Suspect in robbery-rape of Pasay massage therapists nabbed in Albay

Suspect in robbery-rape of Pasay massage therapists nabbed in Albay

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspects were identified in the robbery-rape case involving 13 massage therapists in Pasay City, and one of them was caught in Albay, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced. “We have a breakthrough in that investigation with the taking into custody of one of the suspects in that case,” Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a press conference at Camp Crame on Monday. A police investigative report obtained by INQUIRER.net identified the suspects as “Ashley” and “Jared,” both 23-year-old males. The source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said Jared surrendered […]... Keep on reading: Suspect in robbery-rape of Pasay massage therapists nabbed in Albay

Senators hit flood control contractor for invoking right vs self-incrimination

Senators hit flood control contractor for invoking right vs self-incrimination

MANILA, Philippines — Wawao Builders General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo earned the ire of some senators on Monday after he neither confirmed nor denied whether his firm has ghost flood control projects in the country. At the Senate blue ribbon committee’s investigation of anomalous flood control projects, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva took his time to ask contractors whether or not they have ghost flood control projects in Bulacan. St. Timothy Construction Corporation owner and manager Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando was the first resource person asked by Villanueva, who immediately answered that her firm has no ghost projects. After this, […]... Keep on reading: Senators hit flood control contractor for invoking right vs self-incrimination

Dizon to order DPWH officials to submit courtesy resignation

Dizon to order DPWH officials to submit courtesy resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Heeding the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lead the government’s anti-corruption drive, particularly in flood control projects, Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon ordered a thorough cleansing of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on his first day at the agency. “The first order I will put out is the courtesy resignations, top to bottom — Usecs (undersecretaries), Asecs (assistant secretaries), division heads, regional directors, down to district engineers,” Dizon said in Filipino at a press conference in Malacañang on Monday. “The order of the President is to clean house, to cleanse the agency… a clean sweep, that is the order of the President,” he added. The courtesy resignations would be followed by an intensive review of all DPWH personnel. “I believe that there are many good and excellent employees within the DPWH. The order of the President is to find them and place them in the sensitive and important positions,” Dizon said.

Akbayan lawmakers release redacted SALNs, urge colleagues to follow

Akbayan lawmakers release redacted SALNs, urge colleagues to follow

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Akbayan Reform Bloc in the House of Representatives released the redacted copies of their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) to prove their commitment to transparency, urging colleagues in the chamber to do the same. In a statement on Monday, the bloc — composed of Akbayan party-list Reps. Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, along with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao — released their SALNs as a first step in regaining public trust in government. According to the documents, Bag-ao has the highest net worth at P15.05 million, followed by […]... Keep on reading: Akbayan lawmakers release redacted SALNs, urge colleagues to follow

Contractors behind ‘ghost projects’ face lifetime gov’t ban, says DPWH

Contractors behind ‘ghost projects’ face lifetime gov’t ban, says DPWH

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Monday that contractors found guilty of implementing “ghost projects” would face automatic lifetime blacklisting from government projects. This was one of the first three directives he would issue as the new chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Dizon said during a Palace briefing. READ: Vince Dizon takes oath as DPWH chief A “sweeping revamp” of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board would be ordered, the new DPWH chief said. Moreover, Dizon announced that he would order the courtesy resignation of all DPWH officials, from “top to bottom.” […]... Keep on reading: Contractors behind ‘ghost projects’ face lifetime gov’t ban, says DPWH

INQToday: Senate panel cites contractors for contempt in flood control probe

INQToday: Senate panel cites contractors for contempt in flood control probe

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: Marcos: Bonoan resigns as DPWH chief over ‘command responsibility’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said Manuel Bonoan resigned as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) due to “command responsibility.” In an ambush interview in Pasay City, Marcos was asked what prompted him to accept Bonoan’s resignation and appoint Vince Dizon as the new DPWH chief. Vince Dizon takes oath as DPWH chief Vince Dizon takes his oath as the new secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. […]... Keep on reading: INQToday: Senate panel cites contractors for contempt in flood control probe

Suspect in Meralco employee's slay surrenders in Cavite

Suspect in Meralco employee's slay surrenders in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines — The suspect in the killing of a Manila Electric Company (Meralco) employee in Cavite surrendered to the authorities on Monday morning, the police said. The Dasmariñas City police presented the suspect to the media in a press conference with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Quezon City on Monday. “We will investigate the suspect now that he surrendered,” Dasmariñas City police chief Lt. Col. Regino Oñate told reporters in a chance interview after the conference. “Based on our investigation, that really was the reason – road rage. The victim followed the suspect until […]... Keep on reading: Suspect in Meralco employee's slay surrenders in Cavite

Bonoan, others face Senate’s flood control probe

Bonoan, others face Senate’s flood control probe

MANILA, Philippines — Former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan and other persons linked to the alleged anomalies in the flood control program attended the Senate blue ribbon panel’s probe on Monday. Although Bonoan resigned on Sunday and was replaced by former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, he still represented the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) […]... Keep on reading: Bonoan, others face Senate’s flood control probe