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Members of the Senate sit as judges in the impeachment case involving the Vice President. It is not a good look if any of those sitting as judges remain silent about the possibility that they are named to replace Vice President Sara Duterte in the event of conviction.

There is clearly a conflict of interest situation when the judge is potentially a beneficiary of his decision. Any judgment by a chamber composed of potential beneficiaries of the outcome cannot be credible.

The impeachment trial is curious to begin with. This is the first time a vice president – normally a powerless post – is being tried. And by a chamber of elected politicians, some of whom with unremarkable records for probity. She was impeached by an even rowdier chamber: the Lower House, which is now on trial in the court of public opinion for mangling the national budget.

Public interest in the trial is tepid at best. Our citizens have not bothered to closely observe trial proceedings. Only a minority, according to the surveys, believe the judgment will be fair. A plurality thinks the defense has done a better job – even as their formal presentation has yet to begin.

I think this is a useless exercise perpetrated by those who had the power but not the credibility to properly lead. Whatever the final outcome will be, everybody loses. The nation is distracted while the economy sinks. This whole circus will likely backfire, producing deep polarization in a country that needs to unite to solve a rapidly worsening crisis.

To address the taint of a possibly conflicted chamber, Sen. Francis Escudero declared he was unavailable to replace Sara Duterte in the event she is convicted. Sen. Alan Cayetano seconded the trial presiding officer, challenging all the senator-judges to declare they would refuse appointment to Sara’s post. This should discourage perception that the Senate arrived at a judgment from a conflicted position.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Claire Castro, silent about Escudero’s disavowal of interest, joined in chorus to denounce Cayetano’s seconding of the motion. A collective disavowal of interest in succession, the duo argued, restricts the President’s power to name the successor.

Which was not the issue. The President can name his own son if he wants to. The issue is the taint of conflict of interest that hangs like a dark cloud over the trial. This has to be addressed somehow.

We have seen enough hypocrisy in this contrived impeachment. Most understand this is nothing more than a cynical ploy to prevent a popular Vice President from becoming elected successor.

It is a ploy contrived by those guilty of worse crimes against our people.

Chief Justice

A fateful decision is coming up. The Judicial and Bar Council has submitted to the President its shortlist for Chief Justice. The incumbent retires just over a week from today.

The Supreme Court has become a more vital institution than usual. Both the presidency and Congress have lost legitimacy in our people’s eyes the past few years. Public opinion polls show net negative ratings for these two branches of government. This is understandable, considering the volume of scandal, mediocrity and brazenness that infected them.

The Supreme Court, on the other hand, repeatedly championed rights and due process the past few years when it seemed governance has run awry. The Court declared the first impeachment of Sara Duterte unconstitutional. The Court reversed the arbitrary decision to take money away from PhilHealth to use for purposes other than public health. Most recently, the Court declared unconstitutional the congressional practice of using ‘unprogrammed allocations’ to inflate the budget and move funds to pork barrel projects.

There are many layers of consideration in choosing the Chief Justice. Judicial philosophy is a consideration. Seniority is another. Legal scholarship needs to be assessed. Professional reputation is indispensable.

We had trouble in the past when seniority was brashly ignored. There was even bigger trouble when appointment to the highest judicial post was seen as animated by narrow political considerations.

Many see the Supreme Court as the last fully functioning branch of our tripartite government. The other two appear to have been overrun by corruption and incompetence such that we are intently waiting for 2028 for change to happen.

The Supreme Court these days is more than merely the court of last resort. It is seen as the reliable guardian of a genuinely constitutional political order. Without its guiding wisdom, we could be wandering in some dark space between tyranny and kleptocracy.

Needless to say, the choice of the next Chief Justice must be as solid as possible. The next leader of the judiciary must steer a fraught path, retaining its institutional credibility instead of being sunk by the waves of politicking. The choice the the next Chief Justice could be the last opportunity for Marcos Jr. to pay our democracy a lasting tribute.

The rumor is that the frontrunner for the highest judicial post is Rodil Zalameda. He is seventh in seniority and is said to be in contention because he penned two decisions favorable to the President’s family: the 2023 ruling that threw out the P41-billion ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcoses and Lucio Tan and this year’s decision that reversed Imelda Marcos’ 2018 graft conviction.

He may have other sterling credentials. But these two cases will invite public interpretation that the choice was political.

Alex Eala fell prey to Diana Shnaider of Russia for the second time around, surrendering a tough 6-2, 6-7 (5), 4-6 meltdown to miss out on a Final Four seat in the WTA500 Toray Pan Pacific Open at the Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo, Japan.

World No. 19 Eala wasted multiple chances to move at match point in the second frame and could not regain her groove in the decider as Shnaider pounced on the opportunity behind a 3-1 start to re-assert mastery after her gutsy sweep in the WTA500 Ningbo Open Round of 16 in China last week in China.

Shnaider, world No. 13, beat Eala in Ningbo, 7-5, 6-4, to deny her a quarterfinal spot.

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) has retained its title as the Philippines’ strongest bank for the sixth consecutive year, according to financial research and intelligence provider The Asian Banker.

The recognition forms part of The Asian Banker’s annual ranking of the world’s 1,000 largest and strongest banks, which evaluates financial institutions based on their balance sheet strength, profitability, asset quality, liquidity and risk management.

The ranking assesses banks’ financial health and resilience, including their ability to absorb potential losses and maintain stable operations during challenging economic conditions.

‘Our strength comes from the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our Metrobankers, who remain committed to delivering financial solutions that help our clients succeed in different market conditions,’ Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.

‘This recognition reflects how we continue to grow stronger together with our clients, communities and partners through every challenge and opportunity,’ Dee added.

The recognition comes as Metrobank continues to report solid financial results, with net income reaching P24.9 billion in the first half.

The bank’s nonperforming loan ratio stood at 1.8 percent, significantly below the banking industry’s average of 3.4 percent. Metrobank also maintained an NPL coverage ratio of 133.3 percent.

After spending more than a decade working in Dubai’s specialty coffee scene, a Bukidnon native has returned home to bring his international experience to the growing coffee culture of Valencia City.

Justiniano III Cosep “Justin” Berou, owner of Breou Café in Valencia City, spent twelve years navigating Dubai’s specialty coffee scene in the United Arab Emirates, rising from a frontline barista to area manager and barista trainer. Today, he uses that global exposure to elevate the local coffee culture in his home province of Bukidnon.

Berou began his career in the hospitality industry in 2008 before shifting his focus exclusively to coffee in 2012. That year, he moved to Dubai, where he joined a specialty coffee shop and developed a passion for third-wave coffee concepts. Driven by a desire for professional growth, he steadily climbed the corporate ladder over the next several years.

“I don’t like to be stagnant,” Berou said. “I always wanted growth.”

Berou’s experience working in the UAE Prime Minister’s Office from 2017 to 2020 also contributed to his career as a coffee professional. Even while living abroad, Berou was planning his return. In 2018, he began buying commercial coffee equipment and shipping it to the Philippines, viewing the purchases as a long-term investment.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global operations in 2021, Berou did not abandon his plans. Instead, he returned to the Philippines to launch a pop-up café that featured local Bukidnon coffee beans, initially sourced from a supplier in Cagayan de Oro City.

Berou made his first major public appearance at the Kaamulan Festival in 2025. Following the festival, he established a home-based café. Sourcing raw materials in small volumes posed an initial challenge, leading him to collaborate with Buy and Brew Roasters, a local roasting facility in Valencia City.

On July 8, 2026, Berou officially opened the physical storefront of Breou Café, introducing a semi-specialty coffee concept to Valencia City. Beyond serving beverages, Berou takes a hands-on approach to educating local consumers about the natural flavor profiles of single-origin beans.

“The challenge is making consumers appreciate the natural flavors of coffee without relying heavily on sweeteners,” Berou said. “It requires constant customer education.”

To deepen his expertise, Berou actively participated in regional industry events, including the Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition and Kaamulan Festival coffee fair.

Transitioning from an employee to a business owner presented new leadership challenges. Having worked every operational role himself, Berou empathizes with his staff’s daily struggles, though he acknowledges the balance required between leadership and empathy.

“As a former café employee, I understand their feelings and struggles,” Berou said. “It was difficult at first to strictly implement business procedures, but I realized I needed to step up so the business could grow. Fortunately, I have built a strong team.”

Looking forward, Berou plans to establish his own small-batch roastery and expand Berou Café into commercial hubs and shopping malls. To achieve this, he intends to partner with local coffee farmers across Bukidnon and collaborate with government agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology, to secure equipment and technical support.

Through persistent investment and a commitment to local agriculture, Berou aims to prove that world-class specialty coffee can thrive right in the heart of Bukidnon.

Mixed movements in pump prices are projected to continue as November starts next week.

An oil industry source said motorists should expect a P2.90 to P3.20 increase in gasoline prices.

Meanwhile, diesel prices may see a slight cut of around P0.40 to P0.60 per liter.

According to the source, eased diesel export restrictions by South Korea helped lower the product’s price, which increased by P1.20 per liter earlier this week.

These prices, however, continue to be affected by energy supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, as well as concerns over another United States strike on Iran after the former’s midterm elections next week.

The peso’s slide to record lows against the dollar also threatens to push fuel prices even higher, with Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin saying that the weakening peso could drive up the cost of imported coal, diesel and liquefied natural gas.

On Tuesday, October 27, the currency hit an all-time low exchange rate of P64.17 to the dollar.

Although the peso traded higher in the following days, it has lingered near the P64-per-dollar mark since.

One Taguig Football Club is collaborating with artisanal cheesemaker GIOIA Cheese Indonesia in a one-season strategic alliance to promote excellence and community engagement.

“This alliance perfectly aligns with our vision for the club’s commercial and operational growth. We are thrilled to partner with GIOIA Cheese Indonesia, a brand that shares our dedication to quality and community,” One Taguig FC Chairman Esti Puji Lestari said.

“Together, we look forward to building a strong presence both on and off the pitch over the coming season,” he added.

This partnership between a professional football club and an artisanal food brand will see them jointly carry out promotional efforts, commercial development, and enhance both matchday and fan experience.

“We proudly support the team because we deeply believe in the story they are trying to print in the world of football and sport. It is a story about life and joy – which perfectly captures the very essence of ‘Gioia’,” Ilios Maggi Andreadakis, owner of GIOIA Cheese Indonesia, said.

One Taguig FC is known for its social, sporting, commercial and professional nature. Based in Taguig City, the club was established to compete at the highest levels of Philippine football, including the top-flight Philippines Football League.

But beyond its professional ambitions, the club is deeply committed to community development, driving sports-centric initiatives, and building strong commercial partnerships that elevate the local sporting landscape.

GIOIA Cheese Indonesia is an artisanal cheesemaker dedicated to producing premium, handmade fresh cheese locally in Bali.

Inspired by traditional Italian cheesemaking techniques, GIOIA crafts its distinctive product range right in Indonesia, utilizing high-quality fresh milk sourced directly from Java.

“Sa langit, madaming bigas.’

I still remember reading this line in my older brother Leonie’s high school valedictory speech after nosing around our father’s filing cabinet when I was around 10 years old. It was the answer of a farmer’s young child to my brother on what the boy imagined heaven to be. It was an innocent and bittersweet indictment of the state of Philippine agriculture then. I guess the boy’s answer stuck to Leonie, who subsequently devoted his entire life to try to help make the boy’s dream a reality in the country.

After graduating summa cum laude from the Ateneo, he went straight to join our father in the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), one of the oldest and the most reputable farmer organizations in the Philippines. He has been with the FFF for over 50 years, served several terms in Congress representing the farmers and even became the secretary of agriculture in the early 2000s.

Leonie is now 77 years old and still trying. The other day, the police went to his house to serve a warrant of arrest. As the song goes, ‘…planting rice is never fun.’ It could even land you in jail.

My brother and others in the farmer sector have been questioning why the Philippine Planter’s Products Inc. (PPI), which they claim appears to be like a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), has been heavily importing rice to the country. Under current laws, particularly RA 11203 and RA 12078, government entities cannot freely import rice except under extraordinary emergency conditions authorized through specific executive orders or presidential action. Historically a fertilizer and agrochemical company, PPI hardly imported any rice prior to 2025. However, it heavily started doing so in 2026. This year, PPI has reportedly imported close to two million sacks of rice worth billions of pesos and has become the second largest rice importer in the Philippines. In response to my brother’s questions, PPI filed a cyber-libel case against him, claiming that it is not a GOCC.

What is interesting is that approximately 80 percent of the shares of PPI is held by Planter’s Foundation Inc. (PFI) which was created by the government. In 1974, the government placed most of PPI’s shares under the custody of PFI ‘…to be held in trust for millions of Filipino farmers.’ PFI is chaired by the incumbent secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who exercises voting rights and nominates candidates to the board of PPI. In a July 2019 post in its own website, the DA described it as ‘…a private agricultural company sequestered by the government a few years back and is now under the administrative control of the DA.’ It has been reported that in several government directories, such as those of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), the PPI is listed as a GOCC. Do all these constitute or imply effective government ownership and/or control? I don’t know, you tell me!

I understand that a primary legal basis of PPI’s claim seems to be a 2008 Supreme Court (SC) ruling involving PPI vs Fertiphil Corporation. According to some summaries I read, the SC noted that both PPI and Fertiphil Corporation were private corporations under Philippine laws as part of that decision. I find it ironic that the central decision of that SC ruling was to order PPI to return millions of pesos in ‘capital recovery’ levy it had collected from Fertiphil Corporation during the martial law years. It declared a 1985 Marcos Letter of Instruction (LOI) 1465, which authorized ‘…the collection of fertilizer levy to bail out and benefit PPI,’ as unconstitutional and that to allow PPI to keep it would be ‘unjust enrichment.’

At the very, very least, PPI’s ownership structure; its apparent treatment as a GOCC by several government agencies and subsequent relevant laws such as the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 (RA 10149) all provide sufficient and good faith bases to question the real status of PPI and destroy any claim of an outright and malicious falsehood.

Moreover, the question is not frivolous and involves a clear and important public interest. Why is it considered malicious for a farmer leader representing rice farmers to question such an entity’s huge imports that they believe threatens the welfare of the country’s rice farmers?

If we ask the young children of farmers today on what they think heaven is like, as my brother did over half a century ago, I wonder what they will answer now.

Sa Pilipinas, madaming imported na bigas?

At seven years old in dark-lit pool halls in Antipolo, AJ Manas took up billiards and dreamt of becoming Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante someday. He is getting there.

The cue artist known as ‘Starboy’ came close to snatching a major crown after barging into the Qatar World Cup 10-ball finals before falling to German Joshua Filler, 6-13, at the Ezdan Palace Hotel in Doha yesterday.

It was another close shave at glory for Manas after also finishing runner-up in the WPA Men’s Doubles 10-ball World Championship early this month in Bali, Indonesia where he teamed up with mentor Carlo Biado.