Author: gqSbgCfmna

November 13, 2025 | 4:11pm

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government will “immediately” cancel the passport of former lawmaker Zaldy Co once formal cases are filed against him in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.

Co, a central figure in the alleged kickback scheme, has been outside the country for several months. He left before the scandal erupted and is currently beyond the reach of investigators.

At a press conference on Thursday, November 13, Marcos was asked why Co’s passport remains active despite his implication in the corruption probe.

Marcos reiterated the Department of Foreign Affairs’ position that cancellation requires legal grounds.

“I think that’s best directed at the lawyer because it’s a legal answer. And the legal answer is because a case has not been filed yet, therefore the request for the cancellation of his passport cannot yet be made,” he said.

“However, when that time comes, we will immediately cancel his passport,” he added.

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has transmitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman, but the Ombudsman must still file cases before the Sandiganbayan for passport cancellation to proceed.

Co has been tagged for allegedly inserting large allocations into the national budget in exchange for kickbacks. At the same time, his firm Sunwest Inc. has been linked to substandard or non-existent flood control projects. Investigators believe his roles overlapped, allowing him to use his position as lawmaker to secure government contracts.

Some officials have described Co as the possible mastermind behind the alleged scheme, although Marcos declined to comment on potential charges.

“Let the courts do their work. Let the judges do their work,” he said.

How about Romualdez? 

Former House Speaker and current Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, cousin to the president, has also been implicated in the flood control mess. However, he was not on the list of the ICI. 

Marcos said the only evidence against so far Romualdez were testimonies from the Senate. 

“We don’t file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail or to make people answer. I know that there are many, many suggestions of who else we should file cases against. Well, we’re fine with that. Provide us the evidence and we will file cases against them,” Marcos said. 

Three people have tagged Romualdez to the corruption mess so far: the Discaya couple and Co’s alleged security aide Orly Guteza.

Guteza’s affidavit, however, has since been questioned after allegations that the lawyer who supposedly notarized it did not sign it.

November 13, 2025 | 3:08pm

MANILA, Philippines — The postponed duel of La Salle and Ateneo will now serve as the finale to an anticipated photo finish race with Final Four seats at stake in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball.

The UAAP on Thursday announced the new date of the much-awaited match between the archrivals set on November 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after its suspension last November 9 due to super typhoon Uwan.

But aside from the long-time animosity in the Blue-Green basketball war, major Final Four complications could also be up for grabs for a fitting finale in the main game at 4:30 p.m.

Ateneo escaped La Salle in the first round, 81-74, holding on despite nearly losing an enormous 33-point lead, for then a 4-0 start before losing four of its last five games.

La Salle, with a late push after a 2-3 start, sits at third with a 6-4 slate, while Ateneo is not far behind at fifth place with a 5-5 record, making it a make-or-break game if they remain within striking distance of each other by next week.

University of Santo Tomas is barely ahead of Ateneo at 6-5 for the coveted fourth place as National University (10-2) and titleholder UP (8-3) pace the race for an inside track to the Top 2 laced by twice-to-beat incentives.

Still in contention behind are Adamson (5-6) and Far Eastern University (4-7), with the University of the East (UE) being the only eliminated squad so far.

And that also makes the other suspended game equally interesting, starring UST and FEU at 1:30 p.m.

Other postponed matches that will retain scheduled game times are Ateneo-La Salle Zobel (U16) at 7:30 a.m., Santo Tomas-FEU Diliman (U16) at 9:30 a.m., Santo Tomas-FEU (women) at 11:30 a.m. and Ateneo-La Salle (women) at 7 p.m.

All tickets dated November 9 will be honored by the UAAP and the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the new schedule while refunds are also available.

“Tickets purchased for the postponed November 9 games will be honored on the new game date, and will remain valid for entry to the corresponding games indicated on the ticket. For those who wish to request a refund, please refer to the details,” said the UAAP.

Philstar.com

November 13, 2025 | 2:51pm

MANILA, Philippines — With his first Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown finally within reach, veteran campaigner Angelo Que is leaving nothing to chance as he spearheads a star-studded field in the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge, which fires off Tuesday, November 18, at the Valley Golf Club’s South Course in Antipolo.

For a man of his stature, the multi-titled Que has long been a mainstay atop Philippine golf’s elite ranks — a three-time Asian Tour champion, a former Philippine Open titlist, and a perennial contender in every local tournament he joins. Yet, a PGT OOM title — a season-long badge of consistency and dominance – has remained elusive.

That could finally change this week.

After nine legs in a tightly contested season, Que sits on top of the OOM ladder with P1,560,916 in earnings, built on two victories and two runner-up finishes. It’s been a masterclass in form, patience and perseverance — proof that even after more than two decades as a touring pro, Que’s competitive fire burns as fiercely as ever.

Que’s closest pursuer, Keanu Jahns, also boasts two victories but trails slightly with P1,484,183. However, with Jahns opting to skip the season-ending Valley stop for a family vacation in Japan, Que will have a clearer path to the top — though he still needs a solid showing to officially clinch the crown.

Hot on their heels is Fidel Concepcion, whose breakthrough triumph in the P3.5-million Apo Golf Classic boosted him to third with P1,250,083 in winnings. He remains the only player with a realistic mathematical shot of overtaking Que — but only if the veteran falters this week.

Still, Que isn’t expected to play it safe. Known for his aggressive style and trademark composure, the 46-year-old shotmaker is eager to cap off his stellar season in the same fashion he began it — with another victory.

Behind Que and Concepcion, a pack of elite contenders will also be eyeing a triumphant finish to the PGT’s 2025 season. Guido Van der Valk, winner at Forest Hills, is at fourth with P1,194,116, while Reymon Jaraula, who reigned at home in Del Monte, rounds out the top five with P1,069,583.

They’ll be joined by a strong cast of leg winners and established names like Rupert Zaragosa, Clyde Mondilla, Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Zanieboy Gialon, Michael Bibat, Russell Bautista, Ira Alido, Nilo Salahog and Dino Villanueva, all looking to close the season on a high note.

Adding intrigue to the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. are rising stars Carl Corpus, Aidric Chan and Sean Ramos and veteran Justin Quiban, who are back in local action following international stints.

The field also features a group of international mainstays, including Jisung Cheon, Collin Wheeler, Tae Soo Kim, Tae Won Kim and Atsushi Ueda, all capable of spoiling Que’s celebration.

Meanwhile, a handful of standouts from the Junior PGT will test their mettle against the pros, including Patrick Tambalque, Jakob Taruc, Kristoffer Nadales, Alexis Nailga and Armand Copok.

Philstar.com

November 13, 2025 | 2:15pm

MANILA, Philippines — Consumers and farmers are calling for tobacco regulations that are grounded in science while ensuring that livelihoods are protected.

Groups including the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Vaper AKO, Consumer Choice Philippines, the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Quit for Good and the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) emphasized a balanced approach that supports non-combustible products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products.

The call comes ahead of the 11th biennial Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 17 to 22, 2025.

Advocates are urging policymakers to consider harm reduction strategies, allowing smokers access to safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes while protecting farmers’ livelihoods.

Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of consumer advocacy group Quit for Good, said scientific evidence shows that it is the smoke, not nicotine, that is responsible for heart and lung diseases.

He warned that restricting access to less harmful alternatives could leave millions of nicotine-dependent Filipinos tied to combustible cigarettes, citing a rise in adult smoking rates in the Philippines from 18.5% in 2021 to 23.2% in 2023.

“While abstinence remains the ideal, science-backed alternatives offer a practical way to reduce harm,” Mata said during the Harm Reduction and Nicotine Summit on October 15.

Adolph Ilas, chairman of Consumer Choice Philippines, argued that embracing harm reduction is a more effective public health strategy. “Restrictive policies on safer alternatives risk worsening the smoking epidemic and limit options for those seeking less harmful products,” he said.

Vaper AKO spokesperson Joaqui Gallardo warned that prohibitionist approaches could alienate smokers, restrict choice and fuel the illegal market. He noted that rising smoking rates may be linked to the growth of illicit cigarette sales due to heavy taxation on regulated products.

Joey Dulay, president of PECIA, praised the Philippines’ Vape Law (Republic Act No. 11900) for establishing a clear regulatory framework for smoke-free products but opposed proposed higher taxes on vaping devices.

“A fair and sustainable tax rate will protect jobs and ensure adult smokers have access to safer alternatives,” he said.

The Federation of Free Farmers highlighted tobacco’s importance as a major crop.

“Smoke-free technologies have significantly reduced health risks compared to decades ago. Reasonable, science-backed regulations can help our farmers remain competitive and maintain livelihoods,” the group said.

Consumer groups called for policies guided by evidence rather than ideology, citing studies showing vaping is at least 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.

They urged policymakers to integrate harm reduction into tobacco control strategies to safeguard smokers’ health while supporting farmers and local industries.

Philstar.com

November 13, 2025 | 2:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang has reaffirmed its commitment to protect and rehabilitate children caught in conflict situations, according to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).

“The launching of Bangsamoro protocol on handling ‘children in situations of armed conflicts’ gets full backing from President Marcos and his administration,” said SAP Anton Lagdameo.

The initiative, launched in celebration of Bangsamoro Children’s Month, underscores a unified effort to protect and rehabilitate children affected by armed conflict, viewing them as victims in need of care and reintegration rather than as offenders.

Police Col. Jemuel F. Siason, Deputy Regional Director for Operations of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, represented the security sector’s participation, emphasizing law enforcement’s role in safeguarding children’s rights and welfare across conflict-affected areas.

The BARMM CSAC Protocol serves as a localized implementation of Republic Act No. 11188, or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, which mandates comprehensive protection and assistance for minors exposed to armed violence. It operationalizes coordination between the national government, the BARMM ministries, and security agencies to prevent recruitment, facilitate rescue and recovery, and ensure psychosocial rehabilitation of affected children.

Lagdameo underscored the administration’s resolve to uphold the rights of children in conflict zones, reiterating that the Marcos administration remains steadfast in enforcing the Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law across all relevant sectors.

“Children have the right to a safe, healthy, and carefree childhood. They do not belong in the battlefield and they have the right not to know the horrors of war. Armed conflict, of which children have no say in, deprives them of their rights to be children,” he said.

He also cited the ongoing efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to reinforce the “children as zones of peace” principle — a doctrine that promotes the idea that children and areas they occupy must be free from any act of hostility.

“The principle that we wish for everyone in the Philippines to internalize is that children are zones of peace. Children embody the most compelling justification for the existence of States to protect its most vulnerable charges as it would preserve itself. A state without children is a state on the brink of extinction,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also placed the welfare of children in the Bangsamoro region among his administration’s priorities, particularly those affected by decades of armed conflict.

“Children deserve utmost protection from all forms of danger. All efforts must, therefore, be exerted to ensure that they are sheltered and protected at all times,” the President has emphasized earlier.

The launch of the BARMM CSAC Protocol marks a major milestone in institutionalizing localized child protection mechanisms within conflict-affected areas, while complementing the broader national peace and development agenda.

By strengthening inter-agency collaboration among the BARMM government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and humanitarian partners, the protocol aims to ensure that no Filipino child is left behind amid the pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao.