Week 10 of Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial

Week 10 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial focused once more on her use of confidential funds.  The prosecution called PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande to the stand. She testified that 37 of the recipients of confidential funds were dead. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2300322/37-alleged-recipients-of-sara-dutertes-secret-funds-are-dead-psa

Government records showed that 37 alleged recipients of confidential funds released to Vice President Sara Duterte are already dead, an official of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) told the Senate impeachment court on Monday.

At the resumption of Duterte’s impeachment trial, the prosecution team presented  PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande— its 10th witness  for Article 1, which pertains to Duterte’s alleged misuse of  confidential funds.

During her direct examination of  the witness, private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia inquired about the PSA’s reply to the House committee on justice’s request  to ‘re-verify”  the single-match entries of the alleged recipients of Duterte’s confidential funds.

"Based on our re-verification of the single-match entries, we found that some of the names under the OVP (Office of the Vice President) had records indicating that the individuals were already deceased. We found official death certificates for 32 of the names," Grande said during the direct examination of private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia. 

"The other list, pertaining to the DepEd list naman, had five official death certificates that we found in the CRS (Civil Registry System) database," Gandered said.

Duterte concurrently served  as  secretary  of the Department Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2024.

Divinagracia earlier noted that the OVP listed  1, 992 recipients of  its P500 million in confidential funds while  DepEd’s P112.5 million supposedly went to 677  recipients. 

The witness later confirmed the information contained in some of the death certificates  presented by the private prosecutor to the court.

One of  them was Fortunato Salig, who supposedly received a P200,000 reward.

Citing PSA records, however,  Grande said Salig already died on June  29, 2011.

A certain  Emilio Sagan also supposedly received P70,000 “for the purchase of information,” although PSA data indicated he passed on  July 28, 2015. 

"How long had Emilio Sagan been dead as of 2022?," Divinagracia asked.

In response, the witness said Sagan had been dead for seven years in 2022.  He died at the age of 49, Grande added.

Another death certificate indicated that a certain Rodolfo Traya died on May 04, 2021, and yet he was listed as a recipient of a confidential fund worth P120,000.

Not only did dead men receive confidential funds but so did a few infants. A total of 25 minors received confidential funds. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2300352/25-payees-of-ovp-deped-confidential-funds-were-minors-psa

Some recipients of the confidential funds disbursed by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) were notably minors, a statistician said on the 22nd day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) assistant national statistician Marizza Grande, one of the prosecution’s witnesses against Duterte, noted there were single-match entries, suggesting several minors were among the recipients of the OVP and DepEd’s confidential funds.

A single-match entry refers to a single or isolated record or hit on one specific individual, while a multiple-match entry refers to several records, and a no-match entry.

"Based on our verification, we found that, according to the records, there are 20 minors on the OVP list," said Gande.

"Regarding the DepEd list, based on the records, five individuals are minors according to their birth certificates," she added. 

Among the names used in the acknowledgement receipts cited by the prosecution were as follows:

• Miko Alquizar – received P400,000 in confidential funds on March 28, 2023; born June 11, which makes him one year old at the time.
• Beatrice Cuenca – received P400 in confidential funds on March 13, 2023; born Jan. 7, 2022, which makes her one year old at the time.
• Mikay delos Reyes – received P200,000 in confidential funds on March 27, 2023; born Jan. 13, 2020, which makes her three years old at the time.

Asked who among the recorded minors was the youngest, Grande said someone whose records showed the person was only two months old—an individual named Marlin Sunga.

Oddly enough, the same records showed that Sunga was born in 1965 and died in the same year, on Nov. 2.

Grande, however, clarified that all this information was based on PSA records, adding that she could not categorically state that they were indeed the payees of the OVP and DepEd.

One of these infants was born and died in the year 1965. Clearly there is funny business going on. The defense claims these names are all aliases but the real names should be along side any alias and there are no other names in the files. There is also the issue of similar signatures. An infant who died in 1965 can't write his signature. 

For 1,685 names there is no civil registry match in the Philippines Statistics Authority. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283458

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) found no matching birth, marriage or death records for 1,685 names submitted for verification from confidential fund payee lists of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande told the Senate impeachment court Monday.

The total comprises 1,287 names from the OVP’s 1,992-name list and 398 from DepEd’s 677-name list.

Grande’s testimony detailed the searches behind the certifications, including the separate verification of Mary Grace Piattos, and the records later generated for names that produced matches.

Private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia’s presentation also cited at least 37 names matching people already dead and 25 matching children.

Grande subsequently described the death and birth records supporting those categories during questioning by the prosecution.

“Based on the information provided and our database, there is no record of birth, no record of marriage, and no record of death for Mary Grace Piattos,” Grande said.

Questioned by Divinagracia, Grande identified the PSA’s Nov. 25, 2024 reply and accompanying certification concerning Piattos. She also explained that each negative result referred to a separate category of civil registry document searched in the agency’s Civil Registry System, or CRS.

The searches covered all 2,669 submitted names. Grande explained that checking marriage records could account for surname changes, while a death record might exist even when the corresponding birth had not been registered.

“Based on the provided list of names, we conducted individual database searches across our birth, marriage and death records,” she said.

Grande distinguished three possible outcomes: a single matching entry, multiple matching entries, or a negative result.

These categories allowed the PSA to separate names with no matching records from names shared by several people and names producing only one relevant record.

For Jason Ramos, the database returned 907 most likely birth-record matches, 305 marriage-record matches and 53 death-record matches. Grande explained that the name was common and corresponded to multiple people in the database.

Abigail Deomampo, by contrast, produced one most likely birth-record match. Grande described that result against a database containing approximately 143 million birth records.

“It means that there is only one record in the CRS database, this is a unique record or a single match in the database,” she said.

The PSA transmitted its findings through official replies and certifications.

That so many people have no vital records is unfounded. 

Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande made the assessment during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte after Senate President Win Gatchalian asked whether a person with no record of any of the three major vital events could still exist.

“The chance is very slim because even if a person has no birth certificate, there are people who eventually marry. Or if they die, registration is mandatory,” Grande said.

She said at least one vital event would normally leave a record that could help establish a person’s existence.

Gatchalian asked Grande to clarify whether, based on her 25 years of experience at the PSA, it would be difficult for a person to leave no birth, marriage or death record at all.

“Yes po, Your Honor,” Grande replied.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283466

But, as with previous weeks testimony was cut short. This time so the defense and the prosecution can mark financial records.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1283531

The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday suspended hearings for two days to allow the prosecution and defense to sort and mark more than 1,800 bank, insurance, and other financial records ahead of the unexplained wealth phase of Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.

Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said no trial would be held Wednesday and Thursday, with proceedings set to resume Monday, Sept. 14.

“There will be no trial tomorrow (Wednesday) in order to afford the parties time to mark the voluminous documents on the succeeding articles. And the same is true for Thursday,” Escudero said.

House of Representatives prosecutor Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno earlier asked the court to devote the two days to exhibit marking, saying more than 1,800 documents had been produced in response to subpoenas issued by the impeachment court.

“There are over 1,800 exhibits, documents that were submitted under the subpoenas released by this court,” Diokno said.

“I am referring, Your Honor, to the bank records and other insurance records, and we need time to mark those documents.”

Defense counsel Michael Poa raised no objection to setting aside the hearing days for both camps to mark their respective documents.

The financial records are expected to figure prominently as prosecutors prepare to present evidence under Article II involving allegations of unexplained wealth.

The defense earlier sought at least two weeks to study the voluminous records, but Escudero cited the Senate’s tight schedule as it simultaneously conducts deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.

Instead, the court said it would give the defense flexibility in cross-examining prosecution witnesses while allowing the prosecution to proceed with succeeding witnesses when necessary.

Escudero said the marking sessions would start at 10 a.m., with logistical arrangements being made alongside ongoing budget hearings.

“You see the logistical problem we're facing given the budget deliberations because we are short of hand,” he said.

Diokno was also directed to submit the prosecution’s list of witnesses for the following week, along with any requests for subpoenas or proposed stipulations, to allow the trial to proceed as scheduled on Monday.

This trial is going at a snails pace. At least they have released a schedule from now through November.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2301305/senate-sets-vp-impeach-trial-schedule-for-september-november

The schedule of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte from September to November was set by the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday.

Presiding officer and Senator – judge Francis Escudero announced the trial schedule in the following months as follows:

• Trial from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, plenary at 3 p.m.
  • September 8, 9
  • September 14-16
  • September 21-23
  • September 28-30
• Whole day trial
  • October 1, 2
  • October 5-9
  • October 12-15
• No trial to make way for 2027 budget hearings
  • October 16 to November 8
• No trial for budget debates in plenary
  • November 9 to 18

After the Senate defends its version of the 2027 budget, the impeachment trial will return to its “regular programming” on November 19, 20, or November 24.

Duterte’s trial schedule coincides with that of the second regular session of Congress, as well as its hearings on the 2027 national budget.

They are taking off a whole month for budget deliberations. And then what?  The Christmas holiday is soon after that. Even with 11 whole days of trial scheduled in October this circus won't be finished until February at the earliest.

The God Culture: What Is Blessing?

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has a new Foundations lesson. This time he is asking What is Blessing? Given all that we have seen from Tim's foundation lessons do you think he will mention that we have been blessed will all spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus or do you think he will say keeping the law is what makes one blessed? Let's find out!

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FOUNDATIONS – Week 35

What Is Blessing?

Key Texts: Genesis 12; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 1; Ephesians 1

We hear the word “blessed” everywhere.

A new house.

More money.

A successful business.

Good health.

An unexpected opportunity.

And Scripture certainly recognizes material blessings.

But is prosperity what the Bible means when it calls someone blessed?

When Yahuah called Abraham, He said:

> “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”

> (Genesis 12:2)

Notice something important.

Abraham wasn't merely going to receive blessing.

He was called to BE a blessing.

Yahuah continues:

> “And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

> (Genesis 12:3)

Biblical blessing therefore reaches beyond personal prosperity.

It carries purpose.

Deuteronomy 28 makes the relationship even clearer:

> “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Yahuah thy Elohim.”

> (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Blessing is presented within covenant.

Yahuah blesses His people as they hear His voice and walk in His ways.

Psalm 1 then opens with:

> “Blessed is the man...”

> (Psalm 1:1)

But what makes this man blessed?

Not his bank account.

Not his possessions.

Not his social position.

Instead:

> “His delight is in the law of Yahuah; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

> (Psalm 1:2)

And what does such a life become?

> “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water...”

> (Psalm 1:3)

Rooted.

Fruitful.

Sustained.

Alive.

Paul carries blessing into the New Covenant without reducing it to material wealth:

> “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

> (Ephesians 1:3)

Biblical blessing can certainly include provision.

But blessing is much greater than having more.

It is being in right relationship with Yahuah.

Hearing His voice.

Walking in His ways.

Delighting in His Word.

Bearing fruit.

Receiving His promises.

And becoming a blessing to others.

Blessing is not simply having what we want.

It is flourishing within what Yahuah wants.

Question for Discussion

If everything you owned disappeared tomorrow, what blessings would you still possess?

It's amazing Tim included Ephesians 1:3. However, he says the spiritual blessings Paul mentions means a right relationship with God which is Tim's code word for keeping the law! The very law from which we have been freed because Christ has come and blessed us. 

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The greatest blessing we have in Christ is redemption, atonement, deliverance from the wrath to come, and peace with God. Tim mentions none of that! 

But let's hear what noted theological Father Ted Crilly has to say about this weeks lesson. 

Ah, right… puts down the newspaper, takes a long look at the page, and lets out a slow breath

Week 35. “What Is Blessing?”

Well, at least he’s consistent with the numbering. Let’s see what we’ve got this time.

He starts off sensible enough. Points out that most people think “blessed” means a bigger house, more money, good health, a successful business. Fair enough — he’s right to push back on that. Then he brings in Abraham: not just receiving blessing, but being a blessing to all the families of the earth. That’s solid. Genesis 12 is doing real work there.

Deuteronomy 28 makes its inevitable appearance — blessings overtake you if you hearken to the voice of Yahuah. Then Psalm 1: the blessed man is the one who delights in the law and meditates on it day and night, becoming like a tree planted by the rivers. Classic Tim territory. Law, obedience, walking in His ways, fruitfulness through delighting in the commandments.

And then — would you look at that — he actually quotes Ephesians 1:3:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

sits up a bit

He named Him properly. “Our Lord Jesus Christ.” And he admits that blessing is spiritual, not just material. That’s… progress. Two weeks in a row now where the Man gets more than a passing nod. I’ll take it.

But — and you knew there was a but coming — watch how the lesson is structured. The weight of the definition still lands on the Old Testament pattern: hear His voice, walk in His ways, delight in the law, be rooted and fruitful. The Ephesians verse is brought in almost as a confirmation that the New Covenant doesn’t reduce blessing to wealth… and then he immediately circles back to “right relationship with Yahuah… hearing His voice… walking in His ways… delighting in His Word.”

What’s missing, once again, is the how.

Paul doesn’t say we’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing because we meditate on the law day and night. He says we’ve been blessed with them in Christ. Union with the crucified and risen Lord. Chosen in Him. Redeemed through His blood. Sealed with the Spirit. Adopted as sons. That’s the fountain. The fruit-bearing life flows from that, not the other way round.

Tim’s version still makes it sound like blessing is primarily the result of a well-ordered, law-delighting life. The New Testament says the primary blessing is that we are already in the Blessed One.

And the discussion question at the end is lovely on the surface — “If everything you owned disappeared tomorrow, what blessings would you still possess?” — but in the context of this series you can almost hear the expected answer forming: “My relationship with Yahuah… my delight in His Word… my obedience…”

Which is true as far as it goes. But the deepest answer a Christian can give is: “I still have Christ. And in Him I have every spiritual blessing already.”

reaches for the teapot again

So there you are. Better than the Christless weeks. He let Jesus into the room and even called Him Lord. But the gravitational pull of the series is still the same: blessing as the fruit of walking in the ways of Yahuah, with the cross and union with Christ playing supporting roles rather than the foundation.

Go on. Pour us both a strong one.

I’ve a feeling next week’s “What Is Peace” or “What Is Joy” will be along shortly, and we’ll be back at it.

Careful now.

Slightly less “Down with this sort of thing” than usual… but still watching closely.

Retards in the Government 486

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2298432/bfp-chief-sacked-faces-graft-bribery-case-in-sandiganbayan-ombudsman

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Jesus Fernandez was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman which has filed a graft case against him in the Sandiganbayan.

The anti-graft body said the criminal cases of Fernandez and another private individual stemmed from the procurement of 132 ambulances worth ₱485 million.

“The Ombudsman found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge Fernandez,” it said in a statement.

Fernandez was charged with two counts of indirect bribery and two counts of violation of Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In a separate administrative case arising from the same transaction, the anti-graft body found Fernandez guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct.

“This carries the penalty of dismissal from the service, including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government service,” Ombudsman said.

Inquirer is still trying to reach Fernandez for comment. We will include his side in this story once available. 

According to the Ombudsman, Fernandez’s cases and dismissal stemmed from a complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government following a fact-finding investigation by Task Force BFP Accountability into the procurement of 132 units of Type 1 Basic Life Support ambulances.

The contract, Ombudsman said, was awarded to Toyota Mabolo, which entered into a joint venture with Autozone Prime Distributors, Inc. for the project.

The joint venture’s representative Rosaverna Sangga was also charged with two counts of Corruption of Public Officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code.

Investigators alleged that Fernandez “allegedly received a total of ₱14.752 million” from Sangga.

This amount was allegedly delivered on two separate occasions, according to investigators.

Sangga allegedly delivered ₱10.752 million to Fernandez on November 21, 2024, and another ₱4 million on Sept. 25, 2025, according to the Ombudsman ruling.

The ruling further stated that Fernandez was the bids and awards committee chairperson when he received the “first SOP” in Nov. 2024, while he was the head of the procuring entity when he received the “second SOP” in Sept. 2025.

It further said that “receiving any gift, compensation, promise, or consideration from any individual in relation to his position gives the appearance of impropriety, which does not only bring doubt to his credibility but significantly tarnishes the credibility of the agency that he leads, in this case, especially in the process of procurement.”

Bureau of Fire Protection chief Jesus Fernandez was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman which has filed a graft case against him in the Sandiganbayan.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/03/cop-5-others-arrested-over-pldt-cable-theft

An active Manila police officer was among six people arrested after three of them were caught in the act of burning stolen PLDT cable wires in Sampaloc, Manila, early Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said the suspects were arrested at around 2:05 a.m. on Buenos Aires near the corner of Pelaez Street in Barangay 570 after police traced individuals allegedly involved in the theft of PLDT cables.

The operation stemmed from a validation of viral CCTV footage aired on TV5’s “Frontline Pilipinas” showing the reported theft of PLDT cable wires.

Police said personnel from the Gulod Police Community Precinct (PCP), led by Lt. Christopher P. Nogoy, along with intelligence operatives, gathered information on the suspects' identities and whereabouts.

This led police to a location beside the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), where they allegedly saw Michelle, 33;Junnie, 42; and Jayrhold, 41, burning the stolen PLDT cables.

The three were immediately arrested.

Police said Dela Cruz later identified Angelo, 29, and Jessie, 48, as alleged accomplices in the theft.

The sixth suspect was identified as Reynaldo, 36.

During verification, police discovered that Bantanore is an active member of the Philippine National Police currently assigned to Manila Police District Police Station 8.

The MPD General Assignment and Investigation Section was informed regarding the police officer for proper disposition and coordination.

Police recovered a burned PLDT wire from the suspects.

The Sampaloc Police Station also coordinated with PLDT for the verification and identification of the recovered cables.

The six suspects were brought to a public hospital for medical examination before being taken to the police station. They were informed of their constitutional rights in Tagalog and opted to remain silent, police said.

They are facing a complaint for violation of Republic Act No. 10515, or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013, which will be filed through inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.

An active Manila police officer was among six people arrested after three of them were caught in the act of burning stolen PLDT cable wires in Sampaloc, Manila.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2299522/sara-duterte-posts-p360000-bail-for-three-counts-of-grave-threats

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday posted bail for each of the three counts of grave threats filed against her at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Duterte herself appeared before the QC RTC Branch 98, along with her lawyers Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim and Atty. Michael Poa to post bail.

In total, Duterte posted a cash bond of P360,000—or P120,000 for each count of the charges against her.

“What our vice president did today was go straight to the court, which itself issued an arrest warrant… so her requirements for bail were submitted and processed by the court itself,” Lim said in a chance interview with reporters.

“The court then issued an order stating that the arrest warrant has been revoked, so the vice president can finally move freely,” he added. 

Lim, however, clarified that Duterte continues to assert her defense when it comes to the court’s jurisdiction over impeachable officers like her.

“Because we stand by the fact that like other impeachable officers, they cannot be charged while they are in office, or until their term ends, or when they are impeached,” the vice president’s counsel explained. 

Lim maintained that posting bail is not equivalent to Duterte surrendering herself to the authority of the the RTC, stating that she was merely exercising her “right to bail.”

Meanwhile, Lim said the vice president’s legal team will look into the possibility of taking legal action over the enforcement of the arrest warrant.

This plan came about after Duterte said that authorities went to her family’s home, even when she herself wasn’t there—thereby, making her feel like her life was being threatened.

“We don’t really know yet what course of action we will take. But that’s something we definitely have to look into,” the vice president’s counsel noted.

Vice President Sara Duterte has been arrested and posed bail over a case in which she threatened President Marcos. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/05/barangay-kagawad-nabbed-with-firearms-suspected-smuggled-cigarettes-inside-home

A barangay kagawad was arrested after a raid conducted in his home here on Friday, September 4, yielded firearms, ammunition and millions of pesos worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes.

The subject of the search warrant was identified as Mahamud Tan Arao Jr., 38, a barangay kagawad of Zone 4.

Operatives led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Zamboanga City implemented a search warrant at his home in Barangay Putik and allegedly recovered a 9mm caliber pistol, a .45 caliber pistol, several magazines, and ammunition.   Lawmen also allegedly recovered 20 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at nearly P3-million.

The illegal firearms operation was conducted under Oplan Paglalansag Omega whle the cigarette seizure was considered incidental to a lawful search under Oplan Megashoppers.

Arao was informed of his constitutional rights and brought to the CIDG Zamboanga City Field Unit office for documentation and detention.

The seized firearms, ammunition and other items were tagged, inventoried and secured as evidence for the appropriate legal proceedings.

A barangay kagawad was arrested after a raid conducted in his home here on Friday, September 4, yielded firearms, ammunition and millions of pesos worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2300343/ombudsman-files-plunder-case-vs-romualdez-in-sandiganbayan

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. and other co-accused before the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman investigators accused Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co of alleged “concerted and coordinated acts” in “unlawfully amassing, accumulating, and acquiring ill-gotten wealth” amounting to approximately P56 billion from 2022 to 2025, some of which were purportedly delivered by the bodyguards through suitcases.

Inquirer sought comment from Romualdez’s camp, but they had yet to respond as of posting.

Marcos, in his fifth State of the Nation Address in July, said “we have to do what is right” as the anti-graft body is preparing to file cases against his cousin Romualdez.

Romualdez said he “respects” the statement of Marcos as he repeatedly denied charges against him, saying he is ready to prove that he did not do anything illegal. 

A  plunder case has been filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. and others.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2300232/2-pampanga-engineers-sacked-over-safety-lapses-after-mans-death

Two engineers from the Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been relieved of their duties for failing to comply with safety measures following a man’s death after he fell into an open drainage canal.

In a memorandum shared by the DPWH with the media late Sunday, Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the relief of Aser Mallari, officer-in-charge of the Office of the District Engineer, and Agustin Dagsaan Jr., officer-in-charge of the Office of the Assistant District Engineer, citing their “failure to comply with the required safety standards.”

The order is effective immediately. 

The engineers are instructed to conduct inventory, accomplish, complete, and sign pending documents to ensure smooth turnover of their responsibilities in their respective offices. 

Last August 28, Reiner Novero died after falling into a flooded, open drainage canal along the Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Barangay Cutcut in Angeles City, Pampanga. As seen in closed-circuit television footage circulating in social media, Novero was swept away by the strong current when he fell into the canal. 

After an hour, Novero was recovered two kilometers from where he fell and was found beneath a bridge in front of a subdivision in Barangay Sto. Domingo. 

The incident sparked safety concerns among many social media users pointing out why a drainage canal was left open.

Two engineers from the Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways have been relieved of their duties for failing to comply with safety measures following a man’s death after he fell into an open drainage canal.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2301546/maguindanao-del-norte-village-official-hurt-in-gun-attack-despite-ban

Unidentified gunmen shot and injured a village councilor in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte at 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, police said.

The attack that injured Rusman Agar Pinguiaman, 33, a resident of Barangay Baka, Datu Odin Sinsuat town, occurred while the election gun ban is in effect in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) spokesperson, said Pinguiaman was taking a coffee break at a roadside restaurant when two men on a motorbike arrived.

Salaguit said one of them pulled a pistol and shot the village official in his chest.

The suspects immediately fled.

Relatives rushed him to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Salanguit said the motive of the attack and the perpetrators remained unknown and investigation is continuing.

She did not say if the attack was related to the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Unidentified gunmen shot and injured a village councilor in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2301696/sc-upholds-graft-conviction-of-ex-siquijor-town-mayor-4-others

The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of former Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi town, Siquijor province, and four others for graft in connection with the irregular procurement of fertilizers worth more than P4.9 million in 2004.

The high tribunal’s Second Division, in a decision promulgated on Jan. 22, but made public only on Tuesday, affirmed the 2023 ruling of the Sandiganbayan that found Fua and former Lazi officials Sue Castillon, Natalio Jumawan, Jr., Rose Marie Tomogsoc, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Sec. 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Castillon was the municipal engineer and a bids and awards committee (BAC) member, Jumawan was the municipal treasurer and also a BAC member, and Tomogsoc was the municipal accountant.

Also convicted of the same offense was Merlyn Lu of Mangopina Trading, Inc., the winning bidder in the fertilizer procurement.

They were meted a prison term of up to 10 years and were perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

The Supreme Court said that the transaction failed to undergo the mandatory pre-procurement conference as the cost of the fertilizers exceeded the threshold under bidding rules.

Fua and the other Lazi officials also did not comply with other requirements under Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, such as the holding of proper advertisement or invitation, notice of award and performance security bond. 

The high court also ruled that Mangopina was not eligible to supply the fertilizers as it had a bad record in government transactions, failing to pay for the renewal of mayor’s permit or license in 2003 and 2004.

It was also running on a license that expired in 2022, it noted.

“In other words, Mangopina was granted unjustified benefit despite its sheer lack of qualifications and patent multiple disqualifications,” read part of the 18-page decision penned by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier. 

The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of former Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi town, Siquijor province, and four others for graft in connection with the irregular procurement of fertilizers worth more than P4.9 million in 2004.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2302267/cop-jailed-for-alleged-rape-of-minor-in-misamis-oriental

A police officer in Misamis Oriental is now behind bars and undergoing inquest proceedings after being accused of raping a minor, the provincial police office confirmed Wednesday.

In an advisory, the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (MORPPO) said the personnel was taken into custody following a complaint for violation of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (RA 8353).

Upon receiving the report, MORPPO initiated investigative procedures, secured assistance for the minor victim, and referred her to proper authorities for examination and intervention. 

Parallel administrative actions are underway against the officer under Philippine National Police (PNP) regulations.

Col. Al Abanales, MORPPO director, ordered an expeditious, impartial probe and promised no preferential treatment or cover-up.

“We strongly condemn any form of sexual violence, especially when the victim is a minor. Such an allegation involving a police officer is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly,” Abanales said in a statement.

“The uniform does not place anyone above the law. We will ensure that due process is observed, the rights and welfare of the victim are protected, and accountability is pursued based on the evidence,” he added.

Police appealed to the media and the public to protect the victim’s identity, privacy, and dignity by refraining from sharing details that may lead to her identification. 

Abanales emphasized that they will not tolerate misconduct that erodes public trust in the police force.

A police officer in Misamis Oriental is now behind bars and undergoing inquest proceedings after being accused of raping a minor.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2302598/maguindanao-del-norte-village-official-nabbed-in-gensan-drug-bust

A village councilor from Maguindanao del Norte and two others were arrested with P1.4 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Labangal, General Santos City, on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, Police Regional Office (PRO-12) regional director, said Wednesday that the suspects, who were listed as high-value targets in the region, yielded about 200 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P1,365,400.

Manibog said elements of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit-12, along with operatives from the Gen. Santos City Police Office and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12, entrapped alias “Naro,” a village official of Barangay Mangay, Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte; alias “Jolt” and alias “Kivk,” both residents of Barangay Labangal, GenSan.

Police also seized the buy-bust money and personal belongings allegedly used to conceal the illegal drugs.

Charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspects.

“Every gram of illegal drugs confiscated during police operations could mean saving several people from the danger of dangerous substances,” Manibog said.

A village councilor from Maguindanao del Norte and two others were arrested with P1.4 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2302613/valenzuela-cop-faces-admin-raps-over-indiscriminate-firing-in-bulacan

A police officer assigned to the Valenzuela City Police Station is set to face administrative charges for allegedly indiscriminately firing his gun, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

“The organization has been enforcing a one-strike policy against indiscriminate firing, and police officers found to be involved in such acts may face sanctions, including dismissal from the service,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

Nartatez said the implicated officer had allegedly indiscriminately fired his gun twice in Marilao, Bulacan, around midnight Tuesday.

Nartatez also noted that the police officer had been placed in police custody and was awaiting criminal charges for the illegal discharge of a firearm.

He further stressed that no one was injured in the incident.

The PNP chief did not identify the implicated personnel or explain why the officer had fired his gun.

“Our badge should not be used as an escape to do things irresponsibly. This will not save us from being accountable for our wrong actions,” Nartatez said.

“As law enforcers, we should always take the lead in following the law and other rules and regulations, especially on responsible gun ownership,” he added.

A police officer assigned to the Valenzuela City Police Station is set to face administrative charges for allegedly indiscriminately firing his gun.