President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Friday the appointment of Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro as special envoy to facilitate a peaceful solution to the Myanmar crisis, as the Philippines assumes the Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

During the national launching of the country’s ASEAN Chairship in 2026, President Marcos said the Philippines will continue to champion peace, stability through dialogue, adherence to international law, and enhanced cooperation on traditional and non-traditional security issues.

The pursuit of peace, stability and dialogue in the region are anchored on ASEAN’s founding principles, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the United Nations Charter, said the President.

“We believe that through cooperation and understanding, ASEAN can further strengthen its role as a force for peace and progress in the global community,” President Marcos said during the launching ceremony held in the historic Intramuros district in Manila.

“In this spirit, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro as the Philippines’ Special Envoy of the Chair on Myanmar,” the President said.

The President expressed confidence that Lazaro will bring a “constructive, principled, and inclusive approach” to supporting the people of Myanmar, guided by the mandate she was given and the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC).

“Secretary Tess, you better get this done. I already made a promise to everyone,” the President remarked.

The 5PC is a roadmap for peace in Myanmar that was agreed upon by ASEAN Leaders in 2021.

The 5PC consists of the following: immediate cessation of violence; constructive dialogue to seek a peaceful solution; mediation for a dialogue facilitated by a Special Envoy of ASEAN; humanitarian assistance from ASEAN; and meeting by the Special Envoy with all parties concerned in Myanmar.

During its ASEAN Chairship next year, the Philippines will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the TAC, marking 50 years of cooperation and dialogue in the region and beyond, said the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led on Friday the formal national launch of the Philippines’ Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

In a ceremony held at the Foro De Intramuros within the historic Intramuros district in Manila, President Marcos announced the focus of the 11-nation bloc under the Philippines’ Chairship next year.

Under next year’s theme of “Navigating our Future, Together,” ASEAN will focus on three priorities, namely peace and security anchors; prosperity corridors; and people empowerment.

“These will direct ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on regional security, deepen economic integration through innovation and sustainability, and uplift the lives and resilience of our peoples,” said President Marcos.

The President said in the ASEAN peace and security pillar, the Philippines’ Chairship will highlight the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) for new and evolving security challenges, early warning systems, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

In the ASEAN economic pillar, the Philippines as ASEAN Chair will seek to harness AI to advance the region’s transition into a digitally empowered community.

“By promoting the safe, ethical, responsible, equitable, and sustainable adoption of AI in areas such as trade facilitation, digitalization, and innovation, we aim to enhance regional competitiveness, support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” President Marcos said.

Meanwhile, under the ASEAN socio-cultural pillar, the Philippines will champion the responsible use of AI to enhance healthcare, education, and youth empowerment by broadening access to essential services and cultivating creativity among the youth.

Under the Philippines’ Chairship, ASEAN will also explore AI-driven solutions that strengthen the ASEAN Family and advance the silver economy to meet the needs and demands of the elderly population.

“Of course, AI will not replace our human touch; rather, it will magnify our capacity to care, to teach, and to uplift communities across ASEAN,” said the President.

Participants to next year’s ASEAN-related meetings and activities will experience the “spirit of the Filipino people” as the Philippines set the venues around the country, namely Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Laoag, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Clark.

“Each of these places will host ASEAN meetings and events that celebrate our diversity, showcase our culture, and advance our shared goals,” President Marcos said.

“Together, these venues tell the story of a nation that mirrors ASEAN itself — diverse yet united, traditional yet forward-looking, and increasingly future-ready through innovation and technology.”

Marking the national launch of the Philippines’ Chairship, the ASEAN 2026 logo was projected at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City on Friday.

The President said the official ASEAN Philippines 2026 logo and stamp reflect unity of purpose and Filipino warmth. The ASEAN Philippines 2026 website will also be launched.

President Marcos recognized the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC) led by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and acknowledged the country’s partners in the diplomatic corps, government, business, civil society, and the youth for working together to ensure the Philippines’ readiness to lead ASEAN.

“Let us build an ASEAN that is united in its diversity, a steadfast body that stands close forever to its principles, and bold in its embrace of innovation — where technology serves humanity, and where AI helps secure peace, prosperity, and people empowerment,” said the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with world-renowned actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, an international human rights lawyer, during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Friday.

President Marcos, joined by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, discussed efforts to strengthen press freedom.

During their brief meeting, Ms. Clooney highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to broaden access to justice. President Marcos welcomed this and added the need for responsible regulation to ensure the ethical and secure use of AI.

In closing, the President reaffirmed the Administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom and expressed hope that the visit of the couple to the country would be both meaningful and enjoyable.

The Clooneys are in the Philippines to headline the Social Good Summit 2025 hosted by an online news platform on November 16 at Lanson Place in Pasay City. They are expected to speak on global challenges affecting free speech and civil liberties.

George Clooney, apart from his achievements as an award-winning actor and filmmaker, is widely recognized for his humanitarian initiatives and global advocacy.

Amal Clooney, an esteemed barrister specializing in international law and human rights, is a Professor of Practice in International Law at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, a Senior Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, and an Honorary Fellow at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford University. | PND

Malacañang disproved as complete lies the claims made by beleaguered ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the main personalities implicated in the flood control and infrastructure corruption scandal.

The Palace emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself initiated the investigation into the corruption that has resulted in the filing of criminal cases, issuance of asset freeze orders and implementation of reforms in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“These wild accusations are completely without basis in fact. All the charges leveled against the President are pure hearsay,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said in a news conference on Friday.

“Let us not forget, President Marcos Jr. himself exposed all these flood control anomalies and has taken numerous steps since to ensure that the guilty are brought to justice, the stolen wealth recovered, and the system is fixed to avoid any of this from happening again,” Gomez added.

Gomez challenged Co to return to the country to face investigation, and to make his statements under oath before the proper judicial authorities for legal accountability.

In the same news conference, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amehan Pangandaman disputed Co’s claim about the President’s supposed instructions for “insertions” in the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference committee.

Pangandaman pointed out that the President had no more hand in the budget process after Malacañang had submitted the National Expenditure Program to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two Congress chambers deliberate separately then convene the bicameral conference committee before returning the reconciled budget to Malacañang for approval.

“All appropriations ordered by the President are already in the National Expenditure Program. That is why it is called the President’s budget. So we reject any insinuations about it,” Pangandaman said.

“The bicam is purely under the power of the legislature. We respect and strictly follow the budget process and all our actions are above board,” the DBM chief stressed.

Pangandaman explained the Office of the President and the Executive Branch complied with the directives of the Constitution to craft the National Expenditure Program, submit this to Congress 30 days after the State of the Nation Address, and to explain the proposed budget in public briefings.

“Pagkatapos po nun, magde-deliberate na po sila. Wala na pong role ang Office of the President, ang Executive sa bicam,” Pangandaman pointed out.

PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Co was merely diverting blame after he was implicated for pocketing huge kickbacks based on evidence and his questionable lavish lifestyle.

“Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang iiwas ang sarili at mag name-drop kahit walang katibayan at laway lang ang puhunan. Para masagip ang sarili sa paratang ng pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan at mapalitaw na siya ang biktima, siya ay magtatahi ng maling kwento laban sa ibang tao,” Castro said.

The Palace Press Officer reiterated that President Marcos himself called attention to corruption in flood control projects during the July 28 Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) and created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to pursue the investigation.

“Bakit niya pasisimulan ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga, mag-establish ng ICI to investigate the anomalous flood control projects and other infrastructure kung ang Pangulo ay may kinalaman rito. Logic. Hindi ba dapat na iiwasan niya ang issue na ito kung siya mismo ay mapapaso,” Castro said.

“Malinaw ang mga pangyayari: papalapit na tayo sa katotohanan kaya’t pinipilit ilihis upang makaiwas ang mga tunay na may sala sa katarungan,” Castro added. | PND

Tiniyak ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang matatag na paninindigan ng Pilipinas sa pagpapatibay ng Rule of Law at sa pagpapaigting ng kooperasyon ng mga bansang kasapi ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sa pagbubukas ng 13th ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting na ginanap sa Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang-diin ng Pangulo na ang pagkakaisa ng mga bansang ASEAN ay dapat nakaugat sa katarungan at kaunlaran, mga haliging patuloy na nagsisilbing gabay ng rehiyon sa loob ng halos apat na dekada mula nang unang ganapin ang pagpupulong ng mga ASEAN Law Ministers noong 1986 sa Bali, Indonesia.

Isa sa mga pangunahing tampok ng pagpupulong ang nalalapit na pagpirma sa ASEAN Extradition Treaty (AET) — isang kasunduang magpapatibay sa pagtutulungan ng mga bansa sa paghahatid ng hustisya at sa pagtiyak na walang kriminal ang makatatakas sa batas sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtawid ng hangganan o border.

“The AET reflects our collective resolve – that individuals with criminal charges will not escape justice by crossing borders in ASEAN (Ang AET ay malinaw na pahayag ng ating kolektibong paninindigan — na hindi makakatakas sa hustisya ang mga taong may kasong kriminal sa loob ng ASEAN),” ani Pangulong Marcos.

“With this landmark treaty, we send a clear message to the world that we are united and that our legal foundation is stronger than ever (Sa kasunduang ito, ipinapakita natin sa buong mundo na ang ASEAN ay nagkakaisa at may mas matatag na pundasyong legal).”

Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, mahalagang harapin ng ASEAN hindi lamang ang mga tradisyunal na krimen kundi pati na rin ang mga bagong hamon ng makabagong panahon, kabilang ang cybercrimes at ang mga etikal at legal na usapin ng Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Giit ng Pangulo, kailangang maging makatarungan, matatag, at ligtas ang mga batas na namamahala sa digital space upang mapanatiling makatao at inklusibo ang pag-unlad ng rehiyon.

“We make these efforts to promote the idea that the law continues to be the great equalizer of our time (Dapat nating tiyakin na ang batas ay patuloy na nagsisilbing dakilang tagapagpantay sa ating panahon),” aniya.

“This is especially true now as we have seen how corruption, inefficiency, and impunity can erode the moral bases of our societies
(Ito ay totoo sa kasalukuyang panahon na nakikita natin kung paano sinisira ng korupsyon, kawalan ng kakayahan, at kawalan ng parusa ang moral na pundasyon ng ating mga lipunan).”

Pinagtibay din ni Pangulong Marcos ang pangako ng Pilipinas na makipagtulungan sa lahat ng kasaping bansa para sa isang mas matatag, mas matibay, at mas inklusibong ASEAN, kabilang ang pagbibigay-suporta sa Timor-Leste habang ito ay naghahanda na maging ganap na kasapi ng mga legal na katawan ng ASEAN.

Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang talumpati, nanawagan ang Pangulo sa lahat ng mga kasapi na ipagpatuloy ang pagkakaisa at dedikasyon upang mapanatiling buhay ang pangako ng ASEAN sa katarungan, pagkakapantay-pantay, at kapayapaan.

“Together, let us honor that promise and work towards it, united in the belief that justice and fairness know no borders in ASEAN (Sama-sama nating tuparin ang pangakong ito — na sa ASEAN, ang katarungan at pagkakapantay-pantay ay walang hangganan),” pagtatapos ni Pangulong Marcos. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged law ministers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen cooperation in combating cybercrimes and addressing issues on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In his keynote speech at the opening of the two-day 13th ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM) held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, President Marcos welcomed the signing of the ASEAN Extradition Treaty (AET) during the meeting currently chaired by the Philippines.

“The AET reflects our collective resolve – that individuals with criminal charges will not escape justice by crossing borders in ASEAN,” said the President.

The AET reflects legal principles contained in international agreements, including extradition of nationals, procedures for provisional arrest and documentation, and mechanisms for the settlement of disputes and implementation.

“With this landmark treaty, we send a clear message to the world that we are united and that our legal foundation is stronger than ever,” President Marcos declared.

While the AET will enhance regional action against conventional cross-border crimes, the President urged ASEAN law ministers to strengthen collaboration on emerging transnational challenges.

“I speak of the threat of cybercrimes and the ethical and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence. We must ensure that our laws can govern the digital space fairly and securely,” said the President.

President Marcos also urged ASEAN law ministers to heighten proactive efforts to ensure sustainable and secure growth in the region that is also rooted in human dignity.

“We make these efforts to promote the idea that the law continues to be the great equalizer of our time. This is especially true now as we have seen how corruption, inefficiency, and impunity can erode the moral bases of our societies,” the President said.

“Therefore, we must ensure that the legal framework works for the benefit of our peoples.”

Thanking ASEAN law ministers, senior officials, and partners, President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to work with all ASEAN Member States for a stronger and more resilient bloc.

“Let us continue on this path as we make the Rule of Law the most enduring promise we can make to our peoples. Together, let us honor that promise and work towards it, united in the belief that justice and fairness know no borders in ASEAN,” said the President.

Established in Bali, Indonesia in 1986, the ALAWMM serves as a vital platform for the Secretaries of Justice, Justice Ministers, and Attorneys-General of the ASEAN Member States to foster legal collaboration, promote the rule of law, and launch new initiatives among legal institutions in the region. | PND

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the nation in paying tribute to former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who passed away on Thursday.

Enrile, who has held various government positions, served as President Marcos’ Chief Presidential Legal Counsel since July 2022.

Enrile passed away at age 101.

“We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known,” President Marcos said in a statement.

“For over 50 years, Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments. Even in his final years, he remained brilliant, sharp, and firm in his belief that law and governance must always serve the Filipino people,” the President added.

President Marcos said Enrile’s passing marked the close of a chapter in the country’s history, but the mark he left behind in law, governance, and public service will never be forgotten.

“Maraming salamat, Tito Johnny. Paalam at salamat sa isang buhay na buong puso mong inalay para sa bayan,” President Marcos said.

Enrile served as justice minister and defense minister to President Marcos’ late father, President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.

Enrile was elected district representative of Cagayan for one term (1992-1995) and senator for four terms (1987-1992, 1995-2001, 2004-2010, and 2010-2016), during which he served as Senate President from 2008 to 2013. | PND

Bumisita si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa lalawigang-isla ng Catanduanes nitong Huwebes upang siyasatin ang mga lugar na sinalanta ng Super Typhoon Uwan at pangunahan ang pagpapatuloy ng tulong sa mga apektadong residente.

Pumunta ang Pangulo sa Tubli Elementary School sa Barangay Tubli, bayan ng Caramoran, kung saan kanya ring tiningnan ang mga silid-aralan na nasira ng Super Typhoon Uwan at ng Super Typhoon Pepito noong nakaraang taon.

May 739 mag-aaral at 30 kawani ang Tubli Elementary School. Sa 23 silid-aralan nito, isa ang tuluyang nasira, 14 ang may malalang pinsala, habang ang natitira ay may bahagyang pinsala dulot ng Super Typhoon Uwan.

Nag-donate si Pangulong Marcos ng dalawang yunit ng Starlink internet satellite sa Tubli Elementary School at sa pamahalaang lokal ng Caramoran.

Pagkatapos nito, sinuri rin ng Pangulo ang mga nasirang bahay at ang seawall sa parehong barangay.

Ayon sa ulat ng Caramoran, may 558 bahay ang tuluyang nasira at 2,127 ang bahagyang nasira.

Sa Barangay Tubli, kung saan nakatulong ang seawall upang maprotektahan ang komunidad sa baybayin, may 158 bahay ang tuluyang nasira at 370 ang bahagyang nasira, habang halos lahat ng mga motorbanca ay winasak ng super bagyo.

Alinsunod sa “whole-of-government approach,” inutusan ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng tulong at ayuda sa mga residenteng apektado ng bagyo at tulungan silang makabangon sa lalong madaling panahon.

Kasama sa tulong ang Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) ng Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), na magbibigay ng tulong-pinansyal sa mga mamamayang nawalan o nasiraan ng tirahan dahil sa Super Typhoon Uwan.

Ayon sa Pangulo, nagpapatuloy ang koordinasyon ng lahat ng mga ahensya ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng mga apektadong lokal na pamahalaan sa mga hakbangin para sa relief, recovery, at rehabilitation.

Noong Nobyembre 5, nilagdaan ni Pangulong Marcos ang Proklamasyon Blg. 1077 na nagdedeklara ng isang taong national state of calamity upang mapabilis ang mga kritikal na hakbang sa pagtugon at pagbangon matapos ang kalamidad. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the island province of Catanduanes on Thursday to inspect areas devastated by Super Typhoon Uwan and oversee continued assistance to affected residents.

President Marcos went to the Tubli Elementary School in Barangay Tubli, Caramoran municipality, where he inspected the classrooms damaged by Super Typhoon Uwan and those damaged by Super Typhoon Pepito a year ago.

Tubli Elementary School has 739 learners and 30 staff personnel. Of its 23 classrooms, one was totally damaged, 14 sustained major damage while the rest had minor damage as a result of Super Typhoon Uwan.

The President donated two units of Starlink internet satellite to Tubli Elementary School and the Caramoran local government unit.

President Marcos proceeded to inspect the damaged houses and the seawall in the same barangay.

Caramoran has reported 558 totally damaged houses and 2,127 partially damaged houses.

In Barangay Tubli, where the seawall helped protect the coastal community, there were 158 totally damaged and 370 partially damaged houses while nearly all motor bancas were destroyed during the super typhoon.

Following the whole-of-government approach, President Marcos instructed government agencies to continue to provide relief and assistance to typhoon-affected residents and help them recover as soon as possible.

The assistance includes the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to provide cash assistance to residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged by Super Typhoon Uwan.

The President said all national government agencies and affected LGUs continue to coordinate relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

President Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1077 on November 5 declaring a one-year national state of calamity to facilitate critical disaster response and post-disaster recovery measures. | PND

“Alam ko, bago mag-Pasko, makukulong na sila. Wala silang Merry Christmas.”

Sinabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Huwebes na karamihan sa mga kinasuhan kaugnay ng katiwalian sa mga proyektong pang-flood control ay makukulong bago sumapit ang Pasko, bilang bahagi ng kanyang administrasyon sa pagsusulong ng pananagutan at hustisya.

Sa isang press conference sa Malacañang, iniulat ng Pangulo ang mga nagawa mula pa noong Ika-apat na State of the Nation Address (SONA) noong Hulyo 28, na nagbunga ng pagsasampa ng mga kasong kriminal laban sa mga umano’y nagwaldas ng pondo ng bayan sa mga peke at mababang kalidad na proyekto, pagpapatupad ng asset freeze orders, at pagsasagawa ng mga reporma sa mga proyekto ng pampublikong imprastraktura.

“Alam ko, bago mag-Pasko, marami dito sa napangalanan… matatapos na ‘yung kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso. Makukulong na sila. Wala silang Merry Christmas,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos, nakatutok ang mga aksyon ng administrasyon sa tatlong layunin.

Una, panagutin ang mga sangkot sa katiwalian; pangalawa bawiin ang mga ninakaw na pondo ng bayan; at pangatlo, magtatag ng mga repormang pipigil sa ganitong mga gawain.

“Kaya ‘yang mga taong ‘yan na kasabwat diyan, ito mga walanghiyang nagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan: tapos na ang maliligaya ninyong araw. Hahabulin na namin kayo,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.

Binanggit din ng Pangulo ang kahalagahan ng matibay na ebidensya sa pagsasampa ng kaso, upang maiwasan ang pagkakabasura ng mga ito dahil sa teknikalidad sa batas.

“Alam ninyo kinakatakutan namin na ‘yung mga alam natin na talagang kasabwat dito sa kawalang hiyaang ito ay makakalusot sa kaso because of a legal technicality, dahil nagkamali tayo sa pagbuo Ng ebidensya, dahil hindi maganda ang pagprisinta ng kaso o nakalimutan natin ang pagpirma sa Isang dokumento.” ayon Kay Pangulong Marcos

” Kaya tinitiyak namin na pagka kami ay sumampa ng kaso, yang kasong yan hanggang dulo ay matibay ang kaso at kung sino man ang mga guilty, ay sila naman talaga ay mananagot. at kung kailangan at kung huhusgahan sila ng korte ay makukulong sila,”

Matapos banggitin ng Pangulo sa SONA ang katiwalian sa flood control projects, nagsagawa ang Malacañang ng pambansang audit at imbestigasyon, at binuksan ang “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website para sa mga ulat ng publiko.

Nagsampa na ng mga kasong kriminal laban sa mga kasalukuyan at dating opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at Commission on Audit (COA), gayundin sa ilang mambabatas at kontratista.

Ilang araw bago likhain ni Pangulong Marcos ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) noong Setyembre 11, nagsampa na ang DPWH at COA ng unang hanay ng kaso sa Ombudsman laban sa tatlong kontratista, kabilang dito ang St. Timothy Construction, Wawao Builders at SYMS Construction Trading.

Inilagay din ng DPWH sa blacklist ang siyam (9) na kumpanyang konektado kina Pacifico at Sarah Discaya, kabilang ang St. Timothy Construction.

Noong Setyembre din, nagsampa ng kasong graft ang DPWH laban sa 20 opisyal ng Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) at anim (6) na contractor mula sa St. Timothy Construction, Wawao Builders, SYMS Construction Trading, IM Construction Corp., at Topnotch Catalyst Builders/One Frame Construction.

Samantala, nasabi ring buwan, nasamsam ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) ang 13 luxury vehicles ng mag-asawang Discaya at itinakda ang public auction sa Nobyembre 20.

Ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ay kumuha ng direktang kontrol sa contractor licensing upang maiwasan ang conflict of interest, habang ang Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) ay naglabas ng pitong freeze orders na may kabuuang halaga na PhP6.3 bilyon — kabilang ang mga bank account, ari-arian, sasakyan, insurance, at e-wallet accounts — isa sa pinakamalaking asset seizures sa kasaysayan ng bansa.

Noong Setyembre 29, inirekomenda ng ICI sa Ombudsman ang unang batch ng mga kasong kriminal at administratibo laban sa 37 mambabatas, dating opisyal ng DPWH, at mga kontraktor, kaugnay ng graft, korapsyon, malversation, falsification, at plunder.

Noong Oktubre, sinampahan ng mga kasong malversation at graft and corruption ang 13 opisyal at kawani ng La Union 2nd DEO, walong opisyal at kawani ng Davao Occidental DEO, at apat na kontratista mula sa Silverwolves Construction Corp. at St. Timothy Construction Corp.

Samantala sa nasabi ring buwan, nagsampa naman ang Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) ng 12 kaso ng bid-rigging laban sa St. Timothy Construction Corp.

Noong Nobyembre, nagsampa ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ng mga kaso ng pag-iwas sa buwis na nagkakahalaga ng PhP8.86 bilyon laban sa 89 na kontratista at siyam na opisyal mula sa DPWH at COA. | PND