Abbey M.

Senator Imee Marcos believes that consultation should first be conducted before the government proceeds with the planned construction of the Pax Silica Industrial Center in New Clark City, Tarlac.

The senator questioned where the supply of water and electricity would come from, especially now that farmers are already experiencing shortages and brownouts have become frequent.

For the lawmaker, the promised billion-dollar investment and jobs to be created by the project are not enough if the livelihood of farmers and indigenous residents in the area would be sacrificed in exchange.

Senator Imee requested that the Senate investigate the complaints of farmers, who have reportedly been stopped from planting and have also experienced intimidation.

She emphasized that under the order of the Department of Agrarian Reform, any land use conversion must be ensured to be in accordance with the law.

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative that designates a roughly 1,620-hectare (about 4,000-acre) site in New Clark City, Tarlac as an AI-native industrial hub, covering data centers, semiconductor processing, and advanced manufacturing. 

The government has estimated the project could generate 130,000 to 190,000 direct jobs, along with 500,000 to 800,000 indirect and induced jobs. 

However, the project is expected to require about 130 million liters of water a day and 3 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to 16% of Luzon's current grid capacity, figures that have fueled concerns like those raised by Senator Marcos over water and power supply for surrounding communities.

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Manila, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered Meralco to refund a total of 9.5 billion pesos to customers due to over-collection in electricity charges in 2025.

Based on the ERC's decision, this is equivalent to about 0.3449 centavos per kilowatt hour, which will be deducted from customers' bills over a period of six months.

According to the commission, the refund will be reflected as a separate item on the electricity bill, expected to begin in the next billing cycle. 

Meralco, for its part, said it is ready to comply with the ERC's order.

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Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has raised concern that the Sandiganbayan ruling allowing former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. to post bail in connection with the flood control scandal appears to have been arranged.

He also noted that Revilla has yet to return money owed to the Sandiganbayan even after being acquitted in the PDAF scam case.

The Ombudsman had expected that Revilla's bail petition — filed in connection with the malversation through falsification of public documents case would not be granted.

Speaking on his radio program last Saturday, Remulla said the court ruling appeared to have been influenced:

"Mukhang trinabaho ang naturang court ruling sa Sandiganbayan."

[It appears that the said court ruling at the Sandiganbayan was worked on.]

He said this became an eye-opener for their office to further intensify the fight against corruption.

Since Remulla assumed the post last year, their office has raised the standard to "reasonable certainty of conviction" before filing cases in court. However, he said this is only half of the work, since the courts also play an important role in holding those involved in corruption accountable.

Remulla said he will meet with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo regarding the matter.

Revilla is linked to the flood control scandal as an alleged proponent of an anomalous flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan worth 92.8 million pesos. He posted bail worth 1 million pesos last Friday, July 31.

Meanwhile, the bail petitions of his co-accused from the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, were denied.

Remulla also pointed out that aside from the flood control case, Revilla still has an unsettled case before the Sandiganbayan. He said Revilla has yet to return 123 million pesos despite being acquitted in the PDAF scam.

This refers to the Sandiganbayan's 2018 decision acquitting Revilla of plunder, but ordering him to pay 124.5 million pesos in civil damages to the national treasury. His co-accused, Janet Lim Napoles and his former chief of staff Richard Cambe, were found guilty.

According to Remulla, Revilla's granted bail petition is only part of a bigger fight, and it will not stop them from intensifying their efforts against corruption.

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Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is ready to face the preliminary investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged anomaly in flood control projects.

His lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, assured that Rep. Romualdez will answer all accusations against him, and that his only request is due process and equal treatment in the investigation.

Atty. Fajardo also stressed that the lawmaker is not fleeing and remains in the country to continue performing his duties as representative of the 1st District of Leyte.

The former House Speaker's camp further insisted that there is no evidence linking him to the 2025 national budget aside from his signing of it, as well as to the implementation of the flood control projects.

They also questioned the credibility of the 18 alleged former bodyguards of ex-AKO Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, referred to as the "Maleta Boys," saying these witnesses have also faced a perjury case filed by the Department of Justice.

Fajardo added that the Ombudsman himself had said early on that the statements of the said witnesses carried a tinge of destabilization.

Rep. Romualdez's camp maintained that it is unfair for the investigation to focus on him alone, when more than twenty other lawmakers were also implicated in the statements of the "Maleta Boys."

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman continues to conduct the preliminary investigation into complaints of plunder, graft, and bribery in connection with the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects.

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Good Morning Kuya expands public service on its 19th anniversary.

In celebration of the 19th anniversary of the program Good Morning Kuya, the public service it delivers will be further intensified, starting Monday, August 3.

19 years have passed since Good Morning Kuya first greeted the Filipino people with "good morning."

Since then, it has become part of the mornings of many families, delivering news, information, inspiration, and above all, programs rooted in compassion for others.

And during one of the most difficult periods in our history, the pandemic, Good Morning Kuya remained with the public. While many programs were affected by production limitations, it continued to deliver important information and public service to viewers.

Now, in celebration of its 19th anniversary, Good Morning Kuya begins a new chapter.

Starting August 3, the program will be expanded to become even closer to the Filipino people.

Good Morning Kuya will now include a new segment called Serbisyong Kapatiran, which will feature actual charitable and public service work from various communities across the country.

Health discussions will also be expanded with the addition of two doctors as part of the program, along with new hosts who will bring fresh perspectives and meaningful conversations every morning.

In addition, Good Morning Kuya will offer new segments on health, lifestyle, knowledge, and stories that bring hope, while continuing the services that viewers have long grown up with.

19 years stand as proof that Good Morning Kuya is more than just a morning show. It is a program that continues to evolve to keep up with the needs of the Filipino people, while remaining true to its purpose of providing information and service.

Watch out for the expanded Good Morning Kuya, starting August 3, Monday to Friday, 6:30 to 9:00 in the morning, only on UNTV.

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