Manila Standard - 2025 October 6 - Monday

Ping giving up Blue Ribbon panel

Cites discontent among colleagues

By Ram Superable and Vince Lopez

SENATE

President

Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday announced that he is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee amid fresh scuttlebutt about another brewing reshuffle in the upper chamber.

Lacson’s announcement comes amid growing unease among his colleagues over the flood control scandal that has implicated several senators.

“No amount of criticisms from misinformed netizens and partisan sectors can distract or pressure me from doing my job right, but when my own peers start expressing their group or individual sentiments, maybe it is best to vacate,” he said.

Some senators earlier already expressed concern in previous plenary sessions and probe hearings that the committee’s probe into alleged anomalies in public works projects is getting too close to home.

“Nevertheless, I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds as I have consistently done in the course of my long years in public service,” Lacson assured.

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT

tight cases against those involved in anomalous flood control projects, stress

ing that pursuing complaints on shaky grounds could backfire and undermine government efforts for accountability.

“Look, what could happen: [if] we rushed it, our evidence is incomplete, our evidence is vague, but we still insisted on filing the complaints… and we lost the cases. Can you imagine? I think that would be much, much, much, much worse,” the chief executive said in a combination of Filipino and English.

In a teaser for his podcast re

leased yesterday, Mr. Mar

cos emphasized that while many individuals linked to questionable projects are “not innocent,” the government must ensure that cases filed in court are backed by strong evidence that will stand up in court.

UP study bares P115b ‘shadow’ 2025 flood funds

By Rex Espiritu

OVER ₱115 billion has reportedly been allotted for “shadow” flood control projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines–National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

It found that the “shadow” flood control budget—which covers projects outside the official Flood Management Program (FMP)—had substantially and “consistently grown over the years,” from P81.552 billion in 2022 to P115.262 billion in 2025.

“This means that in the 2025 GAA, the budget for flood control projects outside the FMP is nearly 50% larger

than the FMP’s own allocation,” the UP-NCPAG said in a policy note released on Friday.

“To further illustrate, the majority of the P115-billion budget in 2025 was allocated for the construction or maintenance of general structures like walls, revetments, dikes, slope/riverbank protection, drainage systems,

Gov’t has hands full fixing storm, quake impact

By Rex Espiritu

FOOD, potable water, and temporary shelters remain the most urgent needs of residents displaced by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu, the provincial government reported. Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in partnership with multiple government agencies rolled out an aid caravan for the benefit of communities in Cebu and Masbate hit by recent natural disasters.

This as local civic groups in Marilao, Bulacan called for a thorough investigation into the town’s flood control projects, which according to the group received more than half a billion pesos in funding since 2023.

“We know many of these people are not innocent, but if you’re going to bring them to court, you must have a very strong case,” he told Manila Bulletin’s Philip Cu-Unjieng, his childhood friend.

The President warned that rushing cases with incomplete or weak

Teachers lead Cebu quake relief; rally for educ reforms

EVEN as his own community reeled from the devastation of the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake, University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar chose to do what true teachers do best—lead by example.

When the tremors subsided, Malagar did not stay behind his desk. Instead, he joined the university’s volunteer arm, UP Cebu Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, composed of faculty, staff, and students, to reach out to the hardest-hit and most remote areas of northern Cebu.

In partnership with the University Student Council, the team immediately mobilized relief operations to bring aid to families who had been left isolated since the quake struck.

Away from Cebu, Filipino educators and advocates marked World Teachers Day yesterday into a call for accountability, condemning what they described as government neglect and ram-

By Darwin G. Amojelar

RESPONDING ON TWO FRONTS. Member of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu academic community, left photo, led by Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar joined the university’s volunteer arm, UP Cebu Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, to reach out to the quake’s hardest-hit and most remote areas of northern Cebu. In Manila, members of the Civil Society Network for Teachers rally in Malate, Manila on World Teacher’s Day to push for urgent reforms in the education sector and condemn widespread corruption that affects the welfare of students and school communitie. UP Cebu, Norman Cruz

Metro Manila Subway Route

The Blue Ribbon Committee has been investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, contractors, and politicians.

The controversy has exposed possible collusion schemes, with reports of ghost or substandard projects used to channel funds into kickbacks.

“If you ask me, I would say I handled the hearings well. But there are those trying to disrupt the hearings. In one instance, the hearing had barely started when someone tried to make a distraction. That is why there is a perception that the hearings were not handled well,” Lacson said.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier expressed frustration that the Senate was “burn-

ing down its own house” instead of focusing on the real culprits behind the alleged multibillion-peso fraud.

Ejercito admitted he had considered leaving the majority bloc, saying the chamber appeared to be turning against itself while letting those responsible escape scrutiny.

Senator Imee Marcos also clashed with Lacson over the investigation, accusing some senators of “ganging up” on their peers instead of working together.

She publicly left the Senate group chat after Lacson advised her to attend hearings and read updates to avoid confusion about the probe’s direction.

“Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,” Lacson said.

Still, he denied that another coup in the chamber is afoot, and that the leadership of his ally, Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, is in danger.

“Not true,” he said about rumors that several senators might switch sides and support Cayetano as the next Senate President.

Lacson referred to the rumors as “old rehashed psywar tactics to confuse the majority bloc.”

On Saturday, the Blue Ribbon panel temporarily canceled its legislative inquiry into anomalous flood control projects “until further notice” to focus on budget deliberations and other pressing matters.

Lacson confirmed this development in a text message to reporters, noting that some of the affidavits they need from witnesses would not be ready on time.

These include the “tell-all” narratives from contractor couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’

Discaya, as well as the resolution of the issue between volunteer witness Orly Guteza and lawyer Petchie Espera, who denied notarizing his affidavit.

“Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the [Blue Ribbon Committee] hearing will be in conflict with the budget and CA (Commission on Appointment) hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,” Lacson told reporters.

.Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is calling for a “snap election” for the country’s political leadership, encompassing both the Executive and Legislative branches, with no incumbents allowed to participate for one election cycle.

“People have lost trust in government and government officials. Honestly, who can blame them? So here’s a thought: What if we all just resign and allow a Snap Election?” he said.

and coastal protection infrastructure.

This shows that a large part of flood control spending happens outside the main program,” it added.

The UP-NCPAG said that while expenditure under flood management is often highlighted in public discourse, other aspects of the GAA in relation to Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) allocation “deserve the same level of scrutiny.”

These include Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocations for other hazards like earthquake, landslide, fire, and storm surge embedded within other program areas of the agency’s budget. These are not explicitly labeled as “disaster” expenditures, but nevertheless infrastructure investments crucial to decreasing multi-hazard vulnerability.

The academic institution also noted the “immense” scale of road infrastructure spending, with funding for the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of roads reaching P541.98 billion in the 2025 GAA.

evidence could result in dismissals that would embolden violators and damage the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption drive.

However, Mr. Marcos reiterated that all government actions must remain within the bounds of the law.

“We have to follow the law. Otherwise, whatever we do is not legitimate. And we have to be very, very clear that we go after the guilty ones,” he emphasized.

On September 11, the President established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is currently investigating projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that are suspected of being tainted with corruption.

The President initiated the call for accountability and transparency after corruption in infrastructure spending, including flood control projects, was unearthed.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, President Marcos called out those behind irregularities in flood control projects, saying, “Shame on your fellow Filipinos.”

Following this pronouncement, the President launched the Sumbong sa Pangulo website to give citizens a direct channel to report substandard or non-existent infrastructure projects in their communities.

On Saturday, contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Sarah Discaya appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit additional evidence against individuals tagged in anomalous flood control projects.

The couple’s lawyers gave no hint as to the nature of the latest evidence being submitted, nor whether new individuals were named.

According to the DOJ, the Discayas’ application for the witness protection program (WPP) is still under review.

pant corruption plaguing the country’s education system.

In a press briefing, the Civil Society Network for Teachers called for genuine reforms in the education system.

“Bawal kumurap, walang kukurap.

Panagutin, panagutin ang lahat ng corrupt. Stop corruption, education sagipin. Magna Carta ng Guro, ipatupad,” the groups chanted.

Within Corinthian Gardens, the MMSP alignment covers 500 meters and affects 33 real estate assets. As of last Sept. 30, the DOTr has issued 32 compensation offers totalling P820,555,800 to the affected property owners.

Of these, Lopez said that 20 owners have accepted offers amounting to P461.078 million, while negotiations with the remaining property owners are ongoing.

The drilling works along the MMSP alignment within the Corinthian Gardens will begin in January 2026. To date, the right-of-way acquisi-

In another development, more than 225,000 people have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo), according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Cebu officials said other immediate necessities included hygiene kits, medical supplies, water tankers, generators, and shelter materials such as modular tents.

The Provincial Health Office has deployed WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, along with nutrition and medical teams, to assist affected communities. The Provincial Emergency Operations Center at the Capitol continues to operate 24/7 to coordinate relief and response operations.

Among the hardest-hit areas were Bogo City, Medellin, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Sogod, and Borbon, while other municipalities such as Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, Catmon, Carmen, San Francisco, and Madridejos also reported heavy damage.

Classes have been suspended in all levels across at least 10 northern Cebu localities until further notice. Some schools have shifted to online learning after temporarily halting classes following the quake.

As of Sunday morning, donations have reached ₱7.9 million worth of relief goods and ₱66.4 million in cash.

To ensure faster and safer drop-offs, the provincial government has opened a donation hub at the Danao City boardwalk, where teams will sort them out prior to transport to affected areas.

“Due to heavy congestion in north-

They sought for the implementation of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. Said law aims to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working conditions, and their terms of employment, among others.

Likewise, they also demand salary increases for teachers citing their growing fiscal inadequacy while having a heavy workload. In a social media post, the Depart-

tion status for the MMSP is at 75 percent, with full completion targeted by March 2026.

The agency earlier awarded the Contract Page (CP) 101, covering four stations—East Valenzuela, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue—and the depot and the Philippine Railway Institute Building a joint venture led by EEI Corp., while the CP

ern Cebu from volunteers and private donors, the Governor has urged the public to avoid traveling to the affected towns to keep roads clear for emergency and relief vehicles,” the Cebu government said.

The PCSO caravan consisted of 12 Patient Transport Vehicles, five dump trucks, six wing vans carrying medical, disaster, and relief goods for communities in Cebu and Masbate.

The PCSO and its partners have prepared and dispatched 18,220 Charitimba packs, 4,041 evacuation kits, 664 boxes of medicines, and 7,974 relief items from its Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs). The total value of aid has reached P50 million, excluding transportation costs.

“These are more than just numbers—they are symbols of solidarity.

“Behind every pack and every delivery is the compassion of a nation that

ment of Education (DepEd) assured the teachers of their support in every step of the way.

“For every lesson you have taught, for every child you have guided, thank you for your tireless dedication of time, talent, and concern. It may not always be easy, but because of you, the path of every Filipino child continues to be illuminated,” the post reads in Filipino.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the educators’ hard work, perseverance, and tireless love that shape the youth.

102, comprising the stations in Quezon Avenue and East Avenue was bagged by the D.M. Consunji Inc.

CP 103, awarded to Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd., involves the stations from Anonas to Camp Aguinaldo; while CP104 covering the Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard segment, was pocketed by Megawide Construction Corp.

stands with its people,” PCSO general manager Melquiadeg Robles said in a statement. The Cebu Caravan will travel by land to assist earthquake-affected areas in the province.

Despite the substantial budget, citizens say little to no progress has been seen in addressing the town’s persistent flooding problem.

“More than half a billion has been allocated for the town’s flood control projects since 2023. But, in reality, nothing has been done. We Marileños have been made to think it’s acceptable to endure a deluge as long as there’s aid from politicians,” Tindig Marilao said.

I n a statement, the group criticized the apparent failure of local authorities to deliver meaningful results, echoing the sentiment: “Marilao is rich in water — but only when it floods.” According to the agency’s latest

It added that the single-year allocation for roads is approximately half of the department’s total allocation in 2011, and more than double the combined budget of the official and non-official flood control programs in 2024 (P115.26 billion + P248 billion FMP).

But even though the DPWH has received substantial funding over the years, “our disaster woes have worsened,” according to the UP-NCPAG. “Albay alone invested a staggering P16.2 billion in taxpayers’ money for flood mitigation, boasting 273 different flood control projects since 2018. Yet even with this investment, the province lost as much as P7.3 billion in infrastructure damage across a 6-year period (2017-2023), the highest in the country,” it said.

“Even still, this pattern repeats across the entirety of the Philippines. Oriental Mindoro’s allotment of P11.3 billion across 138 flood control projects failed to avert P4.1-billion infrastructure-specific damage; not counting other losses in agriculture, human lives, and livelihood.”

Congress and the Palace-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) are investigating government officials and contractors, who might have stolen public funds intended for flood control projects. In its recommendations, the UPNCPAG asked the ICI to also probe projects outside the FMP that are tagged as flood control structures and disaster-related structures like roads, bridges, evacuation and operations centers.

“Considering that projects are also implemented by various District Engineering Offices (DEOs) around the country, identifying patterns that might be common between and among DEOs can be a viable framework in reviewing other projects of the DPWH and identifying possible gaps where corruption may arise,” it said.

The UP-NCPAG also urged the government to implement “systemic reforms” and asked lawmakers to transfer the DPWH’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) functions to a “dedicated agency.”

“The DPWH cannot perform its DRR functions if it continues to be hampered by legacy structures that are not risk-sensitive and highly susceptible to corruption,” it said.

The UP-NCPAG also called on oversight agencies to strengthen budget accountability mechanisms “to avoid incurrence and recurrence of improper and illegal disbursements.”

situational report, 70,575 families or 225,557 individuals were affected across several regions. Of these, 3,940 families or 11,964 individuals sought shelter in 284 evacuation centers, while 2,997 families or 8,585 individuals received aid outside the centers.

The NDRRMC said no fatalities, injuries, or missing persons on account of storm Paolo have been reported. Paolo brought heavy rains that triggered flooding in parts of Regions 1, 3, and Calabarzon, with 23 areas in Region 1 still submerged as of Sunday. The storm also affected 98 road sections and 34 bridges, with 27 roads and 32 bridges remaining impassable. Power outages were reported in 53 cities and municipalities, though service has been restored in 23 of them. Sixteen seaports were also affected, causing trip cancellations, with two ports now back in operation.

FREE RIDE. Pet lovers and their furry companions flock to the SM Sky Dome in North EDSA for PAWS’ annual Pet Blessing, held yesterday in celebration of World Animal Day — an event that highlights faith, gratitude, and the special bond between humans and their animal friends.

DOH investigating ‘ghost’ health centers—Herbosa

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Sunday that the DOH had already launched investigations into alleged “ghost” health centers and irregularities in its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program even before the issues were made public.

“The DOH has been investigating these anomalies way before the media picked it up,” Herbosa said in a social media post, emphasizing that

IN BRIEF

the department had acted proactively on the matter. Herbosa’s statement came after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Maga-

‘Charge those behind failed Sunog Apog project’

MANILA Rep. Rolan Valeriano has urged Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to hold accountable those responsible for the non-operational ₱774-million Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila. The project, which began in 2017, remains idle despite full payment to contractors.

Valeriano thanked Dizon for inspecting the facility and called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Committee on Infrastructure (ICI) to ensure proper repairs and file charges against erring officials and contractors. He noted that residents have long suffered from flooding due to the defective project.

The lawmaker said a House probe in 2023 revealed that DPWH contractors MSB Vitug and J.D. Legaspi Construction received full payment despite the facility’s flaws. He added that the mandate to recover funds and pursue charges now rests with the DPWH and ICI.

Valeriano also questioned whether the contractors have been blacklisted, noting that a new ₱94-million contract has been awarded to another firm to fix the same facility. He warned that taxpayers’ money would again be used to correct past mistakes. Itchie G. Cabayan

Batangas towns halt classes amid outage

SEVERAL towns in Batangas province have suspended face-to-face classes on Monday, October 6, due to a scheduled 14-hour power interruption by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Public and private schools in Calatagan, Lemery, and Taal have canceled on-site classes, while those in Balayan, Calaca, San Nicolas, and Sta. Teresita shifted to online or modular learning. Batangas State University–Lemery Campus remains unaffected.

The outage, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., will allow the NGCP and the Batangas Electric Cooperative I (Batelec I) to conduct maintenance work, including energization and line transfers. Affected areas include Agoncillo, Balayan, Calatagan, Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, San Luis, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresita, Taal, and Tuy. Pot Chavez

LTO orders crackdown on colorum vehicles

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has directed all regional directors to intensify visibility and special operations against colorum or unlicensed public transport vehicles nationwide. LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II stressed the need for stronger intelligence gathering to identify colorum routes and operators. “We should always be one step ahead to ensure these illegal operators are busted,” he said. Mendoza ordered the mandatory filing of criminal cases against violators and reminded officers that impounded vehicles can only be released through a court order, even if fines are paid.

According to LTO data, hundreds of colorum vehicles—ranging from motorcycles to vans— are seized each month in ongoing enforcement operations. Rio N. Araja

MUCHNEEDED RELIEF. Residents of Barangay Pajo in Daanbantayan, Cebu rush to grab relief goods from a private vehicle traveling through Northern Cebu to aid victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30. Families continue to appeal for help as many remain displaced and wait for assistance along local roads. Alan Tangcawan

Ex-BPI chief Xavier Loinaz passes away

By Thony Rose Lesaca

long raised concerns over possible misuse of funds under the MAIFIP program.

Lawmakers have likewise flagged the existence of “ghost health centers,” saying that only 200 of the 600 facilities constructed under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) were functional.

The health chief said the department continues to gather evidence and file cases against those involved.

“Several actions have already been

taken, and we continue to build up cases,” he said.

Herbosa added that the DOH is assessing how to make non-operational but completed facilities functional.

“We are looking at options to operationalize nonfunctioning but completed health facilities,” he said. The controversy adds to a string of recent corruption allegations involving other government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways.

5 transport groups split from ‘Magni cent 7’ coalition

FIVE major transport groups on Sunday announced their withdrawal from the Magnificent 7 coalition, accusing leaders Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin of Pasang Masda and Melecio “Boy” Vargas of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) of pursuing personal interests.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Orlando Marquez, president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP), said his group, along with FEDJODAP, Stop N Go, ACTO, and ACTONA, decided to break away.

“We were not informed of their actions. The seven of us should have been consulted,” Marquez said, referring to Martin and Vargas’ call for the resignation of Transportation Undersecretary Ramon Reyes, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, and NCR Director Zona Tamayo. “I was in the hospital at the time of their press conference. We never discussed the resignation of those officials.”

Marquez said the five breakaway groups, together with the UV Express group, have formed a new coalition called the United National Public Transport Organization of the Philippines, which has already secured its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Former Ilocos Sur governor

Luis “Chavit” Singson expressed support for the new coalition, offering modern electric jeepneys priced at ₱1.6 million each— cheaper than the ₱2.8 million to ₱3 million units proposed by the Magnificent 7. “The price could go lower with government subsidy,” Singson said, adding that QR codes will be integrated for fare payments. Rio

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) yesterday announced the passing of former bank president and chief executive officer (CEO) Xavier “XP” Loinaz, who served one of the longest leadership tenures in Philippine banking from 1982 to 2004. Loinaz has led the bank from the debt crisis of the early 1980s to the Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s. It was during his tenure that BPI became the first Philippine bank to introduce automated teller machines (ATMs) in the early 1980s and to launch internet banking in 1999. He also presided over landmark acquisitions including Family Bank, Citytrust, and Far East Bank, which expanded BPI’s reach and solidified its position as a market leader. His acquisition of life and property and casualty insurance companies also marked the beginning of bancassurance in the Philippines, it said. After stepping down as CEO, Loinaz continued to serve as a member of the Board of Directors until 2020.

“To us at BPI, Xavier Loinaz was not only a visionary leader but also a mentor and an inspiration. He taught us discipline, integrity, and the importance of serving with purpose. The innovations he introduced, and the people he guided, continue to carry his legacy forward,” said BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco.

“We will always be grateful for his steady hand and his belief in the Filipino spirit. He leaves behind an institution made stronger by his leadership— and a family of bankers who will forever remember him with respect and gratitude,” added Limcaoco.

DSWD secures P625m fund for disaster, relief programs

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has received a ₱625-million replenishment for its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to sustain disaster preparedness and relief operations.

“That’s correct. We have received the replenishment from the Department of Budget and Management, and it will be used to procure welfare goods so we can continue producing family food packs,” said Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao.

She added that the QRF will also cover the replenishment of supplies already distributed to disasterstricken areas.

Dumlao said the fund will help the DSWD prepare for disaster response operations in case of more typhoons before the year ends. The QRF serves as a standby fund for relief and recovery programs to ensure the immediate restoration of normalcy in communities affected by calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies.

VINTAS. Colorful vintas set sail in Zamboanga City during the Regatta de Zamboanga early Sunday morning, drawing hundreds of participating shermen. Frencie L. Carreon

TAOIST DEITY. Devotees of the Chio Sai Siong Hong Kong Temple parade through Binondo, Manila, to celebrate the Feast of the Taoist deity ‘Madam’ Siong Hong Kong, the city’s revered Guardian Deity. Richmond Chi

N. Araja

Xavier Loinaz

Six legislators push creation of Samar Island Region

IN BRIEF

THE National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) has tentatively suspended the disposal of public records related to flood control programs and projects, citing ongoing concerns over flood control management operations nationwide.

In a statement released this week, the NAP said the suspension was being implemented in view of current issues concerning flood control operations and shall remain in effect until further notice.

On Sept. 23, the NAP formally notified Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, reiterating two key directives.

First, the DPWH must ensure vigilance against any unauthorized disposal of documents, Second, all record disposal requests must receive prior approval from the NAP. Rex Espiritu

THE Gabriela Women’s party-list strongly condemned the reported arrest of a woman who allegedly sold more than ₱15 million worth of relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which aids that should have been distributed free of charge to disaster victims.

“While so many families affected by various calamities are waiting for immediate assistance, there are savages who are still using this to make money. They have no conscience!” said Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Sarah Elago. At the same time, the group called on the DSWD leadership to immediately investigate if there were any officials or staff who might be involved in the irregularity.

Rio N. Araja

THE Balanga City government has launched the first batch of “FIKA with Mayor Raquel (Francis Garcia).” Fika was derived from the Swedish word “kaffi” meaning coffee.

City Human Resource Management Office (CHRMO) said beyond being just a coffee break, the project aims to establish a tradition “that emphasizes slowing down, connecting with others, and strengthening bonds through conversation and shared time.”

Over a cup of coffee, participants share stories, laughter, and insights, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and connections among them. Butch

SIX legislators are pushing the creation of a Samar Island Region (SIR) seen as a key to jumpstart the island’s growth and development.

The group jointly filed House Bill No. 4218 which seeks to declare Samar Island as a distinct administrative region, separate from Eastern Visayas.

The group is led by Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan who previously represented the lone congressional district of Eastern Samar.

He is joined by Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Samar First District Rep.

Stephen James Tan, Samar Second District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, Northern Samar First District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, and Northern Samar Second District Rep. Edwin Marino Ongchuan.

“This is not just an administrative measure — this is a matter of justice. For centuries, Samar has been left behind despite its enormous potential,” Libanan said in a statement.

“The Samar Island Region will finally allow Samarnons to oversee their own development, with government truly within reach of our people,” he added.

Samar, which is the country’s thirdlargest island, is composed of the three provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar (formerly Western Samar).

Despite its rich natural resources, vast coastlines, and proud history, the island’s progress was quite slow,

with residents often forced to travel to Tacloban City in neighboring Leyte province to access basic national government services.

The bill’s authors stressed that establishing the Samar Island Region would bring government closer to the people, enable faster delivery of services, and provide the institutional focus needed to spur rapid infrastructure development, economic growth, and jobs creation.

The measure also underscores Samar’s deep historical significance, being the site of Magellan’s first landfall in the Philippines and home to historic uprisings against Spanish and American colonizers.

Once enacted, the Samar Island Region will become the country’s 19th administrative region, bringing national government presence directly to Samar’s more than 1.9 million residents, the proponents said. Rio Araja

By Rex Espiritu

Police

Cotabato City police chief Col. Jibin Bongcayao said the attack took place shortly after 10 a.m. right at the heart of the city.

The Matanog brothers were aboard a car travelling along busy Sinsuat Ave. when two men riding tandem on a motorcycle opened fire, Bongcayao told reporters.

Although wounded, the Matanogs tried to drive away, but the gunmen gave chase and kept firing.

Policemen on patrol joined the fray and traded shots with the gunmen. One policeman was also reported wounded during the hot pursuit operation. The suspects eventually made good their escape while the Matanog brothers’ car stopped moments later.

The responding policemen brought the two victims to the hospital where Prince was pronounced dead on arrival. Crime scene operatives recovered at least 94 empty shells believed cast by the attackers’ and the policemen’s guns.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao condemned the broad daylight killing, describing it as “an offense against peace, order, and the values of public service that our city stands for.”

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday morning raised Alert Level 2 amid the Kanlaon Volcano activity on Negros Island, marked by a “weak ash emission” of plume from the summit crater. Phivolcs reported that the volcano released a 500-meter grayish plume, which drifted southwest. The smoke was seen almost hiding behind the clouds from the agency’s Canlaon City observatory.

Alert Level 2 remains over the volcano, indicating increased signs of activity. Under this warning, people are prohibited from enter-

ing the permanent danger zone within the four-kilometer radius. All types of aircraft are also advised against flying near the volcano.

According to the latest Phivolcs volcano bulletin, Kanlaon registered 65 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours. It also emitted 1,638 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) since October 4, 2025 and a 650-meter plume that drifted northwest.

Mount Kanlaon had its last major eruption on May 13, 2025. It had a sudden minor phreatic eruption on Sept. 16, lasting for a few minutes.

By Nash Maulana

THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was urged to develop a culture of recognition of individual achievements, often erroneously credited to other people. residents.

Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo, author of the Salamat Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL), said aside from local government officials, BARMM recognition is also in order for professionals and other individuals “whose works bring honor to the region.”

Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has recently signed the Bangsamoro SEAL Act into law, For BARMM workers, a citation system should be developed independent of the Civil Service Commission meritbased awarding scheme that the constitutional body has developed over the years. Sinarimbo particularly cited a Maguindanaon nurse from Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte whose paper had been published by the prestigious TEPHINET, a global network of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETFs), based in Georgia, United States.

The TEPHINET has since July published an epidemiology surveillance paper titled, “Dried Puffer Fish Poisoning in Lamitan City, Basilan, Philippines – July 2024,” principally authored by Bai Almirah Raguia, and co-authored by Ahmad-Fawadz Israel; Mohammad Al-Mospin Milanes; Noria Juanday; Aya Al-Ani; Jocelyn Cabarles and Jasper Kent Ola—all registered nurses from BARMM.

Sinarimbo said he was set to deliver a privilege speech and sponsor a resolution alongside citations for deserving Moro individuals. But his attempts failed due to lack of quorum in the Parliament during the last campaign period for the slated polls, but which were cancelled by a recent Supreme Court ruling on BARMM Parliament’s reapportionment of six Sulu parliamentary districts..

Gunio

TRAVEL EXPO. The 4th North Luzon Travel Expo (NLTEx) officially opens at SM City in Tuguegarao City, with the theme “Heritage in Motion:

Celebrating Champions of Culture and Tourism.” The event kicks off with the unveiling of the tourism champions and cultural bearers of North Luzon, honoring their role in preserving heritage and advancing the region’s tourism industry. Dave Leprozo

NAVY HELPS REBUILD MASBATE. The Philippine Navy vessel BRP Agta delivers some 45 tons of construction materials to Masbate City pursuant to its humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission for communities devastated by Typhoon ‘Opong.’ Navy photo

OPINION

Partners in crime

YET uncovered in the spate of investigations on the corruption in the DPWH by orders of the crooks among our legislators is the role of some other departments and agencies of government in the well-organized syndicates that have altogether collaborated in the grand scheme to milk the public till for personal greed.

Can anyone believe that the Commission on Audit, Constitutionally mandated to be the chief inspector of how taxpayer money is spent by government instrumentalities, is innocent in the flood control scams?

The COA posts resident auditors in the entire DPWH machinery, yet their personnel and officials kept quiet while projects were paid despite being shoddy or ghosts. Now it has been uncovered that one of its commissioners, Mario Lipana’s wife Marilou, CEO of a certain Olympus Mining and Builders Corporation, received 200 million pesos worth of flood control projects from the DPWH. And why not? If resident auditors and their staff can receive drippings from the DEs to close their eyes, how about one of their bosses? “Patty” or “pati ako,” and this time the collaborator is none other than an “olympian” in the COA.

Still, the chairman of the COA, who has been a government official across three previous presidencies, has not even upbraided his fellow commissioner.

And what about the Department of Budget and Management? They are the holders of the key to the safe.

How is it that they willy-nilly accept the submissions of the DPWH and incorporate these into the National Expenditure Program? With its presence in every region of the country, surely they must have seen repetitive flood control funding requests?

Surely they are aware of what top DPWH officials call a “leadership fund,” a scheme intended to circumvent the Supreme Court ban on legislator’s pork? As I have kept stating in this space, the “pork” is already incorporated in the NEP, to be augmented later as Congress deliberates on the budget.

And being the guardians of the combination to the government’s safe, how in heaven’s name can they justify releasing funds from “unprogrammed allocations” even when there is no money in the treasury?

It’s like one fashion brand in “collab” with another. Parang “Swatch” or “Nike.”

Now there is even talk of “sweetheart deals” engineered by a DepEd undersecretary who wielded much power when his boss was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and supposedly asked a DPWH undersecretary for flood control projects too, “bahala na siya” sa release of funds which was miraculously produced in an instant by the DBM. And speaking of the DepEd, remem-

ber how in the previous administration, some undersecretaries transferred funds to the notorious Procurement Service of the DBM to purchase outmoded and overpriced laptops, supplied by a Sunwest Corporation which apart from being a construction firm, also styled itself as a “trading firm”?

All these to the consternation of a respected secretary who trusted her underlings to be as upright as she was.

And the partners in crime? PS-DBM and the Sunwest of Zaldy Co.

How about school buildings? Aha, that is another sordid “collab” story.

The ICI will have its hands full digging into a cesspool

Not to forget the Department of Health, who entrusts their budgeted funds for hospital buildings to the DPWH. Now we discover shabbily built health centers, perhaps ghosts as well?

DOH explains that they have empty hospitals and health centers because there are not enough medical practitioners to populate these. Why build them then? How about employing “ghosts”, Secretary Herbosa?

If flood control is the project of choice of our legislators in the past four Congresses, how about their previous pet project --- farm-to-market roads which the Department of Agriculture spends supposedly to help our poor farmers bring their produce to the market?

Long has it been revealed that wellbuilt FMR’s lead to legislators’ resorts and farms, while merely graded mud and a few rocks constitute legislators’ farm-to-pocket roads. Again, in collaboration with DA and DPWH.

Even our gentle Bangko Sentral governor, who likewise chairs the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC) raised eyebrows when Senate investigations discovered that piles and piles of cash, to the tune of 475 million pesos in one blow, were withdrawn from the account of a sleazy contractor in the Landbank whose license is borrowed by “ghosts” for delivery to their partners in crime who follow orders from the district congressman and dictates from the most powerful satrap of the legislature, mismo?

When cornered, the Malolos Landbank branch manager, a government employee as well, lamely told our senators that they “report” such withdrawals taken from a DPWH payment to the AMLC, “for compliance.”

End of responsibility. No questions asked from the contractor, who they are supposed to “know your client well.”

The ICI will have its hands full digging into a cesspool

Time to get serious about nuclear power

THE Philippines has finally taken a concrete step toward securing its longterm energy needs.

The enactment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) Act gives the country the legal and institutional framework to develop nuclear power as a reliable baseload energy source.

This should have happened decades ago.

While we mothballed the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), South Korea made a different choice.

It built and commissioned Kori 2, a nuclear power plant that uses the same Westinghouse technology as BNPP.

That reactor has been generating electricity since 1983, helping fuel South Korea’s transformation into a global manufacturing powerhouse.

Meanwhile, we remained stuck with costly, imported fossil fuels—trapping our industries in a cycle of high power costs and low competitiveness. Today, we are still paying for that mistake.

EDITORIAL

Big ones

THE magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the central Philippines, off the coast of Bogo City, Cebu, at around 10 pm on Sept. 30 has killed dozens, displaced thousands, and caused hundreds more to go missing. It has also damaged numerous buildings and structures, and has caused sinkholes in various parts of the area.

As of press time, there have also been thousands of aftershocks registered from the same epicenter.

Other disasters are occurring at the same time. On Oct. 1, Taal Volcano erupted twice, even as the area remained on Alert Level 1. And then, on the morning of Oct. 5, a magnitude 5 quake rocked Ilocos Norte. Numerous typhoons have pummelled various parts of the archipelago. And when combined with the utter failure of flood control projects made substandard by massive corruption, these weather patterns, occurring in greater intensity and frequency as a result of global warming, are a fixture in the nation’s life.

As Filipinons grapple with an ominous mix of natural and man-made disasters, there is talk again of the likelihood of the Big One – a higher-

fuel imports, and stabilize power supply.

Had we followed through with BNPP—and developed more nuclear capacity over time—our story could have been quite different.

Our grid remains heavily dependent on coal, gas, and oil. Electricity prices in the Philippines are among the highest in Southeast Asia. Power shortages persist.

For a country trying to revive its manufacturing base and attract foreign investment, this is a major liability.

We lost decades debating while others built. Now we either go nuclear – or stay behind

Kori 2 is proof that the technology meant for BNPP was viable, safe, and effective. Instead of treating nuclear as a threat, Korea treated it as an engine for growth.

That decision helped them build a competitive export economy, reduce

At the recent Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF), officials, experts, and global industry leaders delivered one consistent message: the Philippines is ready.

DOE-commissioned data shows 70 percent of Filipinos now support nuclear power, and 76 percent want to learn more.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said this strong public backing “gives us the confidence to move forward” with safe, calibrated development.

Dr. Carlo Arcilla of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute broke down the science: “Nuclear has four million times more energy than coal, oil, or gas.” He also emphasized its reliability— operating up to 92 percent of the time, far above the 20 percent capacity factor of solar and wind in the Philippines. This is crucial for baseload power—especially in a grid that can’t afford volatility.

Renewables are important, but they’re not enough. They rely on the weather, need backup, and require expensive storage to

magnitude quake occurring in Metro Manila and adjacent places, causing even greater damage and casualties.

These are not mere models; actual lives are at stake

The so-called Big One, a movement in the Marikina Valley fault system extending from Bulacan to Laguna, is a scenario painted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2024. The study projected a casualty count of 33,500 casualties in the capital region, with 113,600 more injured. Nearby provinces could sustain a death toll of 48,000.

stabilize. When solar and wind drop off, it’s fossil fuels that fill the gap—often at premium cost. As Dr. Arcilla said, “When renewables stop, the replacement energy is the expensive energy.”

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara connected the dots: the failure to run BNPP in the 1980s triggered a flood of coal plants in the 1990s and led to the power crisis we still haven’t fully recovered from.

“We are still paying for stranded costs in our electric bill today,” she said. Now we have a second chance. President Marcos Jr. has made nuclear energy a strategic priority, calling it a path to long-term planning, energy security, and industrial strength.

His message to the forum made clear that this is no longer a theoretical debate—it’s a national direction.

The private sector is already moving.

Meralco has launched its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program to explore deployment options for both large-scale plants and small modular reactors (SMRs).

It has formed partnerships with South Korea’s KEPCO, France’s EDF, and the U.S. government. Through its FISSION program, Meralco is also investing in nuclear education to build a skilled local workforce.

This alignment—of government policy, private-sector initiative, and pub-

These days there is talk about reviewing the 24-year-old JICA study. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Teresito Bacolcol, the situation may have changed as more buildings have been constructed and the population has grown. The new study will take around two years, he said. Updating the study and responding to current demands of those affected by the recent tremor are daunting tasks. These are not merely government mandates that must be heeded. Failure to perform will not only slow down the bureaucracy or cause inconvenience to a small group of stakeholders. Actual lives are at stake – and there is no greater consequence than people dying, losing loved ones, losing all they have worked for, and being uprooted from their homes. Then again, these big repercussions are not confined to earthquakes, as Filipinos know too well. We have had decades, even centuries, to acknowledge that our country is vulnerable to disasters. There is thus no more excuse for the government to fall short in preparing for them – and this includes ensuring that the infrastructure needed to protect the people when tragedies strike.

lic support—creates the conditions for progress.

But it needs urgency. We have already wasted decades.

As Canada’s Todd Smith of CANDU Energy pointed out, countries with stable, scalable nuclear power attract manufacturing, data centers, and advanced industries.

Without it, we remain stuck with high costs and low resilience.

Had BNPP gone online, and had we expanded from there, we could have followed South Korea’s path. We could have supported our own industrial takeoff with clean, stable, and domestically anchored energy.

We could have reduced our exposure to oil shocks and gas shortages. We could have avoided the soaring prices that continue to undermine our global competitiveness.

PhilATOM is a good start. But legislation is only a tool. It will take firm political will, consistent leadership, and a clear-eyed understanding of what nuclear power actually offers: affordable electricity, long-term stability, and a real foundation for industrialization.

South Korea turned on Kori 2 and never looked back. We shut down BNPP and fell behind. We lost decades debating while others built. Now we either go nuclear – or stay behind.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump authorizes troops to Chicago

CHICAGO – US President Donald Trump authorized deployment of troops to Chicago after a federal agent shot an allegedly armed motorist there on Saturday, while a judge blocked the Republican leader’s attempt to send the military into Portland, another Democratic-run city.

The escalating crisis across the country pits Trump’s increasingly militarized anticrime and migration crackdown against opposition Democrats who accuse him of an authoritarian power grab.

“President Trump has authorized 300 national guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets” in Chicago, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement, after weeks of the Republican threats to send troops to the Midwestern city over the wishes of local leaders.

“President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin called the move a “shameful chapter in our nation’s history,” adding that the “President is not intent on fighting crime. He is intent on spreading fear.”

Chicago and Portland are the latest flashpoints in the Trump administration’s rollout of raids, following the deployment of troops to Los Angeles and Washington.

The raids have seen groups of masked, armed men in unmarked cars and armored

Syria selects parliament in contested election process

DAMASCUS – Syria will select members of its first post-Assad parliament on Sunday in a process criticized as undemocratic, with a third of the members appointed by interim leader Ahmed alSharaa.

The assembly’s formation is set to consolidate the power of Sharaa, whose Islamist forces led a coalition that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after more than 13 years of civil war and five decades of one-family rule.

According to the organizing committee, more than 1,500 candidates -- just 14 percent of them women -- are running for the assembly, which will have a renewable 30-month mandate.

Sharaa is to appoint 70 representatives out of the 210-member body.

The other two-thirds will be selected by local committees appointed by the electoral commission, which itself was appointed by Sharaa.

But southern Syria’s Druze-majority Sweida province, which suffered sectarian bloodshed in July, and the country’s Kurdish-held northeast are excluded from the process for now as they are outside Damascus’s control, and their 32 seats will remain empty.

“I support the authorities and I’m ready to defend them, but these aren’t real elections,” said Louay al-Arfi, 77, a retired civil servant sitting with friends at a Damascus cafe.

“It’s a necessity in the transitional phase, but we want direct elections” to follow, he told AFP.

The new authorities dissolved Syria’s rubber-stamp legislature after taking power. Under a temporary constitution announced in March, the incoming parliament will exercise legislative functions until a permanent constitution is adopted and new elections are held.

Sharaa has said it would be impossible to organise direct elections now, noting the large number of Syrians who lack documentation after millions fled abroad or were displaced internally during the country’s civil war. AFP

Japan’s first female PM not a feminist

TOKYO – Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister, but many of her positions are socially conservative in an often still deeply patriarchal nation.

Takaichi, whose hero is Margaret Thatcher, became head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday and will likely take office later this month.

She has promised to appoint a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of women, up from just two under outgoing premier Shigeru Ishiba.

Takaichi, 64, has also said she “hopes to raise awareness” about women’s health struggles and spoken candidly about her own experience with menopause.

Despite these gestures, her policy posi-

Negotiators

due

in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire

CAIRO – Israeli and Hamas negotiators were converging on Cairo Sunday for talks to end nearly two years of war in Gaza, with Israel’s leader expressing hope that hostages held in the devastated territory could be released within days.

The diplomatic push follows Palestinian militant group Hamas’ positive response to US President Donald Trump’s roadmap for the release of captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday he had instructed negotiators to go to Egypt “to finalise the technical details”, while Cairo confirmed it would also be hosting a delegation from Hamas for talks on “the ground conditions and details of the exchange of all Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners”.

Egyptian state-linked media said the warring parties would hold indirect talks on Sunday and Monday, just before the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war.

The White House said Trump had sent two envoys to Egypt -- his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff.

tions on gender place her on the right of an already conservative LDP.

She is against revising a 19th-century law requiring married couples to share the same surname, which overwhelmingly results in women taking their husbands’ names.

Takaichi also wants Japan’s imperial family to stick to its male-only succession rules, and is “fundamentally opposed” to same-sex marriage.

Yuki Tsuji, a professor specializing in politics and gender at Tokai University, said Takaichi “has no interest in women’s rights or gender equality policies”.

“Therefore, it is unlikely that any change will occur in this policy area com-

pared to previous LDP administrations,” she told AFP. Tsuji added the symbolic significance of having a woman as premier is “quite substantial”.

But the pressure will be high to achieve results, and if she fails “this could foster negative perceptions of woman prime ministers”, Tsuji said.

Yuka, a Tokyo office worker in her 50s, welcomed Takaichi’s win.

“We can proudly tell the world Japan will likely have a woman leader,” Yuka told AFP.

But she is sceptical that there will be much progress on gender issues under Takaichi. AFP

Czech ex-PM set to win vote, putting Ukraine aid in doubt, ties with EU

PRAGUE – Czechs finished voting during the weekend in a general election in which the party of self-described “Trumpist” billionaire Andrej Babis is a frontrunner, triggering concerns about Prague’s support for Ukraine and future ties with the European Union.

A return to power by the ex-premier’s could draw the Czech Republic -- an ally of Ukraine -- closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia which have refused military aid to Ukraine and oppose sanctions on Russia. The election results were expected to be given later Saturday.

Babis, 71, is campaigning on pledges of welfare and halting military aid to Ukraine.

Many voters in turn blame the center-right coalition government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala for ignoring domestic problems in their country of 11 million people while providing aid to

Ukraine. Babis’s ANO (“Yes”) party topped opinion polls with support exceeding 30 percent, ahead of Fiala’s Together grouping with about 20 percent.

Describing himself as a “peacemonger” calling for a truce in Ukraine, Babis has vowed a “Czechs first” approach and “a better life for all Czechs” -- echoing US President Donald Trump.

When he was prime minister from 2017 to 2021, Babis was critical of some EU policies and is on good terms with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, who have maintained ties with Moscow despite its invasion of Ukraine. Bemoaning high energy prices, 60-year-old administrative worker and ANO voter Boris Lucansky told AFP in Prague he expected the next government to “make some changes that will benefit the people”.

vehicles target residential neighborhoods and businesses, sparking protests. Trump has repeatedly called Portland “war-ravaged” and riddled with violent crime, but in Saturday’s court order, US District Judge Karin Immergut wrote “the President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

Although the city has seen scattered attacks on federal officers and property, the Trump administration failed to demonstrate “that those episodes of violence were part of an organized attempt to overthrow the government as a whole,” Immergut wrote in granting a temporary restraining order.

Protests in Portland did not pose a “danger of rebellion” and “regular law enforcement forces” could handle such incidents, Immergut said. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden applauded the order, saying the “victory supports what Oregonians already know: we don’t need or want Donald Trump to provoke violence by deploying federal troops in our state.” AFP

IN BRIEF

Thousands evacuated as Matmo hits China

BEIJING – Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes as Typhoon Matmo lashed China’s southern coast on Sunday, state media reported. The powerful storm made landfall around 2:50 pm in Guangdong province, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The National Meteorological Centre recorded winds of more than 150 kilometers per hour. As the storm approached, authorities evacuated 197,000 people from their homes on Hainan Island and 150,000 from Guangdong province, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Public transportation, construction sites and businesses were also shuttered in coastal cities including Haikou, Wenchang, Zhanjiang and Maoming.

The city of Beihai in the south of Guangxi region also announced Sunday it would suspend work, classes and transportation. The storm had already caused sea levels to rise in a port in Maoming on Sunday morning, leading to a “serious” risk of flooding, according to CCTV. AFP

Death toll from school collapse rises to 37

SIDOARJO, Indonesia – The death toll from an Indonesian school collapse rose to 37 on Sunday, officials said, as rescuers recovered more victims buried under the rubble.

Part of the multi-story building on Indonesia’s Java island suddenly collapsed on Monday as students gathered for afternoon prayers.

“As of Sunday morning, the number of recovered victims was 141 people. 104 were in safe condition, 37 were dead,” national search and rescue agency operations director Yudhi Bramantyo said in a statement. He added that 26 people were still missing. The death toll included a body part that rescuers retrieved from the rubble on Saturday, Yudhi said.

The recovery operation was around “60 percent” complete, national disaster agency official Budi Irawan told reporters, adding that he hoped it would be concluded soon.

“Our hope is that by tomorrow everything will be leveled and we can determine the approximate number of victims who are in the rubble,” Budi said in a livestreamed press conference. AFP

Pyongyang: ‘Special assets’ deployed against Seoul

SEOUL – Kim Jong Un said North Korea deployed “special assets” in response to what he called Washington’s arms build-up in the South, state media reported Sunday. The United States stations about 28,500 troops in the South to fend off military threats from the nuclear-armed North and last month conducted a joint military exercise with its security allies South Korea and Japan. Pyongyang routinely denounces such drills as rehearsals for invasion, while the allies insist they are defensive in nature. “The US-ROK nuclear alliance is making rapid progress, and they are conducting various kinds of exercises to execute dangerous scenarios,” Kim said in a speech marking the opening of a weapons exhibition in Pyongyang on Saturday, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

“In direct proportion to the US military’s arms buildup in the ROK region, our strategic concern about this region has also grown, and accordingly we have assigned our special assets to the major targets,” he said, adding he was “closely watching” the military development across the border. AFP

‘MIDWAY BLITZ.’ Protesters holding a banner block 25th Street near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Sunday, Manila time. US President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to deport large numbers of migrants, has encouraged authorities to be more aggressive as he seeks to hit his widely reported target of one million deportations annually. Chicago and Portland are the latest flashpoints in the Trump administration’s rollout of raids, following the deployment of troops to

STRIKES CONTINUE. Protesters gather outside the New York Library during the ‘Rise Up for Gaza’ international day of action in New York City on Sunday, Manila time. This coincided with reports that Egyptian state-linked media said the warring parties would hold indirect talks on Sunday and

SPORTS

UST men sweep Adamson, keep solo chess lead

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas

achieved its second straight win with a near-shutout 3.5-0.5 triumph over Adamson University in Round 3 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson Gym.

After a perfect start, UST is beginning to establish a significant gap from the rest of the league, courtesy of back-to-back outstanding performances.

“Okay naman ang performance ng team. So far, so good yun although mahaba pa yan syempre. Malayo pa pero lamang na kami. Siguro sana pagpalain ng Diyos ibigay samin ang championship ulit,” shared UST head coach Ronald Dableo on his team’s early-season surge.

Reigning MVP and FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz (2/2) spearheaded UST’s dominance by prevailing in a queen versus rook and bishop endgame against John Rocel Simon (1/2) on Board 1. Chester Reyes (2/2) followed suit on Board 2, defeating Joshua Roque (0/2) after 42 moves of an English Opening while playing the black pieces.

On Board 3, Lee Roi Palma (2/2) stunned Adamson’s Robert Palisoc (0/2) by sacrificing a rook in panic time to turn an equal position into a decisive mating attack, while Mark Reyes (0.5/1) and Dustin Herrero (0.5/2) split the points on Board 4. In the women’s division, De La Salle University continued to hold the top spot with a narrow 2.5-1.5 win over Adamson, courtesy of Rinoa Sadey (3/3) and Checy Telesforo (1/1) on Board 3 and Board 4, respectively.

Lady Falcons survive FEU belles’ rally for 1st victory

ADAMSON University held off a late rally by Far Eastern University, 57-56, to secure a breakthrough win in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

After setbacks against the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Lady Falcons relied on clutch performances from Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 standouts Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag to finally notch their first victory of Season 88, giving newly appointed head coach Jed Colonia his maiden win since taking over from Ryan Monteclaro. With the triumph, Adamson forced a two-way tie for fifth place in the eight-

team field alongside FEU, both holding identical 1-2 win-loss records.

“Lahat ng games namin, they all boiled down to the dying seconds. It’s a great feeling,” Colonia expressed.

“‘Yon ‘yung point of emphasis namin for the past few trainings and the past few days na we’re there, we’ve given ourselves a chance to win. We brought our team there na may tsansa na manalo, but it’s the effort and the heart na gustuhin manalo in the dy-

Zambo edges Mindoro, nails MPBL playo slot

ZAMBOANGA SiKat bested Mindoro, 68-62, on Saturday to clinch a playoff slot in the South Division of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Pola Gymnasium in Oriental Mindoro.

Powered by JP Cauilan and Abdul Sawat, Zamboanga pulled ahead, 5950, and thwarted Mindoro’s final assault to win the play-in encounter and advance to the quarterfinal round of the 30-team, two-division tournament.

Next up for Zamboanga in the bestof-three playoffs is No. 2 South qualifier Batangas City Tanduay Rum. Sawat posted 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for Zamboanga, which avenged its 81-79 defeat to Mindoro in the round-robin elimination phase and snap a three-game skid ending the regular season.

Cauilan wound up with 14 points, spiked by 4 triples, 7 rebounds and 2 steals for Zamboanga, which ruled the boards 48-34, and scored more in the paint, 32-18.

Alvin John Capobres and John Ar-

THE Small Basketeers PhilippinesPasserelle Twin Tournaments organized by the BEST Center blasted off last week at the Claret School of Quezon City with 12 teams competing. Milo Sports Head Carlo Sampan and Fr. Victor Sadaya, Claret School Director, helped usher in the long-running, grade-school basketball competition recognized in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. Vying for the SBP crown are Claret School of QC, Colegio San Agustin, La Salle College Antipolo, La Salle Greenhills, Lourdes School Queon City, and Lourdes School Mandaluyong Competing in the Passerelle Division are Claret School of QC, Don Bosco Technical Institute, La Salle Greenhills, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, Paref Southridge School, and University of Santo Tomas.

The twin tournaments are sponsored by Milo.

ing seconds or the last few possessions that will decide the game,” the former Soar ing Falcon added.

Two consecutive inside hits by Elaine Patio and Yvette Villanueva cut the Lady Tamaraws’ deficit to 53-51 with 4:44 remaining. A split by Apag at the charity stripe, followed by a crucial Etang three-pointer, allowed the Lady Falcons to regain a six-point lead at 5751 with 3:33 left.

FEU responded with free throws from Shemaiah Abatayo and Max dela Torre, and an ice-cold three-pointer by Victoria Pasilang, closing the gap to 5756 with 48.6 seconds remaining.

Despite the late scare, the Lady Falcons held firm in the closing seconds.

A critical steal by Apag—who finished with a game-high six steals—

along with key defensive stops prevented FEU from attempting a potential game-winning three-pointer. Adamson claimed its first Season 88 victory after nearly surrendering a 14-point lead in the first quarter. Apag finished with 18 points, six steals, five rebounds, and two assists, while Etang struggled offensively with 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting but still contributed six rebounds and four assists. Brianna Bajo added six points, six rebounds, and one assist, while homegrown product Cris Padilla chipped in five points, three assists, two rebounds, and one steal. The Lady Falcons aim to carry their momentum into a clash with defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, October 8, at the same venue in Pasay.

Ken Bono, and 9 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals from Axel Inigo.

Mindoro gunners Ino Comboy and Joseph Sedurifa, however, were held to 2 points each by the stifling Zamboanga defense.

The loss, which greatly disappointed Mindoro Tamaraws team owner and Pola Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz, sent the Tamaraws in a do-or-die match with the Cebu Greats, conqueror of the Davao Occidental Tigers, 65-57, in the first game, at 6 p.m. on Monday at the same venue.

thur Calisay provided support with 9 and 8 points, respectively.

The Tamaraws drew 16 points and 10 rebounds from Bam Gamalinda, 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists from Jeco Bancale, 10 points from

Ruling the boards, the Greats led the play-in game throughout and by as far as 62-49 to avenge their 59-64 loss to the Tigers in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.

Paul Desiderio posted 15 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, while Jun Manzo tallied 15 points plus 3 assists for Cebu.

Other Greats who delivered were Mark Meneses with 6 points, 22 rebounds and 2 assists, Bryle Ivan Meca with 8 points plus 6 rebounds, and JR Quinahan with 7 points plus 9 rebounds.

IRONMAN 70.3 Davao to redefine triathlon experience

AFTER a one-year hiatus, the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao is set not just for a comeback, but for an explosive return to the global triathlon scene as it kickstarts the 2026 season on March 22 with its milestone fifth staging.

This edition promises to be its most spectacular yet, cementing its place as the yardstick for IRONMAN 70.3 races in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific.

“IRONMAN 70.3 Davao has evolved into more than just a race. It is a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural pride and community spirit,” said Princess Galura, president and general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. – the exclusive IRONMAN licensee in the country – during the official launch.

The landmark event will set a new benchmark in endurance sports with an expected huge international turnout, a refined and world-class course, and a festival atmosphere that only Davao can deliver. “The fifth edition will elevate the racing experience like never before – with faster courses, richer cultural immersion, and unmatched community support,” she added.

Adamson’s Kat Agojo drives for a layup in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

MVP and FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz

Abdul Sawat shines for Zamboanga SiKat.

Bigger, bolder and back with a bang, the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao is set to ignite the 2026 triathlon season like never before.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

SAN MIGUEL Beer’s June Mar Fajardo has once again made history, securing his ninth Most Valuable Player award in Season 49 of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Leo Awards held at Novotel Manila on Sunday.

The 6’10” Fajardo, who led the Beermen to the Philippine Cup title and earned two Best Player of the Conference plums, was the hands down choice for the top individual honor, dominating the league with 42.1 statistical points and owning a PBA record that will be hard to topple for generations.

His impressive averages of 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 block outshone fellow MVP contenders Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort and Robert Bolick of NLEX.

It was Fajardo’s third consecutive MVP award, a powerful comeback after a career-threatening shin injury in 2020 interrupted his istreak of six straight MVP titles from 2014 to 2019. Fajardo’s defensive prowess was also recognized with a spot on the All-Defensive Team, which includes Zavier Lucero, Ginebra’s Stephen Holt, TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin, and NorthPort’s Joshua Munzon.

With the MVP win, Fajardo also earned his 10th First Mythical Team

selection, joining an elite group of PBA legends including Ramon Fernandez (13), Alvin Patrimonio (10), and former teammate Arwind Santos (10) as only the fourth player to achieve this feat at least 10 times.

The First Mythical Team also features Tolentino, Bolick, San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez, and TNT’s Calvin Oftana, who made it to to the elite list for the first time.

Oftana helped the Tropang 5G nearly achieve a Grand Slam, though they ultimately fell to the Beermen in the All-Filipino finale.

The Second Mythical Team is headlined by former MVP Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra, alongside his teammate Japeth Aguilar, TNT’s Roger Pogoy, Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero,

Altas repulse Pirates for 2nd straight victory

MARK Gojo Cruz’s leadership pushed the University of Perpetual Help Daltas Altas to another big win, this time with a 73-61 repulsing of the Lyceum Pirates on Sunday in Season 101 of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the FilOil Center.

Cruz went on to finish with 18 points for the Altas, who moved up in Group A with their second straight victory.

The 6’0” Gojo Cruz banged in eight as the Altas moved away from a 28-all deadlock and took control with a 16-2 run and a 44-30 spread in the second period.

“Hindi puwedeng maging complacent. Again, this is a young team. We have a lot to learn. Maganda ‘yung nadaanan namin ‘yung ganyan para we know what to do next time,” said Altas coach Olsen Racela.

Awardees of the 49th season of the Philippine Basketball Association, led by nine-time Most Valuable Player JuneMar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, are shown during the Lep Awards on Sunday at the Novotel Manila.

Archery hub to rise in Candon City

By Peter Atencio

CANDON City in Ilocos Sir will put up a regional training center for archery in Northern Luzon. Talks between the Philippine Sports Commission, World Archery Philippines and Candon City Mayor Eric D. Singson will make this possible.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and WAP president Bing Reaport discussed plans with Singson during a meeting last Friday.

“One day in the future, an Olympian will come from Candon,” said Gregorio, following the meeting.

Archery officials believe that in having a center in Candon, they hope to make the Philippines a key contender in the international stage.

This is because of vast interest in the sport in Candon.

“We are opening the doors for the archers to train in the conducive environment and give them a fighting chance against the world’s best,” said Singson in a statement.

Sports officials shared their plans with Singson on launching a strategic and comprehensive program, while also turning over around 25 basic archery equipment.

Reaport is also in talks with city officials over the hosting of an invitational tournament next year.

Fajardo secures 9th MVP title; Abarrientos named top rookie SPORTS

and Converge’s Justin Arana. Barangay Ginebra emerged as the top team in terms of individual awards, with four of their players receiving honors. RJ Abarrientos was named Rookie of the Year, surpassing Rain or Shine’s Caelan Tiongson, Phoenix’s Kai Balunggay, and Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield. Abarrientos played a crucial role in Coach Tim Cone’s strategy, helping Ginebra reach the finals of the first two conferences with averages of 12.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. Joshua Munzon also received two awards, including the Most Improved Player.

Rounding out the awardees is Rain or Shine’s Gian Mamuyac, who was honored with the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award. Peter Atencio

“That’s our commitment. We will bring that in Candon City,” said Reaport.

Jearico Nunez added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Altas.

In the junior side, veteran Jim Corpuz knocked in a double-double output and key baskets for the UPHSD Junior Altas in their 70-62 slamming of the Lyceum Junior Pirates.

While Corpuz came through in the clutch, Arkin Cristobal led the Junior Altas, posting 15 points, nine rebounds, and two steals A holdover from last year’s team, the 18-year-old Corpuz struck with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals.

The defending champion Junior Altas picked up their second straight win in Group A.

Corpuz’s triple with Dom Rosales came as the Junior Altas moved away from a tight contest, 60- 57, and took a nine-point edge, 6657, with 2:12 left. Peter Atencio

CSB remains undefeated, secures Super League playo berth

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde overcame a shaky first two sets before completing a sweep of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 2826, 26-24, 25-18, to secure a second round seat in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Sunday at the Paco Arena. The Lady Blazers snatched their second win in as many outings and climbed to solo top spot in Pool D of the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea. Veteran Zam Nolasco delivered 12 points from seven attacks, three kill blocks and two aces while her leadership kept CSB together during anxious moments in the closing stretch of the first two frames.

“Alam naman ang sasabihin ni Coach (Jerry Yee) so kami na lang ang gumawa ng talk sa isa’t isa. ‘Yung mga lapses namin sa first and second sets siguro dahil nag-relax lang din kami. During the third set du’n na namin talaga inilabas ang

Games on Thursday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

10 a.m. --- Adamson vs Arellano

12 p.m. --- CSB vs Ateneo

NU vs San Beda

“Alam namin ang mga capabilities namin sa game siguro dun na lang namin ibinuhos (a third set) para matapos na ‘yung game,” Nolasco said. Fiona Inocentes got 10 markers, while Camila Bartolome and Shahanna Lleses scored eight and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Blazers. CSB squandered a 24-20 lead in the opening set as Perpetual unleashed a 5-0 counter to take the setpoint advantage. The Lady Blazers equalized before Shai Omipon put the Lady

26-25.

New blood sets stage for fierce PVL title chase

WITH a compressed eight-week calendar and an upgraded tournament format, the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference promises an electrifying mix of unpredictability, elite-level competition and a thrilling clash of volleyball cultures and styles when it is fired off Tuesday (Oct. 7) at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Headlining this high-stakes event is the arrival of a fresh wave of international reinforcements – 10 dynamic imports making their much-anticipated debut on Philippine soil. Each is determined to stamp their mark, turn heads and ultimately derail PLDT’s bid for a season sweep.

Two returning reinforcements are set to make an immediate impact –Lindsey Vander Weide for Petro Gazz and Jelena Cvijovic for Galeries Tower. These seasoned imports bring not just experience but a deep understanding of the PVL’s pace and pressure, making them early favorites to deliver consistent firepower.

But it’s the debutantes who bring a layer of thrilling uncertainty to the table. PLDT, already on a historic roll after clinching both the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference titles, banks on Russian hitter Anastasia Bavykina to spearhead its charge. Yet even head coach Rald Ricafort tempers expectations, acknowledging the high stakes and stiff competition as his team eyes a rare triple crown.

point,

Creamline, determined to bounce back from a forgettable season after its Grand Slam run last year, has turned to American Courtney Schwan to revitalize its campaign in the tournament backed by ICTSI, Mikasa, Fabriano and Milcu, in place of Erika Staunton. Cignal taps into European talent with Greek standout Eva Chantava, while Farm Fresh turns to Belgian star Helene Rousseaux. Spain’s Paola Martinez Vela joins Nxled, Anyse Smith suits up for

Choco Mucho, and Ukrainian Oleksandra Bytsenko replaces prolific Marina Tushova for Capital1.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio

Mark Gojo Cruz Dennis Abrina

laro namin and gusto na naming tapusin,” Nolasco said. The Lady Blazers raced to an early lead in the third frame and even built a 20-14 advantage. Unlike in the previous sets, CSB maintained a safe distance from the Lady Altas to finish the match in straight sets.

The CSB Lady Blazers celebrate their win over Perpetual Help Lady Altas. Roman Prospero

Altas back in front,

Cristy Ondangan saved a

followed by a Shekaina Lleses hit, before CSB got the lucky break off a reception miscue by Perpetual to draw first blood.

PH to become aging society by 2030—PIDS

THE Philippines is projected to become an aging society by 2030, but inadequate support systems such as weak healthcare, limited pensions and low digital literacy risk leaving millions of older Filipinos vulnerable.

Experts at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC), organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), urged the government to strengthen institutions, embrace technology responsibly and ensure no elderly Filipino is left behind.

“The Philippines is aging before it becomes economically affluent,” said Dr. Grace Cruz of the UP Population Institute.

Findings from the “Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP)” reveal that older Filipinos have fragile and informal sources of support: six in ten rely on their children, 54 percent on pensions, only one in four earn from work due to low employment rates and 18 percent receive remittances from abroad.

Limited financial security compounds health risks, with 69 percent of older persons having hypertension and half of them untreated. Care work also falls disproportionately on women, 83 percent of whom serve as primary caregivers, often without formal training.

Older persons who use Internet

Older persons who rely on children

Older persons who rely on pension

These challenges are further magnified by the digital divide. “Only six percent of older persons use the internet, compared to 43 percent of the general population,” Cruz said, leaving many excluded from digital services and opportunities. Without intervention, Cruz said these gaps will erode quality of life.

“Let’s turn longevity into a silver dividend by investing in health programs, data, technology, and governance.”

Cruise

ship brings ‘symbol of hope’

By Othel V. Campos

THE Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship completed the Philippine leg of its world voyage in Cebu on Sunday, underscoring the resilience of Cebuanos following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province last week.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the welcome ceremony at the Cebu International Port, calling the ship’s arrival “a symbol of hope” for the province as it recovers from the recent disaster.

“It’s been a very difficult past few days for our fellow Cebuanos who have experienced the devastation of the earthquake. For this vessel that has sailed to 147 countries to come to Cebu today is very meaningful, for it shows that there is hope,” Frasco said.

The Florida-based Villa Vie Residences operates the

to quake-hit Cebu

924-passenger vessel, which is on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage that began in September 2024 and will conclude in August 2028.

Formerly known as the Braemar, the ship promotes a “global residency at sea” concept, allowing travelers to own or lease cabins and join voyage segments lasting 35 to 120 days.

The cruise ship made its Philippine debut at Subic Bay on Sept. 23, followed by stops in Manila, Boracay and Puerto Princesa, before concluding its visit in Cebu. It is set to return in May 2026, reinforcing the country’s growing position on the global cruise tourism map.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expects 140 cruise calls in 2025, generating about 47,295 foreign arrivals across ports, including Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and Cebu, as well as emerging sites such as Samar Island, Kalanggaman and Bucas Grande.

To attract more cruise visitors, the DOT launched the Cruise Visa Waiver (CVW) Program in July 2024 in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Justice, and private sector stakeholders. The Philippines’ growing cruise industry has gained international recognition, winning “Asia’s Best Cruise Destination 2023” from the World Cruise Awards and “Best Port of Call 2024” at the Asia Cruise Awards in South Korea. Frasco said the DOT is pursuing continued collaboration with international partners and local governments to make the country a central cruise hub in Asia.

The country also hosted Seatrade Cruise Asia in November 2024, gathering over 40 cruise industry leaders and buyers to support the Philippines’ goal of becoming the region’s cruise gateway.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Cebu greet guests from the Villa Vie Odyssey with the cruise ship’s arrival in Cebu on Oct. 5, 2025 as a testament to the province’s resilience in the wake of the recent earthquake. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco cited the importance of hosting world-class cruise lines and innovative offerings such as Villa Vie Odyssey in advancing the country’s tourism agenda despite the earthquakes devastation in Cebu.

PH stocks expected to move sideways this week amid lack of positive catalysts

of positive catalysts both locally and abroad.

“Low trading volumes and lackluster sentiment reflect cautious investor positioning amid global uncertainties and local politico-economic headwinds,” said online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com.

While the index managed to rebound last week, the market has remained the worstperforming stock in Asia year-to-date. The index has been trading between the 5,800 to 6,500 range for the past few months.

2TradeAsia.com, however, noted the recent decline in share prices has also made stocks very attractive.

“We reiterate that many blue chip names trade at multi-year low P/E ratios, offering pockets of opportunity for discerning investors,” the firm said.

“We also noted that while the periodic slumps grab headlines, the market’s sideways grind has rewarded tactical plays in sectors like banks, gaming and utilities. A reminder that weakness in the index does not necessarily equate to a lack of tradable opportunities,” it added. Jenniffer B. Austria

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Regional Trial Court National Capital Judicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Mandaluyong City E-mail: rtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.ph Hotline: 639952598147/8287-6702

BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

(SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST OF BPI FAMlLY SAVINGS BANK. INC.) Petitioner-Mortgagee -versus- CASE No. FRE-MC25-2035 For: Extra-Judicial Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage under Act No. 3135, as Amended by Act No. 4118

SPOUSES ROBERT MANGAHAS CRUZ A.K.A. ROBERT M. CRUZ and MARGARITA PALAD CRUZ A.KA. MARGARITA P. CRUZ Respondent – Mortgagor/s-Borrowers. x---------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by BANK OF THE PHlLIPPINE ISLANDS (Successor-in-Interest of BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK INC.). Mortgagee, a banking institution duly organized and existing the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office address at Bank of the Philippine Islands, 28/F, Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, Paseo de Roxas cor Makati Avenue, Bel-Air, Makati City, pursuant to the terms and condition of the Mortgage Loan Agreements both dated August 20, 2015 duly executed by SPOUSES ROBERT MANGAHAS CRUZ a.k.a ROBERT M. CRUZ and MARGARITA PALAD CRUZ a.ka. MARGARITA P. CRUZ, herein represented by ROBERT M. CRUZ a.k.a. ROBERT MANGAHAS CRUZ, as her true and lawful Attorney-inFact, Mortgagors, with residence and postal addresses at 1047 Don Mariano Palad Street, Norzagaray, Bulacan; Unit 28F, 28th Floor, w/1 Parking Slot Unit P3S13 at Podium 3, The address at Wack Wack, Wack Wack Road, Mandaluyong City; 1025 San Marcelino Street, Malate, Banila and 1025 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness, amounts to THREE MILLION NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX PESOS and 66/100 (Php3,974,926.66), Philippine Currency as of July 28, 2025 inclusive of interest, penalties and other charges that will accrue thereafter. The undersigned Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Sheriff thru his Deputy Sheriff Nicanor A. De Ramos hereby announces that on the 5 day of November, 2025 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter but not later that 12:00

EFFORTS. Aboitiz Group and its key partners are mobilizing relief efforts for communities affected by the Cebu earthquake. As of Oct. 3, assistance has reached

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) is preparing a major renovation plan for several of its key shopping centers across the Philippines as part of its “premiumization strategy.”

RLC president and chief executive Mybelle Aragon-Gobio said the full details of the mall redevelopment plan would be disclosed before the end of the year. The renovations will involve some of the group’s major malls both within and outside Metro Manila.

While the exact number of malls and the resulting increase in leasable area have not yet been finalized, the move follows similar mall upgrades by rivals SM Prime Holdings and Ayala Land Inc.

RL Commercial REIT (RCR) president and chief executive Jericho Go also indicated that shopping malls remain a likely asset for the real estate investment trust’s next acquisition from parent firm RLC.

“We still have a huge amount of mall space that is available, and at present time mall has shown a lot of promise when it comes to dividend accretiveness,” Go said.

He said that while the group’s hotel business has recovered from the pandemic, malls are very stable and provide an upside to rental revenues.

RCR recently completed the acquisition of nine malls from RLC valued at P30.67 billion. This follows a 2024 acquisition of 11 malls and two office buildings worth P33.9 billion.

Go said the company is now eyeing its next set of acquisitions, which could take place next year.

He said future acquisitions could also involve other assets such as hotels and industrial warehouses. RLC holds nearly 300,000 square meters of logistics gross leasable area (GLA) and about 4,000 hotel room keys that could potentially be infused into RCR.

By Othel V. Campos

TASKUS has opened its 11th site in the Philippines, located in Hiraya, Las Piñas City, underscoring its continued expansion and investment in artificial intelligence (AI) training to support its growing workforce.

Al Sese, TaskUs vice president for operations, said the company’s growth strategy is driven by its people-centric approach, expanding in areas where employees can work closer to their communities while empowering them with advanced digital skills.

“AI is not just a tool for teams; it becomes part of how our people are trained and how they specialize in what they do,” Sese said during the opening of the Las Piñas site on Oct. 3, 2025.

He said the expansion reflects TaskUs’ commitment to work-life balance, offering the opportunity to employ 1,500 team members by the end of 2025, as it recently onboarded 700 new hires.

“We prefer to go to areas where people are traveling from into business districts and give back by bringing work closer to them,” he said. “Instead of people spending hours commuting, we bring opportunities to their hometowns.”

The company operates several sites across Luzon, including San Pedro, Laguna, and Mabalacat, Pampanga, and is exploring new areas across the Visayas.

“We’re looking broadly across Luzon and Visayas, but we’ll follow the same approach, setting up in populated areas so people don’t have to travel far,” Sese said.

TaskUs is also strengthening employee capability through an inhouse AI certification program, offered quarterly to thousands of its workforce. Sese emphasized that the program is part of TaskUs’ broader effort to ensure that employees grow alongside technology.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission plans to broaden the scope of assets considered “REITable,” potentially allowing more companies to conduct Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) offerings.

The SEC is currently drafting amendments to the REIT law. The move to expand the definition of assets aims to encourage companies that operate tollroads, power plants, cell towers, and other income-generating projects to conduct a REIT offering.

“The power plants and cell towers, they can be characterized as REITs,” SEC chairman Francisco Lim said. “Under the Civil Code they are real property and therefore if they generate income on a regular basis, that is a REITable asset.”

“We will expand the definition so that more companies will be able to list.”

At present, seven REIT companies are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange: AREIT, RL Commercial REIT Corp., MREIT, Filinvest REIT Corp., DDMP REIT Corp., Citicore Energy REIT Corp., and Premiere Island Power REIT Corp. These companies are primarily engaged in real estate development, such as hotels, malls, and office developments, and leasing for renewable energy generation projects.

Aside from expanding the definition, the SEC is also amending the provision that allows companies more time to reinvest proceeds from asset sales. Another proposed amendment is to allow REIT companies to use the proceeds from asset sales to reduce debt.

Under the REIT Law passed in 2009, a REIT is a stock corporation established principally for the purpose of owning income-generating real estate assets. It is an investment instrument that provides a return to investors derived from rental income of the underlying real estate asset. A REIT company is mandated to declare 90% of its distributable income

RELIEF

3,600 families through the distribution of food packs, water, and essential items. Figures are continuously being updated as relief operations progress.

WATER DONATION. Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) and Manila Water Foundation (MWF), in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Office of Civil Defense, extends support to families displaced by the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the Northern Cebu Provinces. MWPV subsidiary Cebu Water has provided a total of 105 million liters of potable water to the municipalities of Bogo, Medellin, Tabogon, Borbon and San Remigio, transported and distributed through 20-cubic meter and 11-cubic meter water trucks.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) officially welcomed ACUVEX Corporation as its newest locator with the signing of a registration agreement on Sept. 29, 2025.

PEZA director general Tereso Panga and ACUVEX president Hong Keat Ong signed the agreement, signaling the company’s formal entry as a new export enterprise that will spe-

cialize in the fabrication of jigs and fixtures within the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ).

“ACUVEX’s entry is another step forward in reinforcing CEZ as a hub for high-value and precision manufacturing,” Panga said. “Each new locator strengthens the ecozone ecosystem and contributes to our vision of a competitive, sustainable, and resilient industrial base for the country.”

ACUVEX is investing an initial P3 million for the project, which is set to commence operations before the end of the year.

Targeting the precision manufacturing sector, ACUVEX is expected to complement existing CEZ locators engaged in electronics, automotive, and robotics-related production, while supporting local suppliers and service providers within the ecozone.

Panga said the partnership further strengthens CEZ’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing, while reinforcing PEZA’s commitment to promote inclusive growth and uphold the Philippines’ competitiveness in the global market.

Othel V. Campos

PH seeks banana tariff relief from Japan

By Othel V. Campos

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the Philippines is preparing a position paper seeking tariff relief for its banana exports to Japan under the ongoing review of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Laurel said the issue was raised during his recent meeting with Japanese Minister Junichiro Koizumi, where both sides agreed to “work together to find an amicable solution” to address the high tariffs imposed on Philippine bananas.

“The Philippines will be preparing a position paper so that hopefully Japan

PEZA registers ACUVEX as new export enterprise Get

Brunei’s Wasan Milling investing P286m in Palawan

OFFICIALS of the municipality of Narra, Palawan, and Brunei’s Wasan Milling Company Sdn Bhd (WMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a contract farming program.

WMC plans to invest P286 million over the next five years to bolster local rice production.

The agreement, which falls under the Brunei Darussalam-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) regional food security program, was formally signed in Pasig City by Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao and WMC general manager Saidin bin Namit.

The investment, conditional on achieving specific yield targets, is projected to cover 5,000 hectares of rice lands and aims to engage up to 2,000 farmers.

“The program will cover 5,000 hectares, with a yield target of 4.5 metric tons per hectare,” Danao said.

“This equates to 22,500 metric tons of paddy rice annually by year five. This production will serve a dual purpose: supplying Brunei under BIMP-EAGA food security, while also supporting the Philippine local market,” he said.

The investment will be used to provide inputs, technology transfer, and market linkage for the participating farmers. The P286 million is contingent on the preparatory planting phase achieving an average yield of 4.5 metric tons per hectare. Once this benchmark is met, WMC will scale up support, providing inputs, technology, and post-harvest systems for contract farming.

GREEN LIGHT

Alvin Gutierrez

THE Senate Blue Ribbon investigation on the flood control anomalies has been on my social media feeds for over a month. As new names are being dropped like a bomb, the investigation has escalated, but no single individual has been sent to jail as of this writing. Yet a man who stole a P189 corned beef to satisfy his hunger got jailed immediately. At the same time, billions of our hardearned taxes are spent on luxury, and no single named individual is behind bars.

Behind this backdrop are the continuous torrential rains flooding the common Juan, and life has to go on so that he can put food on the table. Not to mention the taxes he needs to pay every 15th and 30th so that the nepo babies can “flex” their newest luxury bag.

What seems to be a cycle of suffering for every Filipino is a system we just have to wait and pray to change in the months to come.

But what if I tell you that we have the power to outsmart these floods at the touch of our fingertips?

A group of academics from De La Salle University’s engineering and business disciplines came up with a flood monitoring device using the Internet of Things (IOT) (Arante, et. al., 2025) and eventually undertook a

usability study to put this monitoring device to the public’s reasonable use. Like any other research, it gathered data from individuals testing the website prototype and compared it to the now-defunct Project NOAH of the PNoy Administration. This research was conceptualized years before the flood control project fiasco came about.

The insights of the participants were useful, such as real-time live monitoring through the use of the CCTV cameras installed by the LGUs, to Google Maps or WAZE integration, and making the flood monitoring an application free to use from the Google Play Store (for Android phones) or App Store (for iPhones).

While the study is still in its prototype phase and the usability study publication is still under review, it would be a promising website or app for every Filipino commuter. It can inform you of the height of the flood and the time it subsides. It contains visual cues such as the height of the average Filipino and a car to know the depth of the flood. Further, there are also color warnings we are familiar with when it comes to floods, such as yellow, orange, and red, incorporated into the website design.

can reconsider our request,” he said, adding that the discussion was “very positive” and that both countries agreed to continue consultations on other agricultural products.

Under JPEPA, Philippine bananas are subject to a seasonal tariff of 8 percent from April 1 to Sept. 30, and increase to 18 percent for imports between Oct. 1 and March 31. This puts them at a disadvantage compared with competitors from Vietnam and Thailand, which enjoy lower or zerotariff access to the Japanese market.

The Philippines also requested Japan’s market access for locally grown pomelo, while Japan expressed interest in exporting grapes to the Philippines.

“Both parties agreed to work on this as soon as possible so that we can release the trade,” Tiu Laurel said.

He noted that the proposed schedule for the gradual lowering of banana tariffs is still under review but will likely follow the same arrangement granted to Vietnam and Thailand.

The secretary said broader trade matters were also discussed, including ongoing talks with the United States on possible tariff exemptions for products not produced or processed there.

“There is openness, there’s a possibility of exemptions on certain

products,” he said, adding that the Philippines will continue to pursue a final agreement with the U.S. Tiu Laurel said both sides have expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral agricultural trade and deepening cooperation under JPEPA.

But what if I tell you that we have the power to outsmart these floods at the touch of our fingertips? challenges that come their way.

Growing up as a Gen X-er, I remember that we had to tune in to the AM radio early in the morning to wait for class cancellations that rarely happened during my years as a student. These days, students have the power of social media to get information regarding class cancellations. However, recently, there have been a lot of hits and misses on cancelling classes while the sun is shining brightly on a clear sky. But the common Juan in our story is not spared from these cancellations. The education sector is spared, sometimes the government, but never the private sector. It will always be at the will of these firms to give leeway to their employees,

whether they come to work or not. It is fortunate for the firms that are in a hybrid work mode. But what about the manual laborers who are paid daily?

That’s why we in academia relentlessly research how to make our outputs create an impact on our society. Through this column, we hope it reaches the attention of the funding agencies to make this research large-scale and eventually become a product everyone can use. Suppose our mobile devices and the apps installed control our lives from when we get up in the morning until we close our eyes at night. Wouldn’t it be great if we could outsmart the weather and be guided in our daily commute through this app?

Alvin Neil A. Gutierrez grew up in a flood-prone street with his share of horror stories about floods, typhoons, and other natural calamities. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Management and Organization of the DLSU Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business, teaching undergraduate students to be change agents of society.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION. One Meralco Foundation, led by president JeffreyTarayao (4th from right), brings its Household Electrification Program to low-income homes in Norzagaray, Bulacan, led by Mayor

Elena Germar represented by former Mayor Alfredo Germar (center), with the help of Meralco, represented by

Home & Micro Business-North Business area head Alleni Pascual (7th from right), North Distribution Services

head Sante Buella (3rd from right), Plaridel Sector head Noel Espiritu (second from right), and Sta. Maria Business

Center head Reginald Romano (5th from left).

Officials from Narra municipality and Brunei’s Wasan Milling Company (WMC) sign a memorandum of understanding for contract farming and regional food security under BIMP-EAGA. Signing the MOU are (from left) Mohamad Taqiuddin bin Hj Mohd Asnawi, WMC chief finance officer; Saidin Bin Namit, WMC general manager; Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan, Brunei Ambassador to the Philippines; Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao; and Narra Vice Mayor Jojo Gastanes.

Tiu

PEZA director general Tereso Panga

IN BRIEF

Cebu Pacific eyes more flights to Australia to meet demand

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE airline filed a petition for allocation of entitlements to Australia under the PhilippinesAustralia Air Service Agreement with the CAB, the regulator said.

The CAB had earlier requested air talks

60,000 seats per

The Philippine Air Services Ne-

DOE clears Meralco bidding for 200-MW baseload RE supply

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a certificate of conformity (COC) to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), allowing the country’s largest power retailer to proceed with its competitive selection process (CSP), or bidding, for 200 megawatts (MW) of baseload renewable energy capacity.

DOE Undersecretary Mario Marasigan confirmed that the department had cleared the first of Meralco’s proposed biddings after receiving and considering comments from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

“On the Meralco CSP, we have cleared the first, the 200 MW,” Marasigan said.

“In that sense, we deemed it OK to release the certificate of conformity for the 200 MW,” he said.

The 200 MW baseload renewable energy capacity is intended to supply Meralco’s requirements from Jan. 26, 2026, through Jan. 25, 2030. Marasigan noted that the distribution utility should ensure its compliance is based on the observations of the PCC and ERC before proceeding.

Meralco, however, has yet to receive the COC for the 200-MW baseload RE, according to the official.

Marasigan said the DOE has yet to issue COCs for Meralco’s proposed CSPs for 450 MW of mid-merit capacity and 600 MW of baseload capacity, as those proposals are still under review.

The 450 MW of mid-merit capacity is expected to supply Meralco starting Feb. 26, 2028, and Feb. 26, 2029, while the 600 MW baseload capacity is targeted to be delivered starting Feb. 26, 2028.

gotiating Panel is composed of officials from the CAB, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as from the Clark International Airport Corp.

and representatives of local airline companies.

The CAB set a hearing on the matter for Oct. 14, 2025.

“Parties opposed to the said application must file their written opposition on or before the schedules date of hearing,” the CAB said.

“Failure on the part of any interested party to file their opposition on time and appear during the hearing shall be construed as a waiver of their right to be heard and the CAB shall proceed to hear and decide the

application on its merits, ex parte,” it said.

Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Melbourne and Sydney, while Philippine Airlines (PAL) flies from Manila to Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that the number of Australian visitors to the Philippines rose 19.4 percent to 93,030 in the first three months of 2025 from the same period last year.

Business group urges reforms to improve teacher licensure examination

THE Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) is calling on the government to implement reforms in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) to ensure only the most qualified educators enter the nation’s classrooms

The call comes as the country marks World Teacher’s Day.

PBEd cited the critical role of fixing the foundations of teacher preparation and licensure to address the Philippines’ learning crisis.

Globe Telecom steps up global partnerships against online scams

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it is boosting its partnership with the international community to combat the surge in online scams plaguing the Philippines.

Globe said over the weekend fraud losses in the country have reached $8.1 billion, equivalent to 1.9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), with one in three citizens targeted in the past year.

Globe underscored the urgency of confronting scams through collective action at the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025.

The company’s head of AI and privacy governance and co-chair of Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) Philip-

pines Chapter, Derick Adil, said twothirds of victims never report incidents, allowing fraud to continue and criminal networks to be emboldened.

“Fraud today moves at digital speed, exploiting new technologies like AI to deceive people faster than ever,” Adil said.

“We have proven that practical interventions can make a real difference, from removing links in SMS advisories, to blocking over nine billion scam messages before they reach our customers. But these efforts must go beyond one country or one telco. Scams don’t stop at borders, and neither should our defenses,” said. Darwin G. Amojelar

“Teachers are at the heart of learning recovery but to empower them, we must start by ensuring that those who enter the profession are well-trained, well-supported, and rigorously screened. The BLEPT must be a fair, valid and reliable measure of teacher readiness,” PBEd executive director Bal Camua said.

A study, Fixing the Foundations: Strengthening the Teaching Workforce through the BLEPT, presented by the Second Congressional Commission on Education, reports several critical gaps in how the licensure exam is currently designed and administered.

eight degree programs and multiple specializations; and the absence of pilot testing and systematic item analysis, which raises concerns about the test’s validity and fairness.

These include a misalignment between the BLEPT and the teacher education curriculum, as well as the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers; a limited number of qualified item writers and reviewers, with only three board members preparing questions for

The Professional Regulation Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, the Teacher Education Council and the Department of Education must work together to overhaul the BLEPT’s test development and administration process.

Napocor wants to reduce diesel use in remote areas

NEWLY-installed National Power Corp. (Napocor) president Jericho Nograles aims to reduce dependence on costly diesel fuel in remote or “missionary areas” to bring down subsidized power costs.

Napocor’s power generation facilities are primarily diesel power plants, which Nograles said are the most expensive the company operates.

“Because diesel power plants are basically the majority of the Napocor generation facilities,” Nograles said.

“And these generation facilities are the most expensive that we have,” he said.

The average cost of electricity generated by diesel is about P30 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), but Napocor

collects an average of only about P7, with the national government subsidizing the remaining P23, he said.

“So, P23 is subsidized by the national government,” Nograles said.

“Because these are missionary electrification. The challenge that we have is how to lessen dependence on diesel power plants,” he said.

He said to address this, Napocor is looking at deploying new technologies, including bringing in more renewable energy assets, and hopes to see initial results within six months.

“We’re trying to increase our renewable energy assets to decrease diesel dependence,” he said, noting the company is overhauling its ap-

proach to accelerate the rollout of new systems. The previous management’s plan for an Accelerated Hybridization Plan (AHP) in four pilot areas—which would allow the private sector to put up renewable energy generation plants to supplement or replace Napocor’s existing Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) diesel power plants— had not materialized.

Nograles also mentioned plans to deploy hundreds of solar home systems to missionary areas in Mindanao to give isolated communities a tangible sign of support from the national government through Napocor. Alena Mae S. Flores

BSP EXHIBIT. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown (center) views an exhibit at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Money Museum at the BSP Hub within the central bank’s head office in Manila on Sept. 2, 2025. The museum showcases the evolution of Philippine currency, including rare artifacts from various historical periods. Archbishop Brown also toured other areas of the facility accompanied by Monetary Board Member Benjamin Diokno.

CWC ANNIVERSARTY. Clark Development Corp. (CDC) joins Clark Water Corp. officials and employees in marking the latter’s 25th anniversary during a commemorative gathering on Oct. 1 at the CDC Health and Sanitation Division (HSD) Training Hall. Clark Water has served as CDC’s utility partner since 2000,

water

to locators, residents, and industries within the Freeport Zone.

PROPERTY

developer Ayala Land Inc. has broken ground on its newest and biggest project in Mindanao — Ascenda, a 204-hectare mixeduse estate in Toril, Davao City.

Ascenda is Ayala Land’s 54th estate and its first horizontal estate in Mindanao. It also marks the company’s largest single investment in the region, with a planned investment of ₱10.3 billion.

The development is a partnership between Ayala Land and Mindanaobased conglomerate Anflocor, and is positioned to become a key part of Davao’s growing urban landscape.

“Davao is truly a city on the rise,” said Ayala Land president and chief executive Anna Ma. Margarita .

“With major infrastructure projects like the Samal-Davao Bridge, the Coastal Road, and the Davao Bypass Road, we see strong momentum in the region. Ascenda aims to support that growth by offering a modern, upgraded lifestyle.”

Major step Davao City was recently named one of the safest cities in the Philippines by the World Travel Index (July 2025). For Ayala Land, it’s not just about safety—it’s about long-term potential.

“Davao has been on our radar since the 1970s,” said Dy. “We were the first major developer to invest here when

Ayala Land launches new estate in Davao City

we launched Insular Village. Then came Abreeza in 2011 and Azuela Cove in 2017. Now with Ascenda, we’re going full blast.”

Ascenda will offer the first Ayala Land Premier residential village in Davaom called Virendo, and will be the first major development to benefit from the new Davao Bypass Road, cutting travel time to and from the city.

Located just 16 kilometers from downtown, the estate balances accessibility with natural surroundings, reflecting Ayala Land’s

focus on sustainable, nature-inspired communities.

The estate master plan was developed with the help of Henning Larsen, an international design firm known for its work on Singapore’s Bishan Park. Like Bishan, Ascenda will feature green corridors, waterways, and open spaces to create a healthy, livable environment.

“We call Ascenda ‘Davao’s NatureInspired Southern Gateway,’” Dy explained. “It’s designed to connect people not just to the city, but to nature.”

Robinsons Land opens new tower in Bridgetowne

TWO years after launching GBF Center 1, Robinsons Offices has officially inaugurated GBF Center

2 — a bold and innovative addition to the Bridgetowne estate that sets a new standard in premium office development.

GBF Center 2 represents a strategic continuation of Robinsons Offices’ long-term vision to transform Bridgetowne into a premier business destination. Designed to complement and elevate its predecessor, the inauguration of GBF Center 2 underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to job generation, sustainable design, and keeping families closer to home.

“This shared anniversary is a deliberate rhythm of growth, a cadence of transformation. It reflects our longterm commitment to building spaces that matter,” RLC said.

Even before its official opening, GBF Center 2 had already made headlines in the industry. At the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, the building was recognized with Best Office Interior Design and Best Office Architecture, a testament to its world-class execution and thoughtful design. Alongside GBF Center 1, the development also received the prestigious Best Green Commercial Development award.

“These accolades are not just honors — they are validations of our mission to build spaces that are premium, accessible, future-ready, and sustainable,” the company said.

Located within the thriving Bridgetowne township, GBF Center 2 enjoys easy access to major roads including C5, Ortigas Avenue, and Amang Rodriguez Avenue, offering tenants unmatched visibility and transit connectivity.

Every square meter of GBF Center 2 is thoughtfully designed for flexibility, sustainability, and user

Built to grow Ascenda will have two main components, a 65-hectare Town Center, with commercial lots, restaurants, cafés, greenways, and a community church and a 139-hectare residential area, including top residential brands from Ayala Land. The Town Center is designed to be the commercial and cultural heart of the estate. It will include open-air shopping streets and spaces for community gatherings, while supporting Davao’s growing business and tourism potential.

“We’ve seen how our estates in

and

have grown in value and become

centers,” she said. “Ascenda will do the same for Davao.” Ayala Land currently manages over 50 estates nationwide, including Makati CBD, Bonifacio Global City, Cebu Business Park, Nuvali and Alviera. Jenniffer B. Austria

DMCI Homes named among top developers at Hubexo Asia Awards

QUADRUPLE A developer DMCI

Homes has further cemented its reputation as one of the Philippines’ most distinguished property developers after being named among the Elite honorees at the Hubexo Asia Awards 2025 (formerly BCI Asia Awards).

The Elite distinction is given to firms that have earned the Top 10 Developers Award more than 10 times in the award’s 20-year history. With 13 awards to date— including this year and previous recognitions in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024— DMCI Homes now stands among a select group of developers shaping country’s built environment. The 2025 awards ceremony was held last September 26 at ShangriLa The Fort, bringing together the Philippines’ leading developers and design professionals.

Representing DMCI Homes were Alexis Valiente, AVP for Concepts and Landscape Management; May Angeli Pedro, Project Development Manager; and Butch Mendizabal, Corporate Communications Manager.

“We are grateful to be recognized among the Elite awardees. This award celebrates our contributions to the built environment and motivates us to continue delivering housing solutions that enhance the lives of our residents and support nationbuilding,” Mendizabal said.

DMCI Homes, which is the real estate arm of the Consunji family is the Philippines’ first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. The company’s portfolio boasts more than 70 properties since it was launched in 1999.

wellnessfocused spaces.

Dy said Ascenda is expected to see strong value appreciation over time, much like Ayala developments in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Nuvali.

Luzon

Visayas

thriving

left: RLC head of

Arce; RLC president Mybelle V. Aragon-Gobio; RLC senior vice president and

From left: Alphonso Rodriguez, director for business development - Concepcion Carrier; Carla Cruz; brand marketing head - Concepcion Carrier; Alexis Valiente, assistant vice president for concepts and landscape management – DMCI Homes; May Angeli Pedro,

Homes;

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Nadine

Lustre not yet ready to be mommy

By Angelica Villanueva

ACTRESS Nadine Lustre admitted that she is not yet ready to become a mother, saying the idea still feels intimidating.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, the 31-year-old actress said she finds the thought of motherhood overwhelming. “Nakakatakot maging nanay, honestly. Every time we [Christophe Bariou] talk about it, I get scared. I’ve been working for as long as I can remember, and I can’t imagine having another responsibility other than my career,” she said.

The actress added that she is currently focused on her professional and personal goals.

“I am so focused on my career and, of course, this guy, and our businesses as well. So parang hindi ako ready. Saludo talaga ako sa mga moms,” Nadine continued.

The actress is set to star in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry Call Me Mother alongside comedian and TV host Vice Ganda In the film, Nadine plays a beauty queen, a role she prepared for through research, pageant training, and fitness routines.

Call Me Mother is a reunion project of Nadine and Vice Ganda, ten years after their 2015 MMFF movie Beauty and the Bestie

Cinemalaya 21 explores new horizons for PH indie cinema

By Angelica Villanueva and Jasper Valdez

THE Cinemalaya Philippine

Independent Film Festival opened its 21st edition, marking a new chapter for the country’s premier indie showcase as it moves screenings to Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas and partner venues across Metro Manila. The festival runs from Oct. 3 to Oct. 12 under the theme “Layag sa Alon, Hangin at Unos.”

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Media Ricky Lee, who has witnessed the festival’s growth since its inception, described its enduring spirit as both “groundbreaking” and “inclusive.”

“It has consistently been groundbreaking. It always goes to the margins, to the underside, to the unexpected,” Lee told Manila Standard Entertainment.

The award-winning screenwriter also noted that the festival has become more inclusive, drawing filmmakers from both the regions and Metro Manila.

“There are those coming from the regions, and there are still those from Manila,” he said.

For Lee, one of the most remarkable transformations is how Cinemalaya has blurred the onceclear boundary between mainstream and independent cinema.

“The boundary between what we call mainstream and short films has somewhat blurred, which I think is very healthy because it’s inclusive,” he added.

He emphasized craft and authenticity as the festival’s guiding values and said that the essence of filmmaking goes beyond labels.

“Whether you call it indie or mainstream, what matters is the truth. It’s still important to deliver the message to the audience—to their heart, their mind, and their soul. In the end, it’s the film that gives you strength,” he said.

In her opening remarks, Cultural Center of the Philippines president Kate Tinga reflected on Cinemalaya’s two-decade journey.

“For over two decades, Cinemalaya has been a proud platform for the bold spirit of independent films and the creative community. The uncertainties and storms that come with our voyage make our mission more meaningful and powerful,” Tinga said.

Laurice Guillen, president of the Cinemalaya Foundation, underscored the festival’s continuing mission to nurture the next generation of filmmakers.

“In 2004, we embarked on a mission to help de-

By Nickie Wang

THE barkada of Bagets The Musical wouldn’t be complete without Tonton, the resident troublemaker and unlikely hero first made famous by William Martinez Rising stars Milo Cruz and Migo Valid take on the role to bring his charm to a new generation of theatergoers.

With his P-pop debut with Xerenade set to take off, Cruz is already expanding his artistic reach as Tonton in Bagets The Musical. The young performer said he sees more to the character than his mischievous reputation.

“Tonton is a repeater, yes,” Cruz said.

“But if we move past that, past his kalokohan, we see that he’s really just a normal kid who has to learn life the hard way.”

He shared that the role captures the carefree joys of youth while underscoring how growing up often means facing hard truths.

“Masaya maging high school. ‘Yung tipong pwede kang mag-procrastinate ng assignments tapos tambay lang pagkatapos,” he said. “Pero kailangan nating maintindihan na hindi tayo pwedeng maging bata lang habambuhay.” Cruz admitted he feels both nervous and excited for the show’s run, saying he plans to draw from his years of singing and dancing experience while venturing into acting.

For Migo, on the other hand, the stage adaptation of the 1984 film marks his theater debut. Known for his performances in

Hold Me Close, A Glimpse of Forever, and Penduko, he said he never expected to land the part.

“First time ko mag-audition sa PETA,” Valid recalled. “Sabi ko, ‘I just want to make the panel smile.’ I wasn’t expecting anything then, so being cast as Tonton is such a blessing.”

He described Tonton as the group’s risktaker, reckless but caring. “I’m very much like him,” Valid said with a laugh. “Back in high school, I had my wild moments, too. But those experiences helped me grow.”

The 23-year-old admitted he related deeply to Tonton’s sense of uncertainty. Minsan napapatanong ako kung tama pa ba ‘yung mga ginagawa ko,” he said, reflecting on his late start in showbiz. “But like Tonton, keep moving forward ang mentality.”

Both Cruz and Valid are members of the P-pop group Xerenade. Their shared energy and love for performing promise to bring Tonton’s charm and depth to life on stage.

Bagets The Musical runs from January to March 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. The production also features Noel Comia Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert. A collaboration between VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, the musical is staged in partnership with PETA Plus under the direction of Maribel Legarda, with playwright J-mee Katanyag and musical director Vince Lim

velop and support the production of cinematic works by Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity,” Guillen said.

“The festival is not just an event, it is a journey. The filmmaker who joins the competition with a story close to his heart sets out on a personal journey through a process that emphasizes craft, creativity, and community,” she added. Guillen also reminded filmmakers of their responsibility to capture the Filipino experience and respond to global challenges.

“Unless our filmmakers acknowledge the hard truth of issues that cause upheavals in the world today—climate change, migration, war, corruption, and inequality—we can’t even begin to take up the challenge. Every voice that believes in the triumph of the human spirit is a spark that can bring change,” the veteran actress and filmmaker said.

Deputy festival director Tess Rances highlighted how Cinemalaya continues to make waves internationally and at home.

“Barely two weeks after the media launch, five Cinemalaya films garnered 37 nominations from the Urian Awards,” she said, citing last year’s Tumandok, Alipato at Muog, Konobasho, The Hearing, and An Errand among the recognized titles.

Despite these successes, Rances acknowledged the festival’s fragile funding.

“The lack of funding almost cut short the journey, if not for the urgent efforts of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the FDCP, and the CCP. We urge our government to prioritize the allocation of funds to support the arts,” she said.

Cinemalaya 21 runs from Oct. 2 to Oct. 13, with screenings at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Southmall, and select Ayala Malls nationwide.

Festival organizers, executives, and filmmakers walk the red carpet at the opening of the 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival

Nadine Lustre is gearing up for her new MMFF film ‘Call Me Mother’ with Vice Ganda

Rising actor Migo Valid makes his theater debut as Tonton in ‘Bagets The Musical’

P-pop artist and actor Milo Cruz brings his charm to the role of Tonton in ‘Bagets The Musical’

Does Paris miss Heart Evangelista?

By Nickie Wang

DO YOU remember when netizens once remarked that “Heart Evangelista singlehandedly carried Philippine fashion” in Paris during her first appearance at the major fashion event in 2017?

At that time, the Kapuso actress was among the invited guests who viewed the new collections from luxury brands Maison Schiaparelli, Ralph & Russo, Ulyana Sergeenko, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, and Georges Hobeika.

In the recent Paris Fashion Week, several social media users observed a noticeable change in the event’s atmosphere in Heart’s absence. Despite her decision not to attend, online discussions about her style continued, with many still expressing interest in her social media updates.

A number of Filipino personalities, including Anne Curtis, Pia Wurtzbach, Kylie Versoza, Maggie Wilson, Michelle Dee, Sarah Lahbati, Max Collins, and Gabbi Garcia , were present at this year’s shows. However, comments from some netizens suggested that Heart’s presence in previous years contributed a distinctive element to the event.

Though she skipped PFW for reasons we already know, the 40-year-old fashion icon, who is known for her detailed social media content and fashion collaborations, posted photos wearing pieces from brands such as Dior and Prada turning her house into her own fashion runway. These posts received significant engagement on Instagram and Facebook, with many followers commenting on her featured looks.

Although Heart was not present in Paris this year, her online activity continued to draw attention from fashion enthusiasts and Filipino audiences following the global event. Among the reactions shared online were messages such as “Fashion Week will not be the same for the Philippines without you there,” and “She didn’t attend Fashion Week, but her IG feed still shows front-row looks.”

So, does Paris really miss Heart Evangelista?

Don’t leave your trip to chance

How to travel smart and stay protected on your next Asian adventure

By Nickie Wang

AS INTERNATIONAL travel resumes, many Filipinos are once again exploring destinations across Asia, from the cultural landmarks of Japan to the tropical beaches of Vietnam. With more travelers going abroad, insurance coverage has become an essential safeguard against unexpected disruptions.

Travel insurance protects travelers from extra expenses caused by incidents such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. It serves as financial protec-

From Japan’s tranquil gardens to other Asian destinations, travelers are encouraged

tion when things don’t go as planned. For instance, if a traveler falls ill abroad, insurance can cover medical bills that would otherwise be costly. It can also reimburse non-refundable bookings when trips are cancelled unexpectedly.

Medical emergency coverage pays for treatment abroad and limits out-of-pocket costs. Emergency evacuation covers transportation to a hospital or back home if necessary, while lost or damaged luggage coverage compensates for stolen or misplaced belongings. Some policies also reimburse added costs from flight delays.

Understanding what each policy includes—and excludes—is key to choosing the right plan. Your insurance needs depend on the length, cost, and nature of your trip. For short

domestic travel, coverage for cancellations, delays, and baggage loss may suffice.

Those planning high-risk activities like diving, bungee jumping, or mountain climbing should confirm that their policy covers such sports. Longer trips or travelers with pre-existing conditions may require more comprehensive medical coverage. Some insurers offer add-ons for pre-existing conditions at an extra cost.

When comparing travel insurance plans, pay attention to the coverage limits, exclusions, and claims requirements. Ensure the policy provides enough protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and baggage loss. Review what is excluded, such as pre-existing conditions, risky activities, or travel to unsafe destinations, to avoid surprises.

It is also important to understand how to

Nicole Scherzinger rediscovers Filipino roots in Palawan escape

By Jasper Valdez

FILIPINO-AMERICAN singer and actress

Nicole Scherzinger found herself reconnecting with

her acceptance speech, she reflected on identity and belonging, saying, “Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong… I’m proud to represent as a Hawaiian-UkrainianFilipino girl.” Expressing gratitude to her supporters, Scherzinger said she hopes her journey continues to inspire others.

“I just have to thank God for carrying me every step of the way. I give You all the glory,” she said.

file claims and what documentation, such as receipts, medical reports, or boarding passes, will be required.

Always read the fine print. Knowing

and

immediately after an incident, and stay in

until your claim is resolved.

Despite her absence at Paris Fashion Week, Heart Evangelista remains a focal point of conversation among Filipino fashion fans

Actress and style icon Heart Evangelista skips this year’s Paris Fashion Week

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Angelica Villanueva

IT’S easy to overlook Manila when one lives close to it. Most days, the city feels like a blur of traffic, glass towers, and hurried errands. But through “Lakbay Manila,” an initiative by NLEX Corporation, the Philippine capital revealed a quieter side, one that carries centuries of history within its walls.

Part of NLEX’s long-running “Lakbay Norte” program, “Lakbay Manila” marked the project’s first foray into the capital. The twoday trip, held from Sept. 24 to Sept. 25, invited media and content creators to rediscover Manila not as mere commuters but as travelers, starting where the city itself began—in Intramuros.

At the Centro de Turismo Intramuros, information officer Diego Gabriel Torres of the Intramuros Administration guided the group through the cobblestone streets of the former Spanish enclave.

Rediscovering Manila through the walls of time

name of the district came from ispilil—the town of light. Within these walls, they built churches, schools, and centers of power,” said Torres.

Inside the Museo de Intramuros, participants traced the country’s artistic and religious evolution—from pre-colonial carvings to elaborate Catholic imagery that once adorned churches across Luzon and the Visayas.

“The Immaculate Conception became the patron of the Philippines because she represented purity. It was an ideal taught by missionaries through art and ritual,” he continued.

Each gallery revealed how faith and identity intertwined in everyday life. The ringing of a restored bronze bell—once used to summon townspeople to prayer—offered a sensory link between past and present, a sound that lingered like memory.

tifacts in the nation. Among the exhibits were ancient bells, meticulously carved wooden reliefs, and silver and gold religious items, each conveying stories of faith, craftsmanship, and perseverance.

“The artifacts aren’t just historical objects. They collectively tell the story of Manila’s adaptation, culture, and the ingenuity of its people,” he explained.

The museum tour also highlighted the role of women in the colonial era and how religious images were used to express values like purity and devotion.

Torres further emphasized the significance of Marian images and ancient bells, which were once integral to community life, serving as indicators for religious ceremonies and emergencies.

tions, religious buildings, and public discourse. Participants also learned about the meticulous restoration efforts to preserve these structures after World War II.

Beyond the tour, Lakbay Manila emphasized how progress continues to shape the city’s story. At the NLEX Connector site in Sta. Mesa, NLEX Corporation project manager Engr. Ronnie Lacsamana discussed how infrastructure now bridges heritage and modern mobility.

“If you’re a motorist from Pampanga or Pangasinan heading to Manila, your travel time is much shorter because of the Connector. It’s really about mobility—connecting places, but also connecting people to culture and opportunity,” he explained.

“This was where the city of Manila began. The EVERY time I go on a business trip, I usually grab a quick bite for breakfast on my way to a meeting or a quick snack in between meetings, so I find it very convenient if the hotel I’m staying at has a food and beverage outlet that offers ready-to-go bites. Especially in a country with temperate weather, I’d rather eat my snack inside a taxicab as I set off for another meeting than walk around in the cold looking for a suitable diner or café.

For busybodies, it is then such a welcome move for Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila to come up with this unique service. The hotel recently upgraded its existing food and beverage outlet, Bytes, which used to be on its main lobby level, to a more relaxed and trendy dining space on the ground floor. It has become an ideal destination for a midday snack or an anytime-of-the-day casual catch-up with BFFs.

I had the chance to try out this reimagined dining space and tasted some of my favorite Filipino-inspired light fares like Adobong Liver Pate, Flaky Beef Empanada, Pancit Molo, and Gourmet Tuyo Pasta For dessert, I had the Matcha Mango Mousse. Other Pinoy comfort food are also available, including Arroz Caldo, Dinuguan with Puto, Pancit Palabok, and for those with a sweet tooth, there are Tibok-Tibok Brulee and Bibingka Cheesecake What makes this reinvented food and beverage outlet even more exciting and appealing is its offer of “Pares—Cork and Comfort Dinner Pairing,” where each delectable item on the menu is

Torres emphasized that the Museo de Intramuros houses one of the most extensive government-owned collections of religious ar-

The tour explored Manila’s religious history, showing how religious orders like the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, and Recollects shaped the city’s educational institu-

Taking a bite of Bytes

Lakbay Manila highlighted how Intramuros is not just a historical site but a living testament to Manila’s resilience and culture, where streets, walls, and artifacts invite reflection and discovery.

paired with a particular wine. I had the chance to try out this curated and upgraded dining experience, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed how the perfectly paired wine further enhanced the taste of regular Filipino comfort food.

The special dinner pairing is conducted by Shey Mazon, a seasoned professional with five years of experience in the alcohol beverage industry and a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Certification. She deftly went through the wine pairs, describing every single detail of why the wine is perfect for the food item on hand.

It was definitely an enjoyable experience, and I invite all of you to check out this winepairing dinner to see for yourself how a particular wine can further enhance the taste of simple Pinoy comfort food. This wine-pairing dinner is available at Bytes only every third Wednesday of the month, and due to the outlet’s limited seating, advance reservations are recommended.

I’m glad Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila decided to reinvent Bytes into something more relaxed and trendy, yet offering popular Filipino comfort food that never fails to bait one’s appetite. The all-time beloved Filipino merienda classics with a contemporary twist are now within easy reach. This outlet matches the hotel’s family-like service tradition, which gives guests a true home-away-from-home experience.

More information on the hotel’s offerings is available at https://lansonplace.com/mallofasia Lanson Place Mall of Asia is one of ten properties worldwide under the Lanson Place brand: three in

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Dinuguan with Puto serves as a hearty Filipino classic featured in Bytes’ menu

The savory Pancit Molo captures the comforting flavors of Iloilo’s original recipe

Bytes, Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila’s reimagined dining space, offers Filipino-inspired comfort food in a relaxed setting

Participants of NLEX Corporation’s ‘Lakbay Manila’ pose for a group photo inside Intramuros

The Centro de Turismo Intramuros welcomes visitors with displays that celebrate the Walled City’s enduring legacy as the birthplace of Manila

The Museo de Intramuros showcases centuriesold religious sculptures that trace the Philippines’ artistic and spiritual heritage

A group views historical footage projected inside the Centro de Turismo Intramuros, highlighting the district’s restoration through the years

The museum showcases how faith and identity are intertwined in everyday life of Filipinos