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Taal Volcano continues to shake, logs 8 earthquakes

Taal Volcano in Batangas province continued to record volcanic earthquakes, logging eight in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday (October 29).

The latest volcanic earthquakes was lower in number from 13 the previous day, Phivolcs said in its morning bulletin.

Phivolcs logged eight volcanic earthquakes and one tremor lasting 31 hours and 44 minutes on Oct. 26, followed by six earthquakes and one prolonged tremor on Oct. 25. Seven earthquakes were recorded on Oct. 24, while 29 earthquakes and 20 tremors were logged on Oct. 23.

The volcano has recorded seismic activity on most days this month, with no volcanic earthquakes reported on Oct. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7.

According to Phivolcs, volcanic earthquakes are generated by magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano. Unlike tectonic earthquakes, which result from movement along faults, volcanic earthquakes are associated with processes linked to volcanic activity.

The continuing seismic activity comes amid a series of phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions recorded at Taal Volcano in October.

Phivolcs reported two phreatic, or steam-driven, eruptions on Oct. 19 and another on Oct. 20. An additional phreatic eruption was included in the agency’s Oct. 21 morning bulletin.

The agency also recorded a phreatomagmatic eruption on Oct. 8, two more on Oct. 21, and another on Oct. 22.

Despite the recorded earthquakes and recent minor eruptions, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest

Witness: 25% of infra project budget given as ‘proponents’ commitment’

A former Public Works and Highways official on Thursday said 25 percent of the budget allocated for infrastructure projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) are given as ‘commitments’ to certain proponents, including senators.

This was according to former Public Works and Highways Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, who testified as a prosecution witness before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Thursday during the continuation of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s bail hearing for a plunder case.

‘Question 64 of your judicial affidavit states the method by which the commitment is computed. It states that a commitment is 25 percent of the GAA allocations for the projects your office submitted,’ the defense told the ex-official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), who confirmed the statement.

When Associate Justice Gener Gito asked how his office accounted for these commitments, Opulencia said they had a ‘strategy’ for adjusting government project budgets to accommodate them.

‘Before, in my time, we had a strategy on how we would adjust the program report. So, we will have an adjustment or allowance, where we add qualifications, to consider the commitments. There was a time that there was a 5 to 10-percent allowance,’ he said.

Opulencia also said contractors gave commitments as ‘pasasalamat’ or expressions of gratitude. He confirmed that a winning contractor was usually already identified even before a project was put out for bidding.

Despite his revelations, Opulencia told the court that he had never personally delivered commitments to a proponent or witnessed money being handed to Estrada or other accused DPWH officials.

Opulencia also confirmed to the defense that he previously instructed three district engineering offices to each prepare and deliver P120 million, for a total of P360 million, to be given to former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Opulencia said Bernardo had instructed him to collect the amount sometime last year, to be given as a ‘commitment’ to a proponent. Opulencia said he initially did not know who the money was for, but noted that Bernardo later revealed in his affidavit that the commitment was given to Estrada.

When asked by justices if he ever sought for a share of the commitments from the district engineering offices, Opulencia said never thought of making such a request because of the promotions he had received.

‘CASH FLOW’ FROM DPWH The Department of Justice receives P40 million in cash sent by Metro Manila Public Works Director Gerard Opulencia (second from right), part of the P150 million in alleged kickbacks that he vowed to return. Present at the turnover are Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon and Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida (5th and 6th from left), among other officials. (File photo from TETCH TORRES-TUPAS / INQUIRER.net)

‘Because, truthfully, with the gratitude for the promotions I received, I really just followed the instructions of Usec. Bernardo,’ he said.

After Opulencia, the prosecution also presented Vergel Nino Garcia, Bernardo’s former driver and aide, as a witness.

Garcia testified that he helped deliver 12 boxes to Estrada at the Atriaga building in San Juan City, although he did not know what these boxes contained.

According to Garcia, he personally saw Estrada during the delivery, whom he said was wearing leather shoes and a collared shirt.Aside from Estrada, Garcia said he also made deliveries to former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former Sen. Bong Revilla, the now-deceased former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and at a Cherry Mobile building.

DA eyes tighter pork import rules after corn quota hike

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is moving to tighten pork import rules after the government raised the country’s corn import quota, as it seeks to bring down livestock production costs and protect local hog raisers from declining farm-gate prices.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the department was pursuing higher tariffs on imported pork and a temporary suspension of import clearances for selected pork cuts to further ease the pressure on the livestock industry.

Both the planned pork import controls and higher corn import quota are part of the DA’s efforts to address problems hounding the livestock industry, particularly high input costs and weak farmgate prices, Tiu Laurel said.

Corn is a major ingredient in livestock and poultry feeds, so any increase in its prices could eventually translate to higher meat prices.

‘Ensuring a sufficient supply of low-priced corn is essential to supporting animal feed production, keeping production costs of meat affordable and protecting the country’s food security,’ he said in a statement.

‘We need to make sure our livestock and poultry industries have access to the feed ingredients they need without placing additional pressure on consumers,’ he added.

On Oct. 26, President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 129 increasing the minimum access volume (MAV) for corn by 280,000 metric tons (MT), from 220,000 MT to 500,000 MT.

Projected deficit

The higher quota is intended to address a projected yellow corn deficit of 1.42 million MT from March through December this year, amid rising agricultural input costs and production constraints.

Alongside the corn quota adjustment, the DA is proposing to restore pork import tariffs to 30 percent for shipments within the MAV and 40 percent for those outside the quota.

These would replace the reduced rates of 15 percent and 25 percent, respectively, which were extended through 2028 under EO 62.

Tiu Laurel also plans to suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for selected pork cuts once legally permitted, potentially from mid-November through January 2027.

’He has lost direction politically’ – Oshiomhole blasts Amaechi

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, of political hypocrisy, describing him as a confused politician who has lost direction.

Oshiomhole made the remarks during an interview on TVC on Wednesday, accusing the former Minister of Transportation of contradicting his previous political positions.

According to him, Amaechi once praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu but has now become a critic of the party and the administration he previously served.

‘Amaechi is contradicting his past positions. He has lost direction politically,’ Oshiomhole said.

The former APC National Chairman argued that Amaechi’s recent criticism of the Federal Government was inconsistent with his previous support for the ruling party.

He accused the former Rivers State governor of changing his political positions according to where he believed his interests would be best served.

Oshiomhole also questioned Amaechi’s moral standing to criticise the Tinubu administration, citing his record as a former governor and minister.

He maintained that Amaechi’s comments about the state of the nation were hypocritical and did not reflect genuine concern for Nigerians.

The senator consequently urged Nigerians to disregard the ADC vice-presidential candidate’s criticisms of the current administration.

Fleeing notorious Kano ‘gang leader’ arrested in Port-Harcourt

An alleged notorious drug peddler and gang leader, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, has been nabbed by police operatives attached to the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The 27-year old drug dealer, who hails from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area, Kano state, was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, after attempts to evade arrest.

Ibrahim is suspected of playing a leading role in the violent gang clashes that have breached the peace within parts of Kano state.

A statement from the Media Office of the Kano Anti-Drug Task Force further revealed that, ‘the suspect is alleged to be a gang leader who orchestrated and sponsored the violence, fuelling and funding the hoodlums behind attacks that claimed lives and left residents of Dala Local Government living in fear.’

The suspect reportedly fled Kano after the Task Force intensified security operations in communities affected by gang violence, including Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kuka Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt, where he was apprehended in an operation led by the Task Force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe.

He has since been brought back to Kano.

The Chairman of the Task Force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, who confirmed the arrest said: ‘Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored.

‘The arrest, made outside Kano State, shows the Task Force’s determination to pursue wanted suspects beyond the state’s boundaries. The suspect is in custody and will be further investigated and, upon completion, prosecuted.’

Muhuyi said the Task Force operations will continue in accordance with the law, and that all suspects will be subjected to due process.

The Task Force assured the people of Kano State that it will not relent in dismantling criminal gangs, their sponsors and their drug supply networks.

It called on all citizens, community leaders, religious leaders, parents and youths to join hands in the fight by, reporting suspicious activities and persons promptly to the nearest security outpost, Keeping a close watch on their children and neighbourhoods and refusing to be used by anyone to disturb the peace.

The Task Force appreciated the support of the Kano State Police Command, the Rivers State Police Command and all other law enforcement agencies for their commitment to the success of the operation.

Appalling problem

Thomas Markle Sr. was always bound to attract attention ever since his daughter, Meghan Markle, became one of the most famous women on the planet by marrying the British royal Prince Harry, the second son of the late Princess Diana. Meghan had achieved some fame as a television actress in the United States, but it was as the newly minted Duchess of Sussex that she became grist for worldwide chatter and controversy.

Among the most scrutinized aspects of her life was her estranged relationship with her father, a retired lighting director in Hollywood. Meghan cut off ties with Thomas in 2018 when, in the run-up to her wedding to Prince Harry, Thomas reportedly tried to exploit the occasion by granting unflattering TV and tabloid interviews and drawing attention to himself with staged paparazzi shots.

The relationship was further damaged when, in 2022, Meghan’s older half-sister Samantha sued for defamation over the Sussexes’ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which Samantha said inflicted on her ‘humiliation, shame, and hatred on a worldwide scale’ – and Thomas sided with Samantha.

In January 2025, Thomas and Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., relocated to Cebu City from Mexico. It seemed to be a move toward a quieter life for the elder Markle, now in his 80s, but he was still never far from the news.

Sex offender

In December 2025, it was widely reported that he had emergency surgery at a Cebu hospital, his leg amputated below the knee due to a blood clot. He then went back to the US for rehabilitation and to be fitted with a prosthetic leg.

It was apparently during his absence that Markle Jr., who had served as his father’s caregiver, discovered some things in the elder Markle’s Cebu residence that shocked him, and that have now catapulted Markle Sr.’s name back to worldwide notoriety.

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Tacloban City adopts 4-day workweek to cut energy use amid El Niño

The city government will implement a four-day compressed workweek for most offices starting Nov. 3 as part of its energy conservation measures in anticipation of the effects of El Niño.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued Memorandum Order No. 2026-10-435, dated Oct. 27, directing city government offices to operate from Monday to Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Friday designated as a non-working day.

The measure covers all city government departments, offices, and employees, including permanent, casual, contract-of-service, and job-order workers.

The policy intends to reduce electricity and fuel consumption while ensuring the continued delivery of essential public services amid the anticipated extreme heat, reduced water supply, and increased energy demand associated with El Niño.

The memorandum also directs offices to keep air-conditioning units at 24°C, activate sleep settings on computers and other equipment when not in use, and switch off nonessential lights and electronic devices during lunch breaks and after office hours.

City offices must improve government vehicle fuel efficiency by consolidating trips, optimizing routes, reducing engine idling, and performing preventive maintenance. Offices adopting the four-day workweek will receive a 20% fuel reduction, unless an increase is justified and approved by the local chief executive.

However, essential services will continue operating according to their regular schedules or appropriate shifting arrangements. These include personnel at the Tacloban City Hospital and district health centers, the Tacloban City Rescue Unit, security personnel, market and sanitation workers, slaughterhouse personnel, traffic enforcers, and other frontline workers.

The Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) will remain open every Friday to receive and process documents. Seventeen frontline offices will extend their services at the BOSS building to accommodate transactions during the non-working day at other city government offices.

The memorandum also temporarily suspends flexible work arrangements inconsistent with the new guidelines. Overtime work on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and scheduled days off will generally not be allowed unless specifically directed or approved by the mayor.

Official travel for training, seminars, conferences, and similar activities is also discouraged and will require prior approval, except when deemed necessary or unavoidable.

The order takes effect on Nov. 3 and will remain in force until amended or revoked.

The move comes as local governments prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño, which can bring prolonged dry conditions, water shortages, and higher electricity demand. Tacloban has been exploring measures to conserve water and identify alternative sources as part of its preparations for the anticipated dry spell. INQPhoto Caption: Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez signs Memorandum Order No. 2026-10-435, directing city government offices to adopt a four-day compressed workweek and implement energy conservation measures starting Nov. 3 in anticipation of El Niño’s effects. (Tacloban City Information Office).

Fraudster Nwachi Kingsley bags seven- year jail term for defrauding American

Justice U.P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja has sentenced one Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley seven years imprisonment for fraudulently obtaining $205,238 from an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers.

Kingsley was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a two-count amended charge bordering on possession of a document containing false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence in connection with a purported contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

He was convicted on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts, without an option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The court also ordered Kingsley to restitute the victim the sum of $205,238 (Two Hundred and Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight United States Dollars).

One of the charges accused him of being in possession of a fake notice of intent to award a contract, allegedly issued in his name by the Ministry.

The second count accused him of obtaining $205,238 from Sayers under the false pretence that the money was required to finance a government contract, knowing that the claim was false.

While testifying before the court, Sayers, an American lawyer based in the state of Oregon, United States, identified Kingsley as the man who contacted her on Facebook on her birthday.

‘I know the defendant. The defendant messaged me on Facebook on my birthday, and he said he was a member of the same spiritual organization as me,’ she told the court.

According to her, their conversations developed into a romantic relationship, which she said made her trust him and believe his claims.

Sayers told the court that Kingsley subsequently asked her for money to facilitate the award of a contract by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He allegedly claimed that some men were threatening his life because he had not provided the money required to secure the contract.

She said Kingsley supplied her with details of the purported contract, including a logo and other information, which she believed because she had developed an emotional attachment to him.

The witness further testified that Kingsley initially requested $15,000, promising to repay the money within 45 days. She transferred the money to him through a money transfer application.

According to Sayers, Kingsley subsequently introduced her to members of his family during a video call, during which they allegedly thanked her for helping him secure the purported contract.

She told the court that she had transferred approximately $40,000 to Kingsley before travelling to Nigeria to meet him in person.

Sayers said she arrived in Abuja March 2022 and spent two weeks with the defendant at his rented house in Sun City, Abuja. She claimed that she continued the relationship because she wanted to recover her money.

The witness further alleged that Kingsley subsequently requested additional funds for various purposes, including medical emergencies, surgeries, malaria treatment and supplies for the purported government contract.

She told the court that the requests involved more than 125 transactions and that the total amount she transferred was, by her estimate, well over $200,000 within a 12-month period.

Sayers also testified that Kingsley presented her with a document he claimed was proof that he had attempted to transfer $10,000 to her.

According to her, he claimed that the bank had intercepted the transaction because the money was allegedly linked to the misappropriation of government funds, which he said had resulted in his arrest and detention.

She further alleged that Kingsley asked her to provide money for his bail and for bribes connected to the purported criminal case.

Sayers told the court that she repeatedly asked Kingsley to refund her money. According to her, he eventually requested her bank details and promised to transfer the money the following day but failed to do so.

She said she later realized that he would not repay the money.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the EFCC, Fatsuma Muhammad, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant in accordance with the law.

In his judgment, Justice Kekemeke found Kingsley guilty and sentenced him to imprisonment without an option of fine, with the terms of imprisonment to run concurrently.

’Uzodimma remains our candidate’ – APC insists despite court ruling

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has insisted that Governor Hope Uzodimma remains its candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, despite a court judgment recognising former governor Rochas Okorocha.

The party maintained its position on Thursday in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya Jones.

According to the APC, Uzodimma won the party’s senatorial primary with overwhelming support from its members, and its position on his candidacy remains unchanged.

‘The Party wishes to state without any confusion that His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the candidate of our Party for Imo West Senatorial District,’ the statement read.

The declaration followed Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for Imo West.

The court also ordered Uzodimma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 election.

Reacting, the Imo APC said its legal department would examine the judgment and determine the party’s next course of action.

‘The Party’s legal department shall study the outcome of a legal intervention in this matter and act accordingly,’ it stated.

The party urged members and supporters to remain focused on preparations for the forthcoming elections.

It has not announced whether it will appeal the judgment.

Calapan bishop mourns death of SVD missionary priest

Calapan Bishop Moises M. Cuevas is mourning the death of Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary priest Rudolf Holzgartner, who spent more than five decades helping form generations of Filipino priests at Saint Augustine Seminary here.

Cuevas described Holzgartner, who passed in Germany on Wednesday, as a model of charity, prayer and discipline whose influence extended beyond the seminary to the families and communities he served.

Holzgartner held several key positions at the seminary, serving as prefect, procurator, rector and spiritual director. He also managed the seminary farm, which helped support the institution.

Cuevas said Holzgartner’s formation work influenced the first generation of the local clergy and generations of seminary formators, including those who continued their work until recent years.

‘We cherish and admire the formation values he helped build into the culture of all our seminaries,’ the bishop said.

He recalled that Holzgartner demanded discipline and excellence in academics, athletics, farm work and outdoor activities, pushing seminarians to reach their potential through daily discipline rather than output alone.

Despite his uncompromising standards, Holzgartner earned the gratitude and affection of his former students, even in their old age, Cuevas said, citing the priest’s visits during his retirement as a testament to how much he was loved.

‘He was empowering long before the term became fashionable,’ the bishop said.

Cuevas also praised Holzgartner’s quiet dedication to charity and prayer, saying the full extent of his assistance to the poor, workers and their families might never be known.

‘Just as he was with his charity, so was he with his prayer, plain and steady, no fanfare but always there,’ he said.

He also urged the Saint Augustine Seminary community, alumni, priests and laypeople to offer a requiem Mass for Holzgartner at the earliest time. He encouraged seminarians to include the deceased priest in their Masses