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Four vendors were arrested on Wednesday after authorities seized more than 66 kilograms of puffer fish being sold at the public market in Nabua town in Camarines Sur.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5), in coordination with the Nabua police, inspected the public market at 6 a.m. This led to the arrest of the vendors for violating Fisheries Administrative Order No. 249, series of 2014, which bans the sale and distribution of puffer fish.

Wheng Bricia-Briones, BFAR Bicol information officer, said violators can be penalized with imprisonment from two months to a year, and a fine of not less than P10,000.

She said seven kilograms of puffer fish were worth P1,400; another seven kilograms were worth P1,540; 7.02 kilograms were worth P1,404; and 45 kilograms were seized, valued at P45,000.

Administrative charges will be filed against the four suspects.

The confiscated fish were brought to the BFAR regional office for proper disposition.

The agency reiterated its warning against the sale, whether fresh or processed, and consumption of pufferfish, locally known as ‘butete,’ citing its potent toxin that can cause serious illness or, worse, may lead to death.

The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, a travel restriction sought by the Ombudsman in connection with the case it is preparing against the lawmaker and several others being linked to the flood control corruption scandal.

The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted a petition filed earlier that day by the Office of the Ombudsman through a special panel of investigators, who said Romualdez ‘presents an exceptionally high probability of flight.’

The investigators, led by Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Sagadal, said they had already made a preliminary finding of probable cause against Romualdez for plunder, direct and indirect bribery, and money laundering.

‘Evade arrest’

‘The complaint-affidavit involves the alleged kickback scheme tied to flood control projects, purportedly masterminded by the respondent (Romualdez), with the total amount of such kickbacks reaching approximately [P56 billion],’ they said in their petition dated April 20.

In the PHDO it issued, the Seventh Division said it found probable cause ‘to believe that respondent will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution of crime/s being charged against him.’

The court ordered the Bureau of Immigration to include Romualdez in its hold-departure list.

The Leyte congressman, who is also a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., earlier sought clearance from the House leadership to be in Singapore from April 20 to May 4 ‘for a long overdue follow-up on my angioplasty surgery.’

Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III granted his predecessor’s request for a travel clearance on Tuesday.

‘Other people’s corruption’

On the same day, however, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla held a press conference to say he was blocking Romualdez’s overseas trip.

Remulla also disclosed that his office had taken initial steps to secure a freeze order on the former Speaker’s assets, and that a plunder complaint may be filed against him in May.

Later in the day, Romualdez released a video defending himself against allegations implicating him in the public works mess and in the controversial insertions made in the 2025 national budget.

‘I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption,’ said Romualdez, who stepped down two months into his second term as speaker in the current 20th Congress, after he was dragged into the corruption scandal.

He stressed that he was not part of the bicameral conference committee or the ‘small committee’ that introduced changes to the budget bill.

The insertions, he said, were decided by Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, then Senate President, and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co, then House appropriations chair.

Also on Wednesday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Romualdez should have appeared before the Senate during its inquiry into the flood control projects.

Lacson, who heads the Senate blue ribbon committee, said the former House leader should have ‘heeded [our] invitations’ to attend the panel’s hearings, especially after Co, in a series of video recordings in November last year, claimed that Romualdez took part in ‘mangling’ the 2025 budget.

No ‘modus’ in Senate

Sen. JV Ejercito also on Wednesday noted that the ‘modus of selling [infrastructure] projects’ was prevalent among ‘contractors’ – a portmanteau of congressmen and contractors.

There is no way the Senate could ‘gain’ from this scheme, Ejercito said. ‘It’s not that I’m defending the Senate, but you’ll never hear about that here [in this chamber].’

‘I hope those involved will be held accountable,’ the senator said.

A former member of the chamber, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., is currently detained over graft and malversation charges in connection with the flood works mess. The former senator and two others had also been implicated in the 2013 pork barrel scandal.

The police have filed a criminal complaint against seven cadets and two police officers of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, over the alleged hazing of 22 plebes (first-year cadets) on April 3, Good Friday.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed the complaint for violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus, Cavite.

Among those charged were third-year PNPA cadets Harold Locop Heje, Lance Elroy Guinitaran Gayramon, Mhicco Legarda Escalante, Renz Matthew Abuhan Cutab and Renald Perfecto Brunio, as well as second-year cadets James Baldazan Bandao and Christopher Fernandez Dayag.

Also named in the complaint were the duty officers for the day, Maj. Mark Anthony Cailing and Senior Master Sgt. Silverio Dolorfino Jr.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, PNPA director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said that under the antihazing law, on-duty supervisors in training institutions tasked to directly oversee cadets or trainees may also be held criminally liable when such incidents occur.

Administrative liability

He added that the PNP Internal Affairs Service is also conducting an investigation into the police officers’ possible administrative liability under the principle of command responsibility.

Maranan said that based on their investigation, the on-duty officers who were supposed to supervise the activities of PNPA cadets were not on campus when the hazing occurred.

Following the incident, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered tighter anti-hazing measures across all systems within the PNPA, which is composed of two main branches: the Tactics Group and the Academics Group.

Maranan said that because the hazing occurred under the Tactics Group, it will be prioritized for reforms.

According to him, cadets have been segregated by class and assigned to separate barracks to ensure all interactions are supervised by tactical and assistant tactical officers.

Maranan said that closed circuit TV cameras will be installed in and around barracks, classrooms and other areas where cadets conduct various activities.

Tactical officers will also be required to use body-worn cameras so their actions can be properly documented and reviewed.

In a separate statement, Nartatez said the filing of cases against those involved in the alleged hazing ‘shows that the PNP’s system of discipline and accountability is working.’

‘Regardless of the people and the ranks involved, there will always be a certainty of facing the consequences of violating our rules and regulations, and the rule of law,’ he said.

For decades, the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas have anchored national production, supported by its deep industrial ecosystems, infrastructure networks, and sustained investor participation – but as foreign investment continues to concentrate in these corridors, land constraints are tightening and manufacturers are increasingly requiring larger, more flexible sites.

TARI Estate Central Luzon

TARI Estate, a 384-hectare industrial estate in Tarlac, is part of Central Luzon’s expanding manufacturing corridor, reinforcing Aboitiz Economic Estates’ role in building the Philippines’ industrial landscape through integrated platforms that support long-term production capacity

In response, industrial activity is extending into Central Luzon – strengthening national capacity while expanding the geographic base of production. This shift introduces greater redundancy and optionality for supply chain operations.

Within this shift, the region is becoming more integrated into a Luzon-wide industrial network supported by improving infrastructure connectivity and a deepening economic base. This is enabling manufacturers to distribute production, logistics, and support functions across multiple nodes within a single connected corridor, improving resilience and long-term operational flexibility.

For foreign manufacturers, this evolution supports supply chain diversification across both domestic and regional networks, reducing overconcentration in traditional industrial corridors and strengthening resilience against disruption. It opens up a broader set of scalable, multi-phase locations across the Philippines, allowing firms to distribute risk while maintaining operational efficiency.

Aboitiz Economic Estates, through developments such as TARI Estate, is positioned at the center of this transition by delivering integrated industrial platforms that align land, infrastructure, and long-term operational needs-supporting a more distributed and risk-balanced industrial footprint within an expanding regional value chain.

From Industrial Clusters to a Connected System

Industrial expansion is increasingly shaped by the need for scale, redundancy, and logistics flexibility. This is accelerating the development of a more distributed but connected Luzon industrial corridor, where production capacity is spread across multiple nodes while remaining operationally linked.

Central Luzon is part of this system, supported by NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX, which strengthen integration with Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, and key export gateways. Travel times between Tarlac and Metro Manila now allow for efficient coordination across supply chains, reinforcing the region’s role within a wider production network.

The region’s economic base continues to expand, supported by steady industrial growth, sustained investment inflows, and the parallel development of commercial and institutional ecosystems. This deepening structure supports both manufacturing activity and long-term workforce stability.

Within this context, Aboitiz Economic Estates develops integrated platforms where land, utilities, and estate operations function as a single system, reducing friction for locators while enabling scalable industrial growth.

TARI Estate at the Forefront of an Emerging Industrial Corridor

TARI Estate, a 384-hectare masterplanned industrial estate in Tarlac, is located within Central Luzon’s expanding manufacturing corridor and offers direct access to NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX, with connectivity to major ports of entry such as Subic Port, Port of Manila, and Clark International Airport.

The estate is designed for scalable industrial use, supporting light to medium manufacturers requiring large contiguous land and phased expansion capacity. Integrated utilities across power, water, and construction systems are delivered within the Aboitiz ecosystem to ensure operational continuity from setup through full-scale operations.

Within the broader Luzon industrial system, TARI Estate adds immense capacity to an evolving corridor, supporting the gradual extension of manufacturing activity beyond traditional southern hubs while maintaining established standards of infrastructure reliability.

‘What we are seeing is not a shift away from established industrial centers, but the natural expansion of a system that has reached scale,’ said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, President and CEO of Aboitiz Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land. ‘As constraints emerge in mature corridors, growth is extending into new areas that can support the next phase of industrial development. Central Luzon is becoming a key part of that evolution.’

TARI Estate is advancing toward locator-ready operations, with its first phase fully sold and developed. Anchor locators Ajinomoto and Coca-Cola are moving forward with development activity, reflecting strengthening industrial uptake and consumption-led domestic demand. As the estate builds toward full operational readiness, early entry by major investors and their supply chains sustain momentum into Phase 2.

Built on Proven Industrial Execution

TARI Estate builds on more than three decades of industrial estate development under Aboitiz Economic Estates. Across its portfolio, the platform hosts over 260 locator companies, has enabled more than $2.8 billion in investments, and supports over 100,000 jobs. It operates within the Aboitiz integrated infrastructure ecosystem spanning power, water, construction, and estate management systems, with utilities and services aligned to phased industrial demand to support scalable operations over time.

This track record reflects a consistent operating model anchored on integrated infrastructure delivery, disciplined estate governance, and long-term alignment with locator expansion. As this model extends into Central Luzon, it enables a more integrated development approach where workforce readiness, infrastructure build-out, and operational scaling advance in parallel with the estate’s growth.

Aboitiz Economic Estates integrates human capital development across the estate lifecycle, aligning skills formation and local employment pathways with each stage of industrial development. As construction progresses and locator participation increases, local communities gain access to employment in construction and support services, while a steadily deepening talent base develops alongside future manufacturing and logistics needs.

For locators, this supports smoother onboarding and more predictable scaling, with workforce availability developing alongside infrastructure and demand. For the broader local economy in Tarlac, it enables participation across multiple stages of development while creating sustained pathways into manufacturing, logistics, and services as industrial activity expands.

Early Access Advantage in an Emerging Industrial Landscape

Central Luzon’s industrial base is growing, with clusters emerging across food processing, beverages, electronics, and light manufacturing. The structure of the corridor continues to evolve, influenced by early locational decisions that will shape its long-term industrial geography.

This is already reflected in the entry of manufacturers such as Ajinomoto and Coca-Cola within TARI Estate, economic and investment signals of shifting site selection priorities toward scale, connectivity, and expansion flexibility.

In this environment, early investments play a defining role in shaping the ecosystem as it develops.

Shaping the Next Phase of Philippine Manufacturing

Philippine manufacturing continues to attract sustained foreign direct investment across semiconductors, electronics, food and beverage, chemicals, automotive, and garments, reinforcing the country’s role in regional supply chains.

In response, industrial geography is expanding. Growth is extending into emerging areas capable of supporting scale, workforce demand, and increasing logistics complexity-reflecting a broader diversification of national production capacity.

Within this landscape, TARI Estate is leading this shift, adding structured capacity in Central Luzon while maintaining the operational standards established in mature industrial hubs.

Aboitiz Economic Estates continues to support this transition by linking proven ecosystems with new growth areas, ensuring continuity as the country’s industrial footprint evolves. What is taking shape is a more integrated national system, where Central Luzon is emerging as a second engine of growth alongside the south, helping shape and build the Philippines’ industrial future.

As the Philippines’ leading microfinance services provider, Cebuana Lhuillier has witnessed how financial inclusion continues to evolve alongside the realities of everyday Filipino life. For many, financial participation does not begin with investments or formal banking relationships-it starts with immediate needs: access to liquidity, the discipline to save, the ambition to grow a business, and the ability to protect what has been built over time.

Sa Cebuana Lhuillier, Goods Ka: Advancing Financial Inclusion Through a Connected Financial Ecosystem

Today, the challenge for financial institutions goes beyond expanding access. It lies in ensuring that financial solutions are interconnected-allowing individuals to move forward progressively as their needs evolve.

This perspective anchors Cebuana Lhuillier’s integrated financial ecosystem and reinforces the promise behind Sa Cebuana, Goods Ka. The assurance is not built on a single service, but on the ability to support customers across multiple financial needs through solutions that are accessible, relevant, and responsive at every stage of their journey.

‘Our goal is to build an ecosystem that supports Filipinos wherever they are in their financial journey,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘Financial inclusion becomes more meaningful when customers and businesses can move from addressing immediate needs toward achieving long-term stability and growth.’

Financial inclusion today requires more than entry into the formal financial system-it requires continuity. Access to credit must lead to opportunities for saving. Entrepreneurs need not only capital, but also guidance and protection. Families building assets benefit from pathways that help them preserve and grow value over time.

With this progression in mind, Cebuana Lhuillier has developed an ecosystem designed to support customers as their financial needs expand. This is enabled by a nationwide network of over 3,500 branches and 25,000 partner outlets, alongside more than 3 million global touchpoints across the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific. This reach continues to broaden access to formal financial services, particularly in underserved communities.

For many Filipinos, the journey begins with bridge financing. Pawning, small loans, and remittance services provide essential liquidity, helping households manage daily financial pressures while avoiding informal lending channels. These services serve as critical entry points into the financial system, allowing customers to build confidence and capacity for future financial decisions.

As financial behavior matures, savings naturally follow. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, customers can access savings products that encourage discipline and gradually build financial buffers-strengthening resilience against unexpected disruptions.

For entrepreneurs, inclusion must extend beyond access to capital. Through the Cebuana Lhuillier KaNegosyo Center, micro and small enterprises receive not only loans, but also coaching and business advisory support to enhance operations and enable growth. Given the vital role of SMEs in driving local economies, ensuring that financial systems remain responsive to their needs is essential.

Financial protection further strengthens this ecosystem. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, customers and businesses gain access to insurance solutions that safeguard income and assets, helping preserve financial gains even in times of uncertainty.

Beyond protection, financial inclusion increasingly involves enabling asset-building. Accessible investment options such as microinvest, Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry, and Cebuana Lhuillier Gold provide practical and familiar ways for Filipinos to begin building long-term value.

Taken together, this ecosystem approach ensures that financial tools evolve alongside the people they serve. It recognizes that financial journeys are rarely linear, and that priorities shift with changing circumstances. By keeping solutions connected, customers can continue progressing without having to navigate unfamiliar systems or face new barriers to access.

In this way, financial inclusion moves beyond simply enabling entry-it supports sustained progress. This continuity gives real meaning to the promise Sa Cebuana, Goods Ka-because when financial systems are designed to move with people, progress becomes not only possible, but more achievable for more Filipinos.

Sarah Geronimo, through her production unit, denied speculation that she is planning to enter politics after a viral video showing her asking fans to ‘vote’ for her.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 22, G Productions, founded by Geronimo and her husband Matteo Guidicelli, addressed circulating clips that fueled online buzz about the actress-singer’s possible election bid, or if she were campaigning for her namesake, Vice President Sara Duterte, who has expressed her intention to run for president in 2028.

‘We have seen a few clips making the rounds suggesting that Sarah is gearing up for the next election, or at least testing the waters,’ the company began.

The production company clarified that the moment was taken out of context, explaining that the video came from a live event where the singer made a playful remark during her closing spiel.

‘For context: the video came from a live event where, as part of her closing spiel, Sarah playfully asked the audience to vote for her in the next election,’ the statement continued. ‘It was a lighthearted moment meant purely for fun and crowd interaction.’

G Productions stressed that Geronimo has no political plans at present, emphasizing that she remains focused on her career as a performer.

‘Sarah is exactly where she wants to be – on stage, doing what she loves, and inspiring people through her talent and artistry,’ it said, urging the public to ‘enjoy the moment for what it was and resist adding any political color to an onstage joke.’

The clarification came after a clip circulated online showing Geronimo telling the audience at Earth Day Run 2026, ‘iboto niyo po ako sa susunod na election,’ prompting speculation that the pop star might be considering a political run, or quietly endorsing Duterte.

Geronimo has been making headlines after she consistently slammed and expressed frustration with the alleged corruption in the government linked to flood control projects.

But while she has remained neutral in her political views, her husband Matteo has been associated as supporter of Duterte’s father, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte through his involvement as an Army reservist, and when he openly expressed admiration for the former Chief Executive.

The elder Duterte is currently incarcerated in the Hague, Netherlands and is facing trial for crimes against humanity in connection with alleged thousands of extrajudicial killings that were committed during his administration in line with his anti-drug war campaign.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday said increased seismic activity has been recorded at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.

Phivolcs issued the advisory after a total of 101 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes were recorded in Bulusan since 4:50 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to Phivolcs, these VT events were generated by rock fracturing, which mostly originated within 2.5 kilometers beneath the northern edifice of Bulusan Volcano.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs noted that degassing activity from the summit crater and active vents has been ‘very weak to moderate,’ while volcanic sulfur dioxide emission has remained at low levels and averaged 75 tons/day as of April 9.

‘The increase in volcanic earthquake activity could indicate shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the volcano which could lead to steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at any of its summit vents,’ Phivolcs said.

With this, Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest remains raised over Bulusan Volcano, with increased seismic activity signaling increased chances of phreatic eruptions from any of its summit vents.

Under this alert level, entry into the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited, while the public is urged to exercise vigilance in the 2-kilometer extended danger zone in the southeast sector due to the possible impacts of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches, ashfall and others on these danger areas.

‘Communities west and downwind of the volcano are also advised to prepare for ashfall in case a phreatic eruption occurs, paying special attention to vulnerable members of the community including the elderly, expecting mothers, infants, and those with medical conditions,’ Phivolcs added.

People living within valleys and along river stream channels especially on the western sectors of the edifice, on the other hand, were told to be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall should phreatic eruption occur.

Furthermore, Phivolcs also called on civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

There’s a saying that ‘one shouldn’t let a good crisis go to waste.’ Now is one of those times. We find ourselves in a crisis situation once again, this one triggered by a Middle East conflict thousands of miles away over which we have no connection or control. Under threat are over 2 million overseas Filipino workers and our oil supply, 95 percent of which is sourced from the region.

Oftentimes, in times of crisis, we resort to immediate measures and coping mechanisms, many of which are temporary. We tend to revert to normal policy and practice once the crisis abates. Shouldn’t we look at these times as an opportunity to install long-term, permanent solutions so we can avert future crises?

On the energy security front, the immediate concern is both the price of oil and its continued supply. Rising fuel prices and scarcity impact transport, food, electricity, and all activities that require energy. Our entire transport sector is dependent on oil as a fuel. Meanwhile, 60 percent of our electricity is sourced from coal (most of it imported), natural gas (15 to 18 percent), and renewables (20 to 25 percent). Aside from oil, prices for both coal and natural gas are on the rise.

While we are both oil-dependent and import-dependent, now may be a good time to accelerate structural shifts and policy changes to steer us in the direction of reducing these dependencies. To do that, we’ll need to have a convergence between our transportation and energy policies, plans, and infrastructure.

We can start by promoting the use of more electric vehicles (EVs) and active mobility (e.g., pedestrianization, cycling, etc.). Consumer interest in EVs is growing as a result of this fuel crisis, and EVs are already the fastest-growing segment of the automotive market. As the charging infrastructure is expanded, one can expect more EV growth.

But so much more can be done to promote EVs aside from passenger cars. We can, for instance, deploy more EV buses for mass transit and EV trucks for logistics and commercial delivery. EVs have already made their presence felt in the taxi industry. Can we eventually expand this to the jeepney and tricycle space? And for last-mile delivery, can motorcycles with swappable batteries be used instead of conventional motorcycles? All these technologies are already available. Passenger cars are available in both battery EV and plug-in hybrid EV models. Buses by Global Electric Transport/Comet and others run on electric engines. Cities like San Juan, Pasig, and Quezon City have already started EV shuttle bus systems. Mober delivery trucks handle home and commercial deliveries using their electric trucks. Meanwhile, the infrastructure for charging is rapidly expanding.

All this, of course, would not do anything to reduce oil dependency if EV charging continued using traditionally sourced electricity. To be truly green, we need to charge using renewable energy (RE). This is where energy policy fits in. Fortunately, the country has a policy and a plan for expanding the use of RE through its green energy auctions, green energy options program, and net metering schemes. Promoting large-scale RE as well as rooftop solar on a long-term and permanent basis will help improve our energy security picture. With the search and development of more indigenous energy sources, we could come up with a more balanced energy picture in the future.

Aside from the transport sector, another promising area for RE use lies in large estates and cities. Large estates with high electricity demand can use the Department of Energy’s green energy option to purchase electricity from their chosen RE supplier. So, too, can Philippine cities. One good example is Makati, which signed a nine-year contract with ACEN Corp. to provide RE power to city buildings. Makati owns over 150 buildings, and it calculates P300 million in savings for electricity and reduces carbon emissions by 289,885 metric tons. Aside from providing electricity, ACEN will also construct a network of EV chargers for the city to charge its fleet of e-jeepneys, e-buses, and e-shuttles. Quezon City is doing something similar by installing rooftop solar on its city-owned buildings, schools, and hospitals. These are great models for converging energy and transport policy, which enable cities to be more sustainable.

The Philippines has a total of 149 cities and over 1,500 municipalities across the country. Just think of the impact of having more cities run on RE.

The key is to think more long-term and strategically and get away from short-term crisis management, focusing only on solutions that fade away as a crisis abates. Whether we are looking at transportation and energy policy at a national level to urban planning solutions at the local government level, we need to set up institutions within government that take the long view and focus on eventual implementation. We should seriously consider some form of organizational structure that concentrates on getting things done.

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has expanded its hospitality footprint with the opening of Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue, marking the brand’s debut in the Philippines.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, CLI said the P1.99-billion development, operated through CLI Hotels and Resorts, introduces a lifestyle-focused hotel concept to Cebu while strengthening the company’s push to grow its recurring income base.

‘Bringing Radisson RED to Cebu marks the entry of a globally recognized brand into a market with strong and growing demand,’ said Mathias Bergundthal, first vice president for CLI Hotels and Resorts.

‘This reflects our focus on well located, thoughtfully designed developments that respond to evolving and diverse travel and lifestyle needs,’ Bergundthal said.

The 144-key hotel is located within Astra Centre, CLI’s mixed-use development along AS Fortuna Street in Mandaue City. It offers direct access to key business hubs such as Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park as well as Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Cebuano-inspired

CLI said the project caters to both business and leisure travelers, with rooms featuring Cebuano-inspired contemporary design and practical amenities like high-speed connectivity and streaming-enabled TVs.

The hotel also features a range of lifestyle amenities, including OUIBAR+KTCHN, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, RED Deli for Asian takeaway and The RED Deck, a poolside bar.

Other facilities include a 24-hour fitness center, spa, swimming pool and flexible event spaces such as The Studio, The Loft and the RED Room.

Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue is CLI’s fifth operational hotel, joining Citadines Cebu City, lyf Cebu City, The Pad Co-Living and Citadines Bacolod City.

The launch supports CLI’s strategy to diversify beyond residential projects by expanding its hospitality portfolio.

The company currently has 10 hotel projects with 1,719 keys, of which 827 rooms are operational.

CLI said it continues to see opportunities in Visayas and Mindanao, with upcoming developments including Mercure Cebu Downtown and Citadines Paragon Davao.

Police arrested four men allegedly involved in fuel pilfering, locally known as ‘paihi,’ during a late-night operation on Wednesday in Alaminos, Laguna.

The Police Regional Office 4A said local police, assisted by barangay tanods (village watchmen), were conducting a routine patrol when they caught the suspects in the act of siphoning fuel from two tanker trucks along the Alaminos-Lipa City bypass road in Barangay San Miguel at around 11 p.m.

The suspects were identified by their aliases as ‘Roberto,’ 34; ‘Fernan,’ 33; and ‘Mark Paolo,’ 28 – all drivers – and a helper, ‘Jericho.’

Authorities said about 400 liters of petroleum products, valued at P40,000, had already been siphoned and transferred into a drum inside a Mitsubishi L300 van driven by Mark Paolo.

The theft is called ‘paihi,’ a Filipino term that refers to the act of urinating and now means siphoning fuel from a tank or depot.

The suspects were taken into custody and are set to face criminal charges.

The two tanker trucks and the van used in the operation were impounded.