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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

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged the vice governors in the country to unite and help in his campaign against corruption in government.

‘The unscrupulous abuse of power and greed must come to an end,’ the President told the newly elected and appointed officials of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) during their oath-taking ceremony at Malacañang.

‘Many Filipinos are dismayed because of the piling issues that overwhelm them every day,’ the President said in Filipino.

‘Our people are exhausted, they are disappointed, they are angry. And as I have said before, their rage is valid. It is born from years of frustration at a government characterized by systemic dysfunction and unfulfilled promises,’ he added.

Acknowledging the deep frustrations of ordinary Filipinos, Marcos stated that the people’s dissatisfaction stemmed from years of institutional neglect and the government’s repeated failures to deliver on its promises of reform.

The President urged the local executives not to ignore the public clamor that is growing louder.

‘Let us not dismiss that anger. Let us confront it. Let us be humble and provide concrete solutions,’ he said.

‘We already know what is wrong so we must make it right,’ Marcos added. ‘Reforming our government is the only way we have to win back the trust of our people.’

Congressional inquiries have found that trillions of pesos were embezzled by different government officials and contractors from the thousands of government flood control projects funded by taxpayers’ money.

This resulted in either substandard, or ‘ghost’ (nonexistent) public works projects that have failed in protecting the lives of Filipinos from flooding brought by stronger and greater numbers of successive typhoons and disasters.

Marcos ordered the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate all the anomalous government infrastructure projects in the past 10 years, and recommend the filing of charges to all those involved.

In the past weeks, Filipinos from different walks of life and political affiliations staged demonstrations across the country to condemn what the President himself called to be deeply entrenched and systemic corruption in the government.

As vice governors, they shall be the presiding officers of their respective provincial councils that pass ordinances and resolutions to create programs and policies that will help their constituents.

According to Marcos, although the vice governors come from different provinces and political parties, they should all be united in their commitment to serve the Filipino people.

‘Let us prove that true public service is not about political colors. It is found in the heart, in the conscience, and, most importantly, in action, the President said in Filipino.

‘I know we have it in us to provide our people with the service they rightfully deserve,’ he added.

At last week’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on anomalous flood control projects, Orly Regala Guteza, a witness presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, testified that he delivered suitcases containing money to the residence of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Rizaldy Co.

Shortly after he submitted his affidavit to the committee, lawyer Petchie Rose Espera, whose signature and notarial seal were in the document, issued a statement denying ‘.notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of the said document.’

She further said the signature and notarial details attributed to her were falsified and unauthorized.

That disclaimer raised serious doubts about the truthfulness of Guteza’s statements, including the integrity of the people who had a hand in his sudden appearance in the hearing.

In an obvious effort at damage control, his handlers said that even if the notarization was falsified, his statements deserve consideration because he was sworn to by the committee before he read his affidavit.

Credibility

It is apparent that the attempt to make it appear that his statements were made under oath before a notary public was aimed at giving them the credibility usually accorded to or is enjoyed by notarized documents.

The common perception of those documents is that their contents are truthful or worthy of belief because their affiants know that they could be held liable for perjury if their statements were later proven false.

The unabashed falsification of a notarial certification submitted in a proceeding that had drawn and continues to draw public attention has added to the already diminished level of confidence in the trustworthiness of documents submitted to government offices and business establishments, in particular, banks and financial institutions.

In earlier times, when official and commercial papers that bore the signatures of the parties were submitted, the genuineness of the signatures was presumed and no additional documents were needed to authenticate them.

Not anymore.

The proliferation of fake and falsified documents, which has been made easy through the use of computer-generated signatures and other AI (artificial intelligence) techniques, no longer makes that trusting attitude acceptable.

Today, it is standard operating procedure that signatures in commercial or business documents must be accompanied by a photocopy of a government-issued identification card (or sometimes two depending on the significance of the document) of the signatory that bears his or her signature.

Signed thrice

And below that, the signatory must sign three times and indicate the date of his or her signing. These requirements are aimed at ensuring that the document was really signed by the person whose signature appears on it.

These requirements apply even if the document is notarized by a notary public or sworn to before a government employee who is authorized to authenticate documents.

With that incident in the Senate hearing, notarization may cease to be looked at as a reliable measure of the truthfulness or credibility of statements made in notarized documents. It looks like the threat of being held liable for perjury or making false statements under oath no longer makes telling the truth an essential element in the preparation and submission of sworn statements.

This would be unnerving for transactions that, for example, involve huge amounts of money or require compliance with some obligations in long-term contracts that are based on commitments made under oath.

In light of the misuse of the notarial process, some businesses cannot be faulted if they adopt stricter rules in the submission of documents that are required to be duly notarized.

That may include giving a copy of the notary’s notarial commission to make sure he or she is authorized to perform the notarial act and, like the signatories, a photocopy of a government-issued identification that bears his or her signature.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon province has reminded business establishments to abide by the 60-day price freeze on basic goods following the September 17 flash floods that devastated at least eight barangays here.

DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Christopher Diaz said the price freeze will remain until November 17, 2025, unless the state of calamity declared by the local government is lifted earlier.

The city government declared a state of calamity on September 19.

To ensure compliance, DTI-Bukidnon issued letters of inquiry to 10 major stores in the city after observing price changes, though no significant hikes are expected.

DTI urged consumers to report retailers selling above the prevailing prices.

Items covered by the price freeze include canned goods, milk (condensed, evaporated, and powdered), coffee, soap, noodles, bottled water, and iodized salt.

However, milk products classified as supplements or nutritional milk are excluded.

Diaz clarified that medicines, liquified petroleum gas, fuel, fish, and meat fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Department of Energy.

Meanwhile, Josh Rey Caparoso of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO, who heads the rapid damage and needs assessment, said they are still receiving more information about flood-damaged vehicles, along with infrastructures, farms, houses, livestock, appliances, and other valuables.

He noted that figures continue to change due to the extensive destruction, with the final report expected this week.

As of September 29, five fatalities have been confirmed: Jaya Taña, 27; King Winston Adran, 13; Larry Labay, 53; Princess Kyarah Dacoycoy, 17; and Deejay Ark Taña Viña, 4.

Search and retrieval operations are ongoing for three missing individuals: Johnny Borbon, 63; Dina Consolacion, 48; and Andrea Vistal

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) amid the ongoing investigation of alleged anomalies in flood control projects across the country.

The MOA signing on Tuesday was led by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes and AMLC Chair Eli Remolona Jr. at the ICI office in Taguig City.

Representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Insurance Commission also took part in the MOA signing.

Reyes described the MOA signing as a ‘firm declaration of our shared resolve to root out corruption and defend the trust of the Filipino people.’

‘It is only through cooperation that we can confront the many faces of crime, graft, and the darker aspects of governance,’ the ICI chair said.

‘As you may know, the ICI is still very young. We have been in existence for only 15 days, with just four lawyer-volunteers carrying the weight of a tall task. Yet despite our size, our mandate is broad: to investigate irregularities, demand accountability, and restore integrity in public infrastructure. This is why the assistance of the AMLC is both timely and indispensable,’ he added.

The ICI is currently conducting a series of hearings in connection with their ongoing probe on the irregularities of flood control projects across the country.

For this Tuesday, contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya attended the ICI hearing for their alleged involvement in the said infrastructure anomalies.

Meanwhile, the AMLC earlier said it may look into banks after a congressional probe flagged large cash transactions connected to a flood control scandal. /das