California’s 2026 Governor’s race: A crowded field emerges as Newsom’s era nears its end
California prepares for a new governor in 2026 as top Democrats and Republicans enter a wide-open race shaped by affordability, homelessness, budget shortfalls, and climate challenges
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With Gov. Gavin
Newsom barred from seeking a third term, California voters will choose a new leader in 2026. The June 2, 2026, top-two primary is expected to draw a crowded field of Democrats, a handful of Republicans, and possibly a U.S. senator. Affordability, public safety, and the state budget crisis are at the center of the campaign.
Democrats crowd the field
Several prominent Democrats have already declared: • Katie Porter, a former U.S. representa-
US high school students lose more ground in math and reading, extending years-long decline
WASHINGTON — America’s 12th graders posted lower scores in both math and reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), with national averages falling to their weakest levels in more than two decades and continuing a slide that began well before the pandemic, according to newly released federal data.
What the results show
The latest Nation’s Report Card paints a stark picture of student achievement. Average scores for 12th graders in both math and reading fell by three points compared with 2019, marking the lowest results ever recorded for these grade-level assessments.
In reading, today’s seniors are performing 10 points below their counterparts in 1992, when the test was first administered, while math scores have dropped to the weakest levels since the current framework was introduced in 2005. The decline is especially
Philippines sees major leadership shake-up as Romualdez quits, Dy elected House Speaker
by AJPress
plan to resign and publicly endorsed Dy, describing him as a leader who could restore harmony in the House. Malacañang later issued a statement rec-
Church, civil society lead Metro Manila rallies vs corruption
by AJPress
MANILA — The Philippines is bracing for a major day of protest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, as church leaders and civil society groups mount two landmark gatherings in Metro Manila to demand transparency
Pacquiao stunned, bewildered over Ricky Hatton’s death: “We will never forget him”
by AJPress
FILIPINO boxing icon Manny
and accountability in government spending. In the morning, student groups and reform advocates will open the day with “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” at Rizal Park. Organizers u PAGE 4
by Gabryelle DumalaG Inquirer.net
ognizing the independence of Congress and acknowledging Dy’s election. Who is Martin Romualdez? Romualdez, 61,
former Leyte governor and ambassador, u PAGE 2
Marcos finalizes lineup of independent commission on flood-control projects, launches full probe by
AJPress
MANILA — On September 15, 2025, Malacañang formalized the lineup of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) with the oath-taking of Ex-Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. as chairperson; Rogelio “Babes” Singson, former DPWH secretary; Rossana A. Fajardo, country managing partner of SGV & Co.; and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong as special adviser. The oath was administered before Court of Appeals Justice Pedro Corales. With the ceremony, the ICI formally began its mandate to probe alleged anomalies in flood-control projects spanning the last decade.
The commission was established through Executive Order No. 94, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on September 11. The order created an independent fact-finding body with powers to summon officials, access government records, and recom-
Pacquiao has joined the global outpouring of grief over the sudden death of British former world champion Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14, 2025. He was 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Hatton was discovered at his residence and that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing. His family released a statement expressing “immeasurable grief” and appealed for privacy during this time of mourning. The cause of death has not been disclosed as of press time.
MANILA — A Philippine fisheries vessel sustained damage and a crew member was injured on Tuesday, September 16 after two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships fired water cannons at it near Bajo de Masinloc, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
ing Mangingisda” program when it was attacked, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said on Tuesday.
Tarriela said at about 9:14 a.m., CCG vessel with hull number 5201 directed a water cannon at the vessel’s starboard side while it was 14 nautical miles east of the shoal.
Pacquiao, who famously fought Hatton in May 2009, described himself as stunned and bewildered upon hearing the news. “We will never forget
The BRP Datu Gumbay Piang (MMOV 3014), operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was delivering fuel and supplies to fishermen as part of the government’s Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayan-
The barrage lasted roughly 29 minutes, damaging the bridge windows, cabin partitions, electrical systems and air conditioning units. He added that one BFAR crew member was hurt by
MANILA — Vice President
Sara Duterte said her father remains "okay" and talks to her about politics, family, and personal matters in their phone conversations — remarks that come as the International Criminal Court reviews whether the former president fit to stand trial.
Speaking to reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday, September 16, the vice president
said she spoke to former President Rodrigo Duterte last week over the phone.
“We talked about politics, we talked about flood control, we talked about what, his love life," Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino.
Asked to elaborate on the elder Duterte's current condition, the vice president said he was "okay," but stopped short of disclosing more details. Duterte's comments come as u PAGE 4
Philippine sees major leadership...
and the younger brother of former First Lady Imelda Marcos. This makes him the first cousin of both President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Senator Imee Marcos, a family tie that has profoundly shaped his political trajectory. For years, Romualdez has been regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Congress and a possible contender in the 2028 presidential elections. His resignation marks the end of his tenure as Speaker but not of his political influence.
A close ally of Marcos Romualdez’s leadership was closely tied to his relationship with President Marcos Jr. Earlier this year, he accompanied the President during his official visit to Washington, D.C., where Marcos met with U.S. President Donald
Trump to reaffirm defense and trade ties. As Speaker, Romualdez positioned himself as a key partner of the administration, ensuring the swift passage of Malacañang’s legislative priorities.
Their alliance extended beyond family ties. Romualdez’s stewardship of the House majority was often viewed as an extension of Marcos’ political strength, with the Speaker framing legislative support as a cornerstone of the administration’s stability. His resignation, however, underscored the delicate balance of maintaining unity within Congress while shielding the presidency from internal turbulence.
Family influence in Congress
The Romualdez family remains a formidable force. His wife, Yedda Marie Romualdez, sits in the House as representative of the
Tingog Party-list, while their son, Andrew Julian Romualdez, represents Leyte’s 2nd District. Together, they form a political bloc that ensures Martin Romualdez’s continued influence in legislative affairs.
Who is Faustino “Bojie” Dy III?
Dy, who emerged as the chamber’s consensus choice, is a veteran politician from Isabela. Before entering Congress in 2019, he served three terms as governor of Isabela, overseeing agricultural and infrastructure projects in the country’s second-largest province.
He belongs to the influential Dy political clan, with his father, Faustino Dy Jr., and grandfather, Faustino Dy Sr., both serving as governors before him. Known as a pragmatic consensus-builder, Dy rose to Deputy Speaker before being elevated to the House’s top post.
Shifts in power and policy
The leadership change underscores both continuity and recalibration. Romualdez, though stepping down as Speaker, remains a central figure in Philippine politics, bolstered by his congressional seat, family ties, and influence within the majority. Dy’s election signals a shift in tone, as lawmakers look to restore order and pursue critical economic and oversight legislation under new leadership.
For the Philippines, the shakeup reflects shifting power dynamics within the ruling coalition, setting the stage for the battles ahead as the country moves closer to the 2028 elections. n
by AJPress
SAN FRANCISCO — A new kind of tour has emerged in the Bay Area: sightseeing through Waymo’s driverless taxis. Visitors have been paying curated operators hundreds of dollars to string together multiple Waymo rides as a novelty way to explore the city.
A new tourist experience Tour guide Dara Mihaly offered a $149, three-hour package linking rides through landmarks like Alamo Square and Twin Peaks. The “Waymo tour” drew steady demand from February to August 2025 before she received a cease-and-desist from the company over brand-use rules. By then, she had begun expanding to Los Angeles, Waymo’s other California market.
Waymo has not discouraged tourist ridership. In March, the company released a study claiming out-of-town bookings in San
Francisco rose about 10% weekly during its first year, adding tens of millions of dollars in local economic activity. That figure comes from Waymo’s internal estimates rather than an independent review.
From San Francisco to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is now fully open to public, paid Waymo rides. The service operates 24/7 across more than 120 square miles, from Santa Monica to Echo Park. That footprint has made L.A. a logical next stop for robotaxi-based sightseeing.
Robotaxis vs. Uber
A head-to-head test across San Francisco’s busiest neighborhoods found Ubers generally arrived faster and cost slightly less, while Waymo offered consistency and a calmer, private ride. For some, speed and price remain decisive; for others, predictability is worth the premium.
Learning to drive like humans Waymo vehicles have also become more assertive. Once known for overly cautious stops, the cars now honk when cut off, make firmer merges, and ease forward at intersections. The company argues this makes traffic flow more natural and safer. Its data claim an 81% reduction in
California’s 2026 Governor’s race: A crowded...
tive, is running as a progressive focused on affordability and transparency. Recent polls place her narrowly ahead, although more than a third of voters remain undecided.
• Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. health secretary and California attorney general, entered the race in April and points to his long record in law and policy.
• Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayor, is seeking a political comeback after his 2018 bid fell short.
• Toni Atkins, the former president pro tempore of the state Senate, is emphasizing her experience in crafting budgets and advancing social programs.
• Betty Yee, a two-term state controller, has centered her campaign on fiscal responsibility and public trust.
• Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction, was the first major Democrat to enter the race and is highlighting education equity.
• Stephen Cloobeck, a businessman with significant personal wealth, has made headlines by financing his own campaign and pursuing lawsuits against rivals.
Republicans test their chances Although Republicans face long odds in a state where Democrats dominate statewide offic-
es, two contenders are pressing forward:
• Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, is focusing on law-and-order themes, border enforcement, and easing cost-ofliving pressures.
• Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and Silicon Valley entrepreneur, is appealing to conservatives with his “Golden Again” agenda.
Who is out and who might jump in Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis suspended her campaign in August and is now pursuing a run for state treasurer.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has also publicly declined to enter the race.
Attention is turning to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who is weighing a bid that could significantly alter the Democratic contest if he decides to run.
Issues on the ballot
The race will unfold against the backdrop of a tightening state budget. Lawmakers recently addressed a projected shortfall of 12 to 20 billion dollars for the 2025–26 fiscal year, and analysts warn of recurring deficits.
Voters have consistently identified these concerns as top priorities:
• Affordability and housing.
Soaring rents and home prices remain a central worry across
the state.
• Homelessness and public safety. The crisis is visible in every major city and candidates are offering sharply different solutions.
• Climate resilience. Wildfires, water shortages, and renewable energy policies continue to shape long-term debates about California’s future.
The Road to November 2026 California’s top-two system means the June 2 primary will determine which two candidates, regardless of party, move on to the general election. With Democrats filling much of the field, a head-to-head race between two members of the same party is a real possibility. Republicans Bianco and Hilton are hoping to break through if the Democratic vote fragments. In the months ahead, the contest will be defined by fundraising battles, endorsements, and televised debates. For voters, the choice is not only about personalities but about competing solutions to California’s most urgent problems. The next governor will inherit a state facing high costs, a fragile budget, persistent homelessness, and growing climate threats. The outcome in November will set the direction of California politics in the years after Newsom. (AJPress)
Toni Atkins, Xavier Becerra, Betty Yee, Katie Porter,
Alejandra “Dading”
Clemente
honored with MOPC Tourism Promotions Excellence Award
Rajah Tours founder Alejandra “Dading” Clemente receives Tourism Promotions Excellence Award from First Lady Liza Marcos at the MOPC Grand Tourism Excellence Awards
Tourism trail-
MAKATI CITY —
blazer Alejandra “Dading” Clemente, founder of Rajah Tours Philippines, received the Tourism Promotions Excellence Award at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Grand Tourism Excellence Awards held recently at New World Makati Hotel.
The award was presented by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, joined by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, MOPC Chairman Tony Lopez, and MOPC President Eric Canoy. Clemente was cited for her pioneering role in building the country’s inbound tourism industry and for promoting the Philippines as a premier global destination.
Builder of Philippine tour programs
Since co-founding Rajah Tours with her late husband Jose in 1972, Clemente has been a leading force in Philippine tourism.
The company grew from a modest inbound operator into a respected group with international offices, transport services, and partnerships with hotels and airlines. It has received multiple Kalakbay Awards and Hall of Fame honors for inbound operations.
Clemente is also credited with organizing signature tour programs that strengthened ties between the Philippines and its
global community. She spearheaded the VIP Tours (formerly Ambassador Tours), which opened local destinations to balikbayans, diplomats, and business leaders, and Winterscapade, a seasonal balikbayan package that drew overseas Filipinos and their families back to the country for heritage and leisure experiences.
Government underscores tourism’s value In her keynote, the First Lady described tourism as a “potent tool for economic growth and cultural diplomacy,” stressing the importance of modern airports, smoother travel experiences, and public-private partnerships to keep the country competitive.
Tourism Secretary Frasco noted that the industry now employs nearly seven million Filipinos and contributed 8.9 percent of GDP in 2024. She credited pioneers like Clemente for laying the groundwork for today’s successes. Corporate honorees share the stage Alongside Alejandra “Dading” Clemente’s recognition, several leading corporations were also honored at the Manila Overseas Press Club’s Grand Tourism Excellence Awards. SM Investments Corporation was cited for its broad and integrated footprint
in hospitality, retail, and leisure, reflecting the company’s influence in shaping the visitor experience across the country.
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Airports Business Unit received recognition for its management of key regional gateways, including the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Laguindingan Airport in Northern Mindanao, and the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. These hubs have played a critical role in connecting regional destinations with both domestic and international travelers.
Meanwhile, Clark Development Corporation was honored for transforming the Clark Freeport Zone into a premier tourism hub. The award highlighted how Clark has evolved into a dynamic destination offering lodging, shopping, dining, and entertainment, helping drive growth in Central Luzon’s tourism economy.
A lasting legacy Clemente’s award underscored her enduring impact on the industry. Through Rajah Tours and her signature programs, she helped bring home generations of balikbayans, trained tourism professionals, and positioned the Philippines as a destination that blends heritage, culture, and world-class hospitality. n
Tourism pioneer Alejandra “Dading” Clemente, founder of Rajah Tours Philippines, receives the Tourism Promotions Excellence Award during the MOPC Grand Tourism Excellence Awards 2025 at New World Makati Hotel. Presenting the award were First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, MOPC Chairman Tony Lopez, and MOPC President Eric Canoy.
Marcos cancels UN General Assembly trip, DFA secretary to
by AJPress
MANILA — President Ferdi -
represent Philippines
nand Marcos Jr. will not travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Week later this month, Malacañang confirmed on Monday, September 15, 2025. The Presidential Communications Office said the president has decided to prioritize domestic concerns and has delegated the engagement to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. The announcement reverses an earlier Palace confirmation on August 28 that Marcos would attend UNGA 80. That plan was in place just days before the session formally opened on September 9. Less than a week later, Malacañang announced that Marcos would skip the high-level event and that Lazaro, who officially assumed her post as DFA Secretary on July 1, 2025, would instead lead the Philippine delegation. The General Debate is set for September 23 to 27 and concludes on September 29, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The annual High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly is a crucial forum for world leaders to present national priorities, strengthen alliances, and discuss global challenges, including security, economic recovery, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Marcos’ absence means the Philippines will miss an opportunity for direct presidential-level diplomacy at a time when regional tensions in the IndoPacific remain high. Still, with Secretary Lazaro at the helm of the delegation, Manila is expected to push forward its positions on maritime security, multilateral cooperation, and economic partnerships, ensuring continuity in the country’s foreign policy direction. n
US to pour P13.8 billion into Philippine health programs
by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA
— The United States government announced P13.8 billion ($250 million) in new foreign assistance for the Philippines on Friday, September 12, to strengthen the country's health systems and improve its ability to detect and respond to diseases.
The funding, to be implemented by the U.S. Embassy’s foreign assistance section, will support what Washington has identified as its priority areas for health programs in the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region: tuberculosis control, maternal and child health, and global health security, among others.
PH ship damaged after China Coast Guard’s...
PAGE 1
a flying glass.
At the same time, CCG ship with hull number 21562 attacked the vessel’s port side from 17 nautical miles east of the shoal.
op the Luzon Economic Corridor.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the funding “underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Filipino people.”
This new assistance package brings the total recently announced U.S. foreign aid for the Philippines to more than P17 billion ($313 million).
The announcement follows an earlier commitment of P3 billion ($63 million) in aid that the U.S. said would mainly support the resilience of the energy sector, combat illegal fishing, and devel-
It will specifically support “key initiatives such as supply chain management, data and information systems, and laboratory strengthening” in the Philippines, according to a statement by the U.S. embassy.
This initial P3 billion in foreign aid was the first new assistance announced by the U.S. since it overhauled its foreign assistance programs and priorities under the second Trump administration, which started in January.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the funding in July after meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, D.C.
A senior U.S. State Department official, Jonathan Fritz, said on a visit to Manila in early September that the Philippines was the "first recipient" of new assistance funding under the realigned U.S. aid policy. Fritz added that the country would “continue to be one of our closest partners in this space going forward.” n
Sara Duterte says father ‘okay,’ talked...
the ICC pre-trial chamber weighs whether her father is medically competent enough to take part in the hearings ahead related to his crimes against humanity charges.
The defense had argued that the former president's cognitive faculties had declined to the point that he could no longer meaningfully participate in the legal proceedings.
In asking the judges to adjourn proceedings indefinitely, Duterte's lawyer Nicholas Kaufman had cited problems with his "memory and concomitant inability to retain new information," including his reported inability to "recall events, places, timing, or even members of his close family and Defense team."
The ICC prosecution had opposed that request and instead urged the court to appoint an
independent medical expert, separate from the defense’s own doctor, to conduct an assessment of the 80-year-old former leader.
The panel granted a limited postponement of the confirmation of charges hearing — originally set for September 23 — to allow both sides to submit medical evidence and for an expert review to take place.
No new date has been set, with the pre-trial chamber saying the delay would last only as long as "strictly necessary."
Sara: Leave it to experts
Asked directly whether she thought her father remained fit to stand trial, the vice president said it was not for her to say.
"I think there will be a hearing on competency, so let's just wait for the experts," she said. "Aside from the ICC, on the prosecution, on the defense side, I'm sure ex-
perts will come out to say what the problems are."
The vice president stressed she was not in a position to judge his mental or physical capacity. “'Di ako expert sa kung ano dapat ang kapasidad ng isang witness or accused (I'm not an expert on determining the capacity of a witness or the accused),” she said.
When reporters pressed further on whether the former president seemed sharp during their calls, she again deferred to the experts.
Victims and their lawyers have earlier urged the court not to let the fitness question stall the trial indefinitely.
The postponed confirmation of charges hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the court to proceed to a full-blown trial for the former president. n
US high school students lose more ground in...
troubling at the lower end of the scale: nearly half of seniors, about 45 percent, now score below NAEP’s Basic level in math, the highest share on record, with a growing number also falling short in reading.
These setbacks directly affect college readiness, as only about one in three high school seniors is considered prepared for entry-level college math, down from 37 percent just five years ago.
A long-term decline
Education officials stressed that the downturn in performance did not begin with COVID-19, though the pandemic
deepened the problem.
Disruptions to learning, higher absenteeism, and uneven recovery efforts have all been cited as factors, while the declines are broad-based across regions and student groups, pointing to systemic issues rather than isolated setbacks.
Implications for the next generation
The findings raise concern about how prepared graduating seniors are for college and the workforce. With weaker foundations in math and reading, more students are entering adulthood without the critical skills needed for higher education and a com-
petitive job market.
Analysts warn that recovery efforts have so far been uneven, often leaving behind the students who lost the most ground.
The path forward
The latest Nation’s Report Card confirms that America’s high school seniors lost more ground in 2024—registering record-low math performance and continued erosion in reading.
The downward trend, years in the making, highlights the urgent need for stronger interventions and targeted strategies to ensure that students graduate prepared for college, careers, and civic life. (AJPress)
Marcos finalizes lineup of independent...
1
mend administrative or criminal cases for prosecution.
Mandate and scope
The ICI’s authority extends to infrastructure projects carried out over the past ten years, with a particular focus on flood-control programs flagged for overpricing, “ghost” contracts, and substandard works. The body is required to submit monthly progress reports to the president. Although investigative rather than prosecutorial, the commission may endorse cases to the Office of the Ombudsmanand the Department of Justice, while also recommending systemic reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in public works.
Developments and government stance President Marcos has vowed that “no one will be spared” in the inquiry, adding that even political allies or relatives will not be shielded from investigation. He has suspended the 2026 flood-control budget until the ICI delivers its findings. More than 16,000 citizen complaints submitted through the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” platform will also be turned over to the ICI for review. Malacañang has expressed support for legislation that would expand the commission’s powers and institutionalize its role in infrastructure oversight. Parallel inquiries The commission’s work runs alongside the Senate Blue
Ribbon Committee’s ongoing probe into alleged fraudulent flood-control projects. Senators have said the ICI is intended to complement—not replace— congressional investigations.
Accountability push Marcos ordered the commission’s creation after internal audits revealed that billions of pesos in flood-control allocations since 2022 were either misused or left unaccounted for. Thousands of projects were found incomplete, substandard, or non-existent despite funding.
“The Filipino people deserve infrastructure that protects, not endangers, their communities,” Marcos said, stressing that every peso must be spent effectively. n
Meanwhile, a Chinese maritime militia vessel identified as CMM 00001 attempted similar maneuvers when the Philippine vessel was about 10 nautical miles east, but the Datu Gumbay Piang evaded further damage before rejoining nine other BFAR vessels in the area, according to the statement.
Earlier in the morning, a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship with bow number 525 broadcast a notice of live-fire exercises over maritime radio, sparking fear among Filipino fishermen operating nearby, Tarriela said.
In a statement carried by Chinese state media Global Times, China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu accused Manila of organizing “over 10 government ships” that “illegally intruded into the territorial waters” of China from multiple directions.
Gan said Chinese ships issued loudspeaker warnings, used water cannons, and claimed that a Philippine vessel “intentionally rammed” a Chinese coast guard ship in what he called “an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”
Despite the incident, the PCG and BFAR vowed to continue supporting fishing communities and protecting the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known
Pacquiao stunned, bewildered over...
him,” Pacquiao said, honoring Hatton as a “great fighter, brave and kind man” who commanded deep respect both inside and outside the ring. Their 2009 encounter in Las Vegas remains one of the defining moments in both fighters’ careers, with Pacquiao scoring a knockout at 2:59 of the second round. Despite the outcome, the fight cemented Hatton’s place in boxing history
and underscored his popularity, particularly among his loyal British fans who traveled the world to support him.
Tributes have poured in across the boxing world and from public figures in Britain. Hatton, affectionately known as “The Hitman,” rose to prominence after defeating Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to win the IBF superlightweight title and later held championships in two weight divisions. He became one of the most beloved figures in British boxing, renowned for his relentless style in the ring and his down-to-earth character outside it. As the boxing community grieves, Hatton is remembered not only for his accomplishments in the sport but also for his connection to fans and fellow athletes. Pacquiao summed up the sentiment of many when he said that Hatton’s memory would endure far beyond the ring. n
Church, civil society lead Metro Manila rallies...
say the rally, starting at 9:00 a.m., will combine prayers, testimonies, and cultural presentations to symbolize both the literal devastation of floods and the figurative flood of public outrage over alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.
By the afternoon, focus shifts to Quezon City for the “Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA People Power Monument, scheduled 2:00 to 5:00 p.m..
This assembly, convened by the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT), carries the symbolic weight of EDSA as the country’s historic stage for peaceful uprisings.
The CLCNT, joined by Caritas Philippines and the Archdiocese of Manila, has positioned the protest as a non-partisan call for moral governance. “Let us wear white as a symbol of unity and hope. Sama-sama nating ipakita na di kailanman katanggap-tanggap ang korapsyon,” said Bishop Colin Bagaforo. Fr. Albert Delvo, also of the CLCNT, underscored that the agenda is reform, not political upheaval: “Hindi nasa loob ng agenda namin na pauwiin ang dating Pangulong Duterte… Hindi rin kasama na patalsikin si Mr. Marcos… Absolutely no. Civil society groups, including Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan, and youth networks such as Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw (Tama Na), are providing much of the grassroots mobilization. Their demands extend beyond
flood-control anomalies to include greater transparency in officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), online disclosure of government contracts, and stronger oversight powers for investigative bodies.
Universities in Metro Manila and beyond have also signaled support, urging students and faculty to participate as part of a broader civic duty.
Historical significance of Sept. 21
The rallies are deliberately set on Sept. 21, a date etched in Philippine history.
On Sept. 21, 1972, then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire country under Martial Law, ushering in nearly a decade of authoritarian rule marked by arrests, censorship, and human rights abuses. Although the proclamation was publicly announced on Sept. 23, Marcos admitted he chose Sept. 21 for its symbolic resonance.
Since his ouster in 1986, the date has been observed annually by human rights groups, student organizations, and civic networks as a day of remembrance and protest. By anchoring their call for transparency and accountability to this historic date, organizers of the “Baha sa Luneta” and the “Trillion Peso March” are linking today’s corruption controversies to a longer struggle against abuse of power and lack of accountability. Nationwide solidarity While the Metro Manila as -
semblies are the focal point, organizers emphasize that Sept. 21 is a nationwide movement. Solidarity rallies are planned in Cebu (Plaza Independencia), Bohol (Plaza Rizal), General Santos (Plaza Heneral Santos), Laoag (Ilocos Norte), and San Fernando (La Union), with local convenors leading parallel actions. Smaller protests are also expected in Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, and other provincial centers. These efforts, while smaller in scale, extend the call for accountability across the archipelago, underscoring that the movement is not confined to the capital but reflects a broad, countrywide demand for clean and transparent governance. Security and government response
The Philippine National Police has placed the capital on full alert, deploying over 23,000 personnel nationwide, with some reports citing as many as 50,000 on standby for crowd management. Authorities say no credible threats have been identified but advise motorists to prepare for traffic rerouting around Luneta and EDSA. Malacañang has acknowledged public outrage over alleged anomalies in public works but called on citizens to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful. Officials stressed that the government respects the right to protest even as investigations into infrastructure spending continue. n
The picture shows the damage sustained by a Philippine fisheries vessel. Photos courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard
Photo show
PROBE. Independent Commission for Infrastructure chair Andres Reyes Jr. (in green jacket) and former Department
as Scarborough Shoal, lies 124 nautical miles off Zambales and has been under Chinese control since 2012. The 2016 arbitral tribunal
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not be attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Presidential Communications Office said the president has decided to prioritize domestic concerns and has delegated the engagement to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. DFA website photo
DAteline PhiliPPines
AMLC freezes bank accounts of Discaya couple, Henry Alcantara, others
by Jean manGaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — The Anti–Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has issued freeze orders for the bank accounts of several government officials and contractors who were tagged in flood control anomalies, including the Discaya couple and sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had requested AMLC Executive Director Matthew David to issue the freeze orders.
The DPWH confirmed to reporters on Tuesday, September 16 that the AMLC approved DIzon’s requests, and the freeze orders have already been issued to the banks.
In Dizon’s letter to the AMLC, he reasoned that the department needed assistance in establishing probable cause in determining illegal activities. The DPWH requested to freeze the accounts of the following individuals:
Henry C. Alcantara, former OIC - Assistant
Jaypee D. Mendoza, former OIC - Assistant District Engineer 4. John Michael E. Ramos, Chief, Construction Section 5. Ernesto C. Galang, Planning and Design Section 6. Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan, OIC-Chief, Maintenance Section
Norberto L. Santos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section 8. Jaime R. Hernandez, Maintenance Section
Floralyn Y. Simbulan, Administrative Section
Juanito C. Mendoza, Finance Section
11. Roberto A. Roque, Budget Unit
12. Benedict J. Matawaran, Procurement Unit 13. Christina Mae D. Pineda, Cashier II
Paul Jayson F. Duya, Project Engineer 15. Merg Jaron C. Laus, Project Engineer 16. Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Project Engineer 17. Arjay S. Domasig, Project Engineer 18. John Carlo C. Rivera, Project Engineer
John Benex S. Francisco, Project Engineer 20. Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Project Engineer II 21. Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, St. Timothy
Construction Corporation
22. Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya, St. Timothy Construction Corporation
23. Pacifico Discaya II, St. Timothy Construction Corporation
24. Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager, Wawao Builders
25. Sally N. Santos, Owner/Manager, SYMS Construction Trading
26. Robert T. Imperio, Owner/Manager, IM Construction Corporation
“This request is made with the justification that a freeze order serves as an extraordinary and interim legal remedy to prevent the dissipation, removal, or disposal of properties strongly suspected to be the proceeds of, or related to, unlawful activities,” Dizon wrote.
The contractors mentioned in the freeze order request are not all of the top-earning government contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The contractors named in the freeze order plea were the ones with substandard or ghost flood control projects linked to them.
Other significant names in the list are the “BGC Boys” or the Bulacan Group of Contractors. The BGC Boys, a term coined by the Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, allegedly laundered flood control money in casinos. n
Lubiano skips Comelec hearing; Escudero faces show cause order
by AJPress
MANILA — A construction contractor who admitted donating P30 million to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s 2022 Senate campaign has failed to appear before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as the poll body evaluates whether a possible election offense was committed.
Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development, Inc. (CCDI), was scheduled to explain his contribution before the Comelec last week but did not attend the hearing, according to the Philippine Star. The same report said Comelec officials confirmed that Escudero also faces a show cause order after acknowledging receipt of the donation.
A show cause order is a directive requiring a person to explain or justify why they should not be held liable for an alleged violation. In the elections context, it gives candidates and contributors the chance to formally respond before the Comelec decides whether to dismiss the case or pursue charges.
Comelec’s inquiry is anchored on Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits government contractors from making campaign contributions. Inquirer reported that the poll body issued a show cause or-
der to Lubiano on September 11, citing his P30-million donation to Escudero, and noted that the case could test the scope of campaign finance restrictions on contractors. In August, Malacañang identified CCDI among 15 firms that received about 20 percent of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ P545-billion flood-control contracts from July 2022 to May 2025, according to GMA News.
At a House hearing earlier this month, Lubiano admitted giving P30 million to Escudero’s campaign, saying the amount came from his personal funds and not from his company. He emphasized that the donation was made in his private capacity, not from corporate resources.
Escudero, for his part, has acknowledged receiving the P30 million and stressed that it was contributed by Lubiano as an individual donor. He said the donation was duly reported in his official Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the 2022 elections, and denied any link between the contribution and the awarding of public works contracts.
Comelec officials said they are verifying contractor records with the DPWH and reviewing campaign finance documents from 2022 before determining
their next steps. The case is part of a wider inquiry covering 52 contractors who reportedly made contributions to 26 candidates, according to ABS-CBN News.
The Lubiano family also has ties to local politics in Sorsogon, Escudero’s home province. News reports, including those from the Inquirer and ABS-CBN, say that Lawrence’s brothers serve as a municipal mayor and a Sorsogon City councilor, while CCDI has been a major contractor in the area.
The controversy has become entwined with the Marcos administration’s broader probe into alleged irregularities in flood-control spending. On September 11, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 94 creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). Four days later, he named retired Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. as chair of the body tasked with investigating corruption in infrastructure projects. As the Comelec weighs the show cause orders, both Lubiano and Escudero face scrutiny under election law provisions on campaign contributions. Observers note the case could test how the Philippines enforces prohibitions on donations from government contractors. n
by Jason siGales Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippine Na-
tional Police (PNP) said two individuals were arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a family member of an abducted cockfighting enthusiast (sabungero) to get them to withdraw their affidavit.
The suspects, a man and a woman whose names were withheld, were caught in an entrapment operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Taytay, Rizal, on Monday morning, Acting PNP Chief
Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. detailed in a statement Wednesday. “According to the complainant, the two suspects offered a huge sum of money in exchange for the filing of an affidavit of recantation and desistance against key personalities and other respondents in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros,” Nartatez said.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame later on Wednesday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said the family member was visited at their home and of-
fered P1.5 million. Morico said the police were still investigating the source of the money and whether it was intended to pay off the complainant. He confirmed the two arrested suspects were a married couple, but the CIDG chief opted not to identify the complainant over concerns for her safety.
The top cop did not specify which family member the suspects allegedly tried to bribe, but he did say that he ordered the CIDG to investigate the case “in depth.” I believe someone ordered these u PAGE 8
Sarah and Curlee Discaya name several lawmakers, staff, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials allegedly linked to corruption in the country’s flood control projects during a Senate hearing in Pasay City on September 8, 2025. Philstar.com photo
The tenets of journalism are no longer just for journalists
In an age when every voice can be amplified online, the responsibilities of truth and decency now extend to all
JOURNALISM has long been anchored in enduring principles that safeguard public trust. Accuracy, fairness, independence, accountability and humanity were once taught primarily in journalism schools, university media programs and professional newsrooms, shaping those who would go on to become reporters and editors. In today’s world, where every smartphone is a publishing tool and every user a potential broadcaster, these principles matter not only to those in the trade but to everyone.
Social media has made all of us citizen journalists. With a single post, a photograph or a short video, individuals can break news faster than traditional outlets. Information once filtered through newsrooms now travels instantly through personal accounts, reaching audiences worldwide in real time. This has empowered communities, given visibility to the marginalized and expanded access to information in ways unimaginable a generation ago. Yet this same power carries risks. Images can be shared without context. Claims can be repeated without verification. A rumor once confined to private circles can now spread across platforms before truth has a chance to catch up. The same technology that can broaden awareness can also magnify falsehoods, inflame division and damage
Editorial
reputations. Events in recent weeks underscore how fragile these values can be. In the United States, the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted not only headlines but also torrents of online reaction, much of it raw and unfiltered. Some offered compassion and calls for unity. Others mocked or celebrated, leading to firings, suspensions and public apologies. In the Philippines, the stakes are no less visible. Coverage of Senate hearings on alleged “ghost projects” in flood-control spending has highlighted both the importance of public accountability and the danger of misinformation spreading online. Rumors and half-verified claims circulate on social media minutes after testimony ends, often
From folklore to freedom: How the Kapre myth conceals and reveals our fight against corruption
IN the jungles of colonial Philippines, the Spaniards planted more than churches, they planted fear. Among the most enduring is the myth of the Kapre: a towering, tobacco-smoking tree spirit said to haunt the forests. For generations, Filipino children were warned not to wander too far, lest they encounter this dark-skinned giant. But what if the Kapre was not a monster at all? What if he was a man, enslaved, escaped, and mythologized into silence?
This is history that demands a public reckoning. Few Filipinos know that the Parian slave market in Manila, now Binondo, was once a hub of human trafficking. Enslaved people from Timor, Bengal, Papua, and Africa were brought
to the islands, their bodies commodified in grotesque ways, even priced according to tooth-filing patterns, a sacred practice in parts of Southeast Asia. Many escaped into the forests. Called cafres, a Spanish adaptation of the Arabic kafir, meaning nonbeliever, the term became racial shorthand for Black bodies and eventually evolved into Kapre There is a compelling theory that the Kapre myth originated from these fugitives. To prevent locals from joining or helping them, colonial friars allegedly spread tales of monstrous beings lurking in the trees. The Kapre’s dark skin, forest dwelling, and tobacco smoke eerily mirror the image of enslaved Africans and Papuans who had fled into the wilderness. Real people became cautionary legends. Resistance was recast as monstrosity. Spain gave us our own counterpart to Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, the “missing link,” and Neanderthal Man. The myth served its purpose:
it kept Filipinos out of the forests, spaces where rebellion could be whispered, alliances forged, and colonial order disrupted. In this light, the Kapre was not a beast to fear, but a symbol of suppressed truth. Today, we face a different kind of forest, not of trees, but of tangled bureaucracy, entrenched corruption, and institutional decay. And just as colonial myths once kept us from the literal jungle, modern myths keep us from confronting the civic one. “Don’t go there, it’s dangerous” has become “Don’t speak up, it’s futile.” “The Kapre will get you” has become “The system will crush you.” This is not to say folklore has no place in our psyche. Myths like the aswang, nuno sa punso, tiyanak, white lady, tikbalang, duwende, bakunawa, minokawa, sigbin, and manananggal have long reinforced social cohesion, environmental stewardship, and cultural identity. Their persistence, even after centuries u PAGE 7
Honor among thieves
Story, Anvil Publishing, 2010), after initially refusing to do so. “Why should I write your book,” I told him at our first meeting, “when your boss put me in prison?”
A FRATERNITY brother –even older than I am and a longtime emigrant – asked in our group chat, “Didn’t we have corruption before? Why all this outrage now?” So I had to bring him up to speed. “It’s the scale, brother. We’re talking billions, possibly even trillions, of public funds being pocketed by contractors who don’t deliver the goods and put people’s lives at risk, in cahoots with politicians they’ve bought or are related to.
I told him the story of Rudy Cuenca, the self-confessed Marcos crony and boss of the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines, which built some of the largest infrastructure projects under martial law, including the North and South Expressways and San Juanico Bridge, and made Rudy a very rich man.
I happened to co-write Cuenca’s biography (Builder of Bridges: The Rudy Cuenca
“I have stories to tell,” he said, and did he. It wasn’t the money – which ironically was a pittance – but the curiosity that got me on board. And just to show it wasn’t a hack job on my part, the book became a finalist for the National Book Awards for that year.
Rudy – who died two years ago – wasn’t an engineer and didn’t even finish college, but he learned the ropes of contracting doing small bridge projects under the watchful eye of US Army engineers who had him redo the job at a loss if it was substandard. Because American reparations money was involved, the Americans made sure it was well spent.
Cuenca soon learned the other, non-technical aspects of the business. To move up, you had to pay up. I interviewed him in 2009-2010 in his modest office along EDSA near Guadalupe – any aura of big
A FEW months ago, in an interview with VERA Files, I provided observations regarding their research, which showed how stan-style propaganda had begun to infiltrate Philippine politics.
The case of Guo-Tok was very instructive. Despite facing allegations of money laundering, trafficking, and foreign influence, Alice Guo was not primarily discussed as a public official under scrutiny on TikTok. Instead, a cluster of accounts reframed her through fan-like narratives, including TikTok edits like the chicken meme, or mingling at fiestas, and dancing with locals.
These portrayals were not designed to defend her record or address the allegations against her. They were designed to cultivate admiration and intimacy. Audiences were invited to relate
to her as one might to a celebrity. This was not politics in the traditional sense. It was the logic of fandom repurposed for political survival.
The Philippines has long blurred the line between politics and celebrity culture. Joseph Estrada, Manny Pacquiao, and Robin Padilla have all translated their fame into electoral success. What is different in the present moment is the reversal of this trajectory: politicians being manufactured into celebrities online. Snappy short clips, filters, and meme songs are all being utilized. This inversion carries significant consequences. When celebrities enter politics, their fame precedes their office, though they are still expected to prove themselves through governance. But when politicians are deliberately recast as idols, performance displaces accountability.
In recent weeks, partisan political influencers, especially those associated with the Duterte side, have elevated Cavite congressman Kiko Barzaga as a supposed alternative to Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
Sotto’s record is well-docu-
mented: transparent, reform-oriented governance with consistent high public approval. Yet instead of debating that record, the strategy has been to construct a competing persona. Barzaga is framed through selective narratives that emphasize boldness, and bravery against corruption. This tactic echoes what we saw in the case of Guo. It is not a contest of governance but of emotional appeal, the transformation of a politician into an object of admiration. It does help that Cong. Barzaga demonstrates an acumen navigating his own digital presence: He has cat pictures, he has reels, and in many ways, his digital footprint suggests a strong understanding of this fan culture online. What makes this tactic powerful is not just its novelty but its familiarity. The very techniques that sustain pop culture fandoms are being deliberately transposed into the political arena. On platforms like TikTok, short-form edits and fancams are used not to explain policy but to highlight a politician’s charisma, a smile at a rally, or a fleeting display u PAGE 7
wealth and power had long been dimmed by years of exile and dealing with lawsuits – and at that time, he lamented the fact that corruption had gone over the top. A cool and down-toearth kind of guy, he told me in so many words that (and I paraphrase) “In my time, nobody asked, but you gave. The amount was reasonable, and you dealt with just one person. Today, you’re told up front how much to pay, an outrageous sum, and you keep paying up the ladder.
While his statements may be self-serving and certainly liable to be interrogated, they should and do raise eyebrows:
“In the late ’60s, we were looking for funding and supplies for the food terminal. We talked to a bunch of German suppliers and during our discussion they asked us, why is it that the Japanese get called to work with Philippine projects? I said, you know, the Japanese have a style of business that you don’t understand – they know how to give gifts. And they don’t give gifts before, they give gifts after. But you guys are so decent, that’s why you don’t get u PAGE 7
Our nation is possibly in transition. Our citizens are indignant, frustrated with the reported massive corruption which is all over the news. Ghost and sub-standard flood control projects that were funded by our meager resources were uncovered and exposed by an angry President Bongbong Marcos Jr. himself in his last State of the Nation Address.
Indignant students of national colleges walked out of their classes last Friday in an attempt to rally a nation that has been neglected for decades. More open expressions of defiance against our political leaders are expected to be organized by civil society, professionals, academe, employees and workers, retired military and uniformed personnel, religious groups and other organizations who want to put an end to the seemingly collective plunge of a people in crisis.
Further agitated by the violent events in Indonesia and Nepal, our entire nation is also moving. The whole world, watching, deciphering where all these would eventually lead. Sept. 21, 2025 has been targeted as a reckoning day where show of force will be displayed. Messages, though from different directions, will echo in one voice – drastic change is demanded. Accountabilities, expected. Major reforms, clearly required if only to pacify a society that is potentially on the verge of adopting more aggressive options. Poverty is everywhere. Ignored mostly, but persistently seen both in our rural communities and the different corners and turns in our urban centers. Informal settlers, called squatters before, are still slum dwellers despite the different nomenclatures. Most of them live in sub-human conditions in their shanties that could hardly qualify as houses. Bereft of the basic requirements for decent existence, many of our citizens in these forsaken areas constantly struggle to survive dai-
ly for their food. Education is elusive here. And health care is a luxury that could hardly be available.
Official reports claim that we have around four million Filipinos who reside in these areas. We can safely assume that most of them have a very nil chance to escape from this poverty trap. Sadly, the fate of most of their children is certainly the same or even worse. The vicious cycle of poverty causing educational illiteracy, then creating more financial dependence, depriving everyone of adequate medical attention, breeding criminality and forcing the need for more houses to accommodate a growing population of poorer Filipinos. We need an economy that conquers hopelessness. The best antidote to drive poverty out from our midst is for businesses to thrive and increase the number of workers and employees who would be given more than enough wages and salaries. The middle-class
Crossroads in history
growth and expansion is fully established and sustained.
Businesses need stability in government policies, among others. The infrastructure for transportation and connectivity must be addressed and be built with standards that can match the levels of other countries. I’m confident that the new Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon will initiate and roll out the needed network of roads and bridges that provides the robust access of farmers and manufacturers to their market. And work from their homes to the offices must be dependable and convenient. I personally know him, that’s why I’m confident that his relentless attitude towards endless work would fulfill the mission.
Electricity prices and power quality must be comparable with our neighbors. Manufacturing costs must be within the range where our local producers can fairly compete, es-
pecially in the global market. There is a need to revisit the specific provisions of our Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) law. Our energy sector is still amongst the most controlled and dominated by the traditional players. Electricity prices are still relatively higher and the quality of delivered energy is still wanting. Thus, the intentions of the framers of the EPIRA law are still not attained. For several times, I pushed for the ease of doing business issue. I ranted and argued that there are low hanging fruits that can be taken so that businesses, especially the smaller ones, will become successful. Incorporating a new firm takes much longer compared to other countries, where registering a new corporation can be done in three days or less. Here, more than 30 days. And in our country also, a mere barangay official can give even large corporations the headache even for legitimate projects that are
supposed to benefit their communities.
Corruption deprives the country of the ability to support businesses with the solid infrastructure that would allow the uninterrupted creation and flow of goods and wealth. Worse, even the perception of it scares many investors and corporations.
We are now living in a historic juncture where we are being made to select which road to take. We are also in a rare situation where we have to make a decision which role are we going to pursue in the ongoing desire of our people to secure better governance. As the proverbial saying goes, which side of history will you be on? (Philstar.com)
*
* * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Email: arielnepo.philstar.coml
From folklore to freedom: How the...
6
of colonization, speaks to their power.
But we must be careful not to overreach. Reviving folklore alone cannot cure corruption. Corruption is not merely a psychological flaw born of individualism or narcissism, though both may create fertile ground. It is a systemic condition, embedded in weak institutions, historical patronage, and political culture. Even national myths, when manipulated, can become tools of control, weaponized to justify abuses of power, as seen in regimes where propaganda masquerades as unity.
What we need is not superstition, but a civic mythos, a national narrative centered on accountability, transparency, and collective courage. The anti-corruption movements throughout Philippine history, from the Katipunan to EDSA to today’s whistleblowers, are part of this deeper mythos. They are
PAGE 6 jobs here.
our real giants, standing not in legend but in lived resistance. Long before colonial systems imposed hierarchy and fear, our ancestors gathered in the Dapay, a communal stone circle where elders and youth met as equals. No throne, no pulpit, no gatekeeper. Just open dialogue, shared accountability, and consensus rooted in ancestral wisdom. The Dap-ay was more than a meeting place, it was a living architecture of justice, a proto-democracy etched into the highlands. Through this egalitarian system, not coercion or slave labor, our Cordillera ancestors built the Rice Terraces, megaliths of ingenuity shaped by Bayanihan and coordinated through collective governance. A Dap-ay-inspired memorial at the site of the old Parian slave market would be a powerful step. Not a pedestal, but a circle. Not a monument to power, but a space for truth. Designed to honor the enslaved
multitudes who were trafficked, erased, and later mythologized into tools of control, such a memorial would liberate their memory from fear and restore their humanity. The Kapre no longer guards the forest to keep us out. He waits for us to return, to reclaim the stories, the soil, and the sovereignty we were taught to fear.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Eliseo Art Silva is a Filipino artist based in Los Angeles and Manila whose murals and paintings reclaim history, elevate diasporic narratives, and ignite civic dialogue. Best known for the Filipino American Mural in LA and the Talang Gabay Gateway to Filipinotown, Silva fuses myth, scholarship, and activism to restore Filipino identity and authorship to the heart of national and global discourse.
Honor among thieves
“There was already corruption at that time, but it was not rampant and as grossly done as it is done now. If before people would overprice by about five or 10 percent, now it’s about 30 percent.
“You know, construction is the best source of graft. What Imelda did were seven-day wonders.
I didn’t want to have anything to do with those. I was only involved with the reclamation of the area for the Cultural Center. They paid us, but her manager wanted his kickback. Imelda had her own group of contractors, and that’s where they all made money.
“But it wasn’t just then. Do you remember when Pinatubo erupted? The job then was to clear lahar. Now there’s a place in Daly City, San Francisco, that’s known as Lahar City.
The people who live there are Pampangueños who earned lots of money because of the lahar.
“Also during Ramos’ time, Ambuklao Dam was silting. As the dam silts, the ground level goes up and the water gets smaller, so you have to desilt it. Here comes the contractor with a dredger. But instead of doing a proper sounding first, they raised everything, so that difference got factored into the job.
“I don’t have any concrete proof of corruption in the current
administration, but I think it’s safe to say that graft and corruption will always be present, especially in our government. I have heard that contractors – my brother is still a contractor himself –supposedly deliver money to a Cabinet member, who then turns it over to someone in the Palace. But nobody can say that. If you’re at the top, you have a fence, and only the closest people should be able to touch you so that you’re isolated.
“I once told Secretary Vigilar that to reduce corruption in Public Works, they should follow a 10-year plan for big projects, meaning that you will pay the contractor 10 years after the project has been completed to your satisfaction and has been transferred to you. That way the contractor will not be as willing to pay off anyone while the project is ongoing because if he does, he’ll be liable for the quality of the work that he has done. When I asked him why the roads in places like Malaysia seem much better than ours, he said: “It’s simply a matter of greed. In Malaysia there’s also corruption – I’ve lived there, I should know – but the thieves there make their money by overpricing the materials. Here in the Philippines people are extraordinarily greedy. Not only do they overprice, they also steal the materials. The cement’s deficient, the gravel’s deficient.
The tenets of journalism are no...
PAGE 6
contentious situations. A report on a protest should convey both the voices of demonstrators and the responses of officials. Independence calls for freedom from the influence of money, politics or personal ties. A writer who benefits from favors or free services must disclose them openly. Accountability requires taking responsibility for errors and correcting them promptly, whether in print or on digital platforms. Humanity urges compassion. Cruelty, mockery and sensationalism may draw attention, but they diminish dignity. Finally, pub-
PAGE 6
So the thing crumbles that easily.” In other words, there was honor among thieves; sure, they stole, but at least they built up to spec. That was 15 years ago, back when the Discayas and their like were probably driving around in Toyota Corollas and buying microwaveable meals at the 7-11. One day Rudy got up from our interview and said he was going somewhere – to meet up with the new DPWH secretary, Rogelio “Babes” Singson, to offer some unsolicited advice on how to reduce corruption in his department. I don’t know if that meeting or that chat ever happened, but barely a month ago, in a TV interview, Singson was quoted as saying: “In my full six years at the DPWH, I spent only P182 billion for flood control. Look at the 2025 budget with this insertion – where did the P350 billion go?” I never thought I’d miss a Marcos crony, but I’m missing Rudy Cuenca now, as an expert witness to help us sort out this sordid mess. (Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Email me at jose@dalisay.ph and visit my blog at www.penmanila.ph.
lic service reminds us that the purpose of communication is to inform and protect, not merely to provoke. Whether covering a Senate hearing in Manila or documenting a breaking event online anywhere in the world, the test of journalism is always whether it serves the public interest with clarity and integrity.
To teach these principles today is not simply to prepare future reporters. It is to equip citizens with the skills necessary to navigate an information environment where truth and rumor compete on equal footing. It is to remind people that free expression is most powerful when
coupled with responsibility. It is to cultivate a culture in which communication, whether in a newsroom, on a digital platform or in a civic space, contributes to understanding rather than division. Journalism remains a profession, but its principles now belong to all. As social media continues to expand the reach of every voice, the lessons once confined to press clubs and universities must be embraced by society at large. The survival of free expression depends not on how loudly we speak, but on how responsibly we use our voices. (AJPress)
The perils of political idolization...
of supposed relatability. These clips are optimized for emotional resonance, designed to circulate widely and capture the imagination of audiences who may never read a policy brief or a news report.
Alongside these edits, hashtag campaigns create the illusion of mass enthusiasm. Trending topics appear spontaneous but are often coordinated, engineered to project inevitability. Digital visibility itself becomes persuasive: If something trends, many assume it reflects genuine popularity rather than strategic amplification. We've already heard several of our local politicians react to synthetic manipulation like the AI street interview saying if it has high engagement, therefore it must be true—missing the nuance that digital manipulation happens regularly.
Perhaps even more consequential is the cultivation of parasocial intimacy. By selectively revealing aspects of a politician’s daily life, like what they eat, how they greet constituents, and even their moments of levity, audiences are invited into a one-sided relationship. People begin to feel that they know politicians personally, as though proximity online is equivalent to accountability offline.
The problem is that over time, these techniques build communities that function less like civic groups and more like fan bases. Supporters easily become defenders, treating criticism of the politician as a personal attack.
This is why we see so much bickering online. Fandom logic fully supplants democratic log-
ic: Scrutiny is neutralized, and a politician’s legitimacy rests not on performance in office but on the loyalty of their followers, regardless of their mistakes.
The idolization of politicians must be understood as a form of disinformation tactic. It does not always fabricate falsehoods—it reframes perception in ways that distort our own judgment. It weaponizes the aesthetics of relatability to obscure the realities of governance.
We cannot afford to treat this trend as harmless or temporary.
The Guo and Barzaga narratives are not isolated incidents. At this stage, the Guo-tok demonstrated hyper coordination, whereas the Barzaga rise may be a combination of both coordination and political convergence.
But they are all trial runs in a broader playbook designed to immunize officials against accountability and reorient political participation towards emotional loyalty.
If this model persists, along with other tactics of digital manipulation, Philippine politics risks devolving into the logic of fandom entirely. In such a scenario, no record of governance, however strong, will outweigh the power of curated perception and artificial digital noise.
We must stop idolizing politicians. They are not celebrities. They are not objects of admiration. They are public servants entrusted with responsibility. Treating them as idols erodes the very mechanisms of accountability on which democracy depends.
To resist this trend is not to deny the role of personality in
politics—that will always exist. But we must be even more aware that there is an active effort to manipulate our choices and skew them just a little bit in favor of political convenience rather than performance. Admiration, however, cannot be substituted for governance. If we continue down the path of political idolization, we risk dismantling what little remains of democratic accountability. In the future, what will matter is who commands the loudest fandom, who dominates the algorithm, and who can transform politics into performance. George Orwell once warned that “power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.” This is precisely what political idolization attempts: reshaping citizens into admirers, stripping them off their critical faculties.
Do we still see ourselves as citizens of a democracy, or have we already accepted our place as fans in the manufactured reality politicians have made? (Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Gian Libot is an OSINT analyst and
ACCOUNTABILITY. A protester holds a poster with a photo of government contractor Cezarah Discaya during an anti-corruption rally in Quezon City on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. Cops around the area said they apply maximum tolerance as long as protesters do not cause violence. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
From Guest Appearances to Lucky Wins: A Week of Media, Diplomacy,
It will be an honor to guest this coming September 25 on Wej A Minute, the program of Wej Cudiamat, who will be honored as Best Male News Anchor in the Philippines at the 3rd Philippines Finest Business Awards on September 30 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City. This recognition celebrates Cudiamat’s exceptional talent and dedication to delivering news with integrity, clarity, and professionalism. His ability to present critical information in a compelling way has earned the admiration of viewers nationwide. His passion for journalism and dedication to his craft continue to set the standard for excellence in broadcast journalism.
He has extended his deepest gratitude to La Visual Corporation and SIRBISU Channel for this honor. As anchor of Mata ng Agila sa Tanghali and Mata ng Agila Weekend on NET25, he combines professionalism and charisma in his role.
As a journalist, Cudiamat is known for his accuracy and comprehensive reporting. His work goes beyond the headlines, reflecting thorough research and balanced perspectives. His contributions to both daily and weekend newscasts highlight his role in shaping public understanding and strengthening standards in Philippine journalism.
Malaysia’s National Day
At the 68th National Day of Malaysia, recently held at Shangri-La Makati City, I spoke with Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, who graciously welcomed his guests. Among those present were U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson; Connie GuanzonGarcia with her husband, former Ambassador Victor Garcia; artist Ramon Orlina with his Malaysian wife, Lay Ann Lee Orlina; writer Danton Remoto; journalists Arlo Custodio and Chino Hansel Philyang; and Angeli Pangilinan-
THE World Health Organization, starting in 1987, observes “World No Tobacco Day” on May 31st each year to remind people around the globe about the deadly effects on smoking and to inspire smokers to quit the habit as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
The smokers and their family and other people around them are impacted directly and indirectly by this addiction. Globally, there are still about 1.25 billion smokers. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, killing 5 million persons around the globe annually, roughly 22,000 die per day. This is extrapolated to increase to 8 million deaths each year by 2030. And the greater tragedy is that this massive lost of lives could be prevented by the pre-emptive option of abstaining from tobacco or quitting the habit.
At least 321 Filipinos die each day, yes, each day, or about 118,000 a year, from smoking-related illnesses, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic diseases, and cancers, especially lung cancers. In Malaysia about 27,000, and Vietnam at least 100,300, die annually from tobacco-related conditions. Indonesia’s death toll is the worst: about 300,000 a year. The sad fact is that official global tobacco youth survey has revealed that the prevalence of smoking among the 30 million Filipino youth is around 13 percent (3.9 million). “We are losing the war against smoking,” stated the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), indicating that the law has not been effective.
The 2003 act “sets both the guidelines for and regulation of the packaging, sale, distribution, and advertisements of tobacco products,” and also mandating the printing of warnings about the harmful effects of smoking.
“Even the printing of graphic warnings to discourage smoking has been blocked by many lawmakers,” decried an anti-tobacco socio-civic group. “Do they have any vested financial interest to protect?” is the question.
"It is being blocked because of fears it could kill the tobacco industry," stated Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, main author of
and Community
Valenciano.
That night also featured a performance by the students of the Sisters of Mary School of Silang, Cavite. I even won a minor raffle prize courtesy of the Malaysian Embassy Manila.
A Round-Trip Ticket to Kuala Lumpur
During the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 at One Ayala Mall in Makati City, I unexpectedly won a round-trip ticket to Kuala Lumpur, valid for one year. The award was presented onstage by Earl Sanchez, senior marketing executive of AirAsia Philippines— primarily owned by Capital A Berhad through AA Com Travel Philippines Inc. of Malaysia, the parent company of the AirAsia Group.
I immediately shared the news with my cousin, foremost Filipino glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, along with relatives and media friends Arlo Custodio and Chino Hansel Philyang. At the time, I was balancing my online classes for Mabalacat City College— teaching Strategic Management to 4th-year tourism management students and International Business and Trade to 3rd-year
students. That rainy Friday, I held my virtual classes at Seattle’s Coffee shop, right across from the venue. One case study we tackled was an anonymous airline scandal where four passengers were forcibly removed from their seats to accommodate airline employees.
The quiz portion at the launch was hosted by Ms. Anj Maniego, my lucky angelic charm, who asked the question I managed to answer. Still, I wondered: while the airfare is free, where will I stay in Kuala Lumpur to cover Visit Malaysia 2026 ? Hopefully, accommodations and visits to scenic spots will be part of the package. My first trip to Kuala Lumpur was in March 1986, as a United Nations fellow with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs delegation.
Pinay Beauty At the Visit Malaysia 2026 event, I met the amiable Catherine Muguerza, national director of Legend Universal Beauty Pageant Philippines 2025. She kindly invited me to Malaysia.
More TV and Radio Guestings Thanks to Undersecretary
Poison of your choice
the anti-smoking bill, said. Obviously, for political correctness and expediency, majority of our legislators in the Philippine Congress prefer to protect the tobacco industry and allow tobacco to continue to kill our people. What bribes from the tobacco lobby findings their way to the deep pockets of some legislators can do!
Smoking kills. It is that plain and simple. There is no more doubt today that tobacco (cigarette smoking) is the predominant cause of lung cancer, besides other malignancies and cardiovascular diseases that maim, kill men and women and hurt our society, especially our children. In the United States alone, almost half a million die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Demographic studies have shown that smokers are about 10 times more prone to die premature deaths than non-smokers. This unnecessary loss of lives is at an immense direct cost for non-smokers in terms of increased health risks from passive smoking, in higher health insurance premiums and taxes, not to mention personal and family tragedies in all shapes and forms.
As we have alluded to in a previous column, secondhand smoke is even more dangerous. Innocent bystanders are forced to inhale cigarette smoke at their workplaces or in public places, thus increasing their health risk.
The Environmental Protection Agency engineers have shown that even the best available ventilation and air-moving equipment were unable to reduce carcinogenic (cancer-causing) air contamination to a safe level for a non-smoker sharing work space with a habitual smoker. This is like designating a corner of a swimming pool as a “urinating section.”
If you think about it, our government and those of other nations are enabling drug (nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes) peddlers in the name of profit (or bribes?), wantonly sacrificing their citizens’ health and future, shortening people’s lives, wasting trillions of pesos or more of expenditures for research as to how to fight the habit, how to cure the tobacco-induced illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, etc. Allowing the development of addiction and diseases, and then finding a way
Robert Torres Rivera and Nerlisa Elyza Francisco Rivera, hosts of the award-winning DWIZ program Pilipinas, Ngayon Na, for inviting me and singer Sofi Fermazi one Monday afternoon. I also enjoyed a Wednesday morning coffee and tea chat with multi-talented Guia Cruz Buenaventura, host of Coffee, Tea on MHE on Media House Express. My thanks as well to energetic Gilbert De Los Santos and the everengaging Mencho Cabactulan of Magnum Radyo’s Magnum Sabado Night Talk with Magnum Gilbert and Magnum Mencho in Cagayan de Oro City, who welcomed me warmly on a Saturday evening. Visit to Barangay 539 I also had a fruitful visit to Barangay Chairman Christopher Clark Quito of Barangay 539 along Calabash Road Plaza in Sampaloc, Manila. His staff were most accommodating and courteous during my rainy afternoon visit.
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
to fight the addiction and the diseases it causes, is plain stupidity. Having said that, I shall defend the right of people to smoke if they so choose, so long as they respect and do not abridge the right of the non-smokers to protect themselves from the more deadly health effects of secondhand smoke. Those who defend smoking are misinformed or are in denial, and doing a great disservice to the public, especially to the youth.
Unfortunately, the senseless global smoke-filled “killing field,” protected by governments “in the name of revenues (more like for bribes),” will continue. It is, indeed, most tragic for the non-smoking victims.
As a cardiac surgeon, I find the solution too obvious to ignore, equally obvious to billions of non-medical people (including school graders) with common sense: Eliminate the darn cause, get rid of the poison! Then, you don’t have to do expensive research searching for the “antidote” or finding the cure (which is not possible for those who don’t stop inhaling in poison).
Instead, save the billions of dollars in each country and spend the money to eliminate graft and corruption among government officials and eradicate poverty among the destitute, homeless and hungry. This way, we can even have these added bonuses: a smokeless society, a healthier citizenry, a nobler and more compassionate nation, and a less polluted environment, ecologically friendlier to Mother Earth!
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com,
by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is now making it easier for Filipinos to view official records like marriage and birth certificates online.
Earlier this June, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Dennis Mapa issued an advisory regarding the PSA's Serbilis Website. Individuals can request for viewable online copies of PSA certificates — birth, marriage, death, Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), and Certificate of No Death (CENODEATH) — good for 60 days with an access code.
Application fees for viewable online copies are worth P130 (birth, marriage, death) and P185 (CENOMAR, CENODEATH), payable at any PSA Civil Registry System or CRS outlets without the need for an appointment booking.
Mapa compared the Viewable Online service to the Copy Issuance service, except that the resulting document image is not printed on a Security Paper.
Rather, individuals are provided with a Web Access Information Slip containing the web address and access code to view the document online.
There is also an option for printed copies of these certificates by availing of the PSA's DocPrint service, also payable at any PSA CRS outlets without the need for an appointment booking for P80 per copy accompanied by proof of the viewable online copy access code used.
Both services are part of the PSA's Civil Registry System –Information Technology Project Phase II which aims to enhance the delivery of civil registration services to the public.
The PSA advised that payments and/or pick-ups must be made by the document owner, or in the case of deceased persons the nearest of kin, meaning authorized representatives are not allowed. n
Metro Manila mayors want say before nat’l gov’t starts infra projects
by Gillian VillanueVa Inquirer.net
MANILA – Metro Manila mayors are calling on national government agencies to seek their approval first before implementing any infrastructure projects, lamenting that some of these works were done without their knowledge.
In a press conference on Tuesday, September 16, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora stated that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has passed a resolution urging national government agencies to coordinate with the relevant local government units (LGUs) before initiating any public works.
Zamora, who is also the president of MMC, stressed that the resolution concerns not just flood control projects but any kind of infrastructure projects, and concerns all national government agencies, not just the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
This is important for us to avoid the incidents that are happening right now, wherein national government agencies would just start their projects without coordinating with the city government. They start digging and building while our mayors are unaware,” he said in Filipino.
The problem is, when these projects are revealed to have irregularities, that’s when people would start pointing fingers and blaming each other,” Zamora added.
According to Zamora, the MMC resolution is in support of the directive issued by President Marcos, who earlier ordered national agencies to secure the approval of LGUs before implementing national government-funded projects.
“When it comes to what we call ‘ghost projects,’ if our mayors have the authority to accept projects,
then, before we approve them, we can check if these works were indeed completed properly, if the scope of work was followed, and if it really exists,” Zamora said.
He added that by giving mayors authority to approve projects, they will now also become accountable should there be irregularities found with the given work.
If we accept these projects, that means we saw it. We knew that this project was done properly, and we become part of [the process of] accountability,” Zamora said. “Of course, we will not accept projects that we know are substandard, and we will not accept any project that we know are nonexistent, or what we call ‘ghost’ projects.”
During the briefing, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said consultations between the national and local governments should begin in the “planning stage” in order to make sure that projects are in line with the needs of the city or municipality.
“If possible, national government agencies implementing projects should inform us first so we can talk about it and to see if it is part of our priority agenda,” she said.
For Mayor Gerald German of the municipality of Pateros, national government agencies should secure a “permit” from the LGU first in order to ensure that projects are implemented properly.
“No permit, no construction. No permit, no implementation of the project,” he said. The move was supported by Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, who lamented the problems caused by the sudden implementation of an infrastructure project, such as the buildup of traffic.
“It’s been a long time. Local and national had no coordination ever
since. Sometimes there would be vertical and horizontal projects, and traffic becomes a mess because there’s no traffic plan and these projects would just suddenly be implemented, suddenly appear,” she said.
Sandoval shared that she also once questioned the construction of a pumping station in an area that already has one, lamenting that the fund should have been used for other projects for the city.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, meanwhile, brought up the suggestion that the DPWH should let the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) “synchronize and unify” all flood control projects in Metro Manila.
“This is also to avoid [the problem of] a pumping station being built every meter. Public funds are being wasted because it is not synchronized with the Metro Manila flood control plan,” he said.
Domagosa also said that LGUs should be consulted first for guidance and approval when it comes to the DPWH’s flood mitigation program.
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez added that private-public partnerships initiated by national agencies, such as the DPWH and the Department of Transportation, should also be well-coordinated with the LGU.
“[Projects] like the C5 south lane, the [North South Commuter Railway], these will pass through areas with right-of-way and hit certain infrastructures. These should be well-coordinated with the LGUs so we can help implement these projects, and those affected will be given a solution,” he said.
I think every member of the MMC will agree that LGUs are more knowledgeable about the situation of their area,” he added. n
PSA photo
Net25’s Wej Cudiamat will interview Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina on September 25.
Rogelio Constantino Medina is on the line at Cagayan de Oro City’s Magnum Radyo with Gilbert delos Santos (left) and Mencho Cabactulan.
Catherine Muguerza and Rogelio Constantino Medina.
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina (right) with Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.
Earl Sanchez, senior executive for marketing of Air Asia Philippines, and Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina.
(From left) Lady Elyza, Usec. Robert Rivera, Sofi Fermazi and Rogelio Constantino Medina.
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina with the staff members of barangay hall in Barangay 539, Sampaloc, Manila.
Rogelio Constantino Medina’s visit to Chairman Christopher Clark Quito (left) of Barangay 539 in Sampaloc, Manila.
Media House Express’s Guia Cruz Buenaventura with Rogelio Constantino Medina
ASIAN
Rising tennis star Alex Eala has built a strong portfolio of brand partnerships. Yet false claims about luxury contracts and multimillion-dollar offers have repeatedly surfaced online
by AJPress
MANILA — Alexandra “Alex”
Eala’s rapid ascent on the global tennis stage has made her one of the Philippines’ most visible young athletes. Her discipline and talent have attracted endorsements from respected companies. At the same time, her name has been repeatedly tied to fabricated sponsorship stories that thrive on social media and often overshadow her real achievements.
Verified endorsements
Eala’s roster of genuine partners reflects both her Filipino roots and her growing stature in international sport.
Globe Telecom signed her as an ambassador at only eight years old. Babolat supplies her Pure Aero 2023 racket, while Nike outfits her on court. The Bank of the Philippine Islands highlights her as an endorser promoting discipline and financial literacy, and in July 2025, she was introduced as ambassador for Locally Juice. Together, these partnerships
provide crucial support as she builds her professional career.
Debunked claims The endorsements she has secured have been overshadowed at times by false reports.
A Facebook post alleging that Wilson had offered her a US$45 million contract was debunked by fact-checking outlets. Rumors of a Yonex racket engraved with “Philippine Icon” are untrue, as she remains under contract with Babolat.
Social media claims of an Emirates Airlines sponsorship were also flagged as fake, with no official announcement to back them.
Why the fakes persist Observers note that misinformation flourishes around Eala because of the prestige of global brands, the allure of exaggerated figures, and the pride Filipinos feel in seeing one of their own linked to international recognition.
In a fast-moving social media environment, unverified claims often spread faster than the steady confirmation of real deals,
and gaps in coverage of sponsorship contracts leave room for falsehoods to circulate before they are corrected. Protecting the narrative Eala’s real story is already inspiring. She has collected Grand Slam junior titles, climbed steadily in the WTA rankings, and secured endorsements from trusted companies that recognize her discipline and talent. Still at the beginning of her professional journey, she continues to affirm her potential through legitimate partnerships that provide both support and credibility. That promise was further validated in Guadalajara this year, when she captured her first WTA 125 singles title. The victory made her the first Filipina to win a WTA Challenger-level event, a milestone that underscores both her historic rise and the promise of what lies ahead.
As her career develops, separating fact from fiction will be essential not only for her brand, but also for the integrity of Philippine sports narratives.
ROBERT Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, acclaimed director, and pioneering advocate for independent cinema, has died. He passed away on September 16, 2025, in Sundance, Utah, at the age of 89, according to his publicist, Cindi Berger of Rogers & Cowan PMK. She confirmed that Redford died peacefully in his sleep at his home, surrounded by loved ones. No cause of death was disclosed.
From matinee idol to Hollywood icon
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most enduring figures in Hollywood. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Redford earned global recognition for roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men(1976), and Out of Africa (1985). Known for his effortless charm and commitment to authentic storytelling, he embodied a distinctly American stardom that balanced rugged appeal with sophistication.
Acclaimed director and producer Redford transitioned successfully behind the camera, directing Ordinary People (1980), which won four Academy Awards, including Best Director for him and Best Picture. In 2002, the Academy honored him with an Honorary Oscar, and in 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing both his artistic impact and his public service.
BINI makes history with Coachella debut
by AJPress
INDIO, California — Filipino pop sensation BINI is confirmed to perform at Coachella 2026, making history as the first all-Filipino girl group to join the lineup.
The festival, happening April 10–12 and April 17–19, 2026 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, will feature headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Bieber will headline Coachella for the first time, while Carpenter returns after her 2024 debut to lead both Fridays of the event.
Colombian superstar Karol G, known globally for her reggaeton and Latin pop anthems, joins the bill as a headliner, reflecting Coachella’s continued embrace of international talent.
BINI is confirmed for April 10 and April 17, the opening day of each weekend, where they will share the bill with international acts including The XX, Katseye, and Teddy Swims. Their appearance marks a milestone for P-pop and Filipino representation at one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals.
BINI, an eight-member girl group under ABS-CBN’s Star Music and Star Magic, is often referred to as the “nation’s girl group.” Since their debut in 2021, they have risen to the forefront of P-pop with hit singles like “Born to Win” and “Pantropiko,” earning a loyal fan base known as the Blooms. With their synchronized performances and distinct Filipino pop sound, the group has become one of Southeast Asia’s leading acts. P-pop, short for Pinoy pop or Philippine pop, is a
growing genre that blends global pop influences with Filipino language, style, and identity. Inspired in part by K-pop and J-pop’s polished training and performance systems, P-pop distinguishes itself through Filipino lyrics, storytelling, and cultural flavor. Groups like SB19 paved the way, while newer acts such as BINI and BGYO have pushed the genre into mainstream recognition, with fandoms helping carry P-pop onto international stages. Launched in 1999, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has grown into one of the most influential cultural events in the world, attracting more
than 100,000 festivalgoers each weekend. Known for its star-studded lineups, surprise guest appearances, and largescale art installations, Coachella has become a career-defining stage for artists ranging from Beyoncé and Blackpink to Harry Styles and Bad Bunny. For many performers, the festival represents a pivotal step toward international recognition. With their sold-out concerts and viral tracks, BINI’s Coachella performance is expected to cement their place as one of the Philippines’ and Southeast Asia’s most prominent music exports, bringing P-pop to a global audience.
Founder of Sundance and advocate for independent voices In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, establishing a haven for emerging filmmakers and reshaping the independent film industry. The annual Sundance Film Festival in Utah grew into one of the world’s premier platforms for discovering fresh talent, launching the careers of countless directors and films. Beyond cinema, Redford was a dedicated environmentalist. He established The Redford Center, supporting projects that promoted conservation, climate awareness, and sustainable storytelling. He lived much of his life in Utah, drawn to its landscapes and committed to protecting them. Family and personal life Redford married historian Lola Van Wagenen in 1958; they had four children: Scott (who died in infancy), Shauna, James (who died in 2020), and Amy. The marriage
ended in 1985. In 2009, he wed German-born artist Sibylle Szaggars, who survives him along with his daughters and several grandchildren. Tributes and legacy Tributes poured in from the film world and beyond. Actress Meryl Streep remembered him as “one of the lions” of American cinema, while author Stephen King praised him as part of “a new and exciting Hollywood in the ’70s and ’80s.” Directors, actors, and festival alumni highlighted his profound influence not just as a performer but as a mentor who gave others a chance to tell their stories.
An enduring influence Robert Redford’s passing marks the close of a remarkable career, but his influence endures. From the iconic roles he portrayed to the groundbreaking films he directed and the filmmakers he championed, his impact on cinema and culture remains immeasurable.
Photo from Facebook/@BINI
by AJPress
MANILA -
As climate change fuels stronger typhoons and rising floodwaters, environmental advocates are reminding Filipinos that some of the most powerful defenses are not built from concrete but grown from the ground up.
In the September 12, 2025 season finale of The Chairman’s Report, the Haribon Foundation and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) highlighted how forest restoration, mangrove rehabilitation, and biodiversity protection can serve as sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional flood-control infrastructure.
Mangroves as natural seawalls
Haribon’s Head of Strategic Partnerships Erika Bergara stressed that mangroves play a dual role. They blunt the force of storm surges while sustaining coastal livelihoods.
“If we invest in reforesting our mangroves, we’re actually creating or supporting a larger coastal industry as well in protecting all the other life that happens in our
coasts,” Bergara said. CFO Chairperson and program host Dante “Klink” Ang II added: “Building concrete seawalls may not be as effective as planting mangroves. The mangroves will probably last longer.”
On the ground in Quezon Province
Haribon has been active in Quezon Province where it has partnered with Manulife Philippines on a mangrove restoration program in Infanta. The initiative will see 15,000 mangrove seedlings planted over three years in priority conservation areas. Since 2022, the Haribon-Manulife partnership has already planted more than 21,250 native tree seedlings across 17 hectares in the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, and Zambales. These efforts form part of Haribon’s Forests for Lifemovement, which uses science-based methods and local partnerships to restore ecosystems.
The Philippines’ natural wealth The Philippines is recognized globally as one of only 17
“megadiverse” countries, home to unique species of coral, trees, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.
Bergara noted that protecting this diversity is critical not only for climate resilience but also for cultural and economic survival. Ang echoed that point, saying many Filipinos may be “sitting on wealth that they don’t know about,” referring to untapped biodiversity resources.
Diaspora-driven support
Through the CFO’s Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) program, overseas Filipinos can directly support biodiversity and reforestation projects. LINKAPIL, established in 1989, channels donations into local development efforts ranging from livelihood and education to health and small-scale infrastructure.
By working with Haribon, the program now connects the Filipino diaspora to forest and mangrove restoration, projects that promise not only stronger communities but also a stronger natural shield against disasters.
Daniel Padilla, Kaila Estrada’s photos resurface amid relationship rumors
by jessica ann eVanGelista Inquirer.net
DANIEL Padilla and Kaila Estrada‘s photos spending time together have resurfaced on social media after showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz claimed that the two are officially together.
A post from a Reddit user three months ago circulated once again on the internet showing a photo of Padilla and Estrada together during a movie night with actor Igi Boy Flores.
The old post also included another photo of the actors during a karaoke night, separate photos of them wearing the same shirt, and a screenshot of Padilla’s family following Estrada on Instagram.
The resurfaced photos came after Diaz claimed in the Sept. 16 episode of his vlog that Padilla and Estrada are making beautiful music together, and were even seen hanging out two nights ago.
Akala ko rin naman (hindi sila), sa akin naman ay may nag-confirm lang naman. Importanteng marinig natin si Daniel at Kaila kung gaano ito katotoo,” said Diaz. (I thought so too that they are not, but I just had someone confirm it. It’s important for us to hear from Daniel and Kaila how true this is.) Meron akong friend na na-
kakita sa kanila at nakasabay sila sa Powerplant (Rockwell) na nanood sina Kaila at Daniel […] O, hayan nakita na naman silang magkasama two nights ago, spotted sila at sila’y nagkakamabutihan,” added the showbiz vlogger. (I have a friend who saw them at Powerplant Rockwell. They were seen together again two nights ago, they were spotted, and they were getting along well.) As of writing, Padilla and Estrada, who previously worked together in the action drama
series “Incognito,” have yet to confirm or deny the dating rumors.
Padilla was previously in a long-term relationship with Kathryn Bernardo, while Estrada said in the past that romance is not her priority right now as it could be a “distraction” to her blossoming career. No, I feel like my priority right now is really my career. I feel like I don’t want to be distracted, so parang hindi ko pa siya binibigyan ng time at the moment talaga,” she said at the time.
by anne Pasajol Inquirer.net
FILIPINO-American singer
Jessica Sanchez has further left viewers in awe as she delivered a moving rendition of JVKE’s “Golden Hour” for the semifinals of the reality competition “America’s Got Talent.” Sanchez, who is already at the 9th month of her pregnancy, owned the stage in her deep green floor length dress on Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the United States (Wednesday, Sept. 17 Philippine time).
Show judges Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell and Mel B stood from their seats after Sanchez’s performance, while Howie Mandel applauded her.
“I’m so proud that you are my golden buzzer,” Vergara declared. “You get better and better your—it’s perfection. Mandel then pointed out the importance of the right song choice.
“America’s going to decide whether that was the right song choice. For me, it’s just the choice,” he argued, earning boos from the audience. “And hopefully they love that song more than me.” Mel B, for her part, described the singer’s vocals as “magic,” even noting the similarities of the latter’s range to Songbird
Supreme Mariah Carey’s. “You can go up, down, and around the corners, and you always land on point. Cowell, meanwhile, expressed his delight over Sanchez’s song choice as it showed a different part of [her] voice.” And you know what’s brilliant about you, Jessica, is not only you are talented— you’ve never given up over all these years… Timing is everything, by the way,” he underscored.
“And, importantly, you are very, very likable. You know ev-
eryone I talk to is talking about you, how much they like you. So, I think we are gonna be seeing you next week,” Cowell added. Speaking about competing while nearing childbirth, Sanchez said it is a very exciting moment for her. “I just keep telling my baby, ‘Please just stay in there another week.
by BrooKe VilllanueVa Philstar.com
GERALD Anderson and Julia Barretto are no longer together.
Star Magic confirmed their split in a statement released on social media on Thursday, Sept. 18, saying they “mutually decided to end their relationship.”
We request the public to respect their decision and refrain from spreading false narratives,” it said.
Gerald and Julia are grateful to their fans and friends for the love and support,” it added.
The two sparked dating rumors a few months after the release of their 2019 movie Between Maybes. The actor eventually confirmed their romance in an interview with Boy Abunda in March 2021.
In July 2023, Anderson revealed that marrying Barretto was part of his five-year plan in life, noting how “happy” and “at ease” their relationship had been.
In June 2024, he shared he was "close" to getting hitched and settling down. "Malapit-lapit na. Siyempre, 35 na po ako," he
pointed out in an interview with Karen Davila.
"That's why I'm doing all of this kasi gusto kong maalagaan ang mga anak ko na wala silang iisipin," he continued, referring to his businesses and showbiz work. Everything I do in life is leading up to, you know, sa aspeto na
'yan,"
by anne Pasajol Inquirer.net
SHARON Cuneta delighted her fans after she took a pause from her self-imposed social media break and revealed she is gearing up for a new television project.
The Megastar made the announcement on her Instagram page on Monday, Sept. 15, about three weeks after she started her internet detox.
Hi. How are you all? I miss you. But I have been enjoying my time away,” she said.
I’ll be on TV again soon, but you’ll probably be seeing less and less of me. Slowing down a bit now,” she said, without expounding.
Cuneta then expressed her appreciation for her fans and said, “Always thinking of you guys.
I love you all very much. God bless you!”
While no further details on the upcoming TV project were immediately disclosed, Cuneta’s elated fans nonetheless looked forward to it and celebrated her brief return to social media via the comments section.
Cuneta’s most recent TV project was the 2024 series “Saving Grace,” where she starred alongside Julia Montes, Sam Milby and child actor Zia Grace, among others. Meanwhile, Cuneta started her social media detox last Aug. 28, saying her “mind and emotions are going to take a vacation from everything extra.”
ORGANIZERS of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) denied claims that veteran actress Vilma Santos was given the snub as a Hall of Fame awardee at the film festival’s 50th anniversary event last Sept. 12, which coincided with its launch of a coffee table book.
The claim stemmed from social media posts from supposed fans of the Star for All Seasons, who was looking to see her in the roster of other artists who were recognized in the event, among them, Judy Ann Santos, Maricel Soriano, and Amy Austria. This, despite her having won five best actress awards since 2019.
In a statement on Facebook by MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer, he said that Santos, who is the current Batangas City governor, was actually invited as an awardee alongside other artists, but that she was unavailable on said date.
“She (Santos) was invited to the MMFF Book Launch event last Friday. (Bryan Diamante told Atty Rochelle Ona that the governor just had a prior engagement. Sayang talaga, because we were all there at the MIBF na),” said Ferrer.
Diamante is a film producer at Mentorque which produced Santos’ last movie, “Uninvited,” for which she got her most recent best actress award. Ona, meanwhile, is the executive director of the MMFF.
Our dear Ate Vi (Santos) was inducted to the Hall Of Fame (as Best Actress) last 2019 along with Maricel Soriano (who both got 5 MMFF trophies and Amy Austria (who got 3); and Ate Guy (who had 8),” he further said.
Ferrer’s comment sought to address a netizen’s claim that Santos “never received such honor” from the festival.
To note, an actor, creative,
producer, writer, filmmaker, or production worker will be inducted into the MMFF Hall of Fame if they win three or more awards in the same category. Santos is currently tied with Soriano in having five Best Actress awards, while Austria has three. The late Nora Aunor holds the record with eight plums. At the book launch, Aunor was represented by her daughter, Lotlot de Leon. Other notable MMFF Hall of Fame awardees include Christopher de Leon, who holds the record for most Best Actor wins with eight. According to Ferrer, Soriano and Austria were also unavailable to join the event, as the Diamond Star was busy with filming.
Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson
Photos from Instagram/@juliabarretto
Jessica Sanchez
Photo from
Vilma Santos during her book launch at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair. Photos from Facebook/Vilma Santos-Recto Sharon Cuneta Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
he said of a married life. The two fueled breakup speculations in June this year when eagle-eyed social media noticed that they were no longer sharing couple photos online. Anderson, at the time, stressed in an interview with Toni Gonzaga that they were "okay."
These California desert communities are seeing a gold rush
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — New wealth is flowing into the Coachella Valley, reshaping desert cities from Palm Springs to Rancho Mirage. Affluent buyers, often paying in cash, are driving income growth and fueling luxury development even as the broader housing market cools. Nationally, nearly one in three homes is bought without a mortgage, and local agents say the trend is especially visible in resort areas.
Rising incomes
The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show median household income at $145,313 in Indian Wells, $109,943 in Rancho Mirage, $97,628 in La Quinta,
and $71,979 in Palm Springs. Working-class cities are also catching up: Coachella’s income climbed from about $40,000 in 2020 to $67,558 in 2023, a 68% jump. Cathedral City rose 13% over the same period, while La Quinta gained 9%.
Disney’s Cotino effect Rancho Mirage has become the focal point of the Valley’s new building wave. Disney’s Cotino community, a 1,900-home project built around a 24-acre lagoon, welcomed its first residents this year. Homes are priced from the upper $1 millions, and city officials expect the project to attract retirees and second-home buyers seeking lifestyle amenities.
What it means for the Valley Developers and local leaders frame the surge as a long-term economic opportunity, citing job creation and higher tax revenues. Yet housing advocates warn of affordability pressures and note ongoing disputes tied to displaced mobile-home residents near Cotino.
The Coachella Valley is splitting into two tracks: wealthy enclaves such as Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage consolidating their high-income profile, and cities like Coachella posting the fastest percentage gains from a lower base. With cash buyers and marquee projects reshaping the landscape, the desert’s transformation is only accelerating.
San Diego City Council approves phased $25 tourism worker wage
by
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego City Council voted 8–0 on September 16, 2025, to adopt a wage ordinance that will raise minimum pay for thousands of hospitality and event-center workers to $25 an hour by 2030.
The measure covers employees at large hotels with 150 rooms or more, amusement parks such as SeaWorld, and major event venues including Petco Park, Pechanga Arena, the San Diego Convention Center, Civic Theatre, and Snapdragon Stadium. According to city estimates, about 89 hotels—roughly one-quarter of all properties within city limits—fall under the new rule.
Phase-in schedule
Beginning July 1, 2026, workers at hotels and amusement parks will earn $19 per hour, in-
creasing annually until reaching $25 on July 1, 2030. Event-center employees start higher, at $21.06 in 2026, with the same $25 endpoint.
Exemptions
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, operated by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, are exempt. San Diego State University–owned venues, such as Viejas Arena and the Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheatre, are also not covered. This means coverage is limited to large hotels, amusement parks, and certain event venues only.
Support and opposition Labor advocates, including UNITE HERE Local 30, argued the raise is necessary given San Diego’s high cost of living, where the estimated living wage is about $30.71 an hour for a single adult. Backers say the policy will reduce turnover and stabilize the
city’s tourism workforce. Opposition came from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and large employers such as the Padres organization, who warned that singling out tourism could lead to higher ticket prices, job reductions, or business strain.
The Independent Budget Analyst acknowledged that while higher wages could benefit workers, businesses may respond by cutting hours, raising prices, or limiting new hiring.
Clarifying the details
The $25 wage is not immediate; it is phased in over four years. Coverage is limited to large hotels, amusement parks, and designated event venues. The San Diego Zoo and SDSU-run facilities are explicitly exempt. As such, claims that all tourism workers in San Diego are now earning $25 are false or misleading.
by AJPress
SAN DIEGO — People experiencing homelessness, those with mental health conditions or substance use disorders, and former foster youth may now be eligible for new services offered through Medi-Cal.
The programs, Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports, are available at no cost to members enrolled in one of the region’s four Medi-Cal health plans: Blue Shield Promise, Community Health Group, Kaiser Permanente, or Molina Healthcare.
Enhanced Care Management provides a care manager to help coordinate health needs — from scheduling doctor’s appoint-
ments and explaining medications to arranging transportation. Community Supports offer short-term help such as housing deposits, utility assistance, safe recovery spaces after hospitalization, and access to healthy meals.
To spread the word, the County of San Diego and its partners are hosting a series of community events that will feature information sessions and resource fairs connecting attendees directly with services. Meals, childcare, and gift card incentives will be provided at each event.
Upcoming sessions:
• Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. —
Border View Family YMCA, 3601
Arey Dr., San Diego
• Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
— Copley-Price Family YMCA, 4300 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Escondido Center for Community Well-Being, 649 W. Mission Ave. #1, Escondido • Nov. 8, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave., El Cajon
• Nov. 22, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Mira Mesa Senior Center, 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego
• Dec. 9, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. —
Virtual
Medi-Cal members can check eligibility by calling the customer service number on the back of their health plan card.
(Source: Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office)
Bela Padilla: Basic governance should
be a prerequisite for public officials
by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
ACTRESS-filmmaker Bela Pa-
dilla believes any regular person is a better fit for public office than several currently in power because of a lack of basic governance knowledge.
Bela sat down for an interview with Karen Davila for the latter’s YouTube channel, where the broadcast journalist asked if Bela ever considered entering the political arena given her writing prowess and strong opinions.
The actress said she does not think her presence is needed in politics but would not close the door as she “will be where people need me and go where I need to go.” At this moment, Bela believes her calling is to be an actress and a filmmaker.
“Honestly, right now, I feel like anybody can be a politician,” Bela continued. “At the state of how our country is, I would pick a random person off the street right now and choose them to be there instead of the people we have at the moment.” For Bela, there are people more capable at jobs given so easily to people who are not.
The actress revealed that among her pet peeves are people who run for office but who do not study basic governance, which she believes should be a prerequisite to even be considered for a public post.
She pointed out that there is a three-day course for neophyte congressmen but not all attend the sessions, “Shouldn’t that be mandatory? Also if they don’t go, who gets mad? Who checks?”
In the same interview, Bela praised her uncle and ac-
tor-turned-politician Robin Padilla, while also pointing out differences in their stances and approaches to their beliefs. Bela also talked about people wearing multiple designer brands all at once after being asked about the differences in lifestyle in London, where she was based for four years prior to her return this year, and the Philippines, where upon her re-
turn, the topic of nepo babies has the country in discussion about their lavish lifestyles.
“You don’t see people wearing branded stuff, like, super in your face, you know? If they do, it’s one. It’s one piece in their whole outfit,” Bela said. Nababaduyan kasi ako. Brand on brand on brand. Guys, have some, ano naman, have some class. Kainis!”
by AJPress
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Superior Court is alerting residents to an uptick in sophisticated scams that use forged court orders and other fake documents to pressure people into paying money. Court officials say bogus notices were sent to residents as recently as this week.
The claim
Scammers tell targets they owe court fines or have an arrest warrant and must pay immediately, sometimes by cash, money order, or peer-to-peer apps.
The facts
False. The Court says it does not contact people by phone or text to demand payments, will never insist on cash, and does not accept Venmo, PayPal, Zelle or similar services. Official notices come by U.S. mail or by e-service only if a party has opted in. Legitimate documents include a case number that can be verified in the Court’s online index.
What the Court is seeing now
Scammers are circulating fake orders and notices that claim res-
idents have outstanding arrest warrants which can be resolved if they pay immediately. In one recent case, a fraudster even fabricated the appearance of a new lawsuit, then demanded “fees” from the supposed defendant to address it. Local reports indicate the same patterns emerging this week, with fraudulent paperwork tied to alleged warrants, traffic violations, and missed jury duty—all designed to pressure people into handing over money.How to spot a fake
According to the Court, red flags include: out-of-state phone or text messages, documents with wrong logos or odd formatting, a first notice that already says you “owe a judgment,” and any demand to meet a specific person to hand over money.
Protecting the public
The scams take advantage of people’s fear of arrest or contempt of court. State judicial officials emphasize that genuine jury or court obligations are handled through official notices and hearings—not sudden demands
Another clear warning sign is when the very first document someone receives already states that a judgment is owed; in real cases, residents are always given notice and an opportunity to be heard before any judgment is entered.What to do if you are targeted Hang up on suspicious calls, keep any documents for reporting, verify through the Court Index, and report persistent scammers to local law enforcement. You can also report fraud attempts to the Federal Trade Commission.
by AJPress
SAN DIEGO — The City of San Diego is reminding property owners that the deadline to set up customer accounts for trash and recycling services is Sept. 30. Residents must select their service level and bin sizes before the City begins delivering new containers on Oct. 6.
The update follows the implementation of voter-approved Measure B and the adoption of a new Solid Waste Management Fee
earlier this year. Eligible property owners received mailed notifications with unique property codes to create an account at sandiego. gov/trash. A second mailer is being sent this week to those who misplaced their code.
“Creating an account empowers customers to track their service, manage container needs, and ensure they receive the right bins,” said Jeremy Bauer, assistant director for Environmental Services.
New gray trash bins and lightfor money by phone or text. Falling victim to these schemes risks both financial loss and exposure to identity theft. Clarifying the details The Court stresses that it does not call or text individuals to resolve fines or warrants, and any such outreach should be treated as a red flag. It also emphasizes that legitimate payments are never limited to cash or gift-card style methods, and services such as Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle are not accepted.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES SERVICES
AJPress by AJPress
Bela Padilla
Photo from Instagram/@bela
LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES
be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 10/24/2025 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. N-25 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North County Division 325 S. Melrose Dr Vista, CA 92081 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: SEP 09, 2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Brad A. Weinreb Judge Of The Superior Court AJ 1762 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, and 10/03/2025. ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1762
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9014463
Strong Realty located at 10620 Treena Street, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92131. Registrant: Jenny Trac, 1313 N. Milpitas Blvd., Suite 245, Milpitas, CA 95035. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Jenny Trac. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/29/2025. AJ 1757 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025. AJSD 1757
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016878
The Avenue Jewelry located at 2015 Birch Rd #217, Chula Vista, CA 91915. Registrant: Crafter Brothers INC, 3030 Plaza Rd Suite 2437, National City, 91950. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/03/2025. Signature: Giovanni Charaf. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/03/2025. AJ 1758 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025.
CASE NUMBER: 25CU047920N TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Betty Jane McIntire filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Betty Jane McIntire to Bj McIntire THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 10/24/2025 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. N-25
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North County Division 325 Melrose Dr Vista, CA 92081
A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: SEP 11, 2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT
Brad A. Weinreb Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1763 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1763
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016547
Loko Bean Cafe LLC located at 1332 W San Ysidro Blvd., D, San Ysidro, CA 92173.
Registrant: Loko Bean Cafe LLC, 1332 W San Ysidro Blvd., D, San Ysidro, CA 92173.
This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/03/2020.
Signature: Irene N Romero. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/27/2025. AJ 1759 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017618
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9015681
Daisy Pins located at 6029 Alleghany Street, San Diego, CA 92139.
Registrant: a. Stacy Del Valle, 6029 Alleghany Street, San Diego, CA 92139. b. Alejandro Flores Lopez, 6029 Alleghany Street, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by Married Couple.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2021.
Signature: Stacy Del Valle. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/14/2025. AJ 1748 08/29, 09/05, 09/12, 09/19/2025. AJSD 1748
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
NO. 2025-9016412
a. Jungle X located at 427 C St., Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92101.
b. Play located at 427 C St., Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92101.
Registrant: Karan LLC, 8770 Elden St., La Mesa, CA 91942. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/01/20225.
Signature: Firat Ercan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/26/2025. AJ 1751 08/29, 09/05, 09/12, 09/19/2025. AJSD 1751
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016354
Alpha Nutrition located at 148 W. San Ysidro Blvd Unit A, San Ysidro CA 92173. Registrant: Rosa Conde,148 W. San Ysidro Blvd Unit A, San Ysidro CA 921732413 Reo Drive, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Rosa Conde. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/26/2025. AJ 1754 09/05, 09/12, 09/19, and 09/26/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017282
Trust Mobile Mechanic located at 9740 Campo Road, 1041, Spring Valley, CA 91977.
Registrant: TM Engineering LLC, 1809 Jake Mills Ct, San Diego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2025.
Signature: Irwin Cortez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2025. AJ 1761 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017683
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9015103
415 Camden Associates located at 132 W 8th St, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: a. Allan W Ziman, 132 W 8th St, National City, CA 91950. b. Helene B Ziman, 132 W 8th St, National City, CA 91950. c. Stacy B Parselany, 132 W 8th St, National City, CA 91950 d. Jared B Ziman, 132 W 8th St,
Registrant: Path Physical Therapy PC, 885 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024.. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2025. Signature: Alejandro Cerna. Statement filed with Recorder/ County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/14/2025. AJ 1767 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1767
Bikini Vibes located at 1543 Clovis Ct., Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Francis Duran, 1543 Clovis Ct., Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/12/2025.
Signature: Francis Duran. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/12/2025. AJ 1768 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1768
a. Gen Thai located at 9490 Cuyamaca St #200, Santee, CA 92071.
b. Gen Thai Street Food located at 9490 Cuyamaca St #200, Santee, CA 92071.
Registrant: The Cube SD LLC, 45 E 12th St. #314, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/27/2025. Signature: Tanapat Thungkanapak. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/15/2025. AJ 1769 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1769
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9015780
Seoul Street located at 4463 Camino De La Plaza #117, San Ysidro, CA 92173. Registrant: Sang Hyup Kim, 1404 Montera St, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/07/2024. Signature: Sang Hyup Kim. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/18/2025. AJ 1750 08/29, 09/05, 09/12, 09/19/2025. AJSD 1750
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016039
Elite Computers located at 4528 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.
Registrant: Joseph Kheder, 4528 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/31/1996.
Signature: Joseph Kheder. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/21/2025. AJ 1752 09/05, 09/12, 09/19, and 09/26/2025. AJSD 1752
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016812
Bicky Wilroy Realty located at 3045 Pointe Parkway, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Bichloan H. Wilroy, 3045 Pointe Parkway, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/02/2025. Signature: Bichloan H. Wilroy. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/02/2025. AJ 1755 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017386
Modern Meridians located at 9474 Kearny Villa #113 Rd., San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant: Ashten Goolsby, 7506 Alonda Way, San Diego, CA 92126. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Ashten Goolsby. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/10/2025. AJ 1764 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1764
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017280
CLICKUP located at 350 10th Avenue, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92101. Registrant: Mango Technologies INC, 350 10th Avenue, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/01/2016. Signature: Derek Dahlin. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2025. AJ 1770 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1770
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016523
Yemi Envios Y Novedades located at 141 National City Blvd, National City, CA 91950.
Registrant: Maria De Jesus Y. Macias Herrera, 2413 Reo Drive, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Maria De Jesus Y. Macias Herrera. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/27/2025. AJ 1753 09/05, 09/12, 09/19, and 09/26/2025. AJSD 1753
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016649
White Glove Coatings located at 3137 Boston Ave Apt 7, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Jorge Chavez, 3137 Boston Ave Apt 7, San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Jorge Chavez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/28/2025. AJ 1756 09/12, 09/19, 09/26, 10/03/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9016705
Serenity Villa at 228 Iron Drive, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant: Aging Gracefully Care Homes LLC, 1895 Avenida del Oro #6605, Oceanside CA 92052. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/29/2025.
Signature: Irene Palad. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/29/2025. AJ 1765 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9017694
Bake With Martha located at 2617 Marathon Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. Registrant: Ngoc Giang Khuc, 2617 Marathon Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Ngoc Giang Khuc.
Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/15/2025. AJ 1771 09/19, 09/26, 10/03, and 10/10/2025. AJSD 1771
