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Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Travel alerts sought for Discayas, others
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against some of its officials and contractors involved in ghost and anomalous flood control projects. The request issued by newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon covers 26 DPWH officials and private individuals including spouses Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and Pacifico Discaya of Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp. people involved in the ongoing investigation being conducted by both houses of Congress and the soon-to-be created independent commission would be available for questioning.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/03/news/dpwh-seeks-lookout-bulletin-vs-officials-contractors-in-ghost-projects/2177921
Sarah’s companies lose licenses
THE Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) has revoked the licenses of nine construction companies owned or controlled by businesswoman Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya due to violations of procurement and licensing laws. The resolution, approved on Sept. 1, stemmed from Discaya’s testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, where she admitted under oath to owning and controlling nine construction firms that had simultaneously joined government bidding processes. PCAB said her admission established a collusive scheme designed to manipulate procurement outcomes, undermine competition and corner projects in violation of Republic Act 4566, or the Contractors’ License Law, and the Government Procurement Reform Act. The nine companies identified in the resolution are St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corp.; Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.; St. Timothy Construction Corp.; Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.; St. Matthew General Contractor & Development Corp.; Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc.; YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc.; Way Maker OPC; and Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/04/news/national/discaya-companies-licenses-revoked-for-bid-rigging/2178386
Marcos orders sweeping review of DPWH budget
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), Malacañang said Wednesday. The order comes amid the government’s ongoing investigation into corruption in flood control projects and Congress’ deliberation of the proposed P6.793-trillion spending plan for next year. In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President directed Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to lead and expedite the review to avoid delays in budget deliberations.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/04/news/national/marcos-orders-full-budget-review-for-dpwh-amid-ghost-projects-scandal/2177978
Most Pinoys did not experience vote-buying in 2025 polls – OCTA
SIX out of 10 Filipinos did not experience or personally know about vote-buying in the 2025 elections, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed. In its Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from July 12-17, 62 percent of respondents said they neither experienced or personally knew of vote-buying in the May 2025 midterm elections. On the other hand, most of the 38 percent that said they experienced it believed vote-buying affected the outcome of the elections. By regional breakdown, only the Cordillera, Negros Island and all regions in Mindanao had majority of its respondents saying that they experienced vote-buying. In other regions, most respondents said they did not encounter vote-buying. Some 49 percent of socioeconomic class ABC said they also had no exposure to vote-buying, while those ages 75 and above were also the highest among those who said that they had not experienced it. OCTA said the results indicate that while the overall majority of Filipinos did not perceive vote-buying as affecting them, the practice is “unevenly distributed across regions, socioeconomic classes and age groups.”
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/04/news/national/majority-of-filipinos-unaware-of-vote-buying-in-2025-elections-octa-survey-shows/2178383
Govt scrambles to tighten rules
THE government has moved to tighten its spending and approval processes in the wake of a massive corruption scandal that has embroiled the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), private contractors and legislators. The Department of Finance said on Wednesday that flood control projects would now be evaluated in an aggregate manner to ensure accountability and efficient use of public funds. Meanwhile, the Construction Industry Association of the Philippines (CIAP) and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) — both under the Department of Trade and Industry — are now under the direct supervision of Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/04/business/top-business/government-tightens-spending-reviews-approval-processes-after-flood-control-scandal/2178486
EJ Obiena returns to Tokyo for Worlds
PHILIPPINE pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is headed back to Tokyo for the upcoming World Athletics Championships. In a late announcement by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa), Obiena met the qualifying standard from last year. Obiena also mentioned this in a post on his Instagram and Facebook pages on Tuesday night, along with the World Athletics Continental Tour that will take place in Beijing, China, on Sept. 7 and his Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati City.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/04/sports/ej-obiena-returns-to-tokyo-for-worlds/2177937
Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras and Danton Remoto are today’s front page columnists. Contreras talks about public shaming missing the mark, while Remoto discusses the what ifs in life.
Today’s editorial calls on the Philippine government to support the United Nations’ move to Geneva, Switzerland. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/opinion
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