PLARIDEL, Bulacan—More than P600 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized by Bureau of Customs (BOC) through a raid operation in an industrial warehouse complex in this town on Wednesday. 

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno with his team confiscated 8,647 boxes or 10,000 packs with 86,470,000 pieces of imported cigarette Bros, Modern, New Berlin, Commando, Nelson, Nise Menthol, Nise Baisha that are smuggled from China and Vietnam in in Building No. A-6 inside Philippine Asia Corporation in Barangay Bulihan in this town. 

Nepomuceno said the cigarettes are for distribution to different dealers  and stores in Central Luzon. 

The smuggled goods do not bear tax stamps from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and no graphic health warning from the Department of Health which signified illegal entry to the country. 

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation  Service (CIIS) raiding team also found and seized a 40ft container van loaded with the same smuggled cigarettes. 

The teams arrested Randy Guevarra Ngo, a Filipino-Chinese national who is renting the warehouse. Also artested is Benjie Buenafe Diocades, the container van driver and his helper Joan Pagkaliwagan. 

According to Nepomuceno, through information given by members of the community in the area, they confirmed the presence of the illegal goods through a surveillance on Aug. 22. 

Nepomuceno said their action is in compliance with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop illicit cigarettes from Infiltrating legitimate trade channels and protect the welfare of our citizens. 

Nepomuceno also said that they will conduct a deeper investigation to pinpoint the syndicate behind the operation of the smuggled cigarettes. 

The arrested suspects are detained inside the Enforcement Security (ESS) Headquarters of the BOC in Port of Manila as charges of violation to Section 263 or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 as amended, National Tobacco Administration  (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 02 s.2020 and section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernazation and Tariff Act (CMTA). 

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Philippine National Police (PNP)  Chief General Nicolas Torre III got sacked today from his position after an almost 3 months tenure.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said it was personal decision by President Marcos.

General Torre is popular for his arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who brandished an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and surrendering the latter to them.

Duterte is now held at Hauge, Netherlands to attend trials for crimes against humanity .

General Torre made headlines again on his supposed charity boxing match against Acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte ( In place of his father, Rodrigo Duterte).

Sec. Remulla said  Police Lieutenant General (PLTGEN) Jose Melencio Nartatez will replace Police General (PGEN) Nicolas Torre III as the head of the PNP.

Speculations grew that Gen. Torre will hold cabinet post soon.

Ni Shane F. Velasco

LUNGSOD NG BALIWAG (PIA) — Papakasuhan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ng economic sabotage ang mga nasa likod ng proyektong kontra baha na naging isang ‘guni-guni’ sa Barangay Piel, Lungsod ng Baliwag, Bulacan.

Iyan ang ipinahayag ng Pangulo matapos niyang suyurin ang liblib na barangay na ito. Nakumpirma niya mismo na ang P55 milyong halaga ng proyektong dike na dapat sana’y magpoprotekta sa mga sakahan laban sa baha, ay pawang ‘guni-guni’ lamang gaya ng kanyang nabanggit sa nakaraang State of the Nation Address. 

“Falsification na ito dahil nagreport sila na completed, kitang kita naman na hindi completed. So immediately that’s falsification. So that’s already a big violation. For the big one, talagang ang thinking is very hard. Kailangan natin silang i-economic sabotage,” ani Marcos.

Base sa dokumentong kinuha ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas sa Department of Public Works and Highways, deklaradong ‘tapos’ na ang proyekto ngunit hindi ito sinimulan o walang nagawa. 

Tinukoy ni Marcos na walang kahit isang bakal at kahit isang sako ng semento ang ginamit sa proyektong hindi talaga nangyari, ngunit binayaran ng pamahaaan. 

Pahayag pa ng Pangulo, “Wala. Puntahan ninyo, wala kayong makikita kahit na ano. Tuluy-tuloy ang pagbaha doon sa kabila. If all this projects are properly completed or implemented, ang laki nang nawala na problema sana sa atin at sa taong bayan at saka magiging maayos hanggang sa irrigation.”

Ang pondong P55.7 milyon ay mula sa Pambansang Badyet ng 2025 na para sana sa pagpapagawa ng dike o flood mitigation structure at reinforced concrete river wall sa Purok 4 ng Barangay Piel. 

Bagama’t hinahanap sa kasalukuyan kung saan napunta ang pondo, tiniyak ni Marcos na ipapagawa nang matino ang nasabing proyekto upang masagip sa baha ang mga residente rito at ang sakahan ng mga magsasaka na nasa hangganan ng Baliwag at San Luis, Pampanga. 

Nangyari ang agarang pag inspeksiyon ng Pangulo sa Baliwag, ilang araw matapos ang kanyang biglaang pagbisita rin sa Calumpit kung saan mayroon namang proyektong kontra baha na hindi tinapos ngunit deklarado ring tapos.

Patunay ang mga biglaang pagbisitang ito ni Marcos na seryoso ang kanyang administrasyon na habulin ang mga nagsamantala sa pondo ng bayan, at maihatid ang dekalidad na mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura. (CLJD/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)

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Honoring the power of volunteerism

CITY OF MALOLOS – In a significant move to honor the power of volunteerism in the province, the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial Health Office-Public Health (PHO-PH) held the Blood Galloner’s Awards 2025 to recognize the commitment of various individuals, groups, and local government units (LGU) in terms of blood donation yesterday.

Themed “Dugong Bulakenyo: Sama-Sama Tayong Magligtas ng Buhay”, a total of 125 individual blood donors from different municipalities and cities of Bulacan were awarded at The Pavillion Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here for their dedication and consistent support to province-wide blood donation activities.

In her speech, Dr. Kristine Anne Salon, Medical Officer IV and representative of Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores, reiterated that these blood donors are considered heroes proving that saving lives is an eternal commitment.

“Higit sa lahat, sa ating mga blood galloners, kayo ang mga bayaning walang kapaguran na sumusuporta nang paulit-ulit sa programa na ito. Pinatutunayan ninyo na ang pagliligtas ng buhay ay hindi lamang isang beses na gawain kundi isang panghabambuhay na pangako,” she said. 

The event also gave spotlight to LGUs that reached the one percent number of blood donations based on their population in 2023 and 2024. The Sandugo Award 2023 winners are the City of Malolos, City of San Jose Del Monte, Municipality of Angat, and Municipality of Pandi. 

Meanwhile, in the 2024 edition of the Sandugo Awards, the number of awardees increased as City of Baliwag and the towns of Bulakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Pulilan, Bustos, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel joined the four aforementioned cities and municipalities in the list. This proves the effectiveness of campaign drives organized by the PGB and PHO-PH yearly in the entire province. 

The PHO also recognized the Most Outstanding LGUs in blood donation, giving the Gold Award to the Municipality of Plaridel, followed by Pandi and City of San Jose Del Monte settling for Silver and Bronze Awards, respectively. 

“Hindi ito simpleng parangal. Ito ay bunga ng literal na dugo, pawis, at dedikasyon ng ating mga barangay leaders, health workers, mga mamamayang Plaridelenyo na kusang-loob na nag-alay ng dugo para sa kapuwa,” Plaridel Mayor Jocell Aimee Vistan said, commending all the blood donors from her town. 

Moreover, the PHO-PH also gave recognition to their 24 LGU Blood Partners, including the Philippine Red Cross – Bulacan Chapter, while the Most Supportive Awards were given to Fisher Farm Inc., Tau Gamma Phi Calumpit Municipal Triskelion Council, Baliwag District Hospital, Ospital ng San Jose Del Monte, and La Consolacion University General Hospital.

On the other hand, Governor Daniel R. Fernando underscored in his message that blood donors do not only donate a piece of themselves, but also hope, love, and unity.

“Kaya naman ang inyo pong lingkod ay buong pusong nagpupugay at nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat. Ang inyong ginagawa ay hindi lamang simpleng ambag sa kalusugan kundi malaking bahagi ng pagbuo ng isang lalawigan na may pusong nagmamahal at nagmamalasakit,” he added. 

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Hundreds of young leaders, innovators, and advocates gathered at SM Center Pulilan on August 22, 2025 for the Global Youth Summit (GYS) 2025, a nationwide initiative of SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines.

The event brought together an estimated 200 participants from schools, organizations, and communities across Bulacan to engage in inspiring discussions and collaborative activities that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s program featured Atty. Nikki Manuel S. Coronel, OIC-Head of Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office, Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala, Department Head of Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Atty. Mildred F. Ople, Managing Partner of Ople Law Office who shared their experiences and insights on topics such as Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

“We are proud to be one of 17 SM Malls nationwide celebrating the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. And together with the Global Peace Foundation, we will continue to support events like this—helping young leaders like you stay ahead and make real impact.” said Alvin De Galicia, Assistant Mall Manager of SM  Center Pulilan.

The Bulacan leg of GYS 2025 is part of a series of summits held across 17 SM Malls nationwide, which started at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Each leg serves as a platform for young changemakers to network, learn from experts, and collaborate on projects that support the SDGs.

SM Cares and GPF remain committed to empowering the next generation by providing them with spaces and opportunities to lead initiatives that create positive change in their communities.

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SM Supermalls – 40^th Anniversary

Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.

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CITY OF BALIWAG—Local officials and residents are also blind on the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city particularly in Barangay Piel that was found by President Marcos as “guni-guni” or ghost project. 

The President inspected a more than P55.7-million worth of reinforced concrete river wall flood control project listed in the DPWH as one of the bloated 668 flood control projects in the porvince in Purok 4, Brgy. Piel early on Wednesday morning. 

The President was shocked to find out that the project was declared fully completed in June this year by the DPWH, yet no a single and slightest construction was made. 

City of Baliwag Vice Mayor, former Mayor Ferdie Estrella informed NEWSCORE Bulacan that they are unaware of such project and that worst, it turned out to be just a ghost project. 

He said he is one with Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando over sentiments that the Local Government Units (LGU) were kept blind by the DPWH. 

He said the DPWH only talks to the barangay officials of the projects where they will implement the projects without informing them in the city level. 

“Ang problema kasi yung mga national projects basta nalang nila binababa sa mga bayan ng hindi nalalaman ng mga LCE,” (The problem is that they will just bring down the national peojects in the towns without the knowledge of the Local Chief Executive (LCE), Estrella said. 

Estrella said they will only discover and learn of the ongoing projects of the DPWH in their area through public postings in the street. 

Also, the nine year former mayor of the city who speaks in behalf of Mayor Sonia Estrella, his mother and the whole city government of Baliwag said that the DPWH would only come to the LGU when there are concerns and problems encountered during the implementation of the project. 

“They will only come to us if they encountered problems like in the right of way acquisition where they will seek our help. In many cases, if the barangay officials are reporting to us about the works of the contractors, the barangay officials will be berated by concern DPWH officials,” the now vice mayor of City of Baliwag said. 

Estrella also said that he felt the high level of anger of the President because he feels the same way knowning that the people’s money were pocketed by some people. 

He said the national roads in Baliwag area of Maharlika Highway which they long asked the DPWH to upgrade and to reconstruct could not be addressed, yet there are ghost projects that exist. 

According to the vice mayor, the president of the Vice Mayor’s League of Bulacan, they will propose a city council resolution that will require both government and private companies to inform them of the projects they are constructing for them to check whether be given the necessary permits and to monitor their legitimacy. 

A retired judge who lives in Barangay Piel which is the site of the ghost project told NEWSCORE Bulacan that in the first place, they are not aware that the place is being flooded. 

“That is at the back of our house. We are not aware that the place is being flooded. We do not experience flooding there,” she said. 

“Kailangan investigahan Yan. Puros pagnanakaw na lang,” (That should be investigated. Corruption is really rampant”. 

Earlier, Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr., president of League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Bulacan signed on behalf of all the Bulacan mayors the “Mayors for Good Governance” who demand full transparency, accountability and justice on flood control projects” signed and released on Sunday by different LMP’s in the country. 

The President said corresponding charges will be filed agaisnt those behind the ghost projects. He announced that he is really in anger after he discovered the ghost project. 

“There, go there and you check. You will find nothing. Not a single hollow block or cement. Flood continues on the other side because no flood control project was constructed. If all this projects are properly executed or implemented, our countrymen will be unburden of the flooding problem and will even provide for irrigationan,” he said. 

The project specification is the construction of a 240 meters reinforced concrete river wall February-October 2025. It was reported to have been completed in June. 

The Chief Executive said that by merely signing and reporting of a completed project, those behind the ghost project already committed falsification (of public documents). He said that is already a big violation. He said all those behind will be charged of economic sabotage. 

 “For the big one, talagangang my thinking is very hard. Kailangan natin silang i-economic sabotage,” the President said. 

He assured the rrsidents that the flood control project will be efficiently and genuinely constructed to save the residents from flooding and even water the rice farms of farmers in the town and in the adjacent town of San Luis, Pampanga.

The an unannounced inspection of the declared completed flood control project came just few days afer the President conducted a similar an unannounced inspection of flood control projects in Barangay Bulusan and Frances in Calumpit town. 

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva has proposed the creation of a social security and pension benefit program for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk to recognize their role as nation builders and provide them security in their old age.

“It has been said that a farmer works so the nation can eat. This is how crucial our farmers are in securing food and driving national development,” Villanueva said.

“There is an urgent need to safeguard their welfare through policies that mitigate their socioeconomic risks and vulnerabilities,” he added in his Senate Bill No. 244 or the proposed “Pensyonadong Magsasaka at Mangingisda Act.”

The bill seeks to establish the “Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension Program” which shall provide sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral benefits to farmers and fisherfolk.

The program shall be integrated and made
consistent with the package benefits under the Social Security System (SSS) and relevant programs of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

The PCIC shall manage the registration system of eligible beneficiaries under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and maintain the required operational reports.

The SSS is tasked to manage the funds allocated and the social security and pension scheme of the program and maintain the required actuarial and financial reports.

The initial fund of the program shall come from the national government savings. The succeeding funds for its continuous implementation shall be sourced from 10% of the total annual duties collected from the importation of agricultural
products and from the annual budget of the Agriculture department.

When enacted into law, Villanueva said the measure could benefit some 10 million farmers and fisherfolk, based on April 2025 government statistics.

In 2024, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

“In real terms, using constant 2018 prices, its gross value added stood at P1.78 trillion, a testament to its continued relevance,” Villanueva said.

“Yet despite its economic weight, the sector’s productivity has failed to lift the fortunes of those who toil within it,” he added.

In 2023, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed poverty incidence at 27% for farmers and 27.4% for fisherfolk.

Villanueva said giving Filipino farmers and fisherfolk a reliable source of retirement benefits and social security is well past its due.

“Sa kabila ng lahat ng kanilang sakripisyo, ipadama naman natin sa ating magsasaka at mangingisda na may masasandalan sila sa kanilang pagtanda,” Villanueva added.

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FIESTA: Financial Information and Education para sa Simpleng Tulay sa Asenso)

The BDO Fiesta campaign is a group-wide initiative by BDO Unibank showcasing its commitment to actively engaging with communities across the Philippines.

By bringing banking services closer to locals and giving them more opportunities to access these services, BDO stays true to the message: We are here, we are present, we are part of the community.

BDO Fiesta is more than just a celebration—it’s also the Bank’s way of giving back to the communities it serves by combining fun, learning, and community spirit in an exciting series of events!

This nationwide series of pocket events makes financial literacy accessible with games, prizes, performances, and interactive activities—all while teaching Filipinos how to better manage their money through different products and services that benefit individuals, families, businesses, and communities.

What makes BDO Fiesta special?

• Community Connection
  A chance to engage and celebrate with the people it serves, right in their own communities.
  
• Festive Fun
  Enjoy live entertainment, exciting games, and giveaways facilitated by BDO’s brand ambassadors and select celebrity guests.
  
• Financial Education Made Easy
  Learn practical money tips, explore BDO’s products and services, and gain insights on how to save, budget, invest, and plan for your future.
  
• Celebration with Purpose
  A meaningful event that brings joy while empowering communities to take charge of their financial journey.

Where has the BDO Fiesta been?

In 2024, BDO Unibank brought its BDO Fiesta series to key locations in the Ilocos Region (Laoag, Vigan, and nearby towns) and Negros Occidental (Bacolod and surrounding towns).

This 2025, the celebration continued in the Davao Region (Davao City and nearby towns) from March to April, then moved to the Bicol Region (select cities and towns in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon) in June and July. Now, the series has reached Central Luzon, with its latest stop in the Province of Bulacan.  

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