Manila Standard - 2025 November 4 - Tuesday

CBCP: Junk ‘tainted’ donations

Return questionable funds or use for works of justice, charity

By Vito Barcelo

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the PhilippinesEpiscopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith (CBCP-ECDF) has called on Church institutions to return donations that came from morally compromised, illegal or tainted sources.

“If

PNP to deploy 15k cops for Nov. 30 rally

THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday it will deploy 15,000 cops during the second “Trillion Peso March” on Nov. 30. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG ) bared it has filed complaints against 97 individuals, including alleged financiers and instigators, who were involved in the violent Sept. 21 anticorruption protests in Manila.

“In fact, we already have around 15,000 personnel that we will deploy, excluding reinforcements coming from different regions such as Region III, Region IV-A, and other nearby regions that will beef up the NCRPO if necessary,” said NCRPO public information office chief Maj. Hazel Asilo.

The projected massive protest follows the first “Trillion Peso March” last Sept. 21, with protestors demanding accountability, return of stolen

DOJ to begin hearing on five Bulacan

By Pot Chavez

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold a preliminary probe next week on the case involving five ghost flood control projects in Bulacan. In a message to justice reporters on

Monday, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said, “The first hearing is scheduled on November 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.” He also confirmed that subpoenas were served to the respondents last week. Among those involved in the case are Department of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH) engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Arjay Domasig, and Jaypee Mendoza.

In a separate briefing, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon expressed confidence that around 60 individuals linked to the anomalous flood control projects

will be jailed before the end of the year. “I think it won’t be long, and the first case filed on September 13 will move forward. Because of that, you will see the first people who will be imprisoned. As I said, I think many will spend

TROPICAL storm “Tino” brought heavy rains that caused flooding, landslides, and triggered panic-buying in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Monday.

“Tino” slightly intensified while moving toward Eastern Visayas and the Caraga Administrative Region in Mindanao. The center wind of “Tino” was estimated at 170 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It was moving westward at 20 kilometers per

hour (km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 160 km/h.

The storm is forecast to make landfall or pass very close to Homonhon Island or Dinagat Islands

By Edwin Ombion and Rio N. Araja

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Names of 7 PH martyrs sent to Rome

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has identified seven individuals, who have sacrificed their lives for the witness of Christ within the 21st century, as “new martyrs”.

CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin said the names of seven Filipino “martyrs” from an archdiocese, a diocese and two prelatures, have been submitted to the Commission of the New Martyrs-Witnesses of the Faith in Rome.

“These individuals shed their blood between the year 2000 and the present because of violent opposition to the

for the environmental disaster its facility is causing.

“They have an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC), but based on the latest monitoring, there were also violations of its conditions. The penalties under that law are determined by the regional office,” she told Bilyonaryo.

Naz-Hipe explained that, unlike oil spills, molasses mixes with water, making containment far more painstaking.

She noted that the spill has already caused an estimated 12 tons of fish kills in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.

Hundreds of fishermen have also lost their livelihoods when the government declared a temporary ban on fishing and the consumption of marine life in affected waters.

Also, tourism activities in the Municipality of Manjuyod, highlighted by the popular sandbar and dolphinwatching tours, have been suspended until the waters clear.

Bais City Mayor Luigi Marcel Goni said the distillery’s management has been ordered to cease operations until the company can repair its damaged dike, to prevent further environmental harm caused by a leaking containment lagoon.

In a statement over the weekend, the URC management stated that it would finish patching up the damaged dike by today (November 4).

“At present, 127 personnel, supported by 20 Coast Guard members, are engaged in the repair of the collapsed section of the lagoon of Bais Distillery. The work is now 60% complete and is projected to be finished by November 4, 2025. The new dike will be reinforced and strengthened with rubber tires and boulders to make it withstand the relentless rains and earthquakes that caused its breach,” the company wrote.

As this developed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Negros Island Region (NIR) arm said URC’s wastewater containment facility may have been defective from the start.

DENR-NIR Regional Director Charlie Fabre said the dike’s wall should have been at least 1.2 meters taller to cope with the highest tide in these waters.

Likewise, Melvin Alfaras of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals group, AGHAM NIR, said the dike was less than 1.5 meters tall and made of concrete to prevent spillage into the bay.

“With an estimated volume of 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater released to the Bais-Manjuyod Bay, all the way to Tañon Strait, it would take months to recover. Meantime, fish kills and other destruction to marine species continue,” he stressed.

Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

It is also expected to make landfall over Leyte or Southern Leyte by early Tuesday morning before crossing the Visayas and northern Palawan throughout Wednesday early morning.

T he typhoon will likely emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning or afternoon and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning.

It is forecast make its initial landfall at or near peak intensity (currently predicted to be around 140-155 km/h maximum winds with higher gustiness).

Rapid intensification before landfall was held likely. While the interaction of the typhoon

good brought by the Gospel,” he said in a letter addressed to all bishops and archdioceses in the country.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro identified as one of the martyrs Alberto Pinagawa, a dedicated Eucharistic minister and lay leader. He was gunned down on Dec. 24, 2009 after being a staunch advocate against illegal logging and mining in Gingoog City and

“Even when restitution to the rightful owner is no longer possible, the Church must avoid becoming a passive recipient of stolen or unjust wealth, lest she compromise her prophetic voice against sin and structural injustice,” Rojas added.

He said the Church bears a “moral obligation” to take corrective action when it becomes aware that funds or property donations were derived from wrongdoing, corruption, or injustice.

The bishop warned that retaining such donations could create the impression that the Church condones or benefits from wrongdoing.

Rojas made the statement in a theological paper after the CBCP received a request for guidance on donations

public funds, and full transparency.

Some individuals, including minors, were also arrested after violence broke out in Mendiola in Manila.

The NCRPO said it will boost intelligence gathering and monitoring to avoid any possible riots during the rallies.

“Right now, we have intensified our monitoring, especially our intelligence gathering, our communication with our fellow allied agencies about what they are monitoring. And based on this, we are taking steps on how we can prevent or avoid the same incident that happened last September 21,” Asilo said.

The police added that they are monitoring the possibility that those behind the riot last September could do the same again in the upcoming “Trillion Peso March.”

“We are still continuously monitoring and checking if the—the groups

Claveria, as well as a leading voice for the Lumad indigenous peoples in protecting their remaining forests.

From the Diocese of San Jose in Nueva Ecija, Fr. Marcelito Paez, a social justice and human rights advocate, died on Dec. 4, 2017. He was fatally shot by motorcycle-riding assailants while driving home after assisting in the release of political prisoners from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail.

The Prelature of Marawi also named the following as martyrs: Junrey Taub Barbante, Janine Orcia Arenas, Evangeline Salces Aromin, and Riza Ramos Daniel.

tied to corruption or moral wrongdoing amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

“The principle is to avoid creating the impression that the Church condones wrongdoing by keeping ill-gotten donations,” Rojas said.

When returning the donation is not possible or practical, the bishop recommended that the funds be redirected to works of justice and charity, such as support for victims or reparative efforts.

Rojas clarified that for immovable assets such as buildings constructed with questionable funds, demolition is not required.

However, he said the Church should issue a public explanation and redirect any expressions of gratitude to the rightful contributors, such as taxpayers or the public, as a form of moral reparation.

Rojas said any corrective measure

that started or instigated the riot last September 21 will still have a part or role in our upcoming rally on November 30. So, all of this is what we are still monitoring up to now,” Asilo said.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said charges of inciting to sedition, conspiracy and proposal to commit sedition, and sedition under the Revised Penal Code were filed before the Department of Justice on Oct. 28.

“The investigation is continuing and in the next few days, we will be filing again cases against the instigators and supposed people behind the violent incident in Recto and in Mendiola,” Morico said.

He said authorities have identified several individuals seen in circulating videos allegedly inciting violence, including calls to burn Malacañang Palace.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that the police are already preparing for the upcom-

back in liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas equivalent to P5.50 per 11-kilo effective Nov. 1 to reflect the lower contract price of LPG in the world market.

PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Cleanfuel and Chevron Philippines issued separate advisories of the latest oil price movement. This followed the P0.50 per kilo roll-

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said last week global oil prices continued its rally as the sanctions on Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for more than 5

regular flood control projects.

They died on Dec. 3, 2023 after an explosion occurred inside the Dimaporo Gymnasium at the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus in Marawi City, wherein an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated during Holy Mass. The CBCP also identified Fr. Rhoel Gallardo as a new martyr from the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. The Catholic priest, together with several teachers and students of Claret School of Tumahubong, was abducted and tortured by Abu Sayyaf extremists and held captive for 44 days in their camp on Mount Punoh Muhadji, before being killed on May 3, 2000.

should include a public apology, acknowledging the moral harm caused by accepting a tainted donation, even unknowingly.

“Accepting a tainted donation may perpetuate harm,” he said, “and the Church must stand in solidarity with the victims of injustice.”

Earlier, the CBCP issued several statements calling for transparency and accountability amid the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects.

It urged lawmakers and Malacañang to allow the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct its probe “thoroughly, transparently, and without fear or favor.”

“Only through truth can our nation begin to rebuild trust and ensure that flood control no longer becomes another flood of corruption,” the CBCP said.

ing nationwide protests on Nov. 30.

He cited police deployment prevented protest groups from reaching restricted areas near Malacañang on Sept. 21.

“We know the rallyists coming from the Luneta Grandstand, the group coming from Liwasang Bonifacio, en route going to People Power Monument and the EDSA Shrine, we know that they will pass by Malacañang. That’s why we blocked, we put up barriers there),” he explained.

He said the police is focused on three main priorities -- close monitoring of protest groups, reinforcement of security barriers and surveillance systems in coordination with local government units (LGUs), and additional deployment of security forces.

“We’re improving our security, putting up barriers, coordinating with LGUs to install more CCTV. We’re also working closely with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), Coast Guard and other force multipliers to secure the area,” Nartatez said.

percent of global oil output, have introduced significant compliance risks and uncertainty into the market.

“Growing concerns that refined products output will tighten globally due to the US sanctions on key Russian producers have resulted in strengthening diesel and gasoline prices outside of crude movements,” Bellas said.

Christmas in prison in the next few weeks and months,” Dizon said in Filipino.

In response, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano affirmed Dizon’s statement, saying they are employing a whole-of-government approach to address corruption.

“That is definitely the goal. As they say, as soon as today, hopefully there will be a case in custody. We have a process to abide by, and these are things we have to respect because that is part of due process,” Clavano said in Filipino.

He added that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the DOJ, and the Ombudsman are working together to consolidate data on pending cases.

“The ICI, the DOJ, and the Ombudsman are coming together to collate all our information. We want to present to the media and the public all pending cases in each of our offices so it’s clearer. We can have a sort of dashboard showing how many cases have been filed, who filed them, and the status of those cases so we can look at the issue more holistically,” he said.

The DOJ earlier said it aims to conclude the preliminary investigation within a month to allow for the prompt filing of charges in court. The Office of the Ombudsman previously deputized the DOJ to investigate the anomalous projects.

Clavano also clarified that the Ombudsman will continue to act on information submitted by the ICI, even if the Supreme Court (SC) rules the commission unconstitutional.

“The referrals will stay because they were given to us while the ICI was functioning. The information is also subject to validation and verification here in the Office of the Ombudsman. So, if for example, the ICI is declared unconstitutional, we can still act on the information referred to us because it is part of our mandate to act on any complaint given to us in any manner,” Clavano explained. He added that the commission serves as an additional tool for factfinding and investigation, and that its absence would not halt ongoing anticorruption efforts.

“Even without the ICI, we still have a lot to work with—the PNP is there, the NBI is there, and right here at the Ombudsman, we have fact-finding investigators. We just need to focus more on the issues without the ICI,” he said.

“All the recommendations already given by the ICI to the Office of the Ombudsman are here and pending. As stated in the law, we can act on any complaint filed in any manner,” he added.

Last week, a senior high school teacher asked the High Tribunal to review Executive Order (EO) No. 94 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which created the ICI, and to determine its lawful creation and scope of authority. The petitioner argued that the ICI’s creation is similar to the Philippine Truth Commission, which the SC previously declared unconstitutional.

For his part, President Marcos expressed confidence that the ICI—a commission created to probe anomalous flood control projects—is standing on firm legal ground.

that the San Juan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 160 denied the senator’s plea to stop Hernandez from issuing statements allegedly linking him to ir-

with the terrain will trigger a slight weakening, “Tino” is expected to remain at typhoon category while passing through the country.

In Cebu, a rain-induced landslide struck Barangay Bongon in Tabuelan early Monday morning. Authorities said no one was injured as the incident took place far from residential areas.

By afternoon, several towns in northern Cebu reported flooding. In Barangay Bagasawe, Tuburan, resident Bokbok Sarlatan shared a video showing waist-deep floodwaters inundating parts of the community.

“We [have] evacuated to the school,” Sarlatan said.

Online vloggers reported flooding in Barangay 8 and other areas in the town of Tuburan, including Asturias and Tabuelan.

The Cebu government ordered evacuations in low-lying areas.

“In the said resolution, the court denied the senator’s prayer for a TRO against Brice,” Levanza told GMA News Online in a message. He said Estrada sought to stop Hernandez from issuing statements allegedly linking him to irregularities in flood control projects.

“Naka-preposition na ang food packs and essential supplies,” said Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.

Cebu Archbishop Albert Uy directed priests to open churches for the evacuees. Meanwhile, streets in Ormoc City were busy as residents indulged in panic buying ahead of “Tino.”

Grocery shelves ran empty as people stock up on basic goods.

Long lines were also noted at banks as people withdrew cash. At gasoline stations, long queues developed as car owners sought to refuel.

Employees of the Office of the City Prosecutor secured computers and important records in preparation for the storm. Ornamental plants were brought inside the Hall of Justice building and placed on top of chairs.

In the town of Tubay, Agusan del Norte, vehicles could not cross a sec-

Levanza clarified that the case itself remains pending, emphasizing that only the senator’s initial plea for a TRO was denied. The dispositive portion of the court order stated: “From the foregoing, it is clear that the requisite extreme urgency war-

tion of the national highway due to flooding caused by Tino.

In a video uploaded by Jackie Tan, strong floodwaters rushed across the road as several motorcycle riders attempted to pass through.

Another video from Farouk Aluyodan showed several residents needing help to get out of the floodwaters.

Some families have evacuated to the municipal gymnasium ahead of the storm.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday announced it has raised its blue alert status to red to monitor, consolidate, and ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices due to Typhoon Tino.

In Eastern Visayas, Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla placed the province under “red alert,” meaning response efforts are in full force, with all personnel on duty

ranting the issuance of a TRO is no longer present. Wherefore, premises considered, plaintiff’s TRO application is denied.”

The court also scheduled the hearing for Estrada’s application for a writ of preliminary injunction on November 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

and evacuations underway.

“In view of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Tino and to protect the welfare of government personnel, students, and the general public, the Provincial Government of Leyte finds it necessary to suspend work and classes as a precautionary measure,” Petilla noted.

Southern Leyte Governor Damien Mercado has also ordered the suspension of work in all government and private offices and classes at all levels in his province. According to Mercado, Southern Leyte faces a high risk of heavy rainfall, which could trigger flash floods, storm surges, and landslides in vulnerable areas.

The Department of Natural Resources-Mining and Geosciences Bureau in Eastern Visayas issued a geohazard advisory Monday morning, warning residents in areas highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.

‘END

Government agencies, including the PNP and AFP, join students at Rizal Park for the ‘Stop and Salute’ ag-raising ceremony marking National Children’s Month with the theme ‘End Violence: Uphold the Safety and Rights of Every

By Vito Barcelo

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expects to save at least P60 billion next year after implementing major price reductions for key construction materials, Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday.

Dizon said the agency will lower the cost of several materials, including cement, asphalt, and sheet piles, for government projects after discovering significant overpricing in some regions.

Escudero bill seeks to curb infra corruption

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Francis Escudero on Mon-

day said he filed a bill seeking to ensure that all government infrastructure projects funded under the national budget are backed by feasibility studies and supported by full transparency safeguards.

Escudero’s Senate Bill 1461, or the proposed Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act, aims to prevent irregularities, corruption, and the misuse of public funds in government construction projects.

The measure would require every infrastructure proposal to undergo a thorough technical and financial evaluation before being included in the national budget.

Each project must be equipped with tracking systems such as station numbers, geotagging, geodetic coordinates, and other technology-based identifiers.

“Geotagging is one of the most important mechanisms that allows us to see the actual status of a project— whether work is truly being done or if it’s just sitting idle while the government continues to release funds,” he said.

Escudero said these tools are essential to determine whether funds are being properly used or if projects are merely on paper.

The proposed law also prohibits the inclusion of any project in the National Expenditure Program or the General Appropriations Act without a completed feasibility study. Detailed documentation, including unit price analyses, standard cost of materials, and quantity estimates, must be made available for public review.

“This documentation is a requirement and condition sine qua non for inclusion of any infrastructure project in the NEP and the GAA. All proposed projects must be vetted; otherwise, they should not receive a single centavo in public funds,” he asserted.

The senator’s bill further bans the practice of “budget splitting,” where project funds are divided into phases to bypass fiscal restrictions. He noted that such practices have long been outlawed under the Government Procurement Reform Law, which prohibits contract splitting to prevent corruption.

DPWH to save P60b; cuts material costs

“Overpricing has been a practice for decades, but we will stop it now. Once we correct this, it will minimize opportunities for corruption,” Dizon said.

Based on the DPWH’s Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD), prices of some materials in Region IV-B were found to be overpriced by as much as 74.89 percent. Similar discrepancies were re-

DEBRIS. The Philippine Coast Guard investigates alleged Chinese rocket debris found along the shoreline of Sitio Bibigsan, Barangay Minabel, Camiguin Island, Calayan, Cagayan. PCG

corded in Region III (57.61%), the National Capital Region (57.40%), and Region IV-A (56.10%), among others.

Dizon said the expected savings would allow the government to build an additional 1,600 kilometers of concrete roads under the 2026 budget.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DPWH to slash the cost of construction

materials for public projects by at least half as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption in infrastructure spending—particularly in flood control projects.

“The President’s directive is probably the single biggest reform in the DPWH,” Dizon said.

“This will go a long way in curbing corruption while maintaining the quality of our infrastructure,” he added.

Michelin Guide honors world-class Pinoy cuisine

TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted that the prestigious Michelin Guide’s recognition of the country’s culinary heritage reflects Filipino strength and the collective effort to bring the gastronomic wonders of the Philippines to the world stage.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) chief emphasized this during the highly anticipated launch of the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs | Cebu 2026 held on October 30 in Pasay City.

“The Philippines stands before the world, proud of its people, its heritage, and the flavors that embody the grace and enduring strength of our nation.

This is a moment that celebrates not only our cuisine, but the heart of our people,” Frasco said.

“The arrival of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines marks a milestone in our journey to transform tourism through culture and Filipino identity. It reflects the strength of Filipino talent and the collective effort to bring our cuisine—and those who craft it—to the world,” she added.

Frasco said the Michelin Guide’s arrival in the country is a historic moment for Philippine tourism and culture.

“For the first time, our national tourism strategy builds progress on the strength of our culture and herit-

Teodoro avoids meet with China in summit after ‘blackmail’ talk

By Rex Espiritu

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Sunday that he chose to avoid meeting with his Chinese counterpart during the 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Malaysia, following Beijing’s accusation that the Philippines was “blackmailing” China.

In a chance interview, Teodoro said China’s defense ministry released a statement saying the Philippines “needs to mend its ways or suffer the consequences” the day before the defense ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

“Would you talk to or offer to talk to somebody who slammed your country that way? Of course not. I would be willing to talk if there was a semblance of good faith,” Teodoro told reporters.

“If they had shown sincerity, I would have talked to them. But how can you talk when, just the day before, they said we’re blackmailing China and that we should ‘mend our ways’? That’s a slap in the face. I will not accept that,” he said.

Teodoro also referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s statement urging nations to “resist unilateral bullying” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Korea.

“But why is it that when we resist, they object?” he said.

Asked about China’s reaction to the situation, Teodoro replied, “There was none. Their script wasn’t ready.”

IN BRIEF

age, because lasting growth begins when we value who we are, the stories that define us, and the way we share them with the world,” she said.

Under the National Tourism Development Plan, gastronomy has become a key pillar of this vision—“a celebration of Filipino creativity and regional diversity that connects our people to the world.”

Gastronomy tourism has been embedded in the national government’s blueprint, the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

caliber pistol, a magazine with six live rounds, and a fired cartridge case of the same caliber. The weapon was confirmed to have been used in the altercation. Vince Lopez Isko signs Manila’s P25b budget for 2026

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday signed the capital city’s P25-billion budget for 2026, which focuses on healthcare, housing, education, and job creation programs.

“For 2026, it’s going to focus on Minimum Basic Needs—healthcare, housing, education, and job creation. A large portion of it is allocated for social services,” Domagoso said. The budget breakdown includes P6.79 billion for personnel services, P10.92 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses, P107 million for capital outlay, P2.47 billion for budgetary requirements, and P4.68 billion for statutory and contractual obligations.

The Manila Health Department and the city’s seven hospitals will receive P2.39 billion, the biggest share, to sustain operations and improve medical services. The city will also continue social programs for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and students. Pot Chavez

MICHELIN GUIDE. Michelin unveils its rst restaurant selection in the Philippines with the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 at the Manila Marriott Hotel. Michelin

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

CAR cops seize P74.9-m illegal drugs in October

MORE than P74.9 million worth of illegal drugs were seized while some 46 drug suspects were arrested by combined police operatives during separate operations in the different parts of the Cordillera last month.

Cordillera Administrative Region police director Brig. Gen, Ericson Dilag, said they conducted a total of 86 anti-illegal drug operations that included 47 marijuana search-and-destroy operations, 21 drug buy-bust raid, 13 search warrants service, and three police responses.

He said the operations netted 1,239.15 grams of shabu, 35 ml of liquid shabu, 257,658 fully-grown marijuana plants and 19,478 marijuana seedlings uprooted. Dilag also said beyond law enforcement, they also conducted communitybased education programs and worked closely with local organizations to extend rehabilitation and support services. Dexter A. See

‘Chinese rocket parts to fall near Cagayan’

THE Philippine Space Agency (Phil-

SA) confirmed on Monday, Nov. 3, the launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in the island-province of Hainan.

In a statement, PhilSA said that rocket parts were projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 67 nautical miles from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 44 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte; 75 nautical miles from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan; and 63 nautical miles from Santa Ana, Cagayan.

“Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen warning of an ‘aerospace flight activity,’” the agency said.

PhilSA had disseminated a prelaunch report to relevant government agencies and authorities before the launch to ensure appropriate precautionary measures were in place. Rex Espiritu

PNP probes improper use of police uniform

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking at an incident of improper use of police uniform as a civilian’s costume in a Halloween party, with a view to imposing appropriate sanctions on the concerned person, identified as Daryl Isidro.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. explained that improperly using military and police uniforms are punishable by law.

“Without the approval or without the concurrence of its use especially by our movie makers and others it is prohibited so we have this and this thing is being investigated,” Nartatez told reporters.

He cited Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code which bans the unauthorized use of military and police uniforms and insignias punishable by imprisonment. Vince Lopez

PNP on high alert vs. cyberattack

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) braces itself for possible cyberattacks to ensure the integrity and reliability of the government’s digital systems

The move came following stern warning from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) against a potentially deleterious Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), a type of cyberattacks expected to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. assured the public that

the various police units, in collaboration with the DICT, are ready to implement counter-measures including strengthening the firewalls and integrity of the hardware and software systems being used by the PNP.

“We have different systems and in fact, we’ve been victims of that cyberattacks. Our data was compromised, especially

in logistics, firearms, and others. And we are continuously protecting that,” Nartatez told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City. He also said the PNP has intensified measures to secure both its hardware and software systems, as well as ensuring the integrity of personnel managing sensitive data.

“To protect our system, we do various activities like ensuring firewalls, ensuring the integrity of hardwares and even software. And even our people who use these systems, either they are the administrator or recipient of this data. So, there needs to be integrity there,” Nartatez explained. The e-Warrant is among several vital digital systems that the PNP is securing

against possible hacking. It serves as a nationwide database for arrest warrants, allowing police to verify and act on cases in real time. Furthermore, the PNP protects its Situation Report and Incident Recording System (SIRAS), as well as databases on firearms, explosives, and internal disciplinary cases under the Internal Disciplinary Mechanism Information System. (INVIS).

Nartatez said these interconnected systems hold critical and sensitive data essential to police operations, which is why the organization continues to strengthen their cybersecurity.

“We are continuously hardening our system. So that even if there is a cyberattack like that, we will be able to deny it.”

NACC invites more families to open homes for distressed kids

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has encouraged more Filipino families to consider opening their homes and apply as foster parents to provide temporary care for children in need of a loving family. NACC director Imelda Ronda said there are more than 1,000 licensed foster parents nationwide who are qualified to

provide foster care to abandoned, abused, exploited and neglected children.

“Foster care is a temporary arrangement whereby parentless children who were abandoned, neglected, abused, or exploited are placed under the care of licensed foster parents,” Ronda explained.

Under Republic Act 10165, or the Foster Care Act of 2012, the government is mandated to provide children with assistance and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and

Muslim solon still saves loose coins in piggy banks

By Nash B. Maulana

at liberty to decide on whether or not a transfer of congressional fund is allowed to help build a permanent office and a meeting place for Al-Muslimin.

“If there is a way, then the only living founding member of the organization “can decide on where to have it built,” he added. Mangudadatu was referring to Datu Midpantao Midtimbang, now 83,

other conditions harmful to their development. The law also safeguards the rights of the biological children of foster families, ensuring that they will not be disadvantaged by the presence of a foster child. Children under foster care will receive a monthly subsidy of P8,000 for healthy children and P10,000 for those with special needs.

Rondo encourages more families to apply as foster parents, emphasizing that there is no discrimination in the selection process.

Married couples, solo applicants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community may all apply, as each applicant undergoes a thorough assessment by a social worker to determine their capacity to properly care for a child.

However, the NACC is also studying the possibility of proposing amendments to the law to increase the amount of subsidy, citing as reason the prevailing inflation that has raised the cost of basic needs and commodities.

CWC renews call to protect children from online abuse

By Charles Dantes

THE Council for the Welfare of Children

(CWC) on Monday launched the 33rd National Children’s Month observance with a renewed call to protect Filipino children from online sexual abuse and exploitation.

This year’s theme, “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban!”, underscores the government’s intensified campaign against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM).

CWC Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said the campaign highlights the administration’s continuing effort to safeguard children in digital spaces.

“The government is focused on reducing and fighting the scourge that reaches our children through cyberspace,” Ta-

pales said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

The month-long observance, led by the CWC in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Department of Justice National Coordination Center for OSAEC and CSAEM, will feature a series of events promoting the rights and protection of minors.

The kick off rites will take place on Nov.7 in Quezon City. From Nov. 16 to 22, the CWC will hold the National Play Advocacy Week to emphasize children’s right to play.

On Nov.24, the council will conduct a conference on parenting in the digital age to guide parents in ensuring children’s online safety. The celebration will culminate on November 26 with a public event at SM Megamall, in partnership with SM Cares.

OPINION

Convictions and retrieval of stolen trillions of pesos

FOLLOWING reports that people expect most importantly the early conviction of those involved in anomalies resulting in trillions of pesos lost, two things are important: First, the early conviction of those involved in anomalies in government, public works projects and, second, how to recover the trillions of pesos lost in the commission of rampant anomalies.

The ICI (or Independent Commission of Infrastructure), created by President Marcos Jr., has given the assurance that some of them will spend their Christmas in jail. But the problem is so many of those involved in anomalies can no longer return what they have stolen. It would do well for the ICI to look into the possible retrieval of assets of those involved because these are the properties of the people.

We also have been given assurance by no less than the anti-graft courts that within six to eight months after the filing of cases of those involved their conviction is assured.

The Supreme Court no less is bound to create special courts to try those involved in anomalies. With all these efforts, the people at least are given the assurance the government can still recover all the money, all the trillions stolen by those involved in the anomalies.

Those running the government should realize that above everything else, we have so many urgent problems the nation must face aside from rampant corruption in government, especially by those involved in building projects needed to stem the frequent flooding of cities and municipalities.

We have read in the newspapers that no less than 24.8 million, out of our total population of 115.8 million, are functionally illiterate. This is alarming and is another big problem which the government must attend to. There are also other important problems, like 50 percent of Filipino families consider themselves poor, as of late Oct. 2025, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations and the problem of creating jobs for them must be immediately attended.

The prospects that those involved in anomalies will soon be behind bars is a good sign, but the government must also realize the retrieval of the stolen trillions is

the real problem.

Santa Banana, I do not know how this will be done, but President Marcos Jr. must meet with all members of the Cabinet to find out all ways and means of retrieval of the stolen trillions.

There are still many domestic and international problems the government must attend to.

The people’s patience is wearing thin with all corruption in government

For instance, there is the off and on problem of China getting more aggressive as the years go by, asserting its dominance in the West Philippine Sea, although President Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping had vowed ties must be respected.

This is a problem the government must attend to by next year when the country will be the functional head of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).

The people expect this from President Marcos when the Philippines will head the ASEAN.

Again,there is the continuing problem of the Senate getting itself together to attend to the impeachment problem of VP Sara Duterte, and the continuing detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC and his forthcoming trial for crimes against humanity is a problem Filipinos are awaiting to be solved.

But again, Santa Banana, these two problems must be attended to right away: the early conviction of those involved in anomalies amounting to trillions of pesos in connection with public works projects and the second is the early retrieval by the people of their stolen money.

I know the people’s patience is wearing thin with all corruption in government. There is disturbing news, Santa Banana, that the jet planes and helicopters of the corrupt contractors have left the Philippines.

Again, we are consoled by the assurance will be an early conviction and people are looking forward to it.

14.2-m

FIFTY percent. Not a statistic—a national cry of despair.

The Sept. 2025 SWS survey found 14.2 million Filipino families rating themselves mahirap, up one point from June, unchanged from April. This isn’t economic noise; it’s a moral emergency. And it lands amid the floodcontrol corruption scandal—billions allegedly siphoned from life-saving dikes into luxury cars and Makati mansions. How can a mother in Valenzuela not feel poor when floodwaters rise because the money meant to stop them bought some official a second home?

The question isn’t why half the country feels destitute—it’s how anyone could feel otherwise when the state itself is the thief. Perception vs. Prosperity: The 34.5-Point Lie

The Philippine Statistics Authority says poverty is 15.5 percent. Inflation? A breezy 1.7 percent. Unemployment? Down to 3.9 percent. Wonderful—perhaps the 14.2 million poor can frame the GDP forecast and hang it where dinner used to be.

SWS measures felt poverty: the dread of a hospital bill, the stagnation of wages, the betrayal when growth lands in Forbes Park, not Payatas.

The 34.5-point gap between PSA and SWS isn’t a survey flaw; it’s the chasm between Malacañang’s press releases and the empty pots in the provinces. Macroeconomic triumph that doesn’t reach the sari-sari store isn’t progress—it’s propaganda. The Geography of Grievance: Mindanao’s 69%, Manila’s Wake-Up Call Mindanao festers at 69 percent self-rated poverty—unchanged, a decades-long

indictment of neglect, conflict, and underinvestment. The Visayas falls to 54%, perhaps a brief harvest reprieve.

But Metro Manila jumps to 43 percent—up seven points. Even the urban hustle is cracking. Balance Luzon rises to 42 percent. This isn’t random; it’s the map of who gets contracts and who gets floods.

The corruption scandal exposes the truth: infrastructure budgets are Manila’s piggy bank, the regions get the mud.

The Corruption Multiplier: Theft as a Weapon of Despair

The corruption scandal exposes the truth: infrastructure budgets are Manila’s piggy bank, the regions get the mud

The flood-control scandal isn’t just graft—it’s a grievance multiplier.

Billions vanish into ghost projects while Marikina counts bodies.

SWS’s 41 percent food-poor—61 percent in Mindanao—isn’t about rice prices; it’s about a government that starves its people to feed its cronies.

When a DPWH official allegedly builds a mansion on flood funds, the message is clear: your survival is negotiable, their luxury is not. Poverty here isn’t lack of money—it’s lack of trust.

Every leaked photo of a contractor’s

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: A horizontal editorial cartoon depicting a crowd of exhausted

— hollow reminders of ‘ghost projects.’ Overhead, the sun blazes mercilessly as a cracked billboard of smiling officials peels away in the wind. Tone: angry, sardonic, collective weariness — the people have waited too long.

Headline: ‘Patience wears thin faster than cement dries.’

EDITORIAL

Framework to strengthen defense cooperation

REASSURING to witness that the Philippines and Canada have signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), a defense partnership that allows for the deployment of forces in each other’s territory for training and joint activities.

The agreement, signed in Manila Sunday by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, is expected to enhance cooperation in areas like maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, and strengthens the rules-based international order.

The SOVFA provides the legal framework for military cooperation, including joint exercises, and is designed to increase interoperability between the two armed forces.

Beyond joint exercises, the agreement – Canada is the fifth country to have a similar troop arrangement with the Philippines after the United States, Australia, Japan and New Zealand – is expected to boost collaboration on maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster response (HADR) , and cyberdefense.

Some may ask how SOVFA will benefit the ordinary Filipino?

Defense and security analysts say SOVFA will profit the ordinary Filipinos primarily through enhanced national security and improved humanitarian assistance as well as disaster relief capabilities.

Other benefits include faster and

Lamborghini is a gut punch to the jeepney driver who can’t afford fare hikes. Corruption doesn’t just steal pesos; it steals hope, turning hardship into rage. That’s why self-rated poverty holds at 50% despite “low” inflation: people aren’t poor because food is expensive—they’re poor because the state is complicit.

A Government at a Crossroads: Theater, Sedatives, or Surgery?

The response so far? A masterclass in evasion.

The Theater of Justice: Senate probes with flashing cameras, tearful whistleblowers, politicians auditioning for 2028. Arrests? After the money’s in Dubai.

more efficient disaster response, since SOVFA provides a legal framework that simplifies the entry and departure of foreign military assets (like aircraft and vessels) during natural calamities, leading to swifter and more effective HADR operations.

The presence of allied forces and the visible alliance with likeminded nations act as a deterrent against potential external aggression, especially in areas like the West Philippine Sea

This was seen the US response after Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, killing 6,300 people although other figures suggest more than 8,000 of the more than 14 million affected. The economic damage was estimated

This isn’t accountability—it’s pantomime. The Band-Aid of Relief: 4Ps top-ups, food packs. Necessary, but laughably insufficient. These are sedatives, not solutions—rice today, robbery tomorrow. The Surgery of Reform: This is where courage lives. Mandate open contracting, real-time public dashboards, civil society audits. Suspend suspect projects, reallocate to verified dikes and rural jobs. Criminalize collusion with teeth. The tools exist; the will does not. Dismiss the PR billboards—“Walang corrupt dito!”—while the corrupt sip champagne. The people see the script.

at about P571.1 billion (equivalent to around US$12.9 billion at the time).

At the same time, by allowing for joint military exercises and training, SOVFA helps the Armed Forces of the Philippines gain modern equipment, receive critical intelligence, and keep abreast of the latest developments in modern warfare, which strengthens the country’s defense posture against various threats, including territorial disputes.

Certainly, the presence of allied forces and the visible alliance with likeminded nations act as a deterrent against potential external aggression, especially in areas like the West Philippine Sea, contributing to regional peace and stability which is vital for safe maritime trade routes and the overall economy, according to defense and security observers.

The presence of visiting forces for exercises and operations generates some economic activity through tourism, local spending by personnel, and service contracts.

Essentially, the SOVFA contributes to the safety and well-being of the average Filipino by providing a stable and secure environment, enhancing the country’s ability to respond to crises, and facilitating vital international support and cooperation.

The close defense relations fostered by the VFA can also result in the Philippines receiving significant development assistance, grants, and foreign military financing from partner countries, which can fund projects in health, education, and other public services that benefit

The True Cost: Theft of Hope This SWS survey isn’t a poll; it’s a moral ledger. Every ghost dike is a child who will never learn to read. Every mansion built on stolen flood funds is a

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

Russia, China tested nukes---Trump

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump alleged Sunday (Monday Manila time) that countries including Russia and China have conducted underground nuclear tests unknown to the public, and that the United States would follow suit.

“Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,” he told CBS’s “60 Minutes” program, in an interview released Sunday.

“I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test,” he said, adding North Korea and Pakistan to the list of nations allegedly testing their arsenals.

Confusion has surrounded Trump’s order that the United States begin testing, particularly if he meant conducting the

country’s first nuclear explosion since 1992.

The 79-year-old Republican first made his surprise announcement by social media post on Thursday, minutes before entering a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.

The announcement came in the wake of Russia saying it had tested a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, the Burevestnik, and a nuclear-powered and

nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Asked directly if he planned for the United States to detonate a nuclear weapon for the first time in more than three decades, Trump told CBS: “I’m saying that we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.”

No country other than North Korea is known to have conducted a nuclear detonation for decades.

Russia and China have not carried out such tests since 1990 and 1996 respectively.

Pressed on the topic, Trump said: “They don’t go and tell you about it.”

“As powerful as they are, this is a big world. You don’t necessarily know where they’re testing.”

“They test way underground where

people don’t know exactly what’s happening with the test. You feel a little bit of a vibration,” he added.

Asked about the comments Monday, China’s foreign ministry denied conducting nuclear weapons tests. As a “responsible nuclear-weapons state, China has always... upheld a self-defence nuclear strategy and abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing”, spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing. She added that China hopes the United States will “take concrete actions to safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and maintain global strategic balance and stability”. AFP

Turkey to rally Muslim allies over Gaza war

ISTANBUL – Turkey was set Monday to canvass peers in the Islamic world to bring their influence to bear on the future of Gaza, as fears grow for a just weeksold truce.

The Oct. 10 ceasefire in the two-yearlong Israel-Hamas war, brokered by US President Donald Trump, has become increasingly fragile, tested by continued Israeli strikes and claims of Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers.

Turkey, among the most fervent critics of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, will welcome the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia in Istanbul on Monday. All those top diplomats were consulted by Trump in late September on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, six days before the US leader unveiled his plan to end the fighting in Gaza. According to Turkish foreign ministry sources, Ankara is set to urge those dignitaries to support plans for Palestinians to take control of the coastal territory’s security and governance.

On the eve of the Monday meet, Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan welcomed a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, the Palestinian Islamist movement’s lead negotiator.

“We must end the massacre in Gaza. A ceasefire in itself is not enough,” Fidan said, arguing for the two-state solution to the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We should recognize that Gaza should be governed by the Palestinians, and act with caution,” he added. AFP

Afghan quake kills over 20, injures 320

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan – A strong earthquake killed more than 20 people in northern Afghanistan, authorities said Monday, just months after another deadly tremor that left the country reeling.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck overnight at a depth of 28 kilometers with the epicenter near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the US Geological Survey. More than 20 people were killed and around 320 were injured in the provinces of Balkh and Samangan, health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman told journalists on Monday morning, stressing that this was a preliminary toll. He did not provide a province-wide breakdown of the casualties.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS. US President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Monday, Manila time, after spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. In an interview released Monday, Manila time, Trump made the surprise announcement the United States would follow other countries in conducting underground nuclear tests. The United States has been a signatory since 1996 to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes. AFP

Israel warns of intensifying attacks vs. Hezbollah

JERUSALEM – Israel has signaled it could intensify operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused of rearming, urging Beirut to disarm the Iran-backed group.

Despite a Nov. 2024 ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has kept up regular strikes.

“Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

“The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented. Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify -- we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hezbollah was attempting to “rearm” itself.

“We expect the Lebanese government to fulfil its commitment -- to disarm Hezbollah -- but it is clear we will exercise our right of self-defense under the terms of ceasefire,” Netanyahu told the

cabinet at its weekly meeting on Sunday. “We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front against us, and we will act as necessary,” he said, according to a statement issued by his office. Thousands of Israelis living near the northern border with Lebanon were forced to evacuate their homes for months after Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel following the outbreak of the war in Gaza in Oct. 2023. That set off a more than year-long conflict that culminated in two months of open war before last year’s ceasefire was agreed. AFP

‘DEATH OF MONASTERY.’ This aerial photograph taken and released on Sunday by the Sdis 08 shows firefighters working on the fire of the former monastery of the Charterhouse of Mont-Dieu, a site listed as a historical monument, in Tannay-leMont-Dieu, north-eastern France. The main building of the former monastery has been destroyed. Nestled in the dense forests of the northeastern Ardennes region, Mont-Dieu’s Carthusian monastery traces its origins back to nearly 900 years ago. AFP

Japan PM Takaichi seeks meeting with Nokor leader over abductees

TOKYO – Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday she has requested to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the long-standing issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang decades ago. After years of denial, North Korea admitted in 2002 that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 80s, who were used to train Pyongyang’s spies in Japanese language and customs. Tokyo believes North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese nationals, while oth-

ers say many more might have been taken to Pyongyang. Takaichi told an awareness event on the issue in Tokyo that she had requested a summit meeting with Kim Jong Un.

“In order to build a new, fruitful relation between Japan and North Korea, I am resolved to meet face-to-face with Chairman Kim Jong Un,” she said. Pyongyang has not yet publicly responded to Takaichi’s request. Several Japanese leaders have tried -- but so far failed -- to hold direct talks with Kim over the issue. AFP

Residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s largest northern cities, scrambled into the streets due to fears their homes would collapse, an AFP correspondent observed. The city’s famed Blue Mosque, a 15thcentury landmark known for its vibrant tiles, was also damaged, an AFP journalist witnessed.

Pieces of the structure, particularly from one of its minarets, broke off and lay scattered across the mosque’s grounds, one of the country’s few remaining tourist spots.

Correspondents in the capital Kabul, around 420 kilometers to the south, also said they felt shaking. Poor communication networks and infrastructure in mountainous Afghanistan have hampered disaster responses in the past, preventing authorities for hours or even days from reaching far-flung villages to assess the extent of the damage. AFP

Spain’s top prosecutor goes on trial

MADRID – Spain’s top prosecutor on Monday goes on trial accused of leaking legal secrets against the conservative opposition, an unprecedented case that has rattled Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government. The politically explosive case against Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, the first serving attorney general to face trial in Spanish history, is one of several legal affairs embarrassing the minority left-wing coalition.

Garcia Ortiz is accused of leaking case files about Alberto Gonzalez Amador, a businessman under investigation for alleged tax fraud who is the partner of the Madrid region’s influential right-wing leader, Isabel Diaz Ayuso. Her conservative Popular Party has accused Garcia Ortiz -- appointed by Sanchez’s Socialist government in 2022 -of organizing the leak to damage Ayuso, a darling of the Spanish right who has been tipped at times for a national leadership role. AFP

Trump feels ‘badly’ for UK royal family

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE – US President Donald Trump said Sunday (Monday Manila time) he felt “badly” for the UK royal family after King Charles III revoked his brother Andrew’s title of prince over his scandalous ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“I feel very badly. I mean, it’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the family,” Trump said when asked by an AFP reporter aboard Air Force One about the recent saga.

“That’s been a tragic situation, and it’s too bad. I mean, I feel badly for the family.” Trump, 79, has

Xi jokes about spying with phone gift

SEOUL – Xi Jinping joked about spying on South Korea’s president as he gifted him a pair of smartphones, telling him to “check if there is a backdoor” in a rare jest from the Chinese leader that made headlines in Seoul. The lighthearted exchange took place on Saturday in the city of Gyeongju, when Xi and President Lee Jae Myung presented gifts to each other on the sidelines of an APEC summit, marking Xi’s first visit to South Korea in more than a decade. Xi presented two Xiaomi smartphones fitted with Korean-made displays to Lee, who quipped: “Is the communication line secure?”, drawing laughter from Xi. Pointing at the devices, Xi replied: “You should check if there is a backdoor,” referring to pre-installed software that could allow third-party monitoring, prompting laughter and applause from Lee. The brief banter sparked heavy media interest over the weekend, as Xi is rarely seen making jokes, let alone about espionage. AFP

Criss Cross’ Villados is Spikers’ Turf best player

THRUST into a bigger role, Adrian Villados has shown tremendous poise and maturity while filling in for Ish Polvorosa as Criss Cross’ lead setter.

Amid Polvorosa’s absence due to a knee injury, Villados’ steady hands have been instrumental in the King Crunchers’ league-best 3-0 start in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

The proud Arellano University product averaged 25.3 excellent sets per outing in t he crowddarling’s winning run.

For his veteran composure and decisive playmaking, Villados emerged as the first Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of October 27 to November 2.

Villados tossed up 22 excellent sets, coupled with three points, in Criss Cross’ 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14 win against PGJC-Navy to open the new conference last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.

He then followed it up with 20 excellent sets and four points in a 25-14, 2515, 25-21 sweep over the VNS Griffins three days after.

The young setter’s finest performance came against nine-time champion Cignal, where he dished out an impressive 34 excellent sets in the King Crunchers’ 25-23, 24-26, 2522, 25-18 statement win over their archrivals on Sunday.

While filling in for Polvorosa is no easy task, Villados credits his veterans and coaches at Criss Cross for providing ample guidance.

“May factor na [pressure], pero hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun kasi nandiyan naman ‘yung mga kuya ko, lalo na sila coach para mag-guide sa akin,” said the proud Arellano University product.

“Yun lang, sabi nga ni coach, kailangan lang mag-contribute sa team and gawin ko lang ‘yung role ko as a setter, pati ‘yung goal ko. And ‘yun, training lang and happy happy.”

Villados edged out Criss Cross teammates Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton and Noel Kampton for the weekly plum deliberated by print and online reporters covering the pioneering men’s volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.

PSA Forum to discuss boxing, pool

THE Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum returns after a threeweek break and will feature the sports of boxing and billiards in its Tuesday session (Nov. 4) at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Rising middleweight prospect Weljon Mindoro makes his first appearance in the public sports program along with his managers Orly Barcelango and Gerry Balmes to make an update on the next fight of the undefeated 25-year-old Filipino boxer.

Sharing the limelight with them are the people behind the Sharks Billiards Association led by its founder Hadley Mariano, who will talk about the coming Season 2 of the SBA.

Presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus, the session starts at 10:30 a.m. The Forum is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, while also being shared on its official Facebook page Radyo Pilipinas 2 sports.

Golden age: Japan hails Ohtani, Yamamoto after Dodgers’ victory

TOKYO—Japan

revelled Monday in a “golden age” for the nation’s baseball led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto after they played starring roles in the Los Angeles Dodgers winning back-toback World Series.

Yamamoto in particular delivered one of the most remarkable pitching performances in World Series histor y, emerging from the bullpen in the decisive game seven to guide the Dodgers to a thrilling 5–4 extra-innings victory at the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old’s heroic display came less than 24 hours after throwing 96 pitches as the starter in Friday’s series-levelling game six.

It was a feat that defied both logic and baseball convention -- normally elite pitchers are granted several days’ rest after seeing significant duty -- and saw him named World Series Most Valuable Player.

Yamamoto even trumped superstar compatriot and fellow Dodger Ohtani in the news coverage back home.

The pitcher, described by one teammate as “a psychopath” for his resilience, was splashed across the front pages of major national newspapers in Japan.

“Yoshinobu Yamamoto MVP. Biggest driving force behind Dodgers’ back-to-back victory,” said the headline in the usually staid Nikkei business daily.

The Sanyo Shimbun, in Yamamoto’s home region of Okayama, devoted most of its front page to their local hero and the Dodgers’ win.

“Cultivating a golden age with Ohtani, Sasaki,” said a headline.

Japan’s top-selling Yomiuri Shimbun issued an online extra edition on Sunday afternoon.

The Dodgers were the first team in 25 years to win successive World Series and with Yamamoto, Ohtani and Roki Sasaki in their ranks the team are closely watched in baseball-mad Japan.

The Dodgers are probably more familiar to Japanese fans than teams

from their own country.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a big baseball fan, wrote on X: “I hold great hope that all Japanese Major Leaguers, and indeed all Japanese athletes, will continue to flourish at the centre of the world stage, providing dreams and hope for the Japanese people.”

When US President Donald Trump visited Japan last week, Takaichi said the two leaders caught a glimpse of the World Series together before they sat down for formal talks. Takaichi is a passionate supporter of the Hanshin Tigers, who advanced to the Japan Series but lost to the SoftBank Hawks.

4 teams ready for high-voltage rematches

THE PVL Reinforced Conference closes the first of its two preliminary phases today (Tuesday) with a pair of rematches – games that were supposed to open the year-ending tournament last month but were ordered replayed following the absence of imports due to ITC (International Transfer Certificates) issues.

This time, though, there will be no shortage of fireworks. With top-tier reinforcements, ZUS Coffee faces Akari, while Choco Mucho takes on Capital1 – matches that promise not just redemption and revenge, but also the kind of explosive, high-level volleyball fans had been waiting for.

Among the four teams, the Thunderbelles have emerged as the revelation of the conference. Powerhouse import Anna DeBeer has not only delivered on firepower but also provided inspiration and composure that have elevated the play of the local crew.

The result: an immaculate 4-0 record in Pool B, making them the only unbeaten squad in both groups – a statement of dominance and cohesion.

They’ll look to preserve that streak when they face the Chargers

Kipchoge

at 4 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. But while ZUS Coffee is brimming with confidence, Akari has quietly built momentum of its own, winning three of its first four outings to nearly secure the No. 3 slot behind the Thunderbelles and

unveils

NEW YORK—Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge says he’ll run seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years to raise funds for causes he believes in -- even as he continues to race at the elite level.

Kipchoge’s “World Tour” was announced after the Kenyan great, a former world record-holder, finished the New York Marathon on Sunday, crossing the line in 17th in 2hr 14min 36sec to cheers from the Central Park crowd.

“This unprecedented two-year journey will take (Kipchoge) across the world to compete in marathons on all seven continents, while continuing to race at the elite level,” Kipchoge’s management team said in a statement.

“This project aims to inspire the

“Though my beloved Hanshin Tigers missed out on the Japan Series title, as someone who firmly believes in the resilience of Japan and the Japanese people, the outstanding achievements of Japanese players overseas are truly heartening news,” she wrote on X. AFP

the Creamline Cool Smashers (3-2).

With both sides now armed with their imports, this rematch promises a far different complexion from their all-Filipino duel last October – expect sharper attacks, heavier blocks and far more explosive rallies.

In the middle, Akari’s Ced Domingo and Fifi Sharma will have their hands full against Riza Nogales, AC Miner and Thea Gagate, while on the wings, Annie Mitchem, Eli Soyud, Grethcel Soltones and Chenie Tagaod will try to counter the balanced assault of Fiola Ceballos, Kate Santiago, and Jovelyn Gonzaga. Every point, every serve, every transition could swing the momentum in this highly anticipated clash.

The 6:30 p.m. clash between Choco Mucho and Capital1 is also shaping up to be another thriller. Both teams tote 2-2 records, with the winner securing the No. 3 spot in Pool A and advancing alongside PLDT and Farm Fresh (both at 4-1) to the next stage. When they first met on Oct. 7 –with all-Filipino lineups – Choco Mucho dominated in straight sets. But this time, the stakes, the atmosphere, and the firepower are entirely different.

Capital1 rides high after a shocking 3-0 sweep of the Cignal, while Choco Mucho is seeking redemption after falling to Farm Fresh in four sets.

plan to run 7 marathons on 7 continents

world to become a running world while raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental causes worldwide, bridging the things that Eliud so deeply cares for.”

Before Sunday’s race, Kipchoge told Olympics.com that he wanted to run in Antarctica, saying his new project was a chance to “do that extreme thing that can make someone work hard.”

Kipchoge, who will turn 41 on Tuesday, said in a statement that his globetrotting project will let him “compete not only for records but for the people.

“I want to continue to push myself to run at my best but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited.” AFP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

PH youth athletes receive P7.6 million in incentives

By Peter Atencio

FOR finishing 12th at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, Filipino athletes will receive a total incentive of P7.6-million from the government.

The Philippines collected seven gold medals, seven silvers and 10 bronze medals during their participation in the games from October 22 to 31.

“Talagang deserving sila,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio during a presentation held on Monday at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Paranaque City.

The PSC has set aside P500,000 each for the gold medallists, namely Kram Airam Carpio (pencak silat), Charlie Ratcliff (modern mixed martial arts), Pi Durden Wangkay (athletics); Lyre Anie Ngina and Zeth Gabriel Bueno (muay thai).

The other gold medallists are Jan Brix Ramiscal and Tyron Jamboril-

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Philippines’ performance in the meet brings exciting times to athletes competing in international competitions.

“This is exciting. We set a new record from our competition in the previous Asian Youth Games,” Tolentino said.

When it was last held in 2013 in Nanjing, the Philippines had two golds and three silvers.

The silver medalists include Kristen Ambriel Aguila (taekwondo),

Travis Ratcliff (Traditional MMA) Naomi Marjorie Cesar (athletics), Jasmine Dagame (muay thai), Jan Brix Ramiscal (muay thai), Jhodie Peralta (weightlifting), and Jamesray Ajido (swimming).

The bronze medalists are Crystal Cariño and Nicole Tabucol (teqball), Aeden Roffer Cereño (taekwondo), Alexander Tagure Jr. (modern MMA), Iyeshia Blair Bituin (Muay Thai), Leo Mhar Lobrido (boxing), Mara-Alexandria Sarinas (jiu-jitsu), Jhodie Peralta (weightlifting), Jay-R Colonia (weightlifting), Princess Jay Ann Diaz (weightlifting), and Alexsandra Ann Diaz (weightlifting).

Tancontian strikes silver at Oceania judo, eyes SEAG glory

By Randy M. Caluag

FILIPINO combat athlete Chino

Sy Tancontian, a decorated Sambo multi-medalist, proved his versatility on the mat after clinching the silver medal in the men’s half-heavyweight (-100kg) division of the Oceania Judo Open held in Gold Coast, Australia.

The Davaoeño standout and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity scholar powered through a tough bracket, defeating three opponents before bowing to Great Britain’s Oliver Barratt in the championship match.

Tancontian started strong in the final, scoring an early wazaari within the opening minute to seize momentum and showcase his technical precision. But Barratt rallied midway through the bout and executed a decisive ippon to secure the gold.

The 25-year-old Filipino earlier

dominated his Pool D matches, beating Indonesia’s Gene Kalbu Soethama via ippon, then overcoming American Tokuzo Takahashi with two yuko. In the semifinals, he edged Australian Jack Rigby with one yuko to earn a spot in the title round.

The podium finish adds another milestone to Tancontian’s growing list of international achievements and serves as a confidence booster as he prepares for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December.

Tancontian is set to undergo a month-long intensive training camp in Japan, where he will hone his skills and conditioning under toplevel coaches ahead of the regional competition.

“This silver medal is another step forward. The goal remains the same—to keep improving and bring pride to the country,” Tancontian said after the match.

5150 Triathlon expands to Camiguin in 2026

THE 5150 Triathlon Series continues to grow its global footprint, discovering new destinations that blend the thrill of racing with the richness of local culture. Next year, the world-class series will reach new shores with the debut of 5150 Camiguin, set to take place on May 3, 2026, in the island province of Camiguin, Northern Mindanao.

Known as the “Island Born of Fire,” Camiguin is a tropical gem renowned for its seven volcanoes, pristine white sandbars, and centuries-old heritage sites. The island’s breathtaking scenery and warm hospitality will offer triathletes a truly memorable race experience – one that highlights both adventure and cultural discovery.

The 5150 Camiguin will mark another milestone for the Philippines’ growing triathlon community and tourism industry. Athletes will dive into the crystal-clear waters off Old Catarman, racing past the iconic Sunken Cemetery Monument, one of Camiguin’s most striking landmarks. The bike course follows a scenic two-loop route along the island’s Circumferential Road, showcasing panoramic coastal views and lush countryside.

The concluding race stage will culminate at the Camiguin Sports Complex, where participants will be greeted by cheering

locals and a festive island atmosphere.

Camiguin Governor Xavier Romualdo hailed the 5150 event as a major step forward in promoting the island as a sustainable tourism and sports hub.

“We are proud to welcome triathletes from across the Philippines and around the world to experience Camiguin, not just as a destination, but as a community that celebrates nature, culture, and active living,” said Romualdo. “Hosting the 5150 Triathlon reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and showcasing the island’s natural wonders in a responsible and exciting way.”

For Princess Galura, president and general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., bringing the 5150 series to Camiguin is about more than racing – it’s about sharing the spirit of the island.

“Each 5150 race is designed to highlight the beauty of its host destination, and Camiguin – with its Sunken Cemetery, coastal roads, and warm community—is an unforgettable addition to our calendar,” she said. “Camiguin embodies the best of what makes racing in the Philippines special: breathtaking scenery, a supportive local community, and an atmosphere of genuine warmth.”

Thunder crush Pelicans, remain NBA’s lone unbeaten team

LOS ANGELES—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder thumped New Orleans 137-106 and emerged from Sunday as the NBA's only remaining unbeaten team after losses for San Antonio and Chicago. The defending champion Thunder matched the 7-0 start of their 2024-25 campaign.

But the Spurs, who were off to a 5-0 start for the first time in franchise history, fell 130-118 to the Suns in Phoenix, where the hosts held San Antonio's French star Victor Wembanyama to a dismal nine points. The New York Knicks handed the Bulls their first defeat of the season 128-116 at Madison Square Garden. Oklahoma City dominated the winless Pelicans despite three key absences. Guard Luguentz Dort was sidelined by illness, forward Chet Holmgren missed a third straight game with a lower back injury and All-Star Jalen Williams has yet to make his season debut after off-season wrist surgery.

The Thunder connected on 56% of their shots, including 20-of-48 from three-point range, keeping their offense popping with 33 assists.

Aaron Wiggins added 15 points while Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe added 13 each for Oklahoma City, who had eight players score in double figures.

While coach Mark Daigneault was pleased to see the shots falling, he said the dominant performance was a reward for the Thunder's persistence in an early season stretch that hasn't been as easy as their record makes it look. AFP

THE bra Solid North Weavers and the San Juan Knights tackle dangerous rivals at the start of the North Division semifinal round on Tuesday in the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos

who are 3-deep in all positions, with support from Encho Serrano, Mike Ayonayon, Raven Gonzales, Jolo Mendoza, John Uduba and Jason Brickman. Caloocan, bereft of a pure center, will lean on gunners Jeff Manday, Jeramer Cabanag, Chris Bitoon, Rommel Calahat, Paul Sanga and Reil Cervantes. San Juan is the slight pick over Pangasinan, which stunned 2022 champion Nueva Ecija, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round. The Knights will be led by Orlan Wamar, Agem Miranda, Michael Calisaan, Dexter Maiquez and AC Soberano as they try to repeat their 73-66 victory over the Heatwaves in the round-robin elimination phase of the originally 30-team, two-division tournament.

ENERGY FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

IN SUPPORT of the Philippines’ ambition of having a 35 percent share of renewable energy in its power generation mix by 2030, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) continues to pursue opportunities to grow its clean energy portfolio.

AboitizPower’s solar milestones lead its renewable energy drive

From less than a gigawatt of net attributable renewable energy capacity in 2020, AboitizPower increased it to 1.4 gigawatts as of end2024, with solar accounting for most of the growth in the past few years.

Most recently, Aboitiz Renewables Inc., through wholly-owned subsidiary AP Renewable Energy Corporation, signed a P7.4-billion project finance deal with the Bank of the Philippine Islands to fund the engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the 221 megawatt peak (MWp) Olongapo solar power plant in Zambales.

Construction of the project began in the first quarter of 2024 and is near completion. The solar PV capacity will be Aboitiz Renewables’ largest solar project to date.

“Olongapo Solar represents a major contribution to AboitizPower’s clean energy portfolio,” said Aboitiz Renewables president Jimmy Villaroman. “Every project we build is the product of a highly motivated organization contributing to AboitizPower’s energy transition effort.”

Aboitiz Renewables is the renewable energy arm of AboitizPower holding investments and interests in various renewable energy projects, including geothermal, large hydro, run-of-river hydro, wind, battery energy storage systems, and solar projects.

Largest solar facility in Visayas

In July 2025, Aboitiz Renewables also secured the “Final Certificate of Approval to Connect” (FCATC) from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for its Calatrava solar power plant in Negros Occidental, signaling the facility’s readiness for commercial operation.

National and global contexts of growing electric power

By Suiee Suarez AboitizPower vice president for corporate affairs

ELECTRICITY is not simply a commodity. It is the lifeblood of any society. It powers the simplest of tasks to the grandest societal advancements, making it indispensable. Seeing that we are in a world in constant motion, it follows that power demand will vary over time; from over the course of a day, to the course of a year, and even through the course of decades. Electricity demand is rising While it varies during the course of different periods, overall the whole pie is growing. Last year, global electricity demand grew by 4.3 percent, reflecting growing access to electricity-intensive appliances like air conditioners, and rising consumption from manufacturing, digitalization, electric vehicles, data centers, and artificial intelligence or A.I. From 2025-2027, global power consumption is forecasted to grow even further by 3.9 percent, as per the International Energy Agency, with emerging and developing economies once again expected to account for most of the demand growth. In the Philippine Energy Plan 20232050, the Department of Energy (DOE) projects total electricity sales in the country to expand by more than four times its 2022 level of 91.3 terawatthours to over 400 terawatt-hours by 2050. Accordingly, more than 70

The FCATC confirmed that the 173-MWp Calatrava solar power plant meets NGCP’s technical and operational requirements for grid connection, making it the largest solar PV farm in the Visayas.

Located in San Isidro, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, the solar plant is expected to add on to the power generation capacity in the region and support broader

national objectives to scale up renewable energy integration across the grid.

”Aboitiz Renewables is able to complete great projects like the Calatrava SPP with the strong collaboration from NGCP. We appreciate NGCP for working closely with us to bring this project online, and helping us progress our humble mission to deliver affordable,

reliable, clean energy to customers,” Villaroman said.

This milestone adds significant capacity to the grid, helps electricity suppliers meet their Renewable Portfolio Standards obligations, and is another step forward for the country as far as our nationwide energy transition objectives are concerned,” he added.

As a clean and indigenous source of energy, renewables like solar also forward the country’s ambitions for greater energy self-sufficiency and a diverse energy portfolio.

Growing energy portfolio

Last November 2024, Aboitiz Renewables also energized the 45MWp Armenia solar project in Tarlac, marking its first solar power plant in Central Luzon. The solar facility connects to the grid via an 11.58-kilometer transmission line that traverses five barangays.

Prior to Armenia, Aboitiz Renewables energized three more solar facilities, namely, the 94-MWp Cayanga-Bugallon and 159-MWp Laoag solar power projects in Pangasinan—both built on repurposed non-arable sloping grounds instead of sunny agricultural lands—and the 59-MWp San Carlos Sun Power Inc. (SacaSun) solar power plant in Negros Occidental—the company’s inaugural solar power facility. Currently, AboitizPower has over 1,000 MW of disclosed projects from various indigenous energy sources. AP Renewables Inc., the geothermal subsidiary of Aboitiz Renewables, previously announced the Bay battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Laguna, which is set to be the firstever BESS and geothermal hybrid system in the Philippines. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission, AboitizPower is the market leader in power generation capacity, with a national market share of 23.86 percent as of July 2025. Together with its partners, AboitizPower offers one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the Philippines based on installed capacity under its operational control.

percent of electricity sales is seen to come from Luzon, seeing how the bulk of economic activity is concentrated in the island. Nonetheless, it is the Visayas which is expected to grow its electricity sales the fastest at an average of 6.16 percent annually from 2022 to 2050, outpacing the country average of 5.49 percent.

We are already starting to see this, with the Central Visayan economy posting the fastest growth among all the other regions at 7.3 percent in 2024. Economic expansion in the Negros Island Region (5.9 percent) and Eastern Visayas (6.2 percent) also outpaced the national level growth rate of 5.7 percent in the same period.

Wanted: an energy system that can rise to the challenge

As a country’s power demand expands, it becomes more and more apparent that it will need an energy system — from generation, transmission to distribution — that can rise to the challenge. After all, sustaining the growth and progress of many key regions will depend on a reliable, sufficient, and dependable power supply and network. Beyond just meeting present demand, the energy system should also demonstrate the capacity to grow and be in lock step with future aspirations so as to to attract and

accommodate more investments, economic growth, and development.

In the Philippines, total installed capacity as of April 2025 stood at 30.875 gigawatts. An additional generating capacity of 122.7 gigawatts is needed by 2050, as projected by the DOE, to secure the country’s growing energy needs. The whole electricity supply chain would have to be resilient as they are subject to stresses, including but not limited to the variability of weather, seasons, and climate cycles. The Philippines has the misfortune of being highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change or natural disasters, even when it is not materially responsible (whether historically or at present) for the greenhouse gas emissions that influence climate change. This factor has to be taken into account by both the power producers and the stewards of the power networks. Globally, the International Energy Agency said that 80 percent of the growth in electricity generation came from renewable energy (RE) sources and nuclear power. At the same time, there is a growing demand for natural gas, particularly from the emerging and developing economies in Asia. This is mirrored in the Philippines’

strategies of significantly expanding its RE share to 35 percent by 2030, integrating natural gas as a transition fuel, and adding nuclear capacities starting in the 2030s. In the next five years, over 19,000 megawatts (MW) of committed power projects are targeted for commercial operations. This year, the DOE said that it expects around 6,841 MW of additional capacity, with over 70 percent of it coming from RE sources. On a closer look, the Philippines’ recent fourth Green Energy Auction (GEA) attracted 9,423.622 MW of RE installation capacity, including ground-mounted solar, roof-mounted solar, floating solar, onshore wind, and integrated renewable energy and energy storage systems. Prior to that, GEA-3 had accepted bid awards totaling 6,677.218 MW, mostly involving impounding hydro projects and pumped-storage hydropower. GEA-2 saw 3,440.756 MW awarded, led by commitments to groundmounted solar and onshore wind, while GEA-1 attracted 1,966.93 MW, mostly composed of solar. A portfolio that maximizes both variable and dispatchable power generation Given the current trajectory of

power demand in the Philippines and considering the influx of more variable generation technologies, dispatchable energy generation is important to ensure power quality, grid stability, and continuity of electricity supply. With the likes of fuel-based power generation like coal or natural gas, it can generate power regardless of weather conditions so long as there is available fuel.

On our part, AboitizPower has energized the first 500 MW of RE projects under its growth strategy, with

and academician

DA pledges support for banana sector

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA)

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. pledged expanded government support for the banana industry, rolling out a set of interventions to curb the spread of Panama disease and help the sector regain its footing in the global market.

Speaking at the 32nd Joint General Assembly of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) and the Banana Export Industry Foundation (BEIF), Tiu Laurel urged closer government–industry coordination to revive a sector hit hard by both plant disease and shifting trade conditions.

The agriculture chief identified Fusarium wilt tropical race four, or Panama disease, as the industry’s most urgent threat, noting that it has already infected some 15,500 hectares in the Davao Region, endangering the Cavendish banana variety that anchors Philippine exports.

“The Department of Agriculture is firmly committed to supporting our banana farmers and exporters in addressing this challenge,” he said. For 2025, the DA will distribute 106,000 planting materials for farm expansion and rehabilitation, along with 120,000 units of organic fertilizer to restore soil health.

More than 215,000 biological control agents, including Trichoderma, will also be deployed to reduce crop losses and strengthen disease management.

EARLY WAGE ACCESS. Sagility Philippines, a global provider of technology-enabled business solutions for the US healthcare industry, teams up with Paywatch to launch a financial wellness benefit providing employees with Early Wage Access (EWA). The partnership will give Sagility’s employees greater flexibility and financial security by allowing them to instantly access a portion of their already-earned salary, which aims to reduce their reliance on high-cost loans.

APECO seeks Japan financing for locators

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is advancing efforts to secure direct financing for its locators through engagement with major Japanese banks.

APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway announced the agency is set to hold two one-on-one meetings in Japan in November on the sidelines of a forum on Philippine taxation in Tokyo.

The initiative is part of an ongoing strategy to tap Japanese financial institutions that can directly fund companies planning to set up operations inside the ecozone, which APECO hopes will speed up the process for its locators.

“Our strategy is to find funders for the companies that want to be located there, so the process becomes faster,” Taway said. He said the agency has already met with two megabanks and hopes to add more. While not naming them, Taway confirmed the banks belong to Japan’s top-tier banking group.

The talks are being facilitated by a legal adviser from Asahi Tax Corp., which has been connecting APECO with large financial institutions. APECO is pursuing two financing tracks for potential locators: companies can either raise their own capital independently or secure loans or official development assistance (ODA) through partner banks. Othel V. Campos

By Jenniferr B. Austria INTEGRATED

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) reported a 37-percent decline in net income in the first nine months of 2025 to P9.9 billion from P15.7 billion in the same period last year on weaker coal and electricity prices alongside higher productionrelated costs. The lower earnings came despite record coal shipments and power sales, with shipments rising 5 percent to 12.9 million metric tons (MMT) and total power sales growing 12 percent to 4,186 gigawatt-hours (GWh). It said that third-quarter consolidated net income declined 53 percent to P1.5 billion from P3.1 billion last year, as lower energy prices continued to weigh heavily on profitability.

“This has been a more difficult year operationally, but we continue to adapt,” said SMPC president and

chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun.

“Our priority is to strengthen reliability, manage costs, and preserve our financial flexibility to navigate changing market and operating conditions,” she said.

The company said that from January to September, the average Newcastle Index (NEWC) dropped 32 percent year-on-year to $104.5, while the Indonesian Coal Index four fell 16 percent to $45.9. Average spot electricity prices in the Luzon-Visayas grid also fell 33 percent, from P5.59 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P3.73/kWh.

The average selling price for Semirara coal dropped 19 percent to P2,325 per metric ton (MT) from P2,864/MT on higher share of lowergrade shipments. Total coal production, however, increased 15 percent to a record 15.1 MMT from 13.1 MMT, supported by improved access to coal seams at the Narra mine.

PH woos 16 South Korean technology firms in Seoul

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines is courting 16 major South Korean manufacturing and technology firms, many of which are part of the global supply-chain network of Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) to expand their operations in the country.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corp. (SEMPHIL), brought the companies together for a high-level investment

AboitizPower unit decommissions diesel generator

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. whollyowned subsidiary East Asia Utilities Corp. (EAUC) said Monday it decommissioned a diesel generator unit at its bunker C-fired diesel power plant in Mactan Export Processing Zone 1 (MEPZ 1), Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The decommissioned unit, which had a capacity of 12.4 megawatts (MW), has been deregistered from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) system, effective Oct. 30, 2025.

EAUC said its decision to seek regulatory approvals for the unit’s decommissioning followed a technical incident in May 2024. Following an extensive evaluation by EAUC management, the unit was deemed no longer viable for repair or continued operation.

AboitizPower said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that EAUC secured prior clearances from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in accordance with the DOE’s implementing guidelines for the decommissioning of a generating plant.

EAUC, which operates 50 MW of bunker oil-fired power facility, completed the process to decommission and deregister the asset on Monday. The three other generating units of EAUC remain unaffected, it said.

EAUC began full commercial operations on May 25, 1998, and serves its capacity to MEPZ 1 and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

roundtable in Seoul. The meeting was held on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Seoul for the APEC 2025 Summit.

The participating South Korean companies are exploring expansion and partnership opportunities within the Philippines’ network of economic zones, particularly in high-growth sectors such as electronics, semiconductors and electric vehicle (EV) components. Many of the firms are tier-one and tier-two suppliers of Samsung Electro-Mechanics.

PEZA director-general Tereso Panga underscored the Philippines’ strong fundamentals as an invest-

ment destination, citing its strategic ASEAN location, young, Englishproficient and tech-ready workforce, large domestic market and competitive incentive framework.

Panga said these factors position the country as a natural partner for Korean industries seeking to scale their presence in the region.

“South Korea has long been one of PEZA’s most valued partners. This roundtable reaffirms our shared commitment to build globally competitive, sustainable, and technologydriven industrial ecosystems where Korean innovation and Filipino talent can thrive together,” said Panga.

October factory output rebounded, demand weakened

The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rebounded to 50.1 in October 2025 from 49.9 in September, signaling broadly stable operating conditions for the sector after a slight deterioration the previous month.

The reading, which was slightly above the neutral 50.0 mark, masked underlying weaknesses in several key areas, particularly demand.

S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said that a closer examination of the data “revealed a mixed picture in October,” noting that the two largest segments, new orders and output, indicated further declines. She also noted the “fresh contractions” in new export orders and purchasing activity, which “highlighted underlying demand conditions.”

Baluch cited positive developments, including manufacturers becoming more optimistic about their growth prospects and the continued increase in workforce numbers, which was the strongest in three months. Furthermore, she noted that subdued and ebbing cost pressures allowed several companies to reduce their selling prices.

The sector has remained in “sluggish territory for most of the second half of 2025 so far,” Baluch

DOE

overhauls small-scale coal mining framework

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday it is strengthening the framework for small-scale coal mining (SSCM) to make it more structured, transparent and environmentally responsible.

The move aims to modernize the program, which has not been updated in nearly four decades.

The DOE said it held a public consultation on the proposed department circular to update the SSCM program.

DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales underscored the importance of stakeholder participation in shaping a modern and sustainable SSCM policy.

“This first draft marks a new beginning for SSCM. After nearly four

VinFast to boost electric fleet, expand retail network in PH

VINFAST Philippines plans to accelerate its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) rollout, increasing the number of units from its Green Smart Mobility (GSM) fleet already on the road, with more coming in the next three months, VinFast Philippines chief executive Antonio Zara said in an interview.

GSM, the brand’s fleet-focused mobility arm and a part of VinFast’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) group, already has “thousands” of units operating, a number that is expected to “grow significantly over the next three months,” Zara said.

The GSM units are now being activated in Cebu, Davao and other metro cities nationwide.

“We will have a significant number within the year, and that will not end there. We will continue to grow GSM next year,” Zara said, without disclosing a specific deployment count.

He said the company is disclosing an official count at the next automotive report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) as a news member association member.

GSM is expanding its presence, with GSM president Dao Quy Phi activating operations in Cebu, Zara said.

The VinFast Philippines CEO said demand for EVs is rising from both transport fleet operators, led by GSM’s competitive rates and individual EV buyers. Othel V. Campos

decades since 1987, it is time to modernize the program,” Sales said.

SSCM operations pertain to the development and production of coal resources covering an area not exceeding 10 hectares, in accordance with the terms and conditions provided under the draft circular. Total production is not to exceed 70,000 metric tons within the five-year permit term.

The public consultations for the draft circular reflect the DOE’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples while promoting responsible resource development and sustainable energy production.

The activity, led by the Energy Re-

source Development Bureau (ERDB) and its Coal and Nuclear Minerals Division, gathered valuable inputs from stakeholders to ensure that the proposed revisions to the SSCM regulations are inclusive, streamlined and aligned with current industry and environmental standards.

Key topics discussed included the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the strengthening of environmental safeguards, the simplification of application and permitting processes and the clarification of permittees’ responsibilities, including grounds for permit cancellation or termination.

Alena Mae S. Flores

said.

“Whether it can see a notable recovery in performance in the coming months will depend greatly on efforts to stimulate consumer demand,” she said. New orders for manufactured goods dropped for a second consecutive month, with the rate of decline accelerating in October. Manufacturers pointed to sluggish demand and clients delaying orders. Compounding the issue, new export orders fell for the first time since May and at the steepest rate in a year, which companies attributed to weaker demand from international clients. The continued fall in new orders resulted in production declining, although at a slower pace than in September. Reduced output requirements in turn prompted firms to scale back their purchasing activity for the first time in nearly two years, ending a twenty-two-month period of growth. Supplier delivery times also lengthened further, marking the worst delays in three months.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

UNEP lauds QC for curbing plastic wastes

Mitsubishi volunteers, local officials join Laguna coastal cleanup

VOLUNTEERS from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) teamed up with local government officials, private companies and institutions in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna for this year’s International Coastal Cleanup, a global initiative addressing the impacts of waste and pollution on the environment, marine life, and human health.

Led by MMPC vice president for Safety, Health & Environment Marfel Ancheta, the MMPC volunteers on Sept. 20, 2025 collected approximately 1.5 tons of trash along the Laguna Lake shoreline in Barangay Caingin, helping to ensure cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems.

Spearheaded by the City Environment & Natural Resources Office of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the

activity received strong support from Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas and some members of the City Council, highlighting the collaboration between the private sector, government and civil society in environmental conservation.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) noted that the Philippines began participating in the International Coastal Cleanup in 1994, with the event officially recognized nationwide through Presidential Proclamation 470 in 2003, observed every third Saturday of September. Through this year’s cleanup, the local government and the private sector once again demonstrated their commitment to reducing marine debris and promoting environmental responsibility within the community.

Hybrid

By Owen Cammayo

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has taken swift, science-based and coordinated action in response to the collapse of a containment lagoon of Universal Robina Corp.’s (URC) Bais Distillery in Barangay Tamiso, Bais City on October 26, 2025. The incident resulted in the release of molasses wastewater into Bais Bay within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.

DENR field personnel were immediately deployed to conduct on-site inspections, water quality monitoring and coastal ecosystem assessments in close coordination with the local governments units (LGUs) of Bais City and Manjuyod, URC representatives and affected communities.

Initial assessments confirmed that the dike of Lagoon 6 of URC’s settling pond collapsed, releasing approximately up to 90 percent of its spent wash content into nearby waters. The release resulted in visible discoloration in North Bais Bay and poses potential risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries and local livelihoods. Approximately 382.3 hectares of coastal and marine area are believed to be potentially affected based on preliminary findings.

Records also indicate that the dike was constructed prior to the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1234 and Republic Act No. 11038 ENIPAS, and rented by URC for use as a wastewater settling pond.

THE United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has taken notice of Quezon City’s ban on single-use plastics to curb pollution and declog the city’s waterways.

The UNEP, the United Nations’ leading global authority on the environment, noted the local government’s success in reducing plastic pollution and perennial flooding during the rainy season.

Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte has promoted refill stations for daily essentials and launched a program offering residents cash for their garbage.

Belmonte. as the city’s first elected female leader, has championed inclusive governance, social equity and environmental sustainability. The UNEP in 2023 named Belmonte a Champion of the Earth. The accolade, the UN’s highest environmental honor, acknowledged her effort to tackle plastic pollution, one of the city’s–and the planet’s–gravest environmental threats. With the world facing a surge in plastic pollution, the UNEP recently sat down with Belmonte to discuss what lies behind her city’s success and what its plans are for the future.

Belmonte recalled that three days of continuous rains in the past flooded much of Quezon City.

She told the UNEP that much of the city was blanketed in plastic when the rain stopped and the floodwaters started to subside—a sight that she has not forgotten.

“The floods stayed for several days because our drainage systems were blocked by plastic pollution. Plastic pollution was responsible for the suffering our people endured during that time,” said Belmonte.

“So, when I became vice mayor and then mayor, I began making ordinances on single-use plastics,” she said. Belmonte also credited the ban on single-use plastics and single-use packaging material as effective in reducing plastic waste pollution in the dining and hospitality business.

UNEP News

cars set to steer PH sustainability forward

SUSTAINABILITY has become one of the defining themes of our time. We often hear about it in the context of energy, food or real estate. But one of the most visible and personal arenas for change is on the road, where everyday mobility intersects with climate responsibility. This was brought home to me when Hi Cars, the automotive arm of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, reached out to share their sustainability journey. They didn’t just talk about it, they handed me the keys to a 2025 Honda HR-V RS e:HEV. Driving it was more than a test run; it was a glimpse into how the industry is evolving and how Filipino consumers are being invited to take part.

Practical bridge

The HR-V RS e:HEV is not a full electric vehicle.

And that’s exactly the point. In the Philippines, where EV charging infrastructure is still in its infancy, hybrids offer a realistic bridge toward greener mobility. They cut emissions, save on fuel and fit into the lifestyle of families who want to make responsible choices without sacrificing convenience.

In my own drive, the HR-V RS e:HEV showed how efficiency and performance can coexist.

Across a mix of city and highway conditions, navigating heavy traffic and punctuated by the occasional spirited run, the hybrid vehicle delivered an impressive 18 kilometers per liter. This balance of responsiveness and frugality captures what sustainability on the road should feel like: responsible, but never boring.

This is the same lesson we see in successful business transformation: progress must be accessible and practical if it is to be widely embraced. By championing hybrids, Hi Cars isn’t just distributing vehicles, they’re lowering the barriers for Filipinos to join the sustainability movement. Beyond the showroom

What impressed me about Hi Cars is that their narrative goes beyond moving units. They frame mobility as part of a larger sustainability roadmap. In corporate strategy terms, this is about aligning growth with impact, proving that profitability and responsibility can travel together in the same lane.

The HR-V RS e:HEV embodies this balance. It proves that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on performance, comfort, or style. Instead, it integrates these qualities, redefining what “progress” looks like in a modern car.

Of course, businesses can only go so far on their

own. The real test is whether consumers, drivers like us, choose to validate and amplify these investments. By opting for more efficient vehicles and adopting eco-friendly driving habits, we turn sustainability from a corporate promise into a shared practice.

It’s a partnership: companies like Hi Cars bring accessible solutions, and consumers make them part of everyday life. Together, they create the momentum that makes systemic change possible.

Driving the HR-V RS e:HEV reminded me that sustainability is not a distant goal. It is here, now, in the choices we make today. Hybrids may not be the final destination, but they are an important step in a journey where every kilometer counts.

For Hi Cars, this is more than a sales pitch. It is about showing that in the Philippines, mobility can evolve in a way that is smart, responsible and inclusive.

And for all of us, it is about recognizing that every time we get behind the wheel, we are not just moving ourselves forward, we are helping drive the country toward a more sustainable future.

The author is a social and sustainable development advocate and Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications for SM Investments Corp.

deforestation

LUSH, green and brimming with trees and wildlife, forests are the Earth’s lungs and source of livelihoods for many communities.

Nearly 500 million hectares (ha)–equivalent to around 750 million football pitches–have been lost since 1990.

Deforestation has slowed down in every region of the world in the past decade, however, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Deforestation refers to the loss of forest or its conversion for other use, such as urban use or wasteland. Every year for the past decade, the world has been losing around 10.9 million ha of forest. That rate is an improvement compared to the 13.6 million ha being lost annually in the

previous period, and the 17.6 million before that. The hopeful trend was revealed in ;ast week’s FAO’s latest forest assessment report, which is published every five years.

It provides a comprehensive analysis of global and regional forest trends using data collected from remote sensing–an advanced process using imaging and satellites–and country reporting. Through international agreements focused on addressing climate change, such as the Paris Agreement, the UN promotes a collective approach to protecting the environment. Assessments like the FAO’s forest report monitor if countries are on track with the UN treaties and frameworks they have signed up to.UN News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

‘Howie Severino Presents’ returns with deep dive on foreign disinformation

GMA Integrated News’ podcast

Howie Severino Presents is back with a new three-part special series titled Online Invasion: The Secret Battle for Hearts, Minds, and Headlines, which explores how foreign powers manipulate public opinion through digital disinformation.

Hosted by award-winning journalist Howie Severino, the series examines the emerging field of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)—the study of how state-sponsored disinformation spreads across borders and influences public belief.

The first episode, released on Oct. 27, traces the roots of FIMI and includes insights from Dr. Rachel Khan of the University of the Philippines Journalism Department and the fact-checking

Small-town lass’ big dream

Award-winning journalist Howie Severino hosts GMA’s ‘Howie Severino Presents: Online Invasion,’ a three-part special tackling foreign disinformation

Episode 2, released on Nov. 3, takes a closer look at how foreign disinformation networks have reached the Philippines, while the final episode, set for release on Nov. 10, will focus on how the public can guard themselves against manipulation.

“Our main goal is to help audiences think critically about the information they consume,” Severino said. “And since podcast listeners are usually already well-informed, we hope they can help their families—their parents, titos, and titas—do the same. In short: think before you click.”

GMA Integrated News senior vice president and head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso said the project underscores the network’s commitment to responsible journalism.

“In an era where information can be weaponized, GMA Integrated News remains steadfast in its commitment to combat disinformation through the Howie Severino Presents special series,” Amoroso said. “Our leadership in media literacy and public trust is not just a responsibility but a cornerstone of our mission to deliver credible and responsible journalism.” Online Invasion is produced by the GMA Integrated News Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab (DigiLab) and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and GMA Integrated News’ social media platforms.

Myrna Esguerra takes lessons from humble beginnings to Miss International pageant

By Jasper Valdez

BINIBINING Pilipinas International 2024

Esguerra believes every step that led her from her quiet hometown in Abra to the global stage in Tokyo is proof that faith can take someone far beyond her beginnings.

“I know what hardship looks like because that’s where I came from,” she said during her send-off at Gateway Mall 2’s World Kitchens in Araneta City on Oct. 28.

“It’s not really about where you came from that defines your beauty, but what you choose to do in your life.”

In her teenage years, Esguerra moved to Angeles, Pampanga, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in tourism management. To make ends meet, she juggled part-time work—selling candies in school, taking shifts as a café cashier, and modeling gigs—to pay for tuition.

Out of 17 siblings, she became the only one to earn a four-year college degree, an experience that continues to shape her view of success.

“Ever since I was in elementary, I’ve been championing education,” she said. “That’s why I’m passionate about Sustainable Development Goal number four—quality education.”

The 24-year-old queen spent the past year visiting schools and communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. She said the journey exposed her to the struggles of Filipino children who still fight for access to learning and opportunities.

“My journey became even more special because I have a strong reason why I’m doing this—to inspire hope in children’s lives,” she said. “No matter who you are or where you came from, there’s always hope.”

To Esguerra, the long wait before Miss International 2025 wasn’t idle time but an advantage.

“Along the way, I saw the beauty in waiting,” she said. “I was able to do everything and prepare everything in one year. There will not be a mistake—because we’re so prepared.”

Through it all, she said faith remains her strength. “I feel that God is fighting for me,” she said softly. “In everything I don’t see or hear, I pray that He will always fight for me.”

Esguerra is set to fly to Japan on Nov. 9 to represent the Philippines at the Miss International pageant. As she departs, she hopes to bring with her the grace and heart that have shaped her journey from the very beginning.

“I’m going to Japan with my most authentic self and my genuine heart and intentions,” she said.

Is Gladys Reyes switching her iconic villain roles for more subdued characters?

SHE has long been known as the “primera kontrabida” of Philippine television and film for her unforgettable antagonistic roles. But off-screen, Gladys Reyes is far from her fierce persona. She is warm, approachable, and down-to-earth.

That is why her latest project has surprised many. Reyes is taking on a role very different from her usual characters, playing a singing nanny reminiscent of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music.

The “primera kontrabida” herself made a special appearance at Star Magic’s October Spotlight press conference on Oct. 29 to discuss her latest projects, including her new onscreen character. Now part of Star Magic’s growing roster of artists, Reyes continues to juggle her packed schedule while filming the second season of Cruz vs. Cruz.

Despite her busy schedule, the award-winning actress remains grateful for every opportunity that comes her way.

“Nakatapos tayo ng isang musical film titled The Heart of Music, and recently, we had a premiere night, so marami nang medyo nakasilip doon sa initial preview ng pelikula. Ako po ay nagpapasalamat kasi talagang ang daming sumuporta at tumulong,” she said.

The Heart of Music , a musical family drama set to hit cinemas on Dec. 10, is a new territory for the 48-year-old actress. It is her first

time starring in a musical film, a project she described as “ibang iba.”

But after playing this character, will she be open to exploring roles beyond her usual kontrabida image?

“Why not? Katulad nga nitong The Heart of Music, this is really unexpected,” she said.

When asked if acting is something she intends to do for the rest of her life, Reyes said it depends on the viewers’ support.

Lalo kong navavalidate na ito talaga ‘yung gusto kong gawin hanggang sa pagtanda ko. Hangga’t gusto nila ako, hangga’t gusto ako ng tao, hangga’t may proyekto na para sa akin na gusto kong gawin—gusto ko ito.”

Even after decades in the industry, Reyes said there are still roles she wants to try.

“Gusto ko ‘yung mala Gone Girl, may pagka bida kontrabida… Tsaka ‘yung parang film ni Ate Vi [Vilma Santos] noon, Tagos Ng Dugo, ‘yung may revenge at paghihiganti,” she shared. She also expressed interest in portraying a person with autism, inspired by her brother, who has special needs.

HBO Max

HBO Max staged a global “Red Balloon” takeover ahead of the Oct. 27 premiere of its HBO Original series IT: Welcome to Derry.

The campaign began on Oct. 21, when red balloons (the franchise’s trademark symbol) appeared across social media, fueling discussions about the return of Pennywise the Clown.

The online stunt soon moved offline, with red balloons seen in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Paris, and Cappadocia.

ACTOR Benjamin Alves is pressing pause, at least for a little while. After a packed year that saw him star in the afternoon drama Akusada and the historical biopic Quezon directed by Jerrold Tarog, the actor said he plans to take a short break to spend more time with his wife, Chelsea Robato

“It’s been a very busy 2025,” Alves said. “I told Chelsea this would be a hectic year, but I promised her that after these projects, we’d go on vacation and try to have a baby before our second wedding anniversary.”

The couple, who wed in 2024, appear to be enjoying their marriage even with their demanding schedules. Alves credits Robato’s support for helping him manage his career. “It really helps that she’s very understanding,” he said. “She allowed me to have that adventure even if it meant being away from her for long periods. I really owe her a vacation.”

As for questions about starting a family, Alves said they’re not rushing but are ready. “People have been asking when we’ll have a baby since we got married,” he said. “My reply has always been, ‘In God’s perfect time.’ But now, we feel that we’re ready. It would be nice if a baby will be on the way by our second anniversary.”

While the couple has yet to finalize plans, a beach getaway seems likely. “Europe was fun, but it was tiring. This time, we want something laid back,” Alves said. “We love the sand, sun, and sea. We just want to chill.”

* * * Meanwhile, Andrea Brillantes is entering a new phase in her career. The actress, who recently signed with MQuest Ventures, the entertainment arm of TV5, is shifting her focus to film.

“I’m really excited,” Brillantes said. “I’ve done a lot of television, but I think it’s time for me to explore the big screen. It’s a different kind of storytelling.”

Now under the Kapatid Network, Brillantes hopes to explore a range of genres, including action, romance, and comedy. “I feel I can be an effective comedienne,” she said.

“Before, I was known for drama and crying scenes as a child star. Now I want to do lighter roles. I feel I can

be funny.” Brillantes hinted that several projects are already in the works but kept details under wraps. “The public will have to see,” she said with a smile. “I promise there are a lot of firsts that people will see in me now that I’m with TV5.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER

VALDEZ, Writer

A smoke-free revolution moves closer to reality

By Nickie Wang

AVISION that began in 2016 is slowly taking shape, with PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), continuing its mission toward a smoke-free future. That year, the company’s CEO declared a bold vision, saying, “Cigarettes belong in a museum.”

Speaking at a recent media dinner, PMFTC Inc., noted that the statement continues to guide their work.

“What started as an ambitious dream has now become a reality we can see unfolding,” he shared. “In Japan, for example, more than 50 percent of the products consumed are already smoke-free. That kind of progress is truly inspiring.”

De Best explained that many people still think nicotine is the problem. “The real issue lies in burning, in combustion. That’s what produces harmful chemicals,” he emphasized. He pointed out that better alternatives in the Philippines include heated tobacco and nicotine pouches.

“We have e-tobacco products known as IQOS. It’s a heat-notburn device, meaning there’s no combustion involved. And with that, IQOS releases about 90 to 95 percent fewer toxic chemicals compared to cigarettes,” he explained.

“These results are scientifically validated by reputable public health institutions across many countries,” he noted. “We also have nicotine pouches—a completely tobaccofree, combustion-free option. You can use it wherever, whenever. It’s convenient, discreet, and modern—everything consumers today look for.”

According to de Best, this is where ZYN comes in.

“ZYN is the world’s number one brand in this category. It’s performing incredibly well in the U.S., growing faster than ever, and now gaining strong traction here in the Philippines too. Consumers are ready, and the response has been very encouraging,” he remarked.

The company introduced its new lineup, the ZYN Refresh, along with a limited edition variant.

“Because ultimately, our mission is clear: to accelerate toward a future where the next generation knows cigarettes only as something found in a museum, not in everyday life,” de Best expressed.

ZYN, PMI’s flagship nicotine pouch brand, announced a new era in the Philippines with the launch of its exclusive limited edition variant, ZYN Bright Green 1.5mg, and redesigned can packaging.

“Nicotine pouches are a core element in our portfolio of science-backed smoke-free products, helping make cigarettes a thing of the past,” de Best explained.

He added that no single smoke-free product can satisfy all adult smokers. “That is why a diverse and scientifically substantiated portfolio is necessary to support people who smoke in their decision to stop smoking cigarettes,” he noted.

ZYN is a smoke-free oral nicotine product that contains nicotine derived from tobacco but without tobacco leaf. It includes food-grade ingredients and does not contain tobacco.

Building on the success of its existing product line, ZYN introduced its first limited edition release in the Philippines, ZYN

By Nickie Wang

I HAVE always had a soft spot for the McSpicy. There’s something about that crispy chicken fillet, the heat that builds up with every bite, and the familiar crunch that never fails to hit the spot. So when I heard McDonald’s was bringing back the McSpicy and introducing a new Honey Mustard version, I knew I had to try it the moment it launched.

The new Honey Mustard McSpicy stays true to the original. It still has that signature crunch

Bright Green 1.5mg. The new variant delivers a distinctly zesty taste experience, crafted for legal-aged nicotine users seeking refreshing moments.

ZYN’s redesigned can packaging presents a modern and bold aesthetic, which mirrors the brand’s commitment to “celebrate personal rhythms and elevate everyday moments.”

“Being the world’s #1 nicotine pouch brand means ZYN is committed to offering the same dependable quality and experience, time after time. This launch truly elevates the ZYN experience,” de Best shared.

ZYN Bright Green 1.5mg is available exclusively at IQOS stores in Metro Manila and on ZYN.com starting this month.

A sweet and spicy comeback