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Voltai, a startup backed by Aboitiz Power Corp., has launched the country’s first large-scale electric two-wheel battery swap ecosystem, helping businesses cut fuel costs and carbon emissions.

Voltai recently rolled out its latest two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs), battery swapping stations and management application software tailored to businesses operating vehicle fleets.

With this venture, the company leases EVs and batteries for a fixed rate to help businesses avoid rising vehicle costs and volatile fuel prices. Its battery swapping services also allow electric motorcycles to get back on the road quickly without downtime.

Currently in its pilot phase, Voltai has teamed up with fuel retailer Cleanfuel and co-living brand MyTown to roll out 15 battery swapping stations.

Through Voltai’s mobile application, meanwhile, riders can also check their battery health, find the nearest battery swap station and track their location, swap history and performance.

‘The Voltai pilot preview marks the first step toward building the future of fleet e-mobility in the Philippines – smarter, cleaner and more cost-efficient,’ Voltai co-founder and CEO Fazlur Abdul Rahman said.

‘As a business-to-business solution, it addresses downtime, frequent maintenance and fuel cost challenges for fleet businesses and riders while also providing remote visibility on utilization,’ added Rahman, who also serves as ideation head at 1882 Energy Ventures.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is being set aright under its new chairman Francis Saturnino C. Juan.

There was a reason why the ERC suffered from a backlog of cases under the previous chair: the Commission entertained all pleadings from so-called ‘consumer’ advocates. Such pleadings happened after the fact – after competitive biddings happened and the outcomes ruled.

Tampering with competitively derived outcomes creates numerous systemic risks and an energy environment that is even more unfriendly to consumers. Entertaining after-the-fact pleadings expands the margin of discretion for regulators and reduced the predictability of the process.

Chairman Juan issued a public statement after the ERC was once again besieged by protests from groups who operate on a shortsighted understanding of the regulator’s role. That statement distilled the Commission’s mandate into two fundamental roles: first, to ensure that a truly competitive process in its place; second, to ensure predictable rules that guarantee cost recovery for investors.

The first mandate assures our consumers get the best energy prices possible under prevailing market conditions. When energy supplies are delivered through transparent competitive bidding, we are assured no overpricing burdens the consuming public.

The second mandate assures investors safety from shifting policies. When the rules become elastic, subject to renegotiations after the fact, the investment environment becomes a slippery slope. The rules must be firm.

Otherwise, we will continue to fail in attracting worthy investments into our economy. In the energy sector, this will translate into shortages and a greater possibility for outages. Our consumers will suffer more because of that.

Any move to alter contracts after the fact introduces uncertainty into the game. It discourages capital inflows and undermines investor confidence.

This is true not only in the energy sector. It happens in other regulated sectors of the economy as well. For instance, companies that build tollways or deliver water are ensured a predictable schedule of recovery. When scheduled toll increases are delayed because of judicial petitions and protest actions by myopic advocacy groups, the investor incurs costs. The costs undermine confidence in the consistent application of the rules.

Building up our infrastructure to at least regional standards requires large investment outlays. Our capacity to build the infrastructure we need is already restrained by rampant corruption. When our regulators act inconsistently, open up the process to a large margin of discretion by bureaucrats, we will fail to attract the infra we need.

Unfortunately, we are heir not only to a bureaucracy that has repeatedly succumbed to syndicates of corruption. We are also heir to populist politics that presume that regulations are perpetually subject to discretion.

We need to understand that consumer protection must be rooted in process, not wider margins of bureaucratic discretion. The best safeguards for consumer protection, as the new ERC chair underscores, is transparency and competitive bidding.

Every supply contract must be subject to rigorous and open bidding. Once the bidding process is done, the winning bidder must be assured that the terms hold. Contestable markets are the best guarantee against fraud. The outcomes of open bidding must be respected – otherwise every price set and every award made will be continuously politically litigated.

The new ERC chair understands the perils of populism. The role of the regulator is to find the harmonious balance between what consumers want and what investors expect.

There is, sadly, a thriving cottage ‘consumer advocacy’ industry in this country. They contest every price adjustment even if these were contractually guaranteed. They underplay the investor’s price recovery and overplay consumer preference for lower prices.

Prices, we know from introductory economics, is determined by efficiency. If our energy sector remains inefficient, the price we pay for energy will always be exceedingly high. The systemic solution here is to attract the investments that will make this sector more efficient – not pander to every populist demand.

For illustration: if we did not guarantee cost recovery for investors in tollways, we would not enjoy the convenience they bring through capital-intensive construction. Motorists pay for the convenience. It is not the motorists who decide the toll levels. It is cost recovery that determines that.

In the same way, people invest in capital-intensive power generation projects based on a recovery schedule. If that recovery schedule becomes porous, subject to bureaucratic whim or populist pressure, we will never get the investments we need. We will suffer because of that.

I was just reading an analysis of Indonesia’s current policy of moving up the value chain of minerals by insisting on domestic processing of ores to retain more value for the economy. The Philippines could not replicate that policy at the moment. We do not have a critical mass of ore to support investments in refining capacities. This is because our mining policy inhibited the growth of companies that could bring in the capital for exploration and extraction.

We now pay in opportunity costs for allowing populist agitators to prevent the proper evolution of a mining policy that serves the nation. We have very little to show in this sector even if our country is one of the most mineralized in the world.

The new ERC chair is correct in repudiating the populism of agitational groups professing consumer protection. These groups will undermine the integrity of our national strategy for energy security – and eventually providing our consumers adequate power at the most reasonable cost.

Joseph ‘The Hunter’ Sumabong became the latest addition to the growing list of champions from PMI Bohol Boxing Stable.

The pride of Tagbilaran City shocked the previously undefeated Japanese Takero Kitano to clinch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific minimumweight title on Tuesday night, October 21 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The 23-year-old Sumabong knocked down Kitano in the first round that set the stage for his rousing victory by unanimous decision after 10 rounds of action.

Sumabong was clearly the dominant fighter that even Japanese judge Katsuhiko Nakamura scored the bout 97-92 for the new WBO regional titlist.

Nakamura’s compatriot Koji Tanaka and Cebuano international judge Edward Ligas both had it 96-93 for Sumabong, who now holds a 9-1 win-loss record with 4KOs while aligning himself with fellow crown-holders Regie Suganob, Shane Gentallan, Reymart Tagacanao, Virgel Vitor, Jake Amparo, Christian Balunan, and Gerwin Asilo from PMI Bohol Stable under the stewardship of Atty. Floriezyl Echavez Podot.

Kitano, meanwhile, tasted defeat for the first time in 10 fights with 4KOs.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia ‘Cindi’ King-Chan marked her first 100 days in office with a comprehensive report on her administration’s achievements in health, education, tourism, infrastructure, and social services-underscoring her vision of a compassionate and united government.

Speaking before city officials and employees at the session hall yesterday, October 22, Mayor Chan thanked her predecessor and husband, former mayor and now Lapu-Lapu City Representative Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan, Vice Mayor Celsi Sitoy, and the City Council for what she described as a ‘smooth and seamless’ transition of leadership.

‘We remain one administration-united in mission, direction, and purpose, which is to serve Lapu-Lapu City with compassion, integrity, and commitment,’ she said.

Medical services

In a 50-minute speech, Mayor Chan reported that the city has expanded medical services at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital with the hiring of additional specialists, including orthopedic and oncologic surgeons, and new obstetrician-gynecologists.

The hospital also opened the Lapu-Lapu City Eye Center, which offers free cataract and pterygium operations. From July to October, 211 beneficiaries have undergone successful cataract surgeries, including a six-year-old girl who regained her sight after a congenital cataract operation.

The Malasakit Center also assisted 4,100 patients amounting to over P21 million in aid, while the Project Smile initiative provided free dentures to 30 beneficiaries. The city likewise established lactation rooms and signed agreements with private hospitals to ensure access to specialized care.

Chan said Lapu-Lapu is the only LGU in Metro Cebu that now offers weekend services for its City Social Welfare and Development Office and Animal Bite Treatment Center, ensuring 24/7 accessibility for urgent cases.

The city also intensified its mental health programs, providing counseling and awareness sessions in schools and barangays. Following the recent earthquake, she directed schools to conduct psychological first aid for students affected by trauma and anxiety.

Education

On education, Chan said her administration is investing ‘not just in infrastructure, but in dreams.’ Through a partnership with Grand Floridian Holdings, a new three-storey building for the Engineering Department of Lapu-Lapu City College broke ground in September.

More than 100,000 students received school supplies, while the city’s e-Library reopened with extended hours until midnight. Over 3,000 public school teachers received P2,000 financial aid in celebration of Teachers’ Month.

She also launched the first-ever Lapu-Lapu City Scholarship Fair, which drew over 3,500 students and 40 partner institutions, with 722 applicants taking on-site qualifying exams.

Despite implementing austerity measures to maximize public funds, Chan said the city maintained its pace of service delivery. She personally leads energy-saving efforts and emphasized digitalization and efficiency in government processes.

The city opened a Mini-City Hall in Olango Island, allowing residents to access key services without traveling to the mainland. Each of the 30 barangays received P500,000 in additional development assistance, while the city launched new livelihood, rehabilitation, and food aid programs.

Chan also inaugurated Metro Cebu’s first Senior Citizens Community Center at Plaza Rizal-a facility offering health checks, fitness activities, and social spaces for elders. A customized vehicle was also turned over for Persons with Disabilities to improve mobility and access to services.

Tourism

Under Chan’s leadership, the city re-established the Lapu-Lapu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, now composed of 28 active member-companies. The IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu triathlon generated an estimated P150 million in tourism revenue, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.

Tourism facilities such as the Tourist Rest Area in Olango Island and a Tourist Help Desk at Mactan Shrine were also opened to enhance visitor services and promote local products.

Lapu-Lapu City will host major international gatherings next year, including the ASEAN Tourism Forum in January and the 48th ASEAN Summit in May 2026, further cementing its status as a global meeting hub.

Chan announced that Lapu-Lapu became the first city in Central Visayas to fully fund a Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing project using local resources. The five-story socialized housing in Calawisan will house 200 families.

The mayor also revealed plans to build a modern, green, and disaster-resilient City Hall without taking loans, focusing instead on improving revenue collection through tax mapping and efficiency measures.

To address water scarcity, the city approved new desalination plants in Olango Island and Barangay Punta Engaño and continues to support the ‘Libreng Tubig’ and ‘SAWRA ang Ulan’ rainwater catchment programs.

On the environmental front, Chan highlighted a 264% improvement in coastal water quality under the DENR’s Adopt-an-Estero program and the city’s extended ban on single-use plastics. Environmental fees were reduced from P100 to P20 to make them more affordable while maintaining conservation efforts.

Lapu-Lapu City was among the first to respond to the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Bogo City, deploying rescue teams.

One of the highlights of her report was the announcement that the City Government will turn over P1 million in financial assistance this week to each of the eight local government units (LGUs) in Northern Cebu affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September 30.

These include Bogo City and the towns of Borbon, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

In her succeeding years in service, Mayor Cindi vowed to transform the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital into a Level 3 facility, build more classrooms, create more jobs, deliver better services, and address other community concerns.

ASEAN events

Mayor Chan added that in the next 100 days, the city government will be busy preparing for the ASEAN events scheduled for January 2026, which include citywide beautification efforts.

She said she has met with the Clean and Green team to make the city greener, emphasizing that the plants to be used will not necessarily be flowering ones but those that are low-maintenance, heat-resistant, and not too costly.

The mayor said the beautification program aims to make the city something its people can be proud of, especially as it welcomes international guests.

Additionally, she said that this year’s Christmas decorations will be designed to stay up beyond December, featuring lanterns and designs that not only fit the holiday season but also complement the upcoming ASEAN theme-with more floral colors and vibrant designs stretching from the airport to Mactan Newtown.

In an interview, Mayor Chan said that while there have been accomplishments, there is still much to improve and more to achieve in the next two years.

‘Layo pa, but I hope nga sa atong napakita in just three months, mas daghan pa kitang ma-accomplish ug matuman sa atong mga saad in the coming days and years,’ she said.

The credit and financing arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a new digital loan system that aims to make it faster and easier for farmers to access government credit.

The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) said it has started the pilot testing of the Agri Credit ePortal 2.0, or ACE Portal, in the Negros Oriental towns of La Libertad and Siaton.

‘We want every farmer, even those in remote areas, to have fair and fast access to credit. Distance or lack of digital knowledge should not be a barrier,’ ACPC executive director Rallen Verdadero said.

ACPC said 817 farmers joined the two-day pilot test, with 353 obtaining a combined P16.8 million in loans covering 489 hectares of rice farms.

The upgraded system features digital kiosks that allow farmers to apply for, verify and receive loan approvals in one place, a process that used to take several days to complete.

Verdadero said the initiative is part of the agency’s push to modernize agricultural lending and make financial services more accessible to small farmers.

The ACPC official said digital innovation would help the agriculture sector become more resilient to challenges such as droughts, typhoons or price drops.

Alongside the launch of the ACE Portal, ACPC also introduced the Agri Puhunan at Pantawid Program Track 2 under the Agri Negosyo Loan Program.

The initiative allows rice farmers to borrow up to P60,000 per hectare for as much as seven hectares, with an annual interest rate of two percent.

The ACPC officials said the initiative provides working capital for production and input costs while farmers wait for harvest.

He said further that the agency plans to expand the portal’s use to other loan programs and promote digital literacy among farmers to ensure broader financial inclusion.

‘We don’t just want to lend. We want to empower. When farmers learn to use digital tools, they become true partners in agricultural progress,’ said Verdadero.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Cebu Branch has turned over P4,462,015.66 in lotto proceeds to the Cebu City Government, representing the city’s share for two consecutive semesters.

The ceremonial turnover was led by PCSO Cebu Branch Manager Atty. Madel Hyacinth Herrera-Ramos on Monday, October 20, at the Cebu City Hall.

Two checks were issued to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival – P2,462,048.47 for the period of July to December 2024, and P1,999,967.19 for January to June 2025.

These allocations formed part of PCSO’s regular revenue-sharing program with Local Government Units (LGUs), designed to support essential public services.

Under this scheme, LGUs receive a portion of lotto sales generated within their jurisdiction, which they may use to fund healthcare, social welfare, and community development programs.

Mayor Archival affirmed that the funds will be used to benefit residents across all barangays, with a focus on inclusive and transparent governance.

The turnover aligned with the city’s broader commitment to sustainable and people-centered development, ensuring that public resources are directed toward urgent and impactful initiatives.

Last July 9, 2025 PCSO’s General Manager Melquiades Robles also turned over a check amounting to P663,308.28 to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro as Cebu Province’s lotto share from July to December 2024.

Even for a place as vibrant and alive as Cebu, the travel experience gets all the more exciting in every way with lyf. At the strategically located and creatively designed lyf Cebu City, the pulse of the Queen City of the South beats the loudest, where guests enjoy lifestyle-driven living spaces at affordable prices, along with community-centric social amenities and a unique hospitality experience.

lyf Cebu City is developed by Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), awarded by the PropertyGuru Awards as Best Developer in Visayas and Mindanao, and managed by The Ascott Limited, a global leader in serviced residences. The dynamic hotel in Cebu City radiates fun and youthful energy with its bright-coloured interiors, appealing to the adventurous spirit of travellers who live for immersing in different cultures.

Located in midtown Cebu, lyf Cebu City places its guests at the heart of the action. It presents modern convenience with surrounding commercial enterprises, from restaurants to malls, along with essential establishments like hospitals and universities. Access to Cebu’s business centers and tourist destinations is made easy as well. A few kilometers away are Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park, while everything else is accessible via local public transportation or through private shuttle services.

Meanwhile, within lyf Cebu City awaits an equally rewarding journey. The brand’s experience-led hotel concept comes to life through its budget-friendly rooms. Each one is designed and decorated with the brand’s signature values of curiosity, togetherness, authenticity, creation and freedom. Layouts include the One of a Kind (Studio), Side by Side (Twin Room) and All Together (Two-Bedroom or Four-Bedroom). Here is a look at lyf Cebu City’s room rates:

With Breakfast

One-of-a-Kind / Side-by-Side (1-Bedroom) – P2,500 nett (Good for 2 pax)

All Together (2-Bedroom) – P6,000 nett (Good for 4 pax)

All Together (4-Bedroom) – P15,000 nett (Good for 6 pax)

Without Breakfast

One-of-a-Kind / Side-by-Side (1-Bedroom) – P2,000 nett (Good for 2 pax)

All Together (2-Bedroom) – P5,000 nett (Good for 4 pax)

All Together (4-Bedroom) – P12,000 nett (Good for 6 pax)

In terms of amenities, several unique ‘Social Spaces’ highlight the brand’s commitment to offering an unforgettable experience by fostering creative collaborations. Here is a list of the amenities at lyf Cebu City:

Say Hi! Check-in Counter

Social Gym (Burn)

Swimming Pool (Dip) – overlooking the scenic Cebu skyline.

Hangout – Mezzanine

Connect – Co-Working Lounge

Bond – Social Kitchen

Wash and Hang (Social Launderette)

To promote a true sense of community and cater to guests seeking a unique Cebu experience, lyf Cebu City also hosts regular, exciting events. Some of which to look forward to are the Spellbound Halloween Bazaar on October 31, the Cebu Landmasters Inc. run with special lyf Cebu City room promotion on November 9, and the Tree Lighting event featuring FilFabric by Get Spotted on November 28.

What’s more, the hotel also serves as a go-to destination among enthusiasts of Cebuano arts and culture as a proud platform for creative expression and community engagement. The hotel takes pride in its long lineup of artistic and cultural collaborations, from featuring a Junknot Thresher Shark Installation to its Arte artsy partnerships.

Experience Cebu in thrilling new ways today by visiting lyf Cebu City.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified patrols in coastal areas nationwide following the recovery of 16 kilos of marijuana worth P19.2 million in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Maritime Group and the police regional offices to heighten community patrols to prevent syndicates from smuggling illegal drugs into the country.

‘I have instructed our police units to intensify patrol in coastal areas to prevent these drug shipments since this is not the first time that authorities seized illegal drugs in our waters,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

The marijuana, stashed in 32 plastic bags, was placed in a black duffel bag, which was found floating near Sabina Shoal on Friday.

Members of the Philippine Navy brought the contraband to a PN facility in Barangay Masipag in Puerto Princesa City for an inventory.

The contraband was then turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the presence of barangay officials and journalists.

Nartatez said a joint investigation by the PNP and the PDEA is ongoing to identify people behind the dumping of illegal drugs in the country’s maritime domain.

In a renewed push to safeguard Cebu City’s waterways, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) have installed a new trash trap along Mahiga River, marking a strategic revival of the city’s river waste interception program.

The installation, completed early this week, is part of a broader inter-city cooperation with Mandaue City to curb waste migration across boundaries and prevent ocean-bound debris.

Within weeks, Barangay Mabolo’s Clean and Green team reported the collection of 105 sacks of garbage-mostly plastic waste-underscoring the trap’s immediate impact.

This blends low-tech engineering with high-impact community engagement, empowering barangays to maintain and monitor traps in their jurisdictions.

Trash traps are physical barriers-often made of mesh, netting, or floating booms and, in Cebu City’s case, also utilizing pet bottles as floaters. This is designed to intercept solid waste carried by river currents before it reaches downstream ecosystems or the sea.

These are proven to be effective especially in urban waterways where household waste, plastic packaging, and organic debris are prevalent.

Trash traps offer a practical solution to this problem, especially when paired with barangay-level enforcement and public education.

This isn’t Cebu City’s first attempt at deploying trash traps.

Previous installations-some dating back to the early 2010s-were part of CCENRO’s early river rehabilitation efforts.

However, many of these traps deteriorated or disappeared over time due to lack of maintenance, flooding damage, and inconsistent barangay coordination.

The need for stronger barangay involvement and inter-agency coordination, citing the deterioration of past river protection measures have been noted and the current program is expected to address these gaps by assigning barangays direct responsibility for upkeep, supported by CCENRO’s technical guidance and monitoring.

The Mahiga River trash trap also symbolizes a growing partnership between Cebu City and Mandaue City, whose shared waterways have long suffered from boundary-blind pollution.

By intercepting waste before it crosses jurisdictions, both cities aim to reduce downstream contamination and improve water quality.

Mayor Nestor Archival has committed to its move as part of his broader vision for a sustainable Cebu City, where environmental protection is embedded in local governance.

CCENRO’s revitalized trash trap program is more than a technical fix-it’s a call to action.

By combining engineering, civic engagement, and inter-agency cooperation, Cebu City is reclaiming its rivers one trap at a time.

Over a month after its creation, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will finally start livestreaming its flood control probe hearings next week.

ICI chairman and former Supreme Court justice Andres Reyes Jr. told this to the Senate justice committee yesterday, which tackled Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s proposed bill creating the Independent People’s Commission (IPC).

‘We will now go on livestream next week, once we have the technical capability,’ Reyes told the senators, who lauded the move as a step toward transparency.

Reyes welcomed the passage of a bill that would refine the ICI’s powers, such as allowing it to conduct motu proprio investigation on anomalous infrastructure and to issue subpoenas to compel witness attendance as well as have full and unrestricted access to all government records such as contracts, bidding documents and audit reports.

The creation of an IPC will result in the abolition of the ICI but will retain the latter’s fact-finding mandate to recommend charges before the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Reyes broke his silence about the ICI’s investigations and expressed shock at the extent of corruption in public works, marked by a kickback scheme among contractors, district engineers and politicians.

‘This thing is outrageous and makes me cry. How can these people get away with P500 billion?’ Reyes said.

The proposed bill would not only upgrade the powers of the ICI, but would also allow the commission to seek assistance from any government department, bureau or office, such as the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, to secure the investigation and protect witnesses.

Reyes said the ICI, in its 39 days of existence, is assisted by three lawyers and other volunteers.

Sotto, who authored the bill, proposed more powers and mandate for the IPC, such as availability of hearings to the public; power to file cases before the proper court; to recommend witnesses to the Witness Protection Program; request freezing of assets; recommend preventive suspension of government officials under investigation and issue hold departure orders to limit the travel of suspects under investigation.

Sotto also recommended that the IPC’s investigation be ‘encompassing’ and not be limited to infrastructure.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon, who attended the hearing, urged President Marcos to certify the measure as urgent.

Drilon, however, thumbed down the proposal to give the People’s Commission power to contempt and to issue hold departure orders, saying these should be reserved for judicial bodies like the courts and not given to an administrative one like the IPC.

He also called for a ‘sunset provision’ to be included in the bill that would terminate the commission’s existence after a certain period of time, as he vouched for strengthening the mandate of the ombudsman instead that is constitutionally tasked to look into government malfeasance, including in infrastructure projects.

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno also supported the sunset provision on the body that was created during these ‘extraordinary times,’ referring to the current climate of protests and public outrage over the corruption scandal.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the presiding chair of the hearing, stressed the need to expedite committee deliberations of the bill, citing the urgency to create a powerful body to investigate the ‘biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history.’

Drilon agreed, saying that in his 34 years in public service, ‘I have never seen corruption of this magnitude.’

‘Today, in public gatherings, you hear people chanting anti-corruption in unison: ‘Jail those corrupt ones now!’ This is a reflection of how our people feel today,’ Drilon said.

‘We see the impunity in our society today. We need to restore the people’s faith in our democratic system,’ he added.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday, Sotto emphasized the urgency of passing his bill, which would speed up the process of investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials.

He also proposed giving the IPC power to require restitution, or the return of ill-gotten money from anomalous infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, House public accounts committee chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon welcomed the ICI’s move, which he said ‘will enhance public discourse and strengthen accountability in governance.’

‘We look forward to these livestreamed proceedings and reaffirm our commitment to work with the ICI – not only on existing cases already transmitted to them, but also on future cases that Congress may take up at a later time,’ he said in a statement.

Livestreamed budget hearing

The Office of the Ombudsman likewise welcomed Congress’ decision to livestream the bicameral conference committee’s deliberations on the 2026 national budget.

‘Transparency in legislative deliberations strengthens public trust and ensures that accountability remains at the heart of governance,’ the ombudsman said in a press statement yesterday.

‘By opening its doors to public view, the bicameral committee affirms that democracy thrives best when its processes are seen, understood and scrutinized by the very people it serves,’ it noted.