Manila Standard - 2025 October 2 - Thursday

By Vince Lopez, Ram Superable,

Darwin Amojelar, Othel V. Campos, Alena Mae S. Flores, and Maricel V. Cruz

Huge quake rocks Cebu: 69 dead and counting

By Minerva Newman, Vince Lopez, Alena Flores, Joel Zurbano, Rex Espiritu

By Rio N. Araja and Vince Lopez

By Katrina Manubay

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said neighboring countries Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been placed on alert in case the Philippines requires their assistance in rescue operations following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu.

OCD officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the alerts were made so international rescue teams can immediately respond if needed.

“We have asked our neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia that in the event we need an international rescue team, they have already been alerted. So once the assessment is done and we

BOGO CITY—The death toll from a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake in the central Visayas rose to at least 69 on Wednesday, a disaster official said, with scores of injured patients overwhelming hospitals on the island of Cebu.

Injured children cried and adults screamed while being treated on beds beneath blue tents outside the Cebu Provincial Hospital, having been wheeled outside as a precaution against waves of aftershocks overnight in what is recorded to be the strongest tremor to hit the province.

They are survivors of the shallow quake that struck late Tuesday off Cebu island's north near Bogo, a city of 90,000 people, according to the US Geological Survey.

Others were not so fortunate, with hospital workers loading black body bags into vans that took the dead to local mortuaries.

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday said a fault that had not produced a powerful tremor in the past 400 years could have triggered the deadly 6.9-magnitude earthquake that jolted Cebu on Tuesday night. Phivolcs Seismological Observation and Earthquake Prediction Division chief Dr. Winchelle Ian Sevilla said the epicenter of the tremor had not experienced a strong quake in four centuries based on the agency's database. Only quakes of magnitudes 4 and below had been recorded in the affected areas, Sevilla said.

The tremor was the deadliest to hit the country in more than a decade

AFP told: Fight threats that sow division

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act with resolve against domestic threats aimed at sowing confusion and dividing the nation.

Mr. Marcos made the call during the oath-taking of the 29 newly promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP and the 14 newly commissioned second lieutenants and ensigns from the Foreign Pre-Commissioned Training Institutions (FPCTI) at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

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"Many of them were pinned down by debris, which caused their death," Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said in a television interview, putting the updated death toll at 69 as of press time.

Richard Guion, his left elbow heavily bandaged, told how he and his wife, who broke her foot, were dug from under the collapsed concrete wall of their home by their 17-year-old son, who was playing outside when the quake struck.

"When the cement collapsed, I called out to him," said the 39-year-old Guion, thankful his son ignored his order to go to bed early.

Thirty people were killed in Bogo, Alejandro said. In other municipalities near the quake's epicenter, 22 were killed in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, five in Tabogon and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan, he added.

The Bogo hospital put the number of injured at 186 so far. At least 34 classrooms were completely destroyed while hundreds others sustained damage, the Department of Education said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to visit “ground zero” today, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave

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The earthquake struck Bogo City in northern Cebu at 9:59 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Around 1,000 people were evacuated in the city, which was closest to the epicenter.

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commiserated with those who lost loved ones.

"To my fellow countrymen, last night, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, with its epicenter in the ocean, approximately 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City," Mr. Marcos wrote.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and my prayers include the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake," he added.

Responding to the President’s directive, the Department of Health deployed doctors, nurses, and staff of state-run Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) to nearby areas, including hard-hit Bogo City. Apart from immediate relief, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH has rolled out long-term measures to aid Cebu earthquake victims, including expanded PhilHealth coverage and deployment of mental health teams.

"I have already asked the PhilHealth

“Our nation continues to face challenges and pressures aimed at weakening our social foundations. From disinformation campaigns to ideological radicalization, these domestic threats seek to sow confusion and division among us,” he said.

Gomez said.

"I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," the President said.

Mr. Marcos dispatched Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), to Cebu yesterday to evaluate the impact of the strong quake.

“We’re still assessing the damage there, but the earthquake was very strong,” the President said, lamenting the “big number” of casualties recorded in the aftermath of the earthquake.

'I am struggling'

Teddy Fontillas, 56, told AFP he had not slept while he helped transfer the injured to other hospitals.

"I'm already struggling, but what we are doing is necessary to help our patients," he said.

Elsewhere in Bogo, firemen used excavators to drill holes into the collapsed heap of a two-storey motel, where two receptionists and a child were feared trapped beneath debris.

A distraught Isagani Jilig, whose wife and child are among the missing, joined about a hundred people watching the rescue.

"I will never leave this site until I find them again. As a father, I have to be strong now more than ever," said Jilig, 41.

Alejandro emphasized that responders were still within the “golden hours,” or the critical 24-hour window to save lives.

He noted that highly trained rescuers are being mobilized since removing debris improperly could cause more harm.

Meanwhile, international allies expressed sympathy and offered support following the quake that has left at least 69 people dead and scores injured, according to preliminary reports.

US Ambassador to the Philippines

president to release a directive similar to the one issued during Typhoon Haiyan, ensuring that all earthquake patients are covered under a no-balance billing policy so casualties can seek treatment even in private hospitals," the health chief said.

For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it has mobilized its land, air, and sea assets to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations.

Some 158 soldiers from the Army’s 53rd Engineering Brigade, as well as aircraft, have been dispatched to heavily affected areas, while more units remain on standby for rapid deployment, the AFP said in a statement.

Likewise, Philippine National Police personnel were tasked to secure establishments and vital infrastructure that may have been compromised as a result of the strong earthquake to ensure public safety.

“Our personnel on the ground were among the first responders, and we assure the people of Cebu that we will extend all the necessary assistance— from securing affected establishments to attending to the needs of the local residents,” acting PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said.

“We must not and we will not stand idle in the face of such threats. This is where your role in the AFP becomes indispensable – to hold the line and do it with resolve, with clarity, and loyalty to your constitutional duty," the President added.

Mr. Marcos also lauded the military for going beyond combat operations and serving on the frontlines of the rescue and relief efforts.

He also acknowledged the sustained progress in pursuit of peace with the help of the AFP, citing the

Fireman Erwin Castaneda said they had been searching for five hours but "we cannot give up."

"We are talking about lives here. We will do everything that we can," he told AFP.

Dramatic footage filmed by residents on Bantayan island near Cebu showed a string of light bulbs on an old Catholic church swaying wildly before the church's belfry tumbled into the courtyard.

Local television showed riders dismounting from their motorcycles and holding onto railings as a Cebu bridge rocked violently.

In Cebu city, 100 kilometers to the south, online shoe merchant Jayford Maranga said he hid under a restaurant table to avoid the collapsing metal ceiling of a shopping mall.

"My friend and I ate at the food court near closing time, and then, bang! It was as if the Earth stopped spinning. And then the mall started shaking," the 21-year-old Maranga said.

The Cebu provincial government has put out a call on its official Facebook page for medical volunteers to assist in the quake's aftermath.

A number of village roads also sustained damage. The road in Tabogon town was riddled with five-centimeter cracks.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has placed the entire province under a state

MaryKay Carlson conveyed condolences to the victims’ families, adding that Washington stands ready to support Manila’s disaster response.

The Canadian Embassy also pledged to coordinate with Philippine authorities and humanitarian partners to address urgent needs in affected areas.

Similar messages of solidarity and readiness to help came from the European Union, Australia, Japan, Germany, India, and the Czech Republic.

EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro

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expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning.

Pagasa said the cyclone would continue to intensify while crossing the Philippine Sea and could reach severe tropical storm category by early Friday.

Further strengthening into a typhoon before landfall is not ruled out, while re-intensification is considered highly likely once Paolo emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, in Masbate, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured residents affected by Typhoon Opong that government aid will not stop until families fully recover from the devastation.

Speaking at the Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City during the distribution of assistance, Mr. Marcos said the government will continue providing food packs, medicines, and financial aid for as long as needed.

“Don’t worry, the government’s

rising number of cities and provinces being declared as “areas of stable internal peace and security.”

He called on the military to stay vigilant amid efforts to strengthen the country’s external defense.

“As your commander-in-chief, I stand in line with you in every trial, in every mission, and in every step taken for our great republic,” Mr. Marcos said.

The ceremony marked the promotion of 29 AFP generals and flag officers and the graduation of 14 FPCTI graduates.

of calamity to trigger price freezes and ensure the quick release of funds.

“Let’s continue to be vigilant while we call on all government offices and the national government for reinforcements,” Baricuatro said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Department of Transportation have also assured the public that the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and other major airports across the country remain safe and fully operational following the tremor.

The Archdiocese of Cebu, for its part, asked priests to refrain from going inside churches in quake-hit areas.

"To the parishes in the North that have been gravely affected, you are asked to refrain from using your churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass," it said.

At the same time, the archdiocese has ordered the structural assessment of churches in Cebu.

"These sacred spaces have long been places of prayer, hope, and refuge. May they rise again as signs of Your enduring presence among us,” it added.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. With AFP

said humanitarian partners were already on the ground to assess urgent needs, while Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya assured Filipinos of Tokyo’s solidarity. Australian Ambassador Marc InnesBrown also extended condolences, saying, “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured.”

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier appealed for private sector assistance in providing hot meals and readyto-eat food for displaced residents.

support will continue as long as you need it. Even if it takes a while because your homes haven’t been repaired, we are already supporting you,” President Marcos said, adding that help will continue even after evacuees leave temporary shelters.

The President also visited the Masbate Provincial Hospital to inspect damage caused by Opong. He handed over a P3-million check from the Department of Health to fund repairs, particularly for the Emergency Room Complex and Internal Medicine ward.

To improve hospital operations, he provided two Starlink satellite units to boost communication amid connectivity problems, and generators to augment the facility’s limited power supply. Mr. Marcos stressed the importance of medical support in evacuation centers, noting that the Department of Health has deployed teams to prevent outbreaks of illness among displaced families. The hospital currently has 339 admitted patients and a workforce of 364 personnel.

The programs equipped cadets with enhanced skills, valuable international exposure, and opportunities to strengthen diplomatic ties between the Philippines and its allies, preparing them to serve as AFP officers.

By Joel E. Zurbano

FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary-now Senator Mark Villar may have to testify in the ongoing investigation by a special commission created to look into questionable flood control projects across the country.

"As a possibility, yes, because he was a former secretary of DPWH. I will inform you when we will be inviting Senator Villar," said Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Hosaka in a report by ABS-CBN. Hosaka said former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co will also be invited to the ICI’s next hearings. Villar’s testimony could be crucial in finding the extent of irregularities in the government's flood control program and ensuring accountability within the system, Hosaka said.

The lawmaker served as the DPWH secretary from 2016 to 2021 under the Duterte administration.

Current DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said it was only fair for Villar to address some of the public's concerns regarding possible irregularities during his stint at the agency.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the ICI to probe alleged anomalies in flood control and public works projects, including those already fully paid for but not built or constructed with substandard materials.

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after the magnitude 7.2 Bohol earthquake that left 222 dead. The powerful quake struck Bogo City, Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, with a depth of five kilometers and was tectonic in origin.

The strongest in recent years was the Luzon earthquake in 2022 – a magnitude 7.1 quake that left 11 people dead and injured over 600 others.

The deadliest earthquake to hit the country occurred in Mindanao in 1976 at magnitude 8.0 and triggered a deadly tsunami in the Moro Gulf, killing at least 5,000.

Phivolcs, which recovered over 600 aftershocks yesterday, warned of more aftershocks in the next few weeks and months in light of the latest seismic event.

“We expect there will be more aftershocks in the next few days. Sometimes, the aftershocks would last for several weeks,” Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said.

The state seismic agency initially measured the quake at magnitude-6.7 but later adjusted it to 6.9 after validation, consistent with the findings of the US Geological Survey (USGS).

COUNTERING THREATS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shares a

light moment with newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and graduates of the Foreign Pre-Commissioned Training Institutions (FPCTI) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025). The President urged the AFP to act with resolve against domestic threats that seek to divide the nation. Revoli Cortez

Under FPCTI, cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and other AFP training institutions undergo officer training at foreign military academies in allied countries such as the United States, Japan, and Australia.

Vince Lopez

Cebu earthquake aftermath

NOT LOVIN’ IT. A McDonald’s branch in Bogo City, Cebu, sustains major damage from a powerful earthquake in its vicinity. Art Pelayo Facebook photo

ALL ABOARD. The Philippine Coast Guard loads emergency medical equipment onto BRP Teresa Magbanua, carrying doctors and other medical personnel, at Manila’s Pier 13 for immediate deployment to Cebu. Norman Cruz

PBBM: 46% satisfaction rate ‘nice’

By Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday described his most recent gross satisfaction rating of 46% as “nice” but stressed that the government must “keep on working” to continue delivering services to the public.

Mr. Marcos, in a chance interview said: “It’s, of course, nice to note. I didn’t know about that but now that you told me, I’m glad it’s that way.”

The president visited an evacuation site in Masbate, which bore the brunt of

Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

“I guess we just have to keep on working whatever is happening,” he added.

“Whatever happens — if there is a storm, a scandal or other issues — the people depend on government to

continue delivering services at every level,” the President said. “The people who elected us should not see us playing around or doing whatever.”

Almost half (46 percent) of Filipino adults are satisfied with President Marcos’ performance, while 19 percent are undecided and 36 percent are dissatisfied, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The results placed his net satisfaction rating at +10, classified as “moderate.” This marks a 20-point improvement from April 2025, when his rating fell to a “poor” -10. His numbers had previ-

ously declined from a “very good” +32 in September 2024 to a “neutral” +1 in February 2025. Regionally, satisfaction was highest in Balance Luzon at a “good” +28, followed by Metro Manila at a “neutral” +1, the Visayas at -2, and Mindanao at -9. By educational attainment, the President’s strongest support came from those with no formal schooling or only some elementary education at +34, followed by elementary graduates at +21, junior high school graduates at +10, those with some senior high school education at -2, and college graduates at -13.

DA flags 9

‘ghost’ road projects

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture

(DA) confirmed Tuesday that at least nine farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth a combined ₱126 million may be considered “ghost projects,” mostly located in remote provinces in Mindanao.

On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) meeting in Manila, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the discovery, while representing only a small fraction of completed FMRs, remains alarming.

“So, in the whole scheme of things, it’s still 0.03 percent. It’s not that big. But it’s still alarming,” he said.

The DA is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which oversees FMR implementation. Laurel said he may personally inspect the sites if needed but would defer to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

DA Undersecretary Arnel de Mesa said an initial audit showed nine questionable FMRs out of more than 4,700 projects nationwide. Seven of the projects were in Davao Occidental and two in Lanao del Sur.

“According to DPWH records, these projects were completed. But when our team visited the sites, nothing was done,” de Mesa said.

Based on DA estimates, the seven projects in Davao Occidental— valued at around ₱15 million per kilometer—amount to ₱105 million, while the two in Lanao del Sur brought the total value to about ₱126 million. The contractors involved were mostly local firms.

De Mesa said the DA submitted its initial audit report Wednesday, with the full audit expected to be completed by yearend. The audit covered projects from 2021.

INTRICATE

IN BRIEF

De Lima welcomes closure of last drug case

HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima has welcomed the decision of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 to grant the withdrawal of the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration on her last illegal drugs case.

Presiding Judge Abraham Alcantara, in a decision dated Sept. 30, said: “With the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, this case is hereby deemed closed and terminated.”

The ruling added that “every acquittal becomes final immediately upon promulgation and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment.” Alcantara said granting the motion would have violated the Constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy since it would reopen the prosecution and subject the accused to a second trial despite their acquittal.

Prosecutors led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo earlier argued that the recantation of witness Rafael Ragos was not sufficient to invalidate his original testimony. The case pertained to allegations of illegal drug trading at the New Bilibid Prison, where the former senator was accused of receiving ₱5 million on Nov. 24, 2012, and another ₱5 million on Dec. 15, 2012, from drug trafficking proceeds. Maricel V. Cruz

DMW says 12 Filipino crew safe Gulf of Aden

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday confirmed that all 12 Filipino crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht are safe following a reported attack in the Gulf of Aden.

DSWD: Over 1m indigent seniors on pension waitlist

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disclosed that over one million indigent senior citizens are on the waitlist for the government’s Social Pension program.

During budget deliberations at the House of Representatives, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co pushed for a

higher budget allocation, citing the urgent needs of the marginalized elderly sector.

Co noted that the DSWD requires an additional ₱13.9 billion in funding to cover waitlisted beneficiaries.

“This call comes from those who have been longing for support from the government,” Co said. “These elderly citizens have long hoped for

the consistent and fair implementation of the government’s social pension program.”

Co added that the additional funding would significantly improve the lives of indigent seniors, who are entitled to ₱1,000 per month under the program. She expressed hope for “a much better fiscal space” in the future to address these funding gaps.

“Of the 12 Filipino crew members, two remain under medical care—one with minor injuries and another with serious but nonlife-threatening injuries. Ten crew members, including those with minor injuries, are out of danger and expected to return home soon,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said. The multinational crew, composed of Filipino, Russian, Ukrainian, and Sri Lankan nationals, has since been moved to a secure location. The Filipino seafarers will be transferred again for their scheduled flights home this weekend, where the country’s labor attaché is waiting to receive them. Vito Barcelo

Taguig cops arrest 2 in robbery with homicide

THE Taguig City police arrested two men allegedly involved in a robbery with homicide case following a joint anti-criminality operation in Barangay Lower Bicutan. Authorities identified the suspects as Laizer Ken Larion, 24, and Eiyzhen Keddler Larion, 21, both residents of Purok 5, Barangay Lower Bicutan. They were arrested on Sept. 23, 2025, at around 11:00 p.m. along VP Cruz. Police said the arrest stemmed from a robbery with homicide incident that occurred earlier that day at around 3:30 a.m. along C6 Road, where a 24-year-old victim was killed. CCTV footage and witness accounts pointed to the two suspects, prompting a followup operation by intelligence and tracker teams. Vince Lopez

Customs files smuggling charges vs. Discayas over 28 luxury cars

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed smuggling and

have been smuggled into the country without proper documentation.

to lack Certificates of Payment and showed deficiencies in duties and taxes. The BOC is verifying importation records and assessing liabilities for the

vehicles. The agency said the case is part of a broader crackdown on smuggling and corruption, particularly amid scrutiny of the Discaya

flood control projects.

“Our job at the BOC never stops with just seizures,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.

“We want the public to know that we are serious about the responsibilities entrusted to us—not only in routine operations but also in pursuing actions that will resolve longstanding anomalies that burden our people.”

COOPS MAKE A STAND. The National Union of Cooperatives, led by Fr. Anton CT Pascual, condemns alleged anomalies in multibillion peso flood projects during a press conference in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

OPINION

But can the people wait?

“THIS will be a long fight, and we must be prepared to play the long game. The forces of corruption are deeply entrenched, but so too is the Filipino spirit of resilience and courage.

“Change will not happen overnight (but) as long as we remain vigilant, as long as we continue to resist, as long as we keep faith in our country, then we will prevail.”

Those words are quotations from Benjamin Banez Magalong’s valedictory after his short stint as “adviser” and designated “chief investigator” in the newly minted ICI that is supposed to unearth, investigate, and recommend for prosecution those responsible for the appalling, nay, shocking infrastructure mess that has brought down the houses of Congress to the pits of infamy, along with concupiscent DPWH officials and their sleazy contractors.

Magalong was “used” by a president who he thought showed sincerity and determination, only to later discover that his principal acted on impulse but retreated when confronted by the true wielders of power who saw the mayor of Baguio City as an “unguided missile” who could torpedo their waiting game of cover-up.

The president as usual did not do what his predecessor FVR called “complete staff work.” Not necessarily a good student of history, who his immediate predecessor Duterte described as a “spoiled rich kid” unfit for the highest post in the land, PBbM did not carefully assess Magalong’s character --- that of an uncompromising soldier of truth, one willing to joust against the windmills of whoever would tamper with the truth, be it a PNoy or a GMA.

This guy Magalong cannot be trusted to play along. He will not hide the truth nor cover up for scoundrels no matter how high.

And so the real powers in the country circled their wagons, invented “dirt” from association with the discredited Discayas in Baguio’s unfinished and still unpaid tennis and parking facility, and then unleashed their insufferably cantankerous mouthpiece to finally get a decent man to throw in the towel upon mission impossible.

Do not be surprised if others conscripted into the ICI eventually follow Magalong.

Still the question in our mind remains unanswered: is the outraged citizenry “prepared to play the long game?”

Or just as the outraged youth and teeming masses of Peru and Nepal, Belgrade and Jakarta, even Bangladesh and Colombo in the past, will ours no longer wait, no longer willing to forgive and forget?

Will our Christian upbringing that has ingrained forgiveness as virtue yet withstand the daily revelations of larceny most grave and corruption most unforgivable?

A retired Marine testifies to personal knowledge about suitcases filled with

cash his bosses call “basura” brought to the mansions of the powerful, and no sooner than he had spoken, his testimony is questioned on the supposed imperfection of a 24-hour notary’s recantation.

As if those of us who have sought notarization of documents do not know how notaries operate.

Will our Christian upbringing that has ingrained forgiveness as virtue yet withstand the daily revelations of larceny most grave and corruption most unforgivable?

Even the former soldier’s heroic disdain for Senate or DOJ protection which he earlier thought was mantle for the truth he unveiled, preferring instead the armor of his fellow Marines, was twitted by the marionettes and paid hacks of the insatiable power-clingers.

Now that the houses of Congress have set fire upon each other, unmindful of the permanent institutional damage they are inflicting, the public is bewildered --- who else can they trust?

A judiciary that sits like an ivory tower seemingly unperturbed, an instantly created commission which will eventually submit findings to an Ombudsman which will further investigate, and eventually file charges, water-tight or water-downed, before a Sandiganbayan that will take its sweet time, while other issues paper over the instant outburst of public rage?

Last Monday I wrote about 2028, the year when we again pin our hopes on another “savior” from this state of the benighted nation.

With the houses of Congress descending into the dustbin, the dreams of unlimited power nursed by its denizens are now gone.

With that as well the dreams of longevity by a family that has regained power by election in 2022 have vanished.

What happens next in this benighted land, and when has now become “anything goes.”

Let me end this cri de coeur with the lines of that most memorable song from the musical Les Miserables:

“Do you hear the people sing?

Singing a song of angry men?

It is the music of a people

Who will not be (fooled) again. When the beating of your heart Echoes the beating of the drums, There is a life about to start When tomorrow comes.”

The budget mess is a Constitutional lie

By Jose Antonio Goitia

I HAVE listened intently to the noise surrounding the budget scandal – specifically, the accusations from individuals like Arnedo S. Valera – and I must respond firmly.

To pin the entire blame for this budget mess solely on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not just an exaggeration; it is a distortion of both the law and the truth.

In fact, to say the President alone is guilty of this controversy is, quite simply, a Constitutional falsehood. Accountability starts in Congress

Let us not forget the very architecture of our government as laid out in the Constitution. Article VI, Section 24 is crystal clear: all appropriation bills originate from the House of Representatives.

It is Congress that crafts, debates, and ultimately finalizes the budget, including every single one of those controversial “insertions” everyone is talking about.

If there are questionable items, the accountability trail doesn’t begin on the President’s desk; it begins with those who authored and approved them within the legislative branch.

To try and pin everything on the Executive is not only inaccurate but completely undermines the fundamental principle of separation of powers. We are forgetting where the power truly lies at the start of the budget process.

The veto power is a shield, not a superpower

A significant part of the criticism revolves around the President’s perceived failure to veto enough questionable provisions. This completely misunderstands the nature of the veto power.

The veto is a shield, not a sword.

It was never intended to turn the President into a super legislator with the license to rewrite the budget entirely.

—“—

Anything outside of these established procedures — impeachment or elections — weakens our democracy and dangerously destabilizes the Republic

It is a defensive mechanism. Without clear, unassailable legal grounds, vetoing billions of pesos worth of provisions would be an act of recklessness.

It would risk colossal overreach and,

Addressing vulnerability to extreme weather effects

THE Philippines has once again topped the World Risk Index for being exposed to extreme weather effects, most especially flooding.

This does not come as a surprise after recent revelations of anomalies in the implementation of infrastructure projects meant to solve or at least minimize the effects of flooding after severe storms.

That we have topped the list of countries vulnerable to extreme weather effects underscores a systemic failure to translate vulnerability into resilience.

What should the government do to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive risk governance?

The government must now undertake strategic reforms for risk reduction.

Among these is to rebuild trust in flood control by a thorough audit and overhaul of the Department of Public Works and Highways flood control programs, especially in high-risk provinces like Cagayan, Agusan del Norte, and Pampanga.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure should also be given prosecutorial powers and be able to organize technical panels to investigate

worse, could paralyze communities dependent on those very projects.

Responsible leadership, as President Marcos Jr. has shown, demands prudence, not political grandstanding.

Impeachment and resignation calls

The calls for impeachment and resignation are perhaps the most baseless claims of all. Impeachment under Article XI is reserved for grave abuses of power, culpable violations of the Constitution, or a betrayal of public trust.

Simply signing into law a budget that has passed through the proper, Constitutional legislative process does not meet that threshold.

If their logic were applied consistently, then nearly every President we’ve had since 1987 should have been impeached. That is not law; that is partisan fantasy.

As for resignation, it is not a Constitutional remedy demanded by political outrage. Our system provides only two lawful avenues to change the leadership: im-

ghost and substandard projects.

The Marcos Jr. administration should institutionalize climate risk governance by creating a National Climate Risk Authority to integrate geospatial data, climate modeling, and infrastructure planning. It must also mandate climate risk disclosure for all public infrastructure and private developments.

The government must now undertake strategic reforms for risk reduction

The national government likewise needs to decentralize and localize resilience by equipping LGUs with risksensitive land use planning tools, especially in lowland basins and coastal zones. It should also fund community-based early warning systems and

peachment or elections.

Anything outside of these established procedures weakens our democracy and dangerously destabilizes the Republic. Transparency demands process, not slogans I also find it baffling that critics are attacking the creation of an independent commission by Malacañang.

Under the Administrative Code, the President has the full authority to establish fact-finding bodies.

These commissions are not shields to protect anyone; they are instruments designed to investigate allegations and ensure that any findings can actually withstand scrutiny in court.

To reduce this necessary process to the shallow soundbite of “investigating himself” is disingenuous.

Transparency requires evidence, process, and structure, not empty political slogans.

Let me emphasize this: Accountability in the budget process cannot be reduced to a single person. The budget is the product of an entire Consti-

evacuation infrastructure, prioritizing Mindanao and rural Luzon.

Hand-in hand with these, experts suggest expanded green urban planning that should expand retention areas, permeable pavements, and green corridors in urban centers like Metro Manila and Laguna, which showed lower flood risk due to better planning.

The government must then incentivize nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration and watershed rehabilitation.

One other proposal worth consideration by the government is encouraging youth and citizen engagement. This can be achieved by launching a National Youth Resilience Corps to mobilize young Filipinos in risk mapping, education, and community drills. The government should institutionalize citizen oversight in disaster fund allocation and infrastructure monitoring.

Apart from all these, the legislature should pass a Disaster Risk Governance Act to unify fragmented mandates across agencies, while the executive branch should require climate-proofing certification for all public infrastructure.

tutional process. Congress authors it, the Executive reviews it, and the Judiciary is there to check any abuses.

To single out the President while conveniently ignoring legislative accountability is not only unfair, it is reckless and dangerous.

President Marcos has exercised his Constitutional duties with restraint and stability.

The real danger lies not in his leadership, but in those who choose to weaponize deception purely to weaken the Republic for their own political gain.

(The writer, who holds a doctorate in philosophy, serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, through which he continues to advance the causes of sovereignty, reform, and the dignity of the Filipino people.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

US gov’t enters 1st shutdown in 6 years

IN BRIEF

91 possibly still under collapsed ruins

SIDOARJO, Indonesia – Around 91 people are believed to be still trapped under the ruins of a collapsed school on Indonesia’s main island of Java, authorities said as rescue teams searched for survivors.

The multi-story Islamic boarding school in the town of Sidoarjo suddenly gave way on Monday as students were gathered for afternoon prayers, according to local reports.

“Based on student attendance data, 91 people are suspected to be buried under building materials,” National Disaster and Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement late Tuesday.

It earlier said three people died and 38 people were still unaccounted for.

Officials said Wednesday they were still trying to confirm the number of missing when asked at a news conference in Sidoarjo. Rescue teams were focusing on supplying life support to survivors trapped under the rubble, said Emi Freezer, the National Search and Rescue Agency’s head of operations. They were concentrating on seven areas were signs of life had been detected, he said. AFP

Taiwan ‘will not agree’ to making chips in US

TAIPEI – Taiwan “will not agree” to making 50 percent of its semiconductors in the United States, the island’s lead tariff negotiator said Wednesday, as Washington pressures Taipei to produce more chips on US soil.

Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun’s remarks came after US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said he had proposed to Taiwan a 50-50 split in chip production.

“I want to clarify that this is the US’s idea. Our negotiation team has never made a 50-50 commitment to a chip split,” Cheng told reporters in Taipei.

“Please be rest assured that we did not discuss this issue this time, and we will not agree to such a condition,” she said. Cheng spoke after returning from Washington where she said negotiations over US tariffs on Taiwanese shipments “made some progress.” AFP

China launches visa to attract foreign talent

BEIJING – China kicked off Wednesday a new visa program aimed at attracting foreign talent in science and technology, part of ongoing efforts to position itself as a world leader in those sectors ahead of the United States.

The Chinese measure, announced in August, stands in stark contrast to recent US policy, with the Trump administration suddenly introducing new and expensive changes to its own skilled worker visas last month.

China’s new K visa significantly simplifies the immigration process for those eligible, according to state media.

“Against the backdrop of some countries retracting, turning inward, and sidelining international talent, China has keenly seized this important opportunity and promptly introduced this policy,” state newspaper People’s Daily said in a comment piece on Tuesday.

In contrast to many other visa categories, the K visa does not require a domestic employer or entity to issue an invitation to the applicant. AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – The US government began shutting down after midnight Wednesday as lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding.

It is the first shutdown since the longest in history -- lasting 35 days -- almost seven years ago, and will stop work at multiple federal departments and agencies, affecting hundreds of thousands of government workers.

Trump blamed Democrats over the stalled talks and threatened to punish the party and its voters during the stoppage by targeting progressive priorities and forcing mass public sector job cuts.

“So we’d be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected. And they’re Democrats, they’re going to be Democrats,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

He said a “lot of good can come down from shutdowns,” and suggested he would use the pause to “get rid of a lot of things we didn’t want, and they’d be Democrat things.” Government operations began grinding to a halt at 12:01 am (0401 GMT), after a frenetic but ultimately failed bid in the Senate to rubber-stamp a short-term funding resolution already approved by the House of Representatives. Hopes of a compromise had been

Strike in Greece over 13-hour workday plans

ATHENS – Greece was scheduled to grind to a halt Wednesday in a 24-hour general strike against plans by the conservative government to introduce a 13hour workday. Transport in Athens, trains and ferry services will be disrupted while teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants are also taking part in the mobilization. Protests are planned around midday (before sunset Wednesday Manila time) across the country to oppose the reform advocated by the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The main private sector union GSEE, which is spearheading the walkout along-

EU leaders plot defense shield against drones

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – EU leaders will discuss bolstering Europe’s defenses and Ukraine’s financial firepower at a Wednesday summit in Denmark, where mysterious drone flights have ramped up fears about the threat from Russia.

Thousands of police are on high alert, civilian drones have been banned and NATO allies have sent reinforcements as the continent converges on Copenhagen for the long-planned talks, followed by a broader gathering of European leaders Thursday.

Denmark -- which holds the EU’s rotating presidency -- has been rattled in recent days as unidentified drones shut down airports and flew near military sites.

Nordic neighbors as well as allies from the United States to Ukraine have dispatched anti-drone technology and specialists to bolster Denmark’s capabilities ahead of the summit talks.

Suspicions have pointed at Russia for what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called a “hybrid attack” -- but so far no culprit has been definitively named. Nonetheless the drone incidents have sharpened the focus on the chinks in Europe’s defences after high-profile air incursions by Moscow in Poland and Estonia. AFP

side public sector union ADEDY, has said the reform “endangers the health and safety of workers and destroys the balance between professional and personal life”.

Pro-communist union PAME has accused the government of seeking to introduce “modern slavery” for workers and force them to endure “inhumane hours and miserable wages”.

The union has also rejected what it called “a ruthless deregulation that is rapidly progressing” in Greece since the 2009 debt crisis.

The bill on the reform, which has not yet been submitted to parliament, allows

staff to work 13 hours a day for the same employer under exceptional circumstances, for extra pay. In a country where the economy has recovered since the debt crisis but remains fragile, this possibility already exists -- but only if an employee has two or more employers.

Mitsotakis, in power since 2019, has noted that many young people currently have two jobs and want to work more to earn more.

“We guarantee a freedom of choice for both the employer and the employee. Why would that be antisocial?” he said earlier this month. AFP

following a spate of deadly US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. AFP

hanging by a thread since Monday, when a last-gasp meeting at the White House yielded no progress. The gridlocked Congress regularly runs into deadlines to agree on spending plans, and the negotiations are invariably fraught. But Congress usually avoids them ending in shutdowns.

Democrats, in the minority in both chambers of Congress, have been seeking to flex their rare leverage over the federal government eight months into Trump’s barnstorming second presidency that has seen entire government agencies dismantled.

Trump’s threat of new job cuts added to anxieties in the federal workforce sparked by large-scale firings orchestrated by tycoon Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.

The 100-member Senate requires government funding bills to receive 60 votes — seven more than the Republicans control. Republicans had proposed to extend current funding until late November, pending negotiations on a longer-term spending plan. AFP

Maduro receives honorary military degree amid standoff with US

CARACAS — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was awarded an honorary doctorate Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) from a military academy as Caracas stares down the United States in a tense standoff in the Caribbean. Donning a medal, a red beret and a black tunic, Maduro was given a degree in “security issues” from the Bolivarian Military University, one of 12 military academies in the country, as Venezuela confronts a six-week-old US deployment of warships off its coast.

The US forces have attacked and destroyed boats they said were carrying drugs from Venezuela towards the United States, while Caracas has likened the deployment to being under siege.

“I have my tunic and my combat beret,” Maduro said of his cap, reminiscent of one his late mentor, the socialist icon Hugo Chavez, used to wear.

Maduro spoke on a stage at the university while accompanied by Defense minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and other senior military officials.

Giving a “master class” after receiving his degree, the authoritarian leftist defended his response to the US actions.

He has placed the country on high alert and said he is prepared to declare a state of emergency that would give him special powers in defense and security issues in the event of US “aggression.”

Maduro said his response was designed to “flex national muscle” and defend Venezuela’s sovereignty.

He also denied claims by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the Venezuelan military is in cahoots with drug cartels.

“I reject and repudiate the comments by Marco Rubio and I defend the morality of our soldiers,” Maduro said.

US President Donald Trump asserts that Maduro leads a drug cartel himself and has billed the US warship deployment as being designed to fight drug trafficking.

The United States is now offering a $50 million dollar bounty for the arrest of Maduro. AFP

Violent clashes erupt in Morocco after days of protests for reforms

RABAT, Morocco – Violent clashes erupted in several Moroccan cities late Tuesday between youths and security forces, local media reported, after days of protests calling for reforms in the public health and education sectors. Videos published by news outlets which AFP was unable to verify showed masked demonstrators in Inezgane, near Agadir, hurling stones at police, setting fires near a shopping center and damaging a local post office. Similar scenes

HEALTH CARE THREATENED. The US Capitol is seen lit up hours before a partial government shutdown is set to take effect in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Manila time. The US government barreled towards its first shutdown in six years Tuesday, with funding expiring at midnight after Democrats fought a war of words with Donald Trump and senators rejected a last-ditch bid to keep the lights on. President Trump blamed Democrats over the stalled talks and threatened to punish the party and its voters during the stoppage by targeting progressive priorities and forcing mass public sector job cuts. AFP

AMID DEPLOYMENT FEARS. This handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency shows Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (center left) and first lady Cilia Flores (center right) arriving at a military meeting in Caracas on Wednesday, Manila time. Maduro said he is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of US ‘aggression,’

Two suspects in Barayuga 2020 murder turn selves in

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Wednesday the surrender of police Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza and former police officer Nelson Mariano who were both implicated in the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) secretary Wesley Barayuga.

In a press briefing, NBI director Jaime Santiago said the suspects surrendered to the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBIOTCD) this week.

“When Col. Santi Mendoza learned that there was an arrest warrant, he contacted the NBI-OTCD to surrender. Nelson Mariano surrendered on Sept. 29 and Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza surrendered in Bacolod City on Sept. 30,” he said.

Barayuga and his driver were shot in July 2020 by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Mandaluyong City resulting in the former’s death and the latter sustaining gunshot injuries.

Mendoza and Mariano confessed their involvement in the incident during a Quad Committee hearing in the House of Representatives (HOR) last year.

Among those implicated were former PCSO general manager Royina Garma and National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairman Edilberto Leonardo as the masterminds

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he will discuss the status of Garma with the NBI after she went to Malaysia last month to meet with an International Criminal Court representative to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is a complication that is there and known from the very beginning. When they took that witness, they knew that there was a case here... In the investigation, it appears that she is responsible. It is not for me to judge, it is for the courts to judge,” Remulla told justice reporters in Filipino.

The DOJ chief also expressed belief that Garma will return to the country after her asylum request was refused by the United States. Pot Chavez

Oct. 13 BARMM polls not taking place—SC

By Pot Chavez

THE first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections will not proceed as set on Oct. 13, 2025, according to the Supreme Court (SC).

In a press briefing, SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was directed to proceed with its preparations and conduct elections not later than March 31, 2026.

“A new and valid districting law must be passed consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, national laws, and the Constitution. There can be no BARMM parliamentary elections… because of the lack of a valid districting law,” Ting said.

The High Tribunal declared the Bangsamoro Autonomous Act

77 (BAA 77) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Act (BAA) 58 unconstitutional, with 11 voting for the ponencia, and three concurred in the declaration of the nullity of BAA 77 but dissented with the finding that BAA 58 is invalid.

BAA 77 redistributes seven parliamentary district seats originally allotted to Sulu province. It was declared unconstitutional for violating Section 5 of the Voter’s Registration Act which prohibits any alteration of precincts once the election period has started.

By Joel E. Zurbano

FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes

IV said ex-President Rodrigo Duterte should face the consequences of killing thousands of Filipinos and must remain detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

“Didn’t you see how arrogant this person was when he was president, how rude he was? And now we’re going to pity them. It’s not like that. When you kill thousands of Filipinos, you have to suffer. That’s just how justice is in the world,” Trillanes said.

He also expressed doubt regarding the assertion that Duterte was discovered unconscious multiple times within the ICC detention facility, saying it was

merely a tactic to postpone his hearing for the confirmation of charges scheduled for September 23.

Trillanes said the claim about Duterte’s deteriorating health was simply meant to gain the ICC’s mercy and support his request for interim release.

“That’s their drama. They are begging the ICC to grant this interim release. They’re trying to make Filipinos feel sorry for them so they can gain sympathy,” he pointed out.

Trillanes said Duterte can inform his family anytime about his health condition because he has daily communication access to his family members with no visitation limits.

“They should have reported that immediately because Duterte has

daily access to a phone to contact his family. Why didn’t they report that? Now, suddenly, several incidents have reportedly sprung up,” he said.

Trillanes said the ICC detention facility has its own in-house medical team that immediately responds to any medical emergency.

“There’s an ambulance on standby, and the hospital is five minutes away. Nothing happened; no one lost consciousness or anything,” he said.

For Trillanes, it is nearly impossible for the ICC to grant Duterte’s request for interim release, stating that the court has only done that for a handful of accused individuals with a terminal illness or in cases of a medical emergency or procedure.

The SC added that BAA77 is void for violating the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s requirement that each district should comprise adjacent and adjoining areas as far as practicable.

Meanwhile, it noted that the nullification does not reinstate the earlier BAA 58 since it is based on an outdated framework following the removal of Sulu from BARMM.

It also took into consideration practical concerns in holding the elections next month as raised by the Comelec in its comment.

Comelec said it is now “back to zero” for the poll body.

“Now, it is very clear that we have no law to enforce. It’s back to zero for Comelec,” said Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia.

“But in the meantime, the ball is in the hands of the Bangsamoro Parliament. We shall be waiting for their action and compliance,” he added.

Nadia les libel raps vs. tabloid, radio station

By Ram Superable

PADILLA, lodged the case against Abante Tonight and DWAR Abante Radio over reports that she was allegedly caught using marijuana inside the Senate building.

Her lawyer, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said the reports were malicious because Montenegro was only seen holding a grape-flavored vape and not marijuana.

Montenegro’s camp stressed that no apprehension ever occurred and that the articles created a false narrative which spread widely on television and social media.

“There was an article claiming that someone was caught in the Senate using marijuana, but based on the truth and the incident report from the Senate office of the sergeant-at-arms, what was found with Nadia was only a grape-flavored vape,” she said.

“It is therefore false and very malicious to say that my client, Nadia Montenegro, was caught using marijuana inside the Senate comfort room,” the lawyer added.

Montenegro claimed the incident had severe effects on her reputation and family, leading to her resignation from her Senate post for the sake of her mental health.

Later in the CONTROVERSIAL actress Nadia Montenegro on Wednesday filed a libel complaint against two media outlets in Caloocan City for alleged publication of false and damaging stories about her.

Montenegro, who served as a political affairs officer for Senator Robinhood ay, Montenegro was set to file separate complaints for unjust vexation and violation of the Safe Spaces Act against a Senate security personnel before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.

MURDER SUSPECTS.

National Bureau of Investigation

director Jaime Santiago presents to the media two suspects in the murder of lawyer Wesley Barayuga, then secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes O ce who was gunned down in Mandaluyong City in 2020.

IN BRIEF

Taal Volcano acting up anew—Phivolcs

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded two minor eruptions by Taal Volcano in Batangas early yesterday morning.

“At around 12:57 a.m. to 1:02 a.m., that is the first duration of the Taal Volcano eruption. It was a phreatic eruption, steam-driven, meaning the water came into contact with hot rock and generated an explosion,” Paolo Reniva of the Taal Volcano Observatory said. Another phreatomagmatic eruption from Taal Volcano Island’s main crater was logged at 2:02 a.m.

The eruption produced a 2500-meter-high eruption plume that drifted northwest.

Rio N. Araja Garin, Aguda hurdle CA confirmation

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointments of Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the CA Committee on Energy, sponsored Garin’s confirmation, citing her blend of academic preparation, legislative experience, and executive service.

A certified public accountant, lawyer, and MBA graduate, Garin served for 12 years in the House of Representatives where she authored key economic and energy measures, including amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Biofuels Act, and Oil Deregulation Law. Estrada said Garin’s record in both Congress and the DOE proves her competence to lead the agency amid rising electricity costs and the need to expand clean and reliable energy sources.

Two drug suspects fall in Taguig, Bataan

POLICE have arrested two dug suspects in separate anti-drug operations in Taguig City and Bataan province, and confiscated P5.4 million worth of suspected shabu.

Col. Byron Allatog, Taguig City police officer-in-charge, said suspect alias Rowel, 26, was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation along Diamond Street in Barangay Pembo around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The suspect yielded 565.6 grams of suspected shabu valued at over P3.8 million.

The second arest was made by police opratives in Barangay Tuyo, Balanga, Bataan on Sept. 30. Vince Lopez

Norman Cruz

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

North smothers South in 4-ball, seizes 8-4 lead

STA. ROSA, Laguna—Team North flexed its muscle across multiple divisions, seizing control of the competition with eight wins out of 12 matches in the opening Four-ball format of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Championship at The Country Club here on Wednesday.

What began as a tightly contested showdown between Luzon’s finest junior golfers and the top talents from the Visayas-Mindanao region quickly evolved into a dominant performance by the North squad, which handled the pressure and pace of the day with poise despite the punishing heat.

As the dust settled at high noon, Team North established a commanding 8-4 lead – an emphatic opening statement in the season-ending showdown of a year-long junior golf tour that featured seven tournaments in each region. Played at some of the country’s premier championship courses, the tour culminates in this Ryder Cup-style North vs South battle.

Team North captain Francis Talion attributed their strong Day 1 performance to careful planning, preparation and a deep understanding of both their own players and the opposing team’s potential lineup.

“Basically, we started by making critical projections on how the other team might compose their roster for Day 1 – that’s what we based our own lineup on,” said Talion, who also took the time to study each of their players’ personalities and how well their playing styles would complement one another.

“Of course, we didn’t just consider their skills, but also their personalities, to ensure strong on-court chemistry and effective partnerships,” he added.

The girls’ 7-10 pairings struck first blood for Team North. Athena Serapio and Ronee Dungca delivered a strong 3&2 win over Soleil Molde and Claren Quiño, while Mavis Espedido and Tyra Garingalao overwhelmed Denise Mendoza and Francesca Geroy with a 4&3 victory. These early wins set the tone for the North’s momentum.

Canlas seeks 3rd-place PH finish in Thailand ‘25 SEAG

By Randy M. Caluag

TEAM Philippines is setting its sights on at least a third-place finish when it competes in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games set for December 9 to 20 in Thailand.

Philippine team Chef de Mission

Dr. Raul Canlas expressed confidence that the country’s campaign will be stronger this time, with more than 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials comprising the national delegation.

“This is going to be the biggestever Philippine delegation in the SEA Games, and we are preparing thoroughly to ensure that all athletes are well-supported,” Canlas said in an interview with RP2 Sports Radio.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has already submitted the

Canlas said 1,681 Filipino athletes and coaches have been registered to compete across 36 sports in Bangkok, 20 sports in Chonburi, and 7 sports in Songkhla, where Thailand will implement a multi-city hosting of the biennial meet.

official names of the contingent earlier this month. With the inclusion of administrative and medical personnel, Canlas expects the total headcount to reach nearly 2,000 delegates.

To ensure smooth operations, the Chef de Mission revealed that

Senate lauds Alas for historic performance in FIVB worlds

THE Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution filed by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano commending the Philippine men’s national volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, for its milestone 19th-place finish in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.

Cayetano, who sponsored Proposed Senate Resolution No. 143, said the team’s breakthrough run “brought immense pride and honor” to the country and proved that Filipino athletes can excel when given the right opportunities.

“Sports brings Filipinos together. This team not only made us proud during the SEA Games, but they also made sure they will pleasantly surprise us,” he said during his sponsorship speech.

The senator emphasized that sports is a “God-given activity” that promotes health and well-being, fosters unity even in the midst of political divides, and elevates the Philippines’ global image through international success.

The Senate resolution emphasized

that the achievement was made even more significant by the Philippines’ role as the tournament’s sole host.

All 24 Senators supported and adopted the resolution, with Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zu-

administrative and medical groups will be stationed in each host city, each headed by a deputy CDM. Two administrative offices may also be set up in Bangkok, which will serve as the main hub for around 1,200 Filipino athletes.

Gecosala, Belacas steal PPS show

biri and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva and Erwin Tulfo making their manifestations congratulating the national team.. Present at the Senate were Philippine National Volleyball Federation

president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and members of Alas Pilipinas led by head coach Angiolino Frigoni and deputy coach Ogie Mamon and team captain Bryan Bagunas.

Pacquiao powers ‘Thrilla’ anniversary, showcases rising Filipino boxers

FIFTY years after the legendary “Thrilla in Manila” cemented the Philippines’ place in boxing lore, the spirit of that historic rivalry is set to be dramatically revived—and it’s being championed by the nation’s greatest fighting icon, Manny Pacquiao. The eight-division world champion is going all out to ensure the 50th anniversary of the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier epic receives a celebration worthy of its name. No less than MP Promotions, the powerhouse boxing stable founded by the ‘Pambansang Kamao’, has taken the cudgel to stage the anniversary card, featuring the best and brightest of rising Filipino boxing talent. The main event honors the past while building the future. MP Promotions is stacking the card with a roster that promises fireworks, including Olympic medalist Eumir Marcial, Melvin Jerusalem, the undefeated Carl Jammes Martin, and former world titleholder Marlon Tapales. For Pacquiao, whose own legendary career was built on fighting the world’s best, this is a strategic move to pass the torch.

venue is an essential character in this story. The Big Dome, which remains one of the largest clear-span domes in the world, symbolizes the country’s enduring connection to the Sweet Science. To honor its legacy, the commemorative boxing exhibition—spearheaded by Pacquiao’s team— will be the centerpiece event on Oct. 29., aiming to bring back the raw energy and spectacle of the original ‘Thrilla.’ Randy Caluag

“The ‘Thrilla in Manila’ is more than a fight; it’s a part of our national identity. It showed the world the heart of the Filipino,” Pacquiao stated, presumably in a recent statement about the event. “Now, it is our turn to give a platform to the next generation of champions. Through MP Promotions, we are not just commemorating history, we are creating it again at the very same place where Ali and Frazier made magic.” The stage for this historic revival is none other than the Araneta Coliseum, (The

KRELZ Gecosala and Kresthan Belacas delivered standout performances with double victories in their respective divisions, grabbing the spotlight in the boys’ category of the Gov. Edwin Jubahib National Juniors Tennis Championships in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend. The fifth-seeded Gecosala defied the odds in the boys’ 18-and-under division, stringing together three straight-set wins before overpowering No. 4 seed Kurt Alcantara, 6-1, 6-3, in the finals. The 16-year-old Midsayap, North Cotabato native also dominated his own age group, dropping just eight games across three matches, culminating in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Wallaen Cabigas in the finals. Not to be outdone, Belacas of Mlang, Cotabato sparkled in the younger age groups. He held off Tyronne Caro in a tight 7-5, 6-3 win to secure the 12-andU crown, then added the 14-and-U title after Caro retired in the second set, trailing 3-6, 4-2, Their back-to-back victories earned both Gecosala and Belacas co-MVP honors alongside Faith Lazaro from Tagum City, who made waves in the girls’ division of the five-day event hosted by Gov. Jubahib in his continuing commitment to help develop the sport in the region.

Alas Pilipinas at the Senate

NCAA OPENING. Cheerleaders from some of the 10 member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association display their dancing skills, opening Season 101 of the league at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. Dennis Abrina

Manny Pacquiao with Uniprom COO Irene Jose

Krelz Gecosala (left) and Kresthan Belacas

Lisa Sarines Manny Marcelo

POC president Bambol Tolentino (7th from left) leads the POC executive board meeting

BSP expects faster inflation in September

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects a faster inflation rate in September 2025 following the 1.5 percent registered in August.

The BSP said in a statement the September inflation is projected to settle within the range of 1.5 percent to 2.3 percent.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the headline inflation rate picked up to 1.5 percent in August 2025 from 0.9 percent in July.

This brought the national average inflation in the first eight months to 1.7 percent, below the government’s 2025 target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

The BSP said upward price pressures in September are likely to arise from higher prices of rice and fish.

“Elevated domestic fuel costs likewise contribute to upside price pressures for the month. These pressures could be partially offset by the decline in vegetables and meat prices along with lower electricity rates,” it said.

The BSP said that it would continue to monitor evolving domestic and international developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy formulation.

Thony Rose Lesaca

IMF cuts PH growth forecast to 5.4% amid global risks

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday cut its 2025 growth forecast for the Philippines and advised the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that there is room to further ease monetary policy given a favorable inflation outlook and elevated risks to growth.

The IMF said it now expects the Southeast Asian economy to grow 5.4 percent in 2025, slower than its 5.5

BSP warns of continuous BOP, current account deficit in 2 years

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warned on Wednesday the country’s balance of payments (BOP) would remain in deficit over the next two years on sustained pressures on the current account. The current account shortfall is expected to stay at around 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 and 2026. This reflects a widening tradein-goods gap, subdued services receipts and restrained capital inflows amid global uncertainty and shifting trade policies, the BSP said in a statement.

It said goods exports and imports are anticipated to remain sluggish, shaped by softening global demand, easing commodity prices and tempered domestic growth momentum.

Infrastructure investments, potential trade diversion and efforts to diversify export and import partners may help cushion external shocks, it said. However, structural constraints, such as logistical inefficiencies, skills mismatches, and elevated input costs continue to weigh on export competitiveness, it added.

The BSP said it expects growth in services exports, particularly in business

percent estimate in July. It expects growth to accelerate to 5.7 percent in 2026.

The downward revision for 2025 was attributed to external risks, including prolonged global trade policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and disruptive financial market corrections, the multilateral lender said in a statement released after an Article IV Consultation with Manila.

“The Philippine economy has achieved successful disinflation, and growth remains resilient despite negative external spillovers,” said Elif Arbatli Saxegaard, who led the IMF team.

Inflation is projected to average 1.6 percent in 2025 and to remain around the mid-point of the central bank’s (BSP) target band in 2026.

process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism, to moderate as the sector contends with uncertainties surrounding US reshoring policies and weakening inbound travel.

Overseas Filipino remittances are expected to remain a resilient source of external support, underpinned by strong global labor demand and sustained confidence in formal transfer channels, it said.

Foreign direct and portfolio investment inflows are also projected to soften from 2024, reflecting heightened global financial volatility and cautious investor behavior.

However, recent policy reforms— including amendments to the Investors’ Lease Act—are poised to improve the investment climate, it said.

The gross international reserves (GIR) are expected to remain adequate, providing a robust buffer against external liquidity needs even as global market conditions evolve.

The BSP said it would continue to engage proactively with external stakeholders and uphold macroeconomic stability, closely monitoring emerging risks that impact the external sector. Thony Rose Lesaca 5.4% 5.5% 5.7% IMF growth forecast for 2025 Previous IMF growth forecast IMF growth forecast for 2026

The IMF noted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s monetary policy tightening, alongside lower rice tariffs, had successfully brought inflation back within its target range.

“The BSP has room for a slightly more accommodative stance to help bring inflation back to the target faster and reduce economic slack amid elevated downside risks to growth,” the IMF said.

On fiscal policy, the IMF advised that a more gradual medium-term fiscal consolidation was appropriate. This should be supported by durable revenue mobilization and public financial management reforms to boost accountability and transparency.

The IMF team held meetings in Manila from September 18 to October 1, 2025, for its 2025 Article IV Consultation.

PSEi breaks losing streak

amid bargain-hunting; peso strengthens

LOCAL equities finally snapped their seven-day losing streak, closing above the 6,000 level on Wednesday, largely due to bargain hunting.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 72.57 points, or 1.22 percent, to 6,026.03 while the broader all shares index advanced 33.83 points, or 0.93 percent, to 3,654.62.

The peso also strengthened to 58.12 against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday from 58.196 on Tuesday.

Despite the market’s recovery, Philippine Stock Exchange President Ramon Monzon said the recent market decline reflects what is happening in the country right now.

“Remember the market’s number one ally is confidence, both for local and foreign investors,” Monzon said.

To improve market sentiment, Monzon is hoping that some positive results will come from the ongoing

investigation into corruption in the government’s flood control projects.

“I just hope that they do a very good, credible investigation with really concrete and positive results. That is the only thing that will bring back confidence in the market,” Monzon said.

Meanwhile, all sectors ended in the green, led by mining and oil, which rose 3.19 percent. Industrial climbed 1.19 percent and property rose 1.06 percent.

Value turnover reached P5.86 billion, reflecting continued weak confidence in the market.

Advancers edged decliners 99 to 87.

BDO Unibank Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, climbing 4.06 percent to P138.30 while Converge ICT Solutions Inc. was the main index laggard, declining 4.47 percent to P11.96. Jenniffer B. Austria

Spinneys, Ayala to open premium supermarkets in PH

CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. is deepening its investment in the premium retail sector through a new partnership with Spinneys, a leading premium fresh food supermarket chain based in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement marks Spinneys’ first expansion outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Ayala’s second major partnership in the grocery segment following its recent deal with Thailand’s CP AXTRA to bring Makro stores to the Philippines.

The venture will open premium grocery stores across Metro Manila, combining Ayala’s local market knowledge and strength in property, retail and logistics with Spinneys’ expertise in high-quality fresh food retail.

Spinneys is owned by the Al Seer Group, a consumer holdings company that is part of a UAE-based group with business interests in industries such as food, retail, hospitality, shipyards and construction and a presence in over 20 countries.

The move follows Ayala’s announcement of its partnership with Thailand’s CP AXTRA to open Makro stores in the Philippines. These, along with earlier collaborations with Kmart Australia Ltd. to bring home and lifestyle brand Anko and with BYD to bring the world’s leading EV brand to the Philippines, underscore Ayala’s continued commitment to partnering with world-class companies, it said in a statement.

The partnership with Spinneys

will see Ayala combine its deep local market knowledge and strong experience across the property, retail and logistics sectors with Spinneys’ operational and brand expertise in premium fresh food retail.

Ayala Corp. and Spinneys, a leading premium fresh food supermarket chain in the United Arab Emirates, have entered a strategic business venture to open stores in the Philippines.

Spinneys is owned by the Al Seer Group, a consumer holdings company that is part of a UAE-based group with business interests in industries such as food, retail, hospitality, shipyards and construction and a presence in over 20 countries.

Jenniffer B. Austria

BIG-TICKET infrastructure projects are gamechangers that will give the Philippines a shot at becoming a developed country. Their completion will significantly improve transportation, link the farmers and fishermen to their market, and reduce the cost of goods and services.

They should be world-class facilities and far removed from the corruption scandals surrounding flood control projects.

Reputable construction companies should be at the helm of these game-changers―not firms with dubious intentions and certainly not district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who are adept at getting kickbacks.

The North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System Project, the P488.5-billion, 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) Project and the 672-kilometer Davao Public Transport Modernization Project are some of multi-billion peso, mega facilities that are either under construction or in the pipeline. Fortunately and because of foreign funding, these huge infrastructure projects are strictly monitored and their progress assessed periodically.

Just this Monday, the government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly inspected the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) to ensure its swift completion.

The MCRP is a segment of the bigger 147-kilometer, ₱873.62-billion NSCR that runs from Clark to Calamba, Laguna province.

The ADB is the Philippines’ second-largest official development assistance partner, accounting for $10.40 billion or 28.70 percent of total ODA financing as of March 2025.

The government through Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has been inspecting major infrastructure projects since 2024 to strengthen oversight on ODA projects. Earlier inspections included the Metro Manila Subway, the LRT1 Cavite Extension and the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project.

The NSCR System is the largest infrastructure project the ADB has financed in the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific region. The project is co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The MCRP segment will link Malolos, Bulacan and Clark Freeport in Pampanga, through a commuter line and an airport express railway to Clark International Airport and Clark Green City. It is designed to serve New Clark City’s estimated future population of 1.2 million.

The MCRP as of June 2025 was 42.4 percent complete. The railway is expected to cut the almost three-hour bus ride between Malolos and Clark to just one hour by train once operational by 2028.

Another ADB-supported segment of the NSCR is the 56.86-km South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), which will connect

Maynilad cuts IPO price to P15 with new investors

By Jenniffer B. Austria

AYNILAD Water Services Inc. will reduce its maximum offer price from P20 to P15 per share, lowering the expected proceeds from P45.8 billion to P34.33 billion.

Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez said in an interview Wednesday on the sidelines of a Sharephil event that P15 will be the new maximum offer price because the company secured two cornerstone investors willing to invest in the company’s IPO at that price.

Multilateral lending agencies International Finance Corp. has committed to invest $100 million, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) expressed interest in acquiring $145 million worth of Maynilad shares.

“The progress is promising and we will file with final prospectus by this Friday,” Fernandez said.

While acknowledging that the stock market is currently on a downward trend, Fernandez said the company is poised to proceed with the much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO).

“The market is bad but we are putting in a very successful and credible story,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said the company will conduct a roadshow next week to lure more investors.

Maynilad will offer the public up to 1,660,317,400 common shares, with an overallotment option of up to 249,047,600 shares and a preferential

Reputable construction companies should be at the helm of these gamechangers...

Manila to Calamba. When operational, it is

projected to reduce travel time from up to two hours by bus to 45 minutes by train.

The entire NSCR System Project is expected to carry 800,000 passengers per day when fully operational and generate 350,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.

“This project is nothing less than a genuine economic transformation,” Recto said. “It is the backbone of the Luzon Economic Corridor, accelerating trade and investment… This will be one of our main vehicles to lift more Filipinos out of poverty.”

Another big infrastructure project, meanwhile, is drawing the interest of foreign builders. Early this week, a Chinese company submitted the lowest bid for the land component of the BCIB project.

The DPWH said eight qualified bidders submitted financial bids for Contract Package 1 (CP1). This refers to the construction of the Bataan Land Approach, covering about 6.89 kilometers of ramps.

The bidders included China Harbour

offer of up to 24,904,800 shares.

The offer will run from Oct. 23 to 29, with the shares expected to be listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Nov. 7. Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it granted Maynilad the first Philippine Green Equity label.

The SEC said Maynilad sufficiently established and demonstrated its compliance with the requirements under the Guidelines on Philippine Green Equity, subject to its continuing compliance with the guidelines. The newly issued guidelines allow publicly listed companies and companies preparing to go public that generate a significant portion of their revenues from, and direct the majority of their investments toward, green activities, to distinguish themselves from other issuers through the use of the label.

Based on the SEC’s assessment, Maynilad derived 100 percent of its revenues from green activities such as water supply, wastewater treatment, sanitation services, and installation of new water service connections, in line with the minimum 50 percent requirement of the guidelines.

Engineering Company, which offered P4.87 billion; Beijing Urban Construction Group Co. Ltd. (P5.87 billion); and China Wu Yi Co., Ltd. (P5.87 billion).

Also expressing interest in the contract are Shou Road and Bridge Group Co. Ltd. (P6.002 billion); the joint venture of Human Road & Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd.; China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (P6.52 billion); the POSCO E&C-Sta. Clara Joint Venture (P7.04 billion); the EEI-PMI Joint Venture (P7.19 billion); and D.M. Consunji Inc. (P7.82 billion).

The presence of notable foreign and local construction companies in the bidding process guarantees the work quality that we can expect from the BCIB―a far cry from the shoddy jobs and shady deals involving the country’s flood control projects.

The BCIB project is strategic. It will provide a permanent road link between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite, the key missing link in the road network of the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions. It will serve as an alternative route from north Luzon to south Luzon without traveling through the heavy congested roadways of NCR. The BCIB, the NSCR and other major infrastructure are critical projects needed by an expanding economy. They should not go the way of substandard flood control projects.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

GLOBE TREATS. Senior leaders of Globe Telecom surprise employees by handing over the special treats themselves during GDay. (From left) Globe president and chief executive Carl Cruz and chief human resources officer Renato Jiao joined the event.

KFC SAN FERNANDO. KFC Philippines opens its 9th branch in San Fernando City, Pampanga, conveniently located on Capitol Blvd. in Barangay Sto. Niño. Leading the store’s opening rites are (from left) KFC real estate manager Angelo Garcia; KFC North Luzon operations manager Sherwin Santos; San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag; and lessor Richard Wang.

BUSINESS Manufacturing index declined in September

THE S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped below the 50.0 growth threshold in September for only the third time in more than four years, signaling a slight contraction in the sector.

The headline PMI, a single-figure composite indicator, fell to 49.9 in September from 50.8 in August. A reading below 50.0 indicates contraction.

The decline was led by new contractions in both output and new orders, marking the first drop in sales since March amid reports of fewer customer numbers.

Weaker operating conditions were mainly attributed to a renewed, albeit marginal, drop in new order intakes in September, the first decline in six months. However, order books from foreign clients continued to improve, suggesting the downturn was largely centered on the domestic market.

Reduced sales led Filipino manufacturers to scale back production, ending a three-month sequence of expansion. Panelists also cited poor weather and import restrictions on rice as factors negatively impacting output. Despite the drop in demand, manufacturers increased their purchasing activity and added to input stocks. Post-production inventories of finished goods fell as companies worked to reduce backlogs, which dropped for the first time since April.

The survey also pointed to a subdued jobs market in September.

Cost burdens eased since August, but the pace of increase was still among the highest recorded in 2025 so far. In contrast, factory gate prices rose only marginally, S&P Global said in a statement. Firms noted that rising material prices were the primary factor behind heightened costs.

ERC

adopts new rules to speed up approvals

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has adopted the use of summary proceedings for certain types of applications deemed critical to ensuring the quality, reliability and affordability of electricity supply nationwide.

The ERC said in a statement Wednesday the move is aimed at accelerating the government’s target of achieving total electrification across the country.

ERC chairman Francis Saturnino Juan underscored that the initiative reflects the commission’s drive toward faster and more efficient regulation, in line with its vision of a “new ERC.”

“We will do everything we can to accelerate the resolution of applications filed before the ERC. Streamlining our processes is key to fulfilling our commitment to a more responsive and revitalized ERC,” Juan said.

Under Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025, promulgated on Sept. 29, 2025, the commission authorized the use of summary proceedings for applications such as authority to develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point (P2P) limited transmission facilities, approval of capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, confirmation of over/under recoveries, approval of contracts for the supply of electric energy, issuance of certificates of public convenience and necessity, and business separation and unbundling plans.

The summary proceedings will only apply, however, in instances of applications without any intervenor, or uncontested applications and applications with intervenors, provided all parties have agreed to subject the application to summary proceedings.

Manufacturers remained optimistic about the production outlook for the coming year. Although easing slightly from August, the level of business confidence was the second-highest since last November, with firms generally confident of an improvement in sales.

“The Philippines PMI survey data showed the manufacturing sector moving into negative territory at the end of the third quarter which, despite indicating only a fractional decline, has been highly unusual in the sector’s post-pandemic history,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

“New orders and output decreased slightly, as firms mentioned a fall in client numbers and a modest drop in production from the suspension of rice imports,” Owen said.

“However, with overall sentiment in the year ahead remaining upbeat in September, and purchasing quantities increasing, manufacturers appear hopeful that the dip in sector performance is temporary,” he said.

IMI shuts China Kuichong plant, moves to Pingshan

By Jenniffer B. Austria

AYALA-LED Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) said Wednesday it transferred all manufacturing activities from its IMI Kuichong facility to its nearby Pingshan plant in China.

The move is part of the company’s efforts to streamline and improve operational efficiency, IMI said in a statement.

Final production at IMI Kuichong was completed on Sept. 30, 2025. The company said it would now focus on integrating operations fully into the Pingshan facility over the coming weeks.

“Throughout this transition period, IMI’s management team will prioritize business continuity and ensure that key customer accounts from IMI Kuichong will be served with minimal disruption,” said Robert William Heese, chief finance officer and compliance officer at IMI.

IMI said it expects the strategic move to improve operational efficiency, increase capacity utilization in IMI Pingshan and further streamline IMI’s footprint in China.

Since last year, IMI has been streamlining operations and consolidating its footprint into strategically located facilities in a bid to reduce costs.

OldTown

White Coffee to open 10 Vis-Min outlets

MALAYSIAN coffee chain OldTown White Coffee will open the first of its 10 planned outlets in the Visayas and Mindanao region in Zamboanga City.

The store is set to open on Oct. 3. It is located on Pasonanca Road in Tumaga, Zamboanga City, and will be operated by the couple Pherhan and Jhulie Saiddi. The store is a partnership with the Del Mundo Group of Companies, the Philippine master franchise holder for the brand.

“The world-renowned Malaysia coffee brand is finally here in Mindanao,” the Saiddi couple said in a statement.

“Our dream is to bring a global brand to Zamboanga that reflects both quality and cultural authenticity. OldTown White Coffee is exactly that,” Jhulie Saiddi said.

“We believe Zamboangueños will appreciate not just the coffee, but the entire dining experience that pays homage to Malaysian culinary heritage,” she said.

Zamboanga City, known as “Asia’s Latin City” due to its historical Spanish influences, is a cultural melting pot with strong local and

Southeast Asian traditions. OldTown White Coffee said this rich backdrop makes it an ideal location for the brand, which embodies decades of Malaysian heritage.

“The arrival of OldTown White Coffee not only adds new flavor to the city — it also promotes tourism and cultural exchange, introducing global brands that elevates Zamboanga’s status as a destination of world-class experiences,” Pherhan Saiddi said.

The Del Mundo Group plans to open 30 OldTown White Coffee outlets in the Philippines over the next three years, with 20 in Luzon and 10 in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Originating in Ipoh, Malaysia, OldTown Coffee has become a well-known Halal brand across Southeast Asia and beyond. Its first Philippine outlet opened in May 2023 at SM Grand Central in Caloocan City. The Zamboanga location will be its 11th in the country.

OldTown White Coffee operates more than 200 outlets in Malaysia and also has

presence in Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

It earlier closed its prototyping and manufacturing activities in IMI USA, dissolved its offices in Japan and Malaysia and downsized its office in Singapore due to continued slowdown in demand for electronics. It also closed its manufacturing operations in Chengdu, China.

IMI earlier said the global restructuring would yield $5 million in annual savings for the company.

IMI is a leading global electronics manufacturing solutions (EMS) expert specializing in highly reliable and quality electronics for long product life cycle segments in the automotive, industrial, power electronics, communications and medical industries.

It ranks among the top electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers in the world by the Manufacturing Market Insider, based on 2023 revenues, and remains among the top 10 in the automotive sector, according to New Venture Research.

Pherhan and Jhulie Saiddi announce the opening of the first store of Malaysian coffee chain OldTown in Zamboanga City on Oct. 3, 2025. The store is located on Pasonanca Road in Tumaga, Zamboanga City.

BCDA signs three deals with Japanese partners

By Othel V. Campos

STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Wednesday it signed three agreements with Japanese government and private sector partners to speed up the development of its properties, focusing on waste management, renewable energy, telecommunications and sustainable development.

BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese industrial and engineering firm Kanadevia Corp. (KVC) to conduct preliminary feasibility studies for a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility

2 Chinese firms to open facilities in Cavite ecozone

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Wednesday it signed registration agreements with two Chinese manufacturing firms at the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ). The new locators, CIXIN Precision Metal Products (Philippines) Inc. and Philippine Newly Ever Rise Technology Corp., will set up operations in Rosario, Cavite and open around 700 jobs, PEZA said.

PEZA deputy director-general for operations Vivian Santos signed the agreements with Philippine Newly Ever Rise deputy general-manager Weisheng Xiao and the general manager of CIXIN Precision.

CIXIN Precision, with an initial investment of about P40 million in new machinery, will produce heatsink products, CNC components, electroplating and surface treatment materials starting March 2026. The project is expected to employ nearly 100 Filipino workers, mostly in production roles.

Philippine Newly Ever Rise will manufacture and assemble transformers, power supplies, batteries, robotics products, solar systems and electric vehicle parts. The company plans to invest more than P20 million and start operations by January 2026, generating employment for about 600 local workers.

The two investments are expected to strengthen the Philippines’ role in the regional supply chain for electronics, robotics, and precision metal products. Othel V. Campos

in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The project aims to help transform New Clark City into a “green and resilient metropolis” through sustainable solutions and a circular economy, BCDA said.

BCDA also signed an MOU with Japanese telecommunications companies IPS Inc. and InfiniVAN Inc. to explore collaborative projects utilizing BCDA’s ICT assets in the Poro Point Freeport Zone in La Union and other BCDA-administered areas.

The partnership is expected to advance the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Program, which aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity and improve digital access for Filipinos.

BCDA said it also teamed up with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to develop and promote projects supporting energy transition, environmental protection and social sustainability. Under the deal, JBIC will help strengthen BCDA’s ties with the Japanese business community, promote the participation of Japanese firms in green initiatives, and consider funding options for strategic projects.

“With our Japanese partners, we are advancing projects that tackle waste management through renewable energy, strengthen digital connectivity for communities, and promote sustainable development in our economic zones,” Bingcang said.

MPTC prepares for P20-b retail bond offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the toll road operator arm of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), plans to raise up to P20 billion through a retail bond offering, the company said Wednesday.

MPTC, which operates key expressways including the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is planning to issue P15 billion in fixed-rate bonds, with an overallotment option for another P5 billion.

The proposed bond sale received the highest credit rating of “PRS Aaa” with a “Stable” outlook from the Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings).

An obligation rated “PRS Aaa” is of the highest quality with minimal credit risk, meaning the issuer’s capacity to meet its financial commitment is considered “extremely strong,” according to PhilRatings. The stable outlook indicates the rating is likely to be maintained over the next 12 months.

PhilRatings cited MPTC’s

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued draft rules to strictly enforce a nine-year term limit and fixed three-year tenure for independent directors of publicly listed companies, public companies and registered issuers. It issued Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2025 to strengthen board independence and align Philippine corporate governance practices with international standards under the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines. The rules, which will be open for comments from affected sectors, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Under the draft circular, independent directors should be elected to a fixed three-year term and may serve a maximum cumulative term of nine

TrinaSolar, AdventEnergy sign 20-year power deal for Mabini solar project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

TRINASOLAR International Systems Business Unit (ISBU), the global project development arm of TrinaSolar Co. Ltd., has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with its partner AdventEnergy for the 49.9-megawatt (MW) Mabini Solar Project in the Philippines. The solar farm in Barangay San Pedro, Mabini, Pangasinan, is a greenfield development by TrinaSolar ISBU and was granted green lane certification by the Board of Investments (BOI). The project was developed by Spotlight Power Inc. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin by the third quarter of 2026. Once

operational, the Mabini Solar Project is expected to generate 110.84 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable electricity in its first year, enough to power more than 24,000 households annually.

The project is also projected to reduce 76,549 tons of carbon dioxide (CO) emissions each year, supporting the Philippines’ climate goals.

“The Mabini Solar Project shows what can be achieved through strong cooperation between the Advent and Trinasolar,” said Derek Wang, Southeast Asia country manager of TrinaSolar ISBU.

“Together, we are advancing the country’s renewable energy goals and creating lasting value for local communities,” said Wang.

years. Any fraction of a year served is counted as one full year, regardless of the reason for resignation or removal.

Once a director reaches the nineyear limit, they must vacate the position immediately and may no longer be re-elected as an independent director in the same company, according to the draft rules.

To ensure board continuity, companies are required to stagger the initial terms of their independent directors. For example, a company with five independent directors may assign two to threeyear terms, two to two-year terms, and one to a one-year term during the first cycle. All subsequent appointments will follow the three-year fixed term.

SEC chairman Francisco Lim said the commission would be very strict

said it recorded more than 56 million authentications for its National ID system as of Sept. 17, 2025, reflecting the platform’s growing use in social protection and financial services.

with the implementation of the nineyear limit and will no longer accept applications for exemptions.

“At the same time, to make the independent directors truly independent, we’re giving them a three-year security tenure,” Lim said.

The SEC said it would impose a P1 million fine for companies with an independent director exceeding the nine-year term limit and a P100,000 fine for failure to vacate the position after disqualification.

As part of the transition period, the SEC said independent directors who have already served nine years as of the circular’s effectivity may continue to serve only until their company’s 2028 annual stockholders meeting. Jenniffer B. Austria

strong position as a well-managed tollway developer and operator with a growing regional presence, robust earnings, healthy cash flows and sustained growth potential.

The company’s net income rose 5 percent year-on-year to P4.9 billion in the first half of 2025, supported by an 18-percent growth in both toll and total revenues.

MPTC operates 1,095 kilometers of toll roads across Southeast Asia, with assets in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The proceeds are expected to support its ongoing projects, which include NLEX Segment 8.2 Section 1A and the CaviteLaguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsections, due for completion between late 2025 and early 2026.

IN BRIEF

awarding ceremony are (from left) Ezekiel Vejerano, creative services manager; Justine

planning and analysis manager; Jay Kotecha, vice president for

Franchette Chingcuanco-Cardona, CMO; Paolo Carrado, product lead; Abhinav Kulshrestha, CTO; and Marie Bulosan, production support.

PH promotes opportunities at China-ASEAN exposition

By Julie Ann Lope

THE Philippines showcased its vibrant trade and economic potential during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO22) from Sept. 16 to 19 in Nanning, Guangxi, China.

The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, actively participated in promoting bilateral trade, investment, and regional cooperation. Philippine Ambassador to China

Jaime Florcruz, Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas (Guangzhou), Consul General Rodillo Catalan (Beijing) and other Philippine diplomatic officials in China and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco

of Cebu [rovince, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and private sector exhibitors were part of the delegation.

The Philippines’ booth included a national pavilion with support from CAEXPO Secretariat and a commodity pavilion with 12 companies that displayed tropical fruits, handicrafts, jewelry, specialty foods and financial services.

Filipino officials took part in ministerial roundtables on industry, artificial intelligence, and emergency management, showcasing the country’s focus on innovation,

sustainability, and regional teamwork.

The Philippines will be the country of honor at CAEXPO23 in September 2026.

The designation will allow the Philippines to further promote trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange, underscoring its commitment to building stronger economic and people-to-people ties with China and ASEAN.

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, which covers four southern Chinese provinces including Guangxi, cited the country’s efforts to strengthen regional partnerships.

Chinese National Day celebrated in Manila

THE Chinese Embassy in the Philippines hosted a ceremony to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and to bid farewell to Ambassador Huang Xilian on Sept. 25 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City

Over 1,000 attendees, including First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, House Speaker Faustino Dy, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega, representatives from Chinese companies, students, teachers, and individuals from various sectors attended the event.

Vice President Sara Duterte extended her congratulations and best wishes for the Chinese National Day through a video message.

She expressed her hope that the

Philippines and China, as close neighbors and partners, would strengthen their friendship based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. Huang, in his address, cited the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

He reflected on the historical significance of the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, as well as the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascism War.

Huang also noted China’s role as a force for stability and progress in global peace.

Despite the challenges, he believes the Philippines and China will soon have a stronger, more positive relationship because of the deep connection between their people.

Over 1,000 attendees, including First Lady

anniversary of the founding of the People’s

Convention Center in Pasay City.

Dy and de Vega both offered positive remarks on China’s developmental achievements and their global impact. They voiced their hope that the Philippines and China would

Fil-Chinese business groups hold medical mission in Manila

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), together with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Textile Industries Inc., conducted a medical mission in front of 168 Mall, Binondo, Manila on Sept. 14, 2025.

The FFCCCII Free Medical Team, consisting of four doctors and ten dentists, provided medical services to 450 patients, performed 97 dental extractions and distributed 185 pairs of reading glasses.

A total of 732 individuals benefited from the medical mission.

effectively manage their differences and identify practical avenues for cooperation that would benefit the citizens of both nations.

Michael Wong Ho

A Philippine delegation attends the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO22) from Sept. 16 to 19 in Nanning, Guangxi, China.

China to launch online visa system for Filipinos

By Michael Wong Ho

THE Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued a notice that it would launch the China Online Visa Application System (website: visaforchina.cn) on Oct. 13, 2025, Filipino citizens traveling to China may complete the online form and upload application materials through the China Visa Application Service Center website.

After the online review is approved, applicants should visit the Visa Center in person to submit their passports and other paper documents and pay the applicable fees.

Starting Oct. 13, the embassy said it would no longer accept old visa application forms filled out before Oct. 11.

Under the new system, applicants should first register online, fill out the application and correctly upload their passport, photo, and supporting materials.

Once approved, they should print the “Visa Application Confirmation” and bring it to the Visa Center for submission.

According to the regulations, diplomats, government officials and VIP applicants should still submit materials directly to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates.

Ordinary visa processing time is four working days.

Express and urgent applications will take three and two working days respectively.

For first-time applicants and those applying for M (commercial trade), F (exchange, visits, study tours), X (student) and Z (work) visas, express and urgent services will not be available.

Applicants are also reminded to strictly follow the requirements for passport information and photos, and to pay fees in cash when submitting documents.

As demand for travel to China has increased, Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide have gradually introduced the Visa Application Center model to improve efficiency and service quality.

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) led by its president Victor Lim visited Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian at the ambassador’s residence on Sept. 26, 2025 to bid farewell and express their sincere thanks and high regard.

The meeting was attended by FFCCCII honorary presidents Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Francis Chua and Tom Ching as well as several vice presidents and staff members. Also present were Consul General Wang Yue and Consul Shi Weijian.

Huang expressed his appreciation for the strong support and cooperation of FFCCCII during his five-year tenure.

He said that upon arriving in Manila in 2019, the first Filipino-Chinese organization he visited within two weeks was FFCCCII. He noted that FFCCCII is a prominent Filipino-Chinese community organization, playing a key role in fostering friendship between the Philippines and China.

Huang particularly lauded FFCCCII’s efforts in advancing Filipino-Chinese

education and various charitable projects over the years.

He said that Chinese settlements in the Philippines date back more than 1,000 years, predating Spanish colonization and that Chinese are considered among the native peoples of the Philippines.

He called for greater mutual understanding and harmonious coexistence between Chinese and Filipinos.

Lim commended Huang as a seasoned diplomat with extensive knowledge and rich experience.

He acknowledged Huang’s significant achievements in promoting high-level exchanges and strategic mutual trust between the Philippines and China during his five-year term.

Lim also noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Huang utilized his channels and resources to assist in the cooperation between the two countries in anti-COVID efforts.

He expressed hope that Huang would continue to promote friendship and collaboration between the Philippines and China. Michael Wong Ho

FFCCCII vice president William Yap Castro also donated Gibi sports shoes, produced by his company to the patients, emphasizing continued community support and care. Julie Ann Lope

Teachers recognized during Mid-Autumn Festival celebration

tion committee Co Kin Hung cited the vital role Filipino Chinese teachers in preserving traditional Chinese culture and their unwavering dedication to nurturing talents for the nation.

Hung also lauded the teachers’ admirable achievements and commitment.

He said FFCCCII would continue to enhance welfare programs for Filipino Chinese teachers, including retirees, to acknowledge their valuable contributions. As part of the celebration, the teachers were awarded the “Respect Teachers and Value Education Award,” recognizing their dedication and service to education and the community. Julie Ann Lope

Liza Araneta-Marcos, celebrate the 76th

Republic of China on Sept. 25 at SMX

THE Association of Chinese-Filipino Schools in the Philippines Retired Faculty Club held a get-together on Sept. 20, 2025 to celebrate Teacher’s Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. More than 400 retired teachers and

Filipino-Chinese community leaders joined the event. Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) vice president and director of the culture and educa-

FFCCCII president Victor Lim visits Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Sept. 26, 2025 to bid farewell and express their sincere thanks and high regard.

FFCCCII honors Chinese envoy in farewell visit

Filipino-Chinese business groups conduct a medical mission in front of 168 Mall, Binondo, Manila on Sept. 14, 2025.

The Association of Chinese-Filipino Schools in the Philippines Retired Faculty Club celebrate Teacher’s Day and Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept. 20, 2025.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

JASPER VALDEZ,

Writer

Writer

By Angelica Villanueva

FOR a millennial who grew up on streaming apps and glossy blockbusters, watching Lino Brocka’s 1979 film Jaguar this year’s Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival felt like stepping into another world. The festival’s opening film, shown in its restored version, offered both a trip back in time and a reminder of how strongly the struggles of the past continue to resonate today.

I was

enough to

the film alongside its screenwriters, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and Jose F. Lacaba Sitting a few rows away from them, I felt like I was watching history unfold with the very people who helped write it. For a first-time viewer like me, it was a rare moment I won’t forget. At the center of Jaguar is Poldo Miranda, played by a young Philip Salvador. Poldo is a security guard— “jaguar” in 1970s slang from the Tagalog word gwardya—working for his boss Sonny Gaston, played by Menggie Cobarrubias After saving Sonny from a jealous rival, Poldo gets pulled into the world of Manila’s rich crowd, serving as a bodyguard and errand boy. But when he falls for Cristy Montes, portrayed by Amy Austria, a dancer Sonny keeps as his mistress, Poldo’s life quickly unravels, leading him into betrayal and tragedy. Brocka, later named National Artist for Film, told the story with raw honesty. He didn’t

spotlight on older films that still matter. He noted that younger audiences, when exposed to restored works in schools, often react as if the films were just made

“You realize that even if they’re old, they’re still relevant,” Lee

He also said that the 4K restoration was personal.

“I haven’t seen it in such a long time. This time I get to watch it not just at home but in 4K and with an audience, and that means so much

The film was also his first credited

Lino Brocka’s ‘Jaguar’

NETIZENS pointing out the resemblance between comedian Michael V and the lady embroiled in controversial flood control projects ensured he would impersonate her to much hilarity. It’s just the latest in the funny man’s long list of prominent or pathetic people he has impersonated effectively, which is a key component of his success.

As the heart and soul of the long-running TV gag show Bubble Gang, Michael V has become a beloved icon, elevating Filipino humor for years. Never mind if a critic argues that his comedy does not translate strongly on the big screen. It cannot be denied that he has made a lot of people laugh, regardless of age. Which brings me to the question: should he be placed in the league of those who made their mark in classic comedy?

I guess the answer is yes. Besides, he has been in the thick of things for quite some time. His brand of comedy has that classic touch, too. He does not resort to insult theater. He is not some heartthrob trying to crack jokes— because drama didn’t work out—and then play Don Juan off-cam. He is a natural comic, gifted with good timing and with no qualms about stretching the limits of the art to land a punchline.

Having pointed this out, may I enumerate the other nine comedy acts that laid the grounds and serve as yardsticks for those wanting to make a name for themselves, or lead lives in the name of healthy humor.

sugarcoat poverty or glamorize power. Instead, he showed the harsh reality of Tondo’s slums, where Poldo lived with his mother (Anita Linda) and siblings.

The scenes set in Smokey Mountain, where people lived among mountains of trash, were especially powerful. Even restored in 4K, the pain and desperation on screen hit close to home. Watching them today, I thought of families who still live in the same conditions more than 40 years later. For Ricky Lee, bringing back films like Jaguar through festivals is vital.

“Old films, the ones supposedly forgotten, are being dug up and shown again to remind us how important they are. Activists and programmers bring them back to life so we can watch them and realize they’re still part of our lives,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment ahead of the screening.

He added that festivals help people rediscover the joy of watching movies in theaters.

“Festivals are like an injection,

screenplay, co-written with close friend Lacaba.

“This was basically my first film with my name on it. And it was my first time working with Lino Brocka, which led to so many other projects,” added Lee.

As I walked out of the theater, I carried a heaviness I couldn’t shake. Jaguar may be more than four decades old, but its story still feels urgent. The faces of the poor may change, but the

they bring back energy, create new excitement, and give us a reason to go out and watch in cinemas,” Lee added.

“Without events like this, people will just stay home and watch on their cellphones or YouTube. Festivals make a huge difference,” he explained.

Festivals, he said, also shine a

Philippine comedy GOATs

1. Dolphy – He is dubbed the King of Comedy for a reason. People went to big cinemas to watch him. One may think it was his sidekicks who made him appear funnier than he really was, but no one could dispel the fact that he had immense charisma, and they needed him as the ringleader who could swat you with a folded newspaper for a laugh. The Banayad Whisky commercial shoot scene from the 1995 movie Father & Son was a crowning moment for Pidol.

2. Tito, Vic & Joey – Individually, these three men went on to be stand-alone success stories, with Tito becoming a notable senator, Vic a box office king, and Joey a reliable TV figure who served as the face of Wow Mali and T.O.D.A.S. Still, their combination as a trio led

to some of the funniest scenes in Philippine moviedom. Just recall them giving a drunk Joaquin Fajardo a TV fix in Working Boys, with a little help from Herbert Bautista

3. Roderick Paulate – This list is not an actual ranking because it’s difficult to decide. But if it were, Roderick deserves a high spot, for he perfected the gay guy role both in movies and on TV. See those clips from the Oki Doki Doc sitcom where his gay character Dickson tries the manly moves to keep from Aga Muhlach his true identity.

4. Babalu – Many fans argue that Babalu was the best of them all, with his genetically funny face and fine skill at pushing the comic plot swiftly and effectively. He was an expert at slap comedy, often losing his temper to hilarious effect. You must have seen him looking for “Balisain” upon joining Alice Dixson and others for dinner, only to realize it was the chicken served on the table.

5. Panchito – He was not a main starrer, but every once in a while, he could steal the show. A perfect example is that scene from Gawa Na Ang Bala Na Papatay Sa Iyo where he and lead

unfair system that crushes them hasn’t disappeared. Watching it with Lee and Lacaba nearby, I felt grateful not only for the restored film but for the truth it still dares to tell.

For my generation, Jaguar is a mirror, showing us that justice remains out of reach for many who need it most.

star Vic Sotto were about to serenade Monica Herrera and Nova Villa, tagging a guitarist to play along. How he delivered his reaction, “Ay papatayin ko,” the moment he felt the guitarist left them hanging, was timing at its best.

6. Chiquito – For some time, it was Dolphy vs. Chiquito. The latter delivered and played memorable characters like Mang Kepweng and Asiong Aksaya. He was at his best when acting so scared he couldn’t move his feet to run from a zombie beside him.

7. Rene Requiestas – From being that famous sidekick Cheetae to Joey de Leon’s Starzan character, he went on to earn equal billing with the man who gave him the break—on Elvis and James. He then became a leading man himself in movies like Pido Dida and Michael and Madonna. His star shone bright but short, yet enough to make him a comic legend.

8. Redford White – While best known for being the Sol to Eric Quizon’s Buddy, this comedian often excelled in support roles and when paired with colleagues like Babalu, or circus characters Ungga Ayala or Bonel Balingit

9. Bentot Jr. (Ben Tisoy) – This comedian’s antic of talking in sync with his two hands flapping on the side of his head made people think he couldn’t hang from a passenger jeep and act to pay up at the same time. Thus spread the rumor that he had fallen off during a commute ride and died. He passed away in 2002, certainly not that way.

Rene Requiestas rose from sidekick to leading man, becoming one of Philippine comedy’s unforgettable legends

Panchito, Dolphy’s longtime partner, stole scenes with his impeccable timing and trademark wit

Roderick

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee attends the Sinag Maynila screening of the restored ‘Jaguar’

Philip Salvador portrays the security guard at the center of Brocka’s 1979 film

Amy Austria (left) as Cristy Montes and Philip Salvador as Poldo Miranda in ‘Jaguar’

Philip Salvador in a scene from Lino Brocka’s ‘Jaguar’

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Family comes first for Kristine Hermosa

The actress, now 42, embraces family life with Oyo Sotto and their six children

By Jasper Valdez

KRISTINE Hermosa may no longer be as active in showbiz as she used to be, but she still has a way of turning heads whenever she shows up in public. That was the case when she joined actress-entrepreneur Jess Martinez at the opening of Skinlandia McKinley on Sept. 27 at Viceroy Residences in Taguig City.

At 42, the actress looked radiant. She said it’s the peace she’s found in her faith and in family life that gives her that glow.

These days, Kristine is focused on home life with husband Oyo Sotto and their six children. She admitted that the demands of showbiz no longer fit into her daily reality. Long tapings, overnight shoots, and unpredictable schedules, she explained, are impossible to balance with raising her kids.

“I miss it, of course. I grew up in this industry,” she said, reflecting on her years in showbiz. “But with six children and a husband to take care of, I can’t commit to the kind of schedule teleseryes require. It’s not like before when they could call me at any hour and I’d be ready.”

Still, Kristine has not closed the door completely. While teleseryes may be out of the picture for now, she maintains a presence online through House of D, the family’s new YouTube show, where she appears alongside her mother-in-law Dina Bonnevie, sister-in-law Danica Sotto-Pingris, brother-in-law Marc Pingris, and Oyo. The program, where they discuss personal experiences and life lessons, allows Kristine to reconnect with audiences without the grueling demands of traditional tapings.

That’s also why, if she ever returns to mainstream work, Kristine said it would likely be through something lighter. “If it’s a sitcom, that’s possible,” she admitted. “At least that’s more manageable.”

Aside from her career choices, Kristine also touched on her personal life, including her relationship with Dina. Far from the usual stories of tension between in-laws, she shared that they simply get each other.

“She’s very straightforward, very blunt—and I’m the same,” Kristine shared. “That’s why we get along. If there are misunderstandings, they don’t last because we know how to talk about it. What matters is that God is at the center, so everything falls into place.”

That kind of honesty, Kristine added, has kept family relationships strong, even as she navigates life outside the spotlight.

Her candidness about aging also stood out during the event. Often called one of the industry’s most beautiful faces, Kristine said she sometimes feels the pressure of being labeled a “diyosa,” especially as she grows older.

“Of course, there are days when you feel insecure,” she admitted. “But I try to focus on being healthy, keeping myself neat, and making sure my heart is at peace. When God is there, you have contentment.”

For now, Kristine is content to stay grounded in family life, stepping into the public eye only when it feels right.

lit up Paris Fashion Week as she returned to the runway for L’Oréal Paris’ Le Défilé show held Sept. 29 at the Hôtel de Ville.

“Back on the Le Défilé runway with @lorealparis and it feels so empowering!” Pia captioned on Instagram, where she also expressed pride in carrying the Philippine flag at the international event.

“To walk alongside women from all over the world and carry the Philippines with me? That’s the real honor. The theme ‘Liberty, Equality, Sisterhood’ says it best. When we walk together, we walk

She also left a message for Filipinas:

“Always proud to remind every Filipina: we are seen, we are celebrated, and yes… we are always worth it.”

Fans quickly flooded her post with praise, calling her performance “empowering” and “graceful.”

Pia walked alongside global names including Kendall Jenner, Helen Mirren, Eva Longoria, Gillian Anderson, Andie MacDowell, Cindy Bruna, and Ariana Greenblatt. This marked her second consecutive appearance in the brand’s Paris Fashion Week runway showcase.

The beauty brand said this year’s show reimagined the French Liberté, Égalité, Sororité into a message of sisterhood and solidarity.

By Nickie Wang

EMPLOYEES of Tanduay

Distillers Inc. rolled up their sleeves and joined thousands of volunteers for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in Manila Bay on Sept. 20, collecting nearly 200 kilograms of trash along Dolomite Beach.

The group, part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) nationwide campaign, gathered 191.21 kilograms of waste during the effort.

“By participating in the ICC, we are reinforcing our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices,” said Francheska Cruz, Tanduay Group Safety, Environment and Risk Management Officer, noting that the company has long supported cleanups and treeplanting drives.

Tanduay employees described the experience as both tiring and rewarding. Mel Reyes, from the accounting department, said it was “eye-opening” to see how small

acts like collecting litter can protect marine life and communities. Administrative staff Renchester Amores added that the cleanup went beyond individual action: “It’s a collaborative effort – for people, for the environment, and for the country.”

The ICC, billed as the world’s largest volunteer movement for ocean protection, drew more than 25,000 participants across Metro Manila this year and 86,000 nationwide at 298 sites. The 2025 theme was “Clean Seas Against the Climate Crisis.”

By Jasper Valdez

FORMER Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach

Tanduay employees join thousands of volunteers in the International Coastal Cleanup at Manila Bay

Volunteers collect and bag waste along Dolomite Beach as part of the ICC campaign

Tanduay participants fill sacks with trash during the Manila Bay cleanup drive.

Kristine Hermosa is focusing her time on family life with Oyo Sotto and their six children

Kristine Hermosa (second from right) joins Jess Martinez (second from left) at the opening of Skinlandia McKinley in Taguig City

Pia Wurtzbach strikes a powerful pose on the Paris Fashion Week stage

Kristine Hermosa says faith and family give her the glow she carries at 42

C4 LIFE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE

WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

CARDIOVASCULAR

disease remains the country’s top killer, and health experts are warning that risks to the heart go far beyond smoking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diets.

On World Heart Day in September, advocates said Filipinos need to look at both lifestyle and environmental threats to heart health.

A recent study from NYU Langone Health linked phthalates—chemicals found in everyday plastics— to more than 350,000 cardiovascular-related deaths worldwide. The Philippines, among the biggest consumers of single-use plastics, uses millions of items daily, raising concerns about the long-term impact on public health.

The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Regular physical activity remains one of the strongest defenses against heart disease, experts stress on World Heart Day

Hidden dangers put Filipino hearts at risk

Cancer group renews call for safer, wider treatment in PH

A DECADE since it began, cancer advocacy group Hope From Within renewed its push for better and more accessible cancer treatment in the Philippines as it marked World Patient Safety Day this September.

The initiative, spearheaded by pharmaceutical company MSD in the Philippines, used its 10th anniversary to highlight persistent gaps in prevention, screening, and treatment access for cancer patients nationwide.

Launched in 2015, Hope From Within (HFW) has grown into one of the country’s largest cancer awareness movements, reaching an estimated 20 million Filipinos through education campaigns, community partnerships, and lobbying for government support. It has consistently pressed for the full rollout of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), passed in 2019, and for sustained funding to support patients.

“Every Filipino cancer patient deserves the best possible chance, not just to survive, but to live well,” said Andreas Riedel, president and managing director of MSD in the Philippines. “Ten years on, our mission is stronger than ever: to close the cancer care gap, make treatment accessible, and give every patient the dignity of hope.” This year’s Patient Safety Day carried a sharper message — that safety in cancer care is not just about avoiding medical errors but also about ensuring timely diagnosis, affordable medicines, and equal access to advanced treatments.

Through programs such as Cancer Game Plan PH and Tita Hope Talks, HFW has championed reforms in cancer financing, pushed for stronger medical infrastructure, and supported patient assistance funds.

In 2024, it expanded into precision medicine with its “Hit the Mark” campaign, which promotes biomarker testing for lung cancer patients.

The effort now counts Hi-Precision Diagnostics and Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory among its partners, allowing eligible patients to undergo tests for EGFR and PD-L1 — crucial in guiding oncologists toward the most effective treatments.

“We cannot talk about patient safety without addressing accessibility,” Riedel said. “Safety is compromised when treatment is delayed or denied.”

HFW is also preparing to launch Let’s Talk Lung, an AI-powered chatbot offering patients and caregivers quick, reliable answers about symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment options.

The tool, which will be available on HFW’s website, builds on the platform’s push to give patients accurate and easyto-understand information whenever they need it.

From helping secure bigger cancer assistance funds to rallying public and government support behind NICCA, HFW says it remains focused on one goal: making comprehensive, equitable and safe cancer care available to every Filipino.

“Ten years is just the beginning,” Riedel said. “We will keep working until no one has to fight cancer alone.”

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats supports long-term cardiovascular health, according to advocates

Regular screenings can also help detect silent conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol before they progress.

Managing stress through sleep, mindfulness, and meditation, alongside a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, also forms a strong defense. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, while antioxidants help protect cells from damage.

To complement healthy habits, some Filipinos turn to targeted nutrition. Among them is LAC TRIMAX Omega Fish Oil + CoQ-10, a 2-in-1 supplement promoted by LAC Philippines to support cardiovascular health.

Each softgel contains purified fish oil

with omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate cholesterol, blood pressure, and circulation, plus Coenzyme Q-10, a nutrient vital for energy production in the heart. CoQ10 levels naturally decline with age, and supplementation may support heart muscle strength and vitality. The product is also marketed as supporting brain function, joint flexibility, and overall wellness, with one softgel daily recommended for long-term use.

With cardiovascular disease remaining the country’s leading cause of death, health advocates stress that protecting the heart requires more than an annual reminder. For Filipinos, experts say, it means combining healthier choices, greater awareness of hidden risks, and consistent daily protection.

purpose,” becoming a youth mental health coach and mentor who now works with local governments, schools, and NGOs to promote suicide prevention.

This year, Pascua took her advocacy into music and fandom communities — spaces where young Filipinos gather. She said fandoms are “not only about entertainment but also about belonging,” and can serve as safe havens for conversations on mental health.

In September, she teamed up with BINI’s Mikha Lim for a seminar that reminded fans that fandom can also be a community of care and support. She later collaborated with folk-pop band Ben&Ben and their Liwanag fan group, weaving mental health messages into the band’s emotional anthems, including leaves, courage, and di ka sayang

“When we collaborated with BINI Mikha and Ben&Ben, it showed that the art we love can also help us heal,” Pascua said, adding that concerts and fan spaces can double as platforms for healing, helping young people feel seen and less isolated.

But she warns that awareness cannot be confined to September or October. “Wherever I go, from cities to the smallest towns, I see the same truth: mental health is everyone’s concern,” she said.

As a senior volunteer with I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers, Inc., Pascua continues to push partnerships and initiatives on mental health, insisting that compassion must become a daily practice. “Caring for our mental well-being should be part of our everyday lives, in every home and every community.”

The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1553 (toll-free via landline). Globe and TM subscribers may call 0966-351-4518 or 0917-899-8727, while Smart, Sun, and TNT users may dial 0908-639-2672. Hopeline PH is also available at (02) 8804-4673. For talks, workshops, or collaborations, Pascua may be contacted at ymarikristia@gmail.com, on Instagram at @ ymarikristia, or through bit.ly/YmariKristiaPascua.

Youth advocate turns music and fandoms into lifeline amid rising suicide cases

SUICIDE cases are climbing at an alarming rate in the Philippines, with police recording more than 2,000 incidents in the first half of the year. The surge has cast a grim shadow over Suicide Prevention Month in September and World Mental Health Month in October, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.

For Ymari Kristia Pascua, chief empowerment officer of Mental Health Youth Hub PH, the numbers are more than statistics.

“Behind every statistic is a story, a family, and a dream,” she said. Her goal is to bring conversations about mental health into every corner of the country so no one feels they are fighting alone. Pascua knows the struggle firsthand. Her own story, once featured on Maalaala Mo Kaya, reflects the pain and resilience of many Filipinos. Rising from personal battles, she chose to turn

and

Advocates and leaders urge for safer and more accessible cancer treatment in the Philippines

Youth advocate Ymari Kristia Pascua (left) and BINI’s Mikha Lim join forces at a seminar promoting fandom as a safe space for mental health conversation

The youth summit aims to promote empowerment

mental health awareness among youth

Managing stress through mindfulness and meditation helps lower risks of cardiovascular disease, the country’s leading killer