Frontpage PH News, Quezon City (2025)

09/10/2025

NBI seals DPWH document room in Zambales amid flood control project probe

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has sealed a room inside the 2nd District office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Barangay Balaybay, Castillejos, Zambales, after discovering it contained original documents related to the controversial flood control projects now under investigation.

According to reports, the move aims to preserve the integrity of evidence that may be linked to alleged irregularities in the implementation of the projects.

NBI operatives padlocked the room to prevent any possible tampering, loss, or manipulation of crucial records.

Initial findings showed that the storage contained contracts, disbursement records, project plans, and other key documents that could shed light on possible anomalies or corruption in the project’s ex*****on.

Officials of DPWH-Zambales expressed full cooperation with the investigation and assured the NBI of their assistance in clarifying the matter.

Meanwhile, the NBI declined to release further details, citing the ongoing forensic examination and review of the seized documents.

The bureau is expected to issue its preliminary report in the coming weeks after a thorough verification and cross-checking of the recovered materials.

The investigation is part of the government’s broader campaign against corruption and irregularities in the use of public funds, particularly in infrastructure projects.

08/10/2025

ICI seeks lookout order against Romualdez, Escudero, Estrada, Villanueva, Revilla, Binay over flood control scam probe

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against some of the country’s top political figures, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva, as well as former Senators B**g Revilla and Nancy Binay, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged multi-billion peso irregularities in flood control projects.

The ICI’s letter to Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, dated October 8, was signed by ICI Chair Andres Reyes, who said the order aims to prevent potential obstruction of the ongoing probe and ensure accountability among those implicated.

Initially, Senator Villanueva’s name was omitted from the first version of the ICI’s ILBO request. However, the commission issued a corrected version an hour later, confirming that the lawmaker is indeed covered by the order.

Aside from Romualdez, Escudero, Estrada, Villanueva, Revilla, and Binay, the ILBO also includes several lawmakers, government officials, and private contractors allegedly linked to questionable public works projects. Among them are:

Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Undersecretary Trygve L. Olaivar, Carlene Villa, businessman Maynard Ngu, and Representatives Roman Romulo, James “Jojo” Ang, Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Nicanor “Nikki” Briones, Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Florida “Rida” Robes, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao, Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel, Leody “Ode” Tarriela, Reynante “Reynan” Arogancia, Marvin Rillo, Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Assistio, and Marivic Co-Pilar, as well as several district engineers, including Loida Busa “Bogs” Magalong, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., and Arturo Gonzales Jr.

In his letter, Reyes stated that preliminary findings — conducted with the cooperation of relevant government agencies — indicate that these individuals may be involved in “ghost projects and substandard implementations” of flood control works.

“An initial investigation… puts the subjects in a relevant position that makes them inevitable personalities during the fact-finding process,” Reyes wrote.

The ICI also requested the Bureau of Immigration to immediately report any attempt by the named individuals to travel abroad, emphasizing that such measures are necessary to “enable the Commission to proceed without delay and hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.”

The ICI is currently conducting a series of hearings as part of its investigation into what is shaping up to be one of the country’s most controversial corruption scandals in recent years — involving billions of pesos allegedly lost to fraudulent or substandard flood control projects nationwide.

07/10/2025

LOOK: Chaos erupts at DSWD payout in Olongapo: Beneficiaries complain of disorganized distribution, PWDs left struggling

What was supposed to be a day of relief turned into a scene of chaos and frustration at the DSWD payout event held Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at SMX Olongapo.

Hundreds of beneficiaries flocked to the venue early in the morning, hoping to receive their long-awaited financial aid — but what greeted them was utter disorder. Lines were nowhere to be found, and people crowded every corner of the hall as staff struggled to control the growing commotion.

Even persons with disabilities (PWDs), who were supposed to be prioritized, were seen being shuffled around without proper assistance. Some were left standing or moving aimlessly as they were repeatedly told to go “somewhere else” by overwhelmed personnel.

Frustration boiled over as several beneficiaries, tired and confused, decided to leave the venue empty-handed after hours of waiting in vain.

As of press time, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has yet to issue a statement addressing the disorderly conduct of the payout and the complaints from affected individuals.

Witnesses described the scene in one word: “chaotic.”

07/10/2025

STATEMENT
07 October 2025

The Office of the Vice President was informed of the relief of Col. Raymund Dante Lachica upon his receipt of the order yesterday, October 6, 2025.

No message or explanation was given to the OVP.

The OVP expresses its sincere gratitude for the outstanding contributions made by Col. Lachica to our institution. We have accomplished more than our targets because of his support to the vision of a life of peace and comfort for all Filipinos. We salute his resoluteness, professionalism, and integrity.

Thank you.

05/10/2025

AboitizPower unveils ₱1-Million digital learning hub in Bataan to empower students and teachers

MARIVELES, Bataan – In a major boost to digital education in Mariveles, the AboitizPower Transmission Business Group, through its partnerships with GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), has turned over a state-of-the-art Learning Hub Facility to Alion Elementary School as part of its annual Brigada Eskwela 2025 initiative.

The project, dubbed “Digital Eskwela,” is a collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) aimed at strengthening digital literacy and improving learning environments in public schools. With a total project cost of ₱1 million, the initiative transformed an unused classroom into a modern learning space equipped with brand-new computers, high-speed internet, interactive projectors, and ergonomic furniture designed for collaborative learning.

The Learning Hub will serve as a venue for both students and teachers to access digital tools and online educational resources, while also supporting after-school programs and community-based digital literacy training.

During the turnover ceremony, GMEC and GNPD Community Relations Manager Allan Barcena highlighted AboitizPower’s ongoing commitment to education and innovation.

“Through this project, we are not only providing computers and connectivity—we are empowering our young learners and teachers with the tools to thrive in a digital future. This initiative reflects our long-term goal to promote inclusive growth through education and innovation,” Barcena said.

DepEd Bataan Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ronnie Mallari commended the energy company’s continuing partnership, saying the facility would play a vital role in enhancing teaching and learning in the digital era.

“The Learning Hub represents hope and opportunity. It allows our students to explore, learn, and connect with the world beyond the classroom,” Mallari said.

Alion Elementary School Principal Ma. Teresa Dela Cruz likewise lauded the project, noting that it will help close the digital gap among students in their coastal community.

“Many of our pupils have limited access to gadgets or the internet at home. This hub will make learning more engaging and accessible for them,” she said.

Since 2014, AboitizPower and its partners have been steadfast supporters of Brigada Eskwela, implementing school improvement projects ranging from classroom repairs to donations of learning materials and digital equipment.

This year’s “Digital Eskwela” project marks another milestone in the company’s advocacy to integrate technology in education and promote community development in its host areas.

In line with the 2025 Brigada Eskwela theme, “Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” the newly inaugurated Learning Hub in Bataan stands as a model for how public-private partnerships can create lasting impact in building a smarter and more connected generation of Filipino learners.

04/10/2025

LOOK: DPWH Engineer arrested for Estafa in ₱450-M flood control fund scandal; Co-accused still at large

Embattled engineer Isabelo Baleros, a former district engineer of the Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office, was arrested inside his Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Port Area, Manila, on charges of multiple counts of estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.

The arrest warrant, issued by Judge Tammy Ann Reyes Mendillo of the Manila RTC Branch 22 under Criminal Case No. R-MNL-25-07000-CR, was dated September 30, 2025. Baleros was taken into custody by operatives and is currently detained at Baseco Police Station 13, after posting ₱48,000 bail. Authorities confirmed that the arrest was carried out with the use of a body-worn camera in compliance with court directives.

Police said Baleros’ co-accused—Ferdinand A. Villar, Dennis Aguilar, and Tony Espi—remain at large. Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has asked investigators to determine if Villar is related to former Senators Manny and Cynthia Villar, while sources confirmed that Aguilar is a former Las Piñas councilor.

Baleros was earlier dismissed by then-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, after Rep. Santos linked him to questionable transactions, including the alleged diversion of ₱450 million in flood control funds intended for Las Piñas.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. If DPWH is serious about reforms, they must not only fire but also jail these officials. The ₱450 million stolen from Las Piñas is the people’s hard-earned money. We will not let this go unanswered,” Santos said.

Records show that on August 30, 2018, then-Public Works Secretary—now Senator—Mark Villar appointed Baleros as acting head of the LPM-DEO, later confirming him as district engineer. At a Senate Blue Ribbon hearing, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified that Villar had also appointed him in 2017, along with members of the so-called “Bulacan Group of Contractors (BGC) boys,” including controversial engineer Henry Alcantara and Baleros.

Baleros is further accused of transferring Las Piñas project funds from his district office to the DPWH National Capital Region office without consultation with local officials, a move reportedly approved by then-Assistant Secretary Loreta Malaluan and confirmed by Bonoan.

In light of these allegations, current DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon issued a show cause order against Baleros and nine other engineers over suspicions of lavish lifestyles and involvement in substandard projects.

They were given five days to explain.

03/10/2025

Google PH pays tribute to Cebu quake victims with black ribbon

MANILA, Philippines — Google Philippines on Tuesday expressed sympathy for those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, displaying a black ribbon on its homepage.

“Our hearts are with those affected by the Cebu earthquake,” Google said in a statement.

The digital tribute comes as residents in Cebu and nearby provinces continue to cope with the aftermath of the strong tremor, which damaged buildings, disrupted power supply, and sent thousands fleeing into open spaces for safety.

The black ribbon is a common symbol used by Google worldwide to honor victims of tragedies and disasters.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage while emergency teams work to assist displaced communities.

02/10/2025

FEATURE STORY:
By: JG Tumbado

"The Big One": Lessons from Cebu as Metro Manila awaits a potential 7.8 magnitude quake

At exactly 10 p.m., when many Cebuano families were preparing to rest for the night, the ground suddenly shook. Walls rattled, furniture swayed, and residents spilled into the streets, some barefoot, clutching their children as they tried to make sense of the darkness filled with fear.

The recent Cebu earthquake, though not as strong as the dreaded “Big One,” was enough to remind Filipinos of the country’s constant vulnerability to powerful seismic events.

For many, it felt like a preview of what experts have been warning Metro Manila about for years.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Big One could reach magnitude 7.8 if the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault, which runs through the capital, slips again. The fault moves every 200 to 400 years; its last major movement was recorded in 1658, making it long overdue.

The projected impact is staggering: an estimated 51,500 deaths, with 33,500 directly from the quake and another 18,000 from ensuing fires. Some 100,000 people may be injured. Around 12–13% of residential buildings could collapse, 11% of mid-rise structures may suffer heavy damage, and even 2% of high-rise buildings might not withstand the shaking.

Metro Manila—the nation’s capital, economic heart, and most crowded region—faces the greatest risk. Unlike Cebu, where residents still have open spaces to run to, millions in the capital may find themselves trapped in tightly packed communities, with fires, blocked roads, and widespread panic compounding the tragedy.

Authorities and experts insist that preparedness is the only shield. Earthquake drills, structural retrofitting, family go-bags, and community response plans could spell the difference between survival and catastrophe.

For now, the Cebu quake stands as a chilling wake-up call. It showed how even a late-night tremor can scatter families in fear. And if that was enough to rattle one city, one can only imagine how Metro Manila will face "The Big One".

29/09/2025

JUST IN: Rep. Zaldy Co, DPWH officials, and Sunwest executives tagged in ₱290-M flood control project mess

Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has been identified by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) as the top official recommended for charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with alleged irregularities in the ₱290-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

In its report, the ICI said Co—an incumbent member of the House of Representatives and former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations—allegedly received “unwarranted benefits” from Sunwest Construction projects, though it stressed this remains “conditioned upon further proof.”

Also implicated were senior officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) MIMAROPA: Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan, Assistant Regional Directors Gene Ryan A. Altea and Ruben C. Santos Jr., and Dominic G. Serrano, Chief of the Construction Division and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson.

The commission reported that these DPWH officials approved progress billings and disbursement vouchers despite the use of substandard materials. They were likewise cited for reviewing and certifying documents that supported questionable payments to Sunwest.

Executives of Sunwest Construction were also named, including President and Chair Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, Consuelo Aldon, Engr. Noel Cao, and Anthony Ngo. They were flagged for possible conspiracy in the violations, although ICI emphasized that this requires “further proof of overt criminal acts.”

The investigation stemmed from mounting controversy over the Naujan flood control project, which critics allege was overpriced and substandard. The ICI’s findings are now expected to pave the way for formal charges before the Ombudsman.

27/09/2025

Billion peso question: "Why place me there in the first place?"

"The Palace said I had a conflict of interest, questioning why I was investigating ghost projects when I was supposedly 'just an adviser.' But I had no other goal except to help in the investigation and to expose the truth. That’s all. Even as an adviser to the ICI, I thought it best to join the field inspections for actual validation. What’s wrong with that?

"Yet for them, that seems wrong. So fine—I will voluntarily file my resignation effective immediately. What else is there for me to do if they don’t trust me? Why place me there in the first place? They would rather remove me than go after the masterminds of this grand robbery. I don’t get it…"

-Mayor Magalong
(Former ICI Special Adviser/Investigator)
📸 PDI

27/09/2025

Cardinal Tagle denounces corruption, urges calm amid flood control scandal

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle strongly condemned widespread corruption in the Philippines and urged Filipinos to remain calm despite public outrage over alleged anomalies in government flood control projects.

The head of the Vatican’s evangelization office warned against a “worldly mentality” where people act as if they are “the owner and lord of everything.”

“Please look at yourself,” Tagle said, addressing the corrupt without naming anyone. “And with humility, admit: ‘I am not God.’”

Dubbed the “Asian Pope Francis,” Tagle stressed that some live under the illusion of absolute ownership, holding themselves accountable only to themselves.

His remarks came during a media interview on the program Beyond the Exchange, as the Senate continues to investigate alleged kickbacks from flood control projects involving several current and former lawmakers.

Citing Scripture, Tagle also reminded the public: “A time of reckoning will come, perhaps not here on earth, but before the just Judge.”

The former Archbishop of Manila acknowledged that the Church itself has played a role in shaping some corrupt officials, many of whom came from Catholic institutions. Still, he emphasized that responsibility is shared by the state, community, and family.

While the Church firmly condemns corruption, Tagle said it continues to invite sinners to repentance. “Being a true Catholic is a process of conversion—where my faith must also transform my heart,” he explained.

Currently in the country for an official visit, Tagle joined the growing chorus of church leaders speaking out against corruption, including irregularities in flood control projects. On September 21, he stood alongside church groups and thousands of faithful in protest rallies, stressing that anger alone is not enough.

“Change must happen every day through people who are accountable and who live with integrity,” he declared.

The Cardinal further reminded government leaders that they carry the duty of proving themselves “good stewards of the nation’s resources and the future of its people.”

26/09/2025

JUST IN: Magalong resigns from Independent Commission for Infrastructure

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has resigned from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, citing Palace pronouncements that he said undermined his mandate and cast doubt on the body’s independence.

In a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dated September 26, 2025, Magalong said his continued service had become “no longer tenable” following statements from Malacañang that, according to him, contradicted the terms of his appointment.

“The Palace’s pronouncements concerning my designation, which run contrary to the terms of my appointment, have undermined the role and mandate entrusted to me,” Magalong wrote.

He also stressed that while stepping down from the commission, he would continue to uphold his duty to the people of Baguio.

“Let it also be stated that I have not neglected, nor will I ever neglect, my primary responsibility to the people of Baguio, whose welfare and interests remain at the core of my public service,” he added.

Magalong’s resignation takes effect immediately.

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