Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for a National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance is as timely as it can get.

Considering the series of devastating typhoons, billions of pesos stolen by corrupt politicians and government officials through the flood control ghost projects and last week’s Bogo, Cebu earthquake, we all better go on bended knees and pray!

I support the call of the CBCP and any other religious or church group calling for prayers because our national situation feels like being caught between a rock and a hard place. On one end we have the calamities and on the other we have a growing anger and frustration with all the investigations.

Many are worried that people will either give up on legal process and turn to violence, or people will just run out of steam and give up on the Philippines.

Last week, I suggested to friends that we do a silent prayer walk interspersed with praise and worships songs similar to what God instructed Joshua and the Israelites to do around the walls of Jericho. (Joshua 6:1-5)

In summary, the Jericho march tells how God showed up, declared that he had delivered Jericho to Joshua and the Israelites.

For their part, the people had to march around Jericho once every day for six days.

On the seventh day, they were to circle around the walls of Jericho seven times and on the seventh time, the priests were to blow the trumpets while the army and the men shouted out loud! Then the walls fell, the Israelites attacked and destroyed the city.

Most people would find the account ‘fantastic’ while cynics could say it is absurd. You might even say we are not at war or attacking enemy territory. To that I quote St. Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 verse 12: ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’

‘Struggle’ means to fight, to break free against something or someone pinning us down over a period of time. It could be our mindset, eco-political transactional relationships, personal corruption or outright occult practices or inclination to omission rather than confrontation.

For the longest time, Filipinos have fought back with walk-outs, position papers, declarations, noise barrage, molotov and rocks and protest marches. But we never seem to get out of the vicious cycle.

I don’t devalue the risk, effort and sacrifice people make to express their indignation and rage. What I am suggesting is that we might get better results if we also exerted as much effort in prayer power as we do in ‘people power.’

Historically speaking, corruption, politics and abuse of power are forces that Filipinos have been overwhelmed with. It reminds me of King Jehoshapat and the people of Judah who were under attack by an overwhelming force of Moabites and Ammonites. (2 Chronicles 20)

Their chances of survival where slim or none, but instead of surrender, the king called for a fast in Judah and prayers for God to save them. All the people from every town responded.

In response, God sent Jahaziel who said: ‘Listen King Jehoshapat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’.’

‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.’ (2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17)

Go figure. In Jericho they marched, silently prayed and blew trumpets. In Judah, they prayed, fasted, took up their positions in faith and watched as God annihilated their would-be invaders.

Perhaps God intentionally uses absurd or illogical methods, not for fun, but to make a point, that for him nothing is impossible, that ‘we’ did not solve the problem, God did.

Filipinos are very prayerful people. Many Catholics will soon be attending the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi. Others pray before meals, novenas, the rosary. Christians do annual prayer and fasting during a family medical crisis or during New Year. Pinoy netizens even ask for prayers for other nations in crisis.

Why is it that we go on bended knees during our personal crisis but not ‘consistently’ for our national crisis and tragedy? Inconsistent prayers will not move long-term struggles.

This brings me to part two of the CBCP invitation: public repentance!

Many people ask, ‘Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?’ In the case of the Philippines, it is because we have relied on kanya-kanya, tapang, even entitlement, but never publicly said to God: ‘Forgive us Lord.’

In closing, I leave you with this encouragement from Psalms 37:7-11:

‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.

‘Do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them you will not find them, they will not be found.

‘But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged that the government’s investigation into flood control anomalies has implicated some of his allies and that many of those accused are likely guilty.

But Marcos made it clear: all charges must be backed by solid proof.

In his new podcast, Marcos addressed criticisms that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was being selective in its probe.

While he is aware of pubilc calls for swift justice, the process must prevail and building airtight cases was more important than acting quickly.

‘Much of what we’ve heard are allegations. We have to prove it. You don’t want to go after people who are innocent. Now, we know many of these people are not innocent. But if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,’ Marcos said.

The president cautioned that rushing to file weak cases that might later be dismissed would only set back the government’s anti-corruption drive.

‘We go after the guilty ones. You know, because some of the guilty ones, they’re trying to derail the system,’ Marcos said.

Asked about the investigation’s possible impact on his political allies, Marcos said he was aware that some were already implicated.

Not for ‘political advantage’

While he did not name names, his cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been tagged in reports as a recipient of alleged kickback funds.

‘Why would I even start such a thing if it was somehow for political advantage? The reason I brought it up and made it part of the national discourse was quite simply because this could not go on,’ Marcos said. ‘If it kept going, we would discover how deeply entrenched this entire system was.’

Marcos said corruption is not only damaging to the economy but to lives and communities.

He first raised the issue of anomalous flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address in July, triggering investigations that have since exposed widespread corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Billions of pesos are suspected to have been lost to kickback schemes involving contractors and government officials.

Among those implicated are Romualdez, former Senate president Chiz Escudero, and resigned House appropriations chair Zaldy Co, who is currently abroad.

Singer Regine Velasquez shares the sentiments of most Filipinos – a Philippines without corruption.

Regine shared a TikTok AI-generated video of a corruption-free Philippines showing a progressive country.

“Imagine a Philippines without corruption. Bullet trains, world-class cities, thriving communities, and limitless opportunities. What do you think the future could look like?” the TikTok post read.

The gargantuan task, the singer noted, is impossible with corrupt officials.

“Kung hindi ninanakaw pera natin KAYA to eh!!!!!” she said, frustration lacing in her statement.

“The thing is hindi sila marunong mahiya kahit sabihan silang magnanakaw, makapal ang mukha at isinusuka na natin sila, waley pa rin. Magtuturo lang sila ng iba pang magnanakaw hangang maubos na lang nila ‘yung ninakaw nila tapos nakaw uli,” she added.

Regine also questioned the taxes imposed on Filipinos, among which is VAT at 12%, the highest in Southeast Asia.

“In the meantime, we continue to pay taxes na pinagpaguran natin. Ano pa pwede nila lagyan ng tax ano pa!!!!! Baka paggising natin isang araw pati hangin may tax na!!!!!!” she said.

Regine shared how “helpless” she feels waiting for accountability and jail time for those proven corrupt. She also noted how little will change even if a new set of public servants will be elected or appointed. Regine hopes to see effective change even as she is in her mid-50s.

“Anong ba gagawin natin para maituwind ang baluktot na pamamalakad na ito?? At kahit iba ang ilagay natin dyan, I don’t think it will change!!! I’m 55. Konting panahon na lang ang ilalagi namin sa mundo sana man lang maabutan namin ang isang maluwaltahing pamumuhay para sa mga Pilipino,” she wrote on Instagram.

In another post on X, Regine questioned the justice system in the Philippines.

“Hay, hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko. Nagagalit talaga ako. Alam n’yo kung bakit hindi natatapos ang kurapsyon?? Kasi walang consequences. Justice is selective,” she said.

Following their safe return to the country, 10 Filipino seafarers who were attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden will receive assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the government would assist the Filipino crewmembers of the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagratch in finding new jobs.

Cacdac assured the seafarers that they will receive their mandated benefits and entitlements under their employment contracts.

The government will also offer medical services and psychological counseling to the seafarers, he said.

Upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday, the government provided financial and training vouchers to the seafarers.

John Ferriols is making a return to the PBA to be part of former teammate Jeffrey Cariaso’s coaching staff at Blackwater for the league’s 50th season.

The 14-year veteran was among the coaches who will help out Cariaso going into the season-opening Philippine Cup where the Bossing are seen as a team that could potentially make the quarterfinals with a nucleus of young talent.

‘John has been responsible for our bigs since he came over, and kailangan namin siya,’ Cariaso said. ‘We brought him on board which is really crucial for the development of our bigs.’

Blackwater is banking on Ferriols to provide tutelage to its frontline players composed of Abu Tratter, Bradwyn Guinto and Clifford Jopia.

The Davao City-native Ferriols first made a name with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA), which is now the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI.

He then starred with the Negros Slashers in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) before playing 14 seasons in the PBA from 2003 to 2017 with FedEx, Talk N’ Text (two stints), Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, B-Meg and Meralco.

It was at Alaska where Ferriols and Cariaso won a championship together back in the 2007 Fiesta Conference with season Most Valuable Player Willie Miller, import Roselle Ellis, coach Tim Cone and Mike Cortez, who is also a member of the Blackwater coaching staff.

Other members of Cariaso’s staff are first assistant Joe Silva, Aris Dimaunahan, Patrick Aquino, Junjie Ablan, Ryan Alba and Da Olan.-

The government’s decision to realign infrastructure budget to social aid programs risks politicization and fosters dependency among beneficiaries, former Department of Finance secretary Gary Teves said.

While supporting the reallocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ flood control budget, Teves urged the government to channel the funds toward programs that support children and development.

‘We disagree with the decision to realign funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s social aid programs or ayuda. These programs often become politicized at the local level and make people overly dependent on government aid,’ he said.

The former finance chief said sufficient learning and health care interventions during a child’s early years are vital to ensuring lifelong cognitive development, improved learning outcomes, and overall well-being.

‘Instead of ayuda, we suggest allocating these funds to interventions related to the first 2,000 days of a child such as immunization, supplementary feeding and nutrient programs in schools and communities,’ Teves added.

Among those social aid programs that received additional funding is the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations at P32 billion, still lower than what the DSWD requested at P37 billion. Meanwhile, the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program received a total of P3 billion.

Teves also recommended reducing allocations for foreign travel expenses, as well as confidential and intelligence funds, by redirecting them to more essential sectors such as tourism and skills development.

The battle for mall supremacy in the country heats up as Gokongwei-led property giant Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) gears up to unleash its own massive makeover of its shopping centers.

RLC president and CEO Mybelle Aragon-GoBio said the company is preparing to undertake a major mall redevelopment program, which is expected to be announced within the year.

‘We’re just finalizing the costings. Certainly, the more mature ones or flagship malls will be undergoing redevelopment. Watch out for it. It will be big,’ Aragon-GoBio said.

‘This will be the first of such a scale that we will be announcing. First, we intend to do one that’s of a significant scale, and then, in line with the premiumization, it will be a continuous one,’ she said.

Aragon-GoBio said the plan may entail expansion as well as a refresh of existing malls.

‘Where there is an opportunity to increase gross leasable area (GLA), then we do so. So that’s an expansion,’ Aragon-GoBio said.

‘Otherwise, it’s a redevelopment so that we’re able to command better rates. It’s also because consumer preferences are evolving. So they’re becoming more discriminating. They’re looking for more experiential offerings. So that’s what we’re trying to address through premiumization,’ she said.

RLC, the country’s second-largest mall operator, expanded its retail footprint in Mindanao with the opening last April of Robinsons Pagadian, its 56th shopping mall in the country.

Under its Vision 5-25-50 roadmap, which aims to deliver P25 billion in net income by its 50th anniversary in 2030, RLC targets bringing its mall network to 69 and increasing mall GLA by 50 percent.

Aragon-GoBio said that RLC is also keen on putting up more upscale malls following the success of Opus in Bridgetowne estate.

Since its launch in July 2024, Opus has quickly emerged as Metro Manila’s premier destination for luxury, leisure and lifestyle.

The mall features over 148,000 square meters of curated spaces across five levels.

International dining icons like St. Ali, Il Lupino Prime and Dave and Buster’s have chosen Opus for their Philippine debut.

‘We will be upgrading our existing commercial offerings. So be it new-the new malls will have better deliverables, better specifications, better tenant mixes as well. But then also, we’ll be redeveloping certain flagship malls,’ Aragon-GoBio said.

Other major developers are also aggressively renovating their existing malls.

In 2024, Ayala Land of the Zobel family decided to embark on a massive P13-billion redevelopment of its flagship malls. This initiative will see its four iconic shopping centers – Glorietta, Greenbelt, TriNoma and Ayala Center Cebu – reinvented to cater to evolving consumer preferences.

The company also announced that it is spending an additional P4.5 billion to redevelop four more malls – Ayala Malls Abreeza, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces and MarQuee Mall.

The redevelopment is expected to unleash the full potential of Ayala Malls’ retail space as well as enhance areas for convergence and create spaces that challenge retailers to bring their best to the Filipino consumer.

SM Supermalls of the Sy family, for its part, aims to maintain its position as the country’s largest mall developer by implementing an aggressive expansion and redevelopment program over the next five years.

SM is investing over P150 billion in 16 major redevelopments and 12 new lifestyle malls to ensure that its entire portfolio evolves into greener, smarter and more people-centered destinations by 2030.

Megaworld Corp. is also growing its leasing business by bringing its signature lifestyle mall concept to more locations, while introducing new experiences that resonate with today’s consumers.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls will open malls and commercial projects this year at McKinley West in Taguig, Makati, Alabang West in Las Piñas and Boracay Newcoast in Aklan.

Even after surmounting intense pressure and stopping his campaign in the Top 11, Jether Palomo was still in high spirits after the finals night on October 5 of Mister Global 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

‘Hey guys, it’s Jether. I’m here. We just finished Mister Global. I placed in the Top 11. I guess we’ll see if I join another one or I retire. But for now, I’m gonna take some rest. Thank you so much for the love. I see all the messages. I love you guys so much,’ the ‘Gwapong Pinoy’ Palomo said in a video posted by Mister Pilipinas Worldwide on Facebook.

‘Global’ Pinoys

Before winning the title in 2024 courtesy of Daumier Corilla, the Philippines has performed exceptionally well at Mister Global.

In the inaugural edition in 2014, Wilfred Placencia placed in the Top 5; 2015 (Top 15, Joseph Doruelo); 2016 (Top 10 and Mister Popularity, Mark Bornilla); 2017 (Top 16 and Best Charming Smile, James Ventura); 2018 (Top 16, Kristian Sarmiento); 2019 (Top 16, Ricky Gumera); 2021 (Unplaced, Mico Teng); 2022 (Mark Avendaño, Best National Costume); and 2023 (Top 15, John Ernest Tanting).

Palomo won Best Country Presentation Video.

Viva España

From 37 entries from around the globe, Spain’s Miguel Alejandro Ortega emerged the winner. Spain already had a winner in 2021, Miguel Ángel Lucas, but he resigned. Danh Chi?u Linh of Vietnam assumed the role.

Mister Global said of the winner: ‘Your dedication, charm, and strength have led you to this incredible victory. Tonight, we celebrate not only the crown you wear but also the journey, passion, and perseverance that brought you here. You are a true inspiration and a shining example of a global gentleman.’

William Badell of Venezuela is Mister Global 2025 1st runner-up, while Gabriel Alejandro Silva of Mexico is 2nd runner-up.

‘From nations across the world, these remarkable gentlemen have captured hearts with their charisma, dedication, and resilience. They embody not only strength and elegance but also the dreams and hard work that brought them to this moment,’ Mister Global said of the Top 3.

It was heartbreaking for Badell of Venezuela, who was so close to winning the title. He previously placed 1st runner-up at Mister International 2023 and 2nd runner-up at Mister Supranational 2021.

Riley Hedstrom of the United States and Adriano Cupaioli of France rounded out the Top 5.

Included in the Top 11 were Nigeria, Philippines, China, Korea, Uruguay and Laos. In the Top 20 were Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, South Africa, Canada and Brazil.

Top 11 speech

Palomo’s speech at Top 11, while sincere and articulate, did not propel him to the Top 5:

‘People often say it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. But I’m here to disagree. I believe it’s the company that comes along with you. My time here in Mister Global has taught me the importance of brotherhood – that with each high and every low, there are always people who love and care for you. Because it doesn’t matter what the destination is, and the journey will always change. What truly matters are the values you instill in the ones you love across you,” he said.

As the Senate investigation into the flood control mess continues to yield explosive allegations of corruption, one question has persisted: Why have the lawmakers implicated in the controversy not been called to testify?

This has been the consistent gripe of former Blue Ribbon committee chair Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who openly questioned Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson for not summoning resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co to face the Senate’s hearings.

Lacson, however, invoked inter-parliamentary courtesy – a long-held tradition preventing one chamber of Congress from summoning members of the other.

‘You have been a congressman for many years. We do not invite or summon members of Congress in the same manner that they don’t invite senators to their hearings,’ Lacson told Marcoleta during a recent Blue Ribbon hearing.

Marcoleta pushed back during a later plenary session, arguing that such courtesy should not hinder the search for accountability.

‘Ang pinag-uusapan natin ay problema kasangkot na po ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Sasabihin ba natin inter-parliamentary courtesy? Nakasulat ba sa bato yun? Absolute yun?’ he asked. (We are talking about the problems facing our country’s future. Are we still going to say inter-parliamentary courtesy? Is it written in stone? Is it absolute?)

Co has since resigned from the House of Representatives and now faces a possible Senate subpoena. But inter-parliamentary courtesy, though unwritten, remains a deeply respected practice.

While Marcoleta is correct in noting there is no no law upholding the inter-parliamentary courtesy, not all norms governing congressional and democratic proceedings are set with pen and ink, scholars have noted. Courtesy, in particular, has long prevented members of either chambers of Congress from crossing over.

A Supreme Court circular once described the rule as a ‘time-honored tradition’ that ensures smooth relations between the two chambers, even if it does not carry the force of law.

‘While inter-chamber courtesy is not a principle which has attained the level of a statutory command, it enjoys a high degree of obeisance among the members of the legislature, ensuring as it does the smooth flow of the legislative process,’ the high courtt stated.

A bit of history

The principle has been invoked in several high-profile cases. During former president Joseph Estrada’s jueteng scandal. The House had asked the Senate, on the basis of inter-chamber courtesy, to terminate its probe into the scandal, as the power to file an impeachment complaint against an official rests on the lower chamber.

More recently, Sen. Bato dela Rosa refused to heed House lawmakers to appear at a hearing on the deadly drug war, which he implemented as police chief under former president Rodrigo Duterte. In declining the invitation, Dela Rosa cited inter-chamber courtesy.

In contrast, non-lawmakers like dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and preacher Apollo Quiboloy have been arrested for ignoring congressional summonses – a privilege not extended to legislators.

A turning point

The debate over inter-parliamentary courtesy gained new weight this week after Lacson announced his resignation as Blue Ribbon chair, citing waning support from colleagues.

Lacson, whose committee uncovered testimonies linking senators, House members, and contractors to flood control kickback schemes, said he sensed that members of the majority bloc were ‘no longer in full agreement’ with how he conducted the inquiry.

‘When my peers already lack faith in me… maybe stepping down is an option,’ Lacson said, confirming he would formally submit his resignation to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Lacson had earlier said he would invite Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte), the former House speaker, to the ongoing probe. The invitation, however, would be coursed through Speaker Bojie Dy “out of courtesy.”

The Philippine National Police will sustain aggressive anti-drug operations in the country following the seizure of P6.9 billion worth of shabu in two successive operations in Pangasinan last week, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Nartatez said the seizures are proof of good coordination among the PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement units in line with President Marcos’ order for a relentless campaign against illegal drugs, without compromising operational procedures and human rights.

Authorities seized last Thursday 125 kilos of shabu, with an estimated street value of P850 million, and arrested a Chinese and his Filipino cohort in Bugallon, Pangasinan.

Another operation led to the seizure of a large stash, valued at P6.08 billion, in nearby Labrador town the following day.

‘This is a good example of an accomplishment that we can do every day, especially when the community as well as the agencies concerned are in coordination. We assure (the public) that we will get to the bottom of this case by identifying all the personalities involved and filing cases against them,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

PDEA chief Isagani Nerez said the twin operation is a ‘significant victory’ in the country’s ongoing war on illegal drugs.

‘Based on PDEA records, the Marcos administration has now surpassed the drug haul volumes of all previous administrations combined,’ Nerez said.

Official PDEA data showed a total of P87.19 billion worth of illegal drugs seized from July 2022 to August 2025.

Despite the successes, Nerez cautioned that the fight is far from over.

‘This is a significant victory, but it’s not the end. We will continue to pursue syndicates relentlessly,’ Nerez said.