New ICI special advisor named

September 29, 2025 | 8:13 pm

Flood control — Portions of the revetment wall along the Tullahan River collapsed in North Fairview, Quezon City, Aug. 29, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

MALACAÑANG on Monday named a former police chief as the new special advisor for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. named former Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr. (Ret.), as special adviser and investigator of the anti-graft body after the resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong over the weekend.

“The administration is confident that General Azurin’s experience and leadership will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate to uphold accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” the President said in a Facebook post.

Mr. Azurin served as police chief from 2022-2023. He tendered his courtesy resignation in January 2023 after the call of then Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.

Mr. Magalong resigned over the weekend, citing Malacañang’s statements that contradicted the terms of his appointment.

He said the Palace’s pronouncements undermined his role and mandate, and coupled with doubts about the commission’s independence, made his continued service “no longer tenable.”

The President thanked Mr. Magalong for his tenure as ICI special advisor.

“His efforts in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the Commission have been vital to the government’s campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Escudero files disbarment case

September 29, 2025 | 8:12 pm

A SENATOR on Monday filed a disbarment case before the Supreme Court against a lawyer for alleged defamatory statements on social media.

In a verified complaint, Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero accused Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis III of making “insulting, accusatory and malicious” Facebook posts against him in relation to the 2025 national budget and flood control programs.

The complaint, filed under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, cited provisions on propriety and fidelity, asserting that the remarks were “unbecoming of a member of the Philippine Bar.”

Mr. Escudero, himself a lawyer, alleged that Mr. Falcis publicly humiliated him through unverified claims of pork barrel insertions in the budget and requested the Court to order Mr. Falcis’ disbarment and removal from the Roll of Attorneys.

In a response, Mr. Falcis, defended his posts and said in a statement shared with reporters that “By disclosing and disseminating the fact of his filing of a disbarment complaint against me, Atty. Chiz Escudero himself has committed an act worthy of disbarment.”

Mr. Falcis, admitted to the Bar in 2015, said Mr. Escudero should explain alleged budget irregularities, including a P160-million kickback and P142-billion 2025 budget insertions, instead of filing disbarment cases against lawyers. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

DBM open to budget changes for SUCs

September 29, 2025 | 8:12 pm

College-student — SENIOR HIGH School graduates preparing to take the UPCAT at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

BUDGET Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman is open to adjust education allocations together with legislative counterpart to address potential funding gap in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it is open for adjustments and committed to work closely with lawmakers to “calibrate funding levels that reflect realistic enrollment projections.”

This came as Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV flagged a potential funding gap, citing data from the Philippine Association of State Colleges and Universities which projected that SUC enrollment, currently at 1.97 million students, may rise by 300,000 in 2026.

Mr. Aquino warned that the DBM’s package might fall short by P3.29 billion if allocations don’t match projections.

“We must ensure alignment between projections per SUC and the corresponding Free Higher Education funding — so that no institution is left behind or underfunded,” she said, echoing calls from Senate leadership,” Ms. Pangandaman said in response.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has called for the reallocation of the P255.5-billion slashed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways to priority programs, including the education sector.

“We stand with this realignment, and we will make sure it is implemented properly so that our students, teachers, and SUCs receive the support they deserve,” the DBM Chief said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

LANDBANK says DPWH transactions legal

September 29, 2025 | 8:11 pm

LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) assured that its handling of government transactions and accounts related to anomalous state-run flood control projects were within Philippine banking laws.

“LANDBANK strongly refutes any insinuations that its handling of government contractor accounts, particularly those related to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects, involved any irregular or unlawful activity,” the state-run lender said in a statement on Monday.

The government is currently investigating alleged corruption in state flood-control and infrastructure projects, with some lawmakers and Public Works officials being accused of receiving payoffs and using the national budget to make insertions to fund these kickbacks.

Under Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2018-4 and Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Circular No. 3-2018, all government contract creditors, suppliers, or payees, including contractors, are required to open and maintain deposit accounts with state-run banks, such as LANDBANK.

“The bank has fully observed ‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) protocols, risk management procedures, and documentation requirements for the opening of their LANDBANK accounts,” the bank said.

As mandated by the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), all cash withdrawals exceeding P500,000 are automatically reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) through a Covered Transaction Report (CTR), and any transaction deemed “suspicious” at the time of execution is immediately flagged to AMLC via a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR).

LANDBANK said that the funds deposited by DPWH contractors originated from the DBM and were released in line with the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and disbursed by the DPWH.

“These funds are legitimate government allocations, not private or unverified sources. LANDBANK, or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements,” LANDBANK said.

LANDBANK added that it has properly established and recorded the legitimacy of the source of funds, including the government releases through DPWH, the lawful purpose of the payments, and the KYC account opening documentation of the contractors.

“There was, therefore, no basis under the law to withhold the release of funds.”

The bank reiterated it had no authority to investigate funds outside of its legal mandate but is ready to fully cooperate with the proper authorities and investigating bodies. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

NBI gets P50-M grant vs illegal gambling

September 29, 2025 | 8:11 pm

NBI-office-NBI-FB-PAGE — NBI FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) granted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) P50 million worth of assistance to boost its campaign against illegal gambling.

In a statement on Monday, the regulator said an initial P25 million was given to the NBI on Sept. 29, the first tranche of the assistance to curb illegal gambling, including banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

“This assistance will defray the cost of food and expenses for POGO detainees, as well as support the Bureau’s legitimate operations against illegal gaming activities,” PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco said.

The two government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City on Monday.

“The NBI welcomes PAGCOR’s assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,” NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago said.

The POGO ban officially took effect on Jan. 1 this year after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74 in November 2024. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Filipino youth use social media for reproductive health info, says group

September 29, 2025 | 8:10 pm

AN ADVOCACY GROUP on Monday said that Filipino youth rely on social media to learn more about their reproductive health and rights amid rising abortion cases in the Philippines.

“There’s an improvement when it comes to access to information, but again, there are still platforms or accounts that disseminate misinformation about abortion.” Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN) Steering Committee Member Jihan A. Jacob told BusinessWorld in an interview.

“So, it’s either you can use that as a tool for good to be able to share accurate information, or as a tool to perpetrate myths and misconceptions around abortion,” she added.

Under Articles 256 to 259 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), individuals who perform, facilitate, or are otherwise involved in abortion, whether intentional or unintentional, are subject to penalties.

Given the restrictive laws in the country, Ms. Jacob said that a lot of young Filipinos use social media to access not just information about reproductive health but also medical abortion medicine.

“We’ve seen how there are many platforms online that would offer access to these drugs,” she said on the mifepristone and misoprostol drugs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for medical abortion. “They would either receive fake drugs or a wrong regimen, and that makes it more dangerous.”

“We always give the caveat that, given the legal framework, the safety and the efficacy of this medical abortion drugs are not guaranteed,” she added.

Citing the Guttmacher Institute, PINSAN said abortion cases in the Philippines between 2015 and 2019 have increased by 51%.

The University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) estimated that about 1.2 million induced abortions occurred at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Jacob added that the lack of access to formal reproductive health education also led to children resorting to social media.

“Now with social media, the amount of misinformation and disinformation on social media is not being properly fact-checked through formal education,” she said. “If we can provide education and accurate science-based information to them, then we can increase the literacy of our adolescents.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued Order 25 adopting a policy on the implementation of Reproductive Health Education (RHE) for adolescent learners in basic education to ensure accessible, age- and developmentally appropriate lessons for young Filipinos.

Some of the topics included in RHE are women’s and children’s rights, teen pregnancy, and protection against sexual abuse.

“It would help address the unintended pregnancies,” Ms. Jacob said, noting that around half of pregnancies that result in abortion are due to unintended pregnancies.

“So, if you’re able to address that, the education part, then you’ll be able to have an impact on the number of abortions,” she added. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

Power restoration works still ongoing in Masbate

September 29, 2025 | 8:10 pm

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said on Monday that various agencies, electric cooperatives, and oil industry players have been mobilized to accelerate power restoration in Masbate which was affected by Typhoon Opong (International name: Bualoi).

“Every resource and partner are now on the ground or on the move for Masbate. The full force of the energy sector is united to restore electricity swiftly, protect lifeline facilities, and bring relief to every community affected by the storm,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a statement.

The DoE said that a team from First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. have arrived in the province, with nine more teams coming from the Bicol region to provide support to Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. Meanwhile, three to four others will be dispatched to Ticao Island to back up Tablas Island Electric Cooperative, Inc.

According to DoE, nine units of 12-kW single-phase 240 VAC generator sets were put up at the Mobo Substation for immediate deployment to critical facilities.

Fuel supply has likewise been secured, with both Filoil’s depot in Mobo and Shell’s depot in Masbate City fully operational.

Last week, the island province of Masbate was placed under a state of calamity following the impact of Typhoon Opong. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Baguio, UK Embassy to boost transparency in infra projects

September 29, 2025 | 8:09 pm

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government is teaming up with the British Embassy to improve transparency and accountability in local infrastructure projects, especially those related to water security.

According to Aileen R. Refuerzo of the Baguio City Public Information Office, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said the partnership is part of the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST), which aims to make project data more accessible to the public.

The mayor stressed that “giving people clear information about how public funds are spent helps build trust and ensures projects meet the city’s needs,” Ms. Refuerzo added.

The collaboration accordingly includes mapping and reviewing existing project data, consulting with agencies like the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and working with local water authorities. A key output will be a transparency roadmap to guide better data management.

Baguio City also plans to upgrade its infrastructure transparency portal to be more interactive and user-friendly.

Training for city staff and the development of new data standards are also part of the plan, according to the Baguio City public information office.

Baguio is also considering getting ISO 37001 certification, an international anti-bribery standard. This would require audits, new systems, and staff training, possibly starting with a limited scope to make the process easier.

Mr. Magalong had said the city hopes to be a model for other local governments, “showing that open data and community involvement can lead to better, more accountable infrastructure development.”— Artemio A. Dumlao

P2.7-M imported cigarettes seized in Basilan

September 29, 2025 | 8:09 pm

COTABATO CITY — A Philippine Navy contingent seized P2.7 million worth of cigarettes from Indonesia in an anti-smuggling operation a few miles off the shores of Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan on Sunday.

Officials of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) in Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte told reporters on Monday that the small boat carrying the contraband, M/B Water Blade, was intercepted by a seaborne team from the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC).

The crewmen of the impounded boat were held for procedural questioning, according to officials of the WMNC, whose main headquarters is in Zamboanga City.

It was Rear Admiral Constancio M. Reyes, Jr., commander of the WMNC, who dispatched an offshore patrol group to the territorial waters of Basilan after receiving reports from confidential tipsters and PRO-BAR units about the supposed delivery of the Indonesian-made cigarettes to illegal traders in the island province.

The cigarettes are now in the custody of the WMNC and shall be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

WMNC and PRO-BAR officials were quoted in radio reports on Monday morning as saying that they are thankful to the informants, among them local executives, who informed them about the shipment of the illegal merchandise from somewhere in Sulu to seaside areas in Basilan, enabling them to launch the operation that resulted in its interception.

Mr. Reyes said their off-shore anti-smuggling operations in the territorial seas of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the Zamboanga peninsula are part of the WMNC’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Program, being supported by all units of PRO-BAR under the director of the Bangsamoro regional police, Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. De Guzman, and his counterpart in Region 9, Brig. Gen. Eleazar P. Matta. — John Felix M. Unson

Bolts unveil RHJ, JB team-up in the East Asian Super League

September 29, 2025 | 6:57 pm

Brownlee-Jefferson — JUSTIN BROWNLEE (left) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. — PBA

THERE’S ELECTRICITY in the Meralco camp as the Bolts are set to unveil the dream team-up of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) and Justin Brownlee (JB) in the East Asia Super League (EASL).

“I’ve played alongside JB and I played against Rondae and they’re two of the fiercest competitors I know. And to have them come to our program to lead this team and show that competitiveness that have made them successful, that’s really important not just for myself but for the younger guys to see,” Meralco star Chris Newsome said.

Mr. Hollis-Jefferson of TNT and Mr. Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra have been fierce rivals in Asia’s first play-for-pay league, battling in the finals in three of the last six conferences, including two in the previous Season 49 alone.

With the Philippine Cup slated as the PBA’s opening conference beginning on Sunday, both the Tropang 5G and the Gin Kings allowed the three-time Best Import awardees to suit up for the Bolts, the country’s lone bet in the international hoopfest.

“It’s nice we get to all represent the Philippines and we’re all going to be on the same team for once and we’re not competing against each other,” said Mr. Newsome, who is teammates with Mr. Brownlee in Gilas Pilipinas.

“It’s going to be nice to go out there and really just fight alongside those guys and play whatever role I needed to play,” he added.

The irony of Mr. Brownlee donning the Meralco jersey after breaking the Bolts’ heart on his way to three of his PBA championships isn’t lost on the Bolts.

“This is more than Meralco or us,” said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo.

“We’re very happy they allow Justin and Rondae because we have to care more for the fans, too. If you think about it, pound for pound, the Philippines can do well against any Asian country. The problem now is the ballclubs allow four imports so we have to pivot and adjust to that. So we’re very excited to have Messrs. Justin and Rondae, we know they’re winners.”

RHJ and naturalized Filipino JB are expected to report to camp by next week alongside another reinforcement, Puerto Rican national mainstay Ismael Romero, ahead of Meralco’s Oct. 22 opening assignment against Japanese power Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa.

Aside from Ryukyu, Meralco will also tangle with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Chinese-Taipei and the Macau Black Bears in a home-and-away setting in Group A.

“We didn’t make it last tournament. We’re one hand away from making the semifinals. But I think EASL right now is very tough. There’s a lot of quality teams there and I hope we can do well.” — Olmin Leyba

Eight PVL teams have acquired imports ahead of Reinforced Conference

September 29, 2025 | 6:56 pm

EIGHT of the 12 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) teams including PVL on Tour and Invitational champion PLDT have acquired their respective imports in preparation for the Reinforced Conference unfurling Oct. 7.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters have acquired 33-year-old Russian Anastasia Bavykina as early as two weeks ago and has been blending well with the team that should be spearheaded by Savi Davison.

“She fits well into the team and should provide stability and experience,” said PLDT manager Bajjie del Rosario of the outside hitter who last suited up for Yenisey Krasnoyarsk back home in Russia.

League powerhouse Creamline was actually the first to tab an import after plucking American spiker Courtney Schwan, who came in a week before Ms. Bavykina joined PLDT.

The 29-year-old Ms. Schwan was from Auburn, Washington and came off a triumphant stint with the Orlando Valkyries in the Major League Volleyball championship in the United States and should play a pivotal role in the Cool Smashers’ quest for an 11^th crown.

For Cignal, it acquired Greek outside hitter Eva Chantava with high hopes of earning a shot at a breakthrough title.

Other reinforcements who already flew in were Cuban Yunieska Batista for Chery Tiggo, Belgian Helene Rousseaux for Farm Fresh, American Anna DeBeer for ZUS Coffee, Spaniard Paola Martinez Vela for Nxled and returnee Jelena Cvijovic of Montenegro for Galeries Tower. — Joey Villar

Phoenix Mercury oust top-seeded Minnesota, advance to WNBA Finals

September 29, 2025 | 6:56 pm

ALYSSA THOMAS had 23 points and 10 assists, Satou Sabally scored 21 points and the host Phoenix Mercury advanced to the WNBA Finals with an 86-81 comeback victory over the game but crippled Minnesota Lynx in Game 4 of their semifinal series on Sunday night.

DeWanna Bonner had 11 of her 13 points and all three of her 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, when the Mercury outscored the Lynx 31-13 to overcome a 68-55 deficit and advance to the finals for the first time since falling to the Chicago Sky in 2021.

“Shout out to my teammates,” said Bonner. “They just kept telling me to shoot the ball, shoot the ball. Be aggressive. Don’t stop. So … yeah, we’re going to the finals, baby.”

The Lynx played without star center Napheesa Collier, who suffered a left ankle injury in the final seconds of the Mercury’s 84-76 victory in Game 3 on Friday and watched the game from the bench in a walking boot.

Minnesota’s Kayla McBride had 14 of her playoff career-high 31 points when the Lynx took the upper hand in the third quarter but could not hold on. Courtney Williams had 20 points and Jessica Shepard had a career playoff-high 14 points while starting for Collier.

The finals are to begin Friday, with the first two games at the site of the higher seed. The fourth-seeded Mercury knocked off the top-seeded Lynx in their best-of-five series. The second-seeded Las Vegas Aces and the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever meet in Game 5 of their series on Tuesday.

“Phoenix played a hell of a game, a hell of a series,” McBride said. “They did what they had to do. It’s tough, but I wouldn’t trade that locker room for anything. I would feel like this a hundred times over to be with the people I’ve been with. That’s why it’s painful. You just want it to keep going.”

The WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven for the first time in league history. Phoenix last won a championship in 2014.

The Mercury scored 19 of the first 21 points in the fourth period, and the second of Bonner’s two 3-pointers gave them a 72-70 lead with 3:39 remaining.

“It was a struggle for three quarters,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “I give Minnesota credit. That organization, that team, they have some really good players. What McBride did was super impressive.

McBride and Bonner traded 3-pointers as the Mercury stayed ahead 77-73. McBride’s sixth three made it 77-76 with 1:04 remaining but Bonner followed with two free throws for a 79-76 lead with 42 seconds left.

After a McBride miss, Thomas made a driving layup for an 81-76 lead with 27 seconds left. The Lynx later got within three on Natisha Hiedeman’s 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining before Kahleah Copper closed the scoring with two free throws.

Associate head coach Eric Thibault coached the Lynx while head coach Cheryl Reeve served a one-game suspension for her conduct and comments toward the officials during and after Game 3.

Thomas was two rebounds short of her second playoff triple-double.

The Mercury trailed by 14 in the first quarter, drew even at 38 at halftime and did not lead until Copper’s 3-pointer on their first possession of the second half.

The Lynx put together another spurt including two 3-pointers from McBride for a 55-45 lead midway through the third.

Sabally had 24, 23 and 21 points in the final three games of the series, all Mercury wins. — Reuters