Civil society leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia called for fairness and sobriety amid allegations linking First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos to supposed irregularities in flood control projects, saying that “integrity should never be tainted by gossip nor condemned by speculation.” Goitia, chairman emeritus of several civic groups including ABKD, PADER, LIPI, and FDNY, lamented that “in this age of …
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Malacañang on Wednesday said the possible reimposition of the death penalty, amid growing public outrage over corruption in government, requires careful and thorough study. In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has yet to take a position on proposals to restore capital punishment as a deterrent against corruption. …
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The Philippine Army (PA) announced on Wednesday that Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga has been delisted from the military’s Reserve Force for “actions deemed equivalent to grave offenses.” In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Barzaga’s removal took effect on September 21 following a “thorough review of the circumstances surrounding his case” and in accordance with …
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Twelve local government units (LGUs) across the country received brand-new Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), further strengthening emergency medical response capabilities in remote and disaster-prone areas. The beneficiaries include the municipalities of Calumpit (Bulacan), Baras (Rizal), New Bataan (Davao de Oro), Bugallon (Pangasinan), Toboso (Negros Occidental), Sultan Kudarat (Maguindanao del Norte), Burgos, Laoag, …
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The Procurement Service (PS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently unveiled an enhanced open data portal designed to promote greater transparency and accountability in government procurement. During the launch ceremony at the DBM central office in San Miguel, Manila, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS) Open Data Portal will …
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In any functioning democracy, accountability is a non-negotiable pillar. But in the Philippines today, what we are witnessing is not merely a failure of governance — it is a state of systemic impunity that has turned corruption into policy, and incompetence into spectacle. The Department of Education has raised alarm: only two new classrooms have been built this year by the Department …
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by Boy Villasanta Was it only on Monday, October 20, 2025 when Market Monitor news online and hard copy carried the story of Lovi Poe musing on her pregnancy through poetry. Its kicker was pulled off “to give birth anytime.” In her Facebook wall, Lovi posted a video clip showing her while clasping the baby a few hours ago with …
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Civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia has denounced the alleged plot to harm President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family, calling it “a cowardly and un-Filipino act that endangers not just one man, but the entire nation.” The information surfaced online after blogger Pebbles Cunanan claimed that certain groups linked to supporters of the previous administration were allegedly discussing …
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The provincial government of Northern Samar has completed the ₱31-million three-storey Allen municipal building under the 2023 Supplemental Appropriation. Northern Samar Representative Edwin Marino Ongchuan said the project began in 2019 under former local officials and was finished through provincial funding support. The new municipal hall features a 250 KVA generator, CCTV system, air-conditioning, a lift elevator for PWD accessibility, …
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Malacañang has appealed to the business community to trust ongoing government investigations into corruption in public projects, assuring that those involved will be held accountable. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited progress by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), which is pursuing the forfeiture of ₱5 billion in assets and pushing graft charges against 18 individuals over the ₱289.5-million flood …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business