Anti-graft court bars Escudero, supporter from leaving PH
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has barred Sen. Chiz Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu from leaving the country in light of the ombudsman’s application for a precautionary hold departure order in relation to the flood control scandal probe. The court’s sixth division released the resolution on Monday, April 27, ordering the Bureau of Immigration to place the two under the hold departure list. Escudero and his friend, campaign contributor Ngu, are facing investigation for graft, plunder, and indirect bribery. At a Senate hearing in November 2025, state witness and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo mentioned Escudero as among the lawmakers who received flood control kickbacks, supposedly facilitated by Ngu. Escudero denied the accusation that he was a recipient of kickbacks from infrastructure deals. In December, the then Independent Commission for Infrastructure sought an investigative review against Escudero and other lawmakers tagged in the supposed kickback scheme. Early this…
No premature announcement, nothing to correct on Marcos’ Zaldy Co statement – Palace
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected claims that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a premature announcement on the status of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, insisting there was “nothing to correct” in his statement. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president’s April 16 remark that “nahuli na si Zaldy Co” [Co has been caught] was accurate and did not equate to an arrest, clarifying that the term used was general and consistent with available information at the time. “Kapag sinabi nating nahuli na si Zaldy Co, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an arrest. Ang ‘nahuli’ na salita ay very general; pwede nating sabihin na napahinto, na-stop, na-prevent sa pagkilos, at hindi mali ang Pangulo sa kanyang inulat noong April 16,” Castro said.[Translation: When we say Zaldy Co has been caught, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an arrest. The term “caught” is very general; we can say he…
Lacson to publicize flood control findings via privilege speech amid committee report deadlock
Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he is planning to deliver a privilege speech containing his progress report on the flood control corruption scandal as chairman of the blue ribbon committee, to make public the panel’s partial findings despite lack of signatures for plenary sponsorship. In a series of text messages to NewsWatch Plus on Monday, April 27, Lacson confirmed he has finished drafting the report, which contains a synopsis of the partial committee report and information gathered from past hearings. “Unfortunately, I cannot sponsor the [partial committee] report for interpolation, amendments prior to adoption in plenary of the same due to lack of signatures,” Lacson said. He said he could instead deliver a privilege speech to make the findings part of the public record and pave the way for the resumption of the probe, which has been stalled due to insufficient support for…
Price cuts on diesel, kerosene; emergency shipments complete
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) announced significant price cuts for diesel and kerosene on Monday, April 27, even as gasoline prices will have an uptick. Diesel will cost ₱12.94 per liter less, and kerosene by ₱15.71 per liter. Conversely, gasoline prices will increase by ₱0.53 per liter. The DOE reported that the national oil supply remains stable, with an average inventory sufficient for 54 days. The inventory breakdown is as follows: Gasoline – 53.91 days Diesel – 54.61 days Kerosene – 168.74 days Jet fuel – 70.83 days Fuel oil – 67.55 days LPG – 38.44 days Shipments completed The department also confirmed the arrival of the final cargo under the Emergency Energy Security Program. The fourth shipment of 329,918 barrels of diesel, arrived in Davao City Monday morning. This follows three previous deliveries: 142,531 barrels from Japan that reached Batangas on March 26, and two…
Duterte spouse sues AMLC officials, solons for bank info disclosure
Metro Manila, Philippines – The husband of Vice President Sara Duterte has filed criminal complaints against members of the House justice committee and officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for disclosing their bank records at the impeachment hearing. On Monday, April 27, Carpio filed raps with the Quezon City prosecutor’s office against Bangko Sentra ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor and AMLC chairman Eli Remolona Jr., AMLC executive director Ronel Buenaventura, justice panel chairperson Jinky Luistro, Akbayan representatives Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña, and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. The petitioner said the complaint alleges violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, bank secrecy laws, and the Data Privacy Act. “It is indisputable that the AMLC reports involving my and my wife VP Sara’s alleged banking transactions are sensitive information that cannot be disclosed to anyone. Yet, respondents openly divulged these purported banking transaction reports in a public hearing before the…
