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Solons  urge DOJ to file charges, jail Duterte over drug war killings

By Nidz Godino

“For all of its war on drugs successes and shortcomings, I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat ng nagawa ng pulis pursuant to my order…ako ang malagot at ako ang makulong,.. ‘wag yung pulis na sumunod sa order ko,” former President Rodrigo Duterte should be imprisoned for  thousands of extrajudicial killings committed during his war on drugs, House lawmakers said. 

In  statement, neophyte lawmakers of  “Young Guns” bloc did not hold back when they said Duterte should “go to jail.” 

This was their response after  former president said  at Senate inquiry into  war on drugs that he, not  police officers who followed his orders, should be detained for leading  campaign.

Rep. Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-list) said  even  former president should not be immune from legal consequences. Now that Duterte is claiming responsibility for drug war’s effects,  lawmaker stressed  this provides sufficient grounds for  justice system to act.

“If we truly stand by our principles of justice and  rule of law, then Mr. Duterte must be held accountable…he must go to jail for these EJKs…this is not about politics; it’s about justice,” he said.    

House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Manila, 6th District) pointed out that Duterte’s repeated calls to kill drug suspects, even those resisting arrest, had “emboldened” police officials to carry out such actions.

“Well, that would be  normal statement that can be said by any leader, but we’ve seen his repeated pronouncements to “kill, kill…”he said it numerous times… emboldened  Philippine National Police officers to actually kill,” he said .

He stressed  Duterte’s statement claiming responsibility for all EJKs paves  way for legal action both domestically and internationally. 

This is particularly reinforced by  House Quad Committee’s findings,  uncovered multiple testimonies about  former president’s alleged reward system for police officers involved in killing drug suspects, Abante said.

Despite  former president’s old age,  Quad Comm co-chair also said  Duterte still “cannot get away from  responsibility of his actions.” 

In  separate statement, Rep. Perci Cendaña (Akbayan Partylist) also urged Department of Justice to “act swiftly” in filing appropriate charges against Duterte and complicit officials for extrajudicial killings, following his admission of responsibility and  existence of  Davao Death Squad (DDS).

Meanwhile, Rep. Paolo Ortega (La Union, 1st District) said  country should consider supporting  International Criminal Court’s (ICC) probe into EJKs if domestic cases do not pan out.  ICC has been examining documents and testimonies since 2018. 

“If Philippine authorities do not act,  ICC could be  crucial avenue for justice….we must ensure accountability for  lives lost and demonstrate no one is above the law,” he said. 

Acidre added  “ wheels of justice must take their course,” and if Duterte is proven guilty, he should go to jail.

House Quad Comm invited Duterte to attend its public hearing on October 22 regarding  extrajudicial killings in  war on drugs, but his legal counsel told  committee that Duterte was unable to attend because he was “feeling unwell.” 

Rodrigo Duterte to skip House EJK probe on October 22The Philippine National Police said on Monday, October 21, that former President Rodrigo Duterte received the co…

According to  excuse letter, Duterte prefers to attend  House’s public hearings after November 1. However,  former president was present at  Senate’s inquiry on October 28. 

Rep. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa, Lone District),  co-chair of  mega-panel, previously said  it would be “disrespectful” and “unfair” if Duterte would only attend  Senate hearings. 

Two members of the Senate, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go, were trusted aides of Duterte during his administration and are both implicated in extrajudicial killings and alleged reward system. Throughout  first Senate hearing, they frequently defended Duterte and themselves against these allegations.

Fernandez said Duterte’s attendance on Monday is “good for all,” as it allows Congress to fully understand what “really transpired during  implementation” of  war on drugs.

“It is incumbent upon us to seek the truth because  truth will always come out no matter how long you hide, it will always come out,” he added.

Human rights groups estimate that  war on drugs has resulted in around 30,000 extrajudicial killings, while government data places number at 6,000.

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Plea bargain confirmed KOJC scam

By J.Lo

“Defendant and her co-conspirators would seek to maintain United States immigration status for KOJC workers who proved capable of meeting  KOJC’s cash solicitation quotas by obtaining student visas for such KOJC workers, for  purpose of evading immigration laws, ”aside from facilitating sham marriages, some officers of  Kingdom of Jesus Christ also implemented  visa fraud scheme in  United States, where dozens of KOJC members were directed to apply for student visas to extend their stay.

Plea  agreement of  US Attorney’s Office with Amanda Estopare,  KOJC administrator  in charge of tracking and reporting  money raised in e US to KOJC officials in the Philippines herself signed on Oct. 24,  KOJC officer admitted to being part of  conspiracy “to have certain KOJC workers, who were previously recruited as KOJC members from  Philippines, admitted into United States by obtaining United States non-immigrant visas under false pretenses.”

Her plea agreement specifically detailed how, from 2015 to 2020, they instructed KOJC workers to tell US immigration officers that they were traveling to  US to perform in church-related concerts, when in fact their primary purpose was to solicit donations.

 “Defendant and her co-conspirators would pay  tuition for  KOJC workers on student visas, using funds drawn from KOJC bank accounts…as defendant knew, KOJC workers attended college approximately one day a week, but would otherwise spend their time soliciting money for KOJC,” it stressed.

According to document, Estopare and her co-conspirators caused  submission of at least 25 but less than 100 fraudulent forms to US immigration authorities.

“They know that those forms contained false information regarding  purpose of  KOJC members’ enrollment at colleges, and that in reality,  purpose of extending or reinstating  KOJC members’ visitor status in the United States was to enable them to work soliciting funds for  KOJC,” read the plea agreement.

Estopare, along with co-accused Guia Cabactulan, entered into plea agreements with  US Attorney’s Office and admitted to being part of visa fraud scheme.

In her separate plea agreement, Cabactulan admitted to facilitating sham marriages between KOJC members from  Philippines with those who are US citizens “for  purpose of evading immigration laws.”

“Defendant and her co-conspirators completed and filed fraudulent marriage paperwork on behalf of KOJC workers and arranged for  KOJC workers to be transported to set location for  sham marriage ceremony, after  non-citizen spouse in such  sham marriage obtained LPR,lawful permanent resident status in United States and in some cases went on to become  naturalized US citizen, defendant and her co-conspirators would arrange for  couple to divorce to enable further fraudulent marriages that could support US permanent residency for still other non-citizen KOJC workers,” plea agreement with Cabactulan read.

Cabactulan confirmed being part of the scheme facilitated fraudulent visas for at least 25 but less than 100 members.

In exchange for agreeing to plead guilty to visa fraud scheme, US authorities will move to dismiss other charges against Estopare and Cabactulan.

Based on their plea agreements, two face  maximum prison sentence of five years and  fine of $250,000.

Estopare and Cabactulan were among  nine charged over alleged labor and sex trafficking scheme involving KOJC members.

Among those indicted in the case was KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is currently detained in the Philippines for separate human trafficking and abuse charges.

Two others who were indicted in  US, KOJC officer Marissa Duenas and paralegal Maria de Leon, also entered into plea agreements with  US Attorney’s Office.

Aside from Quiboloy, two others believed to be in the Philippines  Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag are on most wanted list of  US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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Groups hit Senate’s drug war probe

By Nidz Godino

“Today, as an investigation into  ‘war on drugs’ by  Senate opens, we are aghast that it has become  platform for those involved and accused,” as  Senate opened its probe into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, two organizations representing victims of extrajudicial killings questioned  hearing’s impartiality. 

Rise Up for Life and for Rights and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), represented by human rights lawyers Neri Colmenares and Kristina Conti, said  Senate Blue Ribbon Committee includes members facing allegations alongside Duterte. 

They were referring to Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s former special assistant when he was president, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, his police chief and the drug war architect.

House Quad Committee,  first to conduct  congressional probe into  EJKs, revealed through testimonies from police lieutenants appointed by Duterte that Go and Dela Rosa are allegedly involved in the bloody war on drugs and  reward system for every killed drug suspect.

During  Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s first hearing, Go devoted over 15 minutes in his opening speech to defend himself and Duterte against  allegations.

This is contradictory to Go’s statement in  interview on Sept. 24, 2019, where he said   reward would be given to those who kill “ninja cops,” referring to police officers involved in  illegal drug trade.

Duterte to name ‘ninja’ copsPresident Duterte will soon divulge the names of ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allege…

“I think he will personally announce to the public kung sino po yung sangkot na ito…at importante pong si pangulo ang magsasabi…sabi niya, karapatan po ng Pilipinong malaman kung sino po ang ninja cops…nabanggit din po niyang, nandyan pa rin po ‘yung reward na kanyang sinabi noon. P1 million sa mga ninja cops patay… ‘pag buhay, kalahating milyon lang po… ‘pag lumaban, P2 million,” Go said.  

Go maintained his statement had nothing to do with  war on drugs.

“Hindi po war on drugs ‘yun…kung panonoorin niyo po ang full video, hindi ko po tinutukoy ang reward system sa war on drugs dito…tungkol ‘yan sa pagtugis sa ninja cops,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa appeared irritable and frustrated, raising his voice for much of  hearing as resource persons explained how  police failed to investigate numerous EJK cases. Many times, he merely defended himself from allegations. 

The former police chief even accused one resource person of using these EJK cases as propaganda against  government, questioning why they had not reported  lack of investigation to  police.

Colmenares and Conti said in  statement that the two senators’ behavior “raises significant questions over  independence and effectiveness” of  Senate inquiry. Similar to  worries of House lawmakers,  hearing might “serve as  whitewash,” they stressed.

 “Senators Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go and Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa had neither  decency nor discretion to inhibit themselves, despite persistent and credible allegations of their participation in the whole scheme of things,”  lawyers said. 

Rise Up and NUPL concluded in their statement that Duterte’s absence at House Quad Comm’s hearings exhibits his “imprudence and impertinence” towards  lower chamber. 

“His presence at Senate today, alongside those alleged to be his henchmen or supporters, is sinister,” they added.  

The former president, according to his legal counsel, excused himself from House hearing on October 22 because he was feeling under  weather. Duterte also said that he prefers to attend after November 1. 

However, Duterte was seen attending Senate’s probe on October 28, throwing curse words in almost every sentence and interrupting senators and resource persons as they spoke. 

Duterte also claimed he should be held accountable for leading  drug war, rather than  police officers who “only followed his orders,” though he expressed no remorse over  extrajudicial killings committed.   

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Headlines

Plea bargain confirmed KOJC scam

By J.Lo

“Defendant and her co-conspirators would seek to maintain United States immigration status for KOJC workers who proved capable of meeting  KOJC’s cash solicitation quotas by obtaining student visas for such KOJC workers, for  purpose of evading immigration laws,”aside from facilitating sham marriages, some officers of  Kingdom of Jesus Christ also implemented  visa fraud scheme in  United States, where dozens of KOJC members were directed to apply for student visas to extend their stay.

Plea  agreement of  US Attorney’s Office with Amanda Estopare,  KOJC administrator  in charge of tracking and reporting  money raised in e US to KOJC officials in the Philippines herself signed on Oct. 24,  KOJC officer admitted to being part of  conspiracy “to have certain KOJC workers, who were previously recruited as KOJC members from  Philippines, admitted into United States by obtaining United States non-immigrant visas under false pretenses.”

Her plea agreement specifically detailed how, from 2015 to 2020, they instructed KOJC workers to tell US immigration officers that they were traveling to  US to perform in church-related concerts, when in fact their primary purpose was to solicit donations.

 “Defendant and her co-conspirators would pay  tuition for  KOJC workers on student visas, using funds drawn from KOJC bank accounts…as defendant knew, KOJC workers attended college approximately one day a week, but would otherwise spend their time soliciting money for KOJC,” it stressed.

According to document, Estopare and her co-conspirators caused  submission of at least 25 but less than 100 fraudulent forms to US immigration authorities.

“They know that those forms contained false information regarding  purpose of  KOJC members’ enrollment at colleges, and that in reality,  purpose of extending or reinstating  KOJC members’ visitor status in the United States was to enable them to work soliciting funds for  KOJC,” read the plea agreement.

Estopare, along with co-accused Guia Cabactulan, entered into plea agreements with  US Attorney’s Office and admitted to being part of visa fraud scheme.

In her separate plea agreement, Cabactulan admitted to facilitating sham marriages between KOJC members from  Philippines with those who are US citizens “for  purpose of evading immigration laws.”

“Defendant and her co-conspirators completed and filed fraudulent marriage paperwork on behalf of KOJC workers and arranged for  KOJC workers to be transported to set location for  sham marriage ceremony, after  non-citizen spouse in such  sham marriage obtained LPR,lawful permanent resident status in United States and in some cases went on to become  naturalized US citizen, defendant and her co-conspirators would arrange for  couple to divorce to enable further fraudulent marriages that could support US permanent residency for still other non-citizen KOJC workers,” plea agreement with Cabactulan read.

Cabactulan confirmed being part of the scheme facilitated fraudulent visas for at least 25 but less than 100 members.

In exchange for agreeing to plead guilty to visa fraud scheme, US authorities will move to dismiss other charges against Estopare and Cabactulan.

Based on their plea agreements, two face  maximum prison sentence of five years and  fine of $250,000.

Estopare and Cabactulan were among  nine charged over alleged labor and sex trafficking scheme involving KOJC members.

Among those indicted in the case was KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is currently detained in the Philippines for separate human trafficking and abuse charges.

Two others who were indicted in  US, KOJC officer Marissa Duenas and paralegal Maria de Leon, also entered into plea agreements with  US Attorney’s Office.

Aside from Quiboloy, two others believed to be in the Philippines  Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag are on most wanted list of  US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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KOJC members admit marriage fraud

By Nidz Godino

Two more co-accused of detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy Guia Cabactulan and Amanda Estopare have reportedly entered into  plea agreement in  United States.

Both  Cabactulan and  Estopare have agreed to enter guilty pleas to  lesser charge relating to marriage fraud.

Duo, along with Quiboloy and six others, were indicted in  US for allegedly orchestrating  sex and labor trafficking operation.

Cabactulan was identified as  lead KOJC administrator in  US, while Estopare was allegedly in charge of tracking and reporting  money raised in  US to KOJC officials in the Philippines.

Under  17-page plea agreement, Cabactulan and Estopare could face up to five years in prison and  $250,000 fine.

Court  is scheduled to discuss plea agreement next week, where  date for sentencing may be set for them.

Duo  were arrested in 2020, along with co-accused Marissa Duenas, who also entered into  plea agreement with the US earlier this month.

Based on their original indictment, Cabactulan, Estopare and Duenas were accused of overseeing  labor trafficking scheme “ forced church members to solicit donations for  bogus charity after  defendants illegally obtained visas and other immigration documents that allowed  workers to enter and remain in United States.”

It also alleged  conspiracy to commit  series of offenses, such as trafficking with respect to forced labor, document servitude, immigration fraud and marriage fraud.

In 2021,  US federal grand jury expanded indictment to include six new defendants, including Quiboloy.

It alleged  existence of  sex trafficking scheme  “that coerced girls and young women to have sex with  church’s leader under threats of ‘eternal damnation.’”

Three more suspects  Felina Salinas, Bettina Roces and Maria de Leon  were arrested following  release of  superseding indictment.

Quiboloy and two others believed to be in the Philippines, Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag, remained at large and were included in  most wanted list of  US Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2022.

Quiboloy is currently detained in the Philippines over separate charges of qualified human trafficking and child and sexual abuse.

US government has yet to request extradition of  detained suspect, based on latest information from Philippine authorities.

Department of Justice guaranteed  criminal charges against Quiboloy in Philippine courts remain unstirred by  plea bargain agreement with US prosecutors.

Quiboloy is facing child abuse charges in  Quezon City court, as well as qualified human trafficking charges in Pasig City.

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Hse eyes plunder raps vs VP Sara, P112.5 M cash advances

By Nidz Godino

“These funds are taxpayers’ money, and we have to ensure that these are spent judiciously,” Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said, referring to three separate checks issued, each worth P37.5 million, during  first three quarters of 2023, when Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio was still leading Department of Education. 

Failure on the part of Duterte to fully account for  P112.5 million in confidential funds she advanced during her time as education secretary will make her liable for plunder,  senior administration lawmaker warned. 

 “If the VP, as head of  Department of Education then, cannot give us  clear explanation as to how these were spent, then it is our duty as lawmakers to pursue what is necessary and legal,  may include  recommendation for plunder, to protect  public interest,” Gonzales stressed.

“If she cannot explain how this P112.5 million were spent, we may have no choice but to consider recommending  filing of  plunder case,” he reiterated.

With  threshold for plunder set at P50 million,  P112.5 million in question significantly surpasses that limit, according to the lawmaker.

Three checks were issued to DepEd Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda.

Although  sitting VP is an impeachable official, legal and constitutional experts have previously clarified  unlike the President,  Vice President does not enjoy immunity from suit, leaving her open to criminal charges while in office.

Gonzales, who represents Pampanga’s third district, issued his warning as he continued to press for answers regarding  questionable disbursement uncovered during  Oct. 17 hearing of  House of Representatives committee on good government and public accountability.

During  hearing presided by committee chairman, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, Gonzales directed  series of pointed questions to DepEd Undersecretary for finance Annalyn Sevilla about  disbursement of  confidential funds, as well as Fajarda’s role in encashing them.

Sevilla confirmed  checks were issued and encashed by Fajarda in accordance with  standard procedures for cash advances involving confidential and intelligence funds, adding that her role as undersecretary for finance was limited to processing  disbursement of  funds.

At the same time, Sevilla also noted that the DepEd Finance Office had no role in overseeing how  funds were ultimately spent.

“There is no record where we can see  full accounting or budget on utilization or liquidation,” she said.

This response earned Gonzales’ ire, saying this is  vital issue with  documentation of  transactions.

“This check has  corresponding voucher right…so, how come Mr. Fajarda was able to encash  check?” he asked.

Sevilla then confirmed checks were encashed at Land Bank of the Philippines and that Fajarda was responsible for transporting  funds.

Gonzales pointed out discrepancies in  documentation, noting that  disbursement vouchers for  funds were labeled as maintenance and other operating expenses rather than confidential funds.

This, he argued, raises serious concerns about how  funds were categorized and whether they were used for their intended purposes.

Lawmaker  emphasized that such mislabeling could indicate  lack of transparency and potential misuse of  public funds allocated for sensitive programs.

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158 places under state of calamity

By J.Lo

“They were reported….these are running real-time count,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Edgar Posadas said total of 158 areas across the country have declared state of calamity in  aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Bicol region has  highest number of areas placed under  state of calamity with 78, followed by Calabarzon with 63 and Eastern Visayas with 13.

Provinces  of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes as well as Bulan in Sorsogon are currently under  state of calamity.

Amid this development, death toll due to Kristine’s onslaught has risen to 90, according to  NDRRMC.

Posadas said  number of reported deaths is still up for validation to determine if  causes are related to  storm.

Office of Civil Defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said  death toll was at 85 while 41 were missing.

In Calabarzon, 48 deaths have been recorded while 28 have been reported in Bicol.

Causes  of death of  85 individuals will still be validated if these were due to  effects of  storm.

Many of the casualties were caused by landslides and flooding, according to Nepomuceno.

In its report, NDRRMC said  total of 1,415,438 families, accounting for 5,784,298 individuals, have been impacted by Kristine nationwide.

The 2.5 million people affected are from Bicol alone; 936,951 are from Central Luzon and 685,049 from Eastern Visayas.

In  Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, more than 488,000 people are also affected.

Report  said 91,189 families are in 7,484 evacuation centers, all of whom had already received assistance, while 48,250 families are taking shelter in other places and had received external support.

In agriculture sector, Kristine’s damage has swelled to P3.11 billion amid  extent of  devastation of  cyclone, according to latest data from  Department of Agriculture (DA).

Based on  latest report from  DA’s Operations Center as of 9 inj the morning,  damage and losses in  Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bicol, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and Caraga have been reported in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, livestock and poultry, fisheries and agricultural infrastructure.

DA said at least 74,554 farmers and 72,323 hectares of agricultural lands have been affected, resulting in  volume of production loss of 160,107 metric tons (MT).

It stressed that at least 93 percent, or P2.87-billion damage, was reported in rice production covering 69,976 hectares and production loss of 152,440 MT.

DA maintained  volume of production loss was only 0.75 percent of  total annual production target volume for rice at 20.19 million MT.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said  Kristine would hurt  country’s total palay production.

“Unfortunately,  effects of La Niña, particularly Kristine, will hurt our production as we are already at harvest period this wet season… sad news that areas ready for harvest have been reportedly flooded,” Tiu Laurel said.

Damage  to high value crops totaled P121.08 million covering 1,519 hectares and production loss of 6,014 MT.

Meanwhile,  damage to farm structures and irrigation facilities have been pegged at P41.66 million and P26 million, respectively.

Damage  to corn production reached P22.27 million covering 783 hectares and production loss of 1,461 MT.

Volume  of production loss was only 0.02 percent of  total annual production target volume for corn at 8.86 million MT.

Losses to fisheries have reached P11.20 million with volume loss of 66 MT affecting 98 fisherfolk.

Damage  to cassava production reached P6.55 million covering 52 hectares and production loss of 126 MT and livestock and poultry, P3.73 million affecting 2,862 heads.

At least P531.72 million worth of agricultural inputs will be distributed to  affected farmers, according to  DA.

It said at least P1 billion in  Quick Response Fund would be tapped for  rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas.

Aside from these, at least P500 million has been allocated for  Survival and Recovery Loan Program of  Agricultural Credit Policy Council, where affected farmers can avail themselves up to P25,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest.

DA said insured farmers would receive indemnification from  Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.

Meanwhile, 18 national roads had substantial sections remained closed to traffic as of yesterday morning, according to  Department of Public Works and Highways.

National  roads are scattered all over almost all regions in Luzon except in Ilocos, but includes CAR and Central Visayas.

DPWH said major thoroughfares have been rendered impassable due to rock collapse, high water elevation, flooding, collapsed road, landslide, fallen electric posts, silted pavement, collapsed pavement, rockslide and road slip.

Three national bridges have become also unpassable: one in Cagayan Valley; one in Calabarzon, and one in Bicol due to flooding and collapsed bridge.

Also, 13 national road sections have limited access due to road slip, flash flood, scoured reinforced concrete pipe culvert and washed-out surfacing materials, and flooding.

All national roads and bridges in other affected regions had already become passable to all types of vehicles as of yesterday morning. 

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‘P8 B Malampaya royalties can minimize oil price hikes’

By Nidz Godino

“Malampaya is not just about government royalties…it is about  country’s energy independence and security…we need indigenous gas supplies to reduce import dependence and to insulate country from harmful global fuel price shocks,” Rep. Johnny Pimentel said  P8-billion windfall  government will receive as royalties this year from  offshore Malampaya natural gas project can be utilized for easing  people’s burden on continuous oil price hikes.

Royalties are payments received by  government in return for  Malampaya consortium’s right to harvest  gas field’s reserves, Pimentel noted.

As per Pimentel’s breakdown,  “sum is P9.7 billion, or 55 percent less than the P17.7 billion in Malampaya royalties  government received in 2023.”

“We are counting on government royalties from 24-year-old gas project to gradually recover and increase hopefully starting in 2026 or 2027  after two new deepwater production wells are put in place under Phase 4,” he said.

Based on Malacañang’s 2025 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing submitted to Congress, Pimentel noted estimated government royalties from Malampaya have been reduced to P8 billion this year and P5 billion in 2025.

Over  10-year period, from 2014 to 2023 alone,  government received aggregate of P200 billion in Malampaya royalties, or  average of P20 billion per year.

Malampaya’s gas supplies have been used to run major power plants in Luzon over  years.

Pimentel credited Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., operator of Malampaya, for its bold move to extract fresh gas supplies and prolong  project’s productive life by at least another 15 years through Phase 4.

Under Phase 4, Prime Energy will spend up to $600 million, or P35 billion, to drill two new production wells and hook them up to  Malampaya shallow water platform.