Gracioso alleged that he delivered millions in cash to members of the Duterte family, including the vice president, while serving as a security aide to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. He claimed the deliveries to Duterte eventually reached P2 billion.

In an online news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6, Vice President Duterte shifted the focus to the current administration, particularly the president

“Who is behind these attacks? The administration, the Malacañang, BBM,” Duterte said in Filipino.

Duterte said the administration was redirecting corruption allegations that should be answered by Marcos Jr. toward her.

“If you look at what the administration’s communications are doing, all the taint of corruption that BBM should answer for is being smeared onto me,” she said.

Duterte cited allegations involving a suitcase of money allegedly received by Marcos Jr., which she attributed to testimony from former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

She believed the administration’s statements and actions were political, ranging from her impeachment proceedings to the creation of similar issue over suitcases filled with cash through Gracioso’s allegations. 

The vice president is facing impeachment proceedings over allegations including unexplained wealth and questions surrounding her use of confidential funds.

Gracioso account challenged

Duterte also sought to disprove Gracioso’s allegations by presenting records of her movements and activities.

“We have complete archives, schedules, photographs, diaries and videos,” Duterte said.

These records dispute several details in Gracioso’s account, including his allegations that the vice president was in Marinduque during Holy Week in 2019.

She said her documented schedule placed her in various parts of Mindanao during the period.

Duterte also questioned Gracioso’s alleged access to her, saying her security was handled by the Presidential Security Group while her father, Rodrigo Duterte, was president from 2016 to 2022.

She said the PSG handled her security throughout her vice presidency

The vice president would not disclose all her evidence because doing so could allow Gracioso to adjust his account based on the information she provides.

Duterte also denied allegations involving a motorcycle, vehicle and luxury gifts, saying some of the claims could be contradicted by records in her possession.

The National Bureau of Investigation is continuing its investigation into Gracioso’s allegations. (davaotoday.com)

Arnida Cuaton Manuiguilid, also known by the aliases Ka Lovi, Fikong and Yassy, was shot on Sept. 19 in Barangay Visayan, Tagum City, according to separate statements from the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR) and Karapatan.

The accounts, however, differ on who shot her.

The NDF-FSMR claimed government forces shot and arrested Manuiguilid while she was on medical leave from the NPA because of her pregnancy. 

The military said Manuiguilid was shot by a former companion after she sought to leave the armed movement and later turned to the government for assistance.

Pregnant and on medical leave

In a Sept. 28 statement, NDF-FSMR spokesperson Kim Montiza said Manuiguilid had been placed on medical leave to receive medical attention for her complicated pregnancy.

Karapatan, citing a local report, said Manuiguilid was seven months pregnant and unarmed when she was shot in the back while entering the gate of the boarding house where she was staying.

The rights group said she was brought to a hospital by her housemate and was later taken into military custody.

Karapatan raises IHL concerns

Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Atty. Maria Sol Taule said Manuiguilid’s condition and alleged status as an unarmed person on medical leave raised concerns under IHL.

“The pregnant NPA member, also vulnerable due to her condition, clearly had hors de combat status. Despite this, she was shot in the back, which crippled her and endangered her unborn child as well,” Taule said.

The NDF-FSMR likewise said Manuiguilid was entitled to protection under international humanitarian law because she was pregnant and was not engaged in combat when she was shot.

“Arnida is one of the victims of the AFP’s false reports released to the media to deceive and poison the minds of the people, and to cover up their violations,” Montiza said in Cebuano. (davaotoday.com)

Jean Orsolino, international affairs officer of COURAGE, said labor-only contracting, red-tagging and government policies are among the major reasons union density in the public sector is declining relative to the number of government employees.

“A lot of unions are being identified as, not exactly left-leaning, but even just being progressive. So those are matters that probably attribute to the declining number of unions in the government sector today,” Orsolino said during the Regional Workers’ Congress-Mindanao Cluster Davao Leg held on Oct.5. 

Government workers’ unions in Mindanao are losing ground as fewer employees participate in organizing efforts or union activities. Only a few unions remain active in speaking about issues affecting government workers, including salaries, benefits, job security and democratic rights.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reported 2,156 registered employee organizations nationwide, 74 of which were new registrations in 2025. The commission noted that 67 of these earned accreditation, allowing them to represent and negotiate for rank-and-file employees in their agencies.

Orsolino said the question is not only the number of registered organizations, but whether unions remain active enough to defend workers and whether inactive ones be encouraged to organize again.

“Only a few are organized and if there are a few organized unions and associations, [they are] inactive. They are just there to represent the government employees but not exactly to fight for the rights of the employees,” Orsolino said.

When unions are weak

Anabelle Dominguez, a senior accounting processor at Davao City Water District (DCWD) and president of the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Davao City Water District (NAMADACWAD), has worked at the utility for nearly 25 years and served two consecutive terms as president.

After the Commission on Audit (COA) disallowed benefits previously provided to local water district employees, Dominguez’s union established replacement programs for members, including medical assistance, medical loans and financial aid upon retirement or resignation.

“Since management cannot provide them, our union is currently looking for ways to replace the benefits that COA removed,” Dominguez told Davao Today in Cebuano.

The union also gives workers a mechanism to raise concerns through a labor-management council, where union and management representatives meet to resolve issues. Dominguez said the same principle should apply before policies affecting employees are implemented. 

“Not just from the management, they should also listen to representatives from the employees,” she said.

Lack of job security

Collective action can be more difficult for workers without permanent positions.

Rauf Sissay, representative of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Southern Mindanao Region, cited contractualization as another barrier to organizing.

Growing number of job order (JO) and contract-of-service (COS) workers leaves many government employees without the union and bargaining arrangements available to regular staff, Sissay said.

“Compared to previous times, the rate of unionization among government employees has decreased. This is because of the contractualization scheme implemented by the government,” Sissay said in Cebuano.

A 2025 joint circular from the CSC, COA and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) capped Jos and COS workers at agencies’ end-2025 baseline and directed agencies to review staffing needs, including the possible absorption of contractual workers into plantilla positions. The freeze order permits agencies only to renew existing contracts or fill vacancies, and excludes local government units and engineering and administrative overhead expenses personnel. 

Gov’t Optimization Program

Sissay also called for a P36,000 monthly living wage for rank-and-file government employees and the repeal of the government’s optimization policy.

The Government Optimization Program is being implemented under Republic Act No. 12231, or the Government Optimization Act, signed into law in August 2025. The law allows government agencies to reorganize structures and abolish, consolidate or streamline functions and positions considered deemed redundant.

“We, in COURAGE, have always maintained our position that we are opposed to the government optimization program because this will only lead to retrenchment, termination of jobs [and] displacement of workers in the government sector,” Orsolino said.

COURAGE had submitted position papers opposing the measure and held lobbying, rallies and discussions before its enactment, she added.

Rebuilding workers’ collective voice

Despite the policy changes, Orsolino said rebuilding workers’ organizations remains crucial to ensuring a collective voice on decisions affecting their work and welfare.

The congress discussed the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 151 in the context of strengthening the institutional framework for public-sector unions.

Orsolino, who headed the preparatory committee for the Davao leg, said the gathering aimed to reconnect government unions and associations—including inactive groups—and develop a common platform on workers’ concerns.

“We are hoping this congress will be a tool, will be a venue for government unions and associations to bond, to reach out, to strengthen our grounds,” she said. 

The Davao leg brought together government workers and representatives from Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Another leg is scheduled in Cagayan de Oro on Nov. 26. (davaotoday.com)

For Elenito Escalante, president of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in Davao Region (ACT-Davao), this is what it means to be a teacher today.

“We have what we call a jack-of-all-trades teacher. A teacher does not simply teach,” Escalante said in Cebuano during a news conference on Oct. 5.

On World and National Teachers’ Day, ACT-Davao called for higher salaries, more personnel and better working conditions, saying teachers are being asked to carry responsibilities beyond classroom instruction without adequate compensation.

‘Jack-of-all-trades’

Escalante said teachers already handle multiple subjects, particularly in elementary schools, depending on their specialization.

But classroom teaching is only part of their work, he said. 

“Beyond that situation, when there is a Department of Education project, the teacher also ends up doing the work.”

For ACT, the problem is made worse by staffing shortages.

Pilar Barredo, also of ACT-Davao, said hiring has taken place, but the number of new teachers remains insufficient for the number of schools across different clusters.

“Each cluster has many schools, and only a few teachers are actually hired and deployed to the schools,” Barredo said. 

The shortage means existing teachers have to absorb work that could otherwise be distributed among additional personnel.

More work, same pay

ACT’s salary demand comes as the group raises concerns over teachers’ cost of living and debt.

The group said nine out of 10 public school teachers earn below the family living wage, while three out of four teachers are in debt.

“In general, the salary is really insufficient. Because of the low pay, some teachers have resorted to borrowing money through loans and other ways to augment their income,” Escalante said.

ACT is also pushing for higher entry-level salaries for faculty members in state universities and colleges.

Escalante said the group is seeking Salary Grade 16 for state universities and colleges (SUCs) faculty, up from the current Salary Grade 12 classification for Instructor I. He said the demand is partly based on the qualifications required of SUC teachers.

“The qualification for a teacher in an SUC is that they need to have a master’s degree,” he said. 

Escalante said ACT sees a disparity between the qualifications required of SUC faculty and their current entry-level compensation.

Glory Dee Romo, a faculty member and secretary of the All UP Academic Employees Union-UP Mindanao Chapter, called for a P50,000 entry-level salary for SUC faculty.

Romo said faculty members perform duties beyond teaching, including preparing learning materials, advising students, supervising theses and research projects, conducting research and extension activities, and handling committee and accreditation work.

She also said faculty members often shoulder professional development expenses such as tuition, training, conferences, professional memberships, internet and equipment.

“However, we should not stop with the increase in the entry-level salary. Instead, we also call for reasonable workload, sufficient staffing, enabling institutional conditions for research and publication requirements, and policies for the provision of public quality education without placing the faculty members in a position where they need to make personal sacrifices,” Romo said.

ACT’s petition likewise seeks a P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers, including a P36,000 basic salary for Salary Grade 1 workers and higher Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) from P2,000 to P5,000.

Promotion without pay

Teachers also raised concerns over the implementation of the Expanded Career Progression program.

Barredo said some teachers who have gone through the promotion process are still waiting for the corresponding salary adjustments.

“When it comes to promotion, some have been ranked, but there is still no budget for them. They have been promoted in name, but they have not yet been paid according to their rank. Only a few have received it.” (davaotoday.com)

Fernandez said her mother contacted her after receiving a Messenger message from a Facebook account called “Charlie OneTwo,” whose user introduced himself as “PFC Dagohoy.”

The person asked to speak with her mother and meet her face-to-face to discuss Fernandez’s organization at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, where she recently graduated. The user reportedly said the matter could still be “agapan pa nang maaga,” or addressed early.

Fernandez said the message alarmed her because she could not understand why someone identifying himself as a military personnel would be looking for her family.

“I was alarmed because, naturally, why would they be looking for me? I didn’t have anything to be afraid of,” Fernandez told Davao Today in Filipino.

Fernandez immediately asked her mother to screenshot the conversation.

The contact did not end with the Messenger exchange. Fernandez said the person behind the account also called her mother twice, once at around 3:43 p.m. and again at around 4:30 p.m. the following day, Sept. 30.

The Facebook account contained photographs of the person wearing a military uniform, according to Fernandez. She said the account has since become unavailable and can no longer be searched or tagged.

Fernandez said she and her friends attempted to determine the person’s military affiliation, but acknowledged that the information they found linking the account to a particular Army unit had not been independently confirmed.

Contact through the family

Fernandez said the Sept. 29 incident was not the first time her family had received information that someone connected to the military was looking for her.

On Sept. 2, her mother learned that a military relative of her godchild had also been asking about her.

“That was the first time but we didn’t have any tangible evidence of it. So, we just kept it as documentation,” Fernandez said.

She said the incidents shocked her family, particularly because she had not been completely open with them about the extent of her involvement in activism.

Her parents became worried about both her safety and theirs, including concerns that her organizational activities could lead authorities to associate her with armed groups.

Fernandez reassured her parents that the organizations she belongs to are legal.

“I am doing my best to console them that they have nothing to worry about because this is a student organization and we carry campaigns of the masses. There’s nothing to worry about because it’s all completely legal.”

History of alleged surveillance

Fernandez believed the contact may be connected to her previous activities as a student leader at UP Mindanao. She served as a University Student Council councilor for academic year 2023-2024 and as chairperson for academic year 2024-2025. She was also previously chair of the League of Filipino Students (LFS)-UP Mindanao chapter and currently the coordinates LFS-Davao.

During her tenure as USC chairperson, Fernandez was involved in campaigns concerning student rights, including calls for the relocation of the 11th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) from the UP Mindanao campus. 

She recalled a Facebook post by an individual associated with the RCDG during a Martial Law commemoration last year, where commenter asked who had led the campaign calling for the relocation of the military unit.

According to Fernandez, the person who uploaded the post replied by naming her as the campaign leader, although her first name was misspelled.

Fernandez is also aware of other student leaders and activists who have allegedly experienced similar incidents but have not publicly disclosed them because of security concerns.

“Some of the student leaders and activists didn’t feel comfortable sharing their issues on social media because there are factors to consider, especially security,” she said.

Fernandez said she chose to make her case public because she wanted to challenge attempts to intimidate activists and their families.

“I chose to publicize because it’s counter propaganda to the state, to the military that did that to my family,” she said. “It’s a big blow for them because they deactivated their account,” she added. 

Youth groups condemn monitoring

The Hands Off Mindanao Youth Activists Network (HOMYA) condemned the harassment and intimidation against Fernandez and her family.

“The harassment and badgering of an activist’s family by state forces is not merely an act of intimidation—it is a deliberate assault on their sense of safety and a serious threat to their mental, emotional and psychological well-being,” their statement  read. 

“By bringing fear and pressure into the family’s home, state forces inflict distress not only on Fernandez but also on her loved ones, forcing them to bear the emotional burden of attacks directed at an activist.”

The group called for an immediate end to harassment, surveillance, intimidation and criminal-tagging against Fernandez, her family and other youth activists in Mindanao. It also demanded accountability from the concerned military personnel and their commanding officers and called for a transparent investigation into the incident.

The All Student Councils Assembly (ASCA) of UP Mindanao also condemned the surveillance and pressure against Fernandez and her family, highlighting her previous role in the USC and her involvement in advancing student demands. The group called on UP Mindanao to convene its Committee on the Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights (CAFHR).

Seeking accountability

For Fernandez, the central question remains why the person identifying himself as a military personnel chose to approach her family instead of contacting her directly. If the military had concerns about her organizational involvement, she said, those concerns should be addressed to her directly.

“The accountability I need is for Charlie OneTwo to show up and directly address the reasons why I am being sought out and why my family is being dragged into this; if Charlie OneTwo has an agenda or business matter, it should be taken up directly with me so we can discuss it properly and confront the issue.”

She questioned why her participation in student organizations would warrant attention from the military in the first place.

“A normal individual would join organizations, right? Because they are in college, they are students—individuals who want to discover and learn about our society.”

Fernandez said her family is considering seeking legal assistance and psychological first aid following the incident. For now, she wants the person behind the account to explain why he sought out her family and what prompted the contact.

“Activists are not terrorists. Let us push for a stop on the monitoring of progressive student leaders. They are just fighting for human rights. And there’s no more beyond that,” she said. (davaotoday.com)