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The plenary debates on the Office of the Vice President (OVP) proposed 2026 budget has been reset again as no undersecretary-level official showed up at the House of Representatives – with the chamber giving the office one last chance to appear on Thursday.

During the plenary session on Wednesday, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan asked whether Vice President Sara Duterte is present to defend the agency’s proposed allocation for 2026.

Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Emano asked Deputy Majority Leader and Mindoro 1st District Rep. Arnan Panaligan to respond to Libanan’s question.

‘Mr. Speaker, according to our agenda for today, the next agency in the agenda is the Office of the Vice President. May we know if the Vice President is present, Mr. Speaker?’ Libanan asked. ‘Mr. Speaker, we have been informed that the Vice President is not present, but sent the following officials of the Office of the Vice President, namely Assistant Secretary Lemuel, the OIC chief-of-staff; Atty. Rosalynne Sanchez, director for admin and financial services; and Mr. Norman Baloro, director for operations,’ Panaligan replied.

After this response from the Deputy Majority Leader, Libanan asked if the requirement of the House is to have either the head of agency or the second-in-command – an undersecretary-level official – assist the budget sponsor in defending the proposed budget.

In response, Panaligan said that plenary debates on the OVP budget was actually scheduled for Tuesday, but it was rescheduled to Wednesday because of the same issue.

Panaligan noted that OVP will have one final chance to appear on Thursday – the last day of debates before the House moves to make amendments on the floor.

‘Mr. Speaker, is it not the requirement of this House, is that for the heads of agencies (to) be personally present as what happened during our previous deliberations, and in this case, we need the presence of the Vice President?’ Libanan asked again.

‘That is correct Mr. Speaker, the rules of the House requires the presence of heads of agencies in the consideration of their budget [.] Mr. Speaker for the record, today is the second time that the proposed budget of the OVP was put in our agenda. Yesterday, the proposed budget of the OVP was even number one in the agenda, but only the same officials mentioned earlier were present,’ Panaligan said.

This is not the first time that the OVP sent an official that is not of an undersecretary level. Last September 12, at the initial budget hearing before the House committee on appropriations, the panel was forced to reschedule the discussions as Ortonio was the highest-ranked official that Duterte sent.

Budget sponsor and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez said that Vice President Duterte will eventually show up on September 16 – a promise that she fulfilled. During the committee hearing, both the Minority and the Majority accorded parliamentary courtesy to Duterte, sparing her from questions by the panel’s members.

Duterte however waived the parliamentary courtesy given, answering some questions from the Minority solons.

The confirmed death toll in Cebu has risen to 19 following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck late Tuesday night.

According to the Cebu Provincial Information Office, nine adults and four minors died in Bogo City. Based on an initial report from the Capitol, most of the victims were crushed when their homes collapsed. Bogo City was the epicenter of the quake.

In San Remigio, five deaths were confirmed, including a 10-year-old child.

Raymond Frasco of the San Remigio Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said three of the fatalities were personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, while one was a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

They were reportedly trapped and crushed by concrete inside a gym where a basketball league between the two agencies was being held during the earthquake.

The local government has placed the entire San Remigio under a state of calamity due to damages caused by the quake.

Meanwhile, through his official Facebook account, Mayor Rex Gerona confirmed that a senior citizen in Tabuelan also died during the strong earthquake.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the Office of the President has reached out to ensure aid from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s office will be extended.

After an emergency meeting at the Capitol, the governor will proceed to Danao City, where an Emergency Operations Center will be established to respond to the quake’s impact in northern Cebu.

Dump trucks and boom trucks from her office will also be deployed to assist with clearing and rescue efforts./mcm

Alex Eala survived a grueling battle against Greet Minnen of Belgium, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 7-5, on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Suzhou Open WTA 125.

Eala, seeded fourth, closed out the marathon round-of-16 match in three hours and 18 minutes after breaking Minnen’s serve for the first time in the deciding set. The Filipino tennis ace struggled to shake off Minnen, who pulled even five times in the third set before Eala strung together back-to-back games to secure the win.

It marked Eala’s second straight long outing in Suzhou. She also needed three sets to beat Katarzyna Kawa of Poland in her opening-round match on Tuesday. Eala raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, but that proved to be the largest gap for either side as the opening two sets went down to tiebreaks.

In the first-set tiebreak, Eala rallied from a 4-2 deficit, pulled even at 5-all, then won the next two points to take the set.

Eala is seeking a deeper run in Suzhou after her semifinal exit in last week’s Jingshan Tennis Open, where she lost to eventual champion Lulu Sun.

The current World No. 58 faces Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Eala is eyeing a second WTA 125 crown after winning the Guadalajara Open 125 last month.

For the second year in a row, PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI)’s First Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Emirosco Michael Sena, has been named Gold winnerfor Marketing Executive of the Yearat the prestigious Globee® Awards for Innovation. The back-to-back recognition celebrates his forward-thinking leadership and transformative contributions to Cebuana Lhuillier-redefining how the brand connects with millions of Filipinos and cementing its position as a champion of financial inclusion. TheGlobee® Awards, one of the world’s premier business honors, spotlight leaders, innovators, and organizations that set benchmarks of excellence across industries. By securing his second consecutive Gold, Sena now joins an elite roster of executives worldwide whose work has driven meaningful change, further establishing his role as a trailblazer in marketing and communications.

For Sena, the recognition is more than a professional milestone-it reflects a journey of reshaping perceptions, expanding reach, and creating programs that resonate with real people. Under his leadership, Cebuana Lhuillier has evolved from its traditional identity as a pawnshop into a trusted partner in building a holistic financial ecosystem-empowering communities and deepening connections across the Philippines.

Sena’s vision has consistently transformed bold ideas into groundbreaking campaigns:

Money Guro turned financial literacy into a digital-first movement, making money concepts simple and actionable.

Iponventure reimagined the act of saving through gamification, transforming a financial habit into an engaging challenge.

Pasasalamat celebrated Cebuana Lhuillier’s loyal clients nationwide, strengthening bonds through gratitude.

KaNegosyo Center empowered thousands of MSMEs by equipping them with tools and mentorship to succeed.

Collectively, these initiatives-recognized both locally and globally-demonstrate how Sena has redefined Cebuana Lhuillier’s role as aninnovator and champion of financial inclusion.

‘This recognition stands as more than a milestone for the year-it represents the culmination of many years of hard work, collaboration, and commitment that our team has poured into creating meaningful campaigns and driving real impact. It is a true celebration of the entire IMCG and the Business Units whose dedication and collective effort made it possible,’ said Sena.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of PJLI, echoed the pride in Sena’s achievement:’I’ve seen firsthand how Mike’s passion and creativity have elevated the way we tell our story at Cebuana Lhuillier. This recognition is not just about him, but about the years of dedication, innovation, and teamwork that have strengthened our mission of financial inclusion. I couldn’t be prouder to celebrate this milestone with him and with the entire PJLI family.’

With this second consecutive Gold Globee® win, Sena reaffirms its commitment to innovation and excellence in marketing and communications. As Cebuana Lhuillier continues to expand its services and strengthen its brand, the company remains focused on delivering impactful solutions that empower Filipinos and advance financial inclusion nationwide.

The state weather bureau on Wednesday issued a storm surge warning in parts of Aurora, Cagayan and Isabela as Tropical Cyclone Paolo approaches.

In its 2 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge is expected in the next 48 hours in the following coastal areas:

Aurora

Baler

Casiguran

Dilasag

Dinalungan

Dipaculao

Isabela

Dinapigue

Divilacan

Maconacon

Palanan

Cagayan

Baggao

Gattaran

Gonzaga

Lal-lo

Peñablanca

Santa Ana

Surge heights may reach 1 to 2 meters, said Pagasa.

Residents in coastal municipalities were advised to stay away from the shore, cancel maritime activities, and remain alert to further bulletins.

For 65 years, RCBC has been a steadfast partner to progress. RCBC is and has always been a force for nation-building, financing infrastructures, renewable energy, and other transformative projects to empower industries and connect communities. Banking, when purposeful, can help build a stronger and more sustainable future. ‘Our most important asset will always be trust. It’s the foundational principle for all banks. For 65 years, RCBC has earned the confidence and trust of millions of Filipinos by standing with them through challenges and triumphs,’ President and CEO Reggie B. Cariaso said. ‘It is this trust that allows RCBC to turn bold ambitions into concrete progress,’ he added.

RCBC has financed multiple infrastructure projects throughout the years, financing more than 100 kilometers of toll roads and bridges that are vital for connecting communities. More recently, the bank broadened its focus to digital infrastructures which include data centers and telco towers to support the booming digital economy.

As the first local bank to publicly announce that it would stop funding coal power plants, RCBC has shifted its energy portfolio towards renewables which includes extensive solar power installations, large-scale wind farms, hydroelectric projects, and other clean energy alternatives. To date, RCBC has financed over 3 gigawatts (GW) of projects with another 3GW of renewable energy capacity in the pipeline, which it hopes to integrate into its portfolio within the next three years.

RCBC’s sustainability bonds have historically been met with strong support from the capital market. Earlier this year, the bank issued new bonds in both offshore and onshore markets, raising USD 350 million in January and PHP 12.2 billion in July. These latest issuances brought the total amount of sustainable financing instruments issued since 2019 to over USD 1B and over PhP 64B, deployed to over 19,000 sustainable projects nationwide.

Leveraging on the bank’s strong presence in the country’s economic zones, RCBC has partnered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to help promote the Philippines as an investment site for foreign companies which intend to expand and relocate operations in the country. It is to also enhance collaboration in investment facilitation, financial services, and strategic projects to strengthen the country’s position as a key player in the regional economy.

‘Our journey is far from over,’ said Cariaso. ‘RCBC remains committed to delivering value to our customers and our country through innovative financial products and solutions and channeling capital into sectors that support sustainable growth – renewable energy, resilient infrastructures, and industries with diverse enterprises that create lasting value for the communities they serve.’

‘By aligning our strategies with national priorities and global sustainability standards, we are committed to driving progress that is inclusive, responsible, and built for the long term,’ Cariaso added.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Wednesday maintained that the government’s Barangay Development Program (BDP), designed to eliminate communist influence at the community level, has no ‘ghost’ projects.

At a Palace briefing, NFT-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. explained the strict guidelines and monitoring taken by stakeholders to ensure that BDP projects are implemented properly ‘They have ownership in the implementation of the project. That’s why it’s really good. We really don’t have any ghost projects,’ Torres said.

‘Even though we are not engineers, we have an idea on what to inspect. So that is a very good system, that everybody is involved in seeing to it that these projects are implemented properly,’ he also said.

Meanwhile, Torres also expressed support for Senate Bill No. 1366, also known as the Terror Grooming and Radicalization Prevention Act, which seeks to stop radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable Filipinos to communist groups.

‘The Execom expressed support to the passage of the Terror-Grooming Prevention Act because this will strengthen our preventive mechanism against radicalization, recruitment, and indoctrination, especially among the youth and vulnerable sectors of our society,’ he said.

‘It is a critical shield to protect vulnerable Filipinos, youth, indigenous communities, and farmers from being exploited and radicalized by terrorists,’ he added.

Fight against communist insurgency

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida reported a decline in the number of communist guerrilla fronts in the country.

‘Based on the parameters on the clearing, we have seen a steady decline in all the insurgency parameters,’ he said.

In terms of manpower, Larida said that in 2022 there were 2,008 communist terrorist groups monitored. By the end of the first semester of 2025, the number of CTGs had gone down to 901.

Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and Senator Mark Villar are set to be subpoenaed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to attend its investigation on the flood control anomalies.

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said this in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

According to Hosaka, the ICI will invite Villar since he is a former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, Hosaka said the ICI already has the subpoena for Romualdez during the first part of the commission’s hearings earlier in September.

‘In fact, I think, according to our secretariat, he was invited already, but I just have to find out if the summons or the subpoena was actually received,’ Hosaka said.

The ICI is currently investigating the alleged anomalies on flood control projects.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 1, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) adopted InstaPay for all its inter-institution cash-in transactions for a P15 fee as part of efforts to enhance interoperability of digital financial services in the country.

The Ayala-backed bank said the standard service fee would also apply to transfers to affiliate e-wallet platform GCash.

‘This transition ensures compliance with regulatory standards while continuing to offer customers flexible and affordable ways to manage their finances,’ BPI said in a statement. Standard fee

BPI earlier implemented the same fee for ShopeePay and SeaBank. This will likewise apply to other applications as they comply with a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive.

Currently, fund transfers made to GCash via the BPI app carry a P10 fee, although select customer segments and merchant payments enjoy free transfers.

Meanwhile, clients with BPI #MySaveUp accounts in GCash also benefit from zero fees for funds transferred from the BPI app to GSave.

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 a lack of personnel.

During the House plenary debates on the DOH’s proposed P253-billion budget for 2026, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno questioned why only 200 out of the 600 health centers built under the HFEP were functional as of 2025.

He noted that this was despite the allocation of more than P170 billion for its infrastructure and equipment in the past decade.

The figure rises to P400 billion if its funding for commodities and human resources are included.

‘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 likened their travails over the HFEP-which aims to improve delivery of basic, essential and specialized health services-to the DPWH’s own troubled flood control program.

Lack of personnel

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 explained.

He added that the DOH had entered into memorandums of agreement with local governments ‘in good faith,’ expecting them to provide personnel for the facilities they requested.

‘Probably some of our LGUs (local government units) lacked the funds to hire doctors and midwives, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the secretary,’ Garcia said, pointing out 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 said.

Denial of service

Diokno challenged the DOH to address the persistent problems in the program implementation as its inefficiencies deny poor Filipino families of essential health services.

‘They’re already at a disadvantage because of high prices of food, lack of jobs. If the HFEP is a failure, they would also be at a disadvantage in terms of health,’ he lamented.

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.

Catch-up plan

Diokno noted that it had been seven years since the findings but only now was the DOH enforcing stricter controls.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in a 2025 study, likewise found inequities in the 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 centers nationwide to temporarily provide primary care while idle facilities await personnel.

Priority project

Data from the DOH’s National Health Facilities Registry show that as of March 2025, the country has 41,963 health facilities.

Of these, 1,338 are hospitals, 630 are infirmaries, 2,674 are rural health units (RHUs), 26,239 are barangay health stations (BHS), and 11,082 are other health-related facilities.

According to the HFEP Management Office, of the total BHS, RHUs and hospitals, the HFEP-funded infrastructure accounted for 8.6 percent, 2.6 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively.

The report of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives, released in July 2025, showed that the HFEP has also recently funded the establishment of super health centers (SHCs) to help decongest hospitals and expand access to outpatient services.

SHCs are larger than traditional RHUs and serve as intermediate facilities that offer a wide range of services. The rollout of SHCs has gained momentum, with allocations made for 307 centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023.

The HFEP was assigned as a separate line item in the General Appropriations Act starting in 2007, highlighting its significance as a priority initiative of the DOH in line with broader health sector reforms.