with the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Several congressional hearings have been launched to investigate the anomalies in flood control projects in the country. These revealed allegations of lawmakers and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways getting kickbacks and congressional insertions in the national budget, among others.

Several flights at the Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte have been canceled on Thursday due to bad weather conditions brought about by Tropical Storm Paolo, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).

In its advisory, Caap said the following flights, which are bound from and to Manila, were canceled this Thursday:

Philippine Airlines

PR 2196

PR 2197

PR 2198

PR 2199

Caap noted that a total of 425 passengers were affected by the flight disruption.

‘Affected passengers are urged to coordinate directly with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates and rebooking assistance,’ Caap said.

The aviation authority assured the public that it is ‘closely monitoring the situation and is in constant coordination with airline operators and airport authorities to uphold the safety, security, and welfare of the traveling public.’

Based on the 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Ilocos Norte, was placed under Signal No. 1 due to Paolo, which was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

Paolo is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning before crossing Northern Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea.