October, 2025

• 13 October

  Ex-QC councilor convicted for ₱6.4-M ghost projects

  

  The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of former Quezon City District III Councilor Dante De Guzman for graft involving more than ₱6 million worth of ghost projects. In a 15-page decision, the Court’s First Division affirmed the Sandiganbayan ruling that found De Guzman guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. …

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• 13 October

  ICC denies Duterte interim release plea

  

  The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, citing flight risks and the need to prevent obstruction of justice or the commission of further crimes. In a 23-page decision dated October 10, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ordered Duterte’s continued detention, saying he “continues to pose a flight risk” and that his release …

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• 13 October

  Remulla eyes special Sandiganbayan division for ghost project cases

  

  A special division in the Sandiganbayan dedicated to handling cases linked to the ghost flood control projects may soon be formed, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. Remulla said he plans to raise the proposal when he meets with magistrates of the anti-graft court next week, along with other possible measures to expedite the resolution of corruption cases. “I will …

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• 13 October

  ₱20 rice program to roll out across Davao region despite quake

  

  The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the ₱20-per-kilo rice program under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative will soon be available across all provinces in the Davao Region, even as the area reels from the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program’s rollout remains on track and may …

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• 13 October

  Senate panel to review PCO P1.1-B budget hike request

  

  The Senate Subcommittee on Finance chaired by Senator Loren Legarda will review the request of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to increase its proposed 2026 budget from ₱2.8 billion to ₱3.9 billion. During Friday’s budget hearing, Legarda said the panel will carefully evaluate the request based on the government’s available “fiscal space,” or capacity to expand spending without endangering long-term …

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• 13 October

  DPWH commences building of detour bridge in Cagayan 

  

  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started building a detour bridge near the collapsed Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, as part of a three-pronged strategy to ease the transport of agricultural goods in Luzon. DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon said the new 124-meter detour bridge, which has a 40-ton capacity—more than double the 18-ton limit of the old …

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• 13 October

  Drowning in scandal, washed away by distraction

  

  In a nation long plagued by corruption, the latest scandal surrounding overpriced farm-to-market roads and botched flood control projects is beginning to follow a familiar script — one that ends in impunity. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), without the knowledge or coordination of the Department of Agriculture (DA), has been exposed for constructing farm-to-market roads with bloated …

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• 13 October

  DTI finds Taguig City Public Market vendors SRP compliant

  

  Businesses in the Taguig City People’s Market are selling goods within or below the government’s suggested retail prices (SRPs), Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said on Thursday. Roque made the statement after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) jointly conducted a price monitoring activity to ensure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities …

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• 13 October

  Ham producer hints at price rollback for Yuletide season

  

  A ham manufacturer has informed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of a possible price rollback for the Christmas season, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said last week. Roque declined to identify the company pending price adjustment applications from other manufacturers. “But more of the requests are coming to the DTI now to encourage the manufacturers that there would be …

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• 13 October

  DOE vows timely rollout of 8 new petroleum service contracts

  

  Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has assured the timely implementation of eight new petroleum service contracts (PSCs) recently approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., covering exploration areas across the Sulu Sea, Cagayan, Cebu, Northwest Palawan, East Palawan, and Central Luzon. The Department of Energy (DOE) said the contracts were awarded through a transparent and competitive selection process under the Philippine …

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