OVP STAFF TRIED TO HAVE CONFIDENTIAL-FUND AUDIT FINDINGS DOWNGRADED, FORMER COA OFFICIAL SAYS

Core staff from the Office of the Vice President asked the Commission on Audit to downgrade findings concerning the OVP’s use of confidential funds in 2023, a former COA official testified during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Roderick Wamil told the Senate impeachment court that OVP personnel sought an “audit query” instead of the formal Audit Observation Memoranda prepared by the audit team. According to Wamil, the request was rejected because the proposed treatment was not allowed under the joint circular governing confidential and intelligence funds.

The prosecution presented the testimony as evidence that OVP personnel tried to weaken the formal audit findings tied to confidential-fund spending.

Duterte’s defense disputed that reading. Her lawyers argued that meetings between agency officials and auditors were part of the normal audit process and did not prove an attempt to hide irregularities.

The defense also returned to the OVP’s expenditure of ₱125 million in confidential funds over 11 days, from December 21 to 31, 2022. Wamil agreed that no COA rule prohibited the office from spending the full amount within that period.

That concession does not settle the dispute over the money. The speed of disbursement cannot prove misuse on its own. Prosecutors are also questioning the stated purposes, supporting documents, supposed recipients and audit treatment of the expenditures.

Wamil’s statements are witness testimony presented by the prosecution. The impeachment court has not reached a verdict, and Duterte’s lawyers have not yet completed their response to the evidence.

MANIBELA SETS AUGUST 10 TO 12 STRIKE OVER FARE REQUEST

Transport group Manibela said it would hold a three-day strike from August 10 to 12 unless the government grants a provisional fare increase or restores a previously approved ₱1 adjustment that remains suspended.

Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said the group was seeking an interim ₱2 increase while the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board continued hearing fare petitions.

The LTFRB said it would recommend an interim fare increase and fuel discounts to the Department of Transportation. It also planned to invite officials from the energy, labor and economic-planning departments to a later hearing.

Valbuena said the additional ₱2 could give drivers making long trips around ₱200 more in daily earnings. That was Manibela’s estimate, not a figure issued by the LTFRB.

The group cited fuel costs as the reason drivers could no longer wait for the fare case to finish. Fuel prices were reduced on August 4, including cuts of ₱0.73 per liter for gasoline and ₱0.60 for diesel, but Manibela said the rollback was too small after earlier increases.

The strike could still be called off. Manibela tied the action to the government’s decision on its request.

No final provisional fare amount had been approved as of the announcement.

COURT ORDER STOPS FUTURE PAYMENT OF FIRST NCR WAGE TRANCHE

Labor groups continued protesting a court order that stopped the continued implementation of the first part of an approved ₱85 daily minimum-wage increase in Metro Manila.

NCR Wage Order No. 27 divided the increase into two stages. The first ₱60 took effect on July 25. The remaining ₱25 is scheduled to take effect on January 20, 2027.

The legal sequence is important.

On July 24, Pasig Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Rowena de Juan-Bulauitan denied a request for an immediate 72-hour temporary restraining order but directed the parties to maintain the existing situation while the case was being raffled to a branch.

The first ₱60 increase took effect the following day. Some employers began paying workers under the higher minimum-wage rate.

On July 30, Judge Marivic Balisi-Umali Manongsong of Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 issued a formal 20-day temporary restraining order against the implementation of the wage order.

The case was filed by Readycon Trading and Construction Corporation and R-II Builders Inc.

The TRO did not erase the increased wages that workers had already earned or received from July 25 until the order was issued. The Department of Labor and Employment said workers do not have to return money already paid under the higher rate.

The order instead stopped employers from continuing to apply the ₱60 increase while the TRO remained in force.

Labor groups argued that a Regional Trial Court had no authority to stop the wage order. They said challenges to regional wage-board decisions should pass through the National Wages and Productivity Commission under the procedure provided by labor law.

That is the workers’ legal argument. The court has not issued a final ruling on the challenge or on the jurisdiction dispute.

The first ₱60 tranche therefore took effect and was paid before the formal TRO. Workers who had already received the increase keep it. Workers whose wages fell within the period covered by the restraining order may remain on the previous minimum rate until the court changes or resolves its order.

BERNARDO RETURNS TO THE WITNESS STAND IN REVILLA’S MALVERSATION TRIAL

Former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on August 4 in the malversation trial of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six co-accused before the Sandiganbayan.

The case involves an alleged ₱92.8-million ghost flood-control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Bernardo had already testified during Revilla’s bail hearings. He claimed that he personally participated in deliveries of money to Revilla connected with government projects.

Revilla has denied receiving kickbacks. His defense has attacked Bernardo’s credibility and the lack of direct proof tying the alleged payments to an agreement involving the former senator.

The Sandiganbayan granted Revilla ₱1-million bail last week after finding that the prosecution had failed, for purposes of the bail proceedings, to present proof that he expressly or implicitly agreed to receive an advance kickback.

That bail ruling did not dismiss the malversation charge. It also did not prevent prosecutors from continuing to present Bernardo and other witnesses during the trial.

Revilla waived his appearance during the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. His lawyers remained in court.

The prosecution still has to establish the elements of the charge during trial. Bernardo’s allegations remain subject to cross-examination, documentary proof and the court’s assessment of his credibility.

PALACE BACKS TEODORO’S CALL FOR OFFICIALS WHO REFUSE TO UPHOLD WPS POLICY TO RESIGN

Malacañang supported Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s call for government officials who disagree with and refuse to uphold the country’s West Philippine Sea policy to challenge it in court or resign.

Teodoro’s remarks drew criticism from Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, who accused the defense secretary of demonizing China and imposing a loyalty test on Filipinos.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration saw nothing wrong with Teodoro’s position. She argued that Filipino officials should place the country’s interests first.

The dispute needs careful wording. Teodoro did not say that every person who questions an administration decision must leave government. His statement referred to officials who refuse to uphold the country’s existing West Philippine Sea policy.

The phrase “pro-China” came from the political exchange. It has no automatic legal meaning and cannot, on its own, prove that an official has violated a law or official duty.

Teodoro primarily directed his remarks at elected officials. Elected officials may criticize the administration’s approach without automatically losing their positions.

The administration can challenge their statements and political judgment. Removing an elected official requires the process established for that office.

The exchange followed continuing disputes over Philippine maritime zones and China’s rejection of Philippine positions in the West Philippine Sea.

The argument now extends beyond maritime policy. Teodoro and the Palace are asking whether an official can reject the administration’s position while continuing to serve in a government bound to defend Philippine maritime rights.