Author: INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – An estimated 7.2 percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 were subjected to physical or sexual abuse from their husband or male intimate partner at least once in their lifetime, based on a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Around 3.1 percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 49, meanwhile, experienced abuse from their partner within the past year, according to the study titled “Violence against women prevalence estimates.”

Released on Thursday ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls on Nov. 25, the report noted that one of the most common forms of violence against women globally was abuse committed by a former or current husband or partner.

Another common form of violence against women was “non-partner sexual violence,” or sexual violence committed by relatives, friends, acquaintances, authority figures, or strangers.

“Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation and public health problem that transcends economic, social, and national boundaries. It has both immediate and long-term effects on the physical and mental health of women, children, families, and societies,” the report said.

“The estimates presented in this report demonstrate unequivocally that violence against women remains pervasive globally, affecting women across all countries and regions. It is a global public health problem of enormous proportions, requiring urgent action,” it added.

The report, which was based on data collected from 2000 to 2023, found that globally, 25.8 percent of women, or 682 million, aged 15 to 49 suffered from physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime.

Meanwhile, around 13.7 percent, or 316 million, of women in the same age group were subjected to abuse from their partner within the past year.

The study pointed out that about 23.3 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 globally have already experienced physical and/or sexual violence from their partner, showing how such violence can start early.

The report also found that 2.8 percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 had suffered from non-partner sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, while 0.2 percent experienced such abuse within the past year.

Globally, around 8.2 percent of women have been subjected to non-partner sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, while 2.7 percent experienced such violence within the past year.

“This prevalence figure may seem low, but this should not detract from the seriousness of this form of violence against women,” said the report.

It added that the actual frequency of violence against women “is likely to be much higher than the reported and estimated prevalence,” given how some might be afraid of sharing their experience due to stigma and possible harm. /jpv

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MANILA, Philippines — No one won the jackpot prizes in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) latest major lotto draws on Sunday. READ: Lotto Results Today – Nov. 23, 2025 | Grand, Ultra, Super Lotto Based on the PCSO’s evening draw on Nov. 23, no bettor was lucky enough to hit the combination needed to win Ultra Lotto 6/58, which was 14-46-39-28-26-20. Ultra Lotto’s jackpot prize is now at P137,126,644.60. No bettor also hit the 30-22-47-23-18-12 winning combination for Super Lotto 6/49. This means its jackpot prize, now at P17,365,848.00, is still up for grabs. /jpv…

Keep on reading: No winners in Ultra, Super Lotto draws on Sunday, Nov. 23

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Max Sherwin Limpag, the multi-awarded Cebu journalist whose fearless reporting led to the return of lost church artifacts and the outing of fraudulent call centers has been laid to rest here on a fair, breezy afternoon….

Keep on reading: Max Limpag, acclaimed watchdog of church and state, laid to rest

MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas avoided a complicated scenario by clinching the third Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball on Sunday.

That leaves La Salle, Ateneo and Far Eastern University as the only teams left standing, with the possibility of them having to go through a stepladder to determine the last semis slot.

READ: UAAP: Crucial weekend up for UAAP Final Four chasers

FEU battles UST while La Salle and Ateneo renew their age-old rivalry on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the result of the two games determining their respective fates.

Holding control of its destiny is La Salle with a 7-6 record, needing only a win over Ateneo to complete the semis cast.

But a Green Archers loss will assure a playoff for the No. 4 seed and a date with twice-to-beat and No. 1 National University.

Ateneo, having a 6-7 win-loss slate, will play La Salle in the event of that scenario, unless FEU, also at 6-7, comes through over UST. The Tamaraws have won five of their last seven games.

READ: UAAP: Ateneo keeps Final Four bid alive, eliminates Adamson

A three-way tie at 7-7 would create the stepladder in which the team with the superior quotient getting a bye while the two others figure in a first do-or-die affair.

The winner of that gets to face the team that drew a bye for a place in the Final Four.

La Salle won 74-72 and lost 84-83 to FEU while defeating Ateneo by an 83-78 decision in the first round. Ateneo defeated FEU 86-83 before losing 75-68 in the second round.

NU and UP earlier clinched the top two spots and the Final Four incentives before winding up with 11-3 and 10-4 records, respectively.

BASISTA, Pangasinan — FPJ Panday Bayanihan Representative Brian Poe returned to his home province on November 20 to lead a large-scale relief operation that provided food assistance to 14,426 families affected by Typhoon Uwan.

The full-day distribution was conducted in partnership with the Basista local government, led by Mayor JR Resuello and Vice Mayor Jake Perez, along with councilors Christian Bacani, Christian Bustarde, Monica Ramos, Amor De Guzman, Princess Doria, and Jett Ong-Perez. Support from Congressman Mark Cojuangco ensured aid reached even the hardest-hit communities.

Morning operations covered the barangays of Cabeldatan (1,400), Dumpay (2,670), Mapolopolo (1,003), Bayoyong (898), Anambongan (1,350), Palma (1,100), and Poblacion (1,225). Afternoon distributions reached Navatat (1,400), Osmeña (800), Malimpec (698), Nalneran (735), Obong (396), and Patacbo (751).

Poe emphasized that returning home to help his fellow Pangasinenses is a responsibility he carries with pride and gratitude. “Every time I return to Pangasinan, I am reminded that leadership is not about position—it is about showing up for your people when they need you most,” he said.

He added that the relief mission reflects the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list’s ongoing commitment to support communities affected by hardships, particularly the recent flooding caused by Typhoon Uwan. Poe also thanked the local government for ensuring the food packs were distributed promptly and efficiently.

The coordinated effort among FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Mayor Resuello, and Congressman Cojuangco ensured that thousands of families across 13 barangays received essential aid as recovery continues.

The relief operation is part of the party-list’s broader initiatives to provide immediate support to disaster-stricken areas and uphold its mission of Food, Progress, and Justice for all the communities it serves.

MANILA, Philippines — A youth organization criticized the Manila government’s new ordinance prohibiting motorcycle riders from using masks or other face coverings, calling it “an infringement on basic human rights that criminalizes ordinary activities of citizens.”

On Nov. 3, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso approved Ordinance No. 9134, or the Anti-Balaclava Ordinance, “to deter criminal activities and assist law enforcement in the prevention and investigation of crimes by regulating the use of motorcycle helmets and other face-covering headgear in public establishments.”

According to Domagoso, the ordinance aims to prevent crimes such as robberies and thefts, often committed by motorcycle-riding suspects.

“Instead of addressing poverty, unemployment, and gaps in public safety infrastructure, Manila’s local government is targeting ordinary people whose livelihoods and mobility depend on these garments,” the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) said in a statement on Sunday.

The youth group warned that vague and discretionary clauses, particularly those requiring individuals to remove headgear upon orders from police, barangay officials, or security personnel, “could lead to profiling, harassment, and arbitrary stops.”

Under the ordinance, people can be penalized for concealing their faces with bonnets, ski masks, bandanas, handkerchiefs, caps, hats, hoodies, or similar coverings while riding a motorcycle or when alighting.

Riders are also prohibited from using face coverings inside commercial and government offices, and other establishments. Violators face fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.

Exemptions apply to law enforcers on duty, seriously ill patients, and persons required to wear turbans or other headgear for religious reasons.

According to Spark, effective peace and order should come from community-focused reforms that strengthen public systems, promote values formation, and address socioeconomic issues, rather than imposing punitive ordinances that treat ordinary citizens as potential criminals.

“The Anti-Balaclava Ordinance bypasses human rights, civil liberties, and constitutional freedoms. Manila’s leaders should reconsider it before it becomes a tool of abuse,” Spark said.

The youth group added that it will continue mobilizing students and citizens to oppose measures that criminalize everyday life and threaten civil liberties.

A similar ordinance was passed by the Mandaue City Council in Cebu in 2018 but was lifted the following year, citing its ineffectiveness in preventing crime and its negative impact on poor residents.

Spark did not confirm whether it would challenge the legality of Manila’s ordinance before the Supreme Court.

If it does, it would not be the first time Spark has sought SC intervention. In July 2016, Spark petitioned the high court to halt curfew ordinances in Metro Manila, which police had begun enforcing more strictly at the start of the Duterte administration.

The group filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition to question “unjust and repressive” local laws in Manila, Quezon City, and Navotas, citing restrictions on freedom of movement.

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order until August 2017, when it partially granted the petition, nullifying the curfew ordinances of Manila and Navotas.

Quezon City’s curfew ordinance, however, was stayed because it penalized parents or guardians of curfew violators. Manila and Navotas have since passed new curfew ordinances. /mcm

The Oscars are making room for one more award on their live broadcast in 2026. The new prize for achievement in casting will be part of the 98th Academy Awards in March, the academy told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

That brings the total award count to 24 for the Oscars broadcast on March 15, where statuettes for best picture, best actor and actress will be among the others awarded.

The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the addition of the new prize last year, though it was not confirmed if it would be part of the official broadcast. Not counting the short-lived “ popular film Oscar ” which never came to be, the addition of the casting prize marked the first time the academy has added a category since best animated feature film was established in 2001. Earlier this year, the organization also revealed plans to add a stunt design award, starting with the 100th Oscars in 2028.

Members of the casting directors branch will help narrow the field to 10 shortlisted films, a process that a handful of other categories use including documentary, international film, makeup & hairstyling, score, song, sound, visual effects and the three short film categories. Shortlists will be announced Dec. 16 before final nominees are revealed on Jan. 22.

Conan O’Brien has already agreed to host the 98th ceremony, which will air live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET.