Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Today’s episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer — your Trusted Building Partner. READ: Public Works Chief Vince Dizon demands courtesy resignations to 'clean house' NEWLY appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said he would call for courtesy resignations from top to bottom at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which has been racked by scandal over ghost projects and allegations of bribery and corruption. Dizon said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered him to clean the agency. The call for resignations will cover more than 400 DPWH personnel, including eight undersecretaries, six assistant secretaries, 17 regional directors and assistant regional directors, 197 district engineers, and more than 200 division chiefs. The courtesy resignations would be followed by an intensive review of all DPWH personnel. READ: Sarah Discaya grilled by Senate over alleged DPWH links CONTROVERSIAL contractor Sarah Discaya said her family owns nine companies involved in flood control projects, one of which, Alpha and Omega, bid on 491 projects and won 71. Out of these nine firms, one is owned by her eldest son and another is run by her husband’s cousin. Discaya on Monday attended the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation of reported ghost or substandard flood control projects. Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III asked her at what point her business earned its first billion. Discaya replied, “We have been in the construction business for [the past] 23 years, so I would presume in 23 years we can earn that [amount].” READ: Marcos to create independent commission to investigate flood control anomalies PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he would create an independent commission that would look into anomalies connected to the government’s flood control projects. “We are putting together the EO (executive order) that will create the independent commission. The independent commission will be the investigative arm so that they will continue to investigate whatever information is received,” Marcos said in a media interview in Pasay City. The chief executive said the commission will make recommendations on how to proceed against liable parties and whether to file cases with the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice (DOJ). BUSINESS: Philippines' manufacturing sector sees growth in August, but still below averages THE Philippines’ manufacturing sector continued to grow in August, supported by modest growth in output and new orders, but overall performance was said to be subdued compared to historical standards. The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 50.8 last month, easing from 50.9 in July but still above the 50.0 threshold marking an expansion from a contraction. “The headline figure indicated a further improvement in health of the Filipino manufacturing sector, but one that was historically subdued and only marginal overall,” S&P Global Market Intelligence said on Monday. SPORTS: Eala jumps to 70th in WTA rankings FILIPINO tennis ace Alex Eala found herself in 70th place of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) live rankings ahead of her Guadalajara Open campaign in Mexico. That is five rungs higher than her place of 75th, same as last week, in the latest official WTA rankings on Monday. After claiming a historic US Open first round win against world no. 14 Clara Tauson, the first-ever victory for any Philippine player in a singles main draw major, Eala climbed to 66th in the live rankings. Eala pulled off a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback win against Tauson of Denmark before bowing out in the second round with a 4-6, 3-6 defeat to Cristina Bucsa of Spain. READ: Opinion and editorial Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Orlando Mercado. Contreras talks about Journalism ethics in his column. Meanhwile, Makabenta says that the crisis of competence is what is roiling our government system today. Mercado talks about the Ombudsman as a dragon slayer in his piece. Today’s editorial proposes lifestyle checks on public servants to combat corruption. For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.