Abbey M.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has released its report on the salaries and allowances received by Cabinet officials in 2025, with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. topping the list at ₱6.66 million.

The Report on Salaries and Allowances (ROSA) is now open to public scrutiny. The annual report is prepared by the COA to disclose and review the salaries, allowances, bonuses, and other benefits received by government officials and employees.

Coming in second is former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who received ₱5.976 million. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma ranked third with ₱5.966 million, followed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian at ₱5.494 million. Rounding out the top five is Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez with ₱5.378 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. placed sixth with ₱5.202 million, while Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa took home ₱5.163 million for the entire year of 2025. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III ranked eighth with ₱5.147 million, followed by Presidential Adviser for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino with ₱5 million. Closing out the top ten is National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who received ₱4.97 million.

Aside from Cabinet secretaries, the COA audit also covers the salaries received by officials and board members of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), water districts, state universities and colleges, and other government agencies. The COA reports these figures to monitor the benefits received by high-ranking government officials holding key positions across various agencies.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

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A total of PHP60 billion in excess funds has been officially returned to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) from the Bureau of the Treasury, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

For some PhilHealth members, the return of the funds is seen as an opportunity for the state insurer to deliver more accessible and convenient health services.

Among those hoping to feel its impact is Genesis Hernaez, a PhilHealth member currently processing her papers with the agency to help cover her medical bills. She is set to undergo a second operation next week after new lumps were discovered in her uterus.

"Dun sa inoperahan sa akin, meron ulit silang tatanggalin na may tumubo ulit. Habang ongoing yung pag-process ng laboratories, nilalakad ko po sa city hall, kumapit po ulit ako sa PhilHealth para maka-discount po ulit," Hernaez said.

(In the area where I was operated on, there's something that grew again that has to be removed. While the laboratory processing is ongoing, I've been going around the city hall, and I once again turned to PhilHealth to get a discount.)

She shared that during her first operation, PhilHealth covered 50% of her hospital expenses.

Hernaez, however, pointed out the difficulty of going through the process, especially for patients in delicate conditions.

"Medyo mahirap po yung pupunta ka ng city hall. Pipila ka dun, iinterviewhin. After ng interview, ang haba po e. Sana mas gawin po nilang mas madali, lalo na yung mga pasyente nila — di nila alam ang lagay, dinudugo, hindi sana pahirapang paglakbay na pagkakalayo," Hernaez said.

(It's quite difficult to go to the city hall. You line up there, get interviewed, and after the interview, the process is still very long. I hope they make it easier, especially for their patients — they don't know our condition, we're bleeding, and they shouldn't make the journey difficult given how far we have to travel.)

PhilHealth expressed gratitude to President Marcos for his directive to use the funds in improving health services and reaching more Filipinos.

The state insurer also acknowledged the Department of Finance for its role in the immediate remittance of the amount, as it reaffirmed its commitment to safeguard the trust given by the President and the public.

"Sisiguruhin ng Korporasyon na ang bawat pisong ito ay ilalaan sa pagpapahusay ng mga benepisyo, pagpapalakas ng mga sistema upang mapabilis ang mga proseso, at paghatid sa bawat Pilipino ng serbisyong mabilis, patas, at tunay na mapagkakatiwalaan," PhilHealth said.

(The Corporation will ensure that every peso will be allocated to enhancing benefits, strengthening systems to speed up processes, and delivering fast, fair, and truly reliable service to every Filipino.)

The returned funds are expected to bolster the state insurer's efforts in expanding benefit packages and streamlining administrative operations to better serve its members nationwide.

Marcos earlier said his decision to return the funds to PhilHealth, which he announced in September last year, was in line with his administration's priority of strengthening the country's healthcare system.

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has broadened the scope of the May 6 to 8 holiday declaration to include two more cities in Cebu, as part of preparations to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in the province.

Under Proclamation 1239, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President, Cebu City and Mandaue City have been added to the list of areas where May 6 to 8 are declared special non-working days in connection with the government's hosting preparations.

The new issuance amends Proclamation 1238, signed on May 4, which had earlier covered only Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova.

According to the latest proclamation, Cebu and Mandaue were included after both were identified as primary operational hubs and transport corridors for arriving ASEAN delegates.

"In order to alleviate traffic and to allow the host country to secure the safety of participants in the said event, it is necessary to declare 06-08 May 2026 as special non-working days also in the City of Cebu and in the City of Mandaue," read Proclamation 1239, which was signed on May 5.

The expanded coverage is meant to ease traffic, reinforce security measures, and allow the seamless coordination of summit-related activities across the host areas.

The Philippines is hosting the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings under a recalibrated approach, with non-essential activities scaled down to manage costs in light of global supply pressures tied to tensions in the Middle East.

Malacañang earlier disclosed that around 650 ministerial and senior official meetings under the 48th and 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be conducted online instead of in person, as part of efforts to streamline preparations while keeping the substance of discussions intact.

Despite the adjustments, the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Cebu on May 8 to 9 will push through as scheduled, with the agenda expected to center on regional energy security, food security, and migrant workers' concerns.

The Philippines last hosted the ASEAN Summit in 2017.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) has raised alarm over the intense pressure facing Filipino farmers and fishermen, warning that a possible food supply shortage may hit the country in the coming months if no immediate policy reforms are made.

According to the group, many farmers are now considering not planting in the next cropping season due to heavy losses, a development that could directly affect the country's food production.

SINAG attributed the worsening condition of the agriculture sector to the influx of imports and the rising cost of production, which it said are weakening Philippine agriculture as a whole.

For rice and corn, farmgate prices continue to drop because of the volume of imports, while farming expenses have reached no less than P30,000 per hectare. The widening gap between costs and earnings has pushed many farmers to consider holding off on planting altogether — a move that could lead to a shortfall in supply if left unaddressed.

In the fisheries sector, the group said small fisherfolk have been hit hard after large commercial vessels were allowed to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters. The development has reduced their catch and income, further straining an already struggling sector.

On the other hand, SINAG noted that livestock and poultry are facing an oversupply problem due to massive importation. Pork imports have reached 891 million kilos, while chicken imports have exceeded 541 million kilos.

In the past seven months, farmgate prices particularly for chicken, have fallen below production costs, leaving local producers with continuous losses.

The group lamented that the government has yet to recognize the real situation on the ground, despite figures reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

SINAG stressed that without immediate action on existing policies, the current oversupply may eventually give way to a shortage, with local food production unable to keep up with demand in the months ahead.

Vice President Sara Duterte assured members of the House of Representatives that they have nothing to fear in voting on the impeachment complaint against her, urging them to base their decision on the evidence presented rather than on concerns of political retaliation.

The vice president made the statement in response to circulating reports that some congressmen critical of her would vote in favor of the impeachment out of fear that she would go after them should she survive the complaint.

She maintained that she has never been a vindictive politician and that, if she were in their position, she would weigh the merits of the case rather than the personality involved.

"Unang-una, matagal na ako sa politika. Hindi ako kilalang tao na, or politiko na vindictive. Alam 'yan ng mga taga-Davao. Nagkaroon din ako ng mabigat na kalaban noon si Speaker Nograles. Pero hindi ako kilala na isang vindictive na tao. Tapos pangalawa, pag ako congressman, hindi ako titingin sa kung vindictive ba o hindi 'yung isang tao. Titingin ako sa ebidensya. Meron bang ebidensya o wala? Wala naman. Nung finile 'yung complaint, walang ebidensya at all 'yung nakalagay doon. Lahat 'yun parang, ano man tawag nung abugado sa kanila? Parang, kung baga allegations lang lahat. Nothing to support the allegations. So 'yun 'yung dapat na tinitingnan nila. May basehan ba ito o wala?" Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(First of all, I have been in politics for a long time. I am not known as a vindictive person or politician. The people of Davao know that. I also had a tough rival before in Speaker Nograles, but I am not known as a vindictive person. Second, if I were a congressman, I would not look at whether a person is vindictive or not. I would look at the evidence. Is there evidence or none? There is none. When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all included there. Everything was — what do the lawyers call it? — just allegations. Nothing to support the allegations. So that is what they should be looking at. Does this have basis or not?)

The Vice President also addressed concerns from lawmakers that their districts might not receive budget allocations should they refuse to support efforts to remove her from office, saying there is no money left in the first place.

"Zero na talaga. Wala ng pera. Uy! Merong impeachment o wala, wala ng pera na pwedeng ibigay. Pag binigay pa 'yan nila ang pang-MOOE sa mga congressman, hindi na magfu-function ang gobyerno." Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(It is really zero. There is no more money. Whether there is an impeachment or not, there is no money left to give. If they still give the MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] to the congressmen, the government will no longer function.)