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The two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who went missing in Hong Kong have been found safe and given immediate assistance, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said yesterday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that OFWs Imee Mahilum Pabuaya and Aleli Perez Tibay were found at a police station in Hong Kong on Thursday evening.

‘The two were found and taken to a police station in Hong Kong. The two were immediately picked up by our Migrant Workers Office personnel. They arrived at the MWO in Hong Kong around midnight,’ Cacdac said in an online briefing.

According to a report sent to the DMW, the OFWs got lost while on a hiking trip.

‘We will still talk to the two of them and ask more about what happened. We will probably ask them to draft an affidavit,’ said Cacdac.

He said the two were immediately provided psychosocial counseling and medical checkup upon their arrival at the MWO.

The two are also scheduled to meet with their employers to explain what happened and to try to negotiate their return to work.

‘Their employment has been terminated. So they will retrieve their belongings from the employers but will also try to explain to the employers what happened to them,’ Cacdac said.

The official added that the DMW is ready to provide repatriation assistance to the two OFWs if they are unable to return to their jobs.

‘If they are indeed terminated, their repatriation will be arranged. We stand ready to repatriate them,’ Cacdac said.

The DMW earlier issued a public appeal for information on the two OFWs, who had been missing since Oct. 4.

Sixteen people were rescued after a motor launch developed engine trouble while sailing in the waters off Sulu on Wednesday.

Among those rescued were 11 crewmembers and five passengers of the M/L Niesah, which drifted near Capual Island in Omar town, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The boat was headed to Zamboanga City from Jolo when its propeller struck a pile of floating debris.

The PCG-Station Eastern Sulu dispatched a rescue team, which found the vessel near the coast of Panamao.

The PCG towed the Niesah toward the port of Alayon in the municipality of Luuk. All crewmembers and passengers were found to be in good physical condition.

Engineering and infrastructure company Megawide Construction Corp. has secured minority ownership in listed affiliate Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) following a block sale with Citicore Power Inc. (CPI).

In a stock exchange filing, Megawide said the transaction involving 1.10 billion secondary shares of CREC, representing 9.88 percent of its outstanding common stock, is non-dilutive to existing shareholders.

The company said the valuation used and price at which the transaction was executed was the 30-day volume-weighted average price of CREC shares as of Sept. 30, which also met the Philippine Stock Exchange’s guidelines of a regular block trade.

‘The transaction signifies the strong intra-company cooperation within the bigger Megawide-Citicore Group to achieve a shared objective – that is to create and maximize shareholder value,’ Megawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra said.

Saavedra expects the asset injection to strengthen Megawide’s balance sheet and overall equity position.

The deal forms the bulk of the settlement of advances agreed among the Megawide-Citicore group of companies on Sept. 10, with the balance of P1.5 billion expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

Megawide earlier said the company would receive P9.4 billion from parent Citicore Holdings Investment Inc. and sister company CPI as settlement of advances.

‘Currently, our market capitalization stands at P6.6 billion and the value of the subject CREC shares, based on last closing price, is around P4.9 billion. From a valuation standpoint, the infusion represents an additional boost to our existing market capitalization and immediate upside to shareholders and investors,’ Saavedra said.

Megawide earlier announced it is entering a renewed chapter in its corporate history, with 2025 as the pivotal year.

The company recently bagged a multibillion-peso deal with property giant Megaworld Corp. for two new projects.

It has also expressed strong interest to participate and become a major player in the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino or 4PH program.

The country’s leading professional classical and contemporary dance institution Ballet Philippines (BP) opened its 56th season with a truly historic and spectacular gala entitled ‘Three Masters, One Stage,’ uniting it with Repertory Philippines (Rep) and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in an unforgettable evening at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.

Under the leadership of BP chairman Antonio O. Cojuangco and president Kathleen Liechtenstein, Rep president and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio, and MSO president Maan Hontiveros, the event was, indeed, one for the books as this was the first time these three institutions performed together on stage. The world-class double bill delighted audiences with Rep’s vibrant Peter and the Wolf narrated by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, and BP’s enchanting Little Red Riding Hood choreographed by its artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk.

With maestro Marlon Chen conducting MSO’s stirring live music and an atmosphere brimming with artistry, collaboration, and cultural pride, the evening both celebrated creative excellence and inclusivity as over 1,000 free seats were gifted to families from underserved communities, military personnel, indigenous communities, and other partner groups.

Of chic and white

The always lovely and bubby Agile Zamora was feted with an infinity friendship party hosted and organized by her ever-thoughtful good friend Aj Olpindo at the newly opened Smith and Wollensky steakhouse in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The chic white-themed set-menu dinner, which catered to about 50 dear friends, was made all the more enchanting with live jazz, a soulful singer, and a talented pianist which created an elegant evening brimming with warmth, music, and unforgettable memories.

A festival of light, love and renewal

The effervescent couple Shilpa and Raj Tolani, members of the Hindu Temple in Manila, invite everyone to celebrate Diwali, the radiant Festival of Lights, ongoing until Oct. 24.

A luminous symbol of faith, joy, and renewal, the festivity marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Rooted in ancient Hindu tradition yet embraced across cultures, the five-day festival unites communities around the world in the spirit of gratitude, hope, and harmony. Through the glow of countless lamps, the sharing of sweets, and heartfelt gatherings, Diwali reminds us of the enduring power of goodness and the brilliance of the human spirit.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla says his office is now looking into the possible links of contractor spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya with Sen. Mark Villar and his mother, former senator Cynthia Villar.

In an interview aired on GMA News’ 24 Oras on Thursday night, Remulla said that while his office has yet to gather evidence, he believes that the Discaya spouses could be protecting not just Sen. Bong Go but also the Villars.

‘That’s just a possibility,’ Remulla said.

He pointed out that the construction business of the Discayas grew exponentially during the previous administration when the younger Villar was the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2016 to 2021.

‘When Mark was the secretary, that was the time that their business grew, that was the time that they bagged so many project contracts.They really raked it in when Mark was the secretary,’ Remulla said in Filipino.

Asked about Cynthia Villar’s possible links with the Discayas, Remulla said his office does not have direct evidence yet, but it could be possible that the Discayas rubbed elbows or made ‘extra effort’ to seek favor in connection with their construction business.

‘I don’t have direct evidence there yet, but because of Mark’s stay (in the DPWH) and knowing that the Discayas became very big during that time, they sought favor with these people. They really wanted to be ‘in.’ They wouldn’t be ‘in’ if they didn’t make an extra effort,’ he said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman is also looking into several infrastructure projects in Cavite bagged by Princess Revilla, sister of former senator Bong Revilla.

‘Because his sibling is their contractor. His sister, Princess Revilla, a.k.a. Rebecca B. Ocampo, Rebecca Bautista Ocampo, that’s Princess Revilla. She is the contractor for all of their projects,’ he said.

‘You’re talking about Bong, Lani and the children. They are all included. This is serious, this is serious,’ Remulla said, referring to Revilla’s wife, Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Remulla had earlier said his office will investigate the alleged links of the Discayas with Davao-based contractor CLTG Builders owned by the father of Sen. Bong Go.

Remulla said the Discayas were evasive when asked by investigators of the Department of Justice (DOJ) about their firm St. Gerrard Construction’s previous joint venture dealings with CLTG, supposedly to protect the senator.

DOJ: Martin not eyed as state witness

The justice department has denied speculations that former House speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is currently being considered as a state witness in the probe into the flood control project anomalies.

‘There is no factual or legal basis to this misinformation,’ the DOJ said in a press statement yesterday.

The DOJ explained that to be considered as a state witness, an application must be formally filed through the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program, after which, the application will undergo evaluation ‘to ascertain whether or not the applicant qualifies as state witness.’

‘As of date, former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not filed an application for state witness with the DOJ,’ the agency said.

‘The DOJ cautions everyone to not fall for false, misleading facts or political propaganda that twists or misuses legal terms to confuse the public,’ it added.

The DOJ, nonetheless, assured the public that ‘all investigations will be done swiftly and fairly.’

‘No one will be spared if the evidence so warrants. The Department will go where the evidence leads us,’ the DOJ said.

‘The Department of Justice remains firm and steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, guided by facts – not politics,’ it added.

Tiangco at ICI anew

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco appeared anew before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to answer more questions about the corruption ‘modus operandi’ in public works.

‘It’s mostly about the process so they can understand what the possible gaps are, where corruption is possible, how to cover it all up,’ Tiangco said on Friday.

The Navotas lawmaker, who has been outspoken on anomalies surrounding budget insertions, said that he received an invitation from the ICI two days ago.

Amid criticisms that the commission is toothless and secretive in prosecuting culprits of the flood control mess, Tiangco commended the fact-finding body for its integrity.

‘I don’t know how they conduct it with other resource persons, but they are very professional,’ he said. ‘My impression is they’re building the evidence to make it strong when it’s presented to the court.’

Tiangco warned, however, that public anger would erupt if the government fails to bring home resigned Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co, the former chair of the appropriations panel at the center of questionable budget insertions.

‘The people’s sentiment is that they will not accept that Zaldy Co will not be returned; it should be understood by those who have the power to do so,’ he said.

‘Let’s not try the patience of the people. In my opinion, that’s where the people will really get angry, and maybe that’s where they will doubt the sincerity of the investigation,’ he added.

Tiangco is puzzled why the Department of Foreign Affairs has not yet canceled Co’s passport. He noted that under the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, the DFA secretary or consular officers can cancel a passport ‘in the interest of national security, public safety and public health.’

‘People are very angry. There are mass movements. These mass movements can be taken advantage of by bad elements to destabilize the government. Isn’t that a national security issue?’ Tiangco said.

Speaker Faustino Dy III had disclosed that he had already coordinated with the DOJ to swiftly cancel the passport of Co, whose whereabouts remain a mystery.

Filipino Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo will not be participating in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said.

In a message to Philstar.com, Carrion confirmed reports that Yulo will be sitting out the Thailand games.

The news came after organizers ruled that gymnasts could only compete in one apparatus.

‘The competitions of SEA Games is not for the athletes but for the country and how many medals they can get. It should be a festive occasion for us,’ she told Philstar.com.

‘Carlos wants to give his teammates [a] chance to win in as much as only one apparatus they can win,’ she added.

Yulo, who ruled the floor exercise and vault in the Paris Olympics, has won nine gold medals and nine silver medals in the biennial meet.

After he bagged five gold medals in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, he copped two golds in the all-around and parallel bars events, as well as two silvers for team and still rings, in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.

Carrion also said the ‘saddest part’ is that there is no team competition this time around.

‘[It] is the most exciting and we have a big chance to win like we did in Vietnam,’ she said.

The Philippines won seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals in Hanoi in 2022.

The following year in Phnom Penh, the country once again finished second in the medal count with four gold, two silver and two silver medals.

A representative from the United States embassy took time yesterday for a closed-door meeting with members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to discuss the committee’s crucial work.

Michael Keheller, the embassy’s acting deputy chief of mission, was personally welcomed by ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. and member Rogelio Singson. Keheller is the first diplomat to visit the ICI since its formation last month.

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said the visit was an opportunity to discuss the inner workings of the fact-finding body, which is tasked to probe the multibillion-peso corruption in infrastructure projects.

‘As one of the countries of great interest in the Philippines, [the US] was very much interested in what the ICI would do to address the problem of the flood control projects and other anomalous infrastructure projects,’ Hosaka said.

‘Basically, he wanted to know what we have done, what we will be doing, and what we expect from the ICI,’ he added.

Hosaka said the US embassy has not offered any assistance, for now. ‘They haven’t reached that kind of offering yet,’ he said.

The US State Department recently flagged the Bureau of Customs as ‘one of the most corrupt agencies in the country’ after some firms reported being asked for bribes.

The report on investment climate, published on Sept. 26, has not yet factored in the billions of pesos lost on anomalous flood works and other infrastructure projects.

Vote count machine provider Smartmatic has been formally charged in the United States over a bribery and money laundering case that also involves former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista.

The US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida on Thursday confirmed that a federal grand jury in Miami returned a superseding indictment to the alleged bribery scheme in relation to the 2016 general elections in the Philippines.

The superseding indictment charged SGO Corp. Ltd., commonly known as Smartmatic Group, with one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of international laundering of monetary instruments.

The initial 2024 indictment charged Bautista and former Smartmatic officials Roger Alejandro Piñate Martinez, Jorge Miguel Vasquez and Elie Moreno with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of international laundering of monetary instruments.

Piñate and Vasquez were also charged with one count of violating the FCPA.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Piñate and Vasquez were accused of paying at least $1 million in bribes to Bautista between 2015 and 2018.

‘The bribes were allegedly paid to obtain and retain business from Comelec, including the release of favorable value added tax reimbursements and other contractual payments for the benefit of SGO Corp. Ltd. and its affiliates,’ it said.

‘To finance the bribes, the co-conspirators allegedly created a slush fund by over-invoicing the cost per voting machine supplied for the 2016 Philippine elections. To conceal the corrupt payments, they used coded language, created fraudulent contracts and sham loan agreements, and routed transactions through bank accounts in Asia, Europe and the US, including within the Southern District of Florida,’ it added.

Piñate and Vasquez have earlier surrendered to authorities and were released after paying a bond. Bautista and Moreno remain at large and were described as ‘fugitives’ by US authorities.

The trillion-peso pipeline of private-public partnership (PPP) projects can help offset funding cuts for the Department of Public Works and Highways, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew Balanquit noted that the country can afford a slowdown in infrastructure spending, as the government’s P6-trillion PPP projects provide sufficient room for human development and education.

‘I just had the number. Like there was a 67-percent increase in the number of PPPs since 2023. Those existing PPPs right now are around 281 projects, while those in the pipeline are around 251 projects in the future,’ he told The STAR.

‘I think for next year, you can say that, but that’s to the tune of something like P6 trillion,’ he added.

In terms of the economic drag due to infrastructure budget cuts, Balanquit said economic managers have yet to meet to adjust economic growth targets, as they are still awaiting the release of the country’s third-quarter economic growth data.

‘It’s very difficult to say that the gross domestic product (GDP) will go down because of the P255 billion that is pulled out from the infrastructure project, because we are relying so much now on PPPs,’ he said.

He noted that while public construction recorded negative growth in the second quarter, this was offset by the strong performance of private construction, allowing the economy to grow by 5.5 percent.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) lowered this year’s economic growth target to between 5.5 and 6.5 percent from the earlier projection of six to eight percent.

‘We’re expecting that this good performance coming from the private sector would continue in the third quarter, but that remains to be seen. That’s why, we, the DBCC right now, we don’t have any plans yet of changing the target for 2025, so we will see it,’ Balanquit said.

The DBM official added that more concrete steps will be taken after the third-quarter GDP growth is released.

Data from the DBM showed that from January to July, infrastructure spending remained 3.2 percent behind at P713.5 billion, compared to P736.7 billion in the same period last year.

Several factors came into play, which the budget department primarily attributed to the election spending ban from March to May, delays in procurement activities and contractors’ incomplete submissions and billings in July.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier admitted that an economic slowdown this year is likely due to subdued spending, which could affect overall economic activity. He said lower revenue collection and dampened government spending continue to weigh on the country’s growth prospects.

Filipino-American Broadway star and Tony Award-nominee Conrad Ricamora will lead the cast of the upcoming Manila run of “A Chorus Line” for his Philippine stage debut.

Fresh off the heels of a star-studded “Into the Woods,” Theatre Group Asia is beginning the cast roll-out of its next production to be directed and choreographed by Fil-Am Karla Puno Garcia.

Karla is the first Filipino cast member and dance captain for “Hamilton,” performed three different “West Side Story” characters on Broadway, and toured the United States for “Wicked” and “The Addams Family.”

She made history as the first woman of color to choreograph the opening number of the Tony Awards back in 2023, winning her the Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming.

“A Chorus Line” depicts the trials and triumphs of Broadway’s unsung heroes as it follows 17 performers enduring a grueling audition for eight coveted spots in a Broadway chorus, highlighting their personal stories of ambition, disappointment and perseverance.

Theatre Group Asia and Karla previously announced that only artists with Filipino heritage will be accepted for the “A Chorus Line” ensemble, and it starts with Conrad as Zach, the director and choreographer of the story auditions being held.

“Performing in the Philippines for the first time is incredibly meaningful for me because it’s my father’s homeland,” Conrad said. “To bring my work here feels like a kind of homecoming – a chance to connect with a part of my heritage that I’ve always carried in my heart.”

Conrad commended “A Chorus Line” for celebrating the “raw, vulnerable truth of being a performer,” and that playing Zach as the production turns fifty years old is another full-circle moment.

The actor pointed out how its story still speaks directly to the hunger, heartbreak, and needs of artists to be seen, “It’s thrilling to return to that sense of community and truth that only the stage can offer.”

The Fil-Am artist received Grammy nominations for his performances in “The King and I” and “Soft Power,” starred as Ninoy Aquino “Here Lies Love” on Broadway after numerous runs elsewhere and recently received a Tony nomination for his role as Abraham Lincoln in “Oh, Mary!”

Onscreen Conrad is best known as Oliver Hampton on “How to Get Away With Murder,” Jake Wong on “The Resident,” “How to Die Alone” with Natasha Rothwell and will next appear in the “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel.

“A Chorus Line” will run in March 2026 in Makati’s Samsung Performing Arts Theater.