Philippine Politics 🇵🇭
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A Discaya firm blacklisted in 2020 made most of its comeback during the tenure of Roger Mercado, Duterte's DPWH chief after Mark Villar. St. Gerrard's biggest client: Mercado's own province, Southern Leyte. My latest: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/discayas-bag-billion-deals-southern-leyte-dpwh-chief-mercado/
ICI recommends filing of charges vs ex-senator Bong Revilla, Maynard Ngu, others
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has recommended filing of indirect and direct bribery, plunder, and other administrative charges against the following individuals: @here
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TINGNAN: Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang panunumpa ni Dean Pauline Alfuente bilang Acting Member ng Board of Directors ng Department of Finance–Credit Information Corporation (DOF–CIC). | via Bea Cupin/Rappler
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Ako Bicol's Garbin steps down from CA post Ako Bicol Representative Alfredo Garbin resigned from the powerful Commission on Appointments, saying he wants to "assume a more independent position in Congress." "This decision comes from a place of personal conviction and continued commitment to public service—not from any form of disagreement, resentment, or political rift," Garbin said in a press statement on Wednesday, December 3. "I wish to emphasize that I will continue to support all programs, measures, and initiatives of the House leadership and the Majority that are genuinely beneficial to the Filipino people. I firmly believe that good governance transcends political alignment, and cooperation must always prevail when the public welfare is at stake," he added. Garbin represents the party-list group that once had Zaldy Co as its nominee in Congress. Co, the former appropriations chair, was once a close ally of the Marcos administration, before he became the face of the flood control corruption scandal and a political headache for the President.
Former public works secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson resigned as Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) commissioner on Wednesday, December 3, ICI chairperson Andres Reyes confirmed. Singson cited the "very intense and stressful ICI work" as a reason for his resignation @here
That work is really stressful, but can be relieved by a "stretch-full" amount of money. 🤑
Heads-up for today. ICI will hold a press conference at 10 am on Thursday, December 4.
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Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte declines ICI's invitation to appear before the commission, saying that it has no "power nor jurisdiction" over him.
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ICI Commissioner Babes Singson holds press conference after resignation announcement
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Singson recognized that ICI doesn’t have enough powers. He appealed to the members of the Congress to pass the bill creating an Indpenent Commission for the People, which has much stronger power and authority.
For context, ICI was created by Marcos through an executive order in September. The commission is tasked to investigate infrastructure corruption in the past decade.
Presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos requested an executive session before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which the commission approved. @here
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An executive session means that ICI will not livestream Marcos' testimony before the commission.
Sandro Marcos’ legal counsel Mitch Lazaro said that the presidential son asked not to livestream his hearing because “there might be critical information that may be illicited from his testimony which may be jeopardize or compromise further investigation of the commission.”
After requesting for a closed door hearing, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos said that he has given the Independent Commission for Infrastructure authority to release the video of his full testimony if the commission “deemed it fit” and “if there are no information there that will jeopardize the investigation.
Ayan na naman: "executive session." Baka sa totoo ay "secretive session"? 😡
JUST IN: The Senate approves the proposed P6.7-trillion 2026 budget on second reading.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Joel Villanueva however voted against the measure. Cayetano noted that P175 billion in unprogrammed appropriations remain, and the proposed budget could still do better in supporting rural development.
Ang galing ng "drama" ng dalawang senators na ito! 😠
JUST IN: The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) secures a fresh freeze order covering the assets of a private construction company with the "greatest number of ghost flood control projects." The order also covers entities and individuals linked to the unnamed construction firm. The newest freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals covers 280 bank accounts, 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts, and eight air assets. "The filing of this petition for a freeze order underscores the AMLC's firm commitment to recover every peso of public funds that may have been misused," said AMLC Executive Director Matthew David.
So far, AMLC has received freeze orders covering some P13 billion in assets tied to the flood control scandal.
NEWS UPDATE: Palace press officer Usec Claire Castro says DOJ Usec Jojo Cadiz has submitted his resignation. No word yet if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted it.
A Rappler investigation found that Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz has ties to a major construction company that was only incorporated in 2023, by Usec Cadiz’ son who was 19 at that time. JSJ Builders Inc., the investigation found, won more than P200 million in projects in Ilocos Norte since its incoporation two years ago in 2023. Usec Cadiz has also been accused by former legislator Zaldy Co of supposedly acting as bagman for the President.
FULL STORY - https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/doj-undersecretary-jose-cadiz-jr-link-dpwh-contractor-jsj-builders/
A Rappler investigation found that Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz has ties to a major construction company that was only incorporated in 2023, by Usec Cadiz’ son who was 19 at that time. JSJ Builders Inc., the investigation found, won more than P200 million in projects in Ilocos Norte since its incoporation two years ago in 2023. Usec Cadiz has also been accused by former legislator Zaldy Co of supposedly acting as bagman for the President. FULL STORY - https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/doj-undersecretary-jose-cadiz-jr-link-dpwh-contractor-jsj-builders/
The "ties" that facilitate corruption. 😡
Is it the end for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure? Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla hints that the ICI's days are numbered. More details in this report https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/goodbye-ici/ @here