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Senate to invite Co in flood probe

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will invite former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co to its next hearing on anomalous flood control projects.

“For the next hearing of the committee, we will send an invitation letter to his address. Now we know he is abroad and will not show up,” Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, who heads the committee said in a statement. “If that is the case, we will issue a subpoena, and then a show-cause order.”

He added that if the former congressman fails to attend the next hearing, the Senate will cite him in contempt and issue a warrant of arrest.

Mr. Co, who resigned from his congressional post on Monday, was previously given parliamentary courtesy by the Senate.

He will be replaced by Ako Bicol party-list third nominee Jan Franz Norbert Joselito A. Chan, Party-list Rep. Alfredo C. Garbin, Jr. said in a Viber message.

This comes amid allegations over his role in questionable flood control projects and budget insertions. He has also been accused of collecting as much as 25% commissions from congressional insertions, which he denies. Mr. Co sat as the Appropriations committee for more than two years since the start of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s term.

Malacañang on Tuesday urged Mr. Co to return to the Philippines and face all accusations against him.

“If a case is filed against him, he will not be able to avoid it. He cannot run from it,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.

“It would be better if, should he face any charges, he simply fights for his rights and stands by the truth supported by his evidence.”

Mr. Co is currently in Madrid, Spain while an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) blue notice is against him.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla earlier said that authorities no longer expect Mr. Co to appear before the Department of Justice, raising the possibility of him being declared a fugitive through Interpol.

He clarified that while Mr. Co has not yet been officially classified as a fugitive, that designation is likely forthcoming.

In a separate statement, Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” D. Frasco said Mr. Co’s resignation should not absolve him of alleged crimes linked to anomalous flood control deals.

“If consequences are limited only to a nominee, Congress sets a dangerous precedent: that members can violate rules, resign to avoid expulsion, and leave their party untouched,” he said.

Mr. Co’s resignation “is not an abandonment,” Mr. Garbin said in response to Mr. Frasco’s statement. “It demonstrates respect for institutional integrity, allowing investigations to proceed free of any suspicion of undue influence.”

Meanwhile, Senator Lacson said that the committee will also invite former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to the hearing.

The senator said that the Blue Ribbon Committee will continue its hearings on anomalous infrastructure projects as long as there are new major developments that it needs to look into.

“If we stop the probe now, we may reinforce the perception rightly or wrongly that we are covering up for someone. No. I said it clearly, we will go where the evidence leads us,” he said.

Earlier, the House Infrastructure Committee halted its investigation to give way to the independent government fact-finding body.

Also on Tuesday, listed firm Altus Property Ventures, Inc. (APVI) announced the resignation of Maynard S. Ngu as an independent member of its board of directors on Sept. 29.

In a stock exchange disclosure, the APVI board said it has accepted Mr. Ngu’s resignation, who stepped down due to personal reasons.

Mr. Ngu has been tagged by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo in connection with an ongoing inquiry related to flood control projects.

In a sworn affidavit, Mr. Bernardo claimed that Mr. Ngu is the bagman of Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero

Mr. Ngu, a government contractor, contributed P30 million to Mr. Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign, according to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

Mr. Ngu is the chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies, which is behind the local cellphone brand Cherry Mobile. — Adrian H. Halili, Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Subway drilling work set for Jan.

THE Tunnel Boring Machine at the Camp Aguinaldo station of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Quezon City on Jan. 16, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) is set to start the drilling works for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) within the Corinthian Gardens alignment by January 2026 as its right-of-way (RoW) acquisition for the project continues to progress.

This came after residents and homeowners of Corinthian Gardens have accepted compensation amounting to a combined P420.08 million for the property that will be affected by the construction of the subway, the Transportation department said on Tuesday.

Within the Corinthian Gardens, the subway project covers about 500 meters and will affect a total of 33 properties, DoTr said, noting that as of Sept. 30, it has issued a total of 32 compensation offers at P820.56 million to affected property owners.

Of these, only 20 owners have accepted the offers, the Transportation department said, adding that negotiations for the remaining property owners are still ongoing.

Further, the DoTr is targeting full acquisition of RoW requirements for the MMSP by March of 2026, as the current RoW status stands at 75%. 

Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez previously said that the agency has set a target RoW acquisition of about 95% by the end of the year.

The DoTr is hoping to award the last three remaining packages of the Metro Manila Subway project around October or November.

The last three remaining contract packages (CP) are 105, 108, 109. The packages cover the construction of the station in Kalayaan Avenue and Bonifacio Global City, Lawton and Senate-DepEd stations, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 station, respectively.

The remaining contract packages are valued at between P10 billion and P15 billion.

In July, the DoTr said that it is pushing for partial operations of the subway line, though the entire line is expected to be completed by 2032.

The subway, which will be 33 kilometers long with 17 stations, seeks to cut travel time between Quezon City and NAIA to 35 minutes from over an hour currently. It is expected to accommodate up to 370,000 passengers daily. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

More EDSA busway enforcers sought

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PHILIPPINE Senator urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to station more enforcers in EDSA busway stations, citing safety concerns for passengers.

“Maybe we can put an enforcer there, 24 hours a day, or a member of SAICT (Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation),” Senator Erwin T. Tulfo said in a senate hearing on Tuesday. “That’s just to ensure safety at each station so that passengers who get off won’t be put at risk.”

The EDSA Busway, a dedicated bus lane along Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, consists of 23 stations operating 24 hours a day.

“We fully agree we need to continue our enforcement, especially now that our operations are 24-7,” Transportation Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor told senators.

He added that the agency will also issue a directive next year for all operators to ensure that all buses have left side doors.

“So that’s to ensure that there are no safety issues when they get off,” Mr. Pastor said.

The Senator also told the Transportation department to implement measures to make the busway more accessible to Persons with Disability (PWDs).

He pushed for the agency to require transportation companies catering to the EDSA Busway to provide a kneeling bus for PWD commuters.

“I believe you need to talk to the bus owners, our companies — they are not friendly to people in wheelchairs,” Mr. Tulfo told the DoTr.

“We need them to introduce kneeling buses. The ones that get off to accommodate people in wheelchairs, the ones that work like in other countries,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili

QC among most bike-friendly in SEA

QUEZON CITY is among the Most Promising Bicycle-Friendly Metroplitan Cities in Southeast Asia Mobility Awards this year.

QUEZON CITY (QC) emerged as among the Most Promising Bicycle-Friendly Metroplitan Cities during this year’s Southeast Asia Mobility Awards (SEAMA).

The city, along with Jakarta and Singapore, were recognized in the category for its increasing investment in protected bike lanes, and progress in bike-inclusive planning among others.

“This recognition belongs not only to the city government, but to every cyclist, commuter, planner, and partner who embraces the vision of a safer, greener, and more inclusive city,” Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte said, according to a media release on Tuesday.

The inaugural SEAMA, held in Malaysia last Sept. 19, honored cities and commuters across six Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Iloilo City, known as the country’s bike capital, was also recognized as one of the Most Promising Bicycle-Friendly Component Cities. It joined George Town, Malaysia, and Bandung, Indonesia.

“Together, we prove that we can work hand-in-hand, and we can build a city where sustainable transport and vibrant public spaces are not only possible but celebrated. May our story inspire our cities to create safer, greener, and more peaceful, people-centered mobility,” Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said. — CAT

PH keeps Tier 1 ranking in US global anti-trafficking report

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINES has maintained its Tier 1 status for the 10th straight year in the United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking a decade of compliance with global standards in fighting human trafficking, the Department of Justice-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) said on Tuesday.

According to the report, dated Sept. 29, the Philippines was among 33 out of 188 governments that satisfied the minimum requirements of the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, who chairs the IACAT, said the recognition underscores the government’s intensified efforts to pursue trafficking cases and protect victims, particularly minors exploited online.

“There is no place for complacency in our justice system. This Tier 1 ranking is a beacon of light, an impetus for our sustained efforts,” he said in a statement.

The report cited the Philippines’ “increased prosecution and law enforcement” initiatives, including rescue operations, case build-ups, convictions, and the use of plea bargaining in online child exploitation cases to speed up resolution and reduce witness trauma.

It also noted preventive measures such as awareness campaigns, port monitoring, and coordination with local and foreign partners, as well as services for migrant workers and restitution guidelines for trafficking survivors.

Mr. Remulla added that the government remains committed to banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) linked to trafficking and scam operations.

Nicholas Felix L. Ty, Justice undersecretary in charge of IACAT, stressed the importance of international cooperation. “We are only a part of a larger chain of protection,” he said, adding that the Philippines would continue engaging “civil society groups, private sectors, and foreign governments in anti-trafficking efforts.” — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

PDEA: P29.76-B drugs seized in first half

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said that it has seized P29.76 billion worth of illegal drugs in the first six months of 2025, surpassing total drug seizures last year.

In a Senate budget hearing, PDEA Director General Izagani R. Nerez said that the agency exceeded the P8.28 billion worth of illegal substances confiscated during the full year of 2024.

Mr. Nerez reported that that agency had seized 4.24 tons of crystal methamphetamine (shabu) during the first semester.

It had also confiscated a total of 803 kilograms of marijuana, 6.58 kilos of cocaine, and 22,161 pieces of ecstasy during the six-month period.

Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa also approved the proposed P4.53-billion budget of PDEA along with the P598-million budget of the Dangerous Drugs Board for plenary consideration. — Adrian H. Halili

P35-B smuggled goods seized in first 8 months

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) has confiscated P34.725 billion worth of smuggled goods in the eight months through August.

“We were able to seize from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2025, a total of 633 seizure operations, confiscating goods amounting to P34.725 billion,” Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla said in a speech on Tuesday.

The top five highest valued commodities include various items valued at P20.166 billion, followed by wildlife and natural resources at P4.784 billion, illegal drugs at P4.562 billion, cigarettes, tobacco, and vape at P2.104 billion, and counterfeit goods at P1.401 billion. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

CEAP calls for ‘reasonable’ tuition rates in private schools

RUBEN RODRIGUEZ-UNSPLASH

THE Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) on Tuesday called for a more flexible framework for tuition rates to help private institutions cope with the dwindling enrollment rate.

“One of the things that is very crucial to us right now is the tuition fee increases. They are pegged to regional inflation rates,” CEAP Corporate Secretary Joaquin Severino S. Martinez told reporters in a press conference.

“If tuition is capped only by inflation, schools will be forced to cut corners or worse, shut down,” he added.

CEAP President Karel S. San Juan noted that enrollment for basic education in private schools dropped to 1.4 million in 2022 from 4.3 million in 2019.

Private schools are estimated to have 2 million students, while public schools have 16 million students.

He added that the free tuition law is one of the factors contributing to the decline in enrollment among private schools.

“Because of the difficult economic situation, of course, our students would gravitate towards free tuition fees in public schools, so that’s a loss of enrollment to us,” Mr. San Juan said at the same event.

Tertiary or college education is made accessible and affordable for all Filipinos through free tuition and exemption from other school fees in state universities, local colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions, under Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Ever since the pandemic, there have been schools that closed,” Mr. San Juan said. “The pandemic is an example of how the private school sector is so dependent on tuition fees alone.”

UPHOLDING CATHOLIC VALUES
Apart from its challenges in tuition fees and enrollees, the CEAP also underscored the importance of retaining ethics in the General Education (GE) curriculum of higher education institutions (HEIs).

The Department of Education (DepEd) in late May proposed the removal of ethics in the GE curriculum to avoid duplication of subjects taught in Grades 7 to 12.

“For CEAP, ethics is not optional. It is essential. And look what’s happening to our country today,” CEAP Executive Director Narcy F. Ador Dionisio said.

“This is our current situation. What more would happen if we remove ethics?” he added.

The Catholic educators underscored that ethics “forms the conscience of students” and that alumni involved in corruption allegations in the business and government sector have “lost their fear of God and conscience”.

“It’s embarrassing if you graduate from a Catholic school and you become corrupt,” Mr. San Juan said.

“You’re living lives contrary to the very essence of the values that we have taught you in the schools and universities,” he added. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

P400M needed to restore damaged power lines in Masbate

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE DAMAGED energy infrastructure in Masbate caused by Typhoon Opong will cost around P400 million to be restored, the Department of Energy (DoE) said on Monday.

“We are moving with urgency, but also with care. Safety remains our top priority for both workers on the ground and the public,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ms. Garin, along with Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, National Electrification Administration Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda, National Power Corporation President Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, and other NEA officials visited the province to assess the hardest-hit areas where transmission lines, distribution facilities, and generation assets that severely damaged.

Typhoon Opong, which recently battered the Bicol Region, caused widespread damage to energy infrastructure, resulting in power interruptions in many parts of Masbate. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Abra seeks to revive bamboo industry

BAGUIO CITY — Investors, local officials, and the bamboo industry leaders, recently met to revive Abra’s once-thriving bamboo industry.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) — Abra, the summit sought to explore investment opportunities in bamboo farming, construction, ecotourism, and food production.

DTI-Abra Officer-in-Charge Marvin T. Arcangel said the summit is part of a wider effort to restore the industry’s economic significance.

Successful bamboo programs from Isabela were presented during the summit as possible models for implementation in Abra.

Mr. Arcangel also noted several challenges the industry faces, including effects of the pandemic, cheaper imported bamboo products, and outdated processing methods, which the department seeks to address through a three-year regional development plan is being drafted.

The Department of Science and Technology is also setting up a Bamboo Innovation Hub at the University of Abra to study bamboo fiber for textiles.

Participants of the summit expressed optimism that renewed collaboration and innovation would help position Abra as a leading bamboo producer in Northern Luzon once again. — Artemio A. Dumlao

UST guns for third straight win against unbeaten NU at UAAP

UAAP/NICOLE HERNANDEZ

Games on Wednesday
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)
7:30 a.m. – UST vs NUNS (16U)
10 a.m. – DLSU vs FEU (16U)
12 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs NU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs NU (Women)

HOST University of Santo Tomas (UST) shoots for a third straight win to gain a share of lead with Ateneo when it clashes against fellow unbeaten National University (NU) in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. after the De La Salle University-Far Eastern University duel at 2 p.m. with the Growling Tigers (2-0) banking on their home crowd anew to break a second-spot tie with the Bulldogs (2-0) and join the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (3-0) on top of the league nearing the halfway mark of the first round.

UST is the biggest revelation so far after slaying reigning champion University of the Philippines and La Salle, finalists of the last two UAAP seasons.

Led by super rookie Collins Akowe, momentum and confidence are on the España-based dribblers on the back of a mammoth 87-67 trashing of the Fighting Maroons and a stellar 93-84 comeback over the Green Archers for a statement start.

But while that shored up Santo Tomas’ tag as this year’s dark horse especially with UP and La Salle still adjusting to the departure of their core led by Finals MVP JD Cagulangan and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, the mission has just got started.

Winning against the Bulldogs, who have also taken care of their first two games, is just a continuation.

“This is not a statement. We’re just happy that we’re progressing as a team. Right now, we’re just focusing on ourselves and our games, which is now against NU,” said ace playmaker Forthsky Padrigao, who returned from a one-game suspension with 12 points, nine assists and three steals against La Salle.

“UST this year is not the same as UST last year. There is confidence now but we have to keep grounded. We just have to stick to what we’re doing,” said assistant coach Peter Martin.

Starring in the duel is Mr. Akowe’s first match against what was anticipated as his collegiate school after graduating from the National U-Nazareth School as UAAP juniors MVP and Best Foreign Student-Athlete, before surprisingly committing to Santo Tomas.

Count on the readiness of the Bulldogs to finally try to stop the 6-foot-10 Senegalese anchor, who feasted on UP and La Salle with averages of 24.8 points and 18 rebounds. — John Bryan Ulanday

Four new shot-callers pit their coaching skills at PBA golden season

FOUR COACHES face their baptism of fire when hostilities in the PBA’s 50th season get going on Sunday.

Pampanga vice-governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda serves as the new shots-caller for Converge as he joins fellow debutants LA Tenorio (Magnolia), Willy Wilson (Phoenix) and Ronald Tubid (Terrafirma) in pitting coaching skills against the likes of TNT’s Chot Reyes and Barangay Ginebra’s Tim Cone in the league’s golden season.

“Malaking challenge po,” said Mr. Pineda, who previously led the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to back-to-back MPBL titles en route to winning a pair of Coach of the Year awards.

“It’s still something that I’m growing into, I’m adjusting to. As far as how long before I become comfortable (with the position), I really don’t know. I’m not really looking down the road. I’m just looking at the next step right in front of me and trying to be the best at taking that step,” said Mr. Wilson.

The prospect of battling his coaches during his playing years is “quite overwhelming” for Mr. Wilson.

“The daunting task of coaching across the court from those guys (veteran mentors), it’s very, very humbling and at times, I start asking myself. So it’s a mixture of that, but obviously thankful and anxious to go out and take this challenge,” he said.

Mr. Tenorio, who may assume the dual role of player-coach during the campaign, said it’s been a pleasant learning experience.

“As much as the team is learning now the new system, the new culture. I have a lot of learning every day,” said the former Ginebra stalwart.

“I’m just enjoying my time right now. I don’t want to think about what’s going to happen next, what’s going to happen this coming opening or this season. I just like what I’m seeing to our team, how they work hard everyday, both vets and young players,” he added.

Notes: The TNT Tropang 5G dropped a 74-93 loss to reigning UAE titlist Al Sharjah at the start of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship early Tuesday (Manila time). The imports-laden Emirati club unleashed a 26-18 closing barrage to take the opening win against all-Filipino TNT. Rey Nambatac led the Tropang 5G with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. The reigning PBA Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup kingpins seek a bounceback against another home club, Al Dhafra, at 1 a.m. on Wednesday (Manila time). — Olmin Leyba

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