Dev Flores

A joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and other government agencies raided an alleged substandard steel factory in Magalang, Pampanga on July 18, 2026.

“This will also set a warning doon sa mga nagnenegosyo. Spending billions of money without following the standards na sinet natin,” NBI Director Matibag said

[“This will also serve as a warning to business operators spending billions of pesos without following established standards.”]

According to the NBI, they had received information regarding the steel factory’s operations last March.

Authorities noted that the business allegedly operates on a large scale, supplying numerous contractors for both private and public projects. To prevent further distribution, the NBI immediately conducted test buys in various locations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, then later, authorities confirmed that the products were substandard.

“Standard po kasi iyan ng imbestigasyon na kapag V bars, metals ang iyong dini-deal with, you do not only examine the chemical and physical characteristics, but as well the radiological and nuclear characteristics of the material,” according to NBI-CFMIU Chief Atty. Zulikha Marie Conales

[It’s standard of the investigation that when dealing with V-bars and metals, you do not only examine the chemical and physical characteristics, but as well the radiological and nuclear characteristics of the material.”]

“We're addressing it by looking at the inventory. Yung documents, yun iyung pino-forensic namin ngayon dito sa mga companies na ‘to, so that we will specifically pinpoint kung sino yung mga nabigyan na na-distribute yung mga bakal na yon,” Matibag said

[“We're addressing it by looking at the inventory. We are currently conducting forensic procedures on these companies, so that we will specifically pinpoint who received and distributed those steel products.”]

After the raid, the NBI discovered that the steel produced by the company was the same as the materials used in the building that collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga last May.

The bureau also linked the steel factory to several buildings that collapsed during a strong earthquake in Mindanao last June.

“We should be helping each other how to safeguard iyong market at saka iyong mga structures na ipapatayo natin,” according to PAOCC Exec. Director Usec. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

[“We should be helping each other how to safeguard the market and the structures that we’re going to build.”]

“We will probably come out with an inter-agency coordinating task force on this matter dahil sabi ko kanina maraming marami pa tong mga factories na ’to,” Matibag said

[“We will probably come out with an inter-agency coordinating task force on this matter because as I said earlier, there are still many factories like this.”]

The authorities emphasized that steel purchased for residential homes, government buildings, and critical infrastructure must meet strict quality and durability standards.

Currently, authorities have taken twelve suspects and may face potential charges for violating Consumer Act of the Philippines, Philippine Clean Air Act at Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act.

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The number of countries withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to grow.

Recently, Chad in Central Africa announced their withdrawal and noted the uneven and limited policies of the court.

Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have previously initiated their withdrawal process, while the Philippines and Burundi left the International Tribunal years ago.

The Chadian government denied that its exit was a result of appeals from the USA to leave. However, it admitted that Washington had encouraged them to review their membership in the ICC.

According to the ICC, they remain focused on prosecuting the most serious crimes in the world.

Nevertheless, the court faces challenges following the gradual withdrawal of its member states and the refusal of big countries to recognize its jurisdiction.

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House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos mentioned that House deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget may begin in August.

According to House Assistant Majority Leader and Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Keith Flores,  the House of Representatives may tackle the Electricity Reform Bill alongside budget hearings. Rep. Flores is also a member of the House Committee on Energy.

The statement was made after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 2026, directed Congress to remove the system loss charges passed on to consumers in their electric bills.

The lawmaker also appealed for approval of amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA Law, before the end of 2026. Through these amendments, the system loss charge and value-added tax imposed on consumer electric bills would be removed.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco will refile his bill that removes the system loss charges. In 2016, the Congressman filed that legislative measure.

The bill aims to prohibit private distribution utilities from passing system losses to consumers and to limit the recoverable system losses of rural electric cooperatives to 5% for technical losses.

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The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has clarified that the viral photos of an L-shaped flood barrier are fake or digitally manipulated. 

The agency confirms that the photos, which depicted flooding and scattered garbage along the barrier, were AI-generated and intended to mislead the public.

The MMDA explained that the L-shaped flood barrier was installed in front of Gate 4 of Camp Aguinaldo to block water from the higher sections of the military camp and prevent flooding along EDSA during heavy rains.

The flood barrier can be utilized to implement preventive and mitigation measure against flooding in Metro Manila.

The MMDA advised the public to verify information from official and reliable sources before sharing it on social media.

The Manila Office of the City Prosecutor has formally filed a cyberlibel case against former Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga under Republic Act 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012. 

The filing of a case against Barzaga came from a social media post where it is stated that some congressmen from NUP allegedly received money from the businessman Enrique Razon.

Since Barzaga has over one million followers on his social media page, the post easily went viral among netizens, which allegedly damaged the integrity of Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano.

According to the Manila Prosecutors Office, it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to formally charge the former lawmaker.

The prosecution has recommended a bail of Php 10,000 for the former congressman.

With reports from Benedict Samson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f03yREkbWOY

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