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The three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers stretched their unbeaten streak to five games while the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats scored a breakthrough win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum over the weekend.

Paul John Taliman bagged 19 points on top of five rebounds, one assist and two steals while the league’s 2023 MVP Kent Ivo Salarda nearly delivered a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals as the Lancers pummeled the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons, 92-74, to pull away further in the leaderboard with a perfect 5-0 record.

Not to be outdone, Rovello Robles cashed in 16 points, four rebounds and two steals while Zylle Cabellon added 10 points, two rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Lancers, who used a fierce second-half attack to thrash the Fighting Maroons.

Ahead by just six at halftime, 43-37, the Lancers staged a sizzling rally bridging the third and fourth quarters to lead by as much as 21 points, 83-62, that sent the Fighting Maroons reeling the rest of the way.

Andrew Padilla topped UP with a game-high 20 points laced with six rebounds and three assists.

AJ de los Reyes, Wenraye Sarol, and Kent Joshua Cabanlit combined for 33 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists but fell short in the end as the Fighting Maroons stayed listless in three starts.

In the other collegiate duel, the Wildcats outfoxed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 72-65, to give their new head coach Felix ‘Donbel’ Belano, Jr. his first victory.

Jerian Marc Abello was the man of the hour for the Wildcats with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals as they snapped a three-game jinx.

Regie Ayon, Bruce Angelo Pinuela, and John Rey Guinita connived for 27 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and two steals while Christ Mark Codillo also made his presence felt with 12 rebounds to go with his seven points, two assists and a steal for the Wildcats, who never looked back after establishing a 13-point advantage, 59-46, early in the final period.

Keaton Clyde Taburnal finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals, Janjan Peteros scored 12 with one rebound, two assists, and three steals, while John Howard Taala had 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three steals but to no avail as the Panthers dropped to 1-2.

In high school play, the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters and the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs both improved their records to 2-1 after trouncing their respective rivals.

Jape Mamza fired 22 points with eight rebounds, one assist and three steals while John Day Jorquia posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds to power the Baby Webmasters to a 77-57 rout of the USPF Baby Panthers.

In the other result, Kyle Nalisa produced an all-around performance of 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four blocks while Lance Andrei Villarin and Hans Alcantara tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and three blocks in between them as the Baby Cheetahs sent the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors crashing to their third straight loss, 62-48.

Catholic schools were not among those the government recently flagged for claiming funds for non-existent voucher beneficiaries, or those called “ghost students,” according to the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, CEAP president, clarified this at a press conference on Tuesday, September 30, where he was asked whether Catholic schools were involved in the anomalies in the Department of Education (DepEd)’s multi-million senior high school voucher program.

“They do not come from the Catholic schools,” San Juan said.

The “ghost students” were uncovered by the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), a government mechanism that certifies the schools receiving funds in the voucher program and monitors their compliance with rules, San Juan said.

PEAC verifies that schools part of the voucher program actually exist and have proper systems to handle government subsidies.

“When they do their very systematic certification and monitoring work, that’s where they discovered the ghost students. And in the past, we have released statements on that,” the CEAP president said.

Earlier this month, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said that they have filed criminal cases against private schools that were caught defrauding the voucher system, which pays schools directly for the subsidized tuition of qualified Grade 11 and 12 students.

Angara told the House appropriations committee that DepEd had filed cases against seven unnamed private schools accused of claiming subsidies for ghost beneficiaries. The total amount involved is P61.9 million, Angara said.

In July, DepEd said it could recover over P100 million in fraudulent claims, in addition to the P65 million already ordered refunded by 54 schools that were removed from the program for listing students who were either ineligible or fictitious.

‘Bad name’ for private schools

CEAP treasurer Br. Edmundo Fernandez said the discovery of these “ghost students” is hurting the private school sector.

“There are many schools that have ghost students. These schools exploit these subsidies and it’s a serious concern for CEAP,” said Fernandez, who is also president of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

“In fact, it gives a bad name to Catholic and private schools,” Fernandez said.

CEAP, which represents around 1,500 Catholic schools, said it is cooperating with DepEd on the issue by strengthening its own monitoring.

“We have a self-monitoring mechanism to monitor that we are complying with the standards of government to be given government funding,” the CEAP president said. “Pero may mga nakakatakas pa rin (But there are still some that escape monitoring). The good thing is we can monitor and flag them.”

The voucher system currently covers students at the junior and senior high school levels, with subsidy amounts ranging from P9,000 to P13,000 per student.

CEAP is pushing for its expansion to include elementary school students amid its declining enrollment and rising operational costs, which it said are worsened by competition with tuition-free government-run schools.

For many Filipinos, the dream of earning a global education often comes at a cost-literally and figuratively.

It’s a dream that often feels out of reach. The idea of studying abroad entails high tuition fees, long distance and being far from home and loved ones. But what if you could earn an international degree without ever leaving the country?

The collaboration between Mapúa University’s E.T. Yuchengco School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing, and Arizona State University® (ASU) is making the dream of earning a global degree at home possible. Students in the Philippines can now access innovative, world-class, and internationally recognized education without the hefty price tag or the need to move overseas.

‘Through the collaboration, we are able to strengthen our efforts to providing future-ready and globally competitive learning that responds to changing demands of the evolving market. We are preparing our students to be global citizens and this collaboration allows them to work with international peers, adopt global perspectives, and understand how to thrive in diverse environments,’ said Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, president and CEO of Mapúa University.

The modern path to global learning

The collaboration delivers transnational education, a modern approach to learning that involves cross-border ties between two educational institutions. It allows students to take programs and degrees from another university without relocating. By bridging higher education institutions across different countries, transnational education makes global education more accessible to students worldwide. It brings the world’s top universities and their expertise into local campuses and translates their learnings into the context of a student’s home country.

In the Philippines, global education is gaining traction with the government passing the Transnational Higher Education Law in 2019 to expand ‘access to educational services.’ It aims to ‘modernize the Philippine higher education sector and bring international quality standards and expertise into the country.’ This is now redefining what it means to earn a global degree in the Philippines.

The collaboration between Mapúa University E.T. Yuchengco School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing, and ASU® provides students with access to ASU®’s world-class programs and curriculum in the country. Also, the faculty has access to ASU®’s content repository to enhance their teaching materials and practices. This has eliminated economic, geographic and cultural constraints, making global learning accessible to students in the Philippines.

For students aspiring to study abroad, this model presents a compelling alternative: the prestige and intellectual challenge of an international degree, at a fraction of the price. It helps Filipino families achieve global ambitions without uprooting their lives. Beyond cost savings, it also promotes cross-border engagement, improves cultural competence, and prepares students for work in multicultural environments.

Innovation-driven learning

In addition to the integration of global curricula, what makes the collaboration stand out and innovative is the cultural and knowledge exchange between two recognized educational institutions. Mapúa University, and its subsidiaries Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, were all equipped and designed with respective Global Classrooms, enabling students to attend cross-boundary classes in real-time virtually.

Through the Global Classroom, Mapúa students engage with faculty from ASU® and the ASU®-Cintana Alliance network and peers, helping broaden their international perspective and culturally immerse themselves in an international learning environment. This prepares them to tackle real-world challenges while developing cross-border skills that are highly sought by multinational and international employers.

The collaboration also uses cutting-edge technology to enrich learning experiences. Mapúa’s virtual learning environment, augmented by ASU®’s new and relevant practices, allows for highly interactive and immersive learning.

As technology evolves, with remote working and global mobility changing the face of industries across the board, innovative transnational education becomes necessary for graduates to thrive in the workplace of tomorrow. The collaboration positions students at the forefront, imparting the technical and adaptive skills they need.

A global future that starts at home

Students today increasingly seek advanced programs that offer flexibility, local and international relevance, and global competence. Mapúa University addresses this head-on, inviting Filipino students and their families to invest in a future with endless global opportunities.

As Mapúa University’s transnational education continues to evolve, it sets the benchmark for how other universities around the region, and beyond, would deliver global learning. Technology is continuing to blur national borders, and transnational education is now becoming a way forward into accessible, innovative, and future-ready global education for Filipinos.

Authorities have pegged the damage caused by the recent typhoons and floods in the agriculture sector in Central Luzon and Negros Occidental at more than P87 million.

In a report, the Central Luzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported more than P30 million worth of rice crops destroyed in Nueva Ecija and nearly P21 million in Bulacan.

The council also reported P5.7 million worth of rice crops destroyed in Bataan, P16 million in Tarlac and P8.5 million in Zambales. Pampanga registered a loss of P652,863 in rice crops.

In Negros Occidental, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported an initial P2,530,481 in losses to agricultural crops and fisheries due to heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by Tropical Storms Mirasol, Nando and Opong.

Provincial agriculturist Dina Genzola said in her report to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson that 116.4 hectares of agricultural crops in 18 barangays of San Carlos City and the towns of Moises Padilla, Isabela and Don Salvador Benedicto were damaged by flooding.

Genzola said at least 159 farmers were affected, as of yesterday’s count.

After Rep. Elizaldy Co resigned, the House lost its jurisdiction over the ethics complaint filed against him, House Speaker Bojie Dy confirmed on Monday, September 29.

‘Since nag-resign na si Congressman Zaldy Co, wala nang ika nga karapatan ang Kongreso para maimbitahan siya at maanyayahan para umattend sa committee on ethics,’ Dy said in a press conference on September 29.

(Since Congressman Zaldy Co has already resigned, Congress no longer has the authority, so to speak, to summon or invite him to attend the committee on ethics.)

Rep. Toby Tiangco, who filed the ethics complaint, alleged that Co manipulated the 2025 budget as appropriations chair, flaunted his wealth and violated conflict-of-interest rules through ties to top contractor Sunwest Inc.

Dy and ethics committee chair Rep. JC Abalos (4Ps Party-list) explained that the House could only hold accountable its own members in ethics complaints filed.

With the ethics complaint against Co now moot, Dy said it is up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to pursue any cases that could hold him accountable.

‘Ang tingin namin dito, bahala na ang Department of Justice, at ganu’n din ang ICI kung anong pwede nilang ipataw,’ he said. (Our view is that it’s up to the Department of Justice, as well as the ICI, to decide what they can impose.)

Abalos, on the other hand, explained that the committee’s internal rules limit its jurisdiction to matters concerning the duties, conduct, rights, immunities, reputation and integrity of the House and its members.

He, however, stressed that the ethics committee still urges Co to face the cases he may be up against, given the charges already recommended by the ICI and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

According to Dy, the House was prepared to wait until midnight before taking its next steps – suspending Co if he failed to return to the Philippines by the deadline set after his travel clearance was revoked.

The House speaker also pointed out that Co requested clearance for a personal leave instead of medical leave, but with no medical certificate provided, the application lacked sufficient basis.

Co managed to preempt the suspension by submitting his resignation, which was received at around 2:35 p.m.

Despite his resignation, Dy said Co must still be brought back to the country by all means possible to face accountability for corruption allegations, including claims he received kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Co, however, has since expressed his dismay over the House’s decision to revoke his travel clearance and the ethics complaint filed, calling all the allegations baseless.

In the ICI’s first report, Co was named among the high-profile personalities who should face criminal charges over irregularities found in a P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The independent body found that Sunwest was the contractor, a firm Co co-founded but divested from in 2019.

Meanwhile, the NBI recommended bribery and malversation charges against Co and several other lawmakers for the alleged kickback scheme uncovered from its case build-up.

The Department of Public Works and Highways and the DOJ have already requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze Co’s assets amid ongoing investigations. To track his movements, authorities have requested a blue notice from Interpol and placed him under an immigration lookout bulletin order.

British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson said in an interview that the Philippines’ proactive signing of measures focused on e-Governance, further liberalization of land lease and opening up the telecommunications and renewable energy sectors could increase bilateral trade with the United Kingdom.

The third quarter of the year has witnessed the passage of the following legislation: Republic Act No. 12252 Amended Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act, Republic Act 12254 E-Governance Act, Republic Act No. 12234 Konektadong Pinoy Act, which were identified as a priority legislation by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to Nelson, this gives a strong signal to investors that the country remains an ideal destination for British and other foreign businesses.

Nelson noted that, ‘We were a supporter of the extension of the 99 year lease, and we would echo what Secretary Go said, and this is obviously helping the Philippines bring in line with other countries and will certainly help with investor interest. We recently had an investor forum in London, June 27, with PEZA, with the Director General Panga. I would just like to highlight that one of our members, AstraZeneca, announced separately that they will be investing significantly in the PEZA zone.’

On Aug. 19, 2025, an agreement between PEZA and AstraZeneca was signed, establishing a local innovation hub to further strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.

At present, the UK-Philippine trade remains at an upward trajectory at £3.0 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025 in total trade in goods and services.

At the beginning of the year, the UK was identified as a leading investor by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), citing more opportunities at the recently held investment forum last 27 June 2025, in partnership with the British Chamber.

Nelson also welcomed the UK Ambassador-designate to the Philippines, Sarah Hulton OBE and look forward to further advancing its continued partnership with the British Embassy Manila with upcoming initiatives such as the Great British Festival and preparations for the 80th year of diplomatic relations of the UK and the Philippines in 2026.

Another area of opportunity will be the Philippines’ interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to which the UK acceded in December 2024.

He added that, ‘We have seen it continue to grow and the momentum is there. We would like to see it accelerate more. We have seen the UK showing an interest particularly in renewable energy, so our aim is to move us much further up the ladder in terms of the trade between the UK and the Philippines.’

The Philippine Sportswriters Association is alarmed by the way access to coverage was used recently as a backhanded form of censorship, and is concerned about its impact on members of the free press.

The decision taken by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and its president, Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, on September 23, 2025, revoking the credentials of Spin.ph, a digital site of 13 years’ standing, has spurred the PSA into strengthening the protection of its members from all forms of pressure and harassment while in the performance of their duties.

That these credentials were eventually restored is not enough. We acknowledge the effort made to restore Spin.ph’s accreditation, but we call attention to the fact that revoking the website’s access should never have occurred to begin with. Let us be clear: the very fact that the press is barred, however briefly and inconsequentially – and for no justifiable reason – is unacceptable.

Standing by the belief that the issuance and revocation of media credentials must never be used against reporting that is honest, hard-nosed, and executed without fear or favor, the PSA is adopting the following measure:

Henceforth, any official or organization responding to critical reporting by withholding or forfeiting a PSA member’s standard access to any coverage without due process and prior notice will be declared persona non grata.

Censorship does not always arrive as a law or as an organizational rule. Sometimes it comes as a locked gate, a revoked pass, or an inquiring voice admonished, with the hint of repercussions, that it cannot ask the question.

This is clearly prior restraint and strikes at the very heart of a free press.

To ensure that the measure is not subject to misuse, the PSA will:

Police its ranks and provide continuing guidance to its members on fair and impartial reporting.

Create a committee to handle dialogue between officials/athletes/organizations and PSA members to ensure due process in any case where the revocation of credentials is at issue.

Even if the PNVF’s September 23 attack against one media group has been undone, a chilling effect lingers: a whispered warning to journalists that their next critical piece – be it a short or longform article, in video form, as interview transcript – can result in non-access.

In this republic, unless the 1987 Constitution has been upended, freedom of the press is not an optional adjunct – it is a constitutional pillar. Article III, Section 4, is in fact so unequivocal about this that it constructs the point with an admonition: ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.’

The section is so framed that even the combined legislative force of both chambers of Congress and the vast executive powers of the President are not enough to legislate censorship in any form.

It stands to reason that no sports official or organization can.

We pass this measure with a singular conviction: That the PSA, as a member of the country’s free press, cannot, and will not, accept being silenced, not even temporarily. That a single act of suppression, left unchallenged, risks becoming the standard practice of the future. And that today’s exception can become tomorrow’s rule, while today’s silence can become tomorrow’s permanent mistake.

We don’t ask for favors; we ask for fairness.

We don’t seek permission to speak; we seek protection for our speech.

We don’t demand that people we write about meet us with a warm welcome; we demand that they do not thwart us in our work.

We end with this vow: We move forward ready to cover the games with the same vigor and fairness, respect and responsibility, commitment and passion we have always brought to our profession as journalists.

To fulfill this vow, we shall not stand idle when press freedom is threatened – not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

From soulful covers to chart-topping original tracks, singer-songwriter Justin Vasquez continues to own his space in the OPM scene.

Known for his signature reverse-cap, boy-next-door charm, and buttery vocals, the Filipino-Australian artist has transformed from an Internet crush into one of the most exciting young artists to watch today.

First discovered by many through his YouTube covers, Justin quickly stood out for his ability to reimagine songs with raw emotion and artistry, never losing the spirit of the originals while making them distinctly his own.

His journey has taken him across stages and competitions, including “The X Factor Australia” and “Himig Handog” – both of which paved the way for his shift from cover artist to full-fledged recording act.

Over the years, Justin’s influence has grown beyond YouTube, with over 1.2 million TikTok followers and streaming milestones that strengthen his place in the local music industry.

His 2024 single “What U Need” earned over three million Spotify streams and landed on the platform’s Viral Charts, while his July 2025 release “Home” has already crossed the million mark.

Now, Justin returns with a song that might just be his most moving release yet.

“Kung Di Mo Alam” is a timeless R and B-inspired serenade, blending English and Tagalog in a way that feels both personal and universal.

With its production and delivery, it’s a piece that listeners will want to play on repeat, if they’re in love, healing, or simply daydreaming.

“This song is very close to me, it’s about the kind of love that grounds you, gives you clarity, and makes everything feel worth it,” Justin said in a statement.

Glowing skin isn’t just about looking radiant: it’s about feeling confident in your own skin. That’s the idea behind Galderma’s Journey of Glow, which has been making its way across Asia and has finally arrived in the Philippines, in partnership with The Icon Clinic.

More than an event, the Journey of Glow is designed as an immersive beauty experience, one that encourages you to see skincare and treatments not just as vanity, but as self-care. ‘Glow isn’t just about radiant and refreshed skin; it’s having that healthy and renewed skin from inside out. Giving you the confidence to celebrate beauty,’ shares Michelle De Jesus, business unit head of Galderma Aesthetics, at the Journey of Glow launch.

At the center of the experience is the Icon Glow On treatment, a combination of Restylane Skinboosters and Sculptra, two innovations that work synergistically to deliver both instant and long-lasting results.

Restylane Skinboosters works like water for the skin, delivering deep hydration that smooths texture, refines pores and restores that dewy, lit-from-within look constantly craved for. It is the original and long-lasting injectable designed to improve skin quality with results lasting up to 15 months, thanks to its use of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring molecule that binds water, keeping skin soft, hydrated and glowing.

Restylane Skinboosters delivers micro-droplets of stabilized HA beneath the skin, creating reservoirs of long-term hydration and restoring skin’s natural composition.

Meanwhile, Sculptra is the first and original FDA-approved regenerative biostimulator injectable that helps replenish age-related collagen and elastin loss. Sculptra injects PLLA-SCA (poly-l-lactic acid) deep into the skin, it induces the stimulation of collagen and elastin production to help our body boost its own collagen and elastin production, to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and correct of shallow to deep nasolabial fold.

Sculptra reaches places no topical creams can touch, and it’s the only proven regenerative biostimulator that can stimulate skin’s natural elastin production. The effect? Skin that looks fresh today and stays youthful for years to come.

‘What I love most about Icon Glow On is that it doesn’t change how you look: it enhances what’s already there,’ says Dr. Eric Yapjuangco, also known as Dr. Yappy.

Rona Tai, The Icon Clinic’s ambassador who obtained of the treatment, says that she likes the way it seamlessly intenerates with her life: ‘Usually when I wake up, I’ve only had five or six hours of sleep, but with this treatment, I look like I’ve had eight.’

As a busy woman, Tai has no time for a high-maintenance skin routine, which is why she loves the Glow On Treatment because it allows her to be low-maintenance.

‘I don’t always have to worry about a super long skincare routine just to look moisturized and hydrated, glowing. Now I just obviously must brush my teeth and wash my face. So, I think for me that’s the biggest advantage.’ Tai also shared that she loves the boost of confidence it gives her: ‘It also improves over time, it’s skin deep. That’s why I think Glow On is a game changer. It shortens my prep time and boosts my confidence.’

But the glow doesn’t stop at the clinic-it’s only the beginning. To truly lock in and extend the benefits of your treatment, aftercare is essential.

Galderma recommends Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance as the perfect partner for post-treatment skin. The Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Day Protection Cream and Night Comfort Cream not only brighten but also help restore and strengthen the skin barrier through GentleBright Technology-a proprietary blend of niacinamide and sea daffodil.

‘Aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself. It’s what transforms a one-time glow into lasting radiance, day after day,’ says Rhizza Mae Concepcion, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance brand manager.

With Journey of Glow, Galderma reveals that true beauty isn’t found in quick fixes-it’s rooted in science, trusted products and lasting confidence. Glowing skin is more than appearance; it’s a reflection of how you feel, how you connect with yourself and the journey you embrace. Your glow begins here.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the city will act on the results of an independent assessment that engineering and architecture groups did regarding the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) project, which may lead to a realignment of its civil works.

The City Council commissioned the experts’ assessment of the CCMC project, after Councilor Nyza Archival raised concerns about transparency and accountability on the long-delayed project. The assessment findings report is expected in the first week of October.

Nyza earlier delivered a privilege speech highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in what she described as a critical and long-overdue infrastructure project of the city.

Without preempting the experts’ report, Mayor Archival revealed he was told of discrepancies between official completion reports and the actual status of the building, noting that some phases were listed as finished on paper but remain incomplete on-site.

‘The first, second, third, fourth (phases), mura’g ang ilang gitan-aw, kung sa paper human na pero wala pa,’ said the mayor, adding that civil works may possibly be realigned, and the project constructed gradually.

Mayor Archival added that the ?700-million contract with Dakay Construction for the hospital’s remaining floors is still under review, aligned with the City Council’s move, especially since the Department of Engineering and Public Works earlier found the project lacked as-built plans.

‘Kay ang mga nahuman nga Phase 1, Phase 2 nga mga contractors, wala may as-built plans, wala man ta’y plano nga nagsulti nga mao ‘ni ang nahuman namo,’ the mayor previously said.

In response, Councilor Archival, with the Council’s approval, sought the assistance of experts from leading organizations of engineering, architecture, and related disciplines to conduct a thorough audit of the existing documents related to the CCMC project.

Specifically, the councilor called for the involvement of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the United Architects of the Philippines, among others.

The objectives of the audit are to scrutinize all original plans, sketches, and designs; verify architectural and engineering documents; check for irregularities, discrepancies, or post-construction alterations that may have led to misappropriation of funds; and facilitate a comprehensive review for the city’s reference in making informed decisions.

It can be recalled that, following his long-awaited review of the CCMC contract for the third to sixth floors, Mayor Archival bared that the DEPW had not located the primary construction plan for the project, prompting him to stop the construction until the missing plan is provided.

When Archival assumed office as Cebu City’s mayor, one of his campaign promises was to finish the long-delayed CCMC building.

He said that, before his administration took over the city government, the contract to complete the third to sixth floors had already been awarded to a contractor, along with the corresponding Notice to Proceed (NTP). Currently, the contractor is requesting a down payment.

However, although the Programs of Work and Estimates (POWE) were already in place, the detailed plans on which construction should be based are missing. This has raised red flags among the engineers involved in the contract review.

Going back to the time of his predecessor, then-mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, before leaving office, named Dakay Construction as the winning bidder for the controversial CCMC project, despite an unfinished City Council investigation into the project’s delays and issues.

Garcia signed the contract with Dakay, which allows for a 240-calendar-day construction period, equivalent to eight months. He clarified that the agreement covers only the third to seventh floors, and that completing the remaining upper floors would require a separate contract-one he intended to leave to the incoming administration, Archival’s for that matter.

The project’s budget is approximately ?700 million, an amount left over from the previous construction before it was halted. Garcia also clarified that the inclusion of the seventh floor involves applying the final touches.