During the Senate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on October 21, Tulfo cited Department of Justice (DOJ) data showing that around eight million PWD IDs are in circulation nationwide, but only two million are legitimate and registered with the National Council on Disability Affairs.

The senator said the misuse of fake IDs has reportedly cost businesses as much as P166 billion, particularly those in the restaurant industry.

“Talamak ang pagkalat ng mga pekeng PWD IDs na ginagamit upang manloko ng kapwa. Mayroon namang legit na PWD ID pero wala namang sakit at hindi qualified ang cardholder,” Tulfo said.

“Ang pinakakawawa dito ay ang mga lehitimong may kapansanan na dapat nakikinabang sa diskwentong 20% at ang mga maliliit na negosyo na pumapasan sa dagdag na gastos,” he added.

David Sison, president of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RESTOPH), recounted in an interview with Tulfo’s Senate team an incident in which every member of a family, including the parents, children and household helper, reportedly had a PWD ID.

RESTOPH coordinated with the NCDA and the Department of Health to look into the problem. Tulfo also checked reports of PWD IDs being sold on Facebook Marketplace and Carousell.

Verifying whether an ID is genuine remains a challenge. Tulfo said the DOH’s online verification system was reportedly not up to date, while more than 2,500 local government units issue PWD IDs with different designs, formats and databases.

The senator called for tighter screening of applications and clearer rules on which disabilities qualify for an ID to prevent people from abusing the benefits intended for persons with disabilities.

“Huwag natin gamitin sa kalokohan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan,” he said.

Despite raising the issue, the senator supported the DSWD’s proposed budget, saying its programs serve poor and disadvantaged Filipinos who depend on government assistance.IMT

The post Tulfo flags online sale of fake PWD IDs first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The non-commissioned August 2026 National Momentum Survey found that Tulfo has the highest support among adults in Metro Manila (26.4%), the Rest of Luzon (31.3%), and Visayas (26.8%), but is weakest in Mindanao (8.0%), a Duterte stronghold, where preferences are mainly split between Sen. Bong Go (25.8%) and Sen. Robin Padilla (25.6%).

While Tulfo also leads in Visayas, Pro-Opposition names do best in this region, with support divided almost evenly between Sen. Risa Hontiveros (12.9%) and Sen. Bam Aquino (12.7%).

Mindanao and the Rest of Luzon have the largest shares of undecided Filipino adults at 14.0% and 13.0%, respectively.

These regional findings align with the national picture, where Tulfo (24.5%) emerges as the frontrunner for vice president, with 14.5% preferring Padilla and 13.5% choosing Go.

Support for Tulfo has also strengthened in August, with a +6.2 pp increase since July 2026.Only Padilla gained +1 pp in preference polls. Meanwhile, some of the current top six bets, Go (-2.5 pp), Marcoleta (-0.1 pp), and Aquino (-1.4 pp), incurred a decrease in favorability among adults since the July survey.

As of writing, no public official has expressed their intention to run for vice presidency in the upcoming election.

However, many have already ruled out a run for national office; this includes Tulfo, Aquino, and Padilla. Although Vice President Sara Duterte has declared a presidential bid, she has yet to disclose her preferred running mate.

Support for Tulfo highest among older generations, weakest among Gen Z

Tulfo remains the top vice presidential bet for three generation groups, namely Millennials (26.4%), Gen X (29.7%), Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation (34.4%).

Noticeably, Padilla ranks the highest at 16.7% among Gen Z adults, followed by Tulfo (14.9%), Go (13.1%), Aquino (12.6%), and Hontiveros (10.9%).

At the same time, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation have the highest share of undecided adults across generations at 23.5% (See Table 2).

Factions have their own VP bets; Independents prefer Tulfo

Among Filipinos who identify as Marcos supporters, Tulfo surfaces as the faction’s consolidated bet, with more than one-third of their support (38.9%).

Meanwhile, Duterte supporters are split between Padilla (26.7%) and Go (25.4%).

As for the Pro-Opposition, Hontiveros continues to receive the backing of 30.6% of adults, who say they would vote her for vice president. Remaining support, however, is split, with Tulfo (26.1%) and Aquino (23.7%) behind.

Voting patterns of adults who identify as Independent are similar to national numbers, with 28.6% preferring Tulfo.

A possible explanation could also be linked to how Independents take up the largest share of the survey’s sample (45.5%). While more than one-fourth of Independents say they would vote for Tulfo as vice president, 13.7% are also undecided — the highest across factions.

Conducted from August 18 to 23, the National Momentum Survey was carried out through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,487 Filipino adults. It has a national margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Subnational margins of error are ±6.9% for the National Capital Region, ±3.8% for the Rest of Luzon (North, South, and Central Luzon), ±5.8% for Visayas, and ±5.5% for Mindanao — all at a 95% confidence level.

The post Raffy Tulfo emerges as top VP bet across most regions in 2028 elections — survey first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Office of the Solicitor General would file a motion for reconsideration to question the High Court’s ruling.

“Kaya nga tayo ay magsasampa sa pamamagitan ng Office of the Solicitor General ng motion for reconsideration dahil alam ng administrasyon na wala namang nilalabag na batas, walang nilalabag na probisyon sa Konstitusyon; ang administrasyon na ito ay tumutupad lamang sa mga naging proseso na isinasaad din naman sa batas,” she said.

The Palace said it respects the Supreme Court’s decision on the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts and certain special provisions in the 2026 national budget.

However, the administration maintains that unprogrammed appropriations remain a valid funding mechanism as long as their release complies with the Constitution, existing laws and accountability requirements.

Castro said the government had been following a policy established by Congress in 2015, under which funds may be released when revenue collections exceed targets from at least one specified non-tax revenue source, subject to other legal conditions.IMT

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Mayor Raisa Treñas announced the recognition for the city’s Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARe) Centers, a program that decentralizes disaster risk management through district-level response hubs.

The award was presented during the Galing Pook Awards ceremony at Malacañang on October 21. Iloilo and Baguio City were the only local government units given the special citation among 19 national finalists.

Treñas said the initiative was meant to protect the lives, families and livelihoods of Ilonggos by improving the city’s readiness for disasters and emergencies.

“Kag para guid ini sa kada Ilonggo,” Treñas said in a Facebook post. “Ang aton pagpanghanda kag pagpaayo sang emergency response may isa ka katuyuan – amo ang maprotektahan ang inyo kabuhi, pamilya, kag palangabuhian,” she added.

The mayor thanked the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, barangays, emergency responders, volunteers and partners from government, the private sector and civil society for helping strengthen the city’s disaster preparedness.

The latest recognition marks Iloilo City’s fourth Galing Pook Award, following its previous wins for the Dinagyang Festival in 2012, the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project in 2018 and the I-BIKE Program in 2022.IMT

The post Iloilo City bags first Galing Pook Resilience Award first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

A total of 1,600 residents benefited from the program’s first two activities, which served 575 plaza-goers at Molo Plaza on October 2 and another 1,025 at Jaro Plaza on October 9.

Led by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the initiative reflects the city government’s continuing effort to make social welfare services more accessible while ensuring that food assistance reaches communities in a safe and nutritious manner.

For Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, the program traces its roots to a time when lockdown restrictions during the pandemic made it difficult for residents to move around and access basic necessities.

“During the pandemic, it was difficult for us to move around the community because of the lockdown. That was when I thought of launching a Community Kitchen to help our residents. Eventually, this became a standard part of our disaster response during calamities,” Treñas said.

What started as a way to help residents cope with an unprecedented crisis has since become part of the city’s disaster-response efforts. Now, the initiative is taking another step forward as the city government makes it a regular activity, bringing food assistance directly to communities even outside times of emergency.

Under the new schedule, the CSWDO will conduct Community Kitchen activities every Friday at a designated plaza in Iloilo City, providing residents with easier access to food assistance within their communities.

Beyond distributing free snacks, the program also recognizes the important work of Supplementary Feeding Workers, who help ensure proper food preparation, nutrition, sanitation and safe food handling.

Their role underscores that community feeding is not simply about providing food, but also about protecting the health and well-being of those being served.

The next Community Kitchen sa Plaza activity is scheduled at La Paz Plaza on October 16, 2026.

The post Community Kitchen goes to the plazas first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Developed by the city’s Data Assessment and Systems Management Office (DASMO), the web-based civic information platform serves as a digital dashboard consolidating essential information for disaster preparedness and public safety.

Darwin Papa of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the initiative supports Mayor Raisa Treñas’ push to maximize digital technology in delivering public information and services.

Treñas emphasized the need for every Ilonggo to have access to accurate, reliable and updated information as the city prepares for the possible impacts of very strong El Niño.

The website provides weather forecasts, real-time and projected heat index readings, rainfall data, air quality updates, earthquake and typhoon monitoring, traffic conditions, jeepney rerouting advisories, commodity and fuel prices, public health information, power and water interruption notices, and emergency hotlines.

As part of the city’s El Niño preparations, Papa said additional monitoring features are being developed to track current and projected heat index levels, water and electricity supply availability, scheduled power interruptions, and the locations of designated cooling hubs.

The platform also includes an Economic Price Watch feature that tracks daily prices of basic commodities and fuel.

The expanded monitoring system is intended to help residents access critical information as conditions change and enable them to make informed decisions during emergencies and periods of extreme heat.IMT

The post Iloilo City upgrades digital disaster monitoring ahead of very strong El Niño first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

PESO head Dr. Cynthia P. Dario said that the Bulig Ilonggo Task Force is actively monitoring the safety of Ilonggos overseas.

She assured the public that should any report reach their office, the task force is prepared to record the workers’ information, evaluate their current situation, and immediately extend the necessary assistance.

The unrest in France was triggered by mounting public frustration over high inflation, rising fuel costs, and education sector concerns, according to international media reports.IMT

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BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno commended Collection District VI for its revenue performance, border protection, and trade facilitation efforts.

Nepomuceno credited District Collector Noli Santua Jr. and the port’s personnel for their unified drive toward meeting operational goals under the bureau’s modernization movement.

“Your dedication, hard work, and collective action are proof that we can achieve so much more when we are united toward a common goal,” he said,

Santua acknowledged the dedication of the district’s personnel and highlighted the role of local traders, industry partners, and port stakeholders in achieving the fiscal surplus.

“To our officers and personnel, thank you for your continued commitment, cooperation, and service. You are the people entrusted to carry this Port forward into its next chapter.” he said.

“I would also like to recognize our stakeholders and partners, many of whom have been part of Port’s story. A port does not operate in isolation. Its success depends on the cooperation of the trading community, our clients, industry partners, and the many individuals and organizations whose activities are connected to the Port.”

The BOC reiterated its commitment to maintaining trade efficiency and border security across Western Visayas as operations enter the final quarter of the year.

“Together, let us advance a Customs that is modern, robust, and trustworthy. One Port, One Vision —let us continue to serve with integrity, accountability, and genuine concern for the nation,” said Nepomuceno.IMT

The post Port of Iloilo collects P3.19B, beats 8-month target first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The figures represent a decrease of 80 incidents, according to PRO-6 data.

The Iloilo City Police Office recorded the biggest decline at 34.53%, followed by the Capiz Police Provincial Office at 18.87% and the Aklan Police Provincial Office at 18.48%.

Focus crimes refer to carnapping, homicide, murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, and theft. 

PRO-6 Regional Director Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño said the decrease reflected the police force’s continued efforts to maintain peace and order across the region.

However, Tuaño stressed that the decline should not lead to complacency among police personnel.

The PRO-6 vowed to continue strengthening police visibility, intensifying anti-criminality operations and engaging communities to sustain the gains in crime prevention.IMT

The post Focus crimes in WV drop by 10.4% first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos Jr. wants the cases of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) reviewed to determine who may already be eligible for release after serving their sentences.

“Bunga rin ito ng malasakit ng Pangulo na mapalaya ang mga taong hindi na dapat nakakulong. Ayon sa Pangulo, may mga PDL na ang problema ay maaaring simple lang kagaya ng hindi nila alam kung ano ang dapat gawin o kung paano aasikasuhin ang kanilang kaso,” Castro said.

Marcos Jr. also called on local government units to develop programs that would allow law students and their professors to help inmates with their legal concerns.

The President raised the matter during a joint meeting of the National and Regional Peace and Order Councils at Malacañang Palace on October 16.

Castro said the initiative aims to ensure that those who are legally entitled to freedom are not kept behind bars unnecessarily.

“Naniniwala ang Pangulo na makatutulong ang ganitong hakbang upang mapalaya na ang dapat mapalaya at mabawasan ang pagsisikip sa mga kulungan o jail congestion,” she added.

Marcos Jr. also stressed the role of barangays in maintaining peace and order, allowing police officers to focus on serious crimes and threats to public safety.IMT

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