JUST IN — Malacañang confirms the appointment of Finance Undersecretary Charlito Mendoza as the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Mendoza replaces Romeo "Jun" Lumagui, Jr., President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's godson who was appointed to the post in November 2022.

I very strongly agree with you, Morningstar147! 👍️

The use of the silver bullet is already obsolete. What is needed is a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile! (Note: With inscription: "To corrupt politicians, contractors, government officials, and their collaborators. With love, Filipino people.") 😊

The Department of Public Works and Highways has confirmed the death of one of its engineers in Sorsogon. The agency appealed to the public to respect the family’s privacy and refrain from spreading or discussing unverified information.

President Ferdinand Marcos calls for a press conference Palace has titled "President's Report."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presents his administration’s progress and accomplishments since initiating the flood control probe announced during his State of the Nation Address in July 2025. Watch the livestream here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmg-6lAMrg

Marcos cites the legal actions taken by government agencies against those allegedly involved in corruption in flood control projects. Here’s a tracker made by me and @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler .https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/list-status-cases-complaints-flood-control-corruption/

Marcos also highlights tax evasion cases filed by the BIR against personalities whose names have been at the center of the flood control corruption scandal.

Incidentally, Marcos sacked yesterday Romeo Lumagiu Jr — his wedding godson who had led the BIR from November 2022 until Nov 12, 2025.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-godson-romeo-lumagui-jr-out-bir-chief/

Marcos also mentions one of the reforms in the DPWH — cutting the standard prices of key construction materials: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/dpwh-cuts-construction-materials-cost/

Marcos' report to the public comes a week after gov't reported that the economy grew just 4% in the third quarter of 2025. https://www.rappler.com/business/gross-domestic-product-philippines-q3-2025/

Marcos said it is better to be meticulous in building cases against those involved in infrastructure corruption. “Maging mabusisi kesa magkamali,” he said. This seems to be a response to public criticism over why no one has been jailed yet.

New BIR chief Charlito Mendoza takes his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on November 13, 2025. Photo from PCO

Senate blue ribbon committee chair Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said former congressman Zaldy Co will not be allowed to virtually participate in the panel's hearing on Friday, November 14.

"I didn’t push through with the initial plan to invite him (Co) via Zoom. On second thought, the hearing might afford him a platform to say anything he wants even with no probative value and worse for propaganda purposes only without any accountability for at least possible contempt citation," he said.

Lacson said Co's lawyer asked for his client to be excused from tomorrow's hearing, saying that the former congressman is currently in the United States and undergoing medication.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/where-is-zaldy-co/

Former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada attended the 90th anniversary celebration of the Office of the Vice President. They both previously served as vice president.

Hi everyone! We're here at the Senate's session hall today, where the blue ribbon committee will resume its probe into anomalous flood control projects. Stay tuned for updates.

Sara Duterte arrives in the venue of the Office of Vice President’s 90th anniversary celebration.

Former DPWH Usec Roberto Bernardo details how he facilitated the deals with several senators, including Senators Jinggoy Estrada, ex-Sen. Grace Poe, Mark Villar (who also served as DPWH chief), and former senator now DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Makati Mayor Nancy Binay — both implicated by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in an alleged kickback scheme — are attending the Office of the Vice President’s 90th anniversary celebration with Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bernardo denies helping "sell" DPWH projects to House lawmakers, saying that they have their own way of dealing for infra projects with their respective district engineers

For context, the event is being held in Binay’s bailiwick Makati City.

BREAKING: ZALDY CO SPEAKS OUT, TAGS MARCOS AND ROMUALDEZ IN BICAM INSERTION SCHEME

Former congressman and House appropriations chair Zaldy Co speaks out for the first time, accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House speaker Martin Romualdez of masterminding anomalous national budget insertions in the bicam level.

In a video statement sent by his office on Friday, November 14, Co said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman called him at the start of the bicam for the 2025 budget and said the President instructed him to insert P100 billion worth of projects in the bicam. Pangandaman allegedly told Co that he could confirm the directive from Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Adrian Bersamin, who was supposedly with Marcos in the meeting.

Co also claimed that he even tried to reduce the budget insertions to just P50 billion, but said Marcos stopped him, because the funds have already been promised to him by Romualdez.

UPDATE: Senator Mark Villar denies involvement in the infra scam after he was tagged by ex-DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as one of the officials that ran the kickback system.

"I ask the public to be discerning and not to rush judgement based solely on a person's affidavit, which may be manufactured or tailored fit for his or other people’s convenience," he said.

Prior to his election in 2019, Villar served as DPWH secretary. During this time, Bernardo claimed they collected 10% from public works projects, half of which were given to Villar's cousin Carlo Aguilar "presumably for Sec. Mark Villar."

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mark-villar-bonoan-cabral-operated-dpwh-kickback-system-witness-bernardo/

Endless accusations, fruitless investigations. Sometimes I wonder if there is still hope for our generation. 🙁

Makati Mayor and former senator Nancy Binay denies any link to flood control corruption allegations. Here’s her full statement:
Tahimik na po tayong nagtatrabaho bilang Mayor ng Makati, at uulitin ko po: Wala po akong kinalaman, ni anumang papel, sa anumang proyekto sa flood control, at wala po akong empleyado sa senado na kayang gawin ang ibinabato sa akin.
I will not allow lies such as this to distract my focus in serving the people of Makati.