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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it may be forced to hold manual polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) if the parliament fails to pass its redistricting law by November 30.

‘I’ll be very honest. This is not to pressure the Bangsamoro or preempt the Supreme Court. Based on our study, if the law is passed beyond November 30, it may no longer be possible to hold elections by March 31. November 30 is already the absolute limit,’ Comelec Chair George Erwin M. Garcia said in an interview.

‘But of course, as long as there is a law, the Comelec will find a way. Even to the extent that if we need to conduct a manual election, why not,’ he added. ‘But at this point, the election in the Bangsamoro will be automated. That [manual voting] is only the worst-case scenario.’

Garcia said the commission continues to prepare for the first parliamentary elections in the region but warned that delays in the passage of the redistricting law could again hamper preparations.

‘Of course, we are also worried about that. The preparations for the elections might again be disrupted if the new law in BARMM is not passed,’ he said.

The Comelec chief stressed that the poll body has the authority to act should the timeline be missed.

‘There are ways the Comelec can find just to proceed with an election. Everything must be done to comply with the election date-either invoke a postponement of the election or resort to another system of election, such as a manual one,’ he said.

Garcia said he recently spoke with interim Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, who told him that the proposed redistricting measures are still on second reading and must still be consolidated before passage.

Garcia said the Comelec remains hopeful that the Bangsamoro parliament can still meet the deadline.

‘We believe in the capability of the Bangsamoro parliament. The Comelec also constantly reminds them to keep us informed.We believe that because of the pressure and the [Supreme Court’s] decision, the Parliament is aware that time is of the essence,’ he said.

To recall, the Court voided Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, and BAA No. 58, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, saying both violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

With no valid enabling law, the Comelec had no legal basis to push through with the parliamentary elections this year.

Instead, the Court directed the Comelec to continue with its preparations and conduct the BARMM parliamentary elections not later than March 31, 2026, in compliance with Section 5 of the Voter’s Registration Act, which provides for the establishment of precincts.

It also ordered the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to immediately undertake, not later than October 30, 2025, the determination of parliamentary districts for the first regular election of parliament members, in accordance with the BOL.

USING blockchain to track government spending could pose more problems than solutions, given its complexity and vulnerability to tampering, experts warned.

During the joint hearing of the House Committees on Science and Technology and on Finance, experts and academics raised doubts about embedding a blockchain system under the proposed ‘Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability,’ or ‘Cadena’ (Tagalog word for chain).

Undersecretary David L. Almirol Jr. of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) explained Cadena is being created as ‘a transparency digital portal where people can not only see the budget, but they can see even the movement and the statuses of this budget moving forward.’

Chiming in, Sen. Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ A. Aquino added that Cadena aims to strengthen public trust and fight corruption through transparent records of government spending by way of embedding a blockchain in the management of the national budget.

However, Adolfo Jose A. Montesa of the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) raised concerns over whether a blockchain system is appropriate for the management of government funds.

‘I feel like some of the aspects here might, de facto, lock us into blockchain. Everything that I’ve heard so far, it seems like blockchain is the only technology that meets these standards right now,’ Montesa said during the hearing.

He added that the blockchain technology might prefer market dynamics and certain vendors over end-users like budget watchdogs and citizens.

But Aquino said lawmakers want to keep ‘it technology neutral because we understand in a year or two years from now, it may not be the gold standard anymore.’

‘Currently, that seems to fit the bill in terms of what we want to see,’ he added.

A blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions with a network of computers, where each transaction is saved as a block linked to the previous one, and is secured by cryptography.

‘I understand that a number of our watchdogs and a number of our citizens aren’t well-versed in blockchain. Naintindihan ko yan. But it’s not new,’ Aquino said.

According to Gail Concepcion Cruz-Macapagal of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, this wouldn’t be the first time the technology has been used in the country. Macapagal said that up to 145 companies use blockchain technology.

She cited a local startup that created a digital-signature technology using blockchain. The startup’s technology, which was partly-funded by the Department of Science and Technology, was branded as ‘safe and legally binding.’

Macapagal noted that the startup’s digital-signature technology saves cost by cutting the signing cycle from up to two weeks to just 40 minutes.

Expanded coverage

CURRENTLY, documents covered by the bill include disbursement data like agency financial statements, fund release documents, audit reports, and more. Some experts, however, proposed expanding the coverage of the bill.

Macapagal is pushing for the bill to add donations given in the aftermath of natural disasters like typhoons.

‘I saw with my personal eyes na may mga donations na binawi after mag-picture taking, so I want to know kung saan ‘yun manggagaling, saan mapupunta, at sino ang tumatanggap,’ she said during the hearing.

Montesa also pushed for the inclusion of ‘ayuda’ lists, which then raised concerns regarding the data privacy of recipients.

But BCP’s Mark S. Gorriceta said that the reference of the Data Privacy Act could be misused to hide project beneficiaries, supplier names, or fund flows.

‘I’d like to reinforce the principle that public money is public data, and let’s limit exceptions strictly to national security,’ Gorriceta, who is also a lawyer, added.

His view was supported by Sen. Aquino, who said that because government is ‘spending hundreds of billions in our dole-out programs; mahalaga na makita nati na totoong tao talaga at totoong nangangailangan ang pinagbibigyan ng ayuda ng gobyerno.’

The proposed policy covers all public-private partnerships and foreign-assisted projects using public funds and extends to all national government agencies and government-owned and state-controlled corporations.

Additionally, the bill also encourages local government units to adopt the framework voluntarily.

De-centralization

AQUINO further explained that by using a decentralized system like blockchain, public financial records could be more resistant from tampering.

The solon added that to further emphasize decentralization, he also plans to hand control of the blockchain nodes not just to the government, but to private and media organizations, schools, and even budget watchdogs like the PBC.

Goricetta pushed the idea further by proposing data embassies, which are data nodes hosted off-shore but still under Philippine control that can be used for data backup and other critical services.

Edmundo ‘Toti’ G. Casiño of the Philippine Computer Society proposed establishing the data embassy in Iceland to manage the temperature and water resources needed for maintenance.

How much this would cost taxpayers, Casiño didn’t mention.

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) urged government offices to keep their spending during the holiday season to a minimum, citing challenges that beset the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman reminded government employees to be ‘prudent, sensitive, and responsible’ in spending this coming holiday season, especially amid the recent spate of calamities that devastated several parts of the country.

‘While celebrating milestones and camaraderie is important, let us not forget that many of our kababayans continue to struggle, especially those who are hit by recent calamities,’ Pangandaman said.

To ensure responsible spending, the DBM issued a circular letter calling on government entities to strictly observe existing rules on the judicious use of public funds during Christmas and New Year activities.

This includes government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs).

The letter cites Executive Order (EO) 292, Republic Act (RA) 6713, and COA Circular No. 2012-003, which prohibit irregular, unnecessary, and extravagant expenses, such as luxury venue rentals, liquor purchases, or lavish parties funded by public money.

Pangandaman encouraged government employees to hold simple, inclusive, and heartfelt celebrations that reflect the values of compassion, unity, and integrity in public service.

She also urged agencies to consider alternative activities, such as community outreach, volunteer work, or gift-giving programs that extend holiday cheer to underprivileged sectors.

‘The DBM promotes the efficient and responsible use of government funds, especially during the holidays when spending tends to increase,’ Pangandaman said.

The DBM noted that all heads of departments and agencies were instructed to ensure full compliance with fiscal accountability measures and to disseminate awareness of the guidelines throughout their respective offices.

‘The best way to celebrate is to give back. Let our gatherings embody service, generosity, and solidarity,’ Pangandaman said.

Typhoon ‘Tino’ has left 93 people dead across Cebu Island, according to initial reports from local government units (LGUs).

The highest number of fatalities was recorded in the town of Liloan, which reported 35 deaths based on official data from the local government.

Other LGUs also released their respective reports, with nine deaths each in the cities of Mandaue and Danao, and one in Consolacion town.

A separate report from the Cebu Emergency Operations Center (EOC) indicated 15 fatalities in Compostela town and seven in Talisay City.

An earlier report from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Cebu listed 17 deaths in Cebu City.

Cebu provincial government information officer Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong said most of the victims drowned, while others were pinned down by debris.

Rescue and retrieval operations continue, especially in Cebu City, where 19 individuals remain missing. Two others were reported missing in Danao City.

In Consolacion, two persons reported missing earlier were found safe and alive.

Clearing and restoration of roads and utilities are ongoing. As of 12:59 p.m., Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center reported that 46.29 percent of the city’s power supply has been restored, along with 47 percent of water service.

Meanwhile, the Cebu provincial government has placed the province under a state of calamity, following a special session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Wednesday afternoon, November 5, 2025.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier issued an executive order for the declaration to enforce a price freeze on basic commodities and expedite the use of disaster funds for relief and recovery efforts.

Of the total number of fatalities, 49 are from Cebu who died because of fallen debris, landslides, and flooding.

‘Crash’

The fatalities include two pilots and four personnel of the Philippine Air Force who were killed when the Super Huey helicopter they were on board crashed in Agusan del Sur at the height of the typhoon on Tuesday.

The NDRRC, meanwhile, said that 42 of the fatalities are infants aged below two years old. Many of the reported missing are also of the same age group.

In its latest Situational Report on the Effect of Typhoon Tino issued at 12 noon on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said the devastation wrought by Tino, the 20th severe weather disturbance to affect the Philippines, caused the pre-emptive evacuation of 259,581 persons from the MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, CARAGA, and Negros Island Region.

Heavy rainfall induced by the typhoon was aggravated by the prevailing Northeast Monsoon and Shear Line affecting the weather system, the weather bureau reported.

It has made a total of 8 landfalls, 6 in the Visayas and the last two in Luzon on its way to Palawan.

This caused flash floods and landslides that affected 318,020 families or 1,107,819 persons.

According to the NDRRMC, the inclement weather has affected a total of 3,623 barangays in 268 cities and municipalities in 25 provinces across Central Philippines and southern portions of Luzon.

So far, the NDRRMC said a total of 577,928 families were displaced and are now taking shelter in 4,805 evacuation centers set up by the national and concerned local government units (LGUs).

Because of the heavy rain that started as early as November 2, a total of 86 areas in MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, and CARAGA.

The inclement weather has also affected 27 road sections and 5 bridge sections, including the operation of 2 airports and 151 seaports, stranding 4,001 passengers.

The devastation also caused power interruptions in 73 cities and municipalities and caused class and work suspensions in many areas.

The NDRRMC said 53 cities and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity.

As of 11 a.m., PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 is still up in the northernmost portion of Palawan, severely affecting El Nido.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is up in the northern portion of Palawan (San Vicente, Taytay), including the Calamian Islands

While Tino is on its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau said significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 3 and 4.

Furthermore the surge of the Northeast Monsoon, shear line, and the trough of Tino will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan in the next 48 hours.

A gale warning is still in effect over the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the seaboards of Western Visayas.

Tino was spotted 190 km West of Coron, Palawan and is moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 180 km/h.

Tino is forecasted to leave PAR by Thursday morning.

Search-and-rescue operations

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday directed all police personnel and units to intensify their search-and-rescue operations and ensure the speedy, secure distribution of essential relief goods for families and individuals displaced by Tino.

‘The damage brought by this typhoon is extensive, especially in the Visayas, as we have seen in the videos and photos shared by our netizens on social media,’ he added.

Nartatez also assured the public that the PNP is working hard and coordinating its efforts with other government agencies providing all the necessary assistance.

More than 9,000 police personnel and over 300 mobile assets were deployed for evacuation, rescue operation, and other humanitarian assistance as Tino devastates parts of the country.

The PNP is focused on relief efforts as the typhoon has already caused significant damage in the Visayas and Mindanao.

In addition to serving the public, Nartatez also directed local police offices to conduct an internal assessment to determine the operational impact of the storm on the police force itself.

This move aims to ensure the immediate welfare of police personnel and maintain readiness.

Nartatez also assured the public that the PNP’s commitment extends not only to securing communities but also to providing essential humanitarian aid and ensuring police units themselves can rapidly recover and continue serving.

DOE: 1.4 million without power

THE number of households without electricity access due to Tino has reached 1.4 million, or roughly seven million people, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the figures were reported by the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corop. (NPC), and private distribution utilities in the Visayas region.

‘As of now, it’s around 1.4 million,’ he said.

The full power restoration date has yet to be determined.

‘We’re appealing to the public for the hard-hit areas to be cleared first before the linemen can do their work in restoring power. I understand it’s about seven million people that are affected. But we are assuring you that we are working hard,’ said DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)reported 43 transmission lines restored, while 12 are partially energized.

Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) said its operations in Cebu through Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC), which comprises three generating units, and Toledo Power Co. (TPC) with one generating unit, remained online.

In Panay, MGEN’s presence is through Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) in

Iloilo which operates three generating units, and Panay Power Corporation (PPC) in Aklan with two units are also working despite the severe weather conditions.

On November 4, a unit of TPC experienced a trip at 7:38 AM, but it was successfully synchronized to the grid at 8:37 PM on the same day in coordination with NGCP.

All CEDC, PEDC, and PPC units remained online throughout the typhoon.

MGEN said it remains committed to ensuring the reliable provision of power supply as recovery and restoration efforts progress in the affected areas. The company continues to coordinate with the NGCP, government agencies, and sector stakeholders to ensure system readiness and reinforce critical power infrastructure in the aftermath of the typhoon

Monde Nissin Corp. on Wednesday said its core attributable income for the nine months of the year fell 3 percent to P7.19 billion from the previous year’s P7.45 billion on higher prices of commodities, such as edible oils.

Henry Soesanto, the company’s CEO, said its Asia Pacific branded food business delivered modest topline growth in the third quarter, supported by volume growth in biscuits and other categories.

‘Our strong start to October, with record domestic sales, is encouraging; however, we remain cautious given the uncertainties ahead in the fourth quarter. While higher edible oil costs continue to put pressure on our gross margins, we are beginning to see the benefits of our pricing adjustments and cost-saving initiatives, such as reformulation,’ Soesanto said.

‘We expect these efforts to drive gradual gross margin recovery in the succeeding quarters, though full year gross margin is still expected to be lower than last year.’

As for its veggie meat business, he said the company is seeing continued easing of year-on-year declines and the significant gross margin improvement this quarter, which expanded by over 500 basis points year-on-year.

‘While category conditions remain challenging, the improvement in EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] demonstrates that our initiatives are making steady progress. We will continue to focus on driving efficiency and supporting a gradual recovery as we navigate the current market environment.’

Net sales for the nine-month period rose 3 percent to P63.26 billion from the previous year’s P61.14 billion.

Its branded food group, with products such as Lucky Me! noodles and Sky Flakes biscuits, rose 4 percent to P53.28 billion from the previous year’s P51.05 billion, but its alternative meat business fell 1 percent to P9.97 billion from P10.09 billion recorded a year ago.

For the third quarter alone, its attributable core income inched up by 4 percent to P2.45 billion from the previous year’s P2.35 billion. Sales, meanwhile, grew 4 percent to P21.8 billion from P21.01 billion a year ago.

Gross margin contracted 279 basis points year-on-year to 34.8 percent for the nine months and 355 basis point to 34.4 percent in the third quarter, primarily due to higher edible oil costs. On a sequential basis, however, gross margin improved by 153 basis point, reflecting the impact of pricing actions and early benefits of cost management initiatives, the company said.

THE total value of frozen assets linked to alleged corruption in public infrastructure projects has climbed to P6.3 billion, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) revealed.

The council reported that the freeze now covers 1,671 bank accounts, 58 insurance policies, 244 motor vehicles, 144 real properties, and 12 e-wallet accounts.

‘With the issuance of the seventh Freeze Order, this figure is expected to rise further,’ read a statement the AMLC issued last Wednesday.

With the recent issuance of the FO by the Court of Appeals (CA), dozens of additional high-value properties and luxury vehicles have been added to a list that the AMLC described as ‘growing.’

The latest FO targets 45 more real estate properties and 81 vehicles, including high-end sports cars, SUVs, and luxury motorcycles, reportedly linked to former government officials.

The move forms part of the AMLC’s ongoing investigation into alleged misuse of public infrastructure funds, particularly controversial flood control projects.

‘We assure the public that our efforts have not ceased,’ AMLC Executive Director Matthew M. David was quoted in the statement as saying. ‘We continue to pursue every lead, secure every necessary order, and hold accountable those who misuse public funds.’

This latest action builds on the first freeze order granted by the CA on September 15, signaling an intensifying crackdown on alleged graft and mismanagement of public resources.

A statement issued by the Insurance Commission the day after, on September 16, read that the assets subject to the first FO ‘are linked to persons and entities currently under investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for suspected anomalies in government flood control projects. Preliminary findings by the AMLC point to a possible money laundering scheme involving public funds intended for flood control initiatives.’

The sixth FO issued by the CA on October 10 linked several properties ‘to a former high-ranking government official suspected of playing a central role in the procurement process of the questioned flood control project contracts.’

The AMLC, however, didn’t name this official.

DESPITE political turbulence, natural disasters, and persistent corruption, the Philippines remains on a solid growth trajectory, according to Dr. Bernardo Villegas, eminent economist and founding member of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA and P).

Speaking at a recent UA and P economic briefing attended by members of the diplomatic community, Villegas projected a 6% GDP growth for the next two years, with potential to reach 6.5% under favorable conditions.

‘Even if Vice Ganda becomes president, we’ll still grow at 6%,’ Villegas quipped, underscoring his belief that strong institutions and sound economic policies-not personalities-drive growth.

Agriculture, FDI, and Anti-Corruption: Pillars of Progress

Villegas emphasized three critical conditions for the Philippines to achieve high-income status by 2040:

Agricultural reform, led by the Department of Agriculture and Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, which he described as showing ‘real improvement.’

‘Our average agricultural growth over the last 10 years was just 0-1%. But in the third quarter, it hit 7%. That’s amazing,’ he said. ‘Our assignment to President Marcos Jr. is to make sure agriculture grows at 3% annually by the time he leaves office.’

Foreign direct investment (FDI), with a target of $15 billion annually. ‘This year, we’re expecting more than $25 billion. Little by little, we’ll reach $50 billion,’ he said, citing growing interest from Spain, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in infrastructure projects.

Good governance, which he called ‘bittersweet.’ ‘It’s not easy to change our culture. It may take us more than 20 years,’ he admitted. ‘We fight corruption not just for economic reasons, but because it must be banished from this world.’

Villegas also praised the Bangko Sentral’s institutional strength, citing its role in bringing inflation down to 1.8% from double-digit levels a decade ago.

‘Painfully, slowly, but surely, we’ve built strong institutions over the last 30 years. That’s why the Philippines is no longer the sick man of Asia.’

Stock Market Not a True Barometer

Villegas dismissed concerns over the Philippine stock market’s decade-long slump, arguing that it does not reflect the real economy.

‘The economy can be growing at 8%, but the stock market is influenced by external factors like the U.S. dollar,’ told reporters after the forum.

He attributed the market’s fragility to low domestic savings and limited investor participation.

External Shocks and Domestic Resilience

Villegas highlighted the Philippines’ resilience through three global crises: the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 global recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘In 1998, Indonesia dropped by -13%, Thailand by -7%. The Philippines? Just -0.5%. In 2009, we didn’t decline at all-we had a V-shaped recovery,’ he said.

He credited this resilience to robust domestic consumption, fueled by remittances and the BPO sector.

‘US$40 billion from OFWs, another US$40 billion from BPOs. Multiply that by 58 to 59 pesos per dollar-that’s over ?4.6 trillion in the hands of Filipino consumers,’ he explained.

Villegas forecasted a third-quarter dip to 5.3% due to infrastructure corruption and natural calamities, but expects a rebound in Q4.

‘Christmas starts on September 1st here. With OFWs returning and spending, I see Q4 growing at more than 6%,’ he added.

Regional Unity and Digital Transformation

The briefing also spotlighted broader regional and technological challenges. Villegas and other speakers called for a strong ASEAN economic union, not just a free trade area, to counterbalance the influence of China and India.

‘With 620 million citizens, mostly upper middle income, ASEAN can be a formidable economic force,’ one speaker said.

On the digital front, the Philippines ranked low in global digitalization metrics, but Villegas remained hopeful.

‘AI seminars are held daily, and universities are actively preparing the next generation,’ he noted. ‘Despite the weakness of our public education system, Filipinos are adjusting to a digital world. We have one of the highest per capita smartphone and email usage rates.’

Infrastructure and Foreign Confidence

Villegas highlighted growing interest from foreign investors in Philippine infrastructure projects.

He cited the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway as a model of successful public-private collaboration.

‘We should increasingly entrust infrastructure to private sector giants like DMCI and Ayala to minimize corruption,’ he said.

Corruption: A Persistent Challenge

While optimistic about current anti-corruption efforts, Villegas acknowledged skepticism.

‘Yes, we’ve jailed presidents, but they come back. Corruption is not an obstacle to becoming first-rate-look at Korea,’ he said. ‘But we must fight it with all our might, not just for pragmatic reasons.’

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked 27 government contractors to explain their campaign contributions to candidates during the 2022 national and local elections, its chief confirmed on Wednesday.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the contractors have already been issued show cause orders to clarify their participation in the polls.

‘They have already been sent notices to explain. I think within the next two weeks, all of them will be summoned according to their respective schedules. That will start by next week,’ Garcia told reporters in an interview.

Garcia said the contractors have 10 days to file their affidavits and written responses.

According to the poll chief, a total of 21 candidates were listed as recipients of campaign contributions from 27 government contractors.

These include six senatorial candidates, five party-list groups, four congressional candidates, three governors, two vice governors, and one councilor.

He said the Comelec will not release the names of the candidates for now to avoid creating ‘tension.’

‘It’s better if the contractors respond first,’ Garcia added.

By November 21, the Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department will begin hearings on the contractors’ responses.

After this, the commission will issue show cause orders to the candidates-whether they won or lost-who received the contributions.

In an earlier interview, Garcia clarified that receiving a show cause order does not automatically mean wrongdoing.

‘We are still giving them the chance to respond. The candidates may have valid defenses.This is being done for purposes of transparency, and they should not be immediately judged as guilty,’ he said.

Under Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, government contractors and suppliers are prohibited from making any contribution-directly or indirectly-to partisan political activities.

The same prohibition applies to financial institutions (except for legitimate loans), utilities, companies with government franchises or contracts, natural resource extractors, recipients of large government loans, publicly funded schools, civil service officials, members of the armed forces, and all foreigners or foreign corporations.

Both donors and recipients found guilty of violating the law face imprisonment of one to six years.

Garcia said the Comelec’s investigation into other forms of prohibited campaign contributions is also ongoing.

THE government should halt the approval of new mines amid environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining, according to an international climate organization.

This, after a report by Climate Rights International (CRI) showed that nickel mining heightened the vulnerability of residents and workers in the Caraga Region to the climate crisis.

CRI’s report titled ‘Broken Promises: Philippines Nickel Mining Threatens Rights and Increases Climate Vulnerability,’ also revealed that mining destroyed fishing and farming livelihoods, and caused severe environmental pollution that threatened drinking water and health.

As such, CRI researcher Krista Shennum urged the government to prevent and remedy environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining.

‘We’re also calling on the Filipino government to stop permitting new mines until the industry cleans up its act,’ Shennum told reporters at the press conference of the report’s official launch in Quezon City on Tuesday.

‘If the industry is not following laws, if it’s not fully enforcing and complying, then to add more mines is quite concerning,’ she added.

The country stands as the second-largest nickel producer following Indonesia and the world’s leading exporter of raw nickel ore, a mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and the stainless steel industry.

CRI noted that harms to local communities and the environment were being driven by the individual and cumulative activities of these nickel mining projects.

‘Many nickel mining companies in the Caraga Region have links to powerful actors in the Philippines, including active and former politicians, politically connected families, and wealthy businesspeople,’ the organization said.

With this, the CRI said nickel companies should take immediate action to address water and air pollution caused by their operations and ensure proper disposal of mine waste to minimize environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, the international organization said EVs and battery companies that source nickel from the Philippines should use their leverage to ensure that suppliers end and remedy rights abuses, clean up water and air pollution, and protect the rights of environmental and human rights defenders.

EV companies should also increase transparency by providing public information about all companies in their transition mineral supply chains, it added.

‘Electric vehicle and battery companies have unique leverage to demand that the mining industry cleans up its act. Their customers are environmentally conscious and will decide to buy from companies with the cleanest record,’ Shennum said.

‘If EV companies want to position themselves as global leaders in the fight against climate change, they must demand that mining companies in their supply chains respect the rights of communities and end environmentally destructive practices.’

The recent floods and earthquakes that battered the country should not be seen as natural disasters only-they are wake-up calls. They remind us, in the most painful way, that no one is spared when systems fail, when complacency takes over, and when accountability is ignored.

In the past, many Filipinos would shrug off problems that didn’t affect or hurt them directly. If a flood only submerged another town, or an earthquake only damaged another province, we turned away and carried on. We didn’t care if there were obvious lapses, omissions, and commissions that made the impact on lives more severe.

The same attitude explains why we tolerate so many violations in our everyday lives-from ukay-ukay stalls selling smuggled goods, to tricycles clogging main highways, to government agencies bending the rules.

The smuggling and sale of used clothes slowly killed our textile and garment industries. From having about 1.5 million spindles that could hire 35 people on a 24-hour basis decades ago, we now only have about 100,000 spindles in the country. Ukay-ukays are still everywhere: in the malls, garages, subdivision garages, and public markets. Most people don’t care because they are not directly affected.

Government red tape persists despite constant efforts by the administration to curb it. Yes, many are affected, but not everyone, so most of us just let it slide. These acts may seem minor or unrelated, but collectively, they represent a national culture of looking the other way-of tolerating what is clearly wrong because it doesn’t hurt us yet. But today, as we wade through floodwaters and brace for tremors, we see the consequences of that indifference.

Take, for instance, the recent revelations involving a state-owned bank that allegedly allowed a contractor to withdraw as much as P480 million in cash as payments for DPWH projects. Having been in the banking sector myself, I can say with certainty that this is not just bad policy-it’s a dangerous precedent. It erodes trust and exposes how impunity can thrive even in institutions meant to uphold financial integrity. This should also be investigated.

We have seen how disregard for the law and its long-term consequences led to substandard infrastructure-ghost projects, weak flood controls, and poorly built roads and bridges. Now, we are all paying the price. When a retaining wall collapses or a river overflows, it doesn’t ask who you voted for, or what your income is. It simply destroys everything in its path.

I am reminded of the 1980s, when then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. deployed secret marshals to fight rising crime in buses and public transport. Many protested the measure, arguing it was excessive or invasive. But those who had been victims of theft or violence knew why such steps were necessary. Sometimes, decisive -even unpopular-action is needed to restore order and discipline.

Today, we face a similar challenge. To rebuild our cities, protect our environment, and ensure honest governance, we must first restore accountability and end our culture of apathy. Every citizen, every official, every business must recognize their role in this effort.

Because in truth, the floods and earthquakes are not just natural phenomena. They are mirrors reflecting the cracks in our systems and in our collective conscience.

Let these calamities serve as a wake-up call-that unless we work together, enforce our laws, and care beyond our own interests, we will keep rebuilding from the ruins we ourselves allowed to happen.

We commend Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque for her quick response to our letter bringing to her attention the online sale of unverified automotive batteries, including the one branded ‘GR Lithium Batteries.’

These imported batteries do not bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark, a clear violation of the law, and could present hazards to our motorists. We don’t know if these batteries have passed the government’s quality standard tests, yet they are being marketed with lofty promises and wild claims.

The office of Secretary Roque announced in the media that the DTI will investigate the sellers of these batteries and coordinate closely with the Federation of Philippine Industries.