The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has found that the joint testimony of 18 former bodyguards of fugitive and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, alleging they delivered billions of pesos in flood control funds to lawmakers, has “no probative value,” as it was mostly hearsay and a “coordinated narrative.” “The evidence is weak....
Tag: corruption
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7 reasons why the party-list system serves dynasties, not democracy
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading an antidynasty bill that critics say will end up legalizing—rather than penalizing—political dynasties. It was silent on the party-list issue, meaning that political-clan members can continue to be elected to party-list seats, taking their place alongside their relatives serving in Congress and local government posts. PCIJ...
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The Senate’s accountability gap in 4 points
The May 11 drama in the Senate was surprising only for its theatrics—a leadership coup in the afternoon, a fugitive senator hiding in the chamber’s inner recesses by early evening, and law enforcers kept at bay by closed doors and barbed wire. The Senate has long been the place where senators charged with serious crimes...
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Only 2 more signatures needed for flood control corruption report to reach Senate floor
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is seeking two more members of the blue ribbon committee that would sign the controversial partial report on the flood control corruption so the chamber can push for reforms to “dismantle” its “very anatomy.” Reporting on the partial committee report on Tuesday on the floor, Lacson acknowledged that only...
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The House justice committee enters ‘a territory of forensic truth’
Vice President Sara Duterte had billion of pesos in transactions that were flagged by banks to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), despite declaring official income and net worth way below her bank records. For certain years, she failed to declare her cash on hand and cash deposits in her statements of assets, liabilities and net...
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Possible giant leap in real property tax alarms Ayala Alabang Village residents
Residents of Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City have expressed alarm over an increase of up to 4,304% in the value of residential land in the posh neighborhood that will raise their payments of the yearly “amilyar,” or real property tax (RPT). At a public hearing on Feb. 11 in the barangay hall of the...
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The Veep’s declared run for No. 1 and her ‘ready’ running mate
Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement of her presidential run in 2028 was hardly unexpected. She has been projected as front-runner; her approval ratings stay strong despite her questioned disbursement of P612 million in confidential funds taken from taxpayer money. The continuing absence of explanation for the disbursement is again in prime spot among the burning issues...
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Gen Z and activism: Fighting for their own future
Second of two parts Gen Z Filipinos are not as active in street protests against corruption in public works projects as they are online. They spent their earlier years indoors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which partly explains the unwillingness of most of them to leave home and participate in current outdoor protests. They feel...
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Gen Z and activism: Fighting against corruption
First of two parts The call to jail the crooks in the flood-control corruption scandal thundered above all others in a setting intended to highlight athletic excellence and school pride, not political defiance: “Ikulong na ’yan, mga kurakot!” It was halftime during the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) basketball match between the University...
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‘Dysfunctional leadership’ reflected in impeachment complaints against Marcos and Duterte
The filing of impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte reflects “dysfunctional” leadership at the highest level of government, according to Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. The filings—two each for the two leaders—are also testing the Constitution, rattling investor confidence, and once again turning Congress into an arena for...