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A retired Army soldier and two others were killed in an ambush that also wounded two other companions in Salunayan village in Midsayap town, Cotabato province, around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Oliver Pauya, chief of Midsayap police station, identified the fatalities as Udin Indaila Dalgan, 31, an escort and a resident of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, and Madron Sumlay Endaila Jr., 48, a retired member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from Barangay Kapinpilan, Kadayanang town in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Also killed was Rahib Mamental Wahab, 35, a tricycle driver from Kadayangan who was caught in the crossfire during the ambush.

Pauya stated that the primary target of the attack appeared to be the retired soldier.

Authorities believe that retaliation may have been the motive behind the attack.

‘There was no other possible target in the attack except for the retired soldier, possibly because of his previous work in Army intelligence,’ Pauya said.

Surviving the attack were the victim’s wife, Saida Felmin Endaila, a town councilor of Kadayangan, and Lani Endaila Yusop, 20, also a resident of the same place.

According to Pauya, the four victims were aboard a black Toyota Fortuner with plate number NDC 3579 when they were ambushed by suspects riding in a gray minivan.

‘There were three suspects inside the minivan who positioned themselves in the area just minutes before the victims passed along the highway,’ Pauya said.

Pursuit operations are ongoing to locate and apprehend the suspects.

Pauya has already ordered a deeper investigation to ensure justice is served for the victims./coa

A new smartphone is about to make gaming more fun and stylish. Launching on October 19, 2025, the vivo V60 Lite combines beauty and performance in one device made for the new generation of gamers.

Designed for young people who love gaming and expressing their unique style, the vivo V60 Lite proves that a gaming phone can be both powerful and fashionable. It comes in two eye-catching colors, Pop Pink and Titanium Blue, that highlight its soft pastel tones and modern look.

While vivo is saving a few surprises for launch day, here’s a preview of why this device will be a must-have for gamers.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo promises an upgraded gaming experience that delivers impressive speed and smoothness.

The Bypass Charging feature ensures you can stay in the game longer, keeping things cool while you play.

With Ultra Game Mode, expect a more focused and seamless session each time you tap into your favorite title.

The vivo V60 Lite also draws you into every match with a vivid 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display that turns every frame into a visual delight.

This October, vivo unveils a gaming phone that blends power and style into one beautiful device. The vivo V60 Lite is designed for young people who play hard, create fearlessly, and stand out with confidence.

The appraiser of the assets of Villar Land Holdings Corp. has been ordered to explain its trillion-peso valuation of the listed firm’s properties as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deepens its investigation.

The Office of the General Accountant at the SEC issued a show cause order against E-Value Phils Inc. on Sept. 29. It directed the latter to explain why it should not be penalized for its valuation of 366.34 hectares of land owned.

The properties were owned by Althorp Land Holdings Inc., Chalgrove Properties Inc. and Los Valores Corp.

Villar Land, formerly Golden MV Holdings Inc., bought the properties last year for P5.2 billion.

Valuation report

Based on E-Value’s initial valuation report, however, the value of these assets were at P1.34 trillion. This led to the controversial trillion-peso valuation of Villar Land.

‘The SEC will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly in the interest of upholding transparency and accountability in valuation practices and accuracy in financial reporting,’ the corporate watchdog said.

The company led by the powerful Villar family was recently ordered to pay P12 million in fines for failing to submit its audited financial statements on time. It has since appealed this order.

Villar Land’s auditor, Punongbayan and Araullo, had requested the engagement of another appraiser to validate the valuation done by E-Value. -INQ

Long before Janella Salvador was cast in the Nigel Santos-helmed ‘Open Endings,’ she was vocal about wanting to be part of a queer film, saying it was a personal dream of hers.

‘Open Endings,’ a full-length entry to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, tells the story of Hannah, Charlie, Kit and Mihan, exes-turned-best friends navigating through their thirties as queer women.

‘Alam kong paulit-ulit ko ‘tong sinasabi but dream come true talaga for me ang project na ‘to. Ang tagal ko nang naging vocal na gusto kong magkaroon ng queer project and part pa siya ng Cinemalaya,’ Salvador said during a Star Magic Spotlight media con, adding that her character Charlie is considered the ‘baby girl’ of the friend group.

‘Nasa point ako ng career ko na I really wanna grow as an actress. I wanna do more films. Nakarami naman ako through the years sa TV kaya I wanna do more films,’ she continued.

(I know I keep on saying this, but this project is such a dream come true. I had always been vocal about wanting to have a queer project, and this is even part of Cinemalaya. I’m at the point of my career where I really wanna grow as an actress. I wanna do more films. I did a lot of TV shows through the years, so I wanna do more films.) While ‘Open Endings’ is a sapphic film, Salvador explained that it is not a coming-out sort of project. It ‘highlights the point of view’ of queer women going through life, especially when it comes to maintaining friendships and relationships.

‘The question is what would make me say no to this project. The moment I read the script, na-feel ko ‘yung mga gumawa ng project na ‘to, they know what they’re doing and what they want. Nakakatuwa kasi it all worked out,’ she said, noting that she auditioned for the project.

(The question is what would make me say no to this project. The moment I read the script, I felt that the people who did this project knew what they were doing and what they wanted. It made me happy because everything all worked out.)

Coming from an all-girls school, Salvador said that while she always wanted to be part of a queer film, it was only in ‘Darna’ where she learned to become more vocal about it.

‘It has always been very personal to me. It’s always something that I wanted to get into. Galing kasi ako sa isang all-girls school, so personal din sa’kin ‘yun. I wanted to be part of those who want to represent that side of the community. Ang galing na dumating siya sa’kin ngayon,’ she said, referring to her 2024 single.

‘I want to do more indie films. Usually kasi, if I would accept a project, tinitingnan ko what makes it different from what I’ve done before and kung meron siyang substance. Wala akong specific genre pero lahat ng projects na tinatanggap ko, gusto kong magkaroon ng impact. Gusto ko may effect siya sa’kin,’ she further explained.

(It has always been very personal to me. It’s always something that I wanted to get into. I came from an all-girls school so it’s personal for me. I wanted to be part of those who want to represent that side of the community. It’s so nice that it happened to me now. I want to do more indie films. Usually, if I would accept a project, I would look at what makes it different from what I’ve done before and if it has substance. I don’t have a specific genre in mind, but I want all of my projects to have an impact. I want them to have an effect on me.) Another highlight for Salvador was the close bond she developed with her co-stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda and Leanne Mamonong. ‘First time naming lahat magkatrabaho, cliché siya pakinggan pero instant ang naging [connection] namin.’

‘There’s magic when the four of us are together, naging friends talaga kami off-cam. The four of us still hang out,’ she continued. ‘Of course, nagkaroon kami ng stage na nahihiya pa rin kami pero prinepare kami ng production. ang dami naming pinagdaanan so nagkaroon talaga kami ng chance makilala ang isa’t isa while filming.’

(It was our first time to work together. It sounds cliché but we had an instant connection. There’s magic when the four of us are together, we all became friends off-cam. The four of us still hang out. Of course, there was a stage where we got shy around each other, but production prepared us well. We went through a lot together, so we all had a chance to know each other better while filming.)

A lot can change in a year. Ten years? That’s a lifetime in basketball.

Just ask Mark Barroca.

It was 2015, and the then-Star Hotshots were clawing for survival in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals. Every possession counted, every inch covered. And then, the moment that’s haunted Barroca for years-he coughed up a crucial turnover, the ball swiped cleanly by LA Tenorio, sealing the game for Barangay Ginebra and sinking the Hotshots’ title hopes.

Fast forward a decade, and the man who once broke his heart is now calling the shots from the Magnolia bench.

‘I never expected him to be my coach but you really never know how fate works,’ Barroca told the Inquirer during the PBA Season 50 opener. ‘As fate would have it, we’re in the same team now, except he’s the coach and I’m the player.’

The past has long been buried, and if anything, Barroca and Tenorio’s new alliance couldn’t have had a more poetic start-an 80-73 win against none other than Ginebra.

‘This is special for the both of us because we’re on the same side for a change. We’re not opponents this time around,’ Barroca said, grinning.

Barroca’s numbers weren’t eye-popping-seven points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal on 3-of-9 shooting-but his presence was steady, his trust in the team unwavering.

More importantly, the win felt personal.

‘We aren’t pressured by coach LA to win but we want to win for him. We respect him,’ said Barroca. ‘We want to give him our best. Even if he says he isn’t pressuring us, us players are talking and we all want to win for him.’ INQ

Flash floods swept through three barangays in this interior town of Bukidnon on Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of dozens of families.

Videos circulating on social media showed floodwaters submerging large bamboo trees and carrying debris along the Mulita River in Barangay Concepcion.

The strong water current also affected nearby areas, including Barangay Adtuyon. Worst-hit by the floods was Barangay Poblacion, where over a hundred residents sought refuge at the local gymnasium, now serving as an evacuation center.

According to Ian Cagalitan of the Bukidnon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), at least 25 households, or 174 individuals, are currently staying at the evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion, with the number expected to rise.

Cagalitan added that the Mulita River has reached the red or critical level, prompting authorities to carry out forced evacuations in flood-prone areas.

Justine Navarro, weather specialist at the state weather bureau’s station in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, said in a phone interview that Pangantucan experienced moderate to heavy rainfall lasting nearly three hours on Tuesday afternoon.

Several areas across Bukidnon were also affected by continuous rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, according to the state weather bureau’s advisory issued that day.

As of posting time, no casualties or injuries have been reported. The Bukidnon PDRRMO said monitoring continues as response and relief operations remain ongoing./coa

Since President Marcos blew the lid on massive corruption in the country’s multi-billion flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address last July, stocks had slumped to their lowest in six months, the peso has weakened to the 58 level versus the greenback and investors have retreated to the sidelines, closely watching the investigations unfold.

Unfortunately, they are likely to stay there, especially with the surprise move of Senate blue ribbon committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson to step down from his post after barely warming his seat and suspend public hearings, primarily because the testimonies of contractors and officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways eventually brought corruption allegations at the doorsteps of his own colleagues.

That easily bolstered perception that the Senate and the House of Representatives were only out to protect their own, leading observers to conclude that the revelations of huge piles of cash exchanging hands and involving some of the country’s top elected and appointed officials will come to naught.

Thus, if the Marcos administration sincerely wants to win back the trust of the Filipino public and foreign and local investors, it must demonstrate the political will to punish those who would be proven guilty of corruption, no matter how rich or powerful they may be.

Bigger role to play

It already took a step in the right direction with the setting up of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) last month that is entrusted with the gargantuan task of investigating flood control and other infrastructure projects implemented from 2015.

With the Congressional hearings suspended, the ICI now has an even bigger role to play and must be granted the power and resources it needs to carry out its mission. Given its mandate to investigate infrastructure projects spanning three presidencies, it may need more teeth to be more effective. Thus, the move to enact the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption Act of 2025 which would provide the body with subpoena powers to cover all branches of government including constitutionally created bodies, as well as private companies and individuals.

It will also be granted full and unrestricted access to all government records as well as contempt powers to sanction those who will willfully ignore or fail to comply with subpoenas.

The influential Makati Business Club has also supported the passage of the ICI bill to fully empower it to do its work swiftly and effectively, with no fear nor favor. ‘In the current investigation on corruption relating to flood control, our people are demanding transparency, accountability, and justice,’ MBC said in a statement. Indeed, investors are just as concerned about these imperatives.

Long-standing problem

The United States’ State Department said in its 2025 assessment of the Philippines’ investment climate that corruption in the country, ranked 114th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, ‘is a pervasive and long-standing problem in both the public and private sectors.’

‘Various organizations, including the World Economic Forum, have cited corruption among the top problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines,’ said the document that also flagged poor infrastructure, high power and logistics costs, cumbersome bureaucracy and regulatory inconsistencies as hampering government efforts to attract foreign investments.

Indeed, the brazen displays of corruption in full view of the public during the widening probe are only reinforcing the increasing risks that will make it difficult for investors to focus on the country’s fundamentally strong macroeconomy.

Leading to a slowdown

Japanese investment bank Nomura, for example, said in a note to Japanese investors that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will likely assess the ongoing controversy around flood-control projects ‘as potentially leading to a slowdown in government capex (capital expenditure) disbursements’ that puts the gross domestic product growth target of 5.5-6.5 percent for 2025 at risk of not being met.

A slowdown in public expenditures poses ‘downside risks’ to the country’s economic growth outlook, Nomura stressed, and this increasing likelihood will influence the Monetary Board’s decision on whether to further cut its policy rate at its meeting this week to help support economic growth or keep it unchanged at 5 percent.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has already frozen a total of 1,889 assets and has also committed to pursue offshore assets, including foreign bank accounts, real estate, and personal properties as part of a broad mandate to recover ill-gotten wealth accumulated at the expense of the long-suffering Filipino taxpayer. Failure to deliver on that expectation may mean losing whatever is left of investor confidence in the Philippines, never to be recovered again.

Behind iron grills across the Philippines, sari-sari (variety) store owners pursue dreams that go far beyond their small storefronts.

For these micro-entrepreneurs, their modest shops represent something much larger: It’s a form of resilience that helps them weather economic uncertainty, so they can provide, first and foremost, for their families.

According to Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) recent ‘Heart of Hustle’ report, a survey of 3,098 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)-which make up 99.5 percent of all businesses in the country, including sari-sari stores, and employ over 60 percent of the workforce-paint a portrait of an economy driven by devotion to their loved ones.

The report, written by Julian Cua, Anthony Oundjian, Jamie Bawalan, Lance Katigbak, Anjeli Panis, Christabel Dewani and Julianne Ong, show that 64 percent of business owners say they started their enterprises to achieve financial independence for their families.

The rest were primarily driven by passion for their product or service (41 percent), and the need to be able to afford their children’s education (38 percent).

However, as much as small business owners strive to support their families, they themselves lack the system to thrive in their endeavors, the report reveals, as they face complex barriers that fall five under critical areas: access to financing, markets, tools, government support and labor.

When it comes to accessing capital, more than half of MSMEs (55 percent) have never applied for a loan, with 42 percent saying they’re afraid of going into debt. Another 34 percent cite high interest rates as a deterrent.

However, among those who did receive loan approvals, 59 percent secured interest rates between just 1 to 5 percent-far lower than many expected. This points to what the report calls ‘a deeper issue: accessibility is not the same as availability.’

Funding constaints

The financing challenge becomes more acute when viewed through the lens of business size. While 44 percent of MSMEs rely on personal savings as their main funding source, only 10 percent use bank loans as their primary capital source. The rest patch together funding from family, friends and increasingly, government programs.

Government support receives mixed reviews from MSMEs. While 84 percent want more and 77 percent feel able to comply with current regulations, satisfaction varies significantly by program type.

The data reveals high awareness but low participation in key DTI programs. Over 70 percent of MSMEs are familiar with initiatives like Negosyo Centers and Kapatid Mentor ME, but actual participation often falls below 20 percent. The reasons range from difficulty meeting requirements to uncertainty about program applicability.

More concerning is the labor law compliance gap. While 77 percent say they can comply with general business regulations, only 14 percent are registered with the Department of Labor and Employment. Understanding of labor-specific requirements-from termination pay (19 percent awareness) to occupational safety standards (29 percent awareness)-remains limited.

In today’s digitally connected world, 77 percent of MSMEs say they want to increase their use of such tools; however, only 20 percent report actually using more business software than they did a year ago. Just 16 percent use any digital tools at all. The barrier isn’t lack of interest-it’s perception of scale. A striking 74 percent of business owners say their business isn’t big enough to justify digital tools, while 50 percent simply lack the technical expertise to implement them.

This digital hesitancy comes with real costs. The report shows double-digit gaps between current usage and future demand for basic business tools like accounting software (11 percent current usage vs 60 percent desired), website management (13 percent vs 49 percent), and point-of-sale systems (21 percent vs 73 percent).

Know your MSMEs

The study also reveals that MSMEs have four distinct archetypes, each with unique motivations and pain points:

Manufacturers stand apart as the most passionate and growth-oriented segment. They’re more likely than other business types to cite passion for their product (54 percent) and desire to build something lasting. These businesses often emerge from craft, technical skill, or family trades. They employ more people on average and are more likely to operate through multiple channels, with 77 percent selling both online and offline.

Sari-sari Store Owners represent perhaps the most financially motivated segment. Their dreams center on family welfare.

These micro-retailers face the steepest barriers. Among all MSME groups, 57 percent cite limited financing as a top challenge-the highest rate across segments. Most operate with razor-thin margins, buying from local wholesalers at retail-adjacent prices while competing against larger stores and online platforms.

Wholesale and Trade Retailers emerge as commercial pragmatists driven by market opportunity rather than necessity or passion. They’re 8 percent more likely than other MSMEs to cite ‘seizing market opportunities’ as a primary motivation. However, they face intense competitive pressure, with 44 percent citing competition from cheaper products and 43 percent feeling squeezed by large enterprises.

Food Service Operators blend passion with financial necessity. Like manufacturers, they show strong emotional connection to their products-47 percent list passion as a key driver, the second-highest across all MSME types. Yet they operate in one of the most volatile sectors, with 51 percent citing high operating costs as a major challenge, higher than any other sector.

The report argues for a fundamental shift in how these MSMEs are perceived and supported: ‘MSMEs are often seen as ‘nice to have’-a sector worth celebrating, but not central to policy or national planning. That mindset has to shift.’

Their recommendations center on three core principles:

First, treat MSME support as economic infrastructure rather than social aid. With MSMEs representing 99 percent of all businesses and employing millions, investment in their growth should receive the same priority as roads, ports, or power grids.

Second, build pathways for informal entrepreneurs to gradually build credit. Rather than requiring formal prerequisites, create progressive systems that start with micro-limits and increase with demonstrated performance.

Third, recognize that MSMEs aren’t simply scaled-down versions of large enterprises. They operate in fundamentally different ways-with different time horizons, decision cycles, and resource constraints. Support systems must be designed from their reality upward, not corporate models downward.

As Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque writes in the report’s foreword: ‘MSMEs are not just economic actors, but also individuals with goals, constraints, and a deep desire to grow.’ Ultimately, the question isn’t whether Filipino MSMEs have the heart to hustle-the data shows that they clearly do. The question is whether the systems around them will rise to match their determination. Because if starting a business remains one of Filipinos’ top dreams, then supporting MSMEs should be a national imperative.

Leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY Philippines has been honored for Job Creation in the Philippines at the ESGBusiness Awards held September 25 at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The award celebrates the company’s outstanding contribution to building livelihoods in provinces where opportunities are needed most.

The winning entry highlighted MR.DIY’s efforts in Samar and Leyte-two provinces that were hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Six years after the disaster, MR.DIY began expanding its footprint in the region and has since established 38 stores, generating over 300 full-time jobs for local residents and creating sustainable livelihoods that keep families together. ‘For MR.DIY, expansion is not just about opening stores-it’s about opening doors of opportunity,’ said Ms. Roselle Marisol Andaya, Chief Executive Officer of MR.DIY Philippines. ‘Every store we open is a commitment to empower families, strengthen communities, and bring progress closer to home.’

By hiring locally in close partnership with LGUs, MR.DIY has helped reduce the need for residents to migrate in search of work. Beyond direct employment, the company has stimulated indirect job creation through local contractors, transport providers, logistics partners, and mall vendors.

The entry of MR.DIY stores in smaller towns also spurs new markets, making affordable goods more accessible and encouraging other businesses to invest in the area.

To ensure sustainable growth, MR.DIY invests heavily in its people through its 4Es methodology (Education, Environment, Exposure, Experience) and Shift Supervision Leadership Track, providing employees with the training and opportunities they need to build lasting careers.

These initiatives reflect MR.DIY’s belief that it doesn’t just hire people-it develops them into confident team leaders and future supervisors.

This recognition from ESGBusiness underscores MR.DIY’s dedication to embedding social responsibility at the heart of its operations, proving that business growth and community empowerment can-and should-go hand in hand.

Far Eastern University avoided another collapse and fended off Adamson, 25-13, 25-22, 15-25, 25-23, to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at Dasmariñas Arena here.

The Lady Tamaraws lost steam after taking the first two sets, losing the third by 10 points and blowing a 23-20 lead in the fourth after Frances Mordi’s clutch hits.

They reached match point with a lucky break after Red Bascon missed her serve. Jaz Ellarina drilled the game-winning block on Mordi to equalize the finals series.

FEU, which bounced back from a Game 1 collapse, and Adamson clash for the 2025 crown in Game 3 on Friday at FilOil EcoOil Arena.

Gerz Petallo and Kyle Pendon led the charge for 15 points each as the Lady Tamaraws get another shot at a championship after settling for runner-up in the past two V-League finals.

‘We really pushed ourselves because we really wanted to win. We wanted this game for us, so even before it started, we made sure our mindset was in the right place. It was all about having a strong, winning mentality,’ said Petallo, who tallied 11 kills and four blocks to go with 14 receptions and 12 digs.

‘We really prepared hard. We focused on having the right mindset, believing that we’re fully capable. We knew we could fix the lapses we had before. We truly came into this game well-prepared.’

Ellarina chipped in 11 points for FEU. Alyzza Devosora had 10 points, while setter Tin Ubaldo tossed 23 excellent sets.

Tournament MVP Shaina Nitura had 20 points for Adamson but only converted 18 kills of her 70 attack attempts. Mordi had 13, while Lhouriz Tuddao added 12.