Latest news with #Magalong
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Magalong: Legal experts, ex-PNP execs should lead flood projects probe
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday said legal experts, such as former justices, or past officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) should lead the independent inquiry on anomalous flood control projects. "Unang-una, ang mga nai-involve kasi allegedly our members of Congress. Kaya ano naman ang moral ascendancy nila para mag-imbestiga. Just like what I recommended before doon sa Mamasapano incident, sabi ko nga bakit hindi isang retired justice who is capable of managing," said Magalong in an interview on Balitanghali when asked about having a former magistrate or an ex-PNP official take on the job. (First and foremost, those allegedly involved are members of our Congress. So, what moral ascendancy do they have to investigate? Just like what I recommended before in the Mamasapano incident, I said, why not a retired justice who is capable of managing.) "Ang pinakamaganda is someone who can interpret the law, apply the necessary laws, and, at the same time, the good idea of how the bidding process is being conducted pati na rin 'yung mga technical aspects ng infrastructure, kahit papaano madali niyang pag-aralan," he added. (The best scenario would be to have someone who can interpret the law, apply the necessary laws, and at the same time has a good understanding of how the bidding process is conducted, as well as the technical aspects of infrastructure, which they can easily study, if needed.) Aside from knowledge of the law and management skills, Magalong added that those who will eventually be tasked to handle the probe must be physically fit to conduct physical inspections. Magalong earlier said he was waiting to be called to Congress after he said lawmakers receiving payoffs from infrastructure projects, including flood control programs. This came after Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon challenged him to show proof that would back up his claims that some congressmen are supposedly receiving 30% to 40% kickbacks in government projects. Magalong, who is a retired police general, has also volunteered to lead the investigation on the flood projects. However, he said he just wanted to "send a strong message na dapat third party, independent body ang mag-imbestiga at hindi mismo 'yung akusado o 'yung mga involved ang magi-imbestiga." (...send a strong message that a third party, independent body should investigate, and not the accused or those involved themselves.") Malacañang earlier called on Magalong to submit his information on anomalous flood control projects to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Magalong later said he would oblige the Palace's request. In the same interview on Tuesday, Magalong said he respects the Palace's suggestion: "Well, kung ayan naman ang desisyon nila, I would respect it kasi sila naman ang makakapag-decide niyan, hindi naman ako. Hindi ko naman ini-insist 'yung sarili ko." (Well, if that's their decision, I would respect it because they're the ones who can decide on that, not me. I'm not insisting my position on the matter.) Earlier in the day, the Senate blue ribbon committee ordered the issuance of subpoenas against private contractors that failed to attend the initial public hearing into the supposed anomalous flood control projects. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Philippine mayors urge President Marcos: Jail politicians involved in botched infra projects
MANILA: Anti-corruption mayors have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to finally reveal the names of politicians and contractors involved in botched infrastructure projects in different parts of the country. In a statement on Saturday (Aug 16) evening, the Mayors for Good Governance said it stands firmly with the Filipino people in demanding the truth, accountability, and justice behind the massive corruption allegations in flood control and other infrastructure projects, especially the reported collusion between government officials and favored contractors. The statement was signed by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was among the first to reveal the involvement of some lawmakers in these bungled projects; Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Isabela City Mayor Sitti Hataman. More mayors are expected to sign the statement, with the group having the support of more than 100 local chief executives across the country when it was launched in August 2023. 'Flood control projects have existed for decades, but over the past years, corruption in these projects has become more alarming, pervasive, and systematic,' the group said. 'Those who have stolen public funds must face the full force of the law. Once proven guilty, politicians and bureaucrats must not only be removed from office, but also prosecuted and jailed,' it added. The mayors demanded the Department of Public Works and Highways, who implemented these flood control projects, as well as all concerned national government agencies 'the immediate and full disclosure of all project details: the Programmes of Work, Detailed Unit Price Analyses, Bill of Quantities, and Feasibility Studies, and most urgently—the names of contractors and politicians responsible for these multi-billion peso projects funded by our taxpayers.''Transparency is no longer optional, but a duty we owe to every Filipino,' they said. 'Corruption must end now. The Filipino people deserve a government that protects and serves them, not one that endangers their lives and robs them of their future,' the mayors added. Local chief executives in the past week have complained that many of the flood control projects have not been coordinated with them or consulted with experts before they were constructed. Many of these projects have also been implemented without approval from local government units, making them not in line with local development plans. Magalong on Friday said he would comply with the Malacañang's suggestion and submit the documents he have about the connivance of lawmakers and contractors to profit off the flood control projects to Marcos. But he stressed that a third party should lead the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. Magalong said he is still open to leading the independent committee for the probe. Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Thursday brushed off the proposal of the Baguio mayor to appoint a lead investigator for the ongoing probe. Castro urged Magalong to identify the 67 members of the House of Representatives that he and Sen. Panfilo Lacson alleged to be moonlighting as contractors, and may have been adding to overpriced or substandard construction, or both, of flood control and other infrastructure projects. This way the government may immediately pursue charges with sufficient evidence against these personalities. In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, Marcos ordered the investigation of all the flood control projects undertaken in his administration, admitting that many of these failed to protect Filipinos from the floods that submerged their communities for days. Two weeks later, the President revealed the list of all the 9,855 flood control projects implemented by the DPWH from July 2022 to May 2025, through the 'Sumbong sa Pangulo' website. But he himself found it 'disturbing' that that P100 billion, or 20 percent of the entire P545-billion budget for flood mitigation projects undertaken by the DPWH, was awarded to only 15 out of 2,409 accredited contractors. He played it safe, saying that while he revealed the names of the 15 top contractors which cornered most of the flood control projects, he was not accusing them of any wrongdoing. His tone would change days later when he himself got to see the sorry state of these flood control projects, first in Iloilo City, then in Calumpit, Bulacan. In his Aug 15 inspection of the dike rehabilitation project in the perennially flooded town of Calumpit, Marcos was visibly irritated on what he saw, calling it 'irregular and sloppy.' The President demanded answers from St. Timothy Construction Corp., which was among the 15 top contractors he earlier bared, for the severely damaged riverside flood barrier. Based on data, the P96.5-million project has been completed since February 2023. 'It cannot be like this! Unbelievable! This has been going on for years,' said Marcos, expressing frustration and disappointment. - The Straits Times/ANN
GMA Network
08-08-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Baguio's Magalong ready to face inquiry on corruption claims
BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is waiting to be called to Congress after he claimed that there were lawmakers receiving payoffs from government projects. In an interview during the unveiling of the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility in Baguio, Magalong shared that he was 'very enthusiastic' to attend but has yet to receive a summons. 'In public naman nagsalita si Congressman (Terry) Ridon na ipapatawag niya ko sa Kongreso… Naghihintay nga ko at nagtataka nga ko hanggang ngayon wala pa. Ongoing lang naman yung hearing nila,' he told reporters on Friday. (Congressman Ridon did publicly say that he will summon me to Congress… I have been waiting and wondering why it hasn't come yet. Their hearing is ongoing.) His statement followed after Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon challenged Magalong to show evidence backing up his claims of congressmen receiving 30% to 40% kickbacks. 'Ang gusto nating makita mula kay Mayor Magalong, with due respect to him, asan po yung ebidensya na 30% [or] 40% kinukuha ng legislators, particularly ng mga kongresista o mga senador? As soon as we do a review, he should be invited to provide an actual presentation doon po sa kaniyang binabanggit na 30 to 40%,' Ridon said in an interview. (What we need to see from Mayor Magalong, with due respect to him, is the evidence that legislators, particularly congressmen or senators, get 30% [or] 40%? As soon as we do a review, he should be invited to provide an actual presentation on the 30 to 40% that he was talking about.) 'We have to be able to subject it to actual scrutiny as well, kung talaga bang may batayan. Wala naman po tayong sinisino dito eh, kung mayroon talagang legislator involved, kung mayroon po talagang agency official involved…. Kung maipakita niya kung sino ang mga yun, well and good. Papalakpanan natin siya,' he added. (We have to be able to subject it to actual scrutiny as well, if there really is a basis. We are not shielding anyone here, if there really was a legislator or agency official involved…. If he can show who they are, well and good.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-08-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Baguio City yet to hit target post-pandemic tourism numbers
BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said they have yet to hit their target of 2.2 million tourists for the year post-pandemic. During an interview at the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility in Baguio City, he shared that the city has recorded 1.3 million tourists on average from registered accommodation facilities during the pandemic. Following the pandemic, they had expected to increase their tourism numbers to 2.2 million visitors annually, but have not been able to. 'Umabot na kami, pre-pandemic namin was already at 1.7 to 1.8 [million], pero ngayon ay ine-expect namin itong pagbukas namin, dapat umaabot na kami ng 2.2 [million] pero we're not hitting it,' the mayor said. (We have already reached pre-pandemic numbers of 1.7 to 1.8 [million], but now we were expecting that when we opened, we should've reached 2.2 [million] but we're not hitting it.) 'Marami pa namang one-day tourists, mayroong mga tourists na tumitira sa kanilang mga kamag-anak, mayroon pang tumitira sa AirBNB, at mayroong mga transient houses na di naman registered samin… Ang average nito, siguro we're looking at about 2 million tourists per year,' he added. (We still have a lot of one-day tourists, there are tourists that live with their relatives, or AirBNB, and there are transient houses that are not registered with us… On average, we are maybe looking at about 2 million tourists per year.) According to Magalong, they were able to surpass their pandemic numbers in 2023, but had seen a slowdown after tourist spots worldwide reopened. Baguio City is now working on strategic plans to boost tourism efforts. 'Gumagawa kami ng strategic plan ngayon on how to attract visitors again, even during the rainy season, and we're going to hold a workshop. Meron kami initial preliminary meeting next week with the Tourism Council,' he shared. We are making strategic plans currently on how to attract visitors again, even during the rainy season, and we're going to hold a workshop. We have an initial preliminary meeting next week with the Tourism Council.) — LA, GMA integrated News
CNBC
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNBC
'Love Island' watch parties are taking over and put sporting events to shame, bars say: It's 'a whole different animal'
A hot new bombshell has entered the villa: "Love Island USA" watch parties are shaking up bar scenes across the country. For those unfamiliar: The reality dating series, now in its seventh season for U.S. contestants, follows a group of 20-something singles in a villa in Fiji and is filmed in nearly real-time over six weeks. The show drops six new episodes on Peacock each week, including a recap episode on Saturdays. It's a time-consuming show to keep up with, but savvy businesses are making the most of the phenomenon by hosting watch parties for eager fans. The crowds at The Palm & The Pine in Los Angeles are so big that staff refer to each Tuesday showing as "Super Bowl Tuesday," says Colin Magalong, 30, part-owner of the bar. Revenue on Tuesdays, typically the bar's slowest night, has grown five-fold in recent weeks, Magalong says. The Palm & The Pine began hosting events in February for shows like "The Traitors," "Survivor" and "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" in partnership with Maddy Biebel of Reality Bar, which organizes reality TV watch parties around LA. But "Love Island" has taken on a life of its own. June was a record-breaking month for The Palm & The Pine thanks to "Love Island": The bar hired four new staffers, tips are up and foot traffic to the whole block has seen a boost, Magalong says. It's a meaningful lift for the barely 1-year-old bar, and given businesses in the area have struggled to recover from the pandemic, Hollywood strikes and devastating wildfires. For his Hollywood bar in particular, the events "really revitalized the happy hour that has been taken away with working from home and office buildings going vacant," Magalong says. The strategy recently brought in a group of colleagues from a nearby office to the bar for the first time; the four women spent the last month watching "Love Island" on their own and gathering at the office each morning to discuss. The event, which they found from Reality Bar's Instagram page, was their first time watching the show together. "When I'm reacting, I'm at home reacting by myself," one woman told CNBC Make It. "The morning debrief is cool, but in the moment is so much better." Elsewhere in LA, country bar Eastwood hosted their first "Love Island" watch party on Friday, June 27, with the help of Reality Bar and sponsorship from the clothing brand Cider. Nearly 350 people packed the 400-person capacity bar, says Kayla Jennings-Rivera, 28, Eastwood's director of marketing and events. "We were blown away," she says. The surge in traffic has been a relief for the bar, Jennings-Rivera says, especially this summer as ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have caused safety concerns for Latino residents, who account for roughly 1.8 million people in the city, according to Census data. At Eastwood, "a lot of our regulars are Hispanic, and ICE has impacted the comfortability of people being able to leave their homes and go out and enjoy themselves," Jennings-Rivera says. "So we've seen our regulars slow down and ultimately hope that they feel safe to come back as soon as possible." She hopes that by reaching new customers through recent watch parties, the bar can bring in additional sales during a financially precarious time. Further, she says more customers today are looking for community spaces rather than just places to imbibe, given that Gen Zers and millennials are drinking less alcohol than prior decades. "Community is now more talked about than ever before," Jennings-Rivera says. As for the watch parties, "there's definitely something different about being in a group [and] just screaming at the television together," she says. PKL Social, a sports bar with pickleball courts in Houston, has hosted watch parties for sporting events and TV shows alike, "but Love Island has been a whole different animal," says co-owner Jason Mok, 40. Viewership was slow to pick up at the bar until two weeks ago, Mok says, "then next thing you know, the 30 to 50 [regulars] became 200, 250." Thursday and Friday events are standing-room only, and some visitors arrive at 5:30 p.m. to get good seats for the 8 p.m. start time. Mok says he's had to pull staff from his other nearby restaurants to manage the influx of crowds. The phenomenon is unlike anything he's seen in his eight years in the restaurant and bar industry. "I've dealt with the Astros making the World Series and big Super Bowls, but this is bigger," Mok says. Abigail Dooley and Remi Miyake knew they'd have a hit on their hands hosting "Love Island" watch parties where they work at The Malt House in New York City's Greenwich Village. They pitched the idea to their boss Kevin O'Hanlon, 34, who gave the greenlight to promote an event on TikTok. From there, O'Hanlon says, "it just went through the roof." Viewers came ready to cheer on their favorite couples, jeer at the ones they love to hate, and react to twists in the show's dramatic re-couplings. "They're loud," O'Hanlon says of the high-energy crowds. "They put a lot of the sporting events that we've done to shame." They hosted their first watch party on June 24, more than halfway through the season, and turned their 75-seat dining area into a communal viewing space that can fit up to 120. Spots to watch the finale, which airs Sunday on Peacock at 9 p.m. EST, were fully booked more than two weeks in advance, he adds. "You typically find, especially in this city, that whenever everybody can get behind something, they go really big," O'Hanlon says. O'Hanlon hopes that many of the first-time customers who've learned about The Malt House from "Love Island" will make their way back after the show wraps. "In a city like New York, where there are so many bars and restaurants that people can go to, and we're constantly competing with everybody around us, you've got to do something that helps you stand out," he says. "And this has definitely done that for us."
