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ICI still verifying ex-Rep. Co’s claims vs Marcos, other officials

SCREENSHOT of former Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s statement posted on his facebook account. — FACEBOOK.COM/REPZALDYCO

THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday said that videos posted on social media by former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co will not be considered actionable evidence in its ongoing probes, unless formally verified or submitted under oath.

ICI Executive Director Brian Keith F. Hosaka said the commission gives weight only to evidence that is “sworn, verified, or otherwise legally admissible” under established rules of procedure.

“First of all, the commission is determining whether this is verified information or acceptable evidence,” he told a press briefing.

Mr. Hosaka said that while the disclosures made by Mr. Co have stirred public interest, their probative value remains limited unless accompanied by a sworn affidavit.

He added that it would have been “a significant development” had Mr. Co made his statements under oath, noting that this would allow the commission to treat the information as competent evidence.

Under evidentiary rules, he said, videos must be “untampered, continuous, and validated” by the person who recorded them.

Because of these requirements, Mr. Hosaka said unverified videos “have no evidentiary weight” and cannot be used as the basis for any official action.

Mr. Hosaka also urged Mr. Co to return to the Philippines and testify in person before the commission, which has already invited him twice despite reports that he remains outside the country.

“We want to hear his statements under oath before the commission. It is important that he is here in person, testifying under oath so his testimony can be credible,” he said.

This comes after Mr. Co’s three-part video series accused the country’s highest officials, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., of being involved in a massive corruption scheme.

This also prompted the National Unity Party to urge the ICI to fast-track its investigation into the flood control mess, calling for “full cooperation” from former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and other senior officials named in videos released by Mr. Co.

“I think it’s convenient for former congressman Zaldy Co to point out, to throw the blame to the more authoritative figure,” Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong said in a separate media briefing. “That’s the speaker and that’s the president so that he can appear as the least guilty.” 

House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo V. Puno said in the same briefing that Mr. Co was removed as head of the House budget panel in January after the committee lost trust in him following last year’s controversy during the drafting of the 2025 national budget.

“He was removed by Congress because no one has trust in him anymore that time,” he said in Filipino. Mr. Co had said he stepped down as the House’s budget panel head due to “pressing health issues.”

“Many had lost trust in him,” said Mr. Puno.

STATE WITNESS
Meanwhile, the commission on Monday also clarified developments involving former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, who submitted a second supplemental affidavit and informed the ICI that he has applied for inclusion under the witness protection program (WPP).

His submission prompted the commission to call off the scheduled hearing that morning, as the law bars him from disclosing information related to his application as a state witness.

Mr. Hosaka said Mr. Bernardo’s affidavit, also filed before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last week, has been accepted for study and inclusion in the ICI’s investigation.

He added that because the law prohibits Mr. Bernardo from disclosing information related to his WPP application, the commission cannot compel him to appear at hearings.

In a separate comment to reporters, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said it cannot release information regarding any potential WPP application, citing confidentiality under Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6981.

“All proceedings and actions taken in the Witness Protection Program shall be kept confidential,” DoJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said.

The ICI said it continues its parallel inspections of flood control projects nationwide, including eight sites in Cebu examined on Nov. 16.

The inspection team, led by Special Adviser Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., was joined by officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police.

In a statement, the ICI said that according to DPWH, several of the inspected projects were implemented by contractors identified by the President in his Ulat sa Bayan press conference.

The commission said its engineers remain in Cebu to verify whether project specifications were met, and that inspections will continue in other areas in the coming weeks. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

New Justice chief Vida takes oath

BW FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday administered the oath of office to Fredderick A. Vida as acting justice secretary, filling a key post in his cabinet amid mounting governance challenges and pursues reforms in the country’s legal and judicial systems.

Mr. Vida replaced Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, who was named Ombudsman in October.

A lawyer and longtime public official, Mr. Vida previously served as Justice assistant secretary beginning in January 2023 and was promoted to undersecretary later that year.

Before joining the national government, he held senior roles in the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

His public service career began in 2007 when he was elected vice mayor. He later served three terms as mayor of Mendez-Nuñez in Cavite province from 2013 to 2022 and led the Mayor’s League of Cavite from 2019 to 2022.

Mr. Vida holds a political science degree at the University of the Philippines. He earned his Juris Doctor, graduating as a silver medalist, from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.

He passed the Philippine Bar in 1996 and previously practiced in a private law firm before establishing his own firm. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Anti-graft court allows Ombudsman to revisit Pharmally case

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Sandiganbayan has granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to withdraw the graft cases filed against former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher A. Lao and other officials of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. concerning the alleged anomalous purchase of over P8 billion worth of COVID-19 supplies.

In an eight-page resolution dated Nov. 17, the anti-graft court sustained the Ombudsman’s authority to revisit earlier findings and effectively reversed the action taken under former Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, following a motion filed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.

“Settled is the rule that a sitting Ombudsman has the power to revoke or alter the rulings of a predecessor within the bounds of the law,” the court said.

The complaints stemmed from the multibillion peso procurement of personal protective equipment, surgical masks, face shields, and Real Time-PCR test kits from Pharmally in 2020. The company, which reportedly had only P625,000 in paid-up capital, secured contracts amounting to over P8 billion from the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, which was then headed by Mr. Lao.

The transactions were later flagged in Senate hearings as anomalous due to allegations of overpricing and that Pharmally received preferential treatment, allegedly through former presidential adviser Michael Yang.

Upon assuming office, Mr. Remulla sought to withdraw the cases to pave the way for a reassessment and reinvestigation of the evidence.

While acknowledging that the Ombudsman has full discretion in determining probable cause, the Sandiganbayan reiterated that it assumes control over a case once the Information is filed in court.

Despite this, the court saw merit in the withdrawal, noting that it was not based on lack of probable cause but on the need to scrutinize the charges to ensure they are well-founded for trial.

“This Court sees no inconsistency between its previous finding of probable cause for the purpose of issuing warrants of arrest and in allowing the withdrawal of the Informations,” the resolution stated.

The court also countered the arguments raised by the accused that the withdrawal would cause “inordinate delay” and violate their right to the speedy disposition of cases.

“After careful consideration of the facts, allegations, and records of these cases, this Court deems it appropriate to grant the withdrawal of the Informations despite the previous finding of probable cause and the earlier issuance of the warrants of arrest,” the court concluded. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Senator files bill for BPO workers

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A SENATOR said on Monday he filed a bill proposing to automatically regularize business process outsourcing (BPO) workers after their six-month probation, in a bid to crack down on labor contractualization.

Senator Rafael T. Tulfo said he sought to strengthen job security for BPO workers by filing Senate Bill No. 1493, which mandates companies to consider outsourcing employees as permanent workers after completing their training, granting them government-mandated benefits such as healthcare.

A copy of the measure was not made immediately available, but according to Mr. Tulfo, the measure also proposes to grant BPO workers an entry-level monthly wage of P36,000.

“The key proposal of the bill also includes access to medical benefits upon joining a BPO company, rather than only after regularization,” Mr. Tulfo said in a statement.

By law, workers must be considered permanent employees after six months, entitling them to state-mandated benefits. But some firms have skirted the rule by resorting to end-of-contract arrangements. Permanent workers are entitled to 13th month pay, health insurance and leave credits.

Mr. Tulfo also aims to enhance workplace protections for BPO workers during times of calamities by mandating automatic work suspensions for the sector during strong storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other “such states of calamity.” 

He also proposed that BPO work be considered voluntary during heavy rain, with those proceeding to work being entitled to additional hazard pay.

“Recently, some BPO companies were reportedly accused of endangering employees during Super Typhoon Uwan as workers were ordered to physically report for work, forcing them to wade through floodwaters, endure power outages and risk their safety,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

House panel extends EDCOM II’s life

Education and professional regulatory agencies vow to address the nationwide diploma mill crisis. - ALMIRA S. MARTINEZ

THE House Basic Education Committee approved House Bill No. 4862 seeking to extend the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EDCOM II) life, as lawmakers sought to resolve the Philippines’ learning crisis.

The approved version extends EDCOM II’s life by two years, longer than the initially proposed one-year extension under Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo’s bill.

“The opportunity of extending will allow us to see through additional research needed for technical-vocational and higher education sectors, considering that the first three years of our work had focused on functional literacy, early childhood and basic education,” EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark R. Yee told lawmakers.

Formed in 2022, the education commission was tasked with crafting reforms to address weaknesses in the school system exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when classrooms were shut for more than two years, forcing a nationwide shift to online learning that led to stunted learning.

Filipino students were among the world’s weakest in math, reading and science, according to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment. The Philippines ranked 77th out of 81 countries and performed worse than the global average in all categories.

Nine out of 10 Filipinos are unable to read and understand a simple age-appropriate text at age 10, according to the World Bank.

The bill seeking to extend EDCOM II’s mandate comes as the commission nears the end of its term this year.

The Senate approved a counterpart measure, likewise pushing for a two-year extension. It was approved on second-reading last week.

Extending the commission’s life would allow it to “strengthen and sustain education reform” as the Department of Education (DepEd) is enhancing the school curriculum and Philippine schools’ competitiveness, Dexter N. Pante, a director at the agency, told lawmakers.

“DepEd believes that it is important to extend the work of EDCOM,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Special non-working days declared in 6 municipalities, 2 cities

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PCO.GOV.PH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. declared special non-working days in six municipalities and two cities under eight proclamations marking local foundation anniversaries and festivals.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin signed Proclamation Nos. 1088 to 1095 on Nov. 12 by authority of the president.

Proclamation No. 1088 designated Nov. 20 as a special non-working day in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental for its founding anniversary, while Proclamation No. 1089 declared Nov. 29 a holiday in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur for the Badak Festival, also known as Adlaw sa Aurora.

Under Proclamation No. 1090, Cainta, Rizal will mark its founding anniversary and Sumbingtik Festival on Dec. 1. Proclamation No. 1091 sets Dec. 9 as a holiday in Burgos, Ilocos Norte for the town’s founding anniversary.

Proclamation No. 1092 designated Dec. 18 as a special non-working day in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan for its charter anniversary, while Proclamation No. 1093 marked Dec. 23 as a holiday in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental for its 25th charter anniversary.

Proclamation No. 1094 also set Dec. 23 as a holiday in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato for the celebration of its 45th founding anniversary and the 26th Hinublag Festival.

While Proclamation No. 1095 declared Dec. 23 a special non-working day in Mayantoc, Tarlac for its founding anniversary. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Creamline faces Cignal for better Reinforced quarterfinals placing

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games on Tuesday
(Ynares Center-Montalban)
1:30 p.m. – ZUS vs Nxled
4 p.m. – Akari vs Choco Mucho
6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Cignal

IT will be a positional battle for the eight teams that have already punched their tickets to the quarterfinals including Creamline and Cignal, which clash on Tuesday in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center-Montalban.

The Cool Smashers are currently at fourth with a 5-2 record while the Super Spikers at sixth with a 4-3 mark and the winner of their 6:30 p.m. showdown could shake things up in the standings with only two elimination round play dates to go.

Practically anything can still happen approaching the quarters, which will pit the No. 1 team versus No. 8, No. 2 against No. 7, No. 3 versus No. 6 and No. 4 against No. 5 in a brutal knockout format.

Of course, getting a win entering the playoff phase is vital especially for the team’s morale.

“It’s always nice to go into your next game knowing you’re coming from a win,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Mr. Meneses knows though the key is preparation especially facing a team like Cignal that appeared like it has turned things around for the good.

“Every game, we really need to make adjustment whichever team we face,” he said. “I think Cignal’s momentum is really strong and it’s something we have to match.”

Also trying to make a good place in the quarters are ZUS Coffee and Akari.

The Thunderbelles, tied with the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Farm Fresh Foxies at the helm with 6-1 records, face off with the already ousted Nxled Chameleons (0-7) at 1:30 p.m. while the Chargers (4-3) tackle the also eliminated Choco Mucho Flying Titans (2-5) at 4 p.m.

Like everybody else, Akari is aiming to get a winning feeling entering the quarters.

“Our hope is to end this round with a win,” said Akari mentor Tina Salak. — Joey Villar

CSB guns for quarters slot and twice-to-beat advantage against JRU

COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE — FACEBOOK.COM/GMASYNERGY

Games on Tuesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
8:30 a.m. – Mapúa vs SSC-R (Jrs/Srs)
2:30 p.m. – CSB vs JRU (Srs/Jrs)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) eyes an outright quarterfinal slot and a chance to close in on a twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentive as it tackles Jose Rizal University (JRU) on Tuesday in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

A win for the CSB Blazers, currently at No. 2 in Group B with a 7-4 card, would seal it an outright quarters seat while handing the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, at No. 3 with a 7-5 card, the third last slot to the playoff phase on a silver platter.

“That’s our hope but it won’t be an easy ride,” said CSB coach Charles Tiu, who will be without their main man — reigning MVP Allen Liwag — again.

For the JRU Bombers, who are at No. 4 with a 6-6 record, they are hoping and praying for a big win over the Blazers in their 2:30 p.m. duel and, if the stars align, forge a three-way tie for the last two slots in the quarters.

While it’s not in its control anymore, JRU could only hope for the best.

Mapúa University, for its part, is fighting for a twice-to-beat edge as it tangles with San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) at 11 a.m.

The Mapúa Cardinals currently cling at No. 2 in Group A with a 6-5 record while the SSC-R Stags are fifth and last in their bracket with a 3-9 mark.

If Mapúa could beat SSC-R and Arellano University, which is No. 3 in Group A with a 5-6 slate, on Friday, it would seal that important quarters bonus. — Joey Villar

Sinner wins Alcaraz battle to retain ATP Finals title

JANNIK SINNER — ATP TOUR/CORINNE DUBREUIL

TURIN, Italy — Italy’s Jannik Sinner retained his ATP Finals title on Sunday, sending the Turin crowd wild as he battled past Spanish world number one and rival Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6(4), 7-5, in the decider to the season-ending championships.

Sinner, backed by a raucous Italian crowd, fell to the floor after breaking his rival’s serve in the final game before racing to celebrate with his team as chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole, Sinner, Sinner” rang around the Inalpi Arena.

“Finishing in front of the Italian public was a fantastic thing, maybe even better than last year, thank you very much for the support, it was incredible,” Sinner said.

“Thanks to all of you, it felt like being on a football pitch.”

In a season defined and dominated by the rivalry between the two players, it seemed inevitable that they would meet in the title clash and both obliged by easing through the tournament unbeaten to set up one last dance in Turin.

SINNER UNDER PRESSURE
Alcaraz forced the only break point in the first set but Sinner held firm and brought the crowd to its feet with a tiebreak win, and sealed the match when the Spaniard was unable to hold while serving to stay in the contest.

Sinner missed out on ending the year as world number one to Alcaraz after the Spaniard won his three round-robin matches this week but the Italian won the last act of 2025 to crown the best season of his career.

The 24-year-old reached the final of all four Grand Slams, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz has also had a stellar year, winning Roland Garros and the US Open, beating Sinner in both finals.

“Hopefully you’re going to be ready for next year,” Alcaraz said with a smile.

“Because I will be ready.”

Alcaraz put Sinner to the test in Turin but despite not being at his best and struggling with his service game, which had powered him past opponents all week, the Italian held his nerve.

Sinner won his opening service game to love with Alcaraz responding in kind, and at 2-2 the Spaniard forced deuce before a medical emergency in the stands led to a 10-minute break, the duo chatting over the net, belying the tension in the arena and on court.

When play resumed, Sinner advanced to the net to slam down a winning volley and fired an ace to hold. Alcaraz required a medical time-out during the break at 5-4 up before forcing the first break point of the match at 6-5.

Sinner survived and after letting slip a mini-break in the tiebreak, the champion brought the crowd to its feet smashing down a lob after Alcaraz had chased back to return a drop shot and then catching out the Spaniard with a lob of his own to take the first set.

The Spaniard had chances to take the final distance, breaking the Italian in the opening game of the second set where Sinner hit two double faults. Yet Sinner came back to level the set at 3-3 and came through when it counted.

Sinner arrived in the final on a remarkable indoor hardcourt winning run of 30 matches since losing to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 decider in Turin, also the last time the Italian dropped a set in the competition.

Appearing in his third successive final in the season-ender, Sinner had lost four of his previous five meetings with Alcaraz this year, which all came in finals, but he was not to be denied in Turin, where his win earned him a record $5.07 million in prize money. — Reuters

Bo Nix, Wil Lutz guide Broncos past Chiefs for 8th straight win

WIL LUTZ kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired, and the host Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 22-19 on Sunday for their eighth straight win.

Denver (9-2), which overcame 147 yards on 10 penalties, leads the AFC West by two games over the Los Angeles Chargers and 3 1/2 over Kansas City (5-5), which has lost two straight.

The game was tied at 19 when the Broncos drove from their 26 to the Chiefs’ 15 before Bo Nix took a knee to set up Lutz’s fifth field goal of the day. Lutz’s kick split the uprights.

Nix, who was 24-for-37 passing for 295 yards, completed two third-down passes to Courtland Sutton and a 32-yarder to Troy Franklin on the drive.

Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for Denver’s only touchdown (TD).

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 29-for-45 passing for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Kareem Hunt ran for a score and Travis Kelce had nine catches for 91 yards and a TD for Kansas City.

The Chiefs trailed 16-13 when Mahomes connected with Kelce on a 21-yard TD pass, but Frank Crum blocked the extra point to keep it 19-16 with 9:57 left.

It was the 84th TD of Kelce’s career, a team record.

Lutz capped a six-play drive with a tying field goal from 54 yards out with 4:10 remaining. Kansas City went three-and-out and the Broncos used the final 2:59 to get the win.

Denver had an interception called back by a penalty on the Chiefs’ first drive of the second half, but Ja’Quan McMillian picked off Mahomes in the red zone later on the same possession.

The Broncos turned that into six points when McLaughlin scored from 4 yards out. Kansas City answered right away on Hunt’s 2-yard plunge with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.

Denver drove to the Chiefs’ 20 on the ensuing drive and took a 16-13 lead on Lutz’s 38-yard field goal early in the fourth.

In a slow-developing first half, Lutz kicked two short field goals and Harrison Butker made a pair from 31 yards out to send the game into halftime tied 6-6. — Reuters

Surging Atlanta Hawks storm back to beat host Phoenix Suns

NICKEIL ALEXANDER-WALKER scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jalen Johnson had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 124-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Onyeka Okongwu had 27 points and Dyson Daniels had 11 points and 12 assists for the Hawks, who ran their winning streak to five and completed a sweep of a four-game western road trip.

Dillon Brooks had 34 points, Devin Booker had 27 and Collin Gillespie had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Suns, who had a five-game winning streak broken.

The Suns led for only 24 seconds in the first half, but they appeared to take control when they went on a 28-4 run to end the third quarter and open the fourth for a 97-77 lead.

The lead that grew to 103-81 with about 10 minutes left before the Hawks came back, countering with a later 20-0 run to close to 107-106 with 4:34 left. The Suns went back ahead by six but again could not hold on.

Alexander-Walker kept the Hawks within one on a short jumper that made it 116-115, and the Hawks took a 117-116 lead on their next possession when Okongwu scored on an alley-oop dunk with 1:16 remaining.

Brooks and Alexander-Walker traded layups as Atlanta stayed in front. Johnson made two free throws to push the Hawks’ lead to 121-118 with 23 seconds left in regulation.

The Suns closed to 121-120 on Booker’s layup before Okongwu made two free throws with 10 seconds left. Booker hit two free throws, then tied up Okongwu on the ensuing inbounds play to force a jump ball.

Atlanta regained possession and Alexander-Walker made a free throw with 3.1 seconds left for the final point. Royce O’Neale’s 60-footer as time expired hit the rim and bounced away.

The Hawks outscored the Suns 47-27 in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta forward Zaccharie Risacher left the game with an apparent injury with 6:52 left, when he lost his balance after making a dunk and went down under the Hawks’ basket. He walked off the floor and did not return, with the team announcing after the game that he had a left hip contusion.

The Suns played without Grayson Allen (right quad) and the Hawks were without Kristaps Porzingis. — Reuters

Lakers among teams contacted in illegal gambling investigation

THE Los Angeles Lakers are one of multiple NBA teams that have been asked to surrender “documents and records” to the league as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling operations, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Sunday.

ESPN reported that Mike Mancias, an assistant trainer, and Randy Mims, an executive administrator, are among roughly a dozen Lakers employees who are cooperating with the investigation.

Being contacted as part of the investigation does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” a league spokesperson told multiple outlets in a statement. “As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”

The Lakers may be a team of interest due to the presence of LeBron James, now in his seventh season with the organization.

When a federal indictment over illicit gambling took the NBA by surprise last month, among the people arrested were former player and assistant coach Damon Jones, a friend of James’ who was accused of selling (or attempting to sell) non-public information to bettors that James would sit out a game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to injury during the 2022-23 season. — Reuters

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