CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE—Former lawmaker now City Mayor of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Florida Robes denied receiving any percentage cut in government projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as alleged by  

controversial contractor Curlee Discaya during a senate hearing on Monday. 

In a statement that day, Robes said she categorically denied the allegations made by Mr. Discaya. 

Robes name was among the congressmen mentioned by Discaya as those involved in getting 10-25% cut in government projects through the DPWH. 

“I categorically and unequivocally deny the baseless allegations made by Mr. Curlee Discaya.  My only encounter with the Discayas dates back nearly two decades, at a purely social gathering. Beyond that occasion, I have never had any personal, professional, or financial dealings with either of them. The claim that I received money or favors from Mr. Discaya is not only false, but absurd,” Robes told NEWSCORE Bulacan. 

The now mayor, former congresswoman said Discaya could not even pronounce her name correctly which only signifies that he do not know her personally and that there are no any transactions made between them. “It is telling that, in reading his affidavit, Mr. Discaya could not even pronounce my surname correctly. If he truly had the kind of dealings with me that he alleges, he would at the very least be able to say my name properly,” she said. 

Robes was referring to the pronouncation as “robes” (cloak, apparel) made by Discaya as against family name’s correct pronounciation “Ro-bes”. 

“For the record, I have never interfered, intervened, or been involved in any infrastructure projects, nor have I made budget insertions for any such projects. In my district, it is the DPWH and other national agencies that are responsible for these project implementations,” Robes added. 

Also, according to the former solon, she was one of the very first lawmakers – if not the first  who personally brought this current issue to the attention of the President.

“I brought it to the attention of the Presdent two years before it reached the headlines and gripped the nation. The President himself can attest to this. If I were truly involved in the irregularities alleged by the Discayas, would I have been so senseless as to raise the matter directly to the Chief Executive? The answer is obvious,” she added. 

According to Robes she is now consulting her legal team on the appropriate cases to be filed against Discaya.  “I  will not allow my name to be tarnished by falsehoods, nor will I tolerate anyone using my name without my knowledge or consent to misrepresent themselves before contractors. I am prepared to hold accountable all those who propagate or benefit from these lies. I owe it to the people of San Jose Del Monte, who have given me the mandate to serve with honesty and dedication, to protect the integrity of our district and the truth,” her statement ends.

Josephine Ramos, Junior Writer

CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank, marked its 28th anniversary with the launch of the new version of its mobile banking app, konek2CARD. The event was held in Brgy. Santisimo Rosario, San Pablo City, Laguna on September 1, 2025.

“It was right here in this barangay, where the digital community of CARD MRI began. That is why it holds a special place in our hearts,” CARD Bank President and CEO Ms. Marivic Austria reflected on how konek2CARD began in 2017.

She added, “This upgraded version of konek2CARD, with faster and improved features, is a symbol of the digital innovation we continuously develop for our clients. It is our way of making products and services more inclusive to everyone we serve.”

Aside from the Google Play Store, the new version of konek2CARD is now available on the Apple App Store and Huawei App Gallery, making the upgrade more accessible to all CARD MRI clients.

New features of konek2CARD

One of the key highlights of the new konek2CARD is its enhanced security feature, which utilizes biometrics. Users can now activate fingerprint or facial recognition on their devices, making the login process faster and more secure. The app also offers great convenience by allowing users to instantly view their account balance and savings right upon logging in.

In terms of the app’s interface, it now uses an icon-based format. Additionally, users can now save account numbers from interbank transfers, minimizing errors and streamlining repeat transactions.

Currently, the new version of konek2CARD is only available at CARD Bank branches in San Pablo City. However, by September 22, 2025, the institution aims to roll it out across all CARD Bank branches. In the coming months, this version will also be introduced to CARD SME Bank, a thrift bank under CARD MRI.

The double celebration also welcomed the konek2CARD’s new celebrity ambassador, Mr. JC Santos, who warmly extended his greetings to the institution on its milestone.

The celebration also recognized the presence of CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, along with some of the Executive and Management Committee Members, staff, and clients of CARD MRI.

The Future of CARD Bank

Looking ahead, CARD Bank aims to transition into a commercial bank next year.

“As a microfinance-oriented rural bank, we face certain limitations in the services we offer. By becoming a commercial bank, we will be able to broaden our financial services and meet the growing demands of our clients,” Dr. Alip stated.

With the upcoming transition, CARD Bank also aims to reach the families and relatives of its clients who are working overseas. In addition, while some commercial banks focus on offering investment products to large companies, CARD Bank seeks to make these opportunities accessible to its clients.

As of July 31, 2025, CARD Bank has served 4.4 million clients, with more than 1.6 million registered users of konek2CARD. For more information, visit its official website at https://cardbankph.com/.

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CITY OF MALOLOS – The Bulacan Events Suppliers Association (BESA) held the Kasalan at Okasyon Bridal Fair and Exhibit Year 9, a three-day event that featured floristry, fashion, food, and tradition to highlight Bulacan’s creative industry from September 5 to 7, 2025 held at Robinsons Malolos in this city.

The fair opened with BESA Bloom Artistic Floristry Competition, where Ohgan Villafuerte emerged as champion, followed by Christian Ychan De Leon in second place and Patrick Canasa Santiago in third, and took home cash prizes worth ₱5,000, ₱3,000, and ₱2,000 respectively.

Another contest showcased booth creativity, Art to Inspire (SATI) by Regine R. Royo won first place, Eventistry Events by Arvin Pingol secured the second place, and Bar Fusion by Jonas Papa finished third.

Spectators also witnessed the Desposorio Performance, a traditional Bulakenyo wedding ritual performed before weddings, followed by a fashion show by Hagonoy Designers featuring the creations of Mega Touch, Venice Bonustro, Juan Karlo, Niño Dela Cruz, France Domingo, Emerson Bundoc, Toti, and A&A Creation.

The fair concluded with a culinary showcase of sample wedding menu options prepared by top caterers and food suppliers in the province.

Complementing the activities were booth exhibits featuring Bar Fusion Mobile Bar, Blithe Concept Events Management, Casie’s Restaurant, Dreamer PH – Party Favors and Mirror Photo Booth, Event Solution Malolos, Eventistry Events, Greenleaf Giveaways & Perfume Bar, Kyle Jewelry Manufacturing, Palacio Real de Sto. Niño, PACKETStore, Photoshoppe Events & Photography, Styled by Art to Inspire, The Amari, and Vivid Gala Events.

Flyering exhibitors also joined the fair, among them were Casa Remedios Malolos, DreaMsPen Events, Ella Pan Makeup & Aesthetic Studio, Events at Asian Land, Febulous Events by Ms. Fe, Luxuria Events, Mommy Lou’s Events & Catering, PUNIQUE, Rad Dreams Studio, and San Francisco Square-Malolos City.

BESA President Josephine Morillo Cruz said the group aims to become a training center for NC courses in floristry, dressmaking, cosmetology, and other event-related fields, in line with TESDA’s call for more training schools.

Now on its ninth year, the Kasalan at Okasyon Bridal Fair and Exhibit continue to serve as a platform for Bulacan’s events suppliers to showcase their talent while strengthening the province’s reputation as a hub for creativity and professionalism in the events industry.

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Bulakenyos definitely have all the reasons to celebrate as SM City Marilao throws the biggest Singkaban Festival Sale, happening on September 12, 13, and 14.

Shop loud and proud, as the Singkaban Festival Sale provides discounts of up to 70%. Enjoy price slashes on great finds mall-wide while checking out the latest finds from major retailers such as the SM Store, SM Hypermarket, Ace Hardware, Watsons, SM Appliance Center, Our Home, and Miniso.

While shopping, also check out awesome dining deals at affordable prices from selected food tenants at the mall.

Cheers to a meaningful celebration and snip hunt only at SM City Marilao’s Singkaban Festival Sale on September 12, 13, and 14. For mall events and updates, follow SM City Marilao on https://www.facebook.com/SMCityMarilao.

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LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS — “Tinaguriang gateway to the north, ngunit sa malapit na hinaharap, ang Bulacan ay magiging gateway to the world. Pinagsisikapan naming ipakilala ang Bulacan hindi lamang bilang isang stopover, kundi bilang top pick at must-see travel destination.”

Ito ang naging mensahe ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando sa mga Bulakenyo sa ginanap na Grand Opening Program ng Singkaban Festival 2025 kahapon, Setyembre 8, sa Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, kung saan ipinangako niyang higit pang pauunlarin at palalaguin ang sektor ng turismo sa ilalim ng kaniyang pamumuno.

“Ang Bulacan ay hindi na dadaanan lamang, kundi lalawigang bibisitahin, mamahalin, at babalik-balikan,” dagdag pa ng gobernador.

Ipinagmalaki rin ni Fernando ang pagkilala sa Bulacan bilang 3rd Safest Place in the Philippines para sa 2025 batay sa World Travel Index—isang patunay sa pangako ng kaniyang administrasyon na gawing pangunahing destinasyon ang lalawigan.

Kasabay nito, nanawagan siya sa mga lokal na lider ng Bulacan na paghusayin pa ang kanilang paglilingkod at binigyang diin ang kahalagahan ng tapat at makataong pamamahala sa gitna ng mga isyu hinggil sa diumano’y anomalya sa mga flood control project.

“Nananawagan ako sa lahat ng mga nanunungkulan sa ating lalawigan. Sama-sama po tayo, pagbutihin po natin ang ating panunungkulan. Sa gitna ng mga isyung ito, ipinapangako kong hindi ko hahayaang tuluyang lumubog ang hustisya para sa ating lalawigan,” ani Fernando.

Samantala, si Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, na kinatawan ni Undersecretary for Special Projects Ferdinand C. Jumapao, ay nagpahayag ng papuri sa mga Bulakenyo sa kanilang pagkakaisa upang itaguyod ang turismo sa lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng Singkaban Festival ngayong taon.

“Ang tunay na tagumpay ng turismo ay nakasalalay sa pagtutulungan ng lahat. At dito, nakita natin sa probinsya ng Bulacan, na lahat ng mga Bulakenyo ay nagtutulungan para umangat ang turismo,” aniya.

“Ang Singkaban Festival ay patunay na kahit ano ang gawin, sa pagkakaisa, sama-sama nating mapapanatili ang ating mga tradisyon habang lumilikha ng mga bagong oportunidad para sa pag-unlad,” dagdag pa ni Jumapao.

Dumalo rin ang tourism undersecretary sa ribbon cutting ng Tatak Singkaban Trade Fair 2025 na inorganisa ng Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO) sa harap ng gusali ng Regional Trial Court.

Samantala, nasa 48 na float mula sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan, ahensiya, at mga korporasyon sa buong lalawigan ang pumarada sa mga kalsada ng Lungsod ng Malolos matapos ang opening program, tampok ang makukulay na kultura at tradisyon ng bawat bayan at lungsod sa Bulacan.

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LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Idinaos sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan ang People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) 2025 Luzon Regional Summit, na tumipon sa nangungunang mga pinuno at human resource professionals sa Luzon sa taunang Singkaban Festival, ang engrandeng pagdiriwang ng kultura, kasaysayan, at pamana sa lalawigan.

Sa pinaghalong mga talakayan at pagtuklas sa kultura  na nakapupukaw ng pag-iisip, pinag-isa ng PMAP Luzon Summit ang mga PMAP chapter sa Baguio, Bicol, CALABARZON, Isabela, La Union, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, at Bulacan, na matagumpay na binigyang halaga ang papel ng lalawigan bilang sentro ng parehong pamana at progreso.

Tinanggap ng Presidente ng PMAP Bulacan na si Abgd. Lilibeth Carao ang mga nakiisa sa lalawigan na magagandang dilag, manunula, at bayani ng bayan, at ipinahayag ang kanyang talumpati sa Tagalog bilang pagpaparangal sa dakilang lalawigan.

“Habang patuloy na nagbabago ang panahon sanhi ng digital transformation at pagkakabukod-bukod ng iba’t ibang henerasyon, ang hamon sa atin ay ang mas mahigpit na ugnayan sa ating kapwa tao, na higit kailan pa man ay napakahalaga na gampanan sa mga organisasyon o kumpanya,” aniya.

Tampok sa unang araw ng summit na ginanap sa Acro Residences sa Guiguinto noong Setyembre 4 ang napapanahong usapin na umiinog sa kanilang tema na “From Potential to Power: AI and Tech as Catalysts for Filipino Talent,” kabilang ang “Unleashing Filipino Ingenuity in the Age of AI” ni PMAP National President Lydia Lily Quintans; “Building Ethical and Empathetic Workplaces” nina Ma. Ivy Zaldariagga ng Asalus Corporation/Intellicare at Rizza Cantre ng RCC Management Consultancy Services; at “Mental Health in the Tech Age: Navigating the Human Impact of AI Disruption” ni Dr. Pauline Quimson, MWell Mind Health Coach.

Gayundin, tinalakay sa summit ang “Human + AI: Shaping Ethical, Empowering Workplaces in the Philippines” nina Jiji Lara ng Alsons Power Group, Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones ng NLEX Corporation, at Mark Enrick Hernandez ng Pacific Roadlink Logistics, Inc.; “V.I.T.A.L. Vaccination in the Active Labor Force” ni Dr. Carmenchu Marie Echieverri-Villavicencio, isang infectious disease expert; at “Building Worldclass Talent for Borderless Future”, ang panapos na mensahe ni Engelbert Camasura, CEO ng PM Consulting.

Samantala, ginugol ng mga delegado ang ikalawang araw ng summit sa pamamagitan ng Pasyal Saya sa Bulacan heritage tour sa Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum, Simbahan ng Barasoain, Casa Real Shrine. Binisita rin nila ang Bulacan Food Fair and Exposition (BUFFEX) 2025 para sa mga produktong Bulacan at pasalubong.

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Sabi ng dating sikat na senador dito sa bulwagang ito na itago natin sa pangalang Joker Arroyo: Kapag bad ka lagot ka. Pero ngayon, kapaggood ka, lagot ka sa mga sindikato. 

Ngayong araw, pilit po nilang kinaladkad sa pangalan natin sa mga flood control projects sa ating lalawigan sa Bulacan. Uulitin ko at parang sirang plaka na ako, Mr. President wala po akong flood control projects. 

Hindi ko po sasabihin na I categorically deny this accusation dahil po may resibo po tayo. Meron pong pwedeng iberipika kung bakit po ito nangyayari. 

Mr. President, noon pa man tayo ay lumalaban na against this flood control issues.

Since 2023, dito po sa mismong bulwagang ito at sa mga committee hearings binabanggit na natin ito. 

(VIDEO) 

Mr. President, noon pong time na yun nagpunta tayo sa Calumpit, kasama si Mayor Lem at Gov. Daniel Fernando binanggit po natin sa lahat ng news outlet na palpak talaga ang programa ng gobyerno sa flood control.

Two years later, ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas pumunta rin po doon sa the same town, with the same mayor and governor at sinabi rin po ng ating Pangulo palpak nga ang flood control ng pamahalaan.

Mr. President para po tayong sirang plaka sa Senado, paulit-ulit P1.4 bilyon ang budget ng gobyerno pero nasaan po itong flood control na ito. 

In the same year, kanina sa Kamara sinasabi in the same year may program daw po si Joel Villanueva, wala pong maverify, wala pong ebidensya. Wala pong resibo. Pero patuloy po itong tinatanong.

Mr. President, sabi ng matatanda kung sino ung lumalaban siya yung gusto nilang tamaan ng mga sindikato. And if you can’t convince them, confuse them. Binanggit din po yan ni Mayor Vico Sotto. 

Mr. President, hinahanap pa ba natin ang mastermind? Dito rin po sa bulwagang ito unang nasabi yung binabanggit kahapon ni  Senate President Escudero a name that cannot be mentioned. Walang iba kundi si Dracula na ginawang tagapagbantay ng Kamara doon po sa national blood bank natin. 

Ngayon, Mr. President nasaan po si Dracula bumaba daw po ang dugo. Bakit? Kulang na ba ang supply ng dugo kaya sa iba humahanap ng dugo si Dracula?

Sino ba ang mastermind nito, Mr. President? Hindi po ba ganito rin po ang ginawa sa atin two years ago nung nilabanan natin yung people’s initiative na may pinababasa at basa, basa, basa. Scripted lahat kahit walang ebidensya i-contempt mo. Kahit walang ebidensya ipako mo sa krus.

Mr. President, hindi po tayo natatakot sa mga ganitong uri ng demolition job. Handa rin po tayong madungisan ang ating pangalan. Mainsulto o batikusin kung ito naman po ang magliligtas sa ating mga kababayan at tuldok sa unli-baha. 

Mr. President, let me put this on record: alam ko po kung bakit lumabas ang pangalan ko. 

Kahapon po, Ginong Pangulo and Senator JV and Senator Chiz would attest to this. May hawak po ako na mga affidavits ng mga taga-DPWH sa Bulacan. Ipinakita ko po sa kanila at sabi ko ibi-bring up ko po sa committee ni Senator Marcoleta. Hindi ko po ito nagawa sapagkat alam naman natin ang nangyari kahapon. We were preparing, I didn’t get the chance to attend the committee hearing.

Pero sabi ko nga po kina Senator Chiz at Senator JV, this is way too low, Assistant District Engineer para namang, bakit naman pag-aaksayahan ko ito ng panahon. 

And then, ito nga po lumabas bigla kahapon, ang taong ito. And I’m not trying Mr. President na just to defend myself and hit this pawn kasi alam naman natin kung sino ang may hawak dito.

Kaya ang hiling ko po sa bulwagang ito at hiling ko rin sa ating Pangulo. Alam ko na sinsero kayo, alam ko po na masakit po sa inyo itong nangyayari. Pero klarong-klaro po kung sino ang mastermind, Mr. President. 

Klarong-klaro po kung nasaan na si Dracula, kung bakit bumaba ang dugo kasi hindi na po malaman kung saan itatago ang bilyun-bilyon o trilyong salapi kaya bumaba po ang dugo.

At mismong si Dracula sinasabing hindi naman nya gagawin ito kung walang basbas ng amo nya. Sino ba ang amo nya, Mr. President? Sino ba ang naglagay sa kanya bilang tagapagbantay ng National Budget? 

Yun lamang po, Ginoong Pangulo ang nais kong sabihin.

Mr. President,  binanggit ng ating Senate President Chiz Escudero ang mga pangalang hindi pwedeng banggitin noon pero ngayon po may ginagawa ang Diyos. Buhay ang Diyos.

Ito pong nangyayaring ito, alam mo nya na ito po ay magli-lead sa katotohanan at ang katotohanan ang magpapalaya sa atin.

Uulitin ko po Mr. President, hindi lang po categorically denying yung binabatong putik sa atin at para dumihan ang ating pangalan. May resibo po tayo. Madaling beripikahin. Tayo po ay more than willing mag-undergo at sumali sa anumang imbestigasyon sapagkat wala po tayong tinatago.

Ngunit ang hiling ko po, Mr. President. Atin pong alamin at siguruhin na may ebidensya ang ating sinasabing sangkot dito at sa mga susunod na pagdinig, ibibigay ko po lahat ng aking nalalaman. Wala rin po akong sasantuhin, gaya ng sinasabi ko noon pa. At Mr. President, I will never betray my principle. I will never ever. I will never ever, Mr. President destroy the name that was given to me by my parents because it is priceless. 

The bible says a good name should be chosen than great richest. Pinalaki po ako ng magulang ko na naniniwala ako sa langit at impyerno. Pinalaki po ako ng magulang ko na naniniwala ako that when you die here on earth, you will face your creator and immediately into judgement.

Pinalaki po ako ng magulang ko na sa impyerno walang graduation. Kahit bilyong taon kahit isang trilyong kapag ikaw nagkasala, kapag ikaw pinarusahan ng Diyos wala pong graduation doon.

Mr. President, my duty has always been to serve our kababayans lalong lalo na po ang mga kababayan kong Bulakenyo who suffer flooding year after year. That is where my focus remain, Mr. President. Finding real solutions, not engaging in black propaganda.

Mr. President, I will not be distracted by lies. 

Instead, I reaffirm my commitment to the work that truly matters—serving our people with honesty and integrity.

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The competing float of the Municipality of Bocaue with their Hari Earl P. Odtuhan and Reyna Angeli Kristine Alejandrino on board, one of the 13 competing floats, during the Parada ng Karosa 2025 that traversed along Paseo del Congreso to the Provincial Capitol grounds as part of the grand opening of Singkaban Festival 2025 yesterday.

CITY OF MALOLOS – To further advance the province’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit, various local creatives, leaders, and advocates convened in a forum to strengthen and champion the creative industry in Bulacan on Thursday, September 4, at Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium here.

Themed “Pagyamanin ang Pamanang Sining: The Creative Industries Forum,” the event was conducted through the collaboration of the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO), Provincial History Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to celebrate the Philippine Creative Industries Month and the Singkaban Festival 2025.

The forum was graced by esteemed professionals in the industry to discuss and impart insightful knowledge to the attendees led by Aaron S. Galang of DTI Region III, Buenaventura Marcelino, Jr. of IPOPHL, Acting Provincial Director of TESDA Bulacan Neil G. Santioque, Jesse S. De Guzman of PCEDO, and Louella P. Talo of DTI Bulacan. The speakers tackled topics about the Philippine Creative Industry Development Act, business name registration, intellectual property rights, and cooperative opportunities.

In her speech, PHACTO OIC Department Head May Arlene Torres shared the importance of expression, emphasizing its power to be a blessing not only to the artists but also to people around them in spite of the connotation that there is no money in arts.

“Naalala ko tuloy may commercial before, sinabi na ayaw kong magdoktor, gusto kong mag-fine arts. Ibig sabihin po, gano’n ang pagtingin ng mga magulang o sa lipunan na ang sining ay hindi po something na makakatulong sa kabuhayan. Pero hindi dapat pinipigilan ang pagpapahayag po ng ating mga alagad ng sining dahil ang sining po ay maaaring maging daan para tayo po ay maging pagpapala at mapagpala sa ating komunidad,” she said.

Likewise, Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, represented by Wynn Rhose Cruz, encouraged Bulakenyos to continuously join and support programs that enrich the province’s cultural heritage and history.

“Magpatuloy tayong makilahok sa programa at proyektong nakatuon sa pagpapaunlad sa pamanang sining at ipagmalaki ang kasaysayan at kagalingan natin kanino man,” Cruz said.

Moreover, PCEDO Department Head Atty. Jayric Amil invited Bulakenyo artists and creatives to explore the world of cooperatives and shared the success of the first artists’ cooperative in the country.

“Explore din po natin ang pagiging isang kooperatiba, dahil isa po ito sa magpapalakas at magpapatatag sa ating samahan bilang mga artist at creatives. Isa po sa successful na cooperative na binubuo po ng mga artist ay ang Red Root Artists Cooperative. Sila po ay samahan ng iba-iba pong artists, nagsama-sama po sila bilang kooperatiba kaya sana po ay gawin natin silang model para magkaroon din po tayo dito sa Bulacan ng isang artists cooperative,” he said.

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