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DAILY BRIEF
MCT DAILY BRIEF: OCTOBER 29, 2026 · EVENING
Good evening. Bernardo’s testimony at Martin Romualdez’s bail hearing leads this brief. We also follow Dela Rosa’s renewed Supreme Court request, two separate cases over public criticism, and the search for answers in Maluso’s ballot investigation.
1
BERNARDO TESTIFIES AT ROMUALDEZ BAIL HEARING
Former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told the Sandiganbayan on October 29 that Martin Romualdez had not asked him for infrastructure projects or kickbacks. Under questioning by Romualdez’s lawyer at the former House speaker’s plunder bail hearing, Bernardo also said he was not aware of kickback deliveries to Romualdez, GMA News and News5 reported.
Those answers describe what Bernardo says he personally knew and did. They do not establish what every other person in the case knew or did. GMA reported that Bernardo acknowledged receiving a share in some transactions but said he had no personal knowledge of dealings between former engineer Henry Alcantara and Zaldy Co. The reports describe testimony, not a decision granting bail or clearing Romualdez.
2
DELA ROSA RENEWS REQUEST FOR SUPREME COURT PROTECTION
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s lawyers have again asked the Supreme Court to stop his arrest and surrender to the International Criminal Court. In a written filing dated October 27 and publicly released on October 28, they asked the Court to resolve their pending request to reconsider its earlier denial of temporary protection, News5 reported. They argued that the ₱50-million bounty and government statements about his capture put his life at risk.
The Supreme Court’s May 20 ruling denied temporary relief while leaving the main legal questions unresolved, according to its own press briefer. The latest filing is another request for action, not a new restraining order. Dela Rosa denies wrongdoing; Malacañang has urged him to face the ICC case. No ruling on this renewed request was identified in the reports reviewed.
3
LUSTRE'S LAWYERS PREPARE CHALLENGES TO CYBERLIBEL CASE
Philip Lustre Jr.'s lawyers said on October 28 that they were preparing requests to reopen the investigation, challenge the charge and move his cyberlibel case out of Davao City. Lawyer Dino de Leon cited safety concerns and said the defense was asking prosecutors for proof that notices had been sent to Lustre. The journalist is out on bail following his October 24 arrest; the complaint was filed by lawyer Manases Carpio.
Carpio's spokesman Neil Abayon said the complaint concerned allegedly malicious and baseless remarks, not an attempt to silence the media, according to an October 29 SMNI report. GMA’s October 28 account described the defense remedies as being prepared. The reports reviewed do not establish that the motions have been filed or that a court has ordered a transfer or dismissal.
4
MONTEMAYOR POSTS BAIL IN RICE-IMPORT CRITICISM CASE
Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor told Rappler that he surrendered to the Makati Regional Trial Court on October 26 and posted ₱84,000 bail in the cyberlibel and oral-defamation case brought by Planters Products Inc. Rappler’s October 27 report says Branch 148 set his arraignment for November 24. At arraignment, the accused formally hears the charge and enters a plea.
The dispute concerns statements by Montemayor and farmers’ groups questioning the company’s rice imports and corporate status. Planters Products disputes their claims. Montemayor’s release on bail allows him to remain out of detention while the case proceeds; it does not settle whether the statements were unlawful. This is the Makati case involving Planters Products, not the separate complaint by Food Terminal Inc.
5
COMELEC SEEKS MORE ANSWERS IN MALUSO BALLOT INVESTIGATION
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued additional subpoenas to electoral board members in its investigation of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, Basilan, according to Daily Tribune and Radyo Pilipinas reports on October 29. Chairperson George Garcia said the commission had received explanations from officials previously asked to respond; one respondent pointed to electoral board members, who are now being asked for their side.
This follows the ballot incident around the September 14 Bangsamoro election, not a new discovery of marked ballots today. Garcia said investigators had been directed to finish their findings before the end of the year and recommend possible charges and safeguards. The reports do not establish liability against any board member. The subpoenas seek explanations while that investigation continues.
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