BusinessNews.ph

Author: BusinessNews.ph

  • RTC Orders Arrest of Engineers Over Davao Occidental Revetment Project

    RTC Orders Arrest of Engineers Over Davao Occidental Revetment Project

    Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 of Lapu-Lapu City has issued warrants of arrest against several engineers in connection with a concrete revetment project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

    The warrants were issued following the referral of the case from RTC Malita, Davao Occidental. The accused were subsequently placed under arrest, according to a statement released by their legal counsel on Wednesday.

    The lawyers said the respondents had already voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) days before the warrants were issued, a move they described as an expression of respect for legal processes.

    The case stems from allegations that the concrete revetment project was a so-called “ghost project.” However, the defense denied the claim, asserting that the project is physically existing, completed, and fully operational.

    “The concrete revetment project in Barangay Culaman is not a ghost project. It exists and is serving the public as intended,” the statement read.

    The defense further maintained that no laws were violated and that the project’s timely completion demonstrated the proper performance of the duties of the accused in accordance with their mandate.

    The lawyers also claimed that their clients were being unfairly implicated and used as “collateral damage” to divert attention from broader accountability issues related to corruption.

    Despite the issuance of the warrants, the defense expressed confidence in the judicial process and said they remain committed to protecting their clients’ rights as the case proceeds.

    Those named in the case include Engr. Michael P. Awa, Engr. Joel M. Lumogdang, Engr. Harold John E. Villaver, Engr. Jafel C. Faunillan, Engr. Josephine C. Valdez, Engr. Ranulfo A. Flores, and Czar Ryan S. Ubungen. Their counsel is Atty. Paul Tristan B. Sato.

  • Concern Citizens of Davao Warn Public Vs People Claiming as PH Anti-Corruption Czar

    Concern Citizens of Davao Warn Public Vs People Claiming as PH Anti-Corruption Czar

    Some people are calling themselves the “Philippine Anti-Corruption Czar ( PACC) ” and are acting like they have the power to investigate corruption. We want to make it very clear: they are not part of the government and have no legal authority to do what real government agencies do.

    In the Philippines, it is illegal to pretend to be a government official or to act like one without permission. Doing so is called usurpation of authority and can get you in serious legal trouble. Courts have ruled that even if someone claims they are “helping the public,” falsely acting as an official is still against the law.

    If you are approached by this group, or if they ask for information, favors, or money, do not cooperate. Only authorized government offices like the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, or proper law enforcement agencies can conduct investigations.

    Please be careful and always check if a group is officially recognized by the government before trusting them.

    Concern Citizens of Davao

  • DPWH Officials Rush to NBI, Say Lives in Danger Amid Davao Occidental Project Probe

    DPWH Officials Rush to NBI, Say Lives in Danger Amid Davao Occidental Project Probe

    DPWH officials linked to the alleged “ghost project” in Davao Occidental rushed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today to voluntarily undergo questioning.

    Initial reports say the officials turned over documents requested by investigators and immediately cooperated with the probe.

    They also expressed fear for their lives, telling authorities they “do not want any drama to happen” as tensions surrounding the issue continue to rise.

    Their move is seen as a bid to ensure transparency and protect themselves while the investigation unfolds.

    The NBI has yet to release an official statement as the inquiry continues.

    Business News Philippines

  • Gold seen reclaiming $4,000 today as real yields ease, central banks and ETFs buy

    Gold is poised to reclaim the $4,000-an-ounce mark, with analysts citing softer U.S. real yields, heavy central-bank buying and a resurgence of ETF inflows, even as fiscal strains and trade risks underpin safe-haven demand.

    Spot prices hovered near $4,000 late last week after a blistering 2025 rally and recent pullbacks, leaving bullion within striking distance of the threshold. Data show prices around $4,004/oz on Oct. 31.

    A key tailwind is the drift lower in inflation-adjusted U.S. yields, which reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing bullion. The 10-year TIPS yield sat below 2% at the end of October.

    On the demand side, central banks remain net buyers, with August purchases rebounding and year-to-date buying still elevated after three straight 1,000-ton years.

    Investment demand has picked up too: the World Gold Council reports the strongest quarter on record for gold ETF inflows, led by North American and European funds, alongside robust bar-and-coin buying in Q3.

    Macro drivers continue to favor hedges. The U.S. deficit remains near 6% of GDP, keeping debt-sustainability worries—and demand for havens—in focus.

    Trade and geopolitical tensions, which helped propel bullion to successive records earlier this year and in mid-October, add another layer of support.

    Banks have ratcheted up targets: Morgan Stanley now sees $4,500 by mid-2026, while BofA pegs $5,000 in 2026—indicative rather than prescriptive, but reflective of the market’s shifted range.

    Context: Gold has repeatedly set record highs in 2025 amid expectations of Fed easing and persistent risk aversion. With real yields capped, official-sector demand steady, and ETFs back in the market, a sustained break above $4,000 looks plausible—though any sharp backup in yields or a rapid easing of macro tensions could slow the move.

  • DPWH Scrutiny of 2021 Projects Draws Criticism Amid 2025 Budget Debate

    DPWH Scrutiny of 2021 Projects Draws Criticism Amid 2025 Budget Debate

    The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is facing mounting criticism after releasing inconsistent data on alleged ghost and substandard projects — a move that local officials and analysts now describe as a “witch hunt across fiscal years.”

    The uproar centers on the agency’s renewed scrutiny of 2021 infrastructure projects in Davao Occidental and La Union, which critics say is being used to deflect attention from controversial insertions in the 2025 national budget.

    “Why backtrack to the 2021 budget while questioning the insertions for the 2025 budget?” one local executive asked. “It looks like they’re reviving old cases to justify new irregularities.”

    The same official pointed out the seeming imbalance in the investigation.

    “Why single out Davao Occidental when there are billions of pesos allocated to other districts with clearly questionable or irregular project implementation — yet those areas are conveniently ignored?”

    According to DPWH insiders, the department is preparing to file cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against certain contractors and officials linked to flood control projects.

    But discrepancies between internal records and media-released data have raised doubts about the real intent behind the probe.

    Local officials insist the projects under fire were legitimate and transparent.

    “All projects were DILG-funded, COA-audited, and DPWH-endorsed — nothing hidden, nothing ghost,” one official said, calling the renewed accusations “a distortion of facts for political convenience.”

    Analysts warn that the DPWH’s actions could be part of a larger damage-control strategy aimed at diverting attention from the billions in questionable allocations under the 2025 spending plan.

    “This looks like an old playbook — dig up cleared projects to create noise and shift focus from the present budget mess,” said a governance expert.

    Observers caution that turning infrastructure audits into political weapons risks damaging public trust and undermining the very institutions meant to uphold transparency.

  • DPWH Data Discrepancies on Flagged Projects Spur Calls for Clarity

    DPWH Data Discrepancies on Flagged Projects Spur Calls for Clarity

    Conflicting figures and inconsistent public disclosures attributed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on alleged “ghost” and substandard projects in Davao Occidental and La Union have sown confusion and prompted questions about possible bias in the release of information.

    People familiar with internal discussions said the DPWH is preparing to file complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against certain contractors and officials linked to questioned flood-control and other infrastructure works.

    However, differences between internal tallies and numbers cited in print reports, including those of the Daily Tribune, have triggered criticism and fresh calls for the agency to publish a single, verified list of cases under review.

    While both provinces appear in internal reports, local officials in Davao Occidental said the province has received disproportionate media attention compared with other areas that have been flagged.

    One provincial official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said they welcome any legitimate investigation but argued that apparent inconsistencies in publicly shared data have “painted an unfair picture” and invited political interpretations.

    Officials also questioned why a Davao Occidental project initiated in 2021 continues to be spotlighted despite what they described as earlier impartial reviews that found no irregularities.

    Governance analysts noted that multi-agency probes often produce evolving counts as cases move from audit observations to referrals and, eventually, to formal complaints.

    Still, they warned that the absence of a consolidated, time-stamped roster—clearly distinguishing projects “flagged,” “endorsed,” and “filed”—risks undermining public trust in both the investigative process and the broader transparency drive.

    As of press time, the DPWH had yet to release a unified list of projects subject to investigation. The Ombudsman review is expected to commence once formal complaints are submitted, according to people briefed on the matter.

    Editor’s note: Allegations in this report remain unproven unless and until adjudicated by the appropriate authorities. BusinessNews.ph has sought comment from the DPWH and concerned parties and will update this story as responses become available.

  • In Photo: Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines, Arrives in Cebu for Series of Meetings

    In Photo: Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines, Arrives in Cebu for Series of Meetings

    Look: Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv arrives in Cebu with her family on October 15, 2025. Welcoming her was Ukraine’s partner in Cebu, Curtis Go, and the management team of Bai Hotel.

    Fediv is in Cebu for a series of meetings with local government chief executives and Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

  • Flood-control project in Davao Occidental sparks wider discussion on town priorities

    Flood-control project in Davao Occidental sparks wider discussion on town priorities

    DAVAO OCCIDENTAL – A flood-control project in the southern municipality of Jose Abad Santos has prompted broader discussion among residents about local development priorities and basic services.

    Mayor Jason John Joyce, a lawyer serving his third term, has defended the initiative, saying it reflects efforts to protect communities vulnerable to seasonal flooding. The project has become a focal point of public debate, drawing both support and questions from local residents.

    Community members point to other concerns that they say remain unaddressed. Among them are the absence of a municipal cemetery, which has led some families to rely on private property for burials, and the lack of a central public market, leaving vendors scattered across different areas.

    Infrastructure planning and procurement have also been raised in community discussions, though no official review has been announced.

    “The flood-control project is important, but people also want to see solutions to everyday needs,” one resident said. “Basic facilities like a cemetery and a marketplace matter to us just as much.”

    Observers note that the debate has highlighted the challenge of balancing urgent infrastructure needs with long-term development planning in smaller municipalities.

    While the flood project has dominated headlines locally, residents say it has also opened a broader conversation about priorities for the town’s growth and services.

    Joyce’s office has not issued a statement beyond his earlier remarks in support of the flood-control initiative.

  • 5,000 rally in Cebu calling for Marcos to resign over corruption

    5,000 rally in Cebu calling for Marcos to resign over corruption

    Around 5,000 protesters gathered in Cebu City on Sunday to demand the resignation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in one of the largest anti-corruption demonstrations to hit the central Philippines this year.

    The rally, held at Plaza Independencia, brought together students, church groups, civil society organizations and other sectoral representatives under a common call for clean governance. Protesters carried placards denouncing corruption and urging greater accountability from officials.

    “This is not the end, nor a pack-up — it’s just a warm-up,” lead convenor Juniño Bonito Padilla told the crowd. “Together, we move forward, stronger and more united, for the change we all believe in. See you for more.”

    The demonstration concluded with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Ciano Ubod, a prominent priest who has often criticized corrupt practices in government. In his homily, Ubod accused public officials of betraying the people’s trust and urged Filipinos to demand accountability.

    Organizers described the event as a show of unity across sectors, aimed at signaling that communities will no longer tolerate misconduct in public office. They said further demonstrations were being planned in Cebu and beyond.

    While protests against Marcos have periodically erupted since he took office in 2022, Sunday’s turnout underscored mounting public frustration amid allegations of corruption in government agencies. Police said the rally dispersed peacefully.

    “The people of Cebu are sending a clear message: corruption will not be tolerated, and the call for accountability will only grow louder,” Padilla said.

  • Stakeholders Seek Ombudsman Probe Into Alleged Corruption at LTO Region 7

    Stakeholders Seek Ombudsman Probe Into Alleged Corruption at LTO Region 7

    A civic group has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas seeking an investigation into what it described as “widespread corruption” at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Central Visayas.

    In a letter to Acting Ombudsman Dante F. Vargas, the group Citizens Against Graft and Corruption accused Regional Director Glen Galario, Assistant Regional Director Apolinar, and Chief of Operations Aden Belza of alleged involvement in unauthorized collections and misuse of authority.

    The filing cited supposed irregularities in dealings with driving schools, emission centers, vehicle dealers, and plate distribution, which the group claimed had “generated millions of pesos in payments”.

    It also alleged that some LTO officials engaged in undisclosed activities within agency premises and questioned Galario’s frequent absences and travels outside the region.

    The petitioners urged the Ombudsman to impose preventive suspensions on Galario, Apolinar, Belza and other officials pending investigation, citing their influence over records and staff.

    “We appeal for swift and important attention to our plea in the best interest of the public and good governance,” the group said in its complaint.

    The case is now under review by the Ombudsman. The officials named have not yet publicly commented.