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Peso nears record low as inflation picks up

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE PESO weakened to a fresh one-month trough against the dollar on Tuesday to close just a shade higher than its record low as December inflation was faster than expected and as geopolitical concerns continued to weigh on sentiment.

The local unit closed at P59.21 versus the greenback, sliding by eight centavos from its P59.13 finish on Monday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was its worst finish in nearly a month or since its record-low close of P59.22 on Dec. 9.

The peso opened Tuesday’s trading session stronger at P59.07 versus the dollar, which was also its intraday best. Its weakest showing was its close of P59.21 against the greenback.

Dollars traded increased to $1.386 billion from $929 million on Monday.

The peso dropped due to quicker-than-expected December inflation, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

Headline inflation picked up to 1.8% last month from 1.5% in November, but slowed from 2.9% in December 2024. This was within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 1.2-2% forecast for the month, but was above the 1.4% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 14 analysts.

“The dollar-peso traded higher on demand for safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The US dollar ticked lower for a second day against major peers on Tuesday, as market jitters from US military action in Venezuela eased and stocks rallied around the world, helped by dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials, Reuters reported.

The impact of the shock US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend was short-lived across most asset classes with stocks around the world trading at record highs.

That also had ripple effects in currency markets.

The dollar index, which measures its strength against a basket of six currencies, was last trading at 98.25, down 0.1% and extending losses after snapping a four-day winning streak on Monday.

For Wednesday, the trader sees the peso moving between P59 and P59.30 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P59.10 to P59.30. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

How PSEi member stocks performed — January 6, 2026

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Philippines eyes more joint drills in South China Sea and beyond

THE PHILIPPINE frigate BRP Jose Rizal, US destroyer USS John Finn and Japanese landing ship JS Osumi. — ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

THE PHILIPPINE military plans to hold more joint naval drills with its allies in the South China Sea and beyond as it expects heightened Chinese coerciveness in the disputed waters, a navy spokesman said on Tuesday.

Philippine forces plan to expand naval exercises beyond traditional allies to strengthen deterrence as Manila faces growing Chinese assertiveness and may also stage similar drills beyond the South China Sea, said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent T. Trinidad, navy spokesman on the South China Sea.

“There will be an increase in our multilateral participants… [and] there will be an increase in our multilateral engagements and exercises,” he told a media briefing.

Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its “nine-dash line” map and has deployed maritime forces near disputed features, leading to clashes at sea as the Philippines pushes back against China’s expansive claims.

A United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal ruled in 2016 that China’s claim is illegal, a decision Beijing has rejected.

The Philippines has stepped up efforts to counter Beijing’s sweeping sea claims by broadening alliances beyond the US, its longstanding treaty partner. Manila has also increasingly conducted what it calls maritime cooperative activities with other allies to push back against China’s growing presence, which it sees as destabilizing regional security.

Mr. Trinidad said the military will plan where to hold its exercises based on the country’s security situation. “These exercises conducted would be responsive enough to the dynamics of the region.”

He added that Philippine forces expect China to continue deepening the integration of its maritime forces to expand Chinese control over disputed South China Sea features.

Mr. Trinidad’s statement followed the release of a Philippine Navy report, which found Beijing had stepped up its coerciveness in the contested waters by shifting their deployment patterns.

China’s navy and coast guard have boosted coordination in their deployments, complementing each other’s presence in a bid to expand control over the contested waters.

The Philippine Navy recorded a total of 447 Chinese law enforcement and military vessels deployed in the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. This is up from 278 vessels seen in 2024.

The report also noted that the presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) in 2025 was also more consistent, predictable, and geographically closer to contested areas.   

The Navy report also observed the increased presence of PLA-N, China’s coast guard and maritime militia following nearly every Maritime Cooperative Activities the Philippines conducted with its allies and partners.

“We expect this trend to continue, not only on sea, but even air,” said Mr. Trinidad.

Beijing rejected the Philippine Navy’s report which stated that China has heightened its coercive behavior in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

“It is full of misperceptions and bias against China, maliciously slanders China’s military activities, distorts China’s position on the South China Sea issue and deliberately misleads the public,” the Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Chinese Embassy said that it is pursuing a defense policy which is “defensive in nature and adheres to a military strategy of active defense,” meant to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

It added that Beijing’s military has acted in accordance with domestic and international law and has been defending its rights and interests in a justified, appropriate, and restrained manner.

“The Philippines has deliberately stirred up tensions and frequently engaged in large-scale military exercises with non-regional countries,” it added.

FALSE NARRATIVE
Meanwhile, Mr. Trinidad countered a Chinese natural resources ministry report that accused the Philippines of damaging Scarborough Shoal’s ecosystem as Beijing eyes “strict protection measures” there.

“Historically, it has been the agents of aggression of the Chinese Communist Party that have been documented doing environmental degradation and damage,” he said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Manila and Beijing both claim Scarborough Shoal, which is prized for its rich ecosystem and proximity to key shipping lanes. The 2016 decision had said China had caused severe harm to Scarborough’s coral reefs.

The Chinese report said that “illegal fishing activities and frequent intrusions” by the Philippines have stressed the disputed feature’s ecosystem.

“These are all false narratives which we do not accept,” Mr. Trinidad said.

In September, China approved the creation of a 3,500-hectare reserve at the northeast rim of Scarborough Shoal, which it said is intended to preserve the ecological diversity of one of the waterway’s most contested areas. Manila has called the plan a “clear pretext for occupation.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio with Adrian H. Halili

Palace confident 2026 national budget will withstand SC scrutiny

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Monday, Jan. 5. — NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

MALACAÑANG said it is confident the proposed 2026 national budget will withstand legal scrutiny, after opposition lawmakers signaled plans to challenge its constitutionality before the Supreme Court (SC).

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the administration respects the right of lawmakers, including Caloocan Rep. Edgar R. Erice and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima, to question the constitutionality of certain provisions — particularly unprogrammed appropriations — even after Congress moved to reduce the allocations.

“They have the right to go to the Supreme Court and ask whether this portion of the 2026 national budget is unconstitutional,” she told a briefing on Tuesday in Filipino. “If they file a petition, the administration will respond, and we will wait for the Court’s decision.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday signed the 2026 national budget worth P6.793 trillion, but vetoed about P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, bringing the reserve funds to about P150.9 billion, the lowest since 2019.

He called the amount the “absolute bare minimum.”

Such funds are contentious because, although intended to give the government flexibility for emergencies or unexpected needs, their excessive or opaque use can weaken transparency and accountability.

Mr. Erice said his legal team is preparing to challenge the 2026 national budget before the Supreme Court, citing the continued presence of unprogrammed appropriations despite the veto.

Asked whether Malacañang is confident the budget can withstand constitutional challenges, Ms. Castro said the President believes the proposal has been carefully reviewed and crafted.

“The President is confident that the current budget is the cleanest and most orderly and that it is for the people,” she said, adding that the administration stands by the legality of the spending plan.

Lawmakers critical of the budget have argued that unprogrammed appropriations — funds that can be released only under certain revenue conditions — violate constitutional safeguards on public spending, an issue that has drawn repeated scrutiny in recent years.

Ms. De Lima on Monday said unprogrammed funds have no place in the budget, citing a Supreme Court ruling on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. fund transfer case in which Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando said all forms of unprogrammed appropriations are unconstitutional.

While lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc — ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee M. Co — said the veto of the P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations was merely a “token gesture” meant to divert attention from more pressing concerns.

They added that the 2026 budget signed by Mr. Marcos still retains so-called “allocables” in the Department of Public Works and Highways, which they warned could open the door to corruption.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. earlier flagged at least five Marcos Cabinet members had billions of pesos in allocable funds in the 2025 budget amid the continuing probe of a multibillion-peso flood control scandal. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Congress to review underspending, foreign-assisted projects

CONGRESS leaders joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as he signed the General Appropriations Act for 2026 during a ceremony in Malacañan Palace, Jan. 5, 2026. — NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

THE SENATE and House of Representatives are set to convene a joint oversight committee to scrutinize underspending on government agencies and foreign-assisted projects (FAPs), a senator said on Tuesday.

“We already have items that we want to look at like the underspending in agencies, foreign-assisted projects, and some projects that we should drill down on, like the construction of hospitals because our hospitals are at overcapacity,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the Senate Finance panel, told a news briefing on Tuesday.

Lawmakers are set to convene a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee that would handle the monitoring of government expenditures and the compliance of agencies with the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

Mr. Gatchalian said that the panel will be composed of Finance heads of the Senate and House of Representatives. The oversight committee will also conduct ocular inspections of government projects to check their progress.

The Department of Budget and Management assured there will be no delays in the implementation of foreign-assisted projects after government counterpart funds for FAPs were vetoed in the 2026 budget.

“There will be no delay because, as mentioned, the funds are already with the agency itself,” Budget Undersecretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran said in a Viber message to BusinessWorld on Tuesday.

The funds were among the P92.5-billion unprogrammed appropriations (UAs) vetoed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. under the P6.793-trillion national budget.

UAs are standby funds that can only be used for certain projects that may be charged against excess or windfall revenues to fund specific programs and projects.

In addition, Ms. Libiran said the funds needed to support ongoing FAPs are already in budget of respective government agencies.

“For the UA-FAPs GOP, this covers the peso counterpart for foreign-assisted projects that are still under negotiation and were not able to meet the March 31 cutoff during budget preparation,” she said.

“It also includes additional government counterpart funding for ongoing FAPs, which already have provisions in the agencies’ regular budgets, to support catch-up activities within the budget year.” 

Last year, a report from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said 29 official development assistance (ODA) projects faced issues due to budget and funding flow problems.

The reclassification of funds to unprogrammed appropriations was cited as the most common cause, it said.

Unlike loan proceeds, which are easier to access, unprogrammed funds rely on excess revenues. The lack of firm appropriations for counterpart funding remains a major bottleneck, risking missed loan disbursement schedules and project milestones.

Additionally, Mr. Gatchalian said the joint panel would also enable lawmakers to examine potentially contentious items in the national spending plan, providing them with more information to guide deliberations in the next budget season.

“I want to discuss the highly contentious items ahead of time so that when it comes to budget briefing, you have context or you already know the information,” he said.

Mr. Gatchalian said Congress has implemented safeguards within the budget to prevent further misuse of funding, amid the government’s ongoing corruption probe.

“We have put all the safeguards (in the budget), but of course, implementation is different,” he said.

This followed Senator Maria Imelda R. Marcos’ remarks, questioning the reduction of key infrastructure projects.

Among the lawmaker’s special provisions are the ban on political involvement in the distribution of government aid, the monthly oversight on government infrastructure and farm-to-market roads, and the implementation of grid coordinates for these projects.

Congress has been put in the spotlight during the last year’s budget deliberations, as several senior lawmakers and officials were implicated into the siphoning of billions in funding meant for government projects.

Meanwhile, a House committee will coordinate with government agencies to monitor the disbursement of public funds in a bid to curb corruption in state spending, a congressman said on Tuesday.

Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, who heads the House Public Accounts panel, said his committee will exercise its oversight powers over government spending, including monitoring public bidding of materials and project implementation to cut down on wasteful spending and corruption.

“The committee will also work with civil society and people’s organizations to facilitate public participation in monitoring the implementation of the 2026 national budget,” he said in a statement. “We will invite the public to join monitoring activities and budget implementation discussions.”

He added that the House Public Accounts Committee will press the Public Works department to televise its procurement and bidding processes, recommending other government agencies to do the same.

The congressional panel will also monitor the Education department’s school building activities and the Agriculture department’s farm-to-market road program.

“This includes ensuring that blacklisted Department of Public Works and Highways contractors will not be able to participate in Department of Education and Department of Agriculture procurement activities,” he said.

Government agencies should also tighten the qualifications for potential government bidders.

“The prohibition on using another entity’s procurement license must be strictly enforced, with corresponding consequences for violations, such as outright blacklisting and the filing of criminal complaints,” Mr. Ridon said.

The House Public Accounts panel will also work with the Health and Social Welfare departments to prevent “political interference” during aid distribution, he said.

In a separate statement, House Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima said that lawmakers should also approve a bill seeking to boost the transparency of government spending.

“Aside from this oversight committee, it would be vital to institutionalize this initiative through the passage of the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act,” she said. — Adrian H. Halili, Aubrey Rose A. Inosante and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Prosecutors to look into motion to charge 39 others in case of missing cockfighters

REUTERS

STATE PROSECUTORS will review a motion filed by the families of victims in the missing cockfighters case, seeking to include 39 other suspects previously excluded from the case resolution, the Justice department said on Tuesday.

Relatives of the victims on Monday filed a motion for partial reconsideration, asking prosecutors to revisit their earlier finding that established probable cause to indict businessman Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, also known as Atong Ang, and co-defendants on multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

“As for the motion for reconsideration, the panel of prosecutors will look into the merits of the parties’ arguments,” Justice spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez told reporters.

Jaja Pilarta, partner of victim John Claude Inonog, said the motion seeks to include 39 additional individuals, including members of the so-called Alpha group who were left out of the initial charges, and have them face the same charges as Mr. Ang.

The motion was filed “so, that those who were not included among the groups we charged — particularly members of the Alpha group — may be included and issued arrest warrants,” Ms. Pilarta told reporters on Monday.

No arrest warrants have been issued by the courts so far, Mr. Martinez noted.

CONSPIRACY
Ms. Pilarta cited the group’s alleged business ties as grounds for holding all “main characters” accountable for the disappearance of Mr. Inonog’s group.

“We believe this was a conspiracy… They belong to the same group and run the same business. They operate a single business, so they know what is happening whenever someone goes missing. They likely also know where our relatives were taken,” she said.

In their earlier case resolution, state prosecutors said the mere mention of certain individuals, without factual narration of their specific involvement, “does not meet the quantum of evidence required to establish a prima facie case.”

Between April 2021 and January 2022, several cockfighting enthusiasts went missing across Luzon, with investigations and whistleblower testimonies suggesting they were targeted over alleged cheating or game-fixing in online cockfighting. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Jan. 9 declared holiday in Manila

CONSTRUCTION workers carry out repair and repaint work near Quiapo Church in Manila on Tuesday, three days ahead of the Traslacion, or the Feast of the Black Nazarene. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday declared Jan. 9 as a Special Non-working day in Manila City for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The proclamation, signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, was issued by the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

The measure aims to ensure an orderly procession and facilitate traffic flow across the city during the event.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene, held annually on Jan. 9 in Manila, draws millions of Filipino Catholics to the streets of Quiapo for a day-long procession.

Devotees participate in the ritual to honor the life-sized statue of Christ, seeking blessings, miracles, and acts of penance. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PSEi surges to 6,300 level as blue chips rally

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINE stock benchmark jumped to a near five-month high on Tuesday as blue chips jumped and after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) chief said another rate cut remains on the table.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) surged by 2.48% or 153.38 points to end at 6,317.91, while the broader all shares index increased by 0.97% or 34.61 points to 3,588.35.

This was the PSEi’s best finish in nearly five months or since it closed at 6,325.09 on Aug. 13.

“The local market roared loudly to its third consecutive win. The rally was mainly fueled by the huge rebounds from ICT and JFC, with the latter announcing a spin-off of its international business from its local operations and a potential US listing to boot,” AP Securities, Inc. said in a market note, referring to the ticker symbols of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Jollibee Foods Corp., respectively.

Shares in Jollibee rose by P26.60 or 14.5% to end at P210 apiece as the food giant said it plans to spin off its international operations and list the new unit on a US stock exchange by late 2027 as it continues its global expansion.

Meanwhile, ICTSI shares jumped by P32.50 or 5.7% to close at P603 each.

“The PSEi gained for the third straight trading day of 2026 after the latest dovish signals from BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. that another 25-basis-point (bp) BSP rate cut is on the table in February,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“The latest consumer price index data remains relatively benign at 1.8%, below the BSP’s target range of 2-4% for the 10th straight month, and thereby could still support and justify future BSP rate cuts.”

Mr. Remolona said on Tuesday that they could consider a sixth straight reduction at the Monetary Board’s Feb. 19 meeting, but noted that the current policy rate of 4.5% is already “very close” to where they want it to be. “There’s a chance that we may cut some more, and there’s also a chance that we may not move at all. But there’s not a lot of probability that we will raise in 2026.”

“The PSEi also gained recently amid the continuation of the start-of-the-year rally as also seen in some Asian stock markets, some of which posted new record highs,” Mr. Ricafort added.

All sectoral indices closed in the green on Tuesday. Services surged by 4.01% or 96.11 points to 2,487.99; industrials increased by 2.54% or 225.04 points to 9,060.60; financials went up by 2.14% or 45.14 points to 2,151.35; holding firms climbed by 1.84% or 90.27 points to 4,974.7; mining and oil jumped by 1.74% or 278.10 points to 16,258.96; and property increased by 0.27% or 6.41 points to 2,312.65.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 141 to 72, while 50 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover went up to P8.31 billion on Tuesday with 1.34 billion shares traded from the P5.74 billion with 948.53 million issues dealt on Monday.

Net foreign buying ballooned to P1.25 billion from P330.78 million. — A.G.C. Magno

1,300 evidence obtained for Duterte’s ICC case

FORMER PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE — INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT / COUR PÉNALE INTERNATIONALE

THE Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has informed its judges that more than 1,300 pieces of evidence have been handed over to the defense in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte for crimes against humanity.

The deputy prosecutor said the disclosure, which occurred between July 7 and Dec. 18, 2025, includes 906 items classified as incriminating evidence or “INCRIM,” 389 items provided under Rule 77 for defense preparation, and 8 items categorized as “PEXO,” which suggest possible lines of defense.

Of the incriminating evidence, most items relate to alleged killings during Mr. Duterte’s presidency, focusing on local “Barangay Clearance Operations” and operations targeting high-profile individuals.

Other materials explain how the prosecution says responsibility should be determined and provide the broader context of the alleged crimes, though specific annexes detailing the evidence remain confidential.

Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, who signed the notification, emphasized that none of the material disclosed after July 1, 2025, will be relied upon during the confirmation hearings.

Pre-Trial Chamber I, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc with Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera, will continue overseeing the pre-trial proceedings, which set for the confirmation of charges and eventual trial.

Mr. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and is being held at the ICC in The Hague as he faces charges of crimes against humanity over killings that occurred during his administration’s drug war. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

PHL committed to fight terrorism

People gather at the floral tribute at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. — REUTERS

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said that it would continue to coordinate with the Australian government as it investigates the shooting incident in Bondi Beach last Dec. 14.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro stressed the Philippines’ commitment to counter terrorism, prevent violent extremism, and support closer intelligence and law-enforcement cooperation with Australia and other foreign partners.

“The Philippines and Australia will continue to jointly address transnational security threats, including terrorism, through sustained information sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building initiatives,” the DFA said.

The agency also welcomed the initial findings of the Australian Federal Police stating that the two gunmen received no formal training in the Philippines. This aligns with the earlier findings of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Australian authorities on Dec. 30 confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest that the shooters in the Bondi Beach incident had received training or underwent logistical preparation in the Philippines.

“The Australian Federal Police commissioner further stated that ‘there is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack,’” the DFA added.

The Bureau of Immigration said earlier that suspects behind the mass shooting incident were in the Philippines from Nov. 1 to 29, 2025. — Adrian H. Halili

Cabinet shake-up rumors dismissed

PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said there has been no confirmation of an impending Cabinet reshuffle, dismissing reports circulating about another round of changes in President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s official lineup.

“There is no information that has reached us — it may just be misinformation being spread — but as of now, there is none,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.

She said a previously announced performance review of Cabinet members remains ongoing but emphasized that any decision rests solely with the President.

“As we’ve said, performance is being assessed at the discretion of the President,” she said. “It will depend on what the President sees, but as of now, we have not received any word that there will be a Cabinet revamp.”

Speculation over changes in the Cabinet has surfaced periodically as the administration enters the latter half of its term, amid questions over policy execution and agency performance.

In May 2025, Mr. Marcos sought the courtesy resignations of all Cabinet secretaries after the administration suffered what was widely seen as a disappointing performance in the midterm elections.

The second round of revamp was due to the flood control scandal, with the appointment of former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto as executive secretary in place of former Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin.

Frederick D. Go, who previously served as special assistant to the president for investment and economic affairs, was subsequently named to lead the Department of Finance. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Cabral did not get ICI invite, counsel says

Former Usec. Maria Catalina E. Cabral during a celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023. —DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS FACEBOOK PAGE

LATE Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral was not informed of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) final hearing last year, her lawyer said, denying claims the official deliberately skipped the session.

“Contrary to news reports… Ms. Cabral was not informed of today’s hearing. She did not receive any communication, let alone the purported subpoena,” a letter, dated Dec. 15, 2025 from Co & Divinagracia Law Offices, read. It was addressed to ICI Chairman Andres B. Reyes, Jr.

The letter shared by the ICI to the media also stressed Ms. Cabral’s willingness to cooperate with the commission.

“Ms. Cabral has no intention whatsoever of avoiding inquiry… she remains committed to cooperating with this Honorable Commission in ferreting out the truth on the alleged flood control project anomalies,” her lawyer wrote.

In response, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith F. Hosaka confirmed that a subpoena was issued to Ms. Cabral on Dec. 9, last year, and was routed through the Department of Public Works and Highways as standard procedure for current and former officials.

“We also announced in a press conference last Dec. 11, 2025 that Usec. Cabral was asked to appear before the commission on Dec. 15, 2025,” Mr. Hosaka told reporters over Viber.

Mr. Hosaka said Ms. Cabral would have been invited to any subsequent hearings, particularly given her willingness to appear, as noted in her lawyer’s letter.

He added that unforeseen events disrupted the commission’s schedule, including the resignation of two commissioners and Ms. Cabral’s passing. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

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