Pauline Pancho

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the government’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to ensure transparency and accountability in public projects, particularly amid the ongoing investigation into flood control project anomalies.

In a press conference held on November 13, 2025, the president reported that the investigation has uncovered irregularities in several contracts and processes related to the projects. To prevent such issues from recurring, he vowed to tighten the implementation of government contracts through the use of smart technology.

The new AI system will monitor the entire contracting process. Once it detects any irregularity or questionable activity, it will automatically flag the contract for review and verification by the concerned agencies.

“Gagamitin natin lahat ng paraan nasa atin, pati nga hanggang AI, lahat ng smart technology na ating nakikita na lumalabas ay gagamitin natin lahat yan,” the President said.

This new technology aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government dealings by identifying issues early in the contract process. The president emphasized that AI and other smart technologies would be fully utilized to guarantee efficient and corruption-free contracts.

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After confirming during a press briefing on November 4, 2025, that Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson would return as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the upper chamber formally elected him to the post upon the resumption of plenary sessions on November 12, 2025.

Lacson’s return comes a little over a month after he stepped down from the same position on October 6, 2025, following questions raised by some of his colleagues regarding his leadership of the committee. Despite the brief resignation, Lacson emphasized that he is now “more than ready and fully prepared” to resume his duties.

During the November 4 press briefing, the senator said he had already lined up key witnesses for the committee’s upcoming probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. He vowed to pursue the investigation thoroughly and hold accountable those responsible.

Senator JV Ejercito nominated Lacson for the position, and with no objections raised on the floor, the Senate unanimously approved his reappointment.

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The Senate of the Philippines has unveiled its newly redesigned website today, November 11, 2025, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and making legislative information more accessible to the public.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III led the launch, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Win Gatchalian, and Senate officials.

“This new Senate website strengthens our commitment to freedom of information, ease of access, transparency, and accountability to the Filipino people,” Sotto said.

The updated site features a modern, mobile-friendly design that allows users to track legislation, monitor committee work, and view senators’ performance and budget details. It also includes live broadcasts of sessions and a Public Assistance section to make it easier for citizens to engage with their representatives.

Originally launched in 2001, the Senate’s website has now been fully modernized to meet today’s digital standards. Sotto thanked the EDP-MIS Bureau, the Public Relations and Information Bureau, and the Social Media Unit for their efforts in completing the project.

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Senator Raffy Tulfo has vowed to push for amendments to the existing Hazard Pay Law to include the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) traffic enforcers and street sweepers, who face daily health and safety risks while performing their duties on the streets.

During his inspection of the MMDA Communications and Command Center in Pasig City on November 5, the Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson expressed concern over the lack of protection and compensation for MMDA personnel constantly exposed to extreme heat, heavy pollution, and road hazards.

The senator also discovered that many MMDA personnel, despite serving for several years, still hold job order (JO) or casual employment status due to limited plantilla positions. In response, Tulfo committed to fight for a bigger budget allocation for the agency during the upcoming Senate budget deliberations to help open regular positions and improve the welfare of these long-serving workers.

Aside from discussing the agency’s employment concerns, Tulfo was given a tour of the MMDA’s state-of-the-art Command Center, which monitors traffic in real time through CCTV cameras and body-worn cameras (BWCs) used by enforcers on the ground. He lauded the MMDA’s transparency measures and praised the leadership for employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the command center.

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Senator Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is set for a strong comeback as he prepares to lead the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee once again, this time with a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in government investigations.

In a press briefing on November 4, 2025, Lacson confirmed his readiness to take on the role once elected, saying he is prepared to face any criticism or questions from fellow senators regarding how he will handle the ongoing probe into alleged flood control anomalies.

“Walang magbabago, kung saan kami dadalhin ng ebidensya, eh ‘doon,’” he firmly said, underscoring his evidence-based approach to all inquiries the committee will undertake.

The continuation of the flood control investigation is tentatively scheduled for November 14, pending final adjustments to the Senate calendar. Lacson confirmed that a key witness has been invited to testify, someone he described as crucial to wrapping up the investigation and possibly advancing it toward prosecution and conviction.

“Importante kasi pwedeng ma-wrap up ‘yung kailangang malaman patungo sa prosecution hanggang sa conviction,” Lacson explained.

According to the senator, this witness has prepared supporting documents, including ledgers, notes, and digital files, to back up his/her statements. Lacson emphasized the importance of presenting solid evidence rather than unverified claims.

“Sabi ko sa kaniya, kung mag mi-mention lang ng pangalan na walang suportang dokumento, huwag na lang magmention kasi baka makasira lang ng tao,” he said. “Maski may personal knowledge, kung wala namang supporting documents, huwag na lang magbanggit. ‘Yun ang aming usapan.”