Witness: 25% of infra project budget given as ‘proponents’ commitment’

Inquirer.net - Oct 29, 2026

MANILA, Philippines—A former Public Works and Highways official on Thursday said 25 percent of the budget allocated for infrastructure projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) are given as “commitments” to certain proponents, including senators. This was according to former Public Works and Highways Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, who testified as a prosecution witness

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Oct 29, 2026

LGU employee killed, child bystander wounded in Pampanga ambush

MABALACAT CITY — A 54-year-old male employee of the Arayat municipal government died while a 10-year-old bystander was wounded in an early morning ambush at the town’s Gatiawin village on Wednesday. The municipal government employee was riding a motorcycle when a still unidentified assailant shot him several times at 7:20 a.m., the Pampanga police said.

Oct 29, 2026

WATCH: Hegseth-Teodoro talks, Undas 2026 updates top INQToday newscast

MANILA, Philippines — Here are INQToday’s top stories this afternoon. The United States will increase its security cooperation funding to help speed up the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), following talks between US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Cebu. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s

Oct 29, 2026

SC clears ex-principal of grave misconduct for cutting trees: No proof

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has reduced the offense and the penalty meted on a former public school principal in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro over an unauthorized cutting of trees. The high tribunal, in a decision on June 2 released only on Thursday, partially granted the petition sought by Melencio Corpuz. Corpuz was found guilty of

Oct 29, 2026

Dad nabbed in Pampanga for allegedly taking ex-partner’s 2 kids

MABALACAT CITY — Police arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly taking his former partner’s two children without her consent in Pasay City and bringing them to San Fernando City in Pampanga. In a statement, the Philippine National Police Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) said the children, aged 11 and three, were taken without their mother knowing

Oct 29, 2026

Laoag launches Dulang Festival to promote Ilocano cuisine

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The Laoag City government had launched the first Dulang Festival to promote Ilocano cuisine and boost food tourism by showcasing the city’s traditional dishes and local food industry. The two-day festival, which ends on Thursday, brought together city officials, the Liga ng mga Barangay, residents, and food businesses to celebrate

Oct 29, 2026

Truck helper dies, driver hurt in Quezon road collision

LUCENA CITY — A 42-year-old truck helper died while the driver was injured when their vehicle collided with an Isuzu refrigerated van on Wednesday night in Atimonan, Quezon. The truck was negotiating a descending, curved section of the diversion road in Barangay Malinao Ilaya at 8:15 p.m. when the driver reportedly lost control due to

Oct 29, 2026

‘Tamban’ closed fishing season in Tayabas Bay begins

LUCENA CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Calabarzon has launched a closed fishing season for Bali Sardinella, locally known as “tamban,” in Tayabas Bay to protect the fish population during its spawning period. “The measure aims to give tamban the opportunity to reproduce and replenish their population, helping maintain an

Oct 29, 2026

No need for wanted posters for Bato dela Rosa for now, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has yet to see the need to issue wanted posters for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. This is despite an outstanding arrest warrant against him and a P50-million reward for anyone who can provide information on his whereabouts. READ: PNP opens hotlines for

Oct 29, 2026

JBC submits 5 names to Malacañang for next chief justice

MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Thursday decided to send the names of five candidates aspiring for the chief justice post to Malacañang after extensive deliberation. The names, which will be transmitted directly to the Office of the President, comes ahead of the mandatory retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Alexander G.

Oct 29, 2026

LOOK: OTS conducts security inspection at PITX ahead of Undas 2026

MANILA, Philippines—The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) conducted a security check at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Thursday, Oct. 29, in anticipation of the influx of passengers for Undas 2026. During the inspection, OTS officials did a walk-through, checked in on the security personnel on standby, and distributed emergency go bags to some passengers

Oct 29, 2026

Lilia Cuntapay Horror Fest back in Ilocos Norte with 11 short films

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur— Eleven short horror films by local filmmakers will be shown at the 15th Lilia Cuntapay Short Horror Film Festival on Oct. 30 at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The screening, scheduled for 8 p.m., will showcase Ilokano storytelling through horror films inspired by the filmography of

Oct 29, 2026

PNP tells dela Rosa to surrender anew: ‘End this with dignity on your part’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) once again appealed to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday to surrender. The police said turning himself in will avoid any untoward incident that could result from his arrest. PNP spokesperson P/Col. Allen Rae Co reiterated their call to the senator in a press conference, a

Witness: 25% of infra project budget given as ‘proponents’ commitment’

MORE NEWS

LGU employee killed, child bystander wounded in Pampanga ambush

WATCH: Hegseth-Teodoro talks, Undas 2026 updates top INQToday newscast

SC clears ex-principal of grave misconduct for cutting trees: No proof

Dad nabbed in Pampanga for allegedly taking ex-partner’s 2 kids

Laoag launches Dulang Festival to promote Ilocano cuisine

Truck helper dies, driver hurt in Quezon road collision

‘Tamban’ closed fishing season in Tayabas Bay begins

No need for wanted posters for Bato dela Rosa for now, says PNP

JBC submits 5 names to Malacañang for next chief justice

LOOK: OTS conducts security inspection at PITX ahead of Undas 2026

Lilia Cuntapay Horror Fest back in Ilocos Norte with 11 short films

PNP tells dela Rosa to surrender anew: ‘End this with dignity on your part’

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