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Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Thursday urged the House of Representatives to recall the approved P7.2-trillion budget bill.

This call comes following the declaration of the Supreme Court (SC) that the key provisions of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets were ‘unconstitutional.’

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said they welcome SC’s decision.

He noted that it vindicated his group’s opposition to the passage of the P7.2-trillion budget bill on the third and final reading last October 12.

‘Our call is directly for the House, for it to recall the approved budget because many provisions declared by the [Supreme Court] as unconstitutional can be found in the proposed budget,’ Tinio said in an online media briefing.

He reveals that such unconstitutional techniques include the congressional insertions, particularly on prohibited lump sum, and the transfer of funds to unprogrammed appropriations.

‘The House must fix its own mess in the 2027 proposed budget,’ he recommended.

In its decision, the SC declared that Congress committed grave abuse of discretion as it increased national budgets beyond the recommended appropriations of the president.

The SC stated as unconstitutional Congress’ increase of unprogrammed appropriations by P449.5 billion in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the increase of the Special Road Fund by P17.9 billion in the 2025 GAA, and the Special Provisions 1(a) and (b) under the 2026 GAA.

The Makabayan bloc criticized the 2027 proposed national budget as it described the congressional allocations as prone to corruption, patronage-driven, and pork-ridden.

Tinio, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, and Gabriela Women’s Party Sarah Elago are among the 13 lawmakers who voted against the passage of the 2027 budget bill in the final reading.

The lawmaker also reiterated his call for the lower chamber to release the full and detailed report on the amendments made into the proposed national budget for next year for transparency.

This request came after the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee recommended P116 billion in amendments.

The significant realignments include appropriations for infrastructure, agriculture sector, education cluster, and state assistance programs.

Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) further weakened on Thursday morning, said the state weather bureau, as it continued to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its latest typhoon bulletin, Rosal was last spotted 400 kilometers (km) east of Basco, Batanes as of 11 a.m.

As of writing, Rosal now carries maximum sustained wind speeds of 185 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 230 kph (from Thursday early morning’s 195 kph and 240 kph, respectively).

Pagasa said the super typhoon is forecast to continue weakening before being downgraded into typhoon category within the day.

It is then forecast to continue moving northwestward until Friday morning and will be closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Rosal will eventually exit the Philippine area of responsibility sometime between Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Despite continuing to weaken, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No.2 (or where winds greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph are expected to be experienced in at least 24 hours) remains hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains raised over the following Luzon areas:

The rest of Babuyan Islands

Mainland Cagayan

The eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Dinapigue)

Ilocos Norte

The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have partnered to strengthen flood management in Metro Manila through research, technical assistance and science-based planning.

The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Oct. 21, establishing a framework for cooperation in research, knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and the development of practical tools for flood mitigation.

The partnership supports the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha initiative, which includes plans to build 39 detention basins under the Metro Manila Sponge City Project. The facilities are designed to temporarily store rainwater before releasing it into drainage systems to help mitigate flooding.

MMDA Chair Atty. Don Artes said the project would combine infrastructure with nature-based solutions to help slow flooding while creating useful spaces for communities.

Expansion of EFCOS

Meanwhile, Artes said the MMDA was in talks with UP Resilience Institute-NOAH Executive Director Alfredo Mahar Lagmay on the possible expansion of the Efficient Flood Control Operating System, which currently monitors rainfall and water volume in the upper Marikina area.

Expanding the system to cover Metro Manila would help authorities assess rainfall and share data with UP Resilience Institute-NOAH to simulate possible flooding and identify areas at risk, Artes said.

Lagmay said science could help authorities make evidence-based forecasts and assess flood risks rather than rely on changing or improvised explanations.

He also stressed the importance of using scientific forecasts and historical data to assess flooding and guide decisions on mitigation measures.

Shared priorities

UP President Angelo Jimenez said the partnership would allow the two institutions to identify shared priorities and develop collaborative activities based on their respective mandates and capabilities.

‘The challenges confronting Metro Manila are too complex for any institution to address alone,’ Jimenez said, emphasizing the value of combining government agencies’ operational capacity with universities’ research and technical expertise.

Jimenez said the partnership reflected UP’s commitment to applying research and scientific expertise to public service.

‘Research must not remain confined to laboratories or academic publications. It must help inform decisions, improve public programs, and ultimately serve the people who need it most,’ he said.

A prosecution witness told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday that he saw former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co give a shirt as a ‘gift’ to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, not ‘maleta’ (suitcase) with cash.

Police Maj. Hermelo Dichoso, team leader of Co’s security team, testified during the bail hearing of Romualdez, who faces a plunder case stemming from alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects worth P7.44 billion.

Co, the former House appropriations committee chairperson during Romualdez’s speakership, was a co-accused in the case.

Dichoso said he saw Romualdez and Co together when Co handed a shirt to Romualdez during a meeting with several other House members at a townhouse at the Manila Polo Club.

‘You mentioned in your answer … that Zaldy Co gave clothes as a gift to [former] Speaker Romualdez?’ Romualdez’s lawyer Ronald Solis asked Dichoso, who responded in the affirmative.

Solis was referring to Dichoso’s answer in his written judicial affidavit submitted to the court.

‘This is not a maleta but clothes?’ Solis pressed, to which Dichoso responded, ‘Yes.’

Dichoso also said no cash deliveries took place during meetings attended by members of Congress.

Dichoso led Co’s security team from January 2024 to May 2025.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) are planning to pilot test fully electric and hybrid ferries on select routes in the country to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs.

According to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Thursday, the initiative aims to harness the hybrid technology to benefit passengers, shipowners, and the environment.

‘Kaya nitong mabawasan ang konsumo ng fuel, carbon emissions, at gastos sa operasyon ng mga vessels. Ultimately, ang makikinabang dito ay ang ating mga pasahero,’ Lopez said in a press release.

(This can reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and vessel operating costs. Ultimately, ourpassengerswill be the ones to benefit.)

The DOTr said that pure electric ferries may be used for the Iloilo-Bacolod route, while the Batangas-Calapan route is for the hybrid ships.

The DOTr shared that Marina is pursuing the pilot testing of electric and hybrid ferries following an earlier study of International Maritime Organization – World Bank on improving safety and energy efficiency of domestic ferries.

The DOTr then noted that of 4,000 domestic passenger ships in the country, ‘around 300 inter-island ferries account for about 86% of carbon dioxide emissions from domestic ferries.’

Meanwhile, the DOTr said that it will hold a stakeholder’s consultation on the Interisland Ferry Decarbonization Pilot Project on November 4, in Iloilo to discuss the requirements needed for the pilot testing of vessels.

Last month, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila held a four-day trip in Norway for maritime transport representatives to study the possible adoption of electric ferry network systems.

‘The continuing cooperation between Norway and the Philippines is part of the efforts towards use of cleaner fuel, reduction of transportation costs, and maximizing the use of inter-island and inland waterways in the Philippines,’ the embassy said in a separate press release.

Anti-narcotics agents arrested a 61-year-old drug suspect, seizing around P340,000 worth of suspected shabu from him during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Silal, Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Bryan Babang, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Region 9 (PDEA-9) regional director, identified the suspect by his alias, ‘Jing,’ a resident of the same village.

Operatives from PDEA 9-Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Office conducted the operation at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday and recovered one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu.

They also recovered the buy-bust money, a paper bag, and a mobile phone.

The joint operation was conducted with the PNP Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-Zamboanga Sibugay, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Payao Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion, and the Naval Intelligence and Support Unit 63.

Babang noted that the joint operation highlights PDEA IX’s continuing commitment, along with its partner law enforcement and military agencies, to intensify anti-illegal drug efforts and strengthen inter-agency coordination across the region.

The suspect is now in custody and will face charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged P242.358 million worth of idle medical equipment in 2025 mainly because recipient government hospitals and health centers were not operationally ready yet.

The agency observed the deficiencies yet again in the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), one of the banner programs of the Department of Health, in its 2025 annual audit report.

The program provides funding assistance for the infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities, including barangay health stations, rural health units, district and provincial hospitals, and specialty centers.

The COA noted that medical equipment worth P69.818 million was undelivered to the Center for Health Development (CHD) in Western Visayas due to ‘ongoing procurement processes, deferred fund releases, or project modifications.’

It also found that P172.54 million worth of equipment for several other medical facilities remained unused.

Of this, P58.067-million idle equipment was traced to the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province, due to ‘pending operational readiness of facilities.’

Meanwhile, at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, equipment worth P32.524 million was unused because this was procured ahead of a medical facility’s completion, according to the COA.

‘Prolonged delays’

State auditors also found that P26.699-million equipment was unused at the CHD in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) due to ‘prolonged delays in the operation of [super health centers].’

P25.998-million idle equipment was also traced to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province, due to a ‘pending application’ with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The COA also identified unused equipment in CHDs in Ilocos Region (P16.895 million); Caraga Administrative Region (P10.792 million) and Cordillera Administrative Region (P1.564 million).

The COA recommended that the DOH ensure the readiness of facilities before procuring equipment and require CHDs to submit proof of installation, commissioning and initial use of supplies within 30 days of delivery.

The DOH has yet to respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment as of press time.

‘Systemic dependencies’

In the COA report, the DOH explained that it had issued two administrative orders establishing ‘stricter’ guidelines on the preparation and implementation of HFEP projects.

The COA also said that ‘while the audit findings highlight critical implementation bottlenecks, it is essential to consider the complex, decentralized landscape in which the HFEP operates.’

It noted that the ‘observed delays do not signify a failure of intent, but rather reflect external systemic dependencies,’ including the need for multiagency regulatory approvals and local infrastructure readiness.

‘Rather than indicating an unattainable goal, these deficiencies pinpoint specific operational areas where interagency coordination can be tightened,’ it said.

Flagged deficiencies

At the House plenary debates on the DOH’s proposed P253-billion budget for 2026 in October last year, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno questioned why only 200 out of the 600 health centers built under HFEP were functional.

The budget sponsor, Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, explained that several health centers were not functioning ‘because of the lack of personnel and healthcare professionals who could run them.’

To address gaps, the DOH said last year it had launched a ‘catch-up plan’ in the second half of 2025 by revising HFEP guidelines to expand implementation modes, and opening 55 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service centers nationwide to temporarily provide primary care while idle facilities await personnel.

In a 2017 performance audit, the COA flagged deficiencies in HFEP implementation, including problems with procurement of equipment not aligned with the actual needs; undistributed equipment at DOH regional offices; and the construction of health stations on ineligible and nonworkable project sites.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in a 2025 study, also found inequities in the HFEP’s grant distribution, with some local government units receiving funds despite not being among those most in need.

Malacañang called for an investigation on Wednesday into possible lapses following Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s admission that gambling tycoon Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang had managed to leave the country through the ‘backdoor.’

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, however, insisted that Ang was still in the Philippines, based on Bureau of Immigration (BI) records.

‘Let’s look into it and right now, we need to know, we need to investigate if there were indeed lapses,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a briefing.

‘So, there are people who are really quick to run, and this is not the first time that Atong Ang escaped. When he was first charged, he also managed to evade authorities almost immediately,’ she added.

According to her, security at the country’s borders should be strengthened, noting that its archipelagic geography could allow people wanted by authorities to slip out using backdoor routes.

Ang is facing arrest warrants issued by Laguna and Batangas courts earlier this year in connection with multiple criminal complaints, including 15 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and four counts of kidnapping with homicide.

Balancing of rights

According to witness Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, who said he is a former employee of Ang, the gambling tycoon had ordered a group of police officers to abduct and kill the victims, whose bodies were then dumped in Taal Lake.

The missing ‘sabungeros,’ Patidongan claimed, had been suspected of cheating in cockfighting games.

Castro, however, noted that in the absence of a hold departure order, a person cannot be prevented from leaving the country.

‘So we must balance the rights of each person. We must also balance the obligation and responsibility of every official,’ she said.

‘So we cannot immediately say that there is a culprit or that someone is negligent. Let us allow the investigation to proceed first to determine who is at fault,’ Castro added.

Vida, meanwhile, insisted that based on immigration records, Ang remains in the country.

In a chance interview, Vida said he was ‘not aware’ of Remulla’s source of information that Ang had already fled, noting that information from the BI showed otherwise.

But he acknowledged that the Philippines has ‘very porous’ borders, allowing fugitives to use ‘backdoors’ to escape.

‘Of course, we do understand that there were several instances in the past when he got out. That’s really the challenge because our borders are very porous,’ Vida told reporters.

‘As the statement of your secretary of justice, per records of the department, he is still in the country,’ he said.

Sought for comment on Vida’s remark, Remulla said in a Viber message to the Inquirer: ‘What he said is possible.’

‘None of the records show that he left through our ports of entry/exit. Our intelligence analysis [indicates] that he exited through the backdoor of the Philippines,’ Remulla explained.

‘In the end, we both can be correct,’ he said.

Remulla, however, noted that based on the verified information they received, Ang may have left a year ago, even before the courts ordered his arrest in January and February.

Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe on Thursday advised the executive branch to defer the use of certain 2026 budget funds while awaiting the final ruling of the Supreme Court (SC).

‘Our advice to DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and the executive branch would be to hold off on using the funds for now, since we expect the Supreme Court to resolve the matter soon,’ Berberabe said at a Palace briefing.

In a statement, the OSG said it will seek clarification and partial reconsideration of certain portions of the High Court’s decision declaring provisions of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets unconstitutional.

These parts include Special Provisions 1(a) and 1(b) under Chapter 43 of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

While the OSG has yet to submit its appeal, Berberabe said she will recommend to the DBM and the executive branch the temporary postponement of the use of the affected funds.

She believes the final resolution from the magistrates will be immediately handed down upon the submission of the motion for reconsideration of the executive branch.

‘We expect the Supreme Court to prioritize the matter because it also does not want the implementation of the remaining 2026 budget to be affected,’ she told reporters.

The OSG and the DBM have yet to discuss which specific programs might be affected if the SC denies the appeal.

‘Unless the Supreme Court explicitly orders the government to stop a particular action, that is what we will suspend,’ Berberabe said.

‘Our team should study which other provisions can still be implemented because they are not covered by the decision,’ she noted.

‘In other words, the executive branch is doing everything it can to minimize the impact of the ruling on the 2026 budget, particularly with regard to the restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on the executive branch,’ the solicitor general added.

Meanwhile, Berberabe said the proposed 2027 national budget has significantly lower unprogrammed appropriations than the 2026 budget.

Programmed appropriations are intended for priority projects with identified funding sources.

Unprogrammed appropriations serve as standby authority for projects that may be funded, if additional resources become available.

In a 121-page decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC declared unconstitutional Congress’ increase of unprogrammed appropriations by P449.5 billion under Republic Act (RA) 11975, or the 2024 GAA.

The High Court also nullified the P17.9-billion increase in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special Road Fund under RA 12116, or the 2025 GAA.

The justices also voided the P12.7-billion increase in the Special Accounts in the General Fund of certain agencies under the 2026 GAA.

For her part, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no liability in the SC’s ruling.

‘President Marcos Jr. wants to ensure that the government has sufficient funds for its programs in the interest of the public, along with adequate safeguards against corruption to prevent the abuse of public funds,’ she said.

‘They also mentioned that the decision did not address anyone’s liability,’ Castro remarked.

‘If there are grounds to hold anyone accountable, these should be brought before the appropriate forum or court,’ she said.

‘The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling on this matter, while President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already taken steps to hold those responsible accountable,’ she added.

Face-to-face classes in several areas have been suspended on Friday, Oct. 23, due to the expected impacts of Typhoon Rosal.

This is a running list of class suspensions:

Province of Batanes: all levels, public and private schools; work government offices (except for essential offices)

Gonzaga, Cagayan: preschool to elementary, public and private schools (shift to modular distance learning)

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Rosal slightly weakened into a typhoon as of 2 p.m. It was last estimated 370 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remained in effect over Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, where winds of 62 to 88 kilometers per hour were expected, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, eastern portion of Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

Pagasa said Rosal was expected to make its closest approach to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The typhoon was forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday.