House of Representatives Enhances Transparency in 2026 Budget Deliberations

Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives has initiated a transparent approach to reviewing the 2026 national budget, reaffirming its commitment to public accountability by eliminating closed-door budget amendments. Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mika Suansing, chairperson of the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc), convened its inaugural meeting on Monday, September 22, emphasizing that only institutional amendments proposed by government agencies will be considered. In an interview, Representative Suansing explained, \"During budget deliberations, some congressmen expressed desires to increase funding for certain agencies or programs. We advised them to coordinate directly with those agencies to ensure their requests are formally included in the agency proposals.\" One significant task for the sub-committee is reallocating the P255 billion removed from the Department of Public Works and Highways' revised budget. Suansing encouraged prioritizing spending on education, health, agriculture, and other sectors that contribute to human capital development. \"This reallocation of such a substantial amount is unprecedented in the history of Congress. Our goal for the 2026 budget is to focus investments on strengthening human capital,\" she stated. Following the BARSc review, the main appropriations committee will examine the outputs before presenting them to the plenary for deliberation on the proposed P6.7 trillion budget scheduled for Tuesday. This move is part of broader budgetary reforms responding to recent multibillion-peso corruption allegations within public works funds. The House has pledged to conduct all budget deliberations openly and has called on civil society organizations to participate in overseeing the process, reinforcing a culture of transparency and integrity in government spending.

DPWH Accused of Tampering with Documents in Flood Control Project Investigation

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has raised serious allegations against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for reportedly destroying and tampering with official documents connected to irregularities in flood control projects. This claim was made by ICI Chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes, on Monday, September 22. In an official statement, Reyes condemned what he described as "widespread destruction and tampering of official documents by personnel of the DPWH in connection with anomalous flood control projects." He emphasized that such actions represent a severe obstruction of an ongoing investigation and undermine the public's right to transparency and accountability. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who is also probing the issue, expressed similar concerns in a media interview. He characterized the destruction of documents as a criminal act that appears to be an attempt to erase evidence of misconduct. "That's criminal... When you destroy, you're destroying the records para hindi ma-trace yung kalokohan nila (so that their shenanigans can't be traced)," Lacson stated. Justice Reyes further reiterated that records related to public works belong to the public and that any effort to destroy, falsify, or conceal these materials constitutes a grave offense subject to both administrative and criminal penalties. The commission's chairman urged the DPWH, now under the new leadership of Secretary Vince Dizon, to fully cooperate with investigators and ensure the preservation of all documents and evidence under their control. Dizon succeeded Manuel Bonoan as department chief on September 2. The allegations spotlight ongoing concerns over governance and accountability within the DPWH amid investigations of corruption in flood control initiatives.

Over Php2 Million in Aid Distributed to Families Affected by Tropical Depression Mirasol and Super Typhoon Nando

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided over Php2 million in assistance to families and individuals impacted by Tropical Depression (TD) Mirasol and the habagat, which were intensified by Super Typhoon (ST) Nando. The relief package includes 3,872 family food packs (FFPs) as well as non-food items such as family, kitchen, and sleeping kits, alongside laminated sacks. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, spokesperson for DSWD and member of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), confirmed on Monday, September 22, that these supplies have been delivered to disaster-affected communities in Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Capiz, and Iloilo. Local government units (LGUs) in these provinces coordinated with DSWD to facilitate the distribution and augment local response efforts. According to the 6:00 a.m. report from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), the combined impact of TD Mirasol, ST Nando, and the habagat has affected 31,626 families or 113,094 individuals across 297 barangays in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and the Cordillera Administrative Region. In anticipation of further effects from ST Nando, the DSWD is intensifying coordination with LGUs to ensure the prompt delivery of relief supplies. This commitment was highlighted by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian via a social media post on Sunday, September 21. Secretary Gatchalian stated, \"I just spoke with Governor Ronald Aguto of Batanes and assured him that following the President’s directive, 22,000 family food packs have been pre-positioned in various warehouses across Batanes, ready for deployment at any time. These were prepared months in advance as part of our Buong Bansa Handa Program.\" The Buong Bansa Handa initiative ensures that nearly 1,000 warehouses nationwide are stocked with essential supplies ahead of natural disasters. Additionally, the DSWD maintains Php1.5 billion in standby funds and stockpiles of food and non-food items distributed across its regional field offices. DSWD’s disaster response capabilities also include mobilizing equipment such as their mobile command centers, kitchens, water units, and tankers to support communities in need during emergencies.

Ateneo School of Government Demands Full Accountability in Budget Diversion Scandal

Amid mounting public concern over a corruption scandal involving budget misallocation, the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) has urged for thorough accountability from lawmakers, the Executive branch, and auditing bodies. In an official statement, Ateneo emphasized the need for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to expand its inquiry to include prominent figures such as former Senate President Francis Escudero, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other relevant officials and entities connected to the controversy. ASoG further called for the probe to encompass current Senate and House Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Finance and Appropriations Committees, along with their technical staff, to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable. Highlighting concerns over unchecked budgetary decisions, the group urged the ICI to question Executive Secretary Lucas and members of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) on the substantial budget cuts and reallocations that occurred from 2023 to 2025. Ateneo expressed dismay over the lack of intervention or objection from the Executive Branch during these reallocations. In addition, Ateneo urged a closer examination of the Commission on Audit (COA) for its "failure to ensure responsible use of public funds." Previously, ASoG had raised alarms over the disproportionate budget allocation in the 2025 spending plan, where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has received a flood management budget exceeding that of the entire education sector, which contradicts the Constitutional mandate. The group questioned, "Are flood control projects, which make up 22% of the DPWH budget, more important than addressing the 160,000 classroom backlog and the dilapidated condition of 70% of existing classrooms?" ASoG also criticized the significant budget reductions for critical agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PhilHealth, Health, and Education. Meanwhile, billions were diverted to cash assistance initiatives like AKAP, AICS, MAIFP, and TUPAD. The statement cautioned that in 2025, these social programs received a total budget of ₱130 billion but warned that increasing political control over project selection, beneficiary distribution, and fund allocation is shifting social services from a right to a matter dependent on political patronage or "utang na loob." The Ateneo School of Government calls on all relevant bodies to enforce transparency and accountability to safeguard the integrity of public funds, especially in crucial sectors like education and health.

Chinese Stocks Rise Amid Positive US-China Dialogue and Tech Sector Gains

Chinese stock markets edged higher on Monday despite uneven trading, buoyed by strong performances in Apple suppliers and semiconductor shares. The gains followed positive developments from high-level talks between the US and China. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.2% at 3,828.58, fluctuating between gains and losses throughout the session. Meanwhile, the blue-chip CSI300 index increased by 0.5%. US President Donald Trump announced progress in negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding TikTok, with plans for a face-to-face meeting in South Korea in six weeks to address broader issues including trade, drugs, and the conflict in Ukraine. Goldman Sachs highlighted these advancements, indicating that US-China relations are expected to remain stable or improve in the coming months. Tech sectors led the market rally, with the electronics sector surging 4.3% and the information technology sector hitting a five-year peak with a 4.1% rise. Shares of Apple suppliers soared after news emerged that OpenAI partnered with Luxshare to develop a new consumer device. Luxshare's stock surged by the daily maximum of 10%, while Goretek and Foxconn climbed 7.7% and 6.6%, respectively. The semiconductor sector advanced 3.3%, and the AI segment added 2%, contributing further momentum to the market. Conversely, financial stocks continued to drag the market lower. The banking sector declined 1% following a steep 4.2% drop last week, and insurance stocks slipped by 0.3%. Analysts at Guotai Haitong noted that despite recent setbacks in financial stocks, improving geopolitical conditions and Federal Reserve rate cuts could support continued market gains. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell 0.8% to 26,344.14, with the technology sector down 0.6%. At a press briefing, China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Wu Qing reiterated the regulator’s commitment to enhancing the quality of listed companies, attracting international investment, and maintaining stringent market oversight.

Senator Bong Go Supports Restoration of P60 Billion to PhilHealth for Universal Health Care

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has affirmed his support for the Executive branch's move to restore P60 billion in excess funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). As vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go described the transfer of the funds from the National Treasury to PhilHealth as "long overdue." "That money, by law and by principle, rightfully belongs to PhilHealth," he stressed. "It should have not been taken from PhilHealth to begin with." Go revealed that he had already voiced concerns regarding the fund transfer as early as July 2024, prior to the Supreme Court's issuance of a temporary restraining order on the move. He emphasized the importance of utilizing these funds to ensure the full implementation of the Universal Health Care law. Expressing urgency, Go questioned, "Why does PhilHealth have 'excess funds' while many patients are dying and cannot afford to pay for their hospitalization or medical treatment?" He called on PhilHealth to deploy the funds in expanding health coverage and to uphold "zero balance billing" policies in public hospitals. Highlighting his commitment, Go recalled his involvement in 14 Senate hearings focused on reforming and enhancing PhilHealth’s benefit packages. These efforts have resulted in expanded support for kidney-related treatments and comprehensive care for ischemic heart disease. Under his guidance, PhilHealth has also committed to broadening its service offerings to include dental and mental health care, outpatient drug benefits, diagnostic tests, medical transportation, and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches. Looking ahead, Senator Go reaffirmed his dedication to ongoing oversight of PhilHealth, aiming to guarantee that the Universal Health Care law benefits all Filipinos. "I will focus on PhilHealth for the Filipinos," he stated. "PhilHealth is for health. It is not a business; its funds should not be hoarded; they should be used for the people. Give it back because that is our money."

NCAA Launches Season 101 with Innovative Men’s Basketball Format

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially launched its 101st men’s basketball season on September 22, 2025, unveiling a revamped tournament format designed to increase competitiveness and fan engagement. The event took place at Novotel Manila in Quezon City, featuring coaches from all 10 participating schools. Departing from the traditional double round-robin elimination, the NCAA Management Committee announced a group-stage system that splits the teams into two pools. Teams within these groups will compete twice against intra-group rivals and once against teams from the other pool, totaling 13 elimination games each. San Beda coach Yuri Escueta praised the format, emphasizing its inclusivity and the improved caliber of teams this season, stating, \"The beauty of the new format is that it gives everyone a chance. You can also see in the preseason that all teams have become stronger.\" The updated structure advances the top three teams from each group automatically to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the remaining four teams will vie for the final two quarterfinal berths. The quarterfinals will feature crossover knockout matches, where the top two seeds per group hold a twice-to-beat advantage. Following the quarterfinals, the Final Four will proceed with best-of-three semifinal series, culminating in the championship round. Group compositions for Season 101 are as follows: - Group A: Defending champions Mapua University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Perpetual Help, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Arellano University - Group B: San Beda University, College of Saint Benilde, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jose Rizal University, Emilio Aguinaldo College The league anticipates that this new format will intensify competition and increase excitement for fans, honoring more than a century of collegiate basketball tradition as the season officially tips off on October 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Crime Rate in Eastern Metro Manila Declines by Nearly 4% Amid Enhanced Police Operations

Crime incidents in the eastern zone of Metro Manila saw a 3.87 percent decline over the course of one week, according to authorities on Tuesday. The Eastern Police District (EPD) recorded an average of 14.22 crime cases from September 13 to 19, 2025, down from 18.09 incidents reported during the previous week across Pasig, Marikina, Mandaluyong, and San Juan cities. The police credited the decrease to intensified operational strategies, which they described as evidence of effective law enforcement measures. "This reduction underscores the impact of our continuous efforts to ensure public safety," said an EPD spokesperson. The EPD also intensified its campaign against wanted criminals, resulting in the apprehension of 58 suspects. This group included one top most-wanted individual, three most-wanted suspects, and 54 other persons. In its anti-drug operations, the police conducted 31 buy-bust operations that led to the arrest of 37 individuals. Authorities seized a total of 158.26 grams of suspected shabu, 60 grams of high-grade marijuana (kush), and additional drug paraphernalia. The street value of the confiscated narcotics is estimated at approximately ₱1,166,236. Further enforcement against illegal gambling involved five operations, yielding the arrest of nine suspects and the confiscation of ₱1,770 in betting money. In addition, law enforcement seized four loose firearms. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the firearms, while two others voluntarily surrendered their weapons to the police. These efforts highlight the EPD's continued commitment to reducing crime and enhancing community security in the region.

Sarah Elago Sworn In as Gabriela Party-List Representative Following Comelec Declaration

Gabriela party-list Representative Sarah Elago solemnly took her oath as the newest member of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, administered by Speaker Francisco \"Bojie\" Dy III. This followed the Commission on Elections\' (Comelec) official announcement that Gabriela secured the 64th and final seat allocated to party-list groups in the recent polls. Addressing the challenges faced by party-list organizations, Elago remarked, \"It is hard to win an election in a party-list system packed with political dynasties, big-time contractors and red-tagging, on top of smear campaigns. Our leaders are being surveilled, faced trumped up charges. But these won\'t deter us. Nandito pa rin kami lumalaban at handang magpanalo ng agenda ng mga kababaihan at labanan ang korapsyon.\" Prior to this role, she served as a representative for the Kabataan party-list from 2016 to 2022. The 1987 Philippine Constitution requires that 20% of the House of Representatives be composed of party-list members. With the House consisting of 317 representatives in total, the 20% quota equates to 64 seats for party-list groups. Elago\'s induction, however, does not affect the three seats won by the Duterte Youth party-list in the May 2025 elections. Those seats remain vacant after Comelec nullified the Duterte Youth registration over failure to comply with mandatory publication and hearing requirements concerning their 2019 candidacy. Elago\'s ascension highlights continuing efforts by party-list groups to represent marginalized sectors despite systemic obstacles within the Philippine electoral framework.

NBI Cybercrime Division Arrests Suspects for Unauthorized Internet Service Distribution in Cavite and La Union

Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation–Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) have detained three suspects in separate operations in Cavite and La Union for violations related to illegal access and unauthorized distribution of internet services. The arrests followed complaints filed by a major internet service provider regarding unauthorized offerings on social media. Vanessa B. Vasquez and Philip Niño C. Mercado were apprehended in General Trias City, Cavite, for breaching Section 4(a)(1) (Illegal Access) of Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. In a separate incident, Joshua Fernandez Lictan was detained in Naguilian, La Union, on charges of illegal access, misuse of devices, system interference, and unauthorized network distribution connected to estafa under relevant Philippine laws. The investigation was triggered on June 4, 2025, when a representative of the internet provider lodged a complaint over a Facebook account "RECON VERGECON," which was allegedly promoting unauthorized internet services. These included reactivating disconnected accounts, bandwidth enhancements, modem support, new subscriber connections, and "speed boosting" services offered at reduced prices without the provider's consent. Following technical and onsite tracing of the company's proprietary network access points, NBI-CCD agents linked these illegal activities to a residence in Barangay Parklane Country Homes in General Trias City. After securing a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) from the Regional Trial Court Branch 130 in Trece Martires, agents executed the warrant on August 28, 2025. Upon entry, Philip Mercado was found operating a computer on the ground floor while Vanessa Vasquez was using another on the upper floor. Digital forensic analysis confirmed the presence of four MAC addresses flagged by the internet service provider as sources of illegal access. Consequently, the suspects were arrested, and the equipment was confiscated as evidence. In a subsequent operation on September 16, 2025, NBI-CCD agents arrested Joshua Fernandez Lictan at a three-storey house in Cabaritan Sur, Naguilian. Investigations revealed unauthorized utilization of the provider's IP addresses and modems to distribute internet service illegally to neighboring residences. Authorities executed another WSSECD, confiscating multiple computer devices involved in the unlawful distribution. The suspects are currently undergoing inquest proceedings for the violations incurred. NBI Director Santiago lauded the Cybercrime Division agents for their effective enforcement efforts, which successfully dismantled these unauthorized cyber activities.