Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) extension office here warned the public against the operation of investment venture ‘Infin8 Success Global’ in Soccsksargen region (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City).

According to the SEC Koronadal, an entity named ‘INFIN8 Success Global, INFIN8 Success-Global Health and Beauty Products Trading,’ operated by a certain Jerson Saballa, has been enticing the public to invest their money in its scheme with the promise of high monetary rewards or profits.

The SEC said the company maintained a physical office and conducted operations online through the webpage i8sucess.com and other digital platforms, where it enticed the public to be part of its business through what appeared to be a binary-like marketing scheme or recruitment-driven model, a structure commonly associated with illegal or unauthorized investment schemes that are inherently unsustainable and detrimental to the public.

‘[Based on] our records, INFIN8 Success Global/INFIN8 Success-Global Health and Beauty Products Trading is not a registered as a corporation and has no secondary license or authority to solicit investment from the public,’ the SEC Koronadal said in a public statement.

The SEC Koronadal explained that the mere registration of a corporation did not grant it the authority to solicit investments from the public.

Stop

It issued the advisory to urge the public to exercise extreme caution in dealing with entities that offer or promise earnings that appeared ‘too good to be true.’

The SEC advised the public not to invest in these schemes; and for those who have already done so, to stop.

It warned that any entity found soliciting investments without such a license, along with all individuals involved in its promotions, shall be subject to corresponding administrative, civil and criminal penalties under the law.

In 2016, a huge number of ‘investors,’ including those from Koronadal and South Cotabato, fell victims to the infamous ‘Kapa’ (Kabus Padatuon/Enrich the Poor) investment scheme, losing millions of pesos. The Kapa-Community Ministry International, founded by Pastor Joel Apolinario became one of the biggest investment fraud scandals in Philippine history.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stood by his decision to appoint retired Philippine National Police chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), despite being linked to previous controversies.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the President handpicked Azurin to be the new special adviser and investigator of the ICI because of his ‘experience and expertise as an investigator.’

His appointment also has ‘no complications, because he is not a politician,’ she added.

According to Malacañang, Marcos had also taken into consideration Azurin’s involvement in the alleged coverup in the investigation of the PNP into a controversial drug haul in 2022.

‘He was just accused. It is easy to just drop names and to pin the blame on others,’ Castro explained.

‘It would be a different story if there were cases filed against him and he was convicted,’ she said.

Azurin fills in for Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who resigned on Friday after Malacañang raised concerns that his dual role in the government, among other issues, might compromise the independence of the ICI.

Stakeholders earlier raised concerns of Magalong being unfit to be at the ICI, citing the constitutional ban on any elective official from being designated to another public office during his tenure.

As special adviser and investigator, Azurin may directly submit reports and information to the ICI to aid in its fact-finding mandate.

He may also conduct a probe ‘on his own,’ but he does not hold power over the government’s law enforcement, intelligence and investigative bodies, including the PNP and National Bureau of Investigation.

In January 2023, then-Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos called for the courtesy resignation of all the more than 900 colonels and generals of the PNP as part of the government’s internal cleansing of the police force.

Azurin was among the first who submitted his courtesy resignation, but Marcos immediately rejected it, allowing him to complete his tenure and effectively clearing him of any involvement with illegal drugs.

Abalos, who also chairs the National Police Commission (Napolcom) then, ordered the PNP to create a special investigation task group to probe the involvement of police officials, including generals, in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in a warehouse owned by a police intelligence officer in Tondo, Manila in October 2022.

Later inquiries found that police officers and officials attempted to pilfer the confiscated shabu either to be resold or to be used as ‘accomplishment’ in future anti-drug operations.

By April 2023, before Azurin retired from the police service, Abalos alleged that there was a ‘massive cover-up attempt’ in the investigation of the PNP. He ordered the Napolcom to conduct its own oversight inquiry.

Azurin denied Abalos’ claim and came to the defense of the two generals implicated in the investigation.

After a joint inquiry by the Napolcom and PNP, criminal complaints were filed against 50 police personnel, including two generals, before the Office of the Ombudsman for their suspected coverup and involvement in the operation.

In July 2023, Marcos accepted the resignation of 18 PNP officials, including three generals, for their drug involvement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has taken custody of a suspected underwater drone recovered by local fishermen in the waters off Barangay Barangonan, Linapacan, Palawan, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

Tarriela said the device-approximately 13 feet long-was discovered on Sunday by a group of fishermen from Sitio Tapic, Barangay New Colaylayan, Linapacan, during routine fishing operations.

Later that same evening, the fishermen handed over the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to coast guard personnel. It has since been secured at PCG Station Linapacan for further verification, technical examination, and investigation, in coordination with relevant national security agencies.

The AUV is now undergoing detailed forensic analysis to determine its origin, operational history, and any potential security threats.

‘The sensor includes Chinese labeling and a serial number (CTD-20090334), along with visible corrosion from prolonged saltwater exposure. It is mounted on a rugged metal frame, typical of components in autonomous underwater vehicles commonly known as underwater drones,’ Tarriela added.

He noted that this incident is the latest in a string of similar recoveries in Philippine waters since July 2022./coa

A good night’s sleep just got better. Global sleep solutions brand Serta, in partnership with OUR HOME, unveiled the new Perfect Spine Collection at SM Megamall, treating guests and shoppers to a day dedicated to comfort, wellness, and the science of better sleep.

The launch was more than a product showcase-it was an experience. Attendees explored the collection through hands-on demonstrations and sleep consultations, with many taking advantage of the exclusive one-day promo of 50% OFF.

Perfect Balance for Restorative Sleep

What makes this collection stand out is its unique balance of firm support and plush comfort, designed to cradle the body while keeping the spine properly aligned. Unlike ordinary mattresses, the Perfect Spine Collection was developed with restorative sleep in mind-helping people wake up feeling recharged and ready for the day.

To highlight just how important sleep is to everyday life, Dr. John Andrew M. Yam, MD joined the celebration and shared:’Sleep is essential to our overall well-being. The right mattress can transform the way we rest, directly influencing our health, focus, and even our mood.’

Partnership for Better Living

Known worldwide as

‘The World’s Best Mattress,’

Serta continues to set the standard for premium sleep. With decades of innovation and trust behind it, the brand has become synonymous with comfort, durability, and thoughtful design-making it the top choice for millions of sleepers around the globe.

Now, through its partnership with OUR HOME, Serta is bringing world-class comfort-and its promise of better sleep-closer to Filipino homes.

With 33 stores nationwide, OUR HOME continues to bring global style into Filipino homes with great design and great prices.

Visit OUR HOME at Building A, Lower Ground Level of SM Megamall or the store nearest you to experience the new Serta Perfect Spine Collection. You may also contact a Personal Shopper at 0917-831-5260 or shop online at www.ourhome.ph.

A Japanese company focused on providing assisted reproductive technology or fertility treatments will expand its services in the Philippines. This is through its upcoming facility housed within the Filinvest Group’s office building in Muntinlupa City.

Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT), the real estate investment trust unit of Filinvest Land Inc., on Monday, announced the entry of Conceive IVF Manila in its Filinvest One Building.

Conceive IVF is under Japan’s Kato Medical Group. It also has another fertility facility in Makati City.

‘This marks a significant step in further expanding and diversifying our tenant portfolio to include the sphere of health and wellness,’ FILRT president and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio said in a statement.

‘This collaboration also reflects our dedication to offering spaces that cater to the evolving needs of various industries,’ Lirio added.

Conceive IVF managing director Kenki Okumura said the new facility would enable the company to ‘deliver enhanced fertility care and create a supportive environment for individuals and families in South Metro Manila.’

The Kato Medical Group has been offering assisted reproductive technology services for over 30 years, the company said on its website.

This comes as part of FILRT’s goal of diversifying its tenant mix.

In June, FILRT welcomed the Qatar Airways Group. It will set up its first Philippine office, also within Filinvest One.

Qatar Aviation Services said the building’s green infrastructure aligned with their ‘carbon-conscious aviation services.’ INQ

The revelation of a ‘ghost factory’ of flood control projects in Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office by the Commission on Audit (COA)-initially worth P340-P360 million-confirms the existence of its systematic and syndicated theft of taxpayer funds.

Forged documents, mismatched addresses, and duplicate claims were all parts of this elaborate and time-consuming recycling plan. Results from the audit indicate that district engineers and contractors led them to locations that did not comply with the contract specifications, that slope protection and riverbank structures were already in place when the contracts began, and that critical documents were missing.

A system where, a factory turns paper into profit, where contractors are paid in advance for projects that were never developed, or finished works counted more than once, and records vanish. Deeply involved is a syndicate inside the DPWH DEO involving all of its senior officials.

The recent Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings were equally explosive. OIC ARD and former DE Henry Alcantara confirmed that there are approximately 50 ghost flood control projects implemented in his district, with an estimated cost of P4 to P5 billion. He insisted he has no participation in those ghost projects and pointed to the culprits led by former DE Brice Hernandez and the others.

in contrast, DE Hernandez says he was merely following instructions from his boss Alcantara under a 40-20 -20-20 partition rule for ghost projects with Alcantara getting 40 percent while he and engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Paul Duya get 20 percent each.

In a later hearing, resigned DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo denied his involvement but confirmed in his affidavit the 40-20-20-20 partition rule on ghost projects of Alcantara, Hernandez and engineers Jaypee Mendoza and Arjay Domasig.

There were inconsistencies between Alcantara, Hernandez and Bernardo specifically on their respective shares. Bernardo said he was only getting 15 percent from Alcantara , but Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza insisted that they are preparing 25 to 30 percent for Usec Bernardo. There was also talk that from the 25 percent commission allegedly for rep. Zaldy Co, both Bernardo and Alcantara they claim receive just 1 percent each.

It was a great though that DPWH sec. Vince Dizon acted quickly and seventeen officials of the Bulacan First district Engineering office from top to bottom including all section chiefs and engineers were dismissed administratively, filed charges before the Ombudsman and ordered an AMLC asset freeze against them.

Also charged were contractors Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corp., Mark Allan V. Arevalo, owner of Wawao Builders, Sally Santos of Syms Construction Trading, and Robert T. Imperio, owner of IM Construction Corp.

The billions of pesos pocketed by this syndicated operation flooded tax payers money into their private pockets. No wonder, most of them lived in shameless lifestyle while and racking up massive gambling losses of P950 million in thirteen casinos spread over Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga for many years.

But another worrying fact is Alcantara’s influence on neighboring DPWH engineering districts. Funds totaling P5.6 billion allegedly coming from Rep. Zaldy Co were dispersed among the following DEO’s in 2023 and 2024: Tarlac First Engineering District, Tarlac Second District Office, Pampanga Third District Office, and Bulacan Second District Office. What happened with these allocations will of course be revealed only after DPWH internal investigations and COA fraud audits very soon.

The Bulacan First DEO promoted DE Henry Alcantara to his post in 2019. He admitted leading this syndicated operations and tagged boss of the (Bulacan Group of Contractors) BGC boys. In the Senate, Alcantara addresses DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo as his boss from way back. Bernardo had been with Alcantara from Laguna to the City of Manila Engineering office and finally to Bulacan.

In their sworn affidavits before the Senate a lot of big names were mentioned, Alcantara revealed the involvement of former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy and Ferdstar Builders Contractors.

Meanwhile Former DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo tagged Senator Chiz Escudero and his friend businessman Maynard Ngu, former Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Nancy Binay, COA Commissioner Mario Lipaña, DEPEd Usec Trygive Olaivar while citing conversations and deliveries of money from Alcantara to Congressman Zaldy Co. Also in his affidavit, Bernardo revealed he was consulting then DPWH sec. Manny Bonoan regarding the release of funds for SP Escudero.

Hernandez mentioned new names of involved politicians when he was summoned by the Independent Committee on Infrastructure. His lawyer, Atty Raymond Fortun went public that six more senators will be implicated, however his client Brice Hernandez denied this in a Senate hearing. We expect more fireworks in the coming days.

But there are other important questions waiting for answers.Alcantara assumed office as DEO in 2019, when former President Duterte was in office, what happened? Considering the clear connection between Usec Bernardo and Alcantara, might it be inferred that Mark Villar, the current senator and former secretary of the DPWH, was also privy to the operation they were running? Who are the 2019-2022, 2020-2021, and 2022 Duterte officials or politicians who funded flood control projects of Alcantara and Bernardo ? Which contractors are involved in this projects? Which politicians were behind the 2019 and beyond Senate/House budget insertions, the Unprogrammed Funds, and the National Expenditure Program?

It is my belief that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should continue to focus on this ‘organized plunder’ in Bulacan and how these phantom flood control projects are created from the DPWH, the DBM, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Bicameral conference committee.

What is the true story here?

We want to know the other Senators, Congressmen, Undersecretaries, senior government officials and contractors who benefitted from this Bulacan ghost flood project factory. The Filipino people have a right to know the whole truth-no embellishments-because they have been deeply hurt. (next)

Don’t Lock the People Out: ICI’s Closed Sessions Betray the Public Trust

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s decision to hold closed-door hearings into the Bulacan flood-control scandal is not merely disappointing; it is a dangerous abdication of the public’s right to know. The COA has exposed a gargantuan pattern of alleged theft and organized plunder in Bulacan. In response, the ICI should be inviting the public in, not shutting them out behind a bureaucratic curtain.

The ICI’s stated fear – that public proceedings might become a ‘trial by publicity’ – is both overstated and self-defeating. Transparency is not the enemy of fair process; secrecy is. When a new commission with limited powers refuses public scrutiny while investigating allegations that implicate powerful officials, it fuels the very suspicions it claims to dispel. If the ICI lacks confidence , the correct remedy is to tighten those procedures, not to keep citizens in the dark.

The ICI should commit to making its hearings public and accessible – but with safeguards designed to protect the integrity of testimony and the safety of witnesses. While we agree to disallow live streaming or broadcasting, they must publish verbatim transcripts and ‘completely verified’ exhibits within 24 hours of every session.

At the end of every hearing, the commission should hold a same day public press briefing summarizing what was covered, clarifying the status of unverified claims, and identifying next steps. This prevents misinformation from filling the vacuum.

These measures strike the balance the public demands: openness that prevents secrecy-driven impunity, and safeguards that protect fair process and personal safety. There is a larger point here. The Bulacan revelations triggered public outrage for a reason: ordinary Filipinos see their taxes turned into a slush fund for unscrupulous operators while their communities remain exposed to danger from shoddy or phantom flood-control work. The ICI’s legitimacy depends on how visibly and resolutely it counters that perception. Secrecy will only deepen mistrust and ignite street protests; visibility, combined with discipline, will build credibility.

Finally, let me be blunt: in a republic, public hearings are not a courtesy to the press; they are a safeguard for the citizenry. The people do not merely have an interest in these proceedings – they have a right to observe them. The ICI must open its doors, adopt robust safeguards against abuse, and show the nation that its investigations are about accountability, not cover-up. Anything less is a betrayal of the public trust and the promise of reform. If the commission refuses, it will invite one of two outcomes: either the very real danger of politicized spectacle, or the far worse danger of a quiet, bureaucratic burial of evidence. Neither is acceptable.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday allayed fears and debunked myths regarding the safety and effectiveness of contraceptives as the agency sought to encourage the public to practice family planning.

‘Until now, myths regarding contraceptives continue to flourish,’ the DOH said in a video presentation. ‘Many have become confused and afraid because of these rumors.’

Among the myths surrounding contraceptives that were pointed out by the DOH was the belief that birth control pills can cause cancer, which the agency stressed was not true.

‘Instead of causing cancer, studies have shown that [birth control] pills can help reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer,’ the DOH said, citing a report from the World Health Organization.

The DOH further noted that some people believe that taking birth control pills can lower a person’s sex drive. However, the agency pointed out that there has been no evidence to prove such claims, emphasizing that birth control pills are safe to use.

The DOH also addressed fears regarding ligation, which involves cutting or blocking a woman’s fallopian tubes, noting that some people believe that undergoing such procedure can weaken a person’s body.

‘That’s wrong. Ligation does not cause weakness or hormonal imbalance, nor does it affect a person’s sex drive or weight. It also does not involve removing a woman’s womb,’ the DOH said.

The DOH also noted that withdrawal during sexual activities do not effectively prevent pregnancies, pointing out that one out of five women who rely on such a method become pregnant within a year.

The agency said it was important to spread correct information regarding contraceptives so that couples would be aware of their options when practicing family planning, helping them attain their desired number of children and allowing women to determine the spacing of their pregnancies.

Some of these options include condoms, birth control pills and injectables, which prevent pregnancies in the short term. Long-term options, meanwhile, include implants and intrauterine devices, while permanent measures include ligation and vasectomy.

Previously, the DOH said more than 9 million women in the country were using family planning methods based on data from the agency. However, it also noted that only 0.1 percent of Filipinos have undergone vasectomy despite the measure being 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. /cb

Senator Jinggoy Estrada took a jab at the House of Representatives on Tuesday for its failure to pass a bill that would have strengthened and expanded the mandate of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Online streaming platforms would have been included in the MTRCB’s regulatory powers if Senate Bill No. 2805 was enacted into law.

The measure was approved by the Senate on third and final reading during the 19th Congress but its counterpart measure remained pending at the committee level in the House of Representatives.

‘So this isn’t finished yet? Nothing in the House? They’re so lazy,’ Estrada said in Filipino as he presided over the Senate subcommittee on finance’s deliberations on the proposed P221.297 million budget of the MTRCB for 2026.

The senator though noted that many industry stakeholders were also against the bill, saying it ‘impinges on a struggling film industry,’ ‘strangles creativity’ and adversely impacts ‘freedom of expression and artistic integrity.’

‘It is in this context that we shall look into your budget, together with the direction that the agency is taking with your proposed table of expenditures and programs for next year,’ Estrada said.

For 2026, MTRCB is proposing P221.297 million budget.

Of the budget proposal, Estrada noted that P165.698 million was allotted for MRTCB’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Capital Outlay which will be sourced from the board’s own revenues, and provided for under the Special Provisions.

Estrada, meanwhile, informed the MTRCB that he has filed Senate Bill No. 878 that would establish the Retained Income Fund and replace its existing sinking fund.

Under the bill filed last August, MTRCB would be allowed to retain 50 percent of its revenues to be used for its MOOE excluding payment of salaries and allowances. /cb

The Archdiocese of Cebu will witness a historic and grace-filled moment on Tuesday, Sept. 30, as Most Rev. Alberto ‘Abet’ Uy is formally installed as the fifth metropolitan archbishop of Cebu.

The solemn canonical possession and installation rites will take place at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 9 a.m. It is expected to draw together an extraordinary gathering of prelates from across the Philippines and beyond.

According to the Archdiocese of Cebu, among those attending are high-ranking leaders of the Catholic Church: Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Rev. Charles John Brown; Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and Bishop of Kalookan; and Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila.

Also joining are several archbishops from key ecclesiastical territories, including Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres, Archbishop John Du of Palo, and Archbishop Victor Bendico of Capiz, among others. Retired archbishops, such as Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, and Archbishop Leonardo Medroso, will also grace the celebration.

Dozens of bishops from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be present, including Bishop Precioso Cantillas, Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete, Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig, Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, and many more. Apostolic vicars and bishops emeriti are also expected to participate.

The installation of Uy marks a new chapter for the Archdiocese of Cebu, recognized as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. Cebu’s faithful, together with visiting prelates, are set to witness a moment of deep ecclesial unity as they celebrate the continuity of faith and mission in one of the country’s most historic archdioceses.

Uy was born and raised in Ubay town, Bohol. Pope Francis appointed Uy as the 7th bishop of Tagbilaran on October 13, 2016. He was consecrated on Jan. 5, 2017. /das

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved 3,770 public works projects worth P214.4 billion from unprogrammed funds in 2023 and 2024, with majority going to ‘favored regions’ now being flagged for anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

This according to ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, who said these findings directly contradicted Malacañang’s claims that the President had no role in infrastructure corruption issues.

‘To be able to fund nearly 4,000 projects from unprogrammed appropriations, the president would have had to approve them,’ he said during the plenary deliberations for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed P881.3-billion budget for 2026.

He challenged Malacañang to explain the basis for the releases and to ‘stop washing its hands off the corruption allegations.’

Citing official data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during the plenary deliberations for the Department of Public Highways’ (DPWH) 2026 budget, Tinio disclosed that the DPWH received P61.4 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2023 for 1,889 projects, and P153 billion in 2024 for 1,811 projects.

In 2023, the top regions that got the largest share in unprogrammed funds were: Central Luzon, with 283 projects worth P11.7 billion in total; Bicol with 138 projects worth P7.6 billion, and Central Visayas with 170 projects worth P7.2 billion. In 2024, Mimaropa got the lion’s share of unprogrammed funds with P29.4 billion for 201 projects, followed by Central Luzon again with P25 billion for 285 projects. Majority of the projects approved for these regions, Tinio added, were flood control projects.

‘These are interesting top three regions, as these are the ‘usual suspect’ regions now being mentioned in the flood control scandal now,’ Tinio noted, alluding to Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro provinces, which are now under scrutiny after officials discovered numerous ghost flood control projects there.

Several past and current lawmakers, particularly Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Nancy Binay; and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, are accused of receiving billions in kickbacks from projects in Bulacan.

Co, meanwhile, was founder of Sunwest Inc., the firm that implemented an anomalous P289.5 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He is now facing graft, malversation and falsification charges over the project.

Tinio, however, emphasized that the President could not separate himself from the issue as unprogrammed funds-or standby authorizations that can only be tapped when new revenue or loans materialize-were within the discretion of the executive.

He cited Section 35, Chapter 5, Book 6 of Executive Order No. 292, which states that expenditures from lump sum appropriations ‘shall be made in accordance with a special budget to be approved by the President.’

This is not the first time that Tinio or other lawmakers have criticized the ballooning amount of unprogrammed appropriations under the Marcos administration, especially since these are lump-sum allocations that have no line items in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

This, Tinio stressed, has made them essentially invisible to public scrutiny-as demonstrated by the fact that no flood control project funded by unprogrammed funds were included in Malacañang’s Sumbong sa Pangulo transparency website for flood control projects.

To be able to fund infrastructure projects in this budget line, the DPWH regional and district engineering offices would have to submit requests for funding, which would be vetted by the agency’s planning services office.

The DPWH then submits a special budget request for release of funds to the DBM, which is the delegated authority by the Office of the President.

The DPWH’s sponsoring lawmaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. said that the DPWH would soon release its own transparency server that would include these projects and possibly include the proponents of the project. /cb