Ibc-dyjj 1296 Khz

01/12/2025

PHILIPPINE HEART ASSOCIATION, INC. PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY- PHA CAPIZ-AKLAN CHAPTER, NAGPATIGAYON SANG ILA 1ST INDUCTION AND OATH TAKING CEREMONIES.

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

PRESIDENT- DR. WALID A. AMIL

VICE PRES.- DR. AURORA MURIEL S. GAMPONIA

VICE PRES. FINANCE- ROMEO B. CRUZ

ATTY. JOHANNES BENJAMIN R. BERNABE VICE PRESIDENT- EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

RICHARD HENRY P. TIONGCO II MD- SECRETARY

LUIGI PIERRE S. SEGUNDO MD- TREASURER

LOURDES ELLA G. SANTOS MD - DIRECTOR I

AVELINO L. AVENTURA JR. MD - DIRECTOR II

IRIS M. GARCIA MD - DIRECTOR III

30/11/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Ro Ly, Lina Consejo, Digoy Dilag, Burdado Sa Disyerto, Cristina Dela Cruz, Maria Leonora, Dolores Melancio Pregua, Vilma Ganate, Elmer Francisco, M Luz Nacionales

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

26/11/2025

NewsUpdate/STATEMENT of Senator Chiz Escudero

26 November 2025

Since we first ran for public office in 1998, we have worked to consistently comply with our election laws because this is the foundation of public trust.

The Commission on Elections decision affirms what we have always believed and practiced—that transparency, honesty, and adherence to the rules matter, and that the truth prevails when the process is fair.

The Comelec’s ruling strengthens my faith in our institutions and reinforces my commitment to continue serving with integrity and accountability.

Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero

26/11/2025

LATEST NEWS

CHIZ SAYS MARCOS ADMIN’S EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH GOOD FOR FLOOD CONTROL PROBE

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero commended on Tuesday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pursuing evidence-based investigations into the flood control budget irregularities that have led to the filing of corruption and malversation cases, stressing the importance of accountability and cautioning against diversions that only protect the guilty and harm the innocent.

During the Senate plenary deliberations on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, Escudero said the administration, as stated by Secretary Vince Dizon, has indeed chosen to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even when politically sensitive.

“Binabati ko po ang administrasyon dahil hindi sila sumunod at nagpadala sa anumang script o sarswela para ilihis ang mga tunay na salarin tulad ng sinabi ko nung ako ay huling tumayo at nagsalita dito sa Senado,” he said. “Ayon mismo kay Secretary Dizon, ang sinusundan lamang nila, base sa kautusan ng Pangulong Marcos, ay kung saan sila dinala ng ebidensya.”

The Ombudsman has already filed corruption and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, former DPWH Undersecretary Wilfredo Bernardo, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, and directors of Sunwest Corporation in connection with flood control project anomalies.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which has been tasked by the President to lead the investigations, has turned over documents to the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the role of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in the anomalies to determine possible administrative or criminal accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and other applicable laws.

The Bicolano senator praised the administration for its determination to uphold justice, even when investigations touch close to home. He noted that the President’s directive to “follow the evidence” has ensured that accountability is pursued consistently and without diversion.

“Alam kong hindi naging madali ang desisyong ito para kay Pangulong Marcos nang malaman niya na posibleng sangkot ang kaniyang pinsan. Kaya, binabati ko ang kaniyang sigasig na panagutin ang mga tunay at dapat managot, at ang pagtutol niya sa anumang dibersyon dahil marami nang mga inosenteng tao ang nadamay sa tangkang paglilihis na ito,” he stressed.

Escudero reminded the public that while anger against corruption is justified, judgment must be based on facts and evidence, and not on speculation or intrigue.

“Dapat lang tayong magalit sa korupsyon at anumang uri ng pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan. Subalit, huwag tayo maging padalos-dalos sa paghusga. Maging mapanuri din tayo sa mga mema na nais lamang magpunla ng pagkakawatak-watak natin di lamang dito sa Senado kundi sa buong bansa,” he concluded.

25/11/2025

DALAN 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢 𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗔𝗡, 𝗕𝗥𝗚𝗬. 𝗠𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗬, 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗠𝗔, 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬𝗢 𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜 MAAGYAN 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗛𝗜 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗚𝗔 SALAKYAN 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗗 𝗦𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗣𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗢𝗫 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗚𝗨𝗕𝗔 𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘

Temporaryo nga indi maagyan sang anuman nga sahi sang salakyan ang porsyon sang karsada sa Sitio Ibian, Mianay, Sigma, subong nga adlaw, Nobyembre 25.

Ini bangud gina-ubra na ang pagbutang sang mga Box Culvert sa narumpag nga drainage structure.

Suno kay Mr. Jonard V. Compuesto, Head sang Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)-Sigma, tubtob alas 5:00 karun sa hapon ang konstruksyon sang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - 2nd District Engineering Office sa nasambit nga instruktura.

Bangud sini, yari ang temporaryo nga mga ruta nga mahimo maagyan sang mga biyahero:

Option 1:
🚗 ILOILO - DUMARAO - CUARTERO - DAO - SIGMA (via Mianay - Duyoc - Calaan) - PANITAN - ROXAS CITY and VICE VERSA

Option 2:
🚗ILOILO - DUMARAO - CUARTERO - DAO (via Duyoc - Calaan) - PANITAN - ROXAS CITY and VICE VERSA

Option 3:
🚗 ILOILO - DUMARAO - CUARTERO - MAAYON - PONTEVEDRA - PANAY - ROXAS CITY and VICE VERSA

Option 4:
🚗 ILOILO - TAPAZ - JAMINDAN - MAMBUSAO - SAPIAN - IVISAN- ROXAS CITY and VICE VERSA

Option 5:
🚗 ILOILO - DUMARAO - CUARTERO - DAO- SIGMA - MAMBUSAO - SAPIAN - IVISAN - ROXAS CITY and VICE VERSA.

24/11/2025

PRESS RELEASE

SORSOGON EXECS SAY LGU HAS ALREADY COMPLIED WITH COA’S 2021 AOM

The Provincial Government of Sorsogon said that its past and present local executives have already complied with the audit observation memoranda (AOM) issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) in 2021 in connection with projects carried out during the period.

This means that the complaint filed recently against Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who once served as provincial governor, and the province’s present and former officials with the Office of the Ombudsman lacked merit and basis, and at best, a product of politicking and harassment.

In a statement signed by acting Provincial Accountant Sheena Gacosta Credo, Provincial Internal Audit Officer Atty. Cesar Balmaceda, and Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Ron Ely Espinosa, the provincial government said the allegations against present and former local officials, including member of the Bids Awards Committee, failed to verify if the AOM had already been complied with in accordance with the recommendations of the COA.

“These COA reports are from the different Audit Observation Memoranda issued to the officials of the Province of Sorsogon. However, the complainant has not verified if the concerned personnel had satisfactorily complied with the recommendations of the COA with respect to AOMs as reported in COA reports for 2021,” the provincial government said.

“Following the reply, explanations and actions of respondents to the AOMs issued, the COA had not issued any suspension or disallowance to said allegations complained of by Mr. Aceron because the reply, explanations and actions of the respondents complied with the COA’s recommendations as per COA Report 2022,” according to Sorsogon officials.

15/11/2025

PRESS STATEMENT
14 November 2025

Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra
Counsel for
Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero

Bernardo’s claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and and refuted before.

There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law.

We believe that these allegations are merely designed to besmirch and destroy Senator Chiz’s reputation, as well as that of the Senate.

We are confident that the facts and evidence will vindicate Senator Chiz, show that these allegations against him are malicious and baseless, and prove that he is innocent.

12/11/2025

*PRESS RELEASE*

*OFFICE OF SENATOR FRANCIS ‘CHIZ’ G. ESCUDERO*

*CHIZ: INFRA PROJECTS MUST BE BACKED BY FEASIBILITY STUDIES*

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for the institutionalization of budget transparency and accountability safeguards for all infrastructure projects introduced in the national budget as a way of preventing irregularities and the abuse and misuse of government funds.

To ensure that only government infrastructure projects that are technically and financially viable are included in the national budget, Escudero has filed Senate Bill Number 1461 or the proposed Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act.

Under the measure, all infrastructure projects will have to incorporate mechanisms such as station numbers, geotagging, geodetic coordinates, and other technology-based methodologies that will allow anyone to locate these at any time.

“Ang geotagging ay isa sa pinakamahalagang mekanismo para makita natin kung ano ang estado ng isang proyekto—kung may ginagawa ba talaga o naka tengga lang ito habang tuloy-tuloy na nagpapalabas ng pondo ang gobyerno,” Escudero said.

The bill also states that no government infrastructure project should be included in the national budget and implemented unless it has gone through a thorough feasibility study.

The technical and financial bases for the projects, including the detailed unit price analyses, standard cost of materials, and quantity estimates should be properly and accurately documented for the perusal of all, particularly the public.

“This documentation is a requirement and condition sine qua non for inclusion of any infrastructure project in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the General Appropriations Act (GAA). All proposed projects must be vetted otherwise it should not receive a single centavo in public funds,” Escudero said.

Budget splitting or the division of the appropriations for infrastructure projects in phases will also be prohibited for whatever reason.

“Splitting of government contracts has long been prohibited under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Law. This is to prevent the schemes that are intended to circumvent the law and budget policies in order to facilitate corruption,” the former Senate President said.

In the ongoing reviews and investigations being conducted on the government’s flood control programs, several problems were discovered including substandard construction and materials, overpriced procurement, and in some instances the non-existence of projects or what is more commonly referred to as ghost projects.

Escudero recently wrote to Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to adopt the transparency and accountability safeguards contained in SBN 1461 as a general provision in the 2026 national budget or as a special provision under specific agency appropriations. * #*

07/11/2025

CHIZ: ENSURE PRICE STABILITY OF BASIC GOODS IN TYPHOON-AFFECTED AREAS

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has reminded authorities to ensure that prices of basic goods and prime commodities remain stable during this critical time in the provinces severely affected by Typhoon Tino.

As the principal author of Republic Act No. 10623, which amended the law to provide protection to consumers by stabilizing the prices of basic commodities during disasters and emergency situation, Escudero said prices should be closely monitored to stop the abuse and exploitation by unscrupulous merchants.

“Nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ng mga nasawi dahil sa hagupit na hatid ng bagyong Tino. Napakabigat din ng pinsala sa mga tahanan at negosyo mula sa matinding pagbaha. Ang dasal natin ay makabangon agad ang mga apektado ng bagyo,” he said.

“Ang pinakamahalaga para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo ay ang sapat na pagkain, gamot, at ang materyales para makumpuni ang mga nasirang bahay kaya nararapat lamang na may sapat na bilihin sa mga panahon na ito at walang gulangan pagdating sa presyo ng mga ito,” Escudero added.

RA 10623 expanded the coverage of basic necessities and prime commodities to ensure that consumers are given more protection from undue price increases during times of calamities or disasters.

Basic necessities now include potable water in bottles and containers, fresh fruits, locally manufactured instant noodles, household liquefied petroleum gas, and kerosene. Livestock and fishery feeds were included in the list of prime commodities.

Under the law, price control of basic necessities is in effect for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency but not exceeding 60 days or in the event the President lifts the declaration earlier.

In the case of basic necessities that are wholly imported or deregulated under the existing laws, the price control will only be in effect for a maximum of 15 days.

Any person who commits price manipulation, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel-like activities face heavy penalties that include fines and imprisonment.

23/10/2025

*CHIZ: PEOPLE, LGUs MUST HAVE A SAY IN INFRA PROJECTS*

Let the people who know best about what they need decide on what projects should be implemented in their respective areas.

In the forthcoming 2026 General Appropriations Act and beyond, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said this should be the guiding principle in proposing infrastructure projects, and their inclusion in the national budget, and in the release of funds for their implementation.

“Sa dami ng mga lumitaw na problema sa mga government infrastructure projects kabilang na ang mga substandard at ‘ghost’ flood control projects, kailangan talaga na gumawa ng makabuluhan na solusyon para hindi na nasasayang ang pera ng bayan sa katiwalian,” Escudero said.

The veteran legislator explained that most, if not all of the abuses committed with regard to the funding of infrastructure projects, are the result of the arbitrary moves of legislators, in connivance with officials in the Executive branch, to introduce items that never passed scrutiny at any point of the budget process.

“This is the very issue being raised with regard to insertions in the budget”, said Escudero, who noted that these projects came out of nowhere and were included in the national budget without anyone really knowing if they were feasible, needed or even real.

An examination of the General Appropriations Acts (GAA) before 2025, alongside the examinations conducted by the Commission on Audit, would reveal the presence of ghost projects and other anomalies in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Escudero has proposed a solution, one that is so simple and obvious that it would seem impossible that it has not been done before.

In the proposed Grassroots Infrastructure Planning and Budgeting Act filed by Escudero, all infrastructure projects must have prior endorsement of the Regional Development Council and either the Provincial Development Council or the City/Municipal Development Council and their respective Sanggunian before these are included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the President to Congress.

“Doon pa lang sa NEP dapat wala ng nakakalusot na proyekto na hindi kailangan ng isang probinsya o bayan. Kung ano lang ang prayoridad at pinakamahalaga para sa kanila ang dapat na nasasali sa NEP,” Escudero said.

“Mas lalo pang mahalaga ang pag-endorso ng ating mga local government units sa mga proyekto na hinahabol ng mga mambabatas bilang amendment na kadalasan ay naipapasok sa GAA o ang pinal na bersyon ng budget na pinirmahan na ng Pangulo bilang batas,” he added.

The bill states that the prior endorsement of the RDCs and/or the local governing bodies is a requisite or condition sine qua non (absolutely indispensable) for the inclusion of any infrastructure project in the GAA and for the subsequent release of any allotment for its implementation.

“Pag walang endorsement o approval ng RDC, walang pera na ilalabas ang DBM para sa anumang proyekto,” Escudero said.

The Senator from Bicol urged his colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the approval of this measure as it will address the issues that have been dominating the national conversation and strengthen the reforms that are being introduced with respect to the budget process.

18/10/2025

*CHIZ REMINDS HEIs: NO COLLECTION OF STUDENT LOANS IN CALAMITY AREAS*

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded all higher education institutions (HEIs) about the moratorium on the collection of student loans in all areas where a state of calamity has been declared.

With several parts of the country still dealing with the devastating effects of earthquakes and typhoons over the past month, Escudero said families had to deal with “getting their lives back in order, first and foremost.”

“Pinapaalala natin sa ating mga unibersidad, kolehiyo, at pati na din ang mga tech-voc (technical-vocational) institutions na may batas tayo na nagbabawal sa pagkolekta ng mga utang ng kanilang mga estudyante. Sa panahon na may sakuna, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang muling makabangon ang mga nasalanta,” Escudero said.

Under Republic Act 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, payment of all fees and charges by HEIs and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) is suspended for the duration of the state of emergency or calamity and 30 days after this is lifted.

As one of the authors and sponsors of the law, Escudero said the education of students should never be affected whenever disaster strikes because in many instances, recovering from this is even more challenging than rebuilding lost property.

“Hindi dapat maging dahilan ang kawalan ng pambayad ng matrikula para matigil ang pag-aral ng ating mga estudyante lalo na pag sila rin mismo ay biktima ng bagyo, lindol o anumang sakuna,” he said.

The law states that the availment of the moratorium shall not in any way adversely affect the eligibility of the students concerned for re-enrolment in the succeeding semesters.

Escudero noted that the law encourages the HEIs and TVIs to offer payment relief or assistance programs for the affected students to make it easier for them to pay off their loans.

Any waiver on the benefit of the moratorium on student loan payments or the availment of assistance or subsidies from the government is prohibited.

Escudero was head of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education in the 19th Congress and was a co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

He also sponsored and was one of the authors of Republic Act 11984 or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act that paved the way for disadvantaged students to take their periodic and final examinations even if they are unable to pay their tuition or other fees.

“Students affected by calamities are classified as ‘disadvantaged’ upon the certification by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. So the inability to pay their tuition should not be an obstacle to the completion of their educational requirements. They can find a way to pay for their loans later,” Escudero said.

23/08/2025