An old post by broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna endorsing an insurance company allegedly linked to the Discayas has resurfaced.
Some Filipinos flooded the comments section of a Sept. 20, 2022 Facebook post by Stronghold Insurance Company, which had welcomed radio commentator Taberna as its “first endorser.”
“Contract Signing for the First Endorser of Stronghold Insurance Company, Inc. Mr. Anthony ‘Ka Tunying’ Taberna,” the caption read.
The post’s comments section was recently filled with remarks from Filipinos who took notice of it amid Taberna’s claims against Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
“Kaya pala maingay!!” an online user wrote on Saturday, October 4.
“Kaya naman pala nagpapakalat ng emerut na chika eh,” another wrote.
“Kaya pala nasaktan haha,” a different Pinoy commented.
“Ok, gets niyo na ah. Alam niyo na bakit naghahanap ng fake news si Ka Tunying,” another said.
Stronghold Insurance Company addresses issues
Stronghold Insurance Company is reportedly the provider of bonds for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects involving contractor couple, Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
Edna Marcoleta, the wife of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, is listed as an independent director of the company.
The insurance firm also serves as a reinsurer for the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
In a statement, the Stronghold Insurance Company said that it is among the companies authorized to issue surety bonds for DPWH contractors, as required by law.
It clarified that it is “not privy” to the contract between the contractor and the government, saying the insurance firm “has no role during the construction of the project.”
The insurance firm also denied any links to the Discayas, saying they “have no ownership or control over the company.”
“Their construction company is simply one of the many companies that Stronghold issued a surety bond. Nothing more, nothing less,” it said.
The company also addressed Edna’s role, explaining that her nomination as an independent director followed proper procedures and was based on her professional qualifications.
Taberna and Hontiveros
Meanwhile, Taberna previously claimed in his vlog that Hontiveros had made budget insertions for infrastructure projects, including flood control initiatives, in the proposed 2025 national budget.
Hontiveros denied the allegations on Friday, October 3, and said that she did not vote if favor of the proposed 2025 national budget.
She also denied making any insertions and said she opposed both the bicameral conference committee report and the budget bill during its passage in the Senate.
“Wala po akong bicam [bicameral] insertions. Wala sa unprogrammed funds. PERIOD. Isa pa, HINDI AKO PUMIRMA sa bicam at bumoto rin ng NO sa kontrobersyal na 2025 budget,” she said in a Facebook post.
Hontiveros also stated that her budget suggestions went through the proper process in the Senate.
“BABALA: ‘WAG MANIWALA SA FAKE NEWS AT MALING IMPORMASYON. Lahat ng iminungkahi kong amyenda sa budget ay dumaan sa tamang proseso at inaprubahan ng Senado!” Hontiveros added.
Taberna later said that there was nothing wrong with “insertions.”
“Nagiging ilegal o masama lamang daw ang insertion kapag nakikialam ang senador o congressman sa implementasyon nito, kung nakikialam sa pagpili ng contractor, at kung sila ay tumatanggap ng kickback o komisyon mula sa kaniyang insertion,” he said in a video.
The broadcast personality emphasized that there was nothing wrong with the insertions and added that he would seek clarifications from Hontiveros’ office.
The bicameral conference committee, or bicam, is where the House of Representatives and the Senate reconcile differences between their versions of the General Appropriations Bill, also known as the national budget.
Insertions refer to budget items that were not part of either chamber’s approved version, but were added during the conference to address overlooked funding needs in certain areas.
However, critics warn that this practice can be abused, citing cases where lawmakers allegedly inserted funding for projects that were later found to be non-existent or substandard.
Senate President Tito Sotto III said that “amendments” or “insertions” are part of the “regular budget process” as long as they are done during Senate deliberations.
The debate over insertions has grown more contentious amid the DPWH corruption scandal, which exposed alleged kickback schemes tied to flood control projects. — with reports from Philstar.com/Jean Mangaluz
