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Farm-to-market roads ‘overpriced’ by up to 70%

After the shock over massive anomalies in flood control projects, now come more jaw-droppers from the questionable costing of farm-to-market roads (FMRs).

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian revealed on Wednesday that over P10 billion worth of FMRs programmed under the 2023 and 2024 national budgets have been ‘extremely overpriced.’

One project, for example, cost 23 times more than the standard price set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), while others saw markups of up to 70 percent, further bloating the project cost.

These discoveries were made at the hearing of the Senate committee on finance, which Gatchalian chairs, on the proposed P176.7-billion budget of the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DPWH set a P15,000 per meter standard cost for FMRs, but this could go as low as P10,000 if the ’30 percent’ markup was trimmed.

Gatchalian noted that many FMRs funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) under 2024 Fiscal Year (FY) cost P30,000 per meter, or twice that of the P15,000 benchmark set by the DPWH.

‘Cost overshoot’

The Bicol region logged the biggest number of FMR projects with what Gatchalian called a ‘cost overshoot.’

The region’s 80 projects could have cost only P520 million, but went up to P1.7 billion because of the 68-percent markup amounting to P1.18 billion.

This was followed by Eastern Visayas with 33 projects that were allocated P791 million, with a 70 percent, or P555 million, cost overshoot. This meant that the projects should have cost only P236 million without the markups.

Topping the list of extremely overpriced projects was the ongoing road concreting in Barangay San Roque in Tacloban City.

The 2024 GAA allocated P100 million for the project, which only has an actual length of 0.287 kilometers, putting its cost per meter at P348,432.06 or 23 times more than the P15,000 DPWH standard price.

In addition, the project’s contractor could not be found in the DPWH Civil Works Contracts Database.

‘This is not just extremely overpriced,’ Gatchalian said. ‘[It is] extremely, extremely, extremely overpriced.’

‘Have you not detected this extreme overpricing? If the P15,000 [cost per meter] is already overpriced in your opinion, this one is P348,000 per meter,’ he told Tiu Laurel.

The agriculture chief said such figures were ‘shocking,’ but added that these questions were better answered by the project implementer, the DPWH.

Co project

It was also revealed in the same hearing that another overpriced project in Albay was handled by Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp., which was co-founded by Christopher Co, brother of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co.

Zaldy Co, who recently resigned as congressman, chaired the powerful committee on appropriations of the House of Representatives from July 2022 to January 2025.

The concreting of FMRs from Barangay Kidaco to Barangay San Roque in Daraga, Albay, was allocated a P46-million budget in the 2024 GAA and had a length of only 0.37 kilometers but cost P124,324.32 per meter over eight times the standard P15,000.

Other areas that were flagged with extremely overpriced projects under the 2024 GAA were Camarines Sur (P263,157.89 per meter), Bulacan (P193,548.39), and Eastern Samar (P169,902.91).

‘For me, this is an obvious sign of corruption,’ Gatchalian said.

Tiu Laurel had vowed to look into the matter.

Familiar contractors

Gatchalian further revealed that three contractors who bagged the most number of FMR projects were also among the top 15 firms that secured the biggest amount of flood control projects nationwide, as revealed by President Marcos last August.

These three were EGB Construction Corp., Hi-Tone, and Road Edge Trading and Development Services.

EGB cornered P242.1 million worth of FMR project awards for FY 2024, which was the second highest on Gatchalian’s list, only behind GCI Construction and Development Corp., which bagged the largest number of projects at P288.5 million.

Hi-Tone bagged the third biggest FMR awards at P221.8 million, while Road Edge got P98 million.

No coincidence

Gatchalian said it was no coincidence that the Bicol region topped the total number of overpriced FMRs, with Hi-Tone cornering the third-biggest road contracts.

‘I think it’s not coincidental that the biggest region that got FMRs is Region 5 (Bicol Region), and the company that got the third biggest number of contracts was connected to Zaldy Co,’ Gatchalian said in Filipino.

These fresh revelations come on the heels of a major corruption scandal involving flood control projects, which prompted congressional inquiries and the creation of an independent commission to investigate the suspected collusion between lawmakers, government officials, and contractors to embezzle billions of pesos from the country’s coffers.

Amid all this, a nationwide and widespread Sept. 21 protest took place, and rumors of a coup emerged, which the military later denied.

I have more to give, says Abueva after career-high

Calvin Abueva pounded the center court of Ynares Center on Wednesday before raising his finger up in the sky after a performance that propelled Titan Ultra to a winning start to its PBA voyage.

Beyond giving the league’s newest ballclub a 100-96 victory over the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Cup here, Abueva also showed there’s still more left in the tank for the energetic and colorful veteran known as ‘The Beast.’

‘I still have more to give,’ Abueva said after finishing with a career-high 41 points plus seven rebounds for the Giant Risers.

Abueva is coming off a season in which his time with the Magnolia Hotshots came to an end via a trade that sent him to NorthPort Batang Pier for the younger William Navarro, who eventually took his act to South Korea.

NorthPort eventually sold its franchise to Titan, and as the transition began, Abueva found himself as one of the leaders of a roster teeming with new players, young and old, and eager to start the Giant Risers off on the right foot.

‘We really pushed ourselves in this game, especially myself,’ said the 37-year-old forward. ‘I really need to push myself, especially being with younger players. It turned out I put more effort than those guys.’

Struggling start

It looked as if Abueva revived his good old days in college when his energy, hustle and mind games brought San Sebastian to the 2009 NCAA title, while also opening the door for his entry to the PBA.

Titan Ultra won despite a flat start to its league debut, missing its first eight shots, including some easy ones, that enabled Meralco to race to an 11-0 lead in the first five minutes.

But the Giant Risers were able to shake off their eagerness, eventually keeping the game close before Abueva’s 16 in the third allowed the new kids on the block to break loose.

‘We took advantage of Calvin,’ said Titan Ultra coach Johnedel Cardel, also a winner in his PBA return after a long stint handling Terrafirma came to an end last year. ‘We all know how strong he is and how he plays with a lot of heart. That’s why he’s ‘The Beast.”

Joshua Munzon, coming off a season in which he claimed Most Improved Player honors and made the All-Defensive Team, added 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks for the Giant Risers.

Cade Flores and Fran Yu were also instrumental for Titan Ultra, which now set its sights on win No. 2 against a talented Converge side on Saturday in Montalban.

CJ Cansino scored 22, but Meralco fell short in its comeback from 19 down during the tail end of the fourth.

CA affirms grant of bail to 3 Degamo case suspects

The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed a Manila court’s decision to grant bail to three individuals facing charges of illegal possession of firearms in relation to the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in 2023.

In a resolution dated Oct. 2, the CA’s Third Division denied the government’s motion for reconsideration of its earlier ruling upholding the grant of bail to Nigel Electona, Jeson Timtim, and Dionilo Mayagma.

Electona was chief of security at the compound owned by former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, one of the alleged ‘brains’ in Degamo’s killing. Electona, security guard Timtim and fire truck driver Mayagma were arrested 20 days after the killing during a search of the compound which yielded firearms.

The CA, in the resolution written by Associate Justice Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, ruled the Manila court properly exercised its discretion in granting the bail applications after following the required procedures.

It noted that evidence presented showed Electona and Timtim each possessed only one small firearm without the necessary license, with Electona admitting to owning a cal. .22 rifle, while Timtim was linked to a cal. .45 Grandmaster STI pistol found in his belongings.

ICI recommends cutting by half DPWH contract amounts for projects

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended Thursday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) halve the contract threshold amounts that regional and district engineering offices should enter into in infrastructure projects.

In a letter signed by ICI Chair Andres Reyes, the fact-finding body urged DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to lower the ceiling for letters of authority (LOA) in public works bidding to P200 million from P400 million for regional engineering offices and to P75 million from P150 million for district engineering offices.

The original threshold for the LOAs, the ICI noted, was raised during the tenure of Dizon’s predecessor, former Public Works chief Manuel Bonoan.

‘In the course of the continuing investigation of this Commission in relation to anomalous flood control projects and corruption within the DPWH, it has come to our attention that the LOA for the procurement of civil works that [was] previously allowed by former Secretary Bonoan should be decreased by at least half,’ read the letter.

’I lost my dad weeks before I gave birth,’ Lala Akindoju breaks silence

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju has shared an emotional reflection on her journey through grief and motherhood, revealing that she welcomed her second child just weeks after losing her father.

In a post on Instagram, the award-winning actress described the period as a ‘bittersweet season’ that tested her emotional and physical strength.

‘Having a child and losing my daddy weeks apart was not something I hoped for, neither was I ready for it. But having a child is such a divine, selfless, high calling because another human being literally depends on you for their survival,’ she wrote. Akindoju expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and colleagues who supported her through the challenging phase, describing how they formed her ‘village’ and helped her stay grounded amid grief, career demands, and motherhood.

‘Navigating building a career, grief, and being a new mum, breastfeeding, travelling, and raising a 4-year-old is no joke. It has taken a village. For every member of my village who showed up, visited, helped me rest, carried him so I could work or pump milk – THIS 1st BIRTHDAY IS FOR ALL OF YOU TOO!’ she added. The actress celebrated her son, Adéiyèolú Monoyooritse Chioke Ayanfe, on his first birthday, expressing joy and gratitude for the gift of motherhood.

She also penned a loving note to her husband, celebrity chef OritseGbubemi Fregene (Chef Fregz), describing him as her ‘pillar of support’ and ‘most understanding partner’ who stood by her throughout her journey.

‘I’m also grateful for the most understanding baby – from being on set with me during pregnancy to hopping on planes at just four weeks old. Such a trooper,’ she wrote.

Akindoju and her husband, who got married in September 2018, welcomed their first child in 2021 and their second in 2024.

’Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize’,- Israel’s Herzog

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in brokering an agreement between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas to end the war in Gaza.

Herzog said Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

‘There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this,’ Herzog wrote on X on Thursday, calling the deal a chance to mend, to heal, and to open a new horizon of hope for our region.’

Trump announced earlier that indirect negotiations in Egypt had produced a breakthrough. Under the first phase of the U.S. peace plan, all hostages held in Gaza are to be released, and Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed line. Hamas has confirmed its participation in the agreement. Speaking recently at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump said he had already ended several wars since taking office earlier this year and should be recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Committee is set to announce this year’s laureate on Friday.

Israel, Hamas take first steps towards enacting Trump deal

Israel and the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas began taking the first steps on Thursday towards enacting a peace deal announced overnight by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israeli media reported that the Security Cabinet would meet in the afternoon to be briefed on the Gaza deal.

This would reportedly be followed by a full government meeting to vote on the agreement.

Zaher Jabareen, head of the prisoner affairs office for Hamas, issued a statement earlier saying the Islamist movement had submitted the lists of Palestinian prisoners.

This is according to the agreed criteria within the framework of the agreement and is awaiting final approval of the names before their announcement.

Trump announced that indirect negotiations in Egypt had produced an agreement on the first phase of a peace deal. Under the first phase, all hostages held in Gaza are to be released, and Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed line.

The deal has been acclaimed by leaders across the world, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Trump should get the Nobel Peace Prize – which is set to be announced on Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X it was ‘a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.’

The 20-point peace plan proposed by Trump envisages Israel pulling its forces in Gaza back to an ‘initial withdrawal line’ in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages.

Both alive and dead who have now been held by the Islamist group for just over two years.

Under the plan, Israel would free around 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and roughly 1,700 others detained after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. (dpa/NAN)

Man Utd up for sale? Saudi chief claims new investor deal ‘almost done’

Saudi Arabia’s sports boss, Turki Al-Sheikh, has set tongues wagging after hinting that Manchester United could soon have a new owner.

In a post on X on Wednesday night, Al-Sheikh claimed that United are ‘in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor’ – before adding a thinly veiled jab at the club’s current owners, saying he hopes the new investor will be ‘better than the previous owners.’

The post quickly went viral, racking up close to one million views in hours and sparking fresh speculation over the Red Devils’ ownership.

United’s American owners, the Glazer family, came under fire last year after rejecting a full takeover offer from Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani’s Qatari group. Instead, they sold 27.7 percent of the club to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for £1.25 billion.

It remains unclear whether Al-Sheikh’s claim has any truth to it or if it was a subtle dig at both the Glazers and Ratcliffe. But his words have certainly added fuel to ongoing frustrations among fans still divided over United’s ownership structure.

Panic in Benin as solar panel Ignites fire at Oba market

The Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Engineer Gabriel Iduseri, has explained that the fire outbreak at Oba Market on Wednesday was caused by a solar panel.

This is the second fire incident at the market in five years. Reconstruction work has already started in the affected area.

After inspecting the site, Iduseri said that only one shop was affected and that firefighters and security officers quickly contained the blaze before it spread. He added that the council will no longer allow traders to install solar panels in the market and will check all electrical connections to prevent future fires.

‘We discovered that a solar panel caused the fire,’ he said. ‘We will stop traders from using them and inspect all wiring in the market. We’ll also support the affected trader to recover.

Thankfully, there was no major damage or loss of life, and we took steps to prevent theft.’

It was reported that the trader whose shop was affected collapsed after the incident.

ADC’s 2027 victory dream, tragicomic display of self-deception – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said claim by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it will win the 2027 general election sounds more like a comedy skit than a political strategy while affirming that Nigerians can barely recall the existence of the party.

The Lagos chapter of APC said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement, signed by Lagos APC spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, was issued in response to recent assertion by ADC that it will win the 2027 general election.

The opposition party had also boasted that ‘failure is not an option’ for it in the election during a press conference held after its inaugural National Working Committee meeting.

But the APC described the claim of ADC as laughable, mere mirage and political delusion with claim that the opposition party has been practically invisible on Nigeria’s political radar.

It added that the ADC’s statement can only be described as a tragicomic display of self-deception.

‘The ADC’s declaration sounds more like a comedy skit than a political strategy. Nigerians can barely recall its existence, let alone its relevance.

‘The last time the ADC made any national impact was when a few disenchanted politicians briefly used it as a temporary shelter before returning to their real homes.

‘The truth is simple – a party without structure, followership, or a recognizable ideology has no business speaking about winning elections.

‘The ADC’s boast of 2027 victory is akin to a political mirage; the closer they think they are to power, the farther it moves away. ‘If empty press statements and wishful thinking could win elections, perhaps the ADC would stand a chance. Unfortunately, democracy rewards substance, not self-praise,’ Oladejo said.

According to him, there is absolutely nothing on ground politically anywhere in the country to warrant the ADC’s ‘ self-deceit’.

He said that a party in perpetual crisis over membership discipline and identity could not be said to be setting its sights on national victory.

Oladejo said that the ADC remained ‘without question, the political joke of the coming national elections.’

He noted that Nigerians were not in the mood for political jokes.

‘They have seen the difference between a governing party with vision and competence, and the collection of direction-less groups that only emerge during election seasons to trade in fantasies.

‘Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is experiencing a steady reawakening – from infrastructure expansion to economic stabilisation and renewed investor confidence.

‘These are tangible achievements, not mere slogans,’ he added.

Oladejo said that rather than proclamations of 2027 victory, the ADC should face the reality of its perpetual irrelevance.

Oladejo said: ‘A party that cannot win a polling unit should not delude itself about winning the presidency.’