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Construction firms owned by contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya could face fines totaling as much as P300 billion due to alleged bid rigging in over 1,200 flood control projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced yesterday.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the department has referred cases of bid manipulation and bid rigging to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for a preliminary inquiry and possible filing of charges under Republic Act 10667, the Philippine Competition Act.

The cases involve 12 flood control projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro, which include five contractors. Among them is St. Timothy Construction Corp., owned by the Discaya couple, which secured two of these projects.

Other contractors implicated include Wawao Builders and Sunwest Inc., each with three projects, as well as IM Construction Corp. and SYMS Construction Trading Inc., each with two projects.

‘What we are asking from the PCC is to investigate the bid manipulation with the appropriate penalty per contract violation,’ Dizon said in Filipino during a press conference in Quezon City.

Dizon estimated penalties for the 12 projects at around P2.3 billion but warned the Discaya couple could face much steeper fines for the rest of the projects they obtained from the government.

From 2016 to 2025, companies owned by the Discayas reportedly won 1,214 flood control projects worth a total of P77.934 billion.

With the maximum penalty set at P250 million per contract, Dizon projected the Discayas could be fined up to P300 billion.

The DPWH chief also pointed to the couple’s admission before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, where they acknowledged their companies’ participation in bid rigging, as critical evidence.

‘We have to throw everything at these people. We will file every possible case because they need to be held accountable,’ Dizon stressed, underscoring the government’s determination to recover billions of pesos in public funds lost through questionable flood control projects.

In addition, the DPWH has forwarded a list of 18 properties owned by the Discaya couple to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for possible forfeiture in favor of the government.

These properties, including the couple’s mansion in Pasig City, have an appraised value of around P1 billion and have been targeted by angry protesters.

License revocation

The DPWH is also moving to revoke the licenses of 20 engineers and other professionals implicated in anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.

Dizon submitted yesterday to Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chair Charito Zamora pieces of evidence for the revocation of the licenses of engineers, accountants and architects allegedly involved in the projects.

Among those tagged as ‘superstars’ in the anomaly are former Bulacan first district engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza and Paul Jayson Duya.

Dizon said the move is in compliance with President Marcos’ directive to hold accountable not only contractors but also DPWH officials and other professionals linked to the corruption scandal.

The evidence turned over included fraud audit reports from the Commission on Audit and findings from the DPWH’s internal audit service.

To institutionalize cooperation, Dizon and Zamora signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen coordination between the two agencies in imposing sanctions against professionals involved in government corruption.

‘It’s not just about accountability, but it’s also about safeguarding the institutions and the projects that DPWH is doing from now moving forward,’ Dizon added.

For her part, Zamora gave assurance that the PRC will act on the request with substantial evidence but emphasized that due process will be observed.

‘We will give them a chance to reply and after that, the body will decide,’ she said, noting that those implicated will have 15 days to respond.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said local government units have reported substandard and ghost flood control projects nationwide, with findings set to be submitted to President Marcos by month’s end.

More assets frozen

Beyond administrative sanctions, financial regulators have also intensified their crackdown.

The AMLC has secured a fourth freeze order from the Court of Appeals, bringing the total value of immobilized assets linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects to more than P4 billion.

In a resolution dated Oct. 3, the appellate court ordered the freezing of 57 bank accounts, 10 real properties and nine motor vehicles identified by the AMLC as potentially connected to irregular infrastructure spending.

‘This marks another firm step in the government’s broader crackdown on corruption in public infrastructure projects,’ the AMLC said, noting that the action builds on earlier directives that froze billions in alleged illicit wealth.

To date, four separate freeze orders have covered 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties and 12 e-wallet accounts.

Investigators said these include a luxury compound in a prime urban district, high-end vehicles, virtual currencies and unit investment trust funds.

‘These freezes are real actions that stop corruption,’ AMLC executive director Matthew David said. ‘Every peso frozen is a peso that cannot be used to sustain corruption.’

The cumulative value of immobilized assets has now exceeded P4 billion, with the amount expected to rise as financial trails are further uncovered.

The latest freeze order is part of ongoing investigations into irregularities in flood control spending, a sector repeatedly flagged by oversight bodies for leakages, overpriced contracts and misuse of public funds.

The AMLC, created under Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, has the authority to investigate suspicious transactions and secure judicial orders to immobilize assets suspected of being tied to unlawful activities.

‘The AMLC remains committed to tracing financial links to public sector anomalies,’ David stressed, underscoring the agency’s role in dismantling networks that profit from misused taxpayer money.

Malacañang has declared several special non-working holidays in parts of the country this October and November to allow residents to commemorate their founding anniversaries, festivals and historical milestones.

The holidays were issued under Proclamations No. 1045 to 1051, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the Presidential News Desk.

Here’s the list of declared special non-working holidays:

October 9 – San Isidro, Surigao del Norte

Declared under Proclamation No. 1045, the date marks the 66th founding anniversary of San Isidro.

October 16 – Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur

Under Proclamation No. 1046, residents of Lapuyan will observe the 68th founding anniversary of the town.

October 20 – Batac City, Ilocos Norte

Proclamation No. 1047 declares the date as a holiday to mark the 159th birth anniversary of General Artemio Ricarte, a revolutionary leader born in Batac who played a key role in both the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War.

October 28 – Dingle, Iloilo

Proclamation No. 1048 recognizes the date to commemorate the Cry of Lincud, the first declaration of revolution against Spain in Iloilo and the whole Panay Island in 1898.

October 29 – Mati City, Davao Oriental

Under Proclamation No. 1049, the city will celebrate the Sambuokan Festival in commemoration of the municipality’s establishment before becoming a city.

October 30 – San Isidro, Davao del Norte

Proclamation No. 1050 sets the day as a holiday for the Sikwate Festival.

November 4 – Quezon province

Under Proclamation No. 1051, the province will commemorate the death anniversary of Apolinario dela Cruz, also known as Hermano Puli, a hero and religious leader who led a movement for equality during the Spanish colonial period.

Yeng Guiao has been a basketball coach for 33 years, starting with the defunct Philippine Amateur Basketball League. He has always been known as a firebrand, a maverick, a catalyst for change. Over the years, the seven-time PBA champion mentor has nurtured his values in doing things the long way, the right way, some would say the hard way. He’s outspoken, blunt, down to earth, transparent. What’s right is right; what’s wrong is wrong. Period.

‘It’s probably the way I was brought up by my parents,’ he told The STAR and Basketball Universe PHL. ‘My father (10-year Pampanga governor Bren Guiao) said that if you’re doing what is right, even if other people are doing things differently, you should stick to your beliefs.’

Entering the PBA’s 50th season, the Rain or Shine head coach picked eight players in the annual PBA Rookie Draft. The four who survived are still fulfilling their collegiate and MPBL commitments, and will only be able to join the Elasto Painters in January. It will take even more time for them to blend in with the team, and learn from their elders Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga. Still, the retired politician is confident that RoS will be able to surpass the semifinals this season.

‘We were in the semis four consecutive conferences,’ Guiao explains. ‘That’s enough experience. This team is ripe. We hope to break through the ceiling of the semifinals.’

The 66-year-old tactician also shared that he does not see himself retiring. He’s been a player, Philippine Basketball League commissioner, and coach in the PBL, PBA and at the national team level. He says that he still tries to learn something every day. The game has evolved so much from when he started, from the emergence of dominant big men and athletic one-on-one players to the era where everyone can shoot from the outside and spacing is everything. Yeng doesn’t see himself retiring himself ever.

‘You can’t retire from life,’ he declares. ‘This is what I do. Retiring means starting from scratch again, and finding something to do. I don’t think about that. There’s still so much to learn.’

So Guiao will do what he does best, developing players who would otherwise never achieve greatness, speak out against what he feels is unfair, and build champion teams the long way, the hard way, the right way. He savors the progress his players make, which he counts as wins that give him lasting fulfillment. No quick fixes. He knows that, sooner than later, he will bring Rain or Shine to their first championship since 2016. For him, that will be worth 10 championship trophies won the easy way.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero to explain the P30-million campaign donation he received from a contractor during his 2022 senatorial campaign.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed on Saturday, October 4, that a show cause order (SCO) was sent to Escudero on Friday.

The senator has been directed to appear before the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department on October 13.

The order follows a similar directive issued earlier against Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., who admitted during a House hearing that he donated P30 million to Escudero’s campaign. Lubiano claimed the funds came from his personal account, not from the company.

Garcia said the Comelec is determining whether the donation violated Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits contractors or entities with government projects from contributing to political campaigns.

”Yan ang pinaka-puno’t dulo ng magiging desisyon ng Comelec,’ Garcia said in an interview on Dobol B TV, referring to whether the donation was made in a personal or official capacity.

Escudero acknowledged receiving the donation but denied any involvement in flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon or other areas.

Centerways Construction is among 15 contractors previously identified by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. as having cornered about 20% of the government’s flood control project contracts.

Garcia clarified that Escudero was not being singled out, saying the poll body is also looking into alleged illegal donations received by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during their 2022 campaign, as well as other names mentioned in the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report.

Malacañang has said Marcos is open to being investigated over the reported campaign donations.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal previously said that soliciting or receiving donations from individuals or entities with government contracts is an election offense punishable by imprisonment and disqualification from public office.

The ongoing investigations also coincide with congressional inquiries into flood control projects after Marcos revealed that contractors linked to several lawmakers had cornered massive government flood control contracts.

A few days ago, University of Santo Tomas was sent back to earth with their first loss in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

The Growling Tigers regained their winning touch after clawing the University of the East Red Warriors, 111-99, in their elimination round matchup Saturday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

After winning their first two games, the Espana-based squad hit a brick wall against the still-undefeated National University Bulldogs on Wednesday.

This Saturday, though, the Tigers heated up in the second half and left the Red Warriors in the rearview mirror to win their third contest in four contests, while keeping their opponents winless.

Nic Cabanero paced UST with 22 points and eight assists, to go with three rebounds and two steals. Collins Akowe and Forth Padrigao chipped in 18 markers apiece. The former added 17 boards and three swats, while the latter tallied six dimes, six steals and three boards.

The Tigers were leading by just four, 59-55, at the half after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Padrigao.

They waxed hot in the third quarter with a 13-3 run within a five-minute stretch to take a 72-58 lead.

UST’s advantage grew to as much as 20 points, 100-80, after a Cabanero 3-pointer.

UE tried to storm back and sliced the deficit to 11, 93-104, with about two minutes remaining, but finishing touches by Cabanero, Padrigao and Amiel Acido iced the game.

Acido and Mark Llemit produced 11 points apiece for the Tigers, who were the first team to breach 100 points in the season.

John Abate led UE with 27 points on 12-of-21 shooting to go with seven assists. Drayton Caoile, who had 15 points in the first quarter, finished with 23.

There was a time when the “bakasyon” meant only one thing – leave home and go to a place to experience a change in scenery.

But times have changed. People are opting to have staycations rather than go on vacation in the province or abroad.

In the busy part of Makati, there is relatively new place called Alpaca Lemon Penthouse, a spacious five-bedroom apartment (each with their own bathtub) that provides guests with business or leisure stay options.

The Penthouse’s founder Lorren Dianne Ramel-Kriso bought the Makati unit in 2023 after marrying her husband Daniel.

Its name comes from two lifelong symbols of peace: alpacas, adored for their softness and grounding presence, and lemons, a superfood known for cleansing, brightness, and emotional anchoring.

Guests are welcomed with thoughtful rituals, homemade canapés, organic refreshments, cold towels with essential oil upon arrival, eco-organic cleaning, and butler-style care.

The pet-friendly Penthouse also has six toilets, an office room with sofa beds, sleeping capacity for up to 12 guests, and event capacity for up to 20 people.

Among the celebrities who’ve visited Alpaca are couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Michelle Dee, comedienne-beauty queen Herlene Nicole Budol, and models Juul Missiaen and Simon Javier.

“My childhood trauma after losing my father, health struggles, misdiagnoses, near-death in an ICU and the miracle of survival – they inspired me,” shared Lorren. “So, Alpaca Lemon my dream safe place is now here and open for others.”

Also a creative entrepreneur and a wellness advocate, Lorren is also building OOMI, The Healing Cave in Bali – a hollistic spa and bathouse featuring therapeutic baths, healing domes, movement studios, non-toxic beauty rituals and a wellness cafe.

She also wants to bring OOMI in Manila and eventually create an Alpaca Lemon Farmhouse in Nusa Penida, Indonesia where people can reconnect with animals, gardens, nature, and real alpacas and lemon trees.

Daniel meanwhile is currently building hotels and resorts in East Bali which is now nearing completion. One resort will soon open its doors, and the couple is now preparing to bring its concept to the Philippines.

“This project is close to our hearts as it reflects the same vision of creating soulful spaces, rooted in nature and designed to welcome travelers all over the world,” ended Lorren.

A new agreement has been signed between FIBA and long-standing broadcast partner Cignal, which will continue to provide basketball content on multiple platforms and channels in the Philippines.

The deal will play a role in continuing to help grow the game, reinforcing an already fruitful partnership that will now extend into a second decade, with Cignal having been a FIBA rights-holder since 2017.

An exciting multi-platform approach for this next broadcast period is expected to maximize the exposure of the sport by showcasing FIBA tournaments to both traditional television audiences and fans who prefer to consume basketball digitally.

Cignal has consistently delivered eye-catching ratings for FIBA events, particularly for games featuring Gilas Pilipinas.

Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers and condoled with victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night.

Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy yesterday said he received a message from Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown that the pope has expressed sympathy and is praying for the quake victims.

‘The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, called me to convey the Holy Father’s heartfelt sympathies for all the survivors of the earthquake, and his prayers for the eternal repose of the victims,’ Uy said.

He said the pope assured the faithful of his spiritual closeness as communities grieve and begin recovery efforts.

In his homily for the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Uy urged the faithful to embody the mission of angels by helping people in need.

‘In these difficult days, we are invited to show the spirit of angels by sharing whatever we can: food, clothing, shelter, prayers and even our time. Every act of generosity becomes a way of guarding, guiding and comforting others,’ Uy said.

He said to be an angel for someone is protecting the weak, comforting the lonely and giving hope to those who have lost much.

‘This is the best way to honor our guardian angels, by imitating their missions of love,’ he said.

On Wednesday, Uy visited parishes severely affected by the earthquake.

He offered prayers at the Daanbantayan District Hospital where several quake victims are being treated for injuries.

The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) issued an apology to Rosa Rosal and her family after falsely claiming the veteran actress had passed away.

FAMAS had initially posted an obituary card of Rosal, who turns 97 years old later this month, on its social media platforms.

The organization has since deleted the post and released a statement admitting that information fed to them was false.

“Ms. Rosal remains with us, and we deeply regret any confusion or distress this may have caused her family, friends, and admirers,” FAMAS said.

The organization added that it values truth and integrity, and going forward will be more vigilant in verifying information before releasing any statements, reiterating its apologies to Rosal, her loved ones and the public.

Entertainment journalist Mell Navarro confirmed with Rosal’s grandnephew, William Thio, that the retired actress was indeed still alive.

Navarro later shared a video from Thio of Rosal introducing herself and greeting everyone, “Merry Christmas.”

Prior to her retirement, Rosal – born Florence Lansang Danon – debuted during the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, appearing in classic films like “Anak Dalita,” “Badjao” and “Biyaya ng Lupa.”

Later movies include “Sakada” and “Esperanza: The Movie” having appeared in the original series from 1998.

She also starred in television shows such as “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,” “Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw,” “Narito Ang Puso Ko,” and “Vietnam Rose,” and hosted “Damayan” and “Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko.”

The Philippines has sharply expanded its startup incubation network under the 2019 Innovative Startup Act, but officials warned that limited funding, overlapping mandates and staffing constraints are holding back the sector’s potential.

At the Geeks On A Beach (GOAB 2025) technology conference in Cebu at Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Mactan, representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the law provided a framework to nurture entrepreneurs but lacked the resources to match its ambition.

From just 12 incubators before the law’s passage, the country now counts 81, mostly embedded in universities and regional hubs, according to DOST Chief Technology Transfer Officer Russell Pili.

These facilities have backed 103 startups with a combined P398 million ($6.8 million) in funding, mainly for prototype development. Regional clusters have also been formed to encourage pitching and investment outside Metro Manila.

‘That’s a good development, but the level of funding remains a challenge,’ Pili said.

‘When the law was passed, no dedicated budget line came with it. We end up carving out resources from research projects and justifying them with the jobs created,’ Pili added.

The DICT in 2024 launched its own grant fund to support early-stage ventures at the prototype stage.

Two cohorts covering 19 startups have been rolled out, said assistant division chief Jeehad Januar Tanggol, but the program has been slowed by delays in regulatory approval and remains modest in scale.

Beyond financing, officials acknowledged coordination gaps.

DOST senior researcher Edward Paul Apigo said overlapping mandates and the absence of dedicated personnel have created confusion for founders. ‘Startups sometimes don’t know which agency to approach, because programs are scattered,’ he said.

While the incubator network has opened opportunities in regional centers, officials warned the momentum will be difficult to sustain without more cohesive support and reliable funding streams.

‘We want to attract people to look at startups in their own regions,’ Pili said.

‘Not all founders have the luxury of travelling to Manila to pitch. But to make that vision work, we need more resources,’ he added.