Iloilo Hall of Justice in the abyss

“Perfect is boring: Beauty is irregular.”

—Gloria Steinem

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

TRANSFER or repair? Or investigate first?

Instead of proposing for the transfer of the Chief Justice Q. Ramon Avanceña Hall of Justice or Iloilo Hall of Justice from Iloilo City to the Municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. should push to investigate the alleged irregularities in its construction.

The governor did wave a wand in the P802-M Aganan flyover project by calling the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to probe it; he can do the same in the Iloilo Hall of Justice.

It’s been more than 10 years since it was reported that several judges and past officials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Iloilo Chapter have asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the P200-million three-story building built in 1992 for possible construction irregularities.

The move by some IBP officials came after the edifice was declared unsafe for occupation and was temporarily abandoned following the magnitude-6.9 earthquake that hit parts of the Visayas on Feb. 6, 2012.

 

-o0o-

 

It may be recalled that the Bureau of Design of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that inspected the building in March 2012 showed the edifice had structural defects and had cracks validating the recommendation to vacate the building.

If the Iloilo Hall of Justice is transferred to another location without any conclusion in the IBP-Iloilo Chapter’s resolution asking for investigation of its construction submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, many questions will remain unanswered. It will open more Pandora boxes.

Also, Ilonggos will think there is a cover-up if indeed there were irregularities in the project conceptualized during the Cory Aquino regime.

If no one will be held accountable, the more that Ilonggos will suspect influential government officials made money from kickbacks like the scandal that hit the multi-billion flood control projects under the Duterte and Marcos Jr. regimes and some unseen hands are doing wonders to keep the scandal under wraps.

Until after a no-nonsense investigation has been conducted, the proposed transfer may not be popular move.

 

-o0o-

 

GOD BLESS YOU : Why we would have "God bless you" after a sneeze? In much the same way that it was believed man could part body and spirit and be beside himself, the ancients believed a good sneeze could literally blast your soul right out of your body! To ensure that no bad spirits moved into the vacancy, "God bless you" was said to clear the way so soul and body could reunite.

SAVING OUR PLANET: Let's disinfect naturally. Not only do disinfectants contain harsh chemicals that are damaging to the environment, they smell strong, too. Let's make our own natural disinfectant by infusing leaves of rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, sage, and thyme in water.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

Best gift for all Filipinos

“Punishment is justice for the unjust.”

—Saint Augustine

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and all other suspected flood control project anomaly thieves will be prosecuted, arrested and locked in the Quezon City jail provided by the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG), this event will be the Marcos Jr. administration’s best Christmas gift for all Filipinos.

If the mass arrest, estimated to involve more or less 200 wrongdoers that would reportedly include senators, congressmen, DPWH employees and contractors, will be implemented in early 2026, it will be the government’s best New Year’s gift for the nation.

The people are itching to see the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) conclude its suspense-filled investigations on the multi-billion anomalies that romped off in September 2025.

They have become impatient as days go by with no single thief being manacled and placed behind bars; they want immediate results and they want it now.

 -o0o-

 The more the investigations drag on, the more that people are losing faith in the ICI’s capacity to dispense justice; their trust in the justice system continues to erode if what they see and hear are merely powderkegs in the form of press statements, not flood control project criminals spending actual time behind bars.

Especially that the ICI has chosen to conduct its investigations and hearings behind closed doors despite overwhelming uproar from public to hold them “live” so that the taxpayers can closely monitor and be given updates about the proceedings. 

People are tired and bored by episodes where ordinary individuals are arrested and photographed in the police stations like hardened criminals after stealing only a can of banana catsup and a bottle of peanut butter while the likes of Escudero and other accused of committing plunder continue receiving fat salaries and holding office in air-conditioned rooms paid by the taxpayers.  

People are fed up with the country’s double-standard of justice where the poor are always in the receiving end and the rich and famous always unabashedly running away with the pie’s largest slice and get away with it.

 

-o0o-

 

THE easiest way to escape prosecution and jail if you’re a corrupt public official in the Philippines is to become a “son of God.”

It may sound sacrilegious for a thief to claim as “son of God” but what a heck. 

If it’s the only way to wiggle out from mess and circumvent the law, the likes of Joel Villanueva will not hesitate to even claim they belong to heaven and not on earth.

And many people believe in false prophets who ride on two horses—politics and religion—and enrich themselves while in public office.

A false prophet is a person who spreads false teachings or messages while claiming to speak the Word of God. 

False prophets also spoke on behalf of false gods in the Bible. False prophets functioned in their prophetic role illegitimately or for the purpose of deception. The Bible denounces false prophets for leading people astray.

Jesus went on to explain the grave consequences of being a false prophet: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:19–23).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

Jail the ‘big ones’ first, worry for the ‘big one’ next

“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

—Thomas Jefferson

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

BECAUSE of the two successive earthquakes that hit Cebu in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao recently, Filipinos are now fearing the so-called “big one,” a projected magnitude 7.2 earthquake that could affect Metro Manila and nearby provinces as part of the West Valley Fauly's natural long-term cycle, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

And because of those deadly earthquakes, the media attention has shifted from Zaldy Co, Martin Romualdez, Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Jinggoy Estrada, Sara Duterte-Carpio, among other alleged flood control projects and intelligence funds rapscallions, respectively.

These are some of the so-called "big ones” who have not been prosecuted and convicted in competent courts.

We wish they go to jail first before any “big one” will happen, God forbid.

We hate to see headline stories against these alleged thieves in government disappear or consigned in the jumped pages when natural disasters and other fortuitous incidents occur.

 

-o0o-

 

Of course, we wish there will be no more “big one,” the earthquake; but we are hoping more “big ones” will fall one after another.

“Big ones” or “small ones,” there must be accountability and justice. Public scrutiny must continue; the people’s vigilance and active participation to ferret out the truth is crucial and must continue.

They must be identified, investigated, tried and convicted; and, if possible, ordered to return the money they have stolen from the people.

Restitution is necessary and should be inviolable in order to complete the show.                                            

We need to send a strong message to these rascals that the taxpayers mean business when they urge and support the move by the Marcos Jr. administration to lower the boom on public officials and contractors who stole hundreds of billions of pesos via “ghost” and substandard projects, kickbacks and other illicit backdoor deals.

Already, we have noticed people grumbling and bellyaching that justice grinds slowly in the flood control project anomalies brouhaha.

 

-o0o-

 

It’s been more than a month since the major players and culprits in the DPWH and Congress (both the upper and lower houses) have been identified and mocked in the social media and yet, no one has been manacled and sent to jail.

We understand we need to observe a due process before finally throwing the hard books at these villains, but in the issue of graft and corruption where there is overwhelming preponderance of evidence, prosecution must be expedited so that there will be no room for these bad characters to influence and whitewash the cases and deny the public the justice it richly deserves.          

In China and other countries with no-nonsense laws against graft and corruption, heads would have rolled down literally.

The war against graft and corruption must be waged in a breakneck pace and there should be no holy cows.

Sometimes people are satisfied when their government dispenses justice swiftly and with alacrity.

 

-o0o-

 

We continue to experience a severe weather condition in New York City and New Jersey as of this writing as dangerous surf conditions continued October 13, bringing strong rip currents and beach erosion along many East Coast beaches.

More than two inches of rain were likely to fall in some spots, according to forecasters. The greatest threat for major flooding was expected to be in Long Island and southern New Jersey, reported the NBC New York.

Coastal flooding was expected to peak October 13 afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A ground stop was issued at John F. Kennedy Airport through 2:45 p.m. due to winds.

High wind advisories were dropped Monday morning for the area, but lingering gusts can still potentially bring down trees, which could cause power outages. As of 8:30 a.m., power outages in the tri-state total 32,080.

New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since October 11 night. Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an emergency declaration for eight southern counties October 12 evening. New York's State of Emergency due to the nor'easter prompted organizers to cancel the NYC Columbus Day Parade scheduled for October 13.

 (The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

Telegraphing punches

“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.”

—Khalil Gibran

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE’S nothing wrong with reporting to the public that at least 421 of the 8,000 flood control works in the entire archipelago were non-existent or “ghosts.”

But the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under aggressive and tough-talking Vince Dizon appears to be telegraphing the government’s punches against unscrupulous contractors.

We’re sure the number does not end in 421. It appears it’s only the tip of the iceberg—especially when probers go down deep in the Visayas and Mindanao.

If Dizon’s team composed of field inspector from the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev) will conduct the probe in full swing, more skeletons will emerge from the closet.

Why not continue with the investigation and flood control project scam-hunting, gather sufficient pieces of evidence against the erring contractors and their politician padrinos, and file cases in court thereafter before disclosing how far they have gone, so far?

 

-o0o-

 

We advocate transparency in as far as the findings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the fact-finding body created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to look into the flood control anomalies, are concerned.

But we think it’s healthier and more effective if Dizon, et al refrain from revealing all the aces in their sleeves while the marching orders to locate all those “ghost” projects are ongoing and not yet concluded.

“Initially, 8,000 projects nationwide were validated, and of these, 421 were identified as ghost projects by the AFP, PNP, and (DepDev),” Dizon was reported to have declared recently in a press conference after a closed-door meeting with ICI officials.

“This is just the initial phase, because there are so many. Hundreds of thousands of these projects still need to be validated.”

While so many cooks spoil the broth, excessive talking is a leakage that will sink you into the ocean of troubles.

While Dizon, et al showboat in every press conference they assemble to report the latest figures of their scam-hunting, fraudulent contractors and their politician collaborators study and plot their next move and may be bidding to forestall the government’s next move.

With their billions of loots, these rascals can afford to dilly dally the course of justice system and might succeed to wiggle out from the abyss by doing the offensive move and employing squid, among other dirty tactics.

Money still talks and everyone has a price in the Philippines, pardon this frankness.

 

-o0o-

 

People in the East Coast, especially here in New York City, have started to notice it's almost peak leaf peeping season, when the colors of fall are seen in full, but it's looking a little different this year.

Recent weather patterns are causing leaves to change earlier and into different autumn colors, reported CBS News’ Vanessa Murdock, quoting nature experts.

Trees are reportedly showing signs of stress.

Upstate in Lake Placid, New York, near-peak fall colors pop against the tranquility of Mirror Lake, making the journey driving through the Adirondacks on I-87 much more enjoyable.

About 70 miles north of the city, the burning red of Virginia creeper plants and maroon of dogwood trees enhance the already breathtaking scenery at the Testimonial Gateway in the Mohonk Preserve in Ulster County.

"We're seeing a lot of changes in late September, which is way earlier than normal," Murdock quoted Niamh Keane, an ecological field technician at the preserve.

 

-o0o-

 

According to Keane, abnormally dry conditions and unseasonable warmth put stress on the trees, and it shows. She said stressed trees have leaves that are browned and curled up.

That causes them to change their leaves early and drop them a little earlier than in previous years," she said.

"This year might be a little bit more muted than previous years," said John Zeiger, who manages the New York Botanical Garden's Thain Family Forest.

Once more, Zeiger said lack of rain is to blame.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul enacted an outdoor burn ban statewide until at least Oct. 15 because of the dry conditions.

Leaves get their green color in the spring and summer because of chlorophyll, which breaks down in the fall, revealing the leaves' true colors. Those colors come from two main pigment types: carotenoids and anthocyanins.

Carotenoids produce yellow and orange hues, which already exist in leaves. But anthocyanins boost reds and purples, which can only be created by a chemical reaction.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

While the iron is hot

“Investigation may be likened to the long months of pregnancy, and solving a problem to the day of birth. To investigate a problem is, indeed, to solve it.”

—Mao Zedong

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ILOILO Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. did not heavily press the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central office to do something with the P680-million scandal-ridden Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo in the previous years probably because he sensed the past DPWH hierarchy was inutile to solve the mess.  

Thus, he decided to act lock, stock, and barrel to address the scandal when the new DPWH administration under the leadership of fire-spewing Secretary Vince Dizon took over.

Defensor’s move was timely, acting feverishly while the iron is hot, so to speak.

The governor is aware Dizon is in the mood to let the chips fall where they may in as far as disciplinary action against erring contractors and unscrupulous DPWH minions are concerned.

Amid the flood control project anomalies crackdown, Dizon may include other substandard and neglected infrastructure projects around the country, particularly Defensor’s concern, in the ongoing blitzkrieg against irregularities committed by DPWH double-dealers and their ilk.

 

-o0o-

 

Zeroing in on consultant discrepancies and delayed central office action as the main causes of the construction halt, Defensor informed Dizon in a letter, “I am writing to respectfully request a comprehensive update and clarification regarding the current status of the Aganan Flyover project in Pavia, Iloilo. The prolonged delay significantly disrupts traffic flow and continues to affect the daily lives and convenience of our residents.”

Defensor cited in his letter to Dizon that the flyover, which unwrapped in July 2020 with a 24-month target completion, has remained unfinished for years without an official resumption timeline.

The original contractor, United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP), allegedly committed discrepancies in assessing the foundation depth, leading to the DPWH central office’s disapproval.

An estimated P275 million to P300 million additional funds may be needed for design revisions and rectifications tied to flawed soil testing, it was reported.

Funding for corrections has not been secured, leaving the project in limbo even if the DPWH regional office had submitted the revised design for review back to the DPWH central office.

Defensor explained: “Given these circumstances, the unresolved state of the project continues to burden the public—both in terms of daily traffic congestion and lost confidence in timely infrastructure delivery.”

Copies of the governor’s letter had been furnished to DPWH Region VI OIC Regional Director Joel F. Limpengco, Iloilo 2nd District Representative Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta, and the Infrastructure Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI.

 

-o0o-

 

THE billions of pesos stolen by corrupt DPWH contractors and politicians in various flood control projects would have been enough to help rebuild the central Philippines, particularly Cebu, devastated by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025.

The money could have been used to erect shelters and edifices, build hospitals and public schools, concrete defense systems like sea walls, repair dikes and protects rivers just in case a tsunami occurs.

Most of the earthquake victims were from Bogo, a small town on one of the largest islands in the Visayas Islands, the Philippines' central region and the place closest to the earthquake's epicentre.

Many of them will rely on national and even international aides to rebuild their shattered lives as a result of the catastrophe.

Images coming out of Bogo showed body bags lined on the street and hundreds of people being treated in tent hospitals. Officials have warned of "a lot of damage" caused by the earthquakes.

The local authorities have appealed for volunteers with medical experience to help deal with injuries.

Buckled and cracked roads, and fallen bridges were also making access difficult for emergency services. Power lines in many places were down, meaning that it's also been hard to speak to those affected.

Seven of those who died in Tuesday's earthquake in Bogo had lived in a village built to house victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the central Philippines 12 years ago, killing more than 6,000 people.

 

-o0o-

 

According to the Science of Earthquakes, the earth has four major layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. The crust and the top of the mantle make up a thin skin on the surface of our planet.

But this skin is not all in one piece – it is made up of many pieces like a puzzle covering the surface of the earth. Not only that, but these puzzle pieces keep slowly moving around, sliding past one another and bumping into each other.

We call these puzzle pieces tectonic plates, and the edges of the plates are called the plate boundaries. The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around the world occur on these faults.

Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on one of the faults and there is an earthquake.

While the edges of faults are stuck together, and the rest of the block is moving, the energy that would normally cause the blocks to slide past one another is being stored up.

When the force of the moving blocks finally overcomes the friction of the jagged edges of the fault and it unsticks, all that stored up energy is released.

The energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions in the form of seismic waves like ripples on a pond. The seismic waves shake the earth as they move through it, and when the waves reach the earth’s surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, like our houses and us!

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)