Latest news with #P100
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- GMA Network
Poser offering 'no-show annulment' entrapped in Cebu City
A woman who claimed to be a secretary to a lawyer and offered 'no-show annulment' services to a client was arrested in an entrapment operation. The entrapment operation was conducted by personnel of the Mambaling Police Station inside a mall at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City morning on July 29, 2025. The suspect offered allegedly to take care of an annulment process for a male "client" through so-called no-show annulment. The woman asked P100,000 allegedly from the victim in exchange for the said service. However, prior to the meetup, the victim verified with the lawyer on any connection with the woman. The victim learned from the lawyer that the woman is a poser, or someone who pretends to be something she is not to trick or dupe probable victims. The victim sought assistance from the authorities. An entrapment operation was pursued leading to the arrest of the suspect who received P50,000 as down payment during the meetup. The suspect was detained at the Mambaling Police Station and is set to face charges for estafa and usurpation of authority. The suspect refused to give a statement on the incident.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd seeks to recover up to P100M 'ghost student' claims
The Department of Education (DepEd) will pursue criminal and civil cases against those behind fraudulent claims in its Senior High School (SHS) program, as it seeks to recover up to P100 million in public funds. "Nag-file na po kami ng mga kaso—hindi lang civil para ma-recover 'yung bayad, pati criminal—dahil mataas ang halaga ng pinag-uusapan dito. Hindi lang ito usapin ng pera, kundi usapin ng nawawala sa mga karapat-dapat na dapat tumanggap ng voucher na ito," Angara said during the post-SONA (State of the Nation Address) education dialogue. (We've filed both civil and criminal cases—not just to recover the money, but to give what is right for legitimate voucher recipients. The "ghost student" issue involved false claims for non-existent enrollees under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), particularly its SHS voucher program. While the Commission on Audit (COA) initially flagged P65 million in such claims, Angara said the amount being investigated has since ballooned. "Hindi lang P65 [million], parang mas malaki pa yata—nasa P100 [million] na yata (It's not just P65 million—it may already be closer to P100 million)," he said. "Continuous ang aming investigation diyan, at paano palakasin ang sistema para wala nang makakadaya nito. Hindi maganda na itong mga programa sa ating kabataan ay pinaglalaruan lang," he added. (Our investigation is ongoing. We're working to strengthen the system so it can't be cheated. These programs for our youth should never be toyed with.) Teacher subsidies Armed with a P50-billion budget, the voucher program allows qualified Grade 10 completers to study in private senior high schools with government subsidies. "Kailangan po natin ang tulong ng private schools. Kalahating milyon ang nag-aaral sa kanila—500,000—at binabayaran po natin 'yan. May savings pa po tayo dahil mas mura ang private school kaysa public kung minsan," Angara said. (We need the support of private schools. Around half a million students are enrolled—and we cover the cost. We have savings because private school can be cheaper than public schools sometimes.) To retain teachers and keep private schools afloat, Angara said the annual teacher subsidy under the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program will be increased from P18,000 to P24,000 by 2026. Computers for classrooms Meanwhile, the DepEd plans to deploy computers and laptops to 46,000 public classrooms in the country. These units were procured under previous contracts but left undelivered due to past delays. "Nagdi-deliver na po tayo sa 46,000 public schools nationwide... tulong po ito ng AFP... sila po 'yung nag-deliver nationwide para masiguradong makarating 'yung mga kagamitan," Angara said. (We're delivering to 46,000 public schools nationwide, with the help of the AFP, to ensure the equipment actually reaches schools.) The DepEd chief said schools that joined the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were prioritized after results showed students struggled not just with reading—but with basic computer use. "Kung gusto natin iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon, kailangan po natin ang tulong ng teknolohiya," he said. (If we want to improve the quality of education, we need leverage technology.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
More than P300K raised from ticket sales in charity boxing event with Baste, says Torre
Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said more than P300,000 was raised from the ticket sales alone of the "Boxing for a Cause: Laban Para sa Nasalanta" event held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Sunday. Torre was supposed to face Davao City acting mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte in the main event, although the former was declared winner by default as the latter did not show up. "Marami ang nagbayad. Nakalikom tayo ng mga P350,000 sa gates eh, so we have to show up and give the people what they expect," Torre told reporters. (Many paid [for tickets]. We were able to raise around P350,000 at the gates, so we have to show up and give the people what they expect.) Ticket prices for the boxing event ranged from as low as P100 to as high as P5,400. Including the ticket sales, Torre said they have raised around P16.3 million in cash donations, on top of donations in kind such as canned goods and sacks of rice. These will be for the benefit of Filipinos who were among those affected by the flooding due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong. According to Torre, they have coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Red Cross regarding the donations. The PNP chief added he will go to the Baseco community in Manila to distribute relief goods. Torre said the urgency of helping those in need of relief was the reason why the event pushed through as well, despite earlier statements that Duterte may not show up. "Kaming mga pulis ang first responders, nasa frontline kami, kaya nakita natin ang hirap ng ating mga kababayan. Nu'ng nag-issue ng ganu'ng statement si Vice Mayor [Duterte], nakita ko na uy, maganda ito. We can raise funds outside of government resources," Torre said. (We, the police, are first responders. We are on the frontline, so we saw the hardship experienced by our countrymen. When Vice Mayor issued a statement, I saw that, hey, this is good. We can raise fund outside of government resources.) Why did the event push through even if Davao City acting mayor Baste Duterte did not show up? Torre said they still wanted to raise funds for charity @gmanews — JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 27, 2025 "Ang government resources nandiyan naman pero maganda na rin siguro na 'yung nasa private sector and ibang tao na outside sa fund-generating agencies ng gobyerno ay makapag-generate din ng pondo at tulong sa ating kababayan," he added. (The government resources are there, but it's also good that the private sector and others outside the fund-generating agencies can generate funds to help our countrymen.) Torre vs Duterte II? Asked if he has a message for the Davao City vice mayor, Torre said, "Wala naman, walang dapat pag-usapan (None, there is nothing to talk about) after all the things that were said and done." Regarding Duterte's previous condition that government officials should undergo hair follicle test, Torre said the matter should be just between the two of them. "Kaming dalawa lang naman ang involved dito... Anytime, anywhere, puwedeng puwede na mag-hair follicle test kami," he said. (It's just us two who are involved here... Anytime, anywhere, we can have hair follicle test.) In the event that Duterte poses another challenge to Torre, the PNP chief said he would not respond to that for now. "Nakita n'yo naman na napakalaki ng effort na ating nilagay rito. I don't think he is worth responding to at this point in time. Hayaan na muna natin siya sa kaniyang mundo," Torre said. (You saw how much effort we put here. I don't think he is worth responding to at this point in time. Let us let him be in his own world.) And if the match is rescheduled as well? "Sabihin n'yo lang at tingnan natin anong isasagot natin diyan, but I don't think really there's still logic in anything that he's saying. Ang credibility kasi parang maloko mo ako ng isang beses, shame on you. 'Pag niloko mo ako ng dalawang beses, shame on me," Torre said. (Just tell us and we'll see how we will respond to that, but I don't think really there's still logic in anything that he's saying. As for credibility, if you fool me once, shame on you. If you fool me twice, shame on me.) "Hindi tayo sasali sa mga taong puwede niya lokohin all the time," he added. (We will not be among the people whom he can mock all the time.) Aside from the main event, three undercard matches were also held in the charity boxing event. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Thunder Consortium bags P36.26B hydro power plant complex in Laguna
Thunder Consortium, composed of Aboitiz Renewables Inc. (ARI), Sumitomo Corporation, and Electric Power Development Co. Ltd (J-Power), has been awarded the winning bidder for the P36.26-billion sale and privatization of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex. In a regulatory filing, ARI's parent firm Aboitiz Power Corp. said the company was informed on Monday, July 21, that the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) issued a Notice of Award to the Thunder Consortium last Friday, July 18, 2025. 'The Thunder Consortium will undergo the post-award process required by PSALM,' the filing read, but did not elaborate. Thunder Consortium was the highest-ranking bidder for the asset, offering P36.26 billion, and besting the FGKW Consortium of First Gen Prime Energy Corporation and Korea Water Resources Corporation. Located in Lumban, Majayjay and Kalayaan in Laguna, the CBK complex is part of the assets being sold by PSALM to fund the settlement of its liabilitations and obligations that are assumed from the National Power Corp. (Napocor). The CBK Hydroelectric Power Plants are part of the assets the government targets to privatize this year, along with assets in NLEX Corp. (P330 million), receivables in the Nonoc Mining and Industrial Corp. (P820 million), Elorde Sports and Tourism Development Corp. (P621 million), Food Terminal Inc. (P40.46 billion), and SMC Slex Inc. (P12.0 to P24.8 billion). The power plants are currently operated under a 25-year build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer agreement with CBK Power Company Ltd., which is set to expire in February 2026. The government is also looking to raise P100 billion next year. Based on the latest report of the Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC), the administration is looking to generate P4.520-trillion in total revenues this year, and P4.983 trillion in 2026. ARI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp., and represents the company's investments and interests in renewable energy projects including geothermal, large hydro, run-of-river hydro, wind, battery energy storage systems, and solar projects. Shares in ARI were last trading at P41.65 apiece, up by P0.50 or 1.21%. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate bill seeks to penalize children who abandon elderly parents
Senator Ping Lacson has refiled a measure seeking to penalize children who fail to provide necessary support for their aging, sick, and incapacitated parents. In the explanatory note of Senate Bill No. 396 or the proposed "Parents Welfare Act of 2025," Lacson stressed that taking care of the elderly members of society is a shared responsibility of the children and the government. 'This proposed bill therefore seeks to further strengthen filial responsibility and to make it a criminal offense in case of flagrant violation thereof. Abandonment of a parent in need of support shall likewise constitute a criminal act,' the returning senator said. Under the proposed measure, parents in need of support who are unable to maintain themselves from their own earning or out of the property they owned, or who are incapacitated or incapable of supporting themselves, shall be given support by their children. If the parent concerned has several children, the support to be given shall be divided among them in proportion to their resources or financial capacity and in such manner as may be just and equitable. Grandchildren shall also be liable to support their ascendants if their parents cannot fulfill their duty to support due to death, illness or if they are unable to fully take care of themselves due to physical or mental disability or condition. The children shall have the option to fulfill the obligation either by paying the support fixed by a 'support order' or by receiving and maintaining in the family house of the parent concerned. Such a petition for support may be filed in the regional trial court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the petitioner. The legal representation of the parent in need of support will be provided by the Public Attorney's Office and no court fees will be assessed. Before hearing the petition, the court shall also refer the parties to a conciliation officer for mediation to preserve the family unity and peace. If the children so ordered fail to comply with the support order without sufficient cause or reason, the court may issue a warrant for levying the amount due for every breach of order. If the respondent fails to give support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause, the respondent shall face imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of P100,000. Whoever has the care or protection of a parent in need of support and abandons such parent will also face six to 10 years in jail and a fine of P300,000. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
