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Hailing former President Rodrigo Duterte as a ‘pillar of law’ is a mockery to thousands of individuals who were killed in the drug war and lost a chance to defend their names in court, according to an organization of human rights lawyers.

Jojo Lacanilao, convener of the Concerned Lawyers for Liberties as well as the Duterte Panagutin Network, said the recognition given by the Davao chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to Duterte as a ‘Golden Pillar of Law’ is an ’embarrassment to the legal profession’ as it honors a lawyer who has a track record of ignoring due process.

‘IBP Davao is an embarrassment to the legal profession by making this award and can make no justification for this unforced error. The only way they can rectify this wrong is to withdraw this award forthwith,’ the lawyer said when sought for comment.

A photo of the award with the name of Duterte on it had been making rounds on social media with Allan Panolong, IBP chair and national president, as its signatory.

ICC detention now justified

In the award, IBP thanked Duterte for its ’50 years of distinguished and dedicated service in the legal profession, upholding the ideals of justice, integrity and the rule of law, whether in private practice or public service.’

But Lacanilao opposed this, saying that Duterte, instead, is a ‘lawyer who had called for the killing of thousands without due process.’

He also stressed that such homage given to the former president, who is detained for murder charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC), only proves that he continues to hold ‘unbounded influence in important sectors of our society.’

‘If a regional group of lawyers is still hoodwinked by the guile of the former President, it demonstrates that any idea of sending him home for temporary release from the ICC detention is a dangerous one,’ Lacanilao stressed.

Human rights expert Carlos Conde slammed the IBP award on Duterte, saying: ‘Fanatics from Davao City are indeed bottomless.’

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has secured a fifth freeze order from the Court of Appeals under the ongoing flood control probe, bringing the total value of immobilized assets to over P4.4 billion.

The ongoing crackdown has so far frozen 1,632 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties and 12 e-wallet accounts.

The latest freeze order covered several additional bank accounts, linked to persons-of-interests, notably including an entity whose license had been allegedly used in the implementation of ghost projects.

Securities and Exchange Commission chair Francis Lim, a member of the council, said, ‘The partnership sends a clear signal that corruption will not be tolerated.’

‘Fantasy films help us escape reality. But what if we reversed that? Let’s use fantasy to face reality, with a little more courage and a little smile.’

That’s how ‘Child No. 82: Son of Boy Kana’ director Tim Rone Villanueva explained the film’s unique approach to tackling fanaticism in the Philippines.

Starring JM Ibarra and Vhong Navarro, the film is an official entry to the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Set during the wake of an action-fantasy legend named Boy Kana (Navarro), the story follows Max (Ibarra), a teenager claiming to be the actor’s 82nd child. Before the wake ends, Max must prove his lineage, not just to the family, but to an entire fandom that believes it owns a piece of the man.

‘The idea came from my producer Arvin Belarmino,’ Villanueva shared. ‘We developed it from a simple question-what’s the point of view of a child out of wedlock? Who’s his father? Why is this so common in the Philippines?’

From research, the story found real roots. ‘We asked, who are the people who have many children? What powers do they seem to have? Then we realized, this also talks about fanaticism. So we thought, ‘why not use fantasy films?”

The twist, he said, was to flip the genre. ‘Ang fantasy films ginagamit para maka-escape tayo sa reality, pero baliktarin natin – tumakas tayo sa fantasy at harapin ang mga realidad ng buhay natin.’

Lead star JM Ibarra. Image: Marinel Cruz/INQUIRER.net

Vhong Navarro: Playing the myth and the man

For Navarro, playing Boy Kana – a beloved superhero and a flawed man – was an experience filled with awe.

‘When I was reading the script, marami akong katanungan pero nabuo lahat sa pelikula (I had so many questions, but everything came together in the film), he said. ‘Direk Tim is brilliant. I asked myself, how did he even conceptualize this?’

It was also his first Cinemalaya project. ‘That was one of the reasons I said yes,’ he added. ‘I’ve always wanted to make a Cinemalaya film – and this one turned out beautifully.’

As for what audiences should take away, he reflected: ‘The experiences of Boy Kana feel timely – political, being a father, being a superhero. What does it really mean to be one? Is it only on screen? In real life, maybe not.’

He pointed out that behind the film’s playful tone are deeper truths. ‘Naaliw ka kapag pinapanood mo, pero kapag inusisa mo – ang mga linya, ang background – may sinasabi sila na napapanahon.’ (You’re entertained while watching, but if you look closely – the lines, the background – they’re saying something relevant.) JM Ibarra: Finding confidence in doubt

For Ibarra, seeing himself as Max on the big screen was a mix of joy and nerves. ‘Until now, I’m still nervous,’ he told reporters during the Cinemaya film’s recent gala screening. ‘I’m happy people liked my performance, but I still ask myself, ‘Were they satisfied? Did I lack somewhere?”

One comment that stuck came from director Jose Javier Reyes. ”Di ko mabubura sa isip ko na napuri ako ni Direk Joey (I’ll never forget being praised by Direk Joey),’ he said. ‘It was remarkable because he’s the one who opened the door for me into acting when I got into the Meisner crash course at FDCP (FIlm Development Council of the Philippines, where he is chairperson).’

As for what’s next, he’s not slowing down. ‘Hangga’t ‘di pa sumasakit ang likod ko, tuloy lang (As long as my back doesn’t hurt yet, I’ll keep going),’ he joked. ‘I’ll never get tired of going back and forth between mainstream and indie – as long as I’m learning.’

Navarro was equally impressed. ‘I was surprised by what JM showed in the film,’ he said. ‘He doesn’t seem like a newcomer anymore. He observes everything. That’s how it should be.’ After Cinemalaya

Following the film’s Cinemalaya run, the team hopes to bring it to wider audiences. ‘We’re seeking help so that it can be distributed nationwide,’ Villanueva said. ‘We also have plans for international releases – and maybe a sequel.’

What gives the director the most joy, though, are comments from peers. ‘I didn’t expect that. It’s so heartwarming.’

Produced by Arvin Belarmino and Johndel Tacata, Child No. 82 also stars Rochelle Pangilinan, Kai Montinola, Iyah Mina and Ruth Ramos. The 2025 Cinemalaya runs until Oct. 12.

Defending champion National University rolled past Adamson, 69-51, for its second straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Coming off a 95-58 rout of University of the Philippines, the Lady Bulldogs imposed control early behind Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab to build a 43-23 halftime lead-a cushion Adamson couldn’t erase.

The win pushed NU to solo third with a 3-1 record at the halfway mark of the first round.

‘We’re happy with the win, but this is probably not our best game,’ said NU coach DA Olan, whose team was outrebounded, 56-43. ‘There’s still a lot of room for improvement, especially in controlling the boards. We struggled again in that area.’

Adamson tried to rally in the third quarter behind Elaine Etang and Kem Adeshina, trimming the gap to 50-37. But Marga Villanueva buried back-to-back triples to restore a 19-point lead at 56-37.

The Lady Falcons made another push in the fourth before NU answered with three consecutive treys from Aloha Betanio, Marylene Solis, and Cayabyab to seal the win.

Pingol led NU with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks. Cayabyab added 13 points and six rebounds, while Villanueva chipped in 11.

Etang paced Adamson with 13 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Cheska Apag added 10 points as the Lady Falcons slipped to 1-3.

NU faces De La Salle University next on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while Adamson meets University of the East on Saturday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.

Tab Baldwin talked about the choice between discussing the first three quarters of basketball that Ateneo displayed against La Salle or that one quarter when everything went south.

‘We’ll do both in the confines of our dugout and in our next practice [and] in the video session,’ he said last Sunday after an 81-74 victory over La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

‘I think that the contrast between the first three [quarters] and the fourth is so stark that coaches often talk about opportunities to learn for their team and I don’t think anybody in our organization has gotten any doubts that we have a lot to learn from what happened in the fourth quarter.’

The Blue Eagles looked like they would cruise to a fourth straight victory in as many games but eventually had to gut out the victory.

‘That phrase just sticks in my throat to even say [after] you’re up . 33 or something like that, to say we pulled it out,’ Baldwin said. ‘I won’t sleep well Monday night, I’m sure, as we really start to reflect on this and prepare for UP.’

Ateneo plays University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

For the season, Ateneo has consistently started out strong, only to falter in the second half.

Even with the wild turnaround against La Salle in the final two periods and the strong finish in the Eagles’ victory over the Adamson Falcons, Ateneo’s plus-minus in each half goes from +9.2 in the first two quarters to -2.2 in the last two.

That might be the case for most teams, as efficiency reasonably always goes down as the game progresses because fatigue starts to creep in, but it might be doubly troubling for a squad that has relied heavily on its perimeter game this season.

Ateneo averages 76.5 points per game this season, No. 2 behind University of Santo Tomas, according to stats provided by Piong Ducanes and the UAAP Stats Group. The Eagles are drawing 38.5 points (50.3 percent) of that from the perimeter, anchored on a league-best makes (36) and percentage (34.6) from beyond the arc.

Poor paint job

Ateneo has struggled inside, ranking seventh in points in the paint at 23 in the game, which the Eagles try to make up at the stripe, where they are No. 2 at 15 made free throws per game.

So when the Eagles face the Maroons on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena after the 2 p.m. duel between the NU Bulldogs and the Adamson Falcons, the question will be if Baldwin’s squad can sustain their strong starts.

It’s a question made urgent by the fact that UP is one of the more physical defenses in the league, something that Baldwin made sure to point out.

‘We know that you piece is gonna it’s gonna be a rugged game,’ Baldwin said. But UP isn’t the only one playing solid defense. Ateneo is best at field goals allowed, yielding just 36.96 percent this season-No. 1 in the league. That’s a big turnaround from last season, where the Katipunan squad ranked last, allowing 41.4 percent. INQ

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has affirmed that it is expediting the construction of relocation sites in Naic, Cavite, designated for families affected by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said 12 of the 82 three-storey buildings are expected to be completed by December this year.

It added that the 12 buildings can provide housing for 360 families affected by the project.

The funds to be spent for the 82 three-story buildings under the Social Housing Finance Corp. will come from the DOTr.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition IC Calaguas and Naic City Administrator Rodolfo Uy III visited the relocation site and assured that it is complete with facilities.

They also ensured that the site has a school, day care centers, rural health centers, and covered courts.

The DOTr is also set to visit a relocation site for residents affected by the NSCR project in Angeles City, Pampanga, this week.

The 190-kilometer NSCR project from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna, is set to be finished by 2032.

Lee Chae-min has nothing but praise for his ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’ leading lady Im Yoon-ah, whom he hopes to meet again in a future project.

Lee and Im (also known as Yoona) are the lead stars of the historical drama ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,’ which tells the story of French cuisine chef Yeon Ji-young (Im), who time-slips into the King Lee Heon-led Joseon Dynasty (Lee). It was a domestic and international success, hitting the double-digit mark during the time of its airing – a rare feat for cable dramas in South Korea.

In an interview with Korean media outlet BizEnter, Lee – who has been vocal about being a fan of the actress-singer – revealed that he confessed to his leading lady that he wanted to meet her again.

‘I confessed to my senior Yoona, ‘I hope we can meet again someday, in some kind of relationship or with some kind of role, and film together,” he was quoted as saying.

‘I learned a lot throughout filming and I’m grateful. Yoona approached me first and I was able to immerse myself comfortably, and the experience of exchanging ideas with each other and having fun on set was a great help,’ he said. Season 2?

In a separate interview with TenAsia, Im said she was open to doing a second season of the hit series – as long as she would do it with the original cast.

‘I haven’t heard anything about a second season yet. I guess we’ll know when we hear about it, but if the story continues and all the actors can come together again, I’d love to do it,’ she said.

The Girls’ Generation member is nonetheless satisfied with how ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’ turned out.

‘I think it’s the ending everyone dreams of. I think it’s a beautiful ending. I’m surprised every day and every week because of the good ratings every episode. I didn’t have any specific expectations because the ratings were out of my control, but I never expected such a huge response,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Lee said if ever there’s a season two, he wants the story to show King Lee Heon adjusting to modern life.

While the hit drama ended with Ji-young and Lee Heon’s emotional reunion, there was no explanation of how the South Korean ruler was able to time-travel to the present.

‘I saw reactions like, ‘Will there be a season 2?’ and I thought, that means people really enjoyed it. I did get curious, like, ‘What would it be like if we did season 2?,” he said. ‘I even imagined something like Lee Heon adjusting to modern life. But still, I think Lee Heon’s story is meant to end in the historical setting.’

The drama, which is streaming on Netflix, also stars Kang Han-na, Choi Gwi-hwa, Yoon Seo-ah, Kim Kwang-kyu, and Seo Yi-sook, to name a few.

Queenmaker Arnold Vegafria has acquired a handful of international pageant franchises throughout the years under his ALV Pageant Circle. A recent acquisition – Miss Asia Pacific International – was once just a dream for him, he said.

‘When I started in the business of pageantry, this is one of my bucket list to get this pageant, to be part of this pageant. Why? Because I believe this is one of the oldest pageants in the world,’ he said during the ‘National Directors’ Night’ hosted by the pageant organization at the Temple of Leah in Cebu City on Monday evening, Oct. 6.

Every year, the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant hosts the national directors who visit the Philippines for the pageant season. The recent gathering was scaled down in solidarity with those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30, said Eva Patalinjug-Lim, the pageant’s president.

Vegafria had just acquired the license for this year’s edition of the international pageant. Philippine bet Anita Rose Gomez was crowned at the recent Miss Grand International Philippines competition, one of his national searches.

‘I’m so happy to be part of this because this is an original from the Philippines, one of the biggest in the Philippines, of course I want to be a part of this,’ he confessed.

Among the international partners of his ALV Pageant Circle are Miss World, Miss Grand International, Reina Hispanoamericana, and Face of Beauty International.

Before he acquired the Miss Asia Pacific International license for the Philippines, it has been with the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant since the time of its inception in 1968. The national and global contests were established by the same personalities.

Last year, the franchise left the Mutya ng Pilipinas organization for the first time, and was acquired by Empire Philippines, organizer of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

The former owners of the Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific International pageants truned over ownership to the Tans of Cebu, but the family later divested from the national contest to concentrate on the global competition.

Vegafria thanked Miss Asia Pacific International Pres. Eva Patalinjug-Lim and officers Onin Mas and Vicky Bugayong for trusting him with the franchise.

He said it was when he chanced upon Mas in Taiwan for another international pageant where he signified his desire to acquire the Miss Asia Pacific International franchise.

‘I said, ‘if the franchise of the former owner expired, try my organization, and I will do my best to promote the [Miss Asia Pacific International] in the Philippines,’ Vegafria shared.

Since taking over the Miss World Philippines Organization in 2017, and establishing his own Miss Grand International Philippines search subsequently, Vegafria had produced Reina Hispanoamericana winners Teresita Ssen ‘Winwyn’ Marquez and Dia Mate, Miss Eco International titleholders Cynthia Thomalla and Kathleen Paton, inaugural Miss Multinational queen Sophia Senoron, current Face of Beauty International Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano, 2024 Universal Woman Maria Gigante, and reigning Miss Grand International Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza.

Gomez hopes to join Marquez, Thomalla, Senoron, Gigante, and Bilasano as Vegafria’s first entrants to their respective pageants who succesfully clinched crowns.

The 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International coronation night will be held at the Cebu Coliseum on Oct. 8. Forty-three delegates from around the world are competing this year.

Portalets were installed at three Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) stations after Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez found out that restrooms were repurposed as storage rooms.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the LRT-1 private operator, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), installed portalets at Vito Cruz, United Nations Avenue, and Pedro Gil stations while their restrooms undergo renovation.

The move followed Lopez’s visit to Pedro Gil station last week, where he found the restrooms closed and filled with piled-up items.

‘It is thus unavailable for passenger use,’ the DOTr said in Filipino.

‘The secretary immediately ordered the repair of the comfort rooms at LRT-1 stations,’ it added.

LRMC President Enrico Benipayo has apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the inaccessible restrooms and promised to ‘further commit to work hand-in-hand with our partners in government to improve passenger experience.’ /mcm

Newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday vowed to ‘sort out’ the corruption mess rocking the government and prosecute erring officials, including members of Congress.

The 64-year-old justice secretary is assuming the Ombudsman post amid a flurry of allegations that some senators and congressmen colluded with public works officials and private contractors to skim off billions of pesos for flood control projects since 2022.

As if to signal the urgency of the matter, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Remulla’s appointment papers on Tuesday, a day after he received the shortlist of candidates, directing him ‘to fight corruption’ unmindful of ‘sacred cows.’

The President picked Remulla over former Commission on Audit chair Michael Aguinaldo – who garnered six votes over the secretary’s five votes from the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) – and over the fierce objections of his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.

The scandal has led to the ouster of Senate President Francis Escudero and the resignation of Speaker Martin Romualdez, triggering a series of street protests and sparking rumors of a coup against the President, posing the most serious threat yet to government stability.

‘We are entering the midst of a firestorm,” Remulla told reporters following news of his appointment. ‘Let’s sort out this mess we are in right now and let’s find an answer and find someone to be held accountable.’

‘No sacred cows’

The Ombudsman will prioritize cases filed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways regarding flood control project irregularities, he said.

‘We will have all the data submitted and validated,’ Remulla said, promising to expedite the process because ‘the truth is, this is no secret to us; we already know what happened.’

In announcing his appointment, Malacañang said Remulla ‘is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.’

‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions, and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ said Secretary Dave Gomez of the Presidential Communications Office.

Remulla, who takes over from Samuel Martires, who retired in July, will take his oath on Thursday and assume his post on Friday.

Justice Undersecretary Frederick Vida will be the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) officer in charge.

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña urged Remulla to expedite the investigation and filing of cases not only against personalities in the flood-control mess but also against all those named in various corruption schemes in government.

‘Whoever is affected by the investigation of his office, everyone should be prosecuted and held accountable. He must spare no one. He will hear the voices of the people who are furious about corruption,’ said De Lima.

Disqualification cases

Gomez defended the President’s choice of Remulla from concerns raised by critics, including Senator Marcos, that he was too beholden to Marcos and that his appointment would erode the credibility of the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘Secretary Remulla went through a very stringent process required under our Constitution. He was vetted by the JBC and appointed by the president. I don’t believe that there is a basis [for] that concern,’ Gomez said.

Also shortlisted for the post were Court of Appeals Associate Justice Stephen Cruz, Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, Office of the President Deputy Executive Secretary Anna Liza Logan, retired Supreme Court Justice Mario Lopez, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Michael Musngi.

Senator Marcos tried to disqualify Remulla from the selection process by filing criminal and administrative complaints against him in connection with the March 11 arrest of Rodrigo Duterte.

The former President is facing charges of crimes against humanity of murder before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Under JBC rules, applicants with pending cases are disqualified from being nominated for appointment to any judicial post, including the Ombudsman.

After the Ombudsman dismissed her complaints in September, Senator Marcos filed a motion for reconsideration.

Duterte’s son, acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, also filed criminal complaints and a disbarment case against Remulla.

On September 24, Remulla said he had secured an Ombudsman clearance to stay in the running for the post.

Reforms

When Marcos took his oath on June 30, 2022, he tapped Remulla to lead the DOJ as its 59th secretary.

According to Malacañang, the DOJ under Remulla advanced major reforms to modernize the justice system, decongest prisons, accelerate case resolution, and expand access to legal services.

Remulla started on the wrong foot after his eldest son, Juanito Jose Remulla III, was arrested for illegal possession of drugs in October 2022 but was acquitted three months later. The incident fueled public calls for his resignation.

But beyond the controversy, Remulla played a key role among top officials in the arrest and turnover of Duterte to the ICC.

On his watch, the DOJ also oversaw the extradition of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. from Timor-Leste and the return of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who fled to Indonesia amid allegations linking her to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in her town.

In March 2024, Remulla announced that the DOJ would be filing qualified human trafficking and sexual and child abuse cases against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.

One of Remulla’s key policy moves was the 2024 issuance of Department Circular No. 15, which raised the quantum of evidence required in preliminary investigations and inquest proceedings from probable cause to prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.

This reform compelled prosecutors to ensure that every case filed had sufficient evidence to establish all elements of the crime and withstand the test of conviction.

Remulla was awarded ‘Asia’s Outstanding Leader in Public Service’ by the Asia’s Influential Leader Awards in February 2024.

The Commission on Audit’s 2023 Report on Salaries and Allowances, released in May 2024, showed Remulla received a net pay of P7.08 million for his 12 months as DOJ chief.

Vowing transparency, Remulla said restrictions on access to officials’ statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth imposed by his predecessor, Martires, will be lifted, but taking into consideration the Data Privacy Act.

‘People can expect transparency and a lot of action. Transparency, more openness from the public,’ he told reporters, even expressing openness to a crowdsourcing of information to facilitate the investigation of officials.

‘I think the people want to know what the Ombudsman is doing. We will explain to them what we are doing so the people will know there is such an office in the government.’

Remulla, who underwent a heart bypass in June 2023, will also be closely watched on his handling of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation of complaints on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.

The complaints were based on the findings of the House committee on good government and public accountability.

Remulla cut his teeth in local politics in the family bailiwick in Cavite province.

He served as Cavite 3rd district representative from 2004 to 2010, before winning multiple terms as 7th district representative from 2010 to 2013. He was elected governor from 2016 to 2019, before securing another term at the House from 2019 to 2022, rising to become its senior deputy majority leader.

Before that, he served as assistant secretary at the Office of the President on Joseph Estrada’s watch from 1998 to 2001. He later became the chief of staff of Estrada’s wife, then Sen. Luisa Ejercito Estrada, from 2002 to 2003.