It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2310894/army-soldier-3-other-robbery-suspects-arrested-in-quezon |
Police arrested four heavily armed men, including an Army corporal, in an early morning operation in Catanauan, Quezon, on Thursday.
A concerned citizen alerted the Catanauan police station about suspicious men at a hotel in the town proper, one of whom was allegedly carrying a long firearm, said Police Provincial Office director Col. Romulo Albacea in a report.
Local police, backed by officers from neighboring towns, immediately proceeded to the hotel and arrested the four suspects at around 3:40 a.m.
Police recovered an M16 rifle, two caliber .45 pistols, a .38-caliber pistol, a hand grenade, and several rounds of ammunition and magazines.
Authorities also seized a Nissan Terrano allegedly used by the suspects. Police said they recovered two rifle grenades and two live rounds of M203 grenade ammunition from the vehicle.
According to the police, the Nissan Terrano and its license plate matched the description of a getaway vehicle reportedly used by a group of robbers who raided a convenience store in Trece Martires City in Cavite on Wednesday morning.
The robbers reportedly escaped with an estimated P131,000 worth of cash and personal belongings.
The arrested Army corporal, 35, was reportedly assigned in Pili, Camarines Sur. His three companions were identified as residents of Taguig City; Carmona town in Cavite; and San Juan town in Batangas.
An Army corporal has been busted for armed robbery.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2311855/maguindanao-mayor-ordered-arrested-over-mayors-ambush |
An Iligan City court on Friday ordered the arrest of Mayor Xyril Ampatuan of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, and 11 others charged with terrorism in connection with the ambush on Mayor Akmad “Mitra” Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak town early this year.
Presiding Judge Alberto Quinto of Iligan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 1 issued the arrest warrant against Xyril Ampatuan in connection with three counts of terrorism under Republic Act No. 11479. The charges are non-bailable.
Xyril Ampatuan is the son of Andal Ampatuan Jr., also a former town mayor and a primary suspect in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 people, including journalists.
He is being accused of being involved in the ambush-slay of Mitra Ampatuan, a relative, who was aboard a black sport utility vehicle and trailed by his security escorts when they were hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and a volley of gunfire on Jan. 25.
Aside from Xyril Ampatuan, the Iligan City RTC ordered the arrest of Ababang Salik (alias Babang), Edad Pendatun (alias Haider), Aboher Guimbangan, Toraipie Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Mohamad Uday (alias Tho Sapalon), Samsudin Mokamad, Saudi Guiapal, Johari Guiapal, Soy Kali and Datuben Gyon Allib Dimao.
In May, Mitra’s lawyers presented in a preliminary examination hearing at the Department of Justice the RPG allegedly used by his attackers.
A mayor has been arrested in connection with the ambush and murder of another mayor.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/26/ex-govt-driver-wounded-in-zamboanga-city-shooting |
A 63-year-old former driver of the Pag-IBIG Fund in this city was shot and wounded here on Friday, Sept. 25.
Police identified the victim as Lowel Camacho of Barangay Pasobolong, this city.
Investigation showed that Camacho was driving his motorcycle on the Tugbungan bypass road at 2:30 p.m. when a man on another motorcycle appeared and shot him.
The suspect fled and Camacho sustained a bullet wound in the shoulder and was taken to the hospital.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.
A former government driver has been wounded in an assassination attempt.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/27/lto-slaps-show-cause-order-vs-quezon-mayor-staff-for-not-wearing-helmets |
The Land Transportation Office in Calabarzon has issued a show-cause order against a mayor and several employees in Quezon province for riding their motorcycles without wearing standard protective motorcycle helmets.
The order was issued by LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao after the LTO received a video and photos related to the incident that went viral on social media.
Lacanilao directed the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) to identify the registered owners and designated riders of the motorcycles.
The SCO allows them to explain the alleged violation. They were directed to appear before the IID at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City on Thursday, Oct. 1, for a hearing.
They were required to submit a sworn statement or explanation along with supporting documents why they should not be held liable for charges cited in the SCO, including violation of the motorcycle helmets law.
They must explain why they should not be declared improper persons to operate a motor vehicle, a classification that could result in the suspension or revocation of their driver's licenses.
“As government employees, we ourselves must take the lead in obeying the law. We cannot enforce traffic laws on others if we ourselves do not comply with them,” Lacanilao said.
"They thought we would let their actions slide. That is not how the LTO operates. Regardless of the violation, it will inevitably reach our office, and we will take action to hold the violators accountable."
A show-cause order has been issued against a mayor and several employees in Quezon province by the LTO for riding their motorcycles without wearing standard protective motorcycle helmets.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2312918/graft-complaint-filed-vs-laguna-governor-over-review-class-program |
Laguna Governor Sol Aragones became the subject of a graft complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday over alleged irregularities in a program which complainants said had a P11.5 million budget to provide free review center classes for civil service examination takers.
According to Laguna Board Member Lorenzo Zuñiga Jr., one of the complainants, the program did not undergo a bidding process, other review centers offer the same services at a lower price, and some beneficiaries were allegedly told to submit fake documents.
Aragones slammed the complaint, saying it was meant to destroy her reputation.
In the complaint, Zuniga noted that the P15,500 earmarked for each student to avail review center services did not undergo public bidding and procurement process, which, he said, could be a violation under the Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Zuñiga also noted that other review centers offered the same services as low as P6,000, or more than half the price of the allotted amount.
He also alleged that some beneficiaries received the amount despite not attending a review program and allegedly submitted fake diplomas as supporting documents.
“They received P15,500 … but they did not review and fake diplomas were submitted for them so they could get the P15,500,” he said in an interview.
The media did not immediately receive a copy of the complaint-affidavit.
Aragones said her camp is still waiting for a copy of the complaint.She said she “strongly condemns” the circulation of the reports of this complaint to social media before they officially receive the document.
This, she said, “clearly shows bad intention and is only intended to ruin reputation.”
“It is saddening that instead of focusing on service, they put this kind of politicking first,” the governor said.
Aragones said she will release a full and formal statement “at the right time” once her legal team addresses the complaints in the right legal forum.
Laguna Governor Sol Aragones became the subject of a graft complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday over alleged irregularities in a program which complainants said had a P11.5 million budget to provide free review center classes for civil service examination takers.
The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the Department of Education’s (DepEd) overpayment of P938,000 in vouchers to students who had already dropped out or, in some cases, were deceased.
In its 2025 Annual Audit Report on the DepEd, COA flagged several gaps in the agency’s implementation of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).
Some of these gaps included delayed fund utilization, mismatch between financial and physical performance, and weak controls in the implementation of the senior high school voucher program/
The COA said that this resulted in “undermining program effectiveness, efficient resource allocation, and delivery of educational assistance.”
COA found that there were 58 voucher program beneficiaries that were unverifiable that were either dropouts, transferees, non-enrollees, deceased, or absent without supporting records.
According to the COA, there were a total of 172,909 voucher program beneficiaries. Due to time constraints, the Commission took a sample size among these beneficiaries amounting to 5,507 students.
Out of this sample size, COA confirmed the existence of 5,383 beneficiaries through physical inspection, video and phone verification and review of their school activities. They were unable to verify 66 total due to being unable to contact them but 58 others were unverifiable for other reasons.
“The existence of 58 VPBs (voucher program beneficiaries) could not be verified for the following reasons: 32 had officially or unofficially dropped out, 12 transferred to other schools, 11 were not enrolled in the second semester, two were reported deceased, and one was absent during validation with no school records available,” COA wrote in its report.
For the two deceased students, COA recommended to the DepEd to include additional guidelines to govern cases of beneficiaries who passed away, as they only covered what would happen should a parent or guardian die. State auditors also advised agencies to strengthen monitoring systems.
There were also five voucher beneficiaries who were misclassified under wrong voucher categories, resulting in another overpayment of P14,710.
COA also found that there were incomplete and improperly maintained supporting documents for voucher redemption, including a lack of report cards and various certificates.
In a statement, DepEd said that it would act on COA’s findings on the voucher program.
“As part of its 5-layer validation, DepEd, through its co-manager of the Senior High School Voucher Program, Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), has completed its School Year 2025-2026 validation. Through this year-end validation, flagged cases are being reviewed and confirmed overpayments will be recovered,” the agency said in a statement.
“DepEd remains committed to ensuring that public funds are properly accounted for and used for their intended purpose,” it added.
The Commission on Audit flagged the Department of Education’s overpayment of P938,000 in vouchers to students who had already dropped out or, in some cases, were deceased.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/30/zamboanga-city-cop-nabbed-for-rape |
A Zamboanga City police officer was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 29, for allegedly raping a minor.
The suspect, tagged as the most wanted person on the municipal level, was apprehended by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group-Mindanao Field Unit. The police officer was assigned as an investigator at Police Station 2 in Curuan.
He was arrested on a warrant issued by a Dapitan City court where the cases for three counts of rape, one of which was filed by a minor, was filed. No bail was recommended.
The suspect with the rank of police staff sergeant was turned over by the Curuan police station chief to IMEG personnel when the warrant was served.
Police said the suspect is also facing administrative cases in connection with the incident.
A cop has been arrested for raping a minor.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/29/4-hurt-in-manila-basketball-brawl-involving-police-sk-official |
Four individuals, including two minors, were allegedly injured in a brawl that broke out during a barangay basketball tournament in Tondo, Manila on Sunday night, Sept. 27, with a police officer and a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) official reportedly involved in the altercation.
The incident happened at around 9 p.m. in front of the barangay hall during the championship game.
Based on initial police information and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, tensions between the players escalated during the fourth quarter before the confrontation spilled outside the court.
The footage showed several individuals running toward the basketball players, followed by a fistfight and the throwing of bottles between the two groups.
Another CCTV angle showed a topless man, reportedly a police officer, placing one of the minors in a headlock during the commotion.
An SK official was also reportedly involved after allegedly punching one of the players.
The player went home and told his mother about the incident. He later went outside and met his friend, who was gathered with others at a corner near the area.
The two groups eventually confronted each other, leading to another physical altercation.
A woman was injured after being hit by shards from a bottle thrown during the fight.
Another man sustained injuries to his left hand and hip after he was allegedly struck with a golf club by the father of one of the players.
Authorities eventually intervened and stopped the brawl.
The families of the two minors have reported the incident to authorities and are preparing to file complaints against the SK official and the police officer.
The identities of those involved and the specific charges to be filed remain subject to the police investigation.
A police report detailing the incident is expected to provide additional information.
A police officer and a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) official were reportedly involved in a basketball brawl.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/28/coa-flags-832-million-deped-projects-in-davao-del-norte-over-incomplete-undelivered-works |
The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged infrastructure projects worth ₱83.2 million in Davao del Norte after finding a non-existent school building, an abandoned project, and incomplete works despite almost full payments.
The findings were included in COA’s 2025 annual audit report on the Department of Education (DepEd), which was released on Sept. 23.
The projects covered the Last Mile Schools Program, electrification of unenergized schools and modernization of electrical systems, repair and rehabilitation of classrooms, and construction of school health facilities.
Under the Last Mile Schools Program, COA flagged a ₱36.35-million contract covering projects at Kamingawan Elementary School and Dulyan Integrated School in Talaingod.
At Kamingawan Elementary School, the project involved the construction of a one-storey, two-classroom school building with a solar PV system, school furniture, a rainwater collector and water system.
COA described it as a “ghost/non-existent project,” noting that “no structure was found upon inspection but paid up to 98.8 percent.”
At Dulyan Integrated School, the school building and rainwater system were constructed, but the solar PV energy system and school furniture were not delivered.
The project was also paid up to 98.8 percent.
COA also flagged a separate ₱25.61-million Last Mile Schools Program project at Dugayan National High School in Kapalong for the construction of a two-storey, six-classroom school building with a toilet, rainwater collector, school furniture, solar PV energy system and water system.
“Upon inspection, building construction was found to be largely incomplete and abandoned,” COA said.
“Only the structural frame had been constructed,” it added.
COA said the project had been paid up to 98.9 percent.
For the electrification of unenergized schools and modernization of electrical systems, COA flagged a ₱10.42-million project covering New Casay Integrated School in Braulio E. Dujali and Carmen National High School in Carmen.
At New Casay Integrated School, “the distribution transformers, as well as multiple panel boards and outlets remain uninstalled and undelivered.”
At Carmen National High School, “the distribution transformers remain installed and undelivered,” while roofing works had not been performed.
COA also flagged a ₱7.53-million project for the repair and rehabilitation of four classrooms at Datu Balong National High School in San Isidro.
The classrooms were “unrepaired but claimed as implemented and paid up to 98.18 percent on July 18, 2025,” according to the audit report.
Another project worth ₱3.32 million involved the construction of school health facilities at Gov. Dujali Elementary School in San Isidro.
“Upon inspection, building construction was found to be largely incomplete and abandoned,” COA said.
It also noted that the project had no progress billing but had a mobilization cost.
COA recommended that the DepEd Schools Division Office of Davao del Norte issue formal notices of termination for all the contracts and initiate blacklisting proceedings against the erring contractors.
It also recommended a fact-finding investigation to determine the accountability of concerned officials and the recovery of all paid progress billings, including unrecouped advances.
COA further recommended the filing of appropriate administrative, criminal and civil charges against responsible officers and private individuals.
The audit team also recommended a joint validation of completely delivered items by the Schools Facilities Division, Property/Supply Division and Accounting Division, with assistance from COA’s Regional Technical Audit Group, to ensure proper accounting and correct the records for non-existent and incomplete projects.
The Commission on Audit flagged infrastructure projects worth ₱83.2 million in Davao del Norte after finding a non-existent school building, an abandoned project, and incomplete works despite almost full payments.
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