Author: gqSbgCfmna

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The International Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a red notice against Cassandra Li Ong and Ronelyn Baterna.

Ong is the representative for Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) that allegedly forced vulnerable victims into working as customer service representatives and kidnapped online players who failed to pay their debts. Baterna was the firm’s corporate secretary.

Ong faces qualified human trafficking charges before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court. She is the alleged business associate of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo who has been convicted of qualified human trafficking.

She was one of the key figures questioned and briefly detained during a Senate inquiry last year led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros into POGOs.

During the Senate’s plenary deliberations on the Department of Justice’s proposed 2026 budget, it was revealed that Ong had already been released from the Correctional Institution for Women, and was reportedly last tracked in Japan earlier this year.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesman Winston Casio said they were tracking Ong and Baterna following the issuance of their arrest warrants, but they were under the radar.

“We couldn’t trace Ong because her social media was locked,” Casio told radio dzBB yesterday, adding that Baterna’s online account “disappeared.”

Even Ong’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said he hasn’t been in touch with his client “for some time now.”

Topacio, a spokesman for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban party, accused the government of using Ong as a tool to divert the public’s attention from the flood control scandal.

Casio said the commission believes Ong and Baterna are hiding together.

During the quad comm hearings last year, Ong and Baterna were seen rolling eyes at each other as lawmakers grilled them over illicit operations inside Lucky South 99.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police said it is stepping up efforts to bring Ong home.

Red notice sought for Roque

In a related development, the Philippines has requested Interpol to issue a red notice against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who is facing an arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking.

The development was confirmed yesterday by Casio, who added that the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime made the request.

The Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 issued an arrest warrant against Roque, Ong and others on May 8 for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense.

Roque was drawn into the case for serving as a lawyer for Whirlwind Corp., a real estate firm that leased a 10-hectare plot in Porac, Pampanga, to Lucky South 99.

The prosecutors said that Roque was either aware of or willfully ignored the alleged unlawful nature of Lucky South 99’s operations.

Casio added that besides Roque’s arrest warrant, Interpol may use his sedition case as a basis to issue a red notice.

The National Bureau of Investigation filed the sedition case in connection with a video allegedly showing President Marcos snorting cocaine.

However, the PAOCC spokesman admitted that the red notice request may take time because Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, citing political persecution in the Philippines.

“The Interpol’s usual timeline is between two and three months,” Casio told reporters. “I am not privy to how France will release a red notice, but I think the asylum case will have to be resolved first.”

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. may be eyeing to challenge the broadband leaders soon, but it is keeping its foot on the pedal in the mobile space, where it is dominating rivals with new builds and products.

Based on its financial report, Globe hit a record P25.2 billion in mobile data revenues in the third quarter, picking up momentum from the accelerated 5G adoption among Filipinos.

Globe also cemented its grip in the subscriber race, expanding its customer base by five percent to 63.1 million, the largest in the industry.

Globe currently sources 86 percent of its mobile revenues from data, as Filipinos reload more frequently to access digital services. Thus, the telco is putting up new networks across the archipelago to keep up with the demand.

As of end-September, Globe has completed 1,375 new cellular builds and 8,699 mobile site upgrades. Also, it has invested in 877 new 5G sites in emerging regions and high-traffic cities.

Globe’s 5G coverage has reached 98.71 percent of Metro Manila and 98.31 percent of key cities in the provinces, placing it in a good position to capture future demand.

Globe president and CEO Carl Raymond Cruz said the mobile segment would remain the foundation of the telco even as it is trying to challenge broadband leadership.

“Mobile will remain the backbone of our growth as we push forward with our customer-focused innovations and inclusive services,” he said.

Recently, Globe launched new products aimed at responding to specific demands in the data market. Among its latest spinoffs are artificial intelligence (AI) programs in data bundles under its flagship Go Plus.

Globe added design app Canva, which relies on AI, to the list of sites that can be accessed when a subscriber chooses a Go Plus promo. Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yolanda Crisanto said the telco hopes to stay ahead of competitors with the launch of new products.

Globe is also out to become a broadband leader, setting its eyes on claiming the second spot from Converge ICT Solutions Inc. before it competes with industry leader PLDT Inc.

Globe serves a broadband base of 2.1 million, trailing PLDT’s 4.12 million and Converge’s 2.93 million, but it is gaining momentum from its low-cost product GFiber Prepaid. 

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

This writer has been warning for months that the organizers of the Bangkok Southeast Asian Games would have tricks up their sleeves that they would reveal at the last minute. True enough, Thailand announced that naturalized players would be ineligible for the basketball competitions, at least for 5×5. This means that some of the country’s best players like Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame will not be allowed to play. Frankly, the rule itself is not that bad. But the timing of implementation is an abuse of the hosts’ discretion.

We have had multiple bad experiences in SEA Games in Thailand. The two-pronged attack is always the same: messed with the sports that involve judging, and water down the opposition through tightened, last minute eligibility requirements. It is a tired, old, unfair story.

After the wild success of the 2005 Games in the Philippines, Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand won the rights for the 2007 SEAG. Things started to get funny right away. Dancesport, which had only the traditional Standard and Latin events that were swept by the Philippines in 2005, was suddenly judged per dance, making  a total of 10 gold medals available. Needless to say, the Thais made sure they would get favorable scores. Two of their own athletes, Surathep Wisawathiron and Panaporn Kosol were disqualified because they were caught doping, an embarrassment under any circumstance.

At the height of super typhoon Uwan, this writer was in Baguio City to interview the national women’s boxing and muaythai teams. The common question we asked was how they would deal with the outright cheating in scoring in Bangkok. Although far from definitive, the reply was always the same: dominate early, or knock out the opponent.

“We have to make sure that there is no doubt about the outcome of each fight,” explains women’s team head coach and 1992 Olympic bronze medalist Roel Velasco. “We already know how things go in Thailand. We don’t want to leave the decision in anybody else’s hands.”

The Thais have a right to be worried. The Philippines is fielding world champions and Olympians in many disciplines like jiu jitsu, boxing and muaythai. They are using the full extent of their prerogative as the host country to limit opponents’ chances of winning, hence the belated ruling on naturalized basketball players’ eligibility. They have excluded billiards and arnis (again), and limited participation in boxing for this very reason. For decades, they have struggled to overcome the might of the Philippines in basketball. It’s gotten personal.

Time and again, we have called for a change in the host countries’ privilege to choose events and decide on eligibility. It is always abused, and used to threaten referees, judges and other technical officials to skew towards the host. Why even have the Games at all if they aren’t going to be fair? Might as well just buy yourselves a whole bunch of medals, because you’re not fooling anyone. You’re just breaking the hearts of athletes who’ve given their all in the hope of bringing honor to their countries fairly.  

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An outbreak of leptospirosis cases was reported in the 5th district of Negros Occidental, Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo III said yesterday.

Although Yulo, who represents the district in the House of Representatives, did not elaborate, he urged residents of Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Hinigaran, La Carlota, Isabela and Binalbagan towns as well as those of Himamaylan City to immediately seek medical help if they are experiencing leptospirosis symptoms.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with animal urine. Its early symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, vomiting and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Severe cases can lead to kidney failure, liver damage and respiratory distress.

Aside from Yulo’s report, the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here recorded an increase in patients admitted for leptospirosis, mostly coming from the southern part of the province.

The hospital’s public information office said at least eight “more severe and moderate” leptospirosis cases are being treated – a dramatic increase from the typical zero to two cases per month.

To address the surge, the hospital management will prioritize severe cases and establish dedicated wards for adult and pediatric patients to  ensure safe and timely care.

It also instructed referring facilities to coordinate with the hospital’s operations center and follow proper transfer protocols.

Yulo noted that many parts of Negros experienced flooding at the height of Typhoon Tino, which left more than 90 people dead and 40 others missing.

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help and Letran pulled off big victories against separate foes yesterday as they head into the quarterfinals in high spirits.

The Altas smashed the Lyceum Pirates, 72-57, to finish the NCAA Season 101 elimination round atop Group A with a 9-4 record while the Knights pulled the rug from under their bitter rivals in the San Beda Lions, 87-83, to end up at No. 3 in Group B with an 8-5 card.

While it didn’t change the positioning in the quarters, it gave the victors some more amount of boost entering the exciting phase.

“I told them to treat this game like a playoff game and I told them to know what we’re preparing for and I think they did that in this game,” said UPHSD coach Olsen Racela.

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has comprehensive laws addressing tobacco-related harm, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) underscored at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

During the conference recently held in Geneva, Switzerland, the DOJ outlined the Philippines’ perspective on the legal dimensions of tobacco control under Article 19, which calls for Parties to consider legislative action to address criminal and civil liability related to tobacco control. It also encourages cooperation among parties and provides for assistance in legal proceedings.

“It must be noted that our country has comprehensive laws addressing tobacco-related harm, including the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Act, Tobacco Regulation Act, the Consumer Act, the Graphic Health Warnings Law and the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,” said Assistant State Prosecutor Lyra Profugo, who delivered the Philippines’ intervention during the discussion on Article 19.

“These laws established regulatory standards that aim to decrease tobacco-related health harms, save lives and reduce health care costs,” Profugo added.

She also emphasized that the Philippines’ legal framework addresses key aspects of tobacco control, including regulations on advertising and packaging, the issuance of local ordinances, minimum age restrictions, limits on public smoking and high excise taxes on tobacco products.

“Our position is grounded in the principle that effective tobacco control must continue to respect national sovereignty and constitutional frameworks, while promoting accountability and public health,” Profugo said.

She highlighted provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines that allow victims of tobacco-related harms to pursue compensation through the courts.

The Philippine Star

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

Six years to resolve an appeal shows the inefficiency of the country’s legal system. That’s how long victims of the Maguindanao massacre have been waiting for the Court of Appeals to resolve several petitions in connection with the case.

These include judicial recognition of the 58th victim whose remains have not been found, journalist Reynaldo Momay. Also, the victims’ relatives have yet to receive a single centavo of restitution, whether from the government or the perpetrators led by members of the Ampatuan clan. 

Partial justice was the cry of the victims’ relatives yesterday, as they marked 16 years since the Ampatuans massacred relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu including his pregnant wife. Esmael had dared challenge the Ampatuans’ stranglehold on power in Maguindanao.

 The Mangudadatus, accompanied by 32 media workers, were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Esmael for governor of Maguindanao when they were waylaid by armed men in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23, 2009.

 On Dec. 19, 2019, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 convicted the defendants in the case led by Andal Ampatuan Jr. It was a long 10 years of waiting for the victims’ families, although at least it didn’t take 200 years, as a former senator predicted in the light of the high number of victims and the accused.

 While those convicted are now serving mostly life terms, other aspects of the case remain unresolved, illustrating once again the slow pace of justice in the Philippines.

 Appeals before the Court of Appeals may still reach the Supreme Court before rulings become final. Will this take another decade?

 While final rulings are awaited, witnesses have been killed, have gone missing or retracted their statements. About 100 suspects remain at large and some may have already been executed.

 The glacial pace of justice is being cited by people concerned over where the ongoing anti-corruption crackdown is headed. The masterminds of the massacre are local government officials. What happens when some of the highest officials of the land are accused of plunder and other serious crimes?

 As yet another year passed, Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing 19 of the slain media workers, released this statement: “Full justice must not only be promised – it must finally be delivered for the Maguindanao massacre victims.”

November 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Immigration personnel stationed at international airports and seaports are under heightened alert for former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and 15 of his co-accused.

Their names have been encoded into the Bureau of Immigration’s centralized derogatory database, ensuring that frontline officers can immediately flag, verify and respond should any of them attempt to depart from or enter the Philippines, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

“Once intercepted, our officers are under strict instruction to promptly coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the proper and lawful execution of the warrants,” Viado said.

He assured the public that the BI remains fully aligned with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the warrants are executed once these individuals present themselves at the country’s ports.

Co and three other persons ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan are currently out of the country, the BI yesterday announced.

Viado said Co left for Singapore on Aug. 6, while Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officer-in-charge of Planning and Design Division Montrexis Tamayo went to Qatar on Nov. 15; Sunwest Inc. president and board chairman Aderma Angelie Alcazar traveled to Australia on Oct. 2; and Sunwest Inc. treasurer Cesar Buenaventura departed for the United Arab Emirates also on Oct. 2.

It was only last September when Co’s name was included in the BI’s Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order, while the three others were recently added to the ILBO.

To see is to believe – VP

Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday said “to see is to believe” if the Marcos administration would be able to apprehend Co.

Duterte, who was asked by News 5 at the “DU30 Run” event in Davao City, said, “To see is to believe. So, we will see the sincerity of the administration to go after the perpetrators in the flood control scandal corruption, if we see that they presented the evidence well and in order and if there would be people who would be held accountable.”

When asked for her comment on the recommendation of DPWH and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to prosecute former speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, the Vice President said, “Of everyone that the administration said it will file a case and put in jail, to see is to believe.”