Timpuyog Pilipinas Institute for Socio-Economic & Political Reforms (Timpuyog Think-Tank Group)

 *Timpuyog Pilipinas Think-Tank Group   Abstract   This paper analyzes claims of a sophisticated quid pro quo network, dubbed the “Secret Alliance of Chiz Escudero, Sara Duterte, and China.” Drawing on an executive summary from Timpuyog Pilipinas, a sworn affidavit, and public records, the study examines the alleged role of businessman Maynard Ngu as a nexus figure—simultaneously a major campaign donor (₱30 million), alleged bagman for ₱160 million in public works kickbacks (SOP) intended for Senator Escudero, and a Special Envoy to China . The analysis critically explores the temporal correlation between Escudero’s role in archiving Vice President Duterte’s impeachment and a private meeting with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian . By applying theories of state capture and political patronage, and by drawing on regional parallels from Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, the study discusses the implications of this alleged collusion for Philippine political accountab...

*TIMPUYOG PILIPINAS THINK-TANK GROUP   Abstract Restitution in Philippine law plays a dual role: it is both a mandatory civil liability imposed after conviction and a voluntary act of cooperation by accused persons seeking discharge as state witnesses. This paper examines restitution in both contexts, distinguishing between its punitive function as part of final judgment and its strategic function as a prosecutorial condition for cooperation. It also addresses the question of whether restitution by a state witness violates the law. The analysis concludes that while restitution after conviction is compulsory, restitution by state witnesses is voluntary and does not violate the law if offered before discharge. However, compelling restitution after immunity has been granted would contradict the legal status of a state witness as if never charged. The paper argues that clarity in these distinctions is necessary to preserve both the integrity and the credibility of the Philippine ...

*Timpuyog Pilipinas Think-Tank Group   Introduction Every peso the government spends comes from the hard work of ordinary Filipinos. It comes from the teacher whose salary is automatically deducted for taxes, from the jeepney driver who pays value-added tax each time he buys diesel, from the small sari-sari store owner who passes on excise taxes to customers. In return, people expect that their money will be used to build classrooms, provide health services, improve flood control, and bring food and assistance in times of disaster. But too often, that expectation is betrayed. Instead of medicines reaching hospitals, they are overpriced. Instead of classrooms rising from the ground, they remain on paper as “ghost projects.” Instead of relief goods reaching survivors of calamities, they rot in warehouses. Corruption, in these cases, is not just about stolen money—it is about stolen futures and stolen dignity (De Guzman, 2023). This is where fraud auditing and the Commission...