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Almost 2,000 flood victims marched through the murky roads of Macabebe and Masantol towns on Thursday, bearing mock-up coffins, placards, and streamers demanding an end to corruption in flood-control projects.

Protesters from the boundary arch of Masantol and those from San Gabriel Chapel in Macabebe merged at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, also in Macabebe, for a holy Mass concelebrated by 11 priests from the Vicariate of the Blessed Trinity. In solidarity, several priests born or raised in Macabebe joined the sacrament.

Fr. Ariel Limjoco said corruption begins at home when children are paid to do tasks for the family or when they are prompted to enrich themselves instead of being encouraged to help and serve people.

The corrupt, he added, experienced hell on earth, citing the Discaya couple who are being pelted and shamed in public or hide themselves.

Limjoco echoed the calls of the vicariate to ‘return the stolen public funds.’

The vicariate also called for long-term flooding solutions to protect the people from disaster.

In the program dubbed Singsong People’s Rally (Lament of the People’s Rally), Marilou Melo of San Rafael Parish in Macabebe pointed out that children suffer in many ways. She said they have lost their playgrounds or have little interest in their studies as classrooms are used as evacuation centers or classes are suspended because of floods in the towns that last for months.

Dr. Ma. Liezl Alcoy of the San Miguel Arkanghel Parish in Masantol said the flood levels have reached the first floor of homes, endangering senior citizens by slipping, increasing the cost of transportation, and entailing a longer time to deal with health emergencies.

Like them, other speakers did not specify projects, but social media posts decry the six-year delay of the Pampanga Delta River bridge project, which connects Masantol’s left bank, where some 10,000 families were displaced when the mouth of the river was widened from 250 meters to 750 meters since 1992. Touted to be a priority project of Rep. Anna York Bondoc, the unfinished bridge received nearly P700 million.

In the same program, the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity (ACL) of the Archdiocese of San Fernando ‘strongly denounces the greed, selfishness, and corruption of our key leaders and their cohorts,’ said Renato Galang, ACP president, reading from a statement.

Signed by leaders of 24 lay organizations, the council urged ‘every Kapampangan to be courageous: to stand for the Truth, to live our faoith in action, and to demand integrity and accountability in governance

Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III has assured the public that the House of Representatives will continue working towards a clean and effective budget for 2026, as plenary debates on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) end.

Dy, in a statement early Friday morning said that he will fulfill the promise he made when he was elected speaker – that each centavo of the budget will be aligned with the people’s needs.

‘Our fellow Filipinos can expect an open and transparent budget-making process,’ Dy said in Filipino.

‘I said this when I was elected speaker, we would ensure that each centavo that would be appropriated will correspond to the needs of our people. We will continue working towards passing a budget that is open to the people, in order, and clean,’ he added.

Dy also thanked members of the House for their tireless work in scrutinizing the proposed budget, as there were several instances wherein plenary debates which started at 10:00 a.m. reached way past 2:00 a.m. of the next day.

Similarly, Dy thanked different agencies that helped the House committee on appropriations craft and defend the budget.

Several reforms initiated before former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stepped down – like the removal of the small committee that makes changes to the proposed budget after third reading approval, and the opening of the budget deliberations to civil society organizations – continued up to Dy’s term.

Last September 22, the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) discussed realignments involving the P255.5 billion budget cut suffered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), part of which were realigned to social aid, health programs, and a higher education budget.

One of the amendments made by the BARSc was to realign P37.30 billion of the P255.5 billion DPWH funds to the education sector instead – including P22.5 billion for the construction of new classrooms and the provision of school equipment; and P6.619 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy and P2.693 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will also get a P60 billion subsidy, while P32.06 billion will go to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program of the the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Last September 26, appropriations committee chairperson and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing announced that that there will be a special provision in the 2026 GAB that would compel the CHEd to release P7.821 billion for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) deficits.

Suansing then said that the remaining P4.486 billion will be appropriated by the House as part of its GAB.

This means that starting 2026, there would be a zero deficit due to the UAQTEA implementation. /gsg

Work in government offices in San Narciso town was suspended Friday afternoon as nonstop rains from Typhoon Paolo continued to batter the province.

In its advisory, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the suspension took effect at 3 p.m. and covers all government workers, except for essential offices that must remain open.

‘This is for the safety and welfare of our employees. Let us continue to stay alert and take necessary precautions,’ the MDRRMO stated.

Zambales has been experiencing heavy rains since Friday morning, prompting Pagasa to raise a red rainfall warning. The advisory is issued when heavy downpour – about 30 millimeters per hour – is expected or observed to persist for at least two hours.

Meanwhile, the northern towns of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, and Palauig were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, while the rest of Zambales remained under Signal No. 1

At least 48 passengers, including truck drivers and cargo helpers, were stranded at Luzon ports as Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo) disrupted sea travel on Friday, Oct. 3, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

The PCG said 33 rolling cargoes, seven vessels, and seven motorbancas were also unable to sail, while one vessel and two motorbancas sought shelter due to rough seas.

Most of the disruptions occurred in Southern Luzon, where 38 passengers and 33 rolling cargoes, six vessels, and seven motorbancas were stranded at the ports of Real, Alabat, and Dinahican in Quezon.

Two more motorbancas in the region also took shelter.

In northeastern Luzon, 10 passengers and one vessel were reportedly stranded, while in northwestern Luzon, one vessel sought shelter.

The PCG urged travelers to monitor weather updates and coordinate with shipping companies as Paolo, now a typhoon, continues to affect maritime operations in parts of Luzon./mcm

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson raised the possibility that Cavite Fourth District Rep. Kiko Barzaga may have been ‘exploited by some parties’ to push their ‘self-seeking agenda’ and undermine the blue ribbon panel’s investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

Lacson, in a post on X on Friday, said he is sympathizing with the congressman’s mother, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga.

The senator said that while it was the younger Barzaga who posted a month-old photo of him with the Discaya couple last Oct. 1, he could not have done that without someone providing him with that photo.

‘I feel for our dear friend, Mayor Jenny Barzaga. As the mayor of Dasmariñas City, she must have her hands full serving her constituents. The last thing she needs is the evil-mindedness of people who use her son Kiko’s mental state to advance their self-seeking political agenda,’ Lacson said in a post on X.

Lacson previously debunked insinuations about the photo with the Discayas, saying it was taken during the campaign period-way before the start of the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

He explained that a supporter from Davao City accompanied the Discayas to invite him to a political rally, but he emphasized that he declined the invitation.

The senator believes that the posting of the photo was likely ‘meant to discredit the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,’ which is investigating the flood control scandal.

Meanwhile, the Discayas are among the key resource speakers of the blue ribbon’s hearing on anomalous flood control projects.

It was the Discaya patriarch-Pacifico ‘Curlee’-who first named congressmen and government officials who were allegedly receiving kickbacks from anomalous government biddings. /apl

Two persons of interest (POIs) in the disappearance of three business persons surrendered to the police on Thursday night, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) said on Friday.

Couple Henry Angelo and Margie Pantollana, and their business partner Richard Cadiz, were last spotted in Cavite last July 6 after supposedly meeting with a certain ‘Jeff’ at his Pasig City condominium, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) previously detailed.

The two POIs – a male and a female – were caught on security footage allegedly using credit cards under the names of Henry Pantollana and his sister, Hazel, CIDG National Capital Region (NCR) Chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui said in an interview in Camp Crame on Friday.

Guiagui did not name the pair but said they were Manila residents who ‘knew each other’ and supposedly bought at least three credit cards under various banks from a Quezon City seller – whom police are now tracking down.

He claimed the two POIs used the credit cards to buy over 50 cellphones valued at P1 million, had coffee and withdrew P5,000 in cash at shops in Quezon City, Parañaque City, Bulacan and Cavite.

‘They generated IDs that were presented as proof that they were Hazel Pantollana, that they were Henry Pantollana,’ Guiagui added.

He further claimed the two POIs allegedly sold the phones for a profit of P500,000.

Asked to comment while in Camp Crame, the pair confirmed that they used the credit cards under the Pantollanas’ names and detailed that they supposedly bought the cards from ‘junk traders’ (nagbabasura) in Payatas.

The POIs also denied any knowledge or involvement of the Pantollanas’ and Cadiz’ disappearance, stressing that they came before the CIDG to explain.

‘We had no money. We were just looking for a side hustle. I just tagged along,’ the female POI claimed.

Both POIs face a case for violations of Republic Act No. 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act, which penalizes the fraudulent use of credit cards, according to CIDG public information chief Maj. Helen dela Cruz in the interview.

Guiagui added that the male POI allegedly has a prior case in Makati City also for violating RA 8484, but he did not expound on the incident.

Meanwhile, the certain ‘Jeff’ – whom the Pantollanas and Cadiz supposedly met with before their disappearance – already came before the CIDG earlier this week, Guiagui said.

‘Jeff’ said the three business persons were at his Pasig City condominium at around 11:30 a.m. on July 6 and that Henry Pantollana ‘had to take phone calls’ during their visit, then ‘rushed’ to go to another meeting, according to Guiagui.

The CIDG previously said it subpoenaed at least 13 individuals – whom it did not identify – as part of the investigation into the case.

Human rights group Karapatan is demanding accountability from the police for the death of a 35-year-old construction worker believed to have been caught in the crossfire between authorities and rioting protesters after the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protest in Manila.

A funeral march was held on Thursday for Eric Saber, who was found to have sustained a gunshot wound in the neck, based on an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun.

Based on Fortun’s findings, Saber was shot, injuring his spine. He developed pneumonia, which ultimately killed him.

‘This fact exposes the lies of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which repeatedly denied that they did not use firearms or tear gas that day. Who else bore firearms during the dispersal but the police forces, the SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team and agents who are not in uniform?’ said lawyer Maria Sol Taule, Karapatan deputy secretary general, who has also been helping protesters who were arrested without a warrant.

Taule said the untimely death of Saber, who was just passing by Mendiola when he was shot, is a reminder that ordinary people are ‘not safe from state violence and police brutality.’

Stark reminder

‘We demand accountability for those responsible for the killing of Eric Saber. We call for an immediate, independent and credible investigation into his case and into the many other rights violations committed by the police during the Sept. 21 dispersal,’ she added.

The number of protesters who were arrested and detained by the Manila police has reached 277 from the initial count of 216, based on the monitoring of Karapatan, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, Public Interest Law Center and Sentro para sa Repormang Agraryo.

The Manila Police District said on Monday that all minors who were arrested have been released. According to the Commission on Human Rights, 91 minors were processed by the PNP and the Department of Social Welfare and Development before they were released to their parents or sent to their respective local government units or a youth facility.

The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur is sending aid to quake-hit Cebu, Gov. Divina Grace Yu said.

Yu said this will be an initial salvo of help, to address urgent relief needs.

The contingent is set to travel on Saturday to Dipolog City, from where they will take a slow boat that will arrive in Cebu City on Sunday.

Yu said personnel from the provincial social welfare and development office and provincial disaster risk reduction and management office will join the delivery of the relief goods ‘to assess on what additional assistance the quake-hit areas needed.’

On Friday, trucks were loaded with 2,000 25-kg bags of rice and 500 kilograms of dried fish as part of the relief supplies to be brought to CebuYu said they will also send a water tanker ‘for areas who need to transport water.’

She disclosed that they initially wanted to send construction materials since many houses were damaged; however, with the current situation, the provincial government saw that food and water should be prioritized.

Yu added that the League of Provinces of the Philippines has called for aid to the people of Cebu.

Former Governor Victor Yu disclosed that several business owners in the province had lent the provincial government the trucks to transport the goods.

In Zamboanga City, Mayor Khymer Olaso sent the second batch of goods to Cebu province on Thursday evening aboard two coast guard vessels – BRP Tubbataha and BRP Capones, bound for Cebu.

The shipment consisted of 700 sacks of rice from the City Social Welfare and Development Office, 20 boxes of canned sardines and 1,000 jerry cans with water.

PLDT’s championship streak has made it the team to beat heading into the PVL Reinforced Conference, but for Russian import Anastasia Bavykina, it’s all about what lies ahead-not what’s been won.

‘I know that they won the last tournament and I hope that we will be champions again,’ said the 33-year-old outside hitter, as she gears up to lead the High Speed Hitters’ title defense when the season opens on Tuesday at Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

PLDT is fresh off back-to-back perfect runs in the PVL on Tour and Invitational Conference. But with the playing field now reinforced by a mix of elite imports and rising locals, coach Rald Ricafort insists their approach remains humble.

‘Going for a three-peat isn’t really our goal,’ Ricafort said in Filipino. ‘It’s a new conference, a new competition. We’re taking it day by day, starting over.’

Still, the High Speed Hitters are stacked. Bavykina joins a core that includes Invitational MVP Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Kath Arado, Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan. The 6-foot-2 Russian has quickly meshed with her teammates and is eager to contribute.

‘I want to help my team score a lot of attacks and blocks, and maybe get a lot of points from service,’ she said. ‘It feels very good. I like my team. I’m very happy to be here.’

Anything but easy

Ricafort sees Bavykina’s arrival as deepening what was already a strong bench.

‘In the past two conferences, that depth was one of our strengths. Now with an import added, hopefully that helps us even more,’ he said.

The road to another crown, however, is anything but easy.

Creamline remains a major threat despite the absence of Jia De Guzman, who remains with Alas Pilipinas. The Cool Smashers will bank on American Coco Schwan to lead the charge.

Akari, last year’s Reinforced runnerup, returns with import Annie Mitchem and new setter Mars Alba. Debuting squad Capital1 features top pick Bella Belen and Ukrainian spiker Oleksandra Bytsenko.

Chery Tiggo will have Mylene Paat back alongside Cuban Yunieska Batista. Choco Mucho added American Marlee Smith. Farm Fresh has Belgian ace Helene Rousseaux, while ZUS Coffee tapped Anna DeBeer.

Petro Gazz welcomes new coach Gary Van Sickle and brings back 2022 Best Import Lindsey Vander Weide. Jelena Cvijovic returns with a young Galeries team. Nxled turns to Spanish outside Paola Martinez, and Cignal hopes Greek attacker Eva Chantava makes an impact.

‘Everyone looks solid-not just because of the imports, but also the locals. Everyone’s improved,’ Ricafort said.

Tropical Storm ‘Paolo’ (international name: Matmo) is forecast to bring heavy rains to Isabela, Quirino and Aurora until Friday afternoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 p.m. Thursday, Paolo was located approximately 480 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

It had maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gusts of up to 105 kph.

Pagasa said that Paolo may make landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday morning. It will then emerge over the West Philippine Sea in the afternoon and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, Pagasa also reported the following rainfall forecast from Thursday to Friday afternoon (100 to 200 mm) in Cagayan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ecija.

For Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes, the rainfall forecast will be from 50 to 100 mm.

Additionally, the trough of the cyclone was forecast to bring scattered rains over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas.

Signal No. 2

Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Signal (TCWS) no. 2 over Isabela and the northern portions of the following provinces: Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya,

Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Aurora.

On the other hand, TCWS no. 1 was raised in Cagayan, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Bulacan, the northern portion of Pampanga, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.