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Disgraced contractor couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya did a ‘tell-all plus plus’ when they appeared before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday.

Cornelio Samaniego III, the couple’s legal counsel, said the Discayas were fully cooperative and bared everything they know to the ICI.

‘They are not hiding anything anymore,’ he said.

Samaniego said his clients divulged everything – from the persons involved up to the history of transactions they had undertaken.

‘We are telling everything,’ he stressed.

Pressed on the revelations made by his clients before the commission, Samaniego said that most were already included in the affidavit they had filed before the Senate and Congress, yet there were also new names bared by his clients to the commission.

‘We’ll submit a supplemental affidavit, so we will add new names. In due time, it will come out,’ Samaniego said. ‘For now, no comment.’

Samaniego said his clients were scheduled to come back to the ICI to finish giving their statement.

‘It went OK. The members of the ICI were very cordial,’ Samaniego said.

He added that unlike former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez, the Discayas are not inclined to return any of their luxury cars to the government as a goodwill gesture.

‘We are not returning anything at the moment, because the accounts were frozen,’ Samaniego said.

AMLC, BIR tie-up

Meanwhile, the ICI has forged a cooperation and information-sharing pact with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) that will facilitate the freezing of assets of personalities implicated in the numerous ghost and substandard flood control projects at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said the agreement, which also includes the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), will speed up investigation of the anomalous flood control projects, the filing of the relevant criminal cases as well as the recovery of the proceeds.

‘We will have information-sharing, coordination and cooperation which is crucial for the verification of information divulged to us by their ‘resource persons’,’ Hosaka told reporters.

Several senators, congressmen, contractors and former and current DPWH officials and officers have appeared before the ICI to provide information regarding multibillion-peso ghost and substandard flood control projects implemented by the DPWH.

Hosaka said the partnership with BIR will be helpful in determining tax liabilities, while the AMLC will facilitate the freezing of assets of individuals involved in the flood control mess.

According to BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr., they aim to build strong cases for tax evasion.

‘We already have preliminary draft of (tax) assessments. But they still lack a number of information. We don’t want to file haphazard criminal complaint(s) with the Department of Justice. That’s why we want to get all the useful information,’ he said.

Closed hearing up to ICI – Palace

Malacañang will not intervene with the decision of the ICI against livestreaming its hearings on anomalous flood control projects, stressing that President Marcos respects the body’s independence.

‘The President has already said that this ICI is an independent commission. So, whatever their policies and procedures are, the President will respect them and he will not interfere because they are an independent body or commission,’ Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters.

ICI’s Hosaka earlier defended the decision to keep the hearings closed, saying it is necessary to ‘avoid a trial by publicity.’

‘We don’t want the commission to be used for any political agenda or leverage that’s why we are careful,’ Hosaka said.

He said the ICI’s investigation is a ‘process’ that cannot be defined by piecemeal revelations.

‘People might be misled,’ he noted. ‘We would like to prevent that because we want the people to trust the system and in the independent commission that we will be doing our jobs fairly, objectively and independently.’

Meanwhile, Castro also defended the appointment of former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as special adviser and investigator to the ICI.

Castro said Azurin was chosen to replace Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong based on his capabilities and experience as an investigator.

There were some who questioned Azurin’s appointment as he was previously implicated in the alleged cover-up of the P6.7-billion shabu haul involving high-ranking PNP officers in 2022.

He was later cleared in the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs’ investigation into the massive controversy.

‘It’s clear he was never charged,’ Castro said.

‘What I want to stress here is that the independent nature of this commission. We will not interfere with their work. We will, of course, be in discussion with them. We will ask them what happened, what have you found, what are we doing next,’ Marcos said during a Sept. 15 press conference.

‘But we were not about to direct them as to how they were going to conduct their investigations, and we are going to leave it up to them,’ he said.

‘Let the people in’

For some lawmakers, keeping the ICI hearings away from the public invites doubt into what transpires behind closed doors.

‘There’s no real accountability without transparency. Let the people in. It is the right of the people who were robbed of billions of pesos to watch the proceedings of the ICI,’ Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said in a statement.

Cendaña said corruption existed because of the lack of transparency in the process of the bicameral conference committee, which reviewed and approved the national budget of the government up to its project implementation.

‘It is time to pass the Independent Commission for Infrastructure Bill or House Bill (HB) 4453 that will put in place the mandatory public hearings with livestreaming,’ Cendaña said.

For her part, ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said given the witnesses’ testimonies in the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings on flood control anomalies, it is ripe for Congress to pass HB 4453 into law.

‘As the plot thickens, it becomes even more urgent and imperative to pass House Bill No. 4453. To ferret out the truth and ensure accountability – whoever is involved – Congress must act swiftly and decisively,’ De Lima said in a separate statement.

‘This is the biggest corruption scandal in our history, and we cannot address it with partial solutions. The ICI cannot handle this widespread corruption using its limited powers. The DOJ (Department of Justice) and the ombudsman must hasten the filing of strong cases,’ De Lima said.

At least four uniformed personnel were killed during the collapse of the San Remegio Sports Complex during the deadly magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu on Tuesday, September 30.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) announced the death of 31-year-old FO2 Allier Vincent Catadman. Catadman, a firefighter assigned to the San Remigio Fire Station, was killed during the quake.

‘He died in the line of duty following the collapse of the San Remigio Sports Complex during the magnitude 6.9 earthquake. We honor his service, bravery, and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife and young child,’ the BFP said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also confirmed that at least three of its personnel were killed in the same sports complex. Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo, Apprentice Seaman Jujay Mahusay, and ASN Ert Cart Dacunes died when the San Remigio Sports Complex collapsed.

The PCG said the three personnel were rushed to Bogo General Hospital for treatment, but were all eventually pronounced dead.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the families of our fallen personnel. Their dedication to the service and camaraderie with our fellow uniformed men and women will always be remembered. The PCG stands in full solidarity with their loved ones and will ensure that they receive the utmost support,’ PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

Despite the tragedy, more PCG personnel and other uniformed workers have been deployed on the ground for rescue efforts in Cebu.

The earthquake has killed at least 60 people, according to the Office of the Civil Defense, with around 154 others injured.

Cebu province has declared a state of calamity following the deadly quake.

Critical infrastructure has been damaged, including several roads and bridges. A number of historical churches have also sustained damage.

Despite the tragedy, more PCG personnel and other uniformed workers have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts in Cebu.

Businessman Maynard Ngu, tagged during a Senate hearing on flood control anomalies as the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero, has resigned as independent director of listed Altus Property Ventures Inc.

In a stock exchange filing, Altus said that its board has accepted the resignation of Ngu as independent member of the company’s board of directors effective Monday. Altus said Ngu’s resignation was ‘due to personal reasons.’

At a Senate hearing last Sept. 25, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that he had facilitated 20 percent kickbacks or P160 million from Escudero’s P800 million worth of flood control and road network projects in Valenzuela City and in Marinduque through Ngu.

Bernardo said the ‘deliveries of cash were personally made by me to Maynard Ngu at his office in Manila.’

Ngu, regarded as the brain behind the success of the Philippine mobile phone brand Cherry Mobile, had been an independent director of Altus since Sept. 2, 2019.

He is the chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies Inc., the company behind Cherry Mobile, which was established in 2009.

Aside from leading several firms, Ngu serves as a director in companies such as Cosmic Digital Universe Inc., Quantum Mobile Gears Inc., Accucom System Solutions Inc., MSN Foundation Inc., Intertext and Chat Communications Inc., Xionz Technology Inc. and Casa Nuova Inc.

Ngu is also the president of Pure Living Wellness International Inc., a company which imports and locally distributes beauty care products and general merchandise, based on its general information sheet filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Escudero’s wife, Love Marie Escudero, more popularly known as actress Heart Evangelista, is listed as a stockholder in Pure Living Wellness.

Ngu is also reportedly one of the owners of the Cork Wine Bar, where Escudero and Evangelista held their renewal of vows in February last year.

In 2023, President Marcos appointed Ngu as special envoy to China for trade, investments and tourism.

Police shot dead a known longtime member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group during a buy-bust operation that went awry on Monday, September 29, in Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. The suspect was the target of an entrapment operation involving the sale of shabu.

Local officials told reporters on Tuesday, September 30, that the target of the anti-narcotics operation, Moner Usman, pulled out a 9 millimeter Uzi machine pistol when he realized he was selling shabu to a police team in Barangay Sapakan in Radjah Buayan, provoking a gunfight that resulted in his death.

Capt. Joel Lebrilla, chief of the Radjah Buayan Municipal Police Station, said the incident left a member of the 44th Special Action Company of the Special Action Force, Cpl. Jeric Dela Cruz, wounded.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Tuesday that the entrapment operation that went awry was laid with the help of barangay leaders and municipal officials aware of Usman’s drug trafficking activities in Radjah Buayan and in nearby towns.

Senior officials from police and Army intelligence units under the 6th Infantry Division confirmed to reporters that Usman was on their list of members of the now-weakened Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, both wanted for high-profile criminal cases pending in various courts across Central Mindanao.

The Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF, both fomenting hatred for non-Muslims, are known for providing sanctuary to wanted persons and shabu and marijuana peddlers in exchange for money.

Local executives and traditional Moro leaders openly supporting PRO-BAR’s anti-narcotics operations had confirmed that Usman faced nine cases in local courts, including six counts of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and extortion.

We need to be familiar with these two concepts that definitely would help us discern what truly was meant when Christ said certain things that would sound very inhuman and unchristian.

One example is when Christ told a certain man who wanted to follow him but wanted to first bury his father to ‘let the dead bury their dead’ and commanded him to go and preach the gospel right away. (cfr. Lk 9,59)

And when another man also expressed his willingness to follow Christ but wanted to first take leave of his household, he was summarily told that ‘no man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (cfr. Lk 9,62)

There are many other examples of this kind, like when Christ also said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14,26) Or when he said that we have to love our enemies.

No wonder then that some people, without the proper ‘sensus fidei’ and without consulting the ‘sensus fidelium’ fall into disbelief and then to unbelief in Christ. They sometimes consider the gospel as a myth or even as a joke.

‘Sensus fidei’, which literally means a sense of faith, is an individual believer’s capacity to discern the truth in matters of faith and morals even amid mysterious and unbelievable doctrines of our faith. It’s like an instinct or an inner sense that can only be an effect of a supernatural gift of faith.

‘Sensus fidelium’, which literally means a sense of the faithful, is the collective sense of faith within the entire Church, covering all of its members or faithful. It is a shared and supernatural understanding of faith that enables the Church to discern the truth and live out the faith authentically. It is not simply the sum of the individual ‘sensus fidei’, but a unique and shared grace of the Holy Spirit operating within the Church.

In other words, both the ‘sensus fidei’ and the ‘sensus fidelium’ are an effect of a grace. They are both a supernatural reality and do not depend solely on our natural and human powers, although these latter have to be used also to the limit.

They enable us to accept the mysterious ways of God and to see the consistency of truth despite the apparently contradicting ways that the truth as taught by Christ and now by the Church is expressed.

We just have to learn to abandon ourselves to the mysterious ways of God who in his wise providence takes care of everything. We are not expected to know and understand everything. What is expected of us is to have faith in God, in Christ and in the Church so we can always be with him no matter how things turn.

This means that we should develop an intimate relationship with God, nourished by prayer, assiduous study of the doctrine of our faith, recourse to the sacraments, and an unrelenting ascetical struggle to fight against our weaknesses and the temptations around, and to grow in the virtues.

In this way, we would be acquiring the very mind of Christ, able to understand what he actually meant when his words, due to the limitations of our human and natural language, would seem to go against reason and common sense.

Popular ice skating concert “Disney On Ice” is coming back to the Philippines with another new show concept featuring characters that will have their debut performance in Manila.

The new show debuting this December is “Magic in the Stars,” a concept that has been touring for three years now and will finally land in the Philippines.

“Disney On Ice” has been staged at the Mall of Asia Arena since 2016, and it will again be staged from December 20 to January 4, 2026 (except Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and December 29).

Matthew Garrick, Asia-Pacific vice president of Feld Entertainment, which produces the show, shared today’s media conference that “Disney On Ice” will likely see its one millionth Philippine attendee since its first show here back in 1990.

Over 55 Disney characters will take on the ice for the upcoming show, including favorites like Aladdin, Cinderella, Moana, Rapunzel from “Tangled,” Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog,” the Madrigals of “Encanto,” and, of course, Mickey Mouse.

“Frozen” characters Elsa, Anna, and Olaf will also appear, but this time following a story taken from the 2018 sequel, meaning it will be the first time that “Into the Unknown” will be professionally performed on the ice here.

Also debuting in the upcoming show are Lightning McQueen and Mater from “Cars,” Asha from “Wish,” and the titular character of “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

The latter is notable for being Disney’s first film to heavily feature traditional Southeast Asian culture.

Garrick later told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview that “Magic in the Stars” will feature more aerial acts compared to past “Disney On Ice” shows, as well as non-traditional skating elements like ramps and jumping.

He also reiterated than having more than 55 characters featured is the most any Philippine “Disney On Ice” show has had in 35 years.

Tickets to “Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars” are now available via SM Tickets outlets nationwide and its website.

Following the sold-out success of her 2023 concert at the Music Museum, Clara Benin returns to the big stage with a heartfelt celebration of the records that shaped her artistic journey.

“Born On A Rainy Night: Celebrating 10 Years of Human Eyes and Riverchild” is a two-night concert happening on October 3 and 4, 2025, at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

Presented by Minsan Studio, the special show reimagines Clara’s early work with a 30-piece orchestra, under the musical direction and arrangement of Ria Villena-Osorio.

Drawing from her debut album “Human Eyes” and extended play “Riverchild,” both from 2015, the upcoming performance offers a fresh, cinematic take on the music that helped define Clara’s voice in the Philippine indie music scene.

“I’ll be performing songs from those records, but reimagined with an orchestra,” Clara said in a statement. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, and getting to do it for this show makes it even more meaningful.”

The concert is envisioned as both cinematic and intimate, a moment to reflect on where the songs began, and how they’ve grown through the years.

Clara did not fully assure a new release would follow after the concert, “But it definitely feels like a bridge between the past and the future. Working on these arrangements has been grounding, and it’s given me a clearer sense of where I want to go next.”

Jason Conan, head of Minsan Studio which is aiding Clara stage the concert, shared more about the show’s creative direction.

“Clara and the team started by going back to the songs, the feelings, the time and place where they were first written,” he said. “It was important to stay true to those emotions, while allowing the music to grow with who Clara is now.”

It was not easy, but Alex Eala is heading to the quarterfinal round of the WTA Suzhou Open in China after hacking out a 7-6(5), (3)6-7, 7-5 victory over Greet Minnen Wednesday in China.

Eala and Minnen battled each other in three hours and 18 minutes, but the Filipina finally grabbed the win as she broke her opponent’s serve in the 12th game.

After a hard-fought victory in the first set, the pride of Belgium went toe-to-toe with Eala in the second frame as she won the tiebreak.

It was more of the same in the third set, as the two tennisters could not get enough separation.

Minnen, ranked 106th in the world, tied things up at 5-all in the 10th game, before the World No. 58 held her serve and took the 6-5 advantage.

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate then denied Minnen from forcing the tiebreak, digging deep to grab the victory.

Eala punched in 50 receiving points compared to her opponent’s 35. Minnen, though, won 84 service points compared to Eala’s 77.

The Belgian player, however, committed 10 double faults which offset her nine service aces.

Eala will now be taking on Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals. The Swiss tennister, ranked 70th in the world, defeated Linda Fruhvirtova in the Round of 16.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a price freeze on agriculture and fishery products in Masbate after the province was placed under a state of calamity due to damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

The prize freeze order, signed on Monday by DA-Bicol executive director Rodel Tornilla, was issued in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act, which mandates an automatic price freeze in areas devastated by calamities.

The law directs retailers, wholesalers, traders, processors and market operators in Masbate to maintain the prevailing retail and wholesale prices of covered commodities as of Sept. 25, the day before the typhoon struck.

Among the commodities covered by the order are rice, corn, vegetables, fruits, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, sugar, garlic, onion and cooking oil.

‘Hoarding, artificial scarcity, price manipulation and other unfair trade practices are prohibited,’ the DA warned.

Violators will face sanctions provided under RA 7581 and RA 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

To ensure compliance, joint monitoring and inspection will be conducted by the DA and the offices of the provincial agriculture, market management, and disaster risk reduction and management as well as the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.

Commodities unlawfully withheld from the market or sold beyond the allowed price levels may be seized and distributed to the public.

The price freeze will remain in effect for 60 days or until the state of calamity in Masbate is lifted, whichever comes first.

The DA directed municipal and city mayors, market operators and local trade groups to disseminate the advisory and certify compliance within 48 hours.

Aside from Masbate, a price freeze on basic commodities has been imposed in Biliran, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon as well as in the municipalities of Ibajay in Aklan, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, Dagupan in Pangasinan, and Calbayog and San Vicente in Samar.

The Department of Trade and Industry said prices and supplies of basic goods in areas hit by Opong and Super Typhoon Nando remained stable.

Power restoration

Meanwhile, restoration of power infrastructure in Masbate will cost around P400 million, according to the Department of Energy.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin yesterday led an onsite inspection and assessment of the situation and assured local officials and residents that power would be immediately restored.

Masbate is reeling from a massive power outage due to Opong.

‘We are moving with urgency but also with care. Safety remains our priority for both workers on the ground and the public,’ Garin said.

Twelve power cooperatives in Luzon and the Visayas were placed under monitoring as of 1:55 p.m. yesterday due to the combined impact of Opong, Nando and the southwest monsoon.

Of the 12 power cooperatives, 11 were experiencing partial service interruptions, while the Masbate Electric Cooperative remained under a total power outage.

Host-actor Edu Manzano reminded politicians that they are sworn to serve the Filipino people, who are growing tired of widespread corruption and needless politicking.

Edu has been filling his social media pages with posts taking digs at flood control project contractors and their families supposedly flaunting their wealth following outrage over flood control anomalies.

The public anger has only risen after several politicians were tagged in the controversies, allegedly even receiving kickbacks from these projects.

Among the host-actor’s latest Facebook posts was a letter he said was making the rounds on Ateneo groups addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of the 20th Congress.

It should be noted that Edu is a graduate of De La Salle University and also dabbled in politics, serving one term as Makati vice mayor.

“Enough of the polite lies. This letter is not wrapped in diplomacy, because you no longer deserve it. This is anger in ink, disgust in words, a mirror of the nation’s fury you pretend not to see,” the letter began.

“Each of you swore an oath – not to yourselves, not to your dynasties, but to the people. Yet what have you delivered? Endless committee hearings that go nowhere, speeches bloated with hot air, budgets swallowed whole by ghost projects and cronies. You strut like statesmen but you crawl like parasites. You treat government not as a sacred duty, but as your personal ATM.”

The letter brought up the recent protests in Nepal and Indonesia, where people rose up against their respective governments who thought themselves “untouchable.”

“But rage, once ignored, becomes revolution. Hindi ninyo kayang takasan ang galit ng taong bayan,” the letter pointed out.

The topic pivoted to issues in the Philippines, including flooding, hospitals and classrooms lacking supplies, farmers in debt, and workers dealing with inflation, all while politicians “bicker over pork, positions, and contracts.”

“Every motorcade of black SUVs you ride in is a slap in the face of the millions forced to commute like sardines. Every peso stolen is food stolen from the mouths of children,” it continued.

The letter said legislators and the president were “sitting on a volcano” and the fire beneath was being fed every day that the issues are stalled, every peso pocketed, and every law twisted for personal gain.

“Do not mistake Filipino patience for weakness. Hindi kami hangal. The day will come when no convoy, no palace walls, no title before your name will save you from the wrath of those you betrayed.”

“Do your mandated work – and do it now. Not for applause, not for legacy, but because you have bled this nation long enough. Restore decency, protect the treasury, legislate for the people or step aside before you are swept aside.”

The letter reminded again of the Nepal and Indonesia protests and how Filipinos could relate.

“Learn from Nepal. Learn from Indonesia. Or prepare to be remembered not as leaders, but as the carcasses of a corrupt empire finally torn down,” it ended, signed off by “The Filipino People You Mock, Rob, and Underestimate.”