Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

It would be ‘impractical’ for the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official in Region IV-B to go and inspect the projects in the entire region before signing pertinent documents, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Cecilio Jimeno, lawyer of former DPWH’s Region IV-B planning and design division chief Montrexis Tordecilla Tamayo, presented Benjie Mendoza, an engineer under the said division, before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division.

Tamayo and his eight other co-accused are in the jurisdiction of the Sixth Division, which is handling their non-bailable malversation of funds through falsification of public documents.

The case stemmed from a P289.4 million road dike project in Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro constructed by Sunwest, a company co-founded by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep.Zaldy Co, which prosecutors said was found to have serious structural deficiencies.

Co could not yet participate in the trial since he was declared by Sandiganbayan as a fugitive from justice, giving only Tamayo and his co-accused the chance to defend themselves.

In his written testimony submitted to the court, Mendoza indicated the estimated travel time between DPWH-Mimaropa headquarters in Quezon City and in Oriental Mindoro, where the project is located. The headquarters of DPWH-Mimaropa is located along Edsa Ave in Diliman district.

Prosecutors sought to strike off from record this part of Mendoza’s testimony, questioning its relevance.?Associate Justice Kevin Vivero overruled the prosecution’s objection, allowing that part of Mendoza’s written testimony to remain.

‘There will be difficulty for Tamayo to travel from Quezon City to inspect all projects in the island,’ Jimeno told the court.

After the trial, Jimeno told reporters that the defense camp sought to prove that it would be ‘impractical’ for Tamayo to inspect more than 200 infrastructure projects in Mimaropa from 2022 to 2025.

Prosecutors accused Tamayo of being part of a conspiracy in the malversation case by signing the first progress billing and the certificate of inspection (COI) of the project.

Asked if Tamayo inspected the project before signing the documents, Jimeno did not categorically answer, noting it will be tackled in the next trial.

Tamayo himself will testify next week in his defense.

In previous hearing, Tamayo’s co-accused Juliet Calvo admitted that she did not personally inspect the site before she signed the COI for the project.

Calvo is the former maintenance division chief of the DPWH in Region IV-B.

1. Senate impeachment court receives Duterte tax records after Marcos authorization

Representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday said they secured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s authorization, allowing the agency to submit Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records to the Senate impeachment court.

The BIR representatives told the Inquirer that they had secured the President’s authorization to produce the records.

2. Sara Duterte hopes ICC will expedite father’s trial

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed hope that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will expedite her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trial.

The vice president said this as she stated that her father can no longer afford to stay in detention for several more years.

3. MVP on scrapping system loss charge: Who bears the cost?

Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan on Wednesday balked at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proposal to scrap the system loss charge from electricity bills, saying the removal will entail costs ‘too big’ for power industry players to shoulder.

‘When you push electricity through the copper wires, there will be a resistance. The longer the lines are, the more the losses will be,’ Pangilinan, chair of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), told reporters in a media briefing

A woman fell overboard from a domestic passenger vessel bound for Caticlan Port in Malay, Aklan, but was safely rescued by the ship’s crew in the waters off Batangas City early Thursday. In a report, the Batangas station of the Philippine Coast Guard was notified at around 3 a.m. by the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) about the accident approximately 4.5 nautical miles east by north of Isla Verde. The PCG immediately coordinated with the vessel and confirmed that the ship’s crew had recovered the passenger.

PCG rescues ill crew member from passenger vessel off BatangasThe Coast Guard report did not identify the passenger nor the vessel involved, nor did it disclose the circumstances surrounding the incident. The PCG coordinated with Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) to deploy an ambulance and provide portside assistance upon the vessel’s arrival. According to the vessel’s medical personnel, the passenger was conscious and in stable condition, and sustained only minor abrasions. When the vessel docked at Batangas port about two hours later, PCG personnel assisted the passenger and transferred to the Batangas Medical Center for further medical evaluation and treatmen

The Palace is open to consultations with stakeholders regarding the proposed removal of system loss charges from consumers’ electricity bills.

This comes after power providers raised concerns over who would shoulder the cost of system loss, the electrical energy generated but not delivered to customers, if the charge is removed. They emphasized that the losses are neither the fault of industry players nor consumers.

‘It is really better for all stakeholders who have similar concerns to be heard, because any possible issues can be addressed and resolved. This way, the burden will not fall on everyone, and this is also for the benefit of our fellow citizens,’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino at a briefing.

‘We will help our fellow citizens, but of course, those involved in this industry should not be overly burdened by the issues that may arise from this matter. Therefore, all of these concerns should be given proper solutions,’ she added.

Meralco’s Pangilinan’s sentiment

Castro also acknowledged Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Pangilinan’s sentiment that removing the system loss charge from electricity bills could result in costs that are ‘too big’ for power industry players to absorb.

‘That is a good sign, although there will certainly be many studies to undertake and many stakeholders may be affected. At least, we can see that they are open to discussions,’ the Palace official said.

Citing a statement from Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Castro said the Department of Energy is reviewing the regulations of the Energy Regulatory Commission, relevant legislation, and other policies while conducting consultations with stakeholders.

‘The objective is to lower electricity rates, and I ask for the patience and cooperation of all stakeholders while we craft the policies,’ Garin said.

Aboitiz Power Corp. posted a strong 41-percent core profit growth in the first six months of 2026 on higher energy prices and boosted capacity from its hydro and solar segments.

On Wednesday, the group said its core net income had jumped to P18 billion from P12.8 billion in the same period last year.

For the period, beneficial earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization surged by 27 percent to P43.3 billion against the P34.1 billion a year ago.

In the second quarter alone, AboitizPower’s earnings climbed 31 percent to P10.5 billion versus the previous P8.1 billion.

The company, one of the major players in the local power sector, said the robust financial performance in the first semester was thanks to stronger market prices and additional capacity from the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex.

4 power plants

The CBK complex includes the 39.37-megawatt (MW) Caliraya hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) in Lumban, the 22.91-MW Botocan HEPP in Majayjay and the 366-MW Kalayaan I and 368.36-MW Kalayaan II pumped-storage plants, all in Laguna.

AboitizPower officially took control of the hydrocomplex from the Philippine government last February, seen as a significant victory for the group.

The surge in its bottom line was likewise attributed to the activation of new solar power plants, namely the 221-megawatt-peak (MWp) Olongapo, 47-MWp Armenia and 93-MWp San Manuel plants.

These developments, the firm noted, had helped offset lower coal plant availability.

For its generation and retail electricity supply businesses, energy sold for the first half was recorded at 22,764 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up 17 percent a year ago.

Power sales from its distribution business, meanwhile, went up 6 percent to 3,606 GWh.

AboitizPower has business in electricity generation, distribution, retail electricity services, and distributed energy. Its power generation portfolio includes both renewable and nonrenewable generation plants.

Henri Schoeman, an Olympic bronze medalist, sets out as the heavy favorite over a very formidable field littered with international aces next weekend in the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu, with the South African out to prove that his 2024 triumph was not a fluke.

Having sat it out last year, Schoeman has some fond memories to think of when he won over Sam Osborne of New Zealand two years ago with a time of four hours, two minutes and 31 seconds for the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90 kn bike and 21 km run over some of the most breathtaking backdrops of the city.

What made that win even more remarkable was that it came in Schoeman’s debut over the distance.

While the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic bronze medalist has since competed in several middle-distance events around the world, including the 70.3 World Championship and Challenge Samarkand, his victory in Lapu-Lapu remains his lone 70.3 title-making his return to Cebu on Aug. 9 even more compelling as he seeks to capture another crown that launched his transition to long-course racing.

But repeating will certainly be a tough task.

A fired-up international cast is eager to foil Schoeman in the marquee race organized by Sunrise Events, inc., setting the stage for another spectacular battle of endurance, speed and tactical brilliance on one of Asia’s premier triathlon destinations.

Leading the challengers is Austria’s Sebastian Fuchs, the 24-year-old rising star who captured third place in the Spain stop in 2023 and continues to establish himself among Europe’s promising young professionals.

Bela Padilla opened up about the personal challenges she has been facing, lamenting how certain people she trusted ‘turned a blind eye’ when they could have spoken up for her.

The actress said this through her Instagram page on Wednesday, July 29, sharing how she has been turning to Alek Olsen’s song ‘Someday I’ll Get It’ whenever she needs to let out her pent-up emotions.

‘I use this song for work, when I need to release big emotions at the end of the day. When I’m not working, I avoid it at all costs. But today…I let myself be upset,’ she said.

‘Since the year started, I’ve received so many blessings – new projects offered and completed, movies doing well in theaters and streaming, shoots, covers, personal projects, travels, nominations, recognitions,’ she stated. ‘So when a few sad things happened, and with the backdrop of what’s been happening in our country, I felt like I had no right to complain. I stayed quiet – probably shocking to some, since I usually speak up for what I believe is right and lend my voice to the silent.’

She then admitted, ‘The truth is, a lot was happening in my personal life too.’

While Padilla did not disclose her personal struggles, she reflected how these have taught her a lesson about trust.

‘While I filled my few free days with happy moments, I was learning the hard way who I could actually trust. People I’ve uplifted over the years turned a blind eye when they could have easily spoken up and helped carry my burden, for once,’ she said.

‘That wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. And things that hurt me as a child started showing up dressed as care and love,’ she continued.

Padilla nonetheless underscored that she has started finding her voice and ‘pushing back.’

She then advised those in similar situations as hers to acknowledge their emotions to feel better.

‘Tomorrow, we’ll figure out the next steps again. And someday, we will actually get it,’ she concluded.

Many expressed concern and extended words of encouragement to Padilla. At the same time, some were intrigued as the actress’ post came amid her rumored falling-out with her close friend and fellow actress Kim Chiu.

Speculation about a misunderstanding between the actresses arose after netizens noticed that Chiu did not greet Padilla on her birthday last May-something that the ‘It’s Showtime’ host had done every year. Some netizens also pointed out that Chiu apparently did not react to Padilla’s birthday post for her last April.

Both Padilla and Chiu-who make up the ‘AngBeKi’ trio alongside Angelica Panganiban-have yet to publicly comment on the rumors as of this writing. /

Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Thursday questioned energy-related agencies why line rental fees are being shouldered by consumers on top of system loss charges.

Tulfo brought up the subject during a Senate energy panel hearing tackling proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).

In a query directed to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines ( NGCP), the senator asked why consumers – primarily in Visayas and Cebu – are paying line rental fees.

‘Because, NGCP, your infrastructure is lacking…is that a consumer problem? Even the power line will be paid for,’ said Tulfo.

‘I’m very disappointed that you abused the consumers. Because Juan and Maria are silent. Can you explain that to us, NGCP? Even line rental is charged to the consumer. Please, please explain,’ he added.

In response, NGCP assistant vice president Cynthia Albanza explained that line rental was a ‘misnomer,’ clarifying that the fee is not actually paid to the NGCP, but is simply ‘a cost.’

‘It’s a premium on electricity that is a cost when a line is technically overbooked because there is a power plant that goes offline. So that sources from outside,’ she explained.

Asked why it almost always happens every month, Albanza further explained that it is also caused by unplanned shutdowns of plants, which then result in the NGCP having to source from another place.

‘It’s a little bit more pronounced in the Visayas because they are all islands. So the main cause of line rental would be the interconnections. So if you have a plant that goes offline and you have to get it from another place, they will have a premium on that other source,’ said Albanza.

‘But the fee doesn’t go to the NGCP,’ he added.

Tulfo then questioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), as well as other departments why they continue to allow the NGCP to have consumers pay for the cost of the needed lines.

ERC chief Saturnino Juan then said the agency is currently working on adjusting the ‘net settlement surplus’ which would allow those paying the higher fee to get bigger refunds.

‘Our evaluation of this is already in its final stages because we also have a petition pending with us … And this is something we will really take action to fix, especially in the Visayas,’ he said

The absence of key players from the Philippine men’s football team was evident on Tuesday as the Nationals opened their Asean Hyundai Cup campaign with a 4-1 loss to Myanmar (Burma).

Coach Carles Cuadrat, however, insisted there was little choice but to embrace the situation, with the tournament offering younger players an opportunity to gain valuable international experience after the Philippines reached the semifinals two years ago.

‘It’s a question of the calendar, and we cannot do anything about the calendar,’ Cuadrat said after the Group B opener at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

Cuadrat was referring to key players Ralph Obermair, Randy Schneider, Bjorn Kristensen and Amani Aguinaldo, who were unavailable because the regional tournament falls outside the Fifa international calendar.

Kristensen scored three goals for the Philippines during the 2024 edition.

With clubs not obligated to release players for national team duty, Cuadrat has relied on those available, including midfielders Sandro Reyes, goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad and Tuesday’s lone scorer Jarvey Gayoso, all of whom have previous Asean Championship experience.

‘The idea was to test some of the players from the [Philippines Football League] and from the U23 team to try to give them the experience,’ Cuadrat said. ‘And I can tell you, that kind of game [against Myanmar] is going to teach a lot to our guys.’

Cuadrat also gave valuable minutes to players still adjusting to the demands of the regional tournament, including Rocket Ritarita, Martini Rey and Kenji Nishioka. He hopes they continue to develop as the campaign progresses.

The Philippines resumes its campaign on Friday against Laos in Vientiane, where it will look to secure its first points of the group stage.

‘We have to be positive. We know it’s only the first game and there’s nine more points to be played,’ Cuadrat said. ‘In the last Asean Championship, we had two points after two games. So now, if we win in Laos, we will have more points-we will have three points.’

‘So this is the message: to keep competitive, to keep learning,’ he added.

The Philippines is fourth in Group B. Malaysia leads the standings with six points from two matches, followed by Thailand with three points from one game. Myanmar also has three points after two matches, while Laos remains without a point through two games.

The Philippine government’s outstanding debt surpassed the P19-trillion mark in June, showing its continued reliance on borrowing to finance the budget deficit.

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury on Thursday showed national debt rose 2.8 percent from the previous month to a record P19.07 trillion, bringing the year-on-year increase to 10.4 percent.

Outstanding debt has expanded by nearly P1.4 trillion, or 7.7 percent, since the start of the year.

The Treasury said the increase reflected the government’s ongoing fiscal program and financing strategy, while noting that the debt portfolio remained resilient