Coronavirus Lockdown: Reflections Five Years After COVID, $44M Scam, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

It's ben five years sine the pandemic and the public is still unaware of how the government spent money on vaccines. Because the government has not been forthcoming several lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to compel them to release that information. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/10/lawyers-urge-sc-to-compel-gov-t-to-disclose-information-on-covid-19-expenditures

Several lawyers asked the Supreme Court (SC) to compel several government agencies to make public all information related to the supply agreements forged to address the past Covid-19 pandemic.

In a petition, the SC was told that “… given the number of deaths due to the pandemic and the Philippine government’s allotment of almost P113.5 billion for procurement of vaccines -- of which P104,549,369,856.60 or 92.12 percent of the total allotment came from loans -- made such information truly a matter of utmost public interest.”   

The petition was filed by former solicitor general and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Jose Anselmo I. Cadiz and lawyers Randall C. Tabayoyong, Jeffrey B. Constantino and Nizzane P. Vico.

Named respondents were Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa and former health secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph G. Recto, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman and the Commission on Audit (COA) through its Chairman Gamaliel A.  Cordoba.   

The petitioners told the SC that they filed a case after the respondents denied their requests to be provided with details of the supply agreements on the Covid-19 vaccines entered by the government, specifically, information on the brands, quantities and prices at which the vaccines were procured and paid for by the government   

They said specific data were requested from respondents on the supply agreements entered into by the government for the various Covid-19 vaccines that it procured; brands and quantities of vaccines procured; and prices after sales documentation and liquidation reports of the funding sourced from 2001 and 2022 national budget.   

At the same time, they said they also sought information on what the government did with any excess funds allotted for anti-Covid-19 program after President Marcos issued Proclamation No. 297 that lifted the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines on July 21, 2023.   

“Disappointingly, instead of assisting petitioners in obtaining such very important information, which should have been made accessible to the public immediately after the state of national emergency has been lifted, respondents DBM, DOF and COA erected a blank wall and denied petitioners’ reasonable requests made under respondents respective Freedom of Information Manuals…,” they also said. 

The refusal of the respondents to provide the requested information violates Section 28 of the 1987 Constitution which mandates the government to adopt and implement a policy of full disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.     

At the same time, they pointed out that the respondents violated Section 7, Article II of the Constitution which guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern.   

They told the SC: "We are hopeful that, through this Petition, the Supreme Court will recognize the urgency and importance of our request for the Supply Agreements as well as the grave abuse of discretion that the respondents committed in denying that request. In the end, we are only trying to uphold the people's right to information guaranteed under our Constitution,”

It is expected that the SC will tackle the petition after its Holy Week recess.

The public deserves to know. 

Here's a reflection on the pandemic by an OFW. Or maybe he is a natural born US citizen. It's hard to tell. 

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/537304/divided-we-stood-reflections-five-years-after-covid/

Five years ago, the world came to a standstill. I revisited my journal from March 2020, and back then, the uncertainty was overwhelming—an eerie, collective pause that forced us to confront the unknown. Looking back, it wasn’t just the virus that reshaped our lives, but also the political and social upheavals that had already been in motion.

Before the pandemic, former President Rodrigo Duterte had cemented his grip on the Philippines, waging a bloody war on drugs that disproportionately targeted the poor. His administration thrived on fear, disinformation, and violence, silencing critics—those of us who dared to speak out. I was harassed online relentlessly for my outspoken stance against his regime, a chilling reminder of how authoritarianism thrives in the digital age. My inbox was filled with vitriolic hate from nameless profiles, ranging from name-calling like “bobo” and slut-shaming antics to messages saying I should just commit suicide.

It was so alarming I had to turn off the comments section on all my online platforms to protect my sanity. Now, five years later, justice is finally catching up with Duterte. As he faces trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world is beginning to reckon with the atrocities committed under his rule—though, for the thousands of families torn apart, no justice will ever be enough.

Meanwhile, here in the US, Donald Trump was president, and the pandemic only deepened the political fractures that had already been growing. It wasn’t just a public health crisis—it was also a test of ideology, of truth, of humanity itself. His handling of COVID-19, the divisive rhetoric, and the anti-immigrant policies—including the continued push for a border wall—exposed just how much we were living in separate realities.

The most painful part? Watching family members and close friends justify those policies, despite the fact that I am an immigrant myself. The strain was undeniable. Conversations became battlegrounds, relationships eroded, and the very idea of community felt more fragile than ever.

Adjustment

In the midst of this political turmoil, the pandemic forced new adaptations. I was pursuing my master’s in nonprofit management at Antioch University in Culver City, adjusting to remote learning alongside my children, who were also navigating their own confined realities. House-hunting became an even more precarious endeavor, with the market demanding we waive contingencies in a high-stakes gamble for stability. Meanwhile, my kids were in the throes of individuation, retreating behind closed doors in an attempt to carve out space in a world that had collapsed into the walls of our home.

Despite the isolation, there were unexpected connections. My relationship with legendary actress Cherie Gil deepened during this time, as she embraced leading online classes and I joined her Master Class series, connecting with other artists about the craft of acting.

The shutdown, while severing so many ties, paradoxically strengthened some bonds in ways I had never anticipated. I joined Island Pacific Seafood Market right before the world shutdown, and my biggest challenge and accomplishment was helping to launch an e-commerce platform in under a month with my new associates at a time when online spaces became the primary means of survival for businesses.

And in the midst of uncertainty, we welcomed two pets—perhaps an instinctive attempt to inject warmth into a world that felt increasingly detached. The family and I spent regular meaningful time on walks with our animals around the block, which became the only moments I felt a sense of regularity in a precarious time.

Then there was the virus itself. I’ve had COVID three times since, and each bout was a brutal reminder of its relentless grip. The sensation of swallowing felt like sharp shards in my throat—a literal and figurative reminder of how deeply this pandemic cut into our lives.

Emotional minefield

The chasm between our realities deepened with the arrival of vaccines. For me, getting myself and my family vaccinated was a no-brainer—a logical step in protecting ourselves and our community. Yet, many close to me continued to vehemently contest the validity of vaccination, citing misinformation and conspiracy theories. It wasn’t just a difference of opinion; it felt like a fundamental divergence in how we understood science, trust, and even basic human responsibility.

These conversations were not mere debates, they were emotional minefields, filled with a sense of betrayal and a deep-seated fear that the very foundation of our relationships was crumbling. The constant barrage of anti-vaccine rhetoric, often fueled by the same sources that promoted political division, added an unbearable layer of tension.

It wasn’t just about the vaccine; it was about the erosion of shared reality, the fracturing of trust, and the painful realization that even in the face of a global crisis, deeply entrenched ideologies could divide us irrevocably. The feeling of being on one side of a deep divide, with those you love on the other, was a unique kind of isolation. And don’t even get me started on what the isolation meant for my gallivanting mother, whose daily exercise of walking and going to visit friends was curtailed and led to the severe decline of her health.

Now, five years later, what does it all mean? The pandemic didn’t just disrupt—it fundamentally reoriented us. It exposed the fragility of the systems we rely on, from healthcare to housing to education. It blurred the boundaries between work and life, between isolation and connection, between what we thought was stable and what was, in reality, always in flux.

Yet, perhaps the most significant shift has been internal. The collective trauma of COVID-19 reshaped our priorities, recalibrated our definitions of success, and forced us to reckon with impermanence. We learned to pivot, to adapt, to let go of assumptions about how life “should” unfold.

The pandemic was both a rupture and a revelation—a stark reminder not only of our vulnerabilities but also of our capacity to persist.

As I reflect on these past five years, I’m reminded that while we can’t always predict the disruptions ahead, we can choose how we emerge from them. And maybe that’s the greatest lesson of all.

This man had a very different experience than actual Filipinos in the Philippines. Many of the sentiments are the same though. 

Two businessmen based in Cebu have been linked to a $44 million dollar scam which ramped up during the pandemic when they exploited computer systems during a work-from-home arrangement. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/632392/2-cebu-based-execs-held-linked-to-44m-scam-in-us-can-return-to-ph-if

Two Cebu-based business process outsourcing (BPO) executives, who are among three Filipinos implicated in the alleged $44-million publishing scam that defrauded hundreds of elderly writers in the United States, have a 99.99 percent chance of returning to the Philippines.

This is according to their legal counsel, Oliver Baclay Jr., in a press briefing on Friday, April 11, where he vehemently denied the involvement of his clients to the alleged $44-million publishing scam.

Lawyer Baclay was referring to Mike Sordilla, CEO of Innocentrix and founder of Hiyas Pilipinas; and Bryan Tarosa, vice president of Innocentrix.

Innocentrix is the BPO firm set up by Sordilla in Mandaue City.

Both executives and California-based Gemma Traya Austin are facing charges in the U.S. of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy for operating a book publishing scam that ran for 7 years.

Baclay claims that Sordilla and Tarosa had no criminal liability, and that the U.S. charges stemmed from the unauthorized actions of two rogue sales agents who exploited the company’s systems during a work-from-home arrangement at the height of the pandemic.

“Mike denies any criminal liabilities. All the accusations stated on the DOJ website—and later carried by various news outlets—were the actions of sales agents who acted without authority, exceeded their authority, or accessed the IT infrastructure of Innocentrix without authorization.

 All those actions were contrary to the policies of Innocentrix,” Baclay told reporters during a press conference.

Sordilla and Tarosa are currently detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego after they were arrested in the U.S. in December 2024.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that the three operated a fraudulent scheme under the name PageTurner, Press and Media LLC from September 2017 to December 2024, promising elderly authors that their books would be turned into Hollywood films in exchange for thousands of dollars in fees.

The operation reportedly defrauded over 800 victims of a total of $44 million (roughly P2.5 billion in today’s rates).

But Baclay maintained his stance that the accusations were “unfounded and exaggerated.”

He said the DOJ’s basis came from unauthorized actions of specific employees, not company policy.

He also addressed suspicions over Sordilla’s purchase of more than 10 iPhones in the U.S., which authorities believed could be tied to the alleged fraud.

(Mike intended to buy those gadgets for Thanksgiving, and he intends to make his Innocentrix family here happy.)

(Those gadgets are not meant to commit scams. If the intention is to use those cellphones to scam people, then it should have been bought here—why would they be bought in the US? So, there’s some sort of socio-cultural difference, no? Because what those in the US saw of someone having several phones may not be culturally accepted, or that [not being] common for them.)

They are currently being held in San Diego. 

Another businessman, not Filipino, has been accused of running a scam during the pandemic. 

https://sea.mashable.com/tech/37206/tech-ceo-promised-ai-but-hired-workers-in-the-philippines-instead-fbi-claims

The former CEO of fintech app Nate has been charged with fraud for making misleading claims about the app's artificial intelligence technology — or lack thereof. 

In a bizarre twist from the usual AI narrative, the FBI alleges that this time human beings were doing the work of AI, and not the other way around.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, Albert Saniger has been indicted for a scheme to defraud investors. “As alleged, Albert Saniger misled investors by exploiting the promise and allure of AI technology to build a false narrative about innovation that never existed," Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in the release.

Government attorneys say Nate claimed to use AI technology to complete the e-commerce checkout process for customers. In reality, they allege the company hired a team of human contractors in the Philippines to do the work. In total, Saniger raised more than $40 million from investors.

"In truth, Nate relied heavily on teams of human workers — primarily located overseas — to manually process transactions in secret, mimicking what users believed was being done by automation," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. "Saniger used hundreds of contractors, or 'purchasing assistants,' in a call center located in the Philippines to manually complete purchases occurring over the Nate app."

The much-hyped AI industry promises to reduce labor costs and increase efficiency across industries. In turn, this has incentivized sketchy startup practices as opportunistic entrepreneurs market their apps based on future-facing potential.

The Information first reported that the Nate app might have "exaggerated tech capabilities to investors" back in 2022. At the time, e-commerce was experiencing a "pandemic-fueled shopping boom," the outlet reported, making fintech startups irresistibly appealing to venture capitalists. According to the new indictment, Saniger "concealed" the app's near zero percent automation rate from investors and even his own employees, restricting Nate's automation data as a "trade secret."

The "fake it till you make it" mentality is a well-established doctrine in the startup playbook, but clearly a risky one, at least, according to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Instead of raising money, Saniger is now facing one charge each of securities fraud and wire fraud; both charges carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison.

The pandemic fueled online shopping which caused Albert Saniger to exaggerate the capabilities of his app. Instead of the app fulfilling orders he had Filipinos doing all the work.  

Coronavirus Lockdown: New Debts, Stocks Suffer, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

To justify the transfer of idle and unused Philippine Health Insurance Corp. funds, as well as those from other government-owned and -controlled corporation into the national coffers Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Philippines is still recovering from the pandemic.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247352

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday defended the transfer of idle and unused Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds, as well as those from other government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC) into the national coffers.

Appearing before the Supreme Court, Recto said the decision to secure funds was a “common-sense approach” to allow the government to forgo borrowing funds abroad to fund key projects.

“First, we are still recovering from the pandemic that gave us the hardest economic blow -- a contraction of 9.5 percent in 2020 -- the lowest since post-World War II. To address both health and economic needs during that crisis, the government had to borrow more money -- utang na minana ng kasalukuyang administrasyon (debt inherited by the current administration),” he said.

He noted that by 2022, when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took office, the national debt had soared by PHP7.47 trillion – surpassing the combined debt of all previous administrations and bringing the debt-to-GDP ratio from its lowest level of 39.6 percent in 2019 to a high of 60.9 percent in 2022.

“And now, it is our responsibility to repay these large borrowings. We inherited this debt but we do not intend to simply pass this burden onto the next administration. We intend to try our best to reduce it,” Recto explained.

He said that against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, as well as supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, Congress mandated in the 2024 General Appropriations Act to sweep the unused, idle, and excess funds of GOCCs “to raise more resources to support the President’s priority programs and enhance economic recovery efforts.”

“As the Solicitor General has accurately pointed out early in this oral argument, this move is a temporary and common-sense approach within legal bounds to fund critical government programs for Filipinos,” Recto said.

“We are the government’s chief fundraiser. We are called to steward the nation’s fiscal stability. It is our duty to put every peso to work for the people. Sleeping funds serve no one. Every idle peso is a disservice to every Filipino.”

He pointed out that based on the 2024 GAA, the country had an appropriation of PHP5.76 trillion, of which only PHP4.27 trillion was supportable by revenues.

He said that reckoned on a daily basis last year, expenditures amounted to PHP15.8 billion a day in cash, of which PHP11.71 billion in cash was funded by revenue collections and the rest, PHP4.10 billion in cash, by loans.

Recto added that the move to sweep the unused, excess, idle funds of GOCCs, including PhilHealth, is in line with the principles of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework to ensure the country’s macro-fiscal stability.

“This framework ensures that we reduce our fiscal deficit from a high of 8.6 percent to GDP in 2021 to only 3.7 percent in 2028. Last year, we already hit our target of reducing this to 5.7 percent. This will allow us to sustainably reduce our national government debt from a high of 60.9 percent of GDP in 2022 down to 56.3 percent in 2028.”

And just as in the pandemic that brought the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws, Recto said the measure may be seen as a Bayanihan 3, which is “not funded by new taxes but one funded by the funds already in our possession and mobilizes all our available resources -- all idle, excess, and sleeping public funds -- to help the economy recover faster, create more jobs, increase incomes, and reduce poverty in the process.”

“We wouldn’t be doing our job, Your Honors, if we willfully neglected our duty to exercise fiscal prudence in this matter just because it is unusual. We wouldn’t be doing our job if we clung to convention over common sense,” he said.

The SC is hearing oral arguments challenging the Department of Finance-mandated transfer of PhilHealth’s PHP89.9 billion excess funds to the national treasury.

Of the excess funds, PHP60 billion has been transferred since 2024 while the remaining tranche worth PHP29.9 billion remains on hold after the SC issued a temporary restraining order.

But this transfer has been objected to which is why some funds remain on hold and the issue is before the Supreme Court.

Inflation is at its lowest since the pandemic began. 

https://pia.gov.ph/ph-inflation-hits-historic-low-since-pandemic-govt-vows-continued-vigilance-and-proactive-measures-neda/

The government will continue to implement strategies to safeguard the purchasing power of Filipinos as the country’s inflation rate continued to decline in March 2025, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported today (April 4) that the country’s headline inflation rate eased further to 1.8 percent in March, from 2.1 percent in February. This marks the lowest headline inflation rate since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020 when inflation was recorded at 1.6 percent.

This decline was driven by slower inflation in both food (2.3% from 2.6%) and non-food (1.4% from 1.6%) items.

The easing of food inflation was primarily due to the faster year-on-year decline in rice, which decelerated to -7.7 percent in March 2025 from -4.9 percent in February 2025, as well as in meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (from 8.8 percent to 8.2 percent) and vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses (from 7.1 percent to 6.9 percent).

“The continued decline in inflation indicates the effectiveness of the government’s proactive measures to stabilize prices and protect the purchasing power of Filipino households. While the inflation rate continues to ease and remain within the target range, we commit to monitoring risks and shocks, particularly on anticipated electricity rate hikes and higher prices of fish and meat, and addressing them through timely and targeted interventions,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

Furthermore, the government will be vigilant regarding the potential implications of the recently issued Executive Order by United States President Donald Trump on tariff increases.

“With or without the trade policy changes in the US, maintaining sound macroeconomic fundamentals, improving the ease of doing business, maximizing existing trade agreements, and forging new partnerships are still the most important strategies we can pursue to ensure that we protect the purchasing power of Filipinos and promote rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth,” Balisacan said.

In light of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reporting a weakening of La Niña conditions, the government remains proactive in addressing the impact of climate change on vulnerable sectors. The Insurance Commission and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance insurance services for the agricultural sector against crop losses resulting from natural calamities, pests, and diseases.

To stabilize pork prices in Metro Manila, Food Terminals Inc., a state-owned corporation under the Department of Agriculture (DA), has signed a memorandum of agreement with the local branch of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CP Foods). Concurrently, the Department of Science and Technology is monitoring a project by the Industrial Technology Development Institute under the Virology and Vaccine Research Program that aims to develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol for fast, affordable, and onsite detection of the African Swine Fever virus to enhance biosecurity measures and disease control.

In addition, the DA and the National Housing Authority (NHA) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish Kadiwa Stores in NHA housing projects. The DA will provide logistical and technical support to facilitate the program’s implementation.

“Banking on the positive results of our short- and long-term initiatives to address inflationary pressures, the government will continue focusing on implementing policies to ensure that every Filipino benefits from a stable and resilient economy,” Balisacan emphasized.

The government continues to implement strategies to safeguard the purchasing power of Filipinos.

However they can't stop the global trade war Trump has launched with his tarrifs. The stock market has hit its worst low since the pandemic. 

https://business.inquirer.net/518371/stocks-suffer-worst-fall-since-covid-19-pandemic

The local stock barometer on Monday fell to its worst closing value in 30 months as investors cowered in fear of recession following global trade war escalation, which sent Asian stocks to a bloody start of the week.

The peso also depreciated by 60.9 centavos or 1.1 percent to finish the first trading day of the week at 57.43 versus the US dollar.

The PSEi went as low as 5,804.56 within the day before trimming its losses to settle at 5,822.52, representing a tumble of 4.3 percent, or 261.34 points.

Although better than its regional peers, this is still the steepest single-day drop of the benchmark index since June 2020, a COVID-19 pandemic year.

It is also the market’s lowest closing value since October 2022.

The latest move in the global trade war happened last Friday, when China retaliated with a 34-percent duty on goods coming from America.

This sent the PSEi into chaos early on Monday, opening 3 percent lower.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at stock brokerage house Regina Capital Development Corp., also noted that investors were now “looking as to whether other countries will continue to retaliate in a back-and-forth increase.”

In the Philippines’ case, it has not made a move against the 17-percent tariff imposed by the US.

Still, Cruz said the PSEi’s fall was “largely sentiment-driven,” and there may be room for a rally.

“In our view, as long as the underlying value of businesses and economies remains intact and undamaged by a war, the market will eventually stabilize, and stocks will bounce back,” she added.

And just as the Philippines is attempting to fully recover from the pandemic. 

The World Bank has loaned the Philippines $800 million to shift to renewable energy sources as it grapples with post-pandemic growth. 

https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/04/03/2433026/world-bank-lends-800-million-philippines-energy-transition

The World Bank has approved an $800-million loan to support reforms promoting the shift to clean energy and climate resilience in the Philippines.

In a statement yesterday, the multilateral lender said its board of directors approved the loan to support the Philippine government’s policy reform efforts aimed at scaling up the adoption of clean energy technologies, increasing the security and competition of electricity markets, as well as improving water management.

The First Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Development Policy Loan is expected to increase the share of renewable energy in installed generation capacity to 42 percent by 2027 from 30 percent in 2023.

It will also finance the procurement of 1,000 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

In addition, it will support the use of electric vehicles in the public sector fleet.

The program will likewise help improve water resources management and water supply and sanitation through reforms that will promote better coordination between national and local governments.

While the Philippines has bounced back from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it faces risks and challenges to long-term growth including rising dependence on imported energy, high power costs and natural disasters.

“Focusing on renewable energy sources and using energy more efficiently can help the country reduce electricity costs, improve energy security and cut down on pollution,” World Bank division director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei Zafer Mustafao?lu said.

“Using more affordable renewable energy in the energy and transport sectors is crucial for the Philippines to build a strong economy,” he said.

To accelerate energy transition and make electricity affordable, World Bank senior energy specialist and task team leader Feng Liu said reforms are needed to  ensure the Philippine government achieves its renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, while improving grid capacity and promoting competition in electricity markets.

“These reforms can help lower power supply cost and improve the reliability and resilience of the power system, thereby making electricity more affordable and reliable for Filipino households and businesses,” Liu said.

Interesting that the World Bank says "the Philippines has bounced back from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic" while Finance Secretary Ralph Recto says "we are still recovering from the pandemic." Which statement is correct?

Justice is very slow in the Philippines. A recent case which was dismissed originally began  in 2018. A case was finally filed in 2024.  

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/06/sc-lets-mexico-mayor-off-the-hook-for-graft-malversation

The dismissal of the graft and malversation of public funds charges against dismissed Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy C. Tumang and a private individual was affirmed by the Supreme Court for violation of their right to speedy disposition of their cases.

The SC affirmed the 10 June 2024 ruling of the Sandiganbayan that dismissed the charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) against Tumang and businessman William B. Colis.

It was challenged by the OMB before the SC through its Office of the Special Prosecutor.

The SC decision, written by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan dated 17 February 2025 and made public on 4 April, dismissed the petition filed by the OMB.

In 2022, Tumang was reelected mayor while the cases against him were pending, but he was ordered dismissed by the OMB, whose ruling was affirmed by the Court of Appeals (CA).

He challenged the CA’s decision before the SC and pleaded for his reinstatement. His plea, contained in his appeal, is still pending resolution by the SC.

Records showed that Tumang and Colis were charged for the purchases of base coarse and other construction materials for Mexico town from 2006 to 2007. Tumang, as mayor, “illegally and invalidly” approved the disbursement vouchers in favor of Colis, the proprietor of Buyu Trading and Construction.

On 7 February 2018, Tumang and Colis were asked by the OMB to file their counter-affidavits, which they did on 28 February 2018.

The OMB’s graft investigator, on 20 November 2018, found probable cause to charge them before the Sandiganbayan. The resolution to file the case in court was approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires on 28 March 2019.

Motions for reconsideration were filed by the two on 2 May 2019 and 6 May 2019, respectively.

Tumang and Colis’ motions were denied by the OMB on 23 April 2024, and the corresponding criminal charge sheets were filed before the Sandiganbayan on 25 April 2024.

Before their arraignment on 30 May 2024, Tumang and Colis filed their motions to quash information and/or dismiss the cases. Their motions were granted by the Sandiganbayan.

The Sandiganbayan, in dismissing the charges, agreed with Tumang and Colis that their right to the speedy disposition of cases was violated by the OMB, which conducted the investigation for more than six years from the filing of the complaints before the cases were filed before the anti-graft court.

It did not give credence to the justification of the OMB that the delay was caused by the then Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sandiganbayan said the pandemic was lifted on 23 July 2023, and yet the OMB resolved Tumang and Colis’ motions for reconsideration only on 23 April 2024, or nine months after the lifting.

Thus, the Sandiganbayan ruled that the delay in the preliminary investigation “impaired and prejudiced” Tumang and Colis’ ability to defend themselves.

The SC, in its decision, stated, “Undoubtedly, the long period of time while they were waiting for the resolution of the preliminary investigation proceedings constitute actual prejudice suffered by Tumang and Colis.”

Also, the SC said: “At this juncture, it must be underscored that the dismissal of the criminal charges against Tumang and Colis is tantamount to an acquittal, and therefore, they can no longer be re-litigated because double jeopardy has already attached.

“Significantly, the proscription against placing an accused in double jeopardy is enshrined in Article III, Section 21, of the 1987 Constitution.

“Accordingly, the petition for certiorari dated 8 Aug. 2024 is dismissed, and the Sandiganbayan First Division’s Resolution dated 10 June 2024 is affirmed.

The Ombudsman claimed the pandemic delayed them from filing the case but the Sandiganbayan did not believe their excuse. Who knows but these men are guilty and got off only because the slow wheels of justice in the Philippines. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Working With Australia, A Facebook Joke, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

Australia is a major source of tourists for the Philippines and the DOT is working with Australia to sustain travelers interest to get the numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. 

https://pageone.ph/dot-working-with-australia-to-sustain-traveler-interest-amid-advisory/

The Philippine government continues to work with Australia to sustain its citizens’ interest in traveling to the archipelago amid its latest travel advisory.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Australia remains one of the Philippines’ highest growth and recovery sectors post-pandemic.

“They are averaging around 22 percent in terms of growth for arrivals month-on-month compared to 2024,” she said.

“We continue to work with both the Australian government and stakeholders to ensure this interest of Australians in the Philippines is sustained,” she added.

The Philippine government, she said, is doubling efforts to ensure the quality of tourism safety as well as travel convenience and accessibility.

Frasco, meanwhile, encouraged the Australian government to continue partnering with the Philippines to help them “rationalize their travel advisory”.

In its March 19 travel advisory update, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advised its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall due to the threat of terrorism and violent crime”.

It reiterated its warning against traveling to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu archipelago and the southern Sulu Sea area.

Frasco said the DOT is working closely with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, and the Philippine National Police as well as related government agencies “to safeguard and continue to elevate the quality of our tourism destinations”.

Australia ranks as the fifth-highest source market for the Philippines in 2024, contributing 299,286 arrivals.

In the first two months of the year, a total of 56,629 Australian travelers visited the country, posting a 19.36 percent growth from the 47,694 recorded in 2024.

On top of ensuring travel safety, Frasco said the DOT is also in talks with international and local carriers to expand connectivity and number of direct flights to the Philippines.

Looks the problem is Mindanao. That's a no brainer. Stay in Luzon and the Visayas and everything will be ok. 

Bacolod City is seeing a lot of tourists post-pandemic.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247169

This highly-urbanized city logged a 6.72 percent increase in overnight tourist arrivals in 2024, further strengthening its status as a top destination in the country.

Data from the City Tourism Office on Monday showed Bacolod accommodated 833,345 overnight travelers last year compared to only 780,916 in 2023.

In a statement, Tourism Operations Office chief Ma. Teresa Manalili said overnight tourist arrivals in the city have steadily climbed in the past three years, recovering from the pandemic lows in 2020 and 2021.

“The city government remains committed to strengthening Bacolod’s position as a top destination in the Philippines under the banner ‘Smile, You’re in Bacolod!’ and in support of the Department of Tourism’s ‘Love the Philippines” campaign,” she said.

Last year’s total overnight tourists included 774,084 domestic and 59,261 foreign visitors.

The city’s top ten foreign markets were the United States, China, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong SAR.

Some 125,491 same-day tourists also visited Bacolod in 2024, data showed.

Meanwhile, the annual overview showed that from 803,911 overnight tourist arrivals in 2019, figures slumped by 82.22 percent to only 143,114 in 2020, and slightly increased by 3.12 percent to 147,582 tourists in 2021.

By 2022, Bacolod rebounded with 618,682 overnight travelers, showing an increase of 319.17 percent, followed by a growth of 26.22 percent to 780,916 tourists the following year.

In October last year, the MassKara Festival drew 98,563 visitors, higher by 24.03 percent compared to the 2023 figures.

“This marks the festival’s continued resurgence as a major cultural and tourism draw for both local and international guests,” Manalili said.

Aside from the MassKara Festival, Bacolod also attracts tourists to its other major festivals.

These include the Bacolaodiat Festival, one of biggest Chinese New Year celebrations in the country; Chicken Inasal Festival, a celebration of the city’s chicken inasal industry every May; and Bacolod Rum Festival, which highlights the role of the sugar industry in rum production every August.

As long as the Australians continue to visit Bacolod and stay far away from Mindanao they should be fine. 

Private banks remain profitable post-pandemic. 

https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2025/03/27/662024/strong-growth-to-support-philippine-banking-sector-fitch-ratings/

THE PHILIPPINE banking system’s credit profile will likely remain stable on the back of the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, Fitch Ratings said. 

“Fitch Ratings believes the Philippines’ resilient medium-term economic potential and favorable banking business prospects reinforce banks’ standalone credit profiles,” it said in a peer credit analysis on Wednesday. 

Earlier this month, the credit rater hiked the country’s banking sector operating environment score to “bbb-” from “bb+.” 

All rated Philippine banks’ viability ratings (VR) were also revised one notch higher this month. 

“This considers the country’s strong growth prospects, with Fitch forecasting GDP (gross domestic product) growth of 6% over the next two years, which should underpin banking business volume and keep impairment risks at bay,” it said. 

The government is targeting GDP to grow by 6-8% this year until 2028. 

“Rising geopolitical tensions and greater trade protectionism pose downside risk to the Philippines’ growth momentum, but we believe it is relatively insulated and more resilient than many of its export-oriented regional peers, given its lower reliance on merchandise exports.” 

The recent VR upgrade also “reflects steady improvement in the private banks’ profitability and asset quality since the trough of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” Fitch said. 

“Rising capital buffers at the state-owned banks support their credit profiles, and we expect this to continue over the next 12-18 months, helped by enhanced internal capital generation.” 

The net earnings of the Philippine banking industry rose by 9.76% year on year to P391.28 billion in 2024. 

Fitch raised the VR of BDO Unibank, Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company by one notch to “bbb-” from “bb+.” 

“The three privately owned banks have better standalone credit profiles than their state-owned counterparts, largely due to more established franchises and better underwriting standards,” Fitch Ratings said. 

“These factors will continue to help the banks maintain their industry-leading profitability and loan quality even as they continue to broaden their retail customer base,” it added. 

And they are doing better than state run banks. 

A Filipino in Chicago started a bakery business during the pandemic. Now he is thriving. 

https://chicago.eater.com/2025/3/27/24394961/del-sur-bakery-lincoln-square-filipino-opening-photos-images

While most don’t spend high school meticulously planning the future, that’s exactly what Justin Lerias did and he has the handwritten journal entries to show for it. Almost a year to the day after signing the lease and eight years since putting pen to paper, Lerias has finally opened Del Sur.

The 1,200-square-foot space in Lincoln Square is located next to the CTA’s Brown Line Damen stop. Lerias’s creative Filipino American baked goods — calamansi chamomile buns, turon danishes (in the tradition of sweet lumpias), ube oatmeal sandwich cookies, and longanisa-filled croissants — were born from an experimental pandemic home project that evolved to pop-ups and later at a more permanent home at Side Practice Coffee, the Filipino-inspired coffeeshop across from Amundsen High School in Ravenswood. Side Practice is owned by entrepreneur Francis Almeda, who’s also invested in Kanin and Novel Pizza Cafe. He’s also an investor in Del Sur, Lerias prefers to call him an advisor versus a co-owner. Almeda has played a big role in helping Lerias’s solo pastry career, including providing a home for his pastry pop-ups. Almeda, who constantly bounces around town working on projects, acts as an “investor advisor” at Del Sure, says Lerias. “Francis is too important in our little universe to force him to be in one space like he would if he was a partner here.”

Born on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines, Lerias grew up on Chicago’s North Side. His culinary experience includes pastry chef positions at Lost Larson and Big Jones. At Del Sur, he dives deep into showcasing both his birthplace and Midwest upbringing.

“Del Sur has been the culmination of my life,” says Lerias, who recently turned 24. “I’m a quiet and introspective person, and I feel like my pastries are a very good indicator of who I am as a person and how I approach my career and my work.”

When it comes to Del Sur’s baked goods beyond those signature items, Lerias gave his small team of bakers one caveat: no basic pastries. “If we’re going to be a specialty bakery, let’s really ride that,” he says.

He would likely never experience this level of success in Mindanao. 

The number of Filipinos self-reporting as hungry has hit the highest since the pandemic. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/3/31/more-than-1-in-4-filipino-families-went-hungry-in-last-3-months-sws-1152

About 27.2 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in the last three months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released over the weekend.

The number of families who did not have anything to eat at least once "was 6.0 points above the 21.2 percent in February 2025, and the highest since the record high 30.7 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020," the pollster noted.

The March figure was 7 points above last year's hunger average of 20.2 percent, SWS added.

It said families in Visayas were the hardest hit by hunger at 33.7 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 28.3 percent, Mindanao at 27.3 percent, and the rest of Luzon at 24 percent.

Some 21 percent of families faced moderate hunger, which meant they experienced hunger “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months. Meanwhile, 6.2 percent experienced severe hunger, which meant they felt it “often” or “always”.

Malacanang said it would look into the survey results.

“Let’s study where these statements that our fellow countrymen are still hungry come from and to know where it is and if there are any shortcomings, we can alleviate these kinds of situations,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

She noted that the government was implementing several projects geared towards addressing hunger among vulnerable Filipinos.

“In the new report of the DSWD, there are already many programs that really help alleviate hunger. I will first mention the DSWD program that serves 300,000 food-poor households with the equivalent of 1.5 million individuals – across the country. They are given P3,000 monthly as food aid,” Castro said.

“The second program of the DSWD is Walang Gutom Kitchen. It is located in Pasay City where it serves hot free meals to families, especially children on the streets.”

“Apart from that, the DSWD has a program called the ‘Walang Gutom Project Kusinero Cook-off Challenge’ to improve public nutrition and there is also the Walang Gutom Project that provides eligible families with electronic benefit transfer – this is P3,000 monthly food credits,” she added.

The March 15-20 survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,800 registered voters. It had sampling error margins of ±2.31 percent for national percentages.

How were these hungry people surveyed? 

During the pandemic a student decided to apply for a Thai royal scholarship as a joke. It changed his life. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/270949/how-a-facebook-joke-earned-a-bukidnon-student-a-thai-royal-scholarship

Angelo Fernandez Virgo’s story may sound cliché — he is the youngest of seven children in a farming family with limited means, and from an early age, he knew that education would be his path to a better life.

“None among my siblings has ever finished college, that is why finishing college and becoming a professional is very crucial for me. I want to prove that poverty is not a hindrance to achieve success,” Angelo said in his introductory speech when applying for the Royal Scholarship for Asean Students at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in 2020.

In April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelo Fernandez Virgo, a 17 year old from Valencia, Bukidnon, was browsing Facebook. He had just graduated from senior high school at Central Mindanao University – Senior High School and was looking forward to a university life under a DOST (Department of Science and Technology) scholarship.

One day, a friend tagged him in a Facebook post—intended as a joke—about the Royal Scholarship for Asean Students. Endorsed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the program offered full scholarships for engineering and technology courses at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The link was posted by a professor from Mindanao State University (MSU), which at the time had a memorandum of understanding with SUT.

“I read the terms and conditions for the Royal scholarship grant, it is like the DOST Scholarship but without the return service condition and no refund policy in case the scholarship gets terminated during study (e.g., failing to meet the minimum average grade). It’s also a chance to explore Thailand and study for free,” Angelo recalled.

Angelo passed all the interviews and exams to clinch the scholarship. He was one of the seven Filipino students and 19 others from Asean countries who studied Innovative Agripreneur, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering. Angelo was accepted for the Civil Engineering course. But the real challenge was the travel restrictions due to the pandemic and the financial difficulties.

“I had to secure a quarantine pass just to travel and process the school requirements including my passport,” Angelo said.

Due to travel restrictions, Virgo and his fellow scholars attended online classes for a few months before flying to Thailand on January 20, 2021.

“I had to stay at the house of another SUT Royal Scholar in CDO because we didn’t have internet and computer at home,” he said.

Plane tickets were costly, and upon arrival in Thailand, he had to book a quarantine hotel, which cost more than 28,000 THB. Medical insurance was also mandatory. Yet, Angelo and his family did all they could to have this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

In Thailand, Angelo and the foreign students struggled during their first few months.

“The language barrier was tough. Many locals struggled with English, and most signs were in Thai. Inside the university, it was easier because we were in an international program, but outside, I had to rely on gestures and body language. Over time, I learned basic Thai words to make interactions smoother,” Angelo explained.

He also learned to eat spicy Thai foods.

Homesickness was another major challenge. “I often cried during video calls with my family. But having fellow Filipino scholars at the university helped me adjust. We shared dormitory rooms and supported each other.”

Angelo also connected with the small Filipino community in Nakhon Ratchasima, eventually making friends and easing homesickness. He was only able to return home in October 2024 after completing his studies.

Was it his dream to become an engineer?

Knowing his family’s financial struggles, Angelo said that he resolved to study harder. He excelled in mathematics during his elementary and high school years.

“In elementary school, we had writing exercises about our ambitions. At first, my parents influenced my dream of becoming an engineer, specifically to plan and build houses. I believed that Civil Engineering would be our way out of poverty,” he said.

“My family remains my biggest inspiration—I want to give them the best life possible.”

Angelo and the first batch of Filipino Asean scholars graduated on March 23, 2025. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn conferred their degrees in the largest and most elaborate graduation ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima.

However, earning his bachelor’s degree was not enough. Angelo believed that specializing in specific areas of Civil Engineering would open doors to various opportunities in the field.

In February 2025, Angelo was awarded another scholarship — becoming the first Filipino recipient of the One Research One Grant (OROG) Scholarship for Master of Engineering (M.Eng). He was endorsed by his adviser, Asst. Professor Dr. Theerawat Sinsiri. The scholarship covers full tuition and school activity fees, as well as research and conference expenses, though students must cover their own monthly and living allowances.

To the young people who are dreaming big, Angelo has wise words to impart:

“The possibilities out there are limitless. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself; you must be willing to get out of your comfort zone and grow. You have the ability and freedom to write your own story so be sure to make the most out of that. Dream as big as you can; it’s free. Be grateful to those who support you, and most of all, don’t forget to appreciate and give credit to yourself as well.”

Why did his friend intend it as a joke? What is so funny about studying abroad in Thailand? 

Golf rose in popularity during the pandemic causing one family to cash-in. 

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/536850/malbon-golf-manila/

Ask any young athlete what motivates them in their chosen sport and chances are, stylish outfits will make the list. The founders of Malbon know this all too well.

With their bold and visionary approach, Stephen and Erica Malbon bring a fresh, fashion-forward perspective to golf merchandise in a market of cookie-cutter homogeneity—propelling the Malbon brand to global success, with distribution in around 50 locations in South Korea and even making its way to Justin Bieber’s closet. 

The Malbons’ entry into the golf apparel space is akin to a fresh, cool breeze on a hot summer day on the fairway. 

Golf has seen a steady rise in popularity in the Philippines, especially through the pandemic when it was considered one of the few permitted activities. The sport continues to gain momentum with Filipino players making big swings overseas, from rising stars like Rianne Malixi to champions such as Bianca Pagdanganan, Yuka Saso, Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que, Rico Hoey, golfers of all generations with Filipino heritage are making their mark on the global stage.

Just recently, it was announced that the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao, Laguna will host the Asian Tour International Series in October this year—marking one of the most thrilling times for golf in the country. 

It’s the perfect time for Malbon to step in and be part of the action,  supporting the sport they love in a country close to their hearts. Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, Malbon is the work of husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Erica Malbon, the latter of whom has Filipino roots.

Now, Malbon has arrived in the Philippines with its largest store yet, launched last week under TKG Lifestyle. The space joins a curated selection of brands outside Shangri-La The Fort, on the same row of TKG Lifestyle’s brands %Arabica and Gentle Monster. 

The store itself is an experience that merits a photo as soon as you step in, with sophisticated interiors, sleek water installation, and striking silver sculpture, all designed by architectural firm Eve Architecture. Customers can use iPad self-checkouts or enter the exclusive Buckets Club on the second floor where VIP guests can unwind after a round of golf (or shopping). Erica personally oversaw the design process, as she herself picked the wood and stone materials.

The Malbons have a deep love for golf which they consider “the greatest game on Earth.” As a golfer myself, I can’t help but appreciate the passion, the fresh concepts, and the excitement they bring to the sport. 

Here, we sat down with Erica to get to know more about the brand as they open their first store in the Philippines. 

What drove you to establish Malbon?

Stephen, my husband and co-founder, and I started Malbon with the intent of inspiring young people to participate in the greatest game on Earth—which we consider to be golf. We both had a passion for the sport, and we wanted to bring a contemporary flair to the brand.

Golf suddenly rose in popularity during the pandemic years. How did this affect your business?

The pandemic was actually a time for golf to really shine. I think that throughout the last couple of years, it’s all come to a head in terms of people playing. So I think there was the movement of brands like ourselves starting to make apparel and to make a culture around golf that was more fun and accessible simultaneously. 

When the pandemic hit, it gave people more free time to explore hobbies and try something new. I think it really helped propel our Malbon movement and our business forward a little faster. The pandemic, of course, was unfortunate, but it helped us look for the positive in every situation, for everyone at that time.

What better reason to capitalize on a new fad?