BY ALEX ALAGON
A TOTAL of P2.4 million worth of illegal drugs were seized, and 172 individuals arrested in July by various Davao City Police Office (DCPO) units.
Acting city director Col Mannan Muarip said 138 police operations resulted in the confiscation of 354.5854 grams of shabu, 61.8612 grams of marijuana, and 17 ecstasy tablets.
The total street value of the seized drugs reached over Php 2.4 million, with 181 related cases filed in court.
In its campaign against illegal gambling, the DCPO arrested 58 suspects in 50 operations, leading to the confiscation of P 15,062 in bet money.
Meanwhile, police arrested 187 wanted persons in the intensified manhunt operations, including
67 individuals classified as “most wanted persons” and 120 others with outstanding warrants.
The campaign against loose firearms also yielded 16 unlicensed weapons and 14 arrests from 24 operations. Additionally, six firearms were surrendered, and three were turned over for safekeeping under Oplan Katok.
Police filed 14 cases in connection with these operations.
According Muarip, these achievements are a direct result of a “testament to the power of united action” involving the police, local barangay officials, and the community.
He also credited “the active participation of the community, barangay leaders, and local government, who continue to be vital partners in the ongoing fight against criminality.”
Photo courtesy of DCPO
THE INTEGRATED Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has released an official statement recognizing the Supreme Court’s authority to nullify the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, while cautioning against calls for defiance of the ruling.
In a statement issued on Aug. 1, 2025, the IBP affirmed that the high court’s decision was not merely about the judicial review of impeachment but about upholding the “enduring architecture of a constitutional order where power is limited, roles are defined, and accountability flows through process.”
The organization, which represents the country’s lawyers, clarified that while it recognizes and respects the House of Representatives’ “exclusive power” to initiate impeachment proceedings, it also acknowledges the Supreme Court’s “solemn duty to interpret the Constitution and resolve legal uncertainties.”
The IBP stressed that impeachment, despite its political nature, “does not place it beyond the reach of judicial review under the Constitution.”
It also noted that the Supreme Court serves as the “final arbiter of constitutional questions,” a role rooted in the system of checks and balances designed to prevent the excesses of any one branch of government.
While the IBP stated that disagreement with the Court’s reasoning is “neither unwelcome nor unexpected” and that dissent is essential to a democracy’s survival, it drew a firm line against outright defiance.
“To incite public repudiation of its authority, or even just to call for its outright defiance, erodes the very foundations of the legal order,” the statement read.
The IBP warned that if every adverse ruling becomes an “invitation to disobey,” the rule of law would cease to be a constraint on power, thereby imperiling the integrity of democratic institutions.
The organization’s statement concluded by reiterating its commitment to defending legal processes, which, it said, ultimately defends the sovereignty of the people.
RENOWNED Filipino Architect Felino ‘Jun” Palafox Jr. said they already endorsed the 25-year Davao City Tourism Roadmap to the local government.
“Ask Baste,” Palafox, managing partner and founder of Palafox Associates, said on Friday, Aug. 1, during The Business Brief at NCCC Mall VP’s Ahfat Seafood Plaza.
Palafox said their work ended with the submission of the plan, so the next action should be with the city government.
However, he was mum when asked what was adapted by the city three years after the plan was turned over.
After three public consultations in 2022, Palafox officially turned over the roadmap to the local government through the City Tourism Operations Office.
During the turnover, the new tourism logo and branding, with the catchphrase “Definitely Davao,” were also unveiled.
The Davao City Tourism Master Plan constitutes architectural and environmental designs for future infrastructure projects in a bid to make the city an even more attractive tourist destination.
It included the proposed design for the Davao Waterfront Development of Sta. Ana Port, the Davao Chinatown Night Markets in Tomas Monteverde, Davao Mountain Park in Marilog, and the Eco-tourism Adventure Park at Catigan-Eden-Toril.
The initial designs entail a total budget of P32 Billion, distributed across three phases of the 25-year development process, with the first phase focusing on the development of urban tourism, with the Sta. Ana Waterfront Park and Chinatown Night Market projects.
Meanwhile, Palafox said the city will need a larger international airport and seaport to promote seamless connectivity.
“Much larger international airport, much larger seaport. Like Dubai, it started with a big airport and seaport, Singapore, the big airport and seaport. Kasi iyan ang gateway, and of course, seamless connectivity,” he said.
He, however, recognized the Underground Cabling Project of the city government in partnership with the Davao Light and Power Company. “That’s a very significant act. Yun makita mo may political will,” he said.
Palafox recommended more compact and vertical developments for the city as they are more environmentally friendly, aside from maximizing space in the urban area.
- ICC lawyer silent on alleged revoked visitation rights for FPRRD’s partner
THE LEAD defense counsel for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, is mum on the reason why Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña was barred from visiting the Davao City mayor-elect in the detention center in The Hague.
In a written interview posted by pro-Duterte supporter “Alvin & Tourism,” Kaufman addressed the growing public friction, attributing Avanceña’s statements to her “emotionally distressed” state.
When asked to provide the legal basis for the alleged suspension of Avanceña’s visitation rights, Kaufman was brief.
“For judicial reasons and out of respect for family privacy, I am not going to comment on the veracity of Honeylet Avanceña’s allegations concerning her presence not being desired at the ICC detention center,” he said.
The statement comes after Avanceña made public claims that her visitation rights had been revoked.
Kaufman also responded to Avanceña’s concerns that he has not “personally engaged with or understood” the former president in a meaningful way, which she implied could hinder his defense.
“Honeylet Avanceña, so it would appear, is emotionally distressed for reasons on which, as I mentioned previously, I cannot elaborate,” Kaufman stated. “As a consequence, she is making all sorts of wild allegations which are being stoked by others.”
He dismissed her concerns by pointing to the former president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, as the arbiter of his professional conduct.
“The simple fact of the matter is that the Vice-President, as a lawyer herself, is fully qualified to judge the quality of my engagement with and work for the former President,” he added.
Finally, Kaufman sought to quash rumors of internal strife within the defense team, stating, “There are absolutely no internal disagreements among the persons responsible for handling the former President’s defense.”
He once again singled out former spokesperson Harry Roque, referring to him as “an irrelevancy” whose “comical intrigues” he is being “forced to spend far too much time” addressing.
He also confirmed that there are “absolutely no personal misunderstandings between those who are of importance to the former President.”
Photo courtesy of Kitty Duterte Instagram
DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director Col Mannan C. Muarip joined the Muslim community for Salatul Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer) at Masjid Abayon in Calinan on Friday, Aug. 1, as part of the initiative to promote inclusive policing and build stronger relationships.
Following the prayer, Muarip engaged in a dialogue with Muslim religious and community leaders.
He used the opportunity to seek their active support for the DCPO’s anti-criminality programs, with a particular focus on combating illegal drugs.
In his message, Muarip underscored the devastating impact of drug abuse, describing it as a “social menace that destroys not only the life of the individual involved but also affects families and undermines the well-being and peace of the entire community.”
He emphasized that lasting progress and safety can only be achieved through “collective responsibility and mutual cooperation.”
The engagement reflects the DCPO’s strategy to move beyond traditional law enforcement by promoting trust and a collaborative approach to community issues.
The discussion was framed around the shared values of righteousness and peace, with the advisory citing an Islamic verse (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:2) that encourages cooperation in piety.
“Through respect, dialogue, and cooperation, we can stand united against all forms of criminality and protect the future of our communities,” the DCPO stated, solidifying its message of partnership with the Muslim population in its shared goal of a safe and drug-free society.
THE ISLAND Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) expects more investors to locate in the area once Davao Light and Power Company Inc. (DLPC) officially takes over its utility requirements, Mayor Lemuel Reyes said.
In a statement, Reyes said the power issues in the city under the franchise of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. (Nordeco) hindered the development of the city.
“The main reason we couldn’t attract investors was the unstable power supply,” Reyes explained, noting this discouraged investors from bringing their business to the city.
Additionally, residents and resort owners become “increasingly frustrated” over frequent power outages, which have caused damage to their appliances.
To note, in April, House Bill 11072 lapsed into law, effectively expanding DLPC’s franchise area to include parts previously under Nordeco, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. failed to not act on it within the 30-day period.
Reyes urged the DLPC officials to begin laying submarine cables and installing posts to kick-start their operations.
“Eventually, we’ll let the people decide which power provider they want,” Reyes stressed, noting Nordeco’s continued resistance despite the passage of the law.
“Nordeco has never met with me since I assumed office as mayor,” he added.
Reyes expressed support for Davao Light, revealing that the utility firm has committed to offering lower electricity rates once operations begin.
DLPC is scheduled to begin installation of its submarine cable connecting Davao City to IGaCoS in October.
Davao del Norte board member and former Samal mayor Al David Uy announced the development during the ceremonial installation of a 22MVA digital substation and warehouse facilities in Barangay Magugpo, Tagum City, on July 8.
FOR SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs), managing payroll can be a time-consuming and daunting task. Calculating salaries, handling taxes, and releasing bi-monthly pay can be prone to errors, especially when done manually. By choosing the right bank, businesses can streamline payroll management, freeing up time for growth and expansion without distractions.
In Davao, three SMEs—from the beauty and wellness, real estate, and freight forwarding sectors—have done just that by turning to BDO Unibank’s Cash Management Services (CMS). With the help of digital payroll solutions, they’ve streamlined operations and strengthened financial control.
Prioré Beauty and Wellness: Reducing payroll stress
Prioré Beauty and Wellness Center, a company advocating self-care, is not immune to payroll-related stress, taking a chunk out of its staff’s personal time. Finance head Cherry Mia Lamanosa is left to handle all the load of issuing checks and approving payroll disbursements. “I had to sacrifice weekends to handle our payroll and check disbursements manually for our suppliers.”
The beauty industry demands continuous learning, making efficiency crucial to remain competitive. “There are always new treatment methods to learn or equipment to invest in. Most of the time, deliveries happen on a weekend, so I have to go to the clinic to take care of that,” Lamanosa lamented.
Thanks to BDO Business Online Banking, Prioré’s processing of salaries and checks is no longer tedious, allowing Lamanosa to focus on business growth and personal well-being.
Sequioa Inn: Cutting payroll time in half
Hotel chain Sequoia Inn initially enrolled in the bank’s digital solutions before the pandemic hit but had to pause operations due to lockdowns.
Now, co-owner Stephanie Lynn Hao is ready to reintegrate into the modern system and expects to cut its payroll time from two hours to less than 60 minutes. “Manually inserting cash into envelopes took me around two hours to complete. With BDO’s payroll system, I can do it in way less than an hour.”
Remote management also became crucial, especially when Hao had to negotiate with suppliers while abroad. “I had to talk to the vendors if we could delay the issuance of checks. Thanks to BDO, I can now disburse checks even while traveling,” she added.
World Concord International: Promoting better financial habits
Emylin Ubaldo, owner of freight forwarding and brokerage firm World Concord International, considers her business as an opportunity to help employee,s especially in advancing their careers. She sees payroll automation as a tool for financial empowerment.
“If the salaries are in the ATM, employees become more mindful of their spending. When they receive their bonuses, they can easily keep track of how much they have in their account. Seeing their hard-earned money grow encourages them to save more as against spending it right away,” Ubaldo noted.
By adopting the bank’s digital solutions, these SMEs achieved three levels of success: improved operational efficiency, mental well-being, and financial discipline among staff through innovation and secure banking.
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Social Technology Bureau (STB) launched Project CHERISH in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on July 29, to support 100 children with disabilities, together with their families, barely surviving on basic needs.
The community-based project aims to assist selected parent-beneficiaries with allowances to provide their children with health care and education, as well as to address their needs via social services.
As part of the project components, parents will receive a monthly subsidy of P2,000 to cover disability-related costs. Training is also to be provided to LGU implementers and caregivers on inclusive care management and preventing discrimination.
In an interview with Marilyn Moral, assistant bureau director of STB, the project was initiated this year, and the implementation will end in December.
“We need to fast-track things, not to compromise the quality of the services but to ensure that the target partners are doing their job as well,” she said.
In the Philippines, three pilot areas are selected, which are located in Antique, Palawan, and Sta. Cruz. Moral explained that these areas are chosen because of the high presence of children with disabilities or the veracity of cases.
According to a study presented by DSWD XI, health-related expenses are the primary driver of extra costs, wherein raising a child with special needs costs 40% to 80% more. The poverty rate among affected households is 50% higher.
Moreover, existing financial support mechanisms remain inadequate, with unmet needs that include education, healthcare access, and assistive devices.
There are reports that thousands of durian fruits due for export to China have been rejected. Naturally, the durian fruits could not have come from places in the Philippines other than Mindanao, specifically Davao.
But there is also another report saying that durian fruits are expected to be pricier this Kadayawan season because of lesser harvest from farms devoted to durian trees.
Which is which really? Are there excess produce of durian that China is not anymore interested to buy possibly more because of that country’s conflict with the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea? Or, is there an oversupply of durian.
“In view of these alarming number of road mishaps, it is our take that the city’s traffic managers should revisit the existing traffic education scheme to drivers plying the roads of the city.”
But to be honest we are somewhat perplexed on the supposed China’s shunning the durian coming from the Philippines. Why, because in a neighboring barangay roughly three kilometers away from our farm house a durian processing plant owned by Chinese traders is operating twenty four hours daily.
The same plant also continues to buy durian fruits brought to its facility where these are being processed and thereafter shipped to China. In fact a wholesale buyer of durian fruits came to us bringing with him his open back multi cab,
But when he saw the durian fruit we offered to sell him he backed out. He told us the number does not reach the minimum volume required by the nearby processing plant to be purchased.
In other words the Chinese buyers now prefer the processed durian fruits than having the same processed in China.
Yes, the Chinese businessmen are so astute that they feel it more financially advantageous to them if they will be buying the processed durian fruit than buying the fruits and have these processed in China.
First the Chinese is certain they can get more money if they buy the processed products than the bare fruits. Yes, not only that they can save of the shipment cost, cost of labor in processing, also escape the hassle of disposing the wastes of the durian fruits once the meat is extracted for processing in facilities located in their country.
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So the number of road accidents in Davao City has risen to 31.3 percent during the period January to July this year compared to the figure of road accidents over the same period of last year. And the local traffic authorities attributed the rise mostly to human errors.
Really? So no amount of traffic education program conducted by the city’s traffic managers has succeeded in making drivers learn the value of carefulness and strict adherence to traffic laws in avoiding road accidents?
In view of these alarming number of road mishaps, it is our take that the city’s traffic managers should revisit the existing traffic education scheme to drivers plying the roads of the city. We now see the need to restudy the routes for public utility vehicles, private transportation and cargo trucks and other similar purpose vehicles.
And similarly, the traffic managers of the city must now look into Davao’s residential enclave configuration. Perhaps it is now time to encourage the creation of other routes to the city proper so as not to have vehicles converge in the main thoroughfares like MacArthur Highway and J.P. Laurel Avenue.
Above all, the city’s traffic enforcers must have their men stationed in regular stretches of the most used roads or highways on a regular basis. The scheme must not at any time, be done like the so-called “ningas cogon” because if there is no permanency in posting of traffic enforcers, the likelihood is that any such scheme of making the drivers always on their toes can ever make them comply with their responsibility of helping keep Davao City’s roads safe for both drivers and commuters.
But of course it is a fact that even by adopting such safety measures, still there will always be accidents to happen in the city’s roads.
But if the measures will be adopted and it can help reduce substantially the number of road accidents, – human error-caused or mechanical in nature – then it can help a lot in soaring the city’s reputation as truly a visitor’s destination.
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So, Davao City’s increased annual subsidy for senior citizens will take effect only in 2026?
Yes, in the past year, Davao City gave its senior citizens a measly P1,500.00 subsidy for the whole year. Shortly before the election last May 12, the City Council approved to double the amount making the subsidy P3,000 annually.
Unfortunately, the latest report from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) from the Davao City Hall says that the amount will still be released in 2026. Meaning, it will be a whole year of waiting. It also effectively denies the seniors the amount they deserve for this year 2025.
Well, during the waiting period for the release of the subsidy next year there is the possibility that many of the entitled senior citizens may already have gone to the great beyond even as new senior citizens will also join the rank.
Apparently, the decision to have the hiked subsidy paid by 2026 yet may be reconsidered if some concerned members of the Sanggunian will push for the inclusion of an amount for the purpose in a possible Supplemental Budget that will be proposed in the local legislative body.
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