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DOJ recommends cyberlibel raps vs Baligod, 18 witnesses

Prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) have recommended the filing of cyber libel charges against lawyer Levito Baligod and his 18 witnesses who claim to be former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

In a resolution dated July 13, the DOJ also approved the filing of perjury charges against Baligod’s witnesses-Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulotante, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz and Walter Manalansan.

But it spared Baligod from the same charge for ‘lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.’

‘The malice element of both offenses charged pertains to the declarants’ reckless disregard … and not whether the statement was actually true or false,’ DOJ prosecutors said in their 17-page findings.

The prosecutors further noted that the resolution should not be taken as a determination of the truthfulness or falsity of the respondents’ statements in their joint affidavit, which was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on Feb. 26.

Allegations filed

The findings stemmed from the charges filed in March by retired Philippine Army general and former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, after the respondents alleged that he received a paper bag with a large amount of cash following a meeting with former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima.

The allegations were made in the witnesses’ first public appearance at a press conference in San Juan City on Feb. 24.

The joint affidavit sought to recommend the filing of graft and corruption charges against the concerned officials for allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects to help finance the investigation of the International Criminal Court into the drug war on the watch of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Año, one of the officials named in the affidavit, called the allegations ‘malicious imputations’ that were ‘bereft of truth.’

PBA: San Miguel coach Leo Austria returns after heart procedure

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria revealed he underwent angioplasty earlier this month that forced him to miss the first three games of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Austria finally showed up for the Beermen, albeit in a losing cause on Sunday against the NLEX Road Warriors, after only limiting his team activities to practice sessions.

‘Yung puso ko pala mapagmahal,’ Austria joked after the 110-96 loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum while detailing the events that led to his medical condition.

The veteran coach said he discovered having some blockage in his arteries after undergoing a medical checkup, which is prescribed for those holding a license from the Games and Amusements Board.

That prompted multiple checkups and tests before doctors Mel Galvez and known cardiologist Tony Leachon, who is a close friend of Austria, followed by the angioplasty last July 7.

‘They saw something wrong during my stress test. And to confirm everything, I underwent an angiogram,’ Austria said. ‘I asked ‘What happened? I keep on playing [pick-up basketball games].’

‘But I’m so lucky because the doctors told me that I’m a walking [time] bomb,’ added Austria.

Despite his return, Austria opted to take a step back as assistant coach Peter Martin once again called the shots during the contest.

Martin handled the team during the wins over Macau, Terrafirma and Converge, though Austria runs San Miguel’s regular practice sessions

Gilas’ tough schedule a ‘good development,’ says SBP exec

Gilas Pilipinas will be embarking on a hectic several weeks with the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the Asian Games coming up.

The Nationals may be facing a challenging schedule, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy sees it differently.

‘It’s a good development for us that the Asian Games will happen almost immediately after the [Fiba] windows,’ she said.

‘The men’s basketball games will start earlier than the opening ceremonies so we’ll play from the 10th to the 20th, straight. They’ll be together for a month or a half, which will be a good preparation heading into the window in November.’

It also helps Gilas’ cause that the PBA is more than willing to help out ease the rigorous schedule.

Starting August 14, the PBA’s Governors’ Cup will go on a hiatus to make way for the national team’s preparations.

That break gives Gilas enough time before its games against Jordan and Iran on August 28 and 30, respectively, at Mall of Asia Arena.

After that, the Philippines will fly to South Korea on September 3 for a couple of scrimmages against the South Korean national team before opening its Asiad campaign in Nagoya, Japan, on September 10.

Whether or not the same guys will compete in the qualifiers and the Asian Games is up in the air.

With eligibility rules in the qualifiers and Asiad different from one another, anything can happen as far as Gilas’ roster is concerned, but the core will stay intact, said Dy.

‘There might be a few changes, but the core of the team should be intact,’ she said. ‘Those who weren’t eligible in Fiba competition as a local, we can consider them to play for the Asian Games.’

Gilas will look to regain its winning ways in the second round of the qualifiers after dropping its both games against New Zealand and Australia in the third window earlier this month.

Da Nang, Hanoi are top Vietnam destinations for Pinoys

More Filipinos visited Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam in the first half compared to last year as they expanded their holiday destinations and gained more diverse travel experiences, according to global travel service Trip.com.

Trip.com said its booking data showed that bookings made by Filipino travelers in Da Nang from January to June surged by 483 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Filipinos’ bookings in Hanoi via Trip.com rose by 145 percent annually over the six months, the travel service firm said.

‘While Vietnam remains a popular choice, Trip. com booking data shows travelers are looking beyond its traditional gateways,’ it said.

‘This growth exhibits how travelers are not simply revisiting the same destinations – they’re expanding beyond gateway cities. Filipino travelers are eager to explore destinations beyond its popularized tourist spots and gain more diverse travel experiences,’ it added.

Filipinos are also exploring newer countries as they become ‘more confident’ in trying new destinations that were once ‘considered niche,’ Trip.com said.

Some of the emerging destinations for Filipino travelers are Palau, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Australia and Canada, according to Trip.com.

Trip.com data showed that Filipinos’ bookings in Palau rose by 663 percent year-on-year while bookings in Oman and Saudi Arabia expanded by 482 percent and 145 percent, respectively.

The growth in bookings in these countries, Trip. com said, is supported by expanding flight connectivity, greater destination awareness and a desire for new travel experiences.

Trip.com noted that nearby Asian destinations still dominate bookings made by Filipinos due to convenience, shorter flight times and value. The leading international bookings among Filipino travelers in the first half were Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok and Taipei, according to Trip.com.

‘Destination choice, however, is only part of the itinerary. Trip.com booking trends also reveal that the activities and attractions travelers plan to visit influence their chosen destinations,’ Trip.com said.

Some of the most booked attractions by Filipinos were at globally recognized entertainment destinations like Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan.

‘The popularity of these attractions among travelers exhibits how leisure experiences remain central to outbound travel plans. Travelers, whether families, couples and friend groups, continue to prioritize experiential travel over purely sightseeing itineraries,’ Trip.com said.

LJLA unveils Waste-to-Energy Project to end Open Defecation in Lagos

The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) has launched an ambitious waste-to-energy initiative aimed at tackling open defecation in Lagos by converting human waste into clean biogas, marking a significant step towards improving public sanitation, environmental sustainability and renewable energy generation.

The initiative, known as ‘Pee-Po-to-Power Lagos (WEEP – Waste-to-Energy Project),’ will debut at Ojota Bus Stop, where an existing public toilet has been transformed into a modern sanitation facility powered by biodigester technology capable of converting human waste into clean energy.

Speaking at a press briefing held on Friday at the Baganda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Project Team Lead, Dr. Bamidele Yokan Thomas, said the initiative was conceived after extensive consultations with transport workers, traders, commuters and residents to identify the behavioural, cultural and accessibility factors sustaining open defecation across the state.

He explained that Ojota was selected as the pilot location because of its high daily human traffic and the presence of an existing public convenience that could be upgraded into a model sanitation hub.

According to Thomas, the project seeks to redefine sanitation by turning human waste into a valuable resource capable of improving public health, reducing environmental pollution and supporting Lagos’ clean energy ambitions.

He added that the project team would lead a 10-kilometre Walk Against Open Defecation on Saturday, beginning from Allen Avenue and ending at Ojota Bus Stop, with between 500 and 700 participants expected to join the advocacy campaign aimed at promoting better sanitation practices and discouraging open defecation.

Providing insight into the technical design of the project, Head of Projects, Hamzat Sirajudeen, said the multidisciplinary team studied sanitation models from several countries, including India, before adopting an anaerobic biodigester system considered most suitable for Lagos.

He disclosed that the facility is built around a 30-cubic-metre biodigester, one of the largest designed for a public sanitation project in Nigeria, with the capacity to process waste generated by at least 350 users daily.

Sirajudeen explained that waste collected from the toilets is channelled into the biodigester, where anaerobic digestion converts it into biogas before the remaining effluent passes through a filtration system that ensures environmentally safe discharge.

He noted that the technology would significantly reduce the frequency of septic tank evacuation, extending maintenance intervals from every two weeks to potentially several years while lowering operating costs, improving hygiene and reducing environmental pollution.

He added that the project involved the complete rehabilitation of the Ojota public toilet facility, including structural upgrades, improved lighting and enhanced sanitation standards.

According to him, implementation included engineering surveys, technical planning, stakeholder consultations and collaboration with government agencies, private organisations, transport unions and host communities to ensure long-term sustainability.

Sirajudeen said Boff Construction Limited handled the renovation works, while El-Fad Concepts installed the biodigester system.

Speaking on the broader impact of the initiative, Shalom Ernest, Co-Lead for the Walk Against Open Defecation, said the project extends beyond sanitation by creating economic and environmental opportunities for nearby communities.

He explained that biogas produced from the facility would be supplied free of charge to women food vendors around Ojota, helping them reduce reliance on charcoal and other fossil fuels, lower operating costs and cut carbon emissions.

Ernest added that future phases of the project would explore converting the biogas into electricity to power the sanitation facility and surrounding public infrastructure.

Also speaking, Oluwatosin Alabi, who oversees Partnerships, Projects and Finance, described the awareness walk as part of a broader strategy to drive behavioural change and deepen public education on sanitation.

She said the initiative represents more than an infrastructure intervention, describing it as ‘a movement that transforms waste into value, communities into partners and environmental challenges into opportunities.’

Alabi added that the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Lagos State THEMES Agenda, with plans to replicate the model across public sanitation facilities statewide in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.

Marcos makes final preparations for his 2026 Sona

President Ferdinand Marcos made final preparations for his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, which he will deliver before a joint session of Congress at Batasang Pambansang in Quezon City.

Malacañang shared photos as he rehearsed his speech with his team on Sunday evening.

The president himself shared a video reel on his official Facebook page of what the public should expect on his annual address.

The Sona serves both as an account of the Marcos administration’s performance, and a roadmap of the Executive’s priority measures it intends to pursue with lawmakers during the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress.

While Malacañang hinted of another ‘earthshaking announcements’ this year, some sectors are anticipating a follow-through on his ‘Mahiya naman kayo! (Have some shame!)’ rebuke from last year’s Sona.

Last year, he exposed and ordered a sweeping investigation into the multibillion corruption scandal involving anomalous flood control projects.

Surveys conducted by different polling firms showed that Filipinos are expecting Marcos’ fifth Sona to focus on combating corruption – particularly by holding accountable those involved in the flood control projects controversy.

Malacañang has been calling on Filipinos to avoid being impatient, saying that President Marcos is keeping his promise of catching the ‘big fishes’ in the massive corruption scandal.

Palace press officer Claire Castro, in an interview on dzMM on Sunday, said some big personalities were already behind bars, while others are awaiting their warrants of arrest.

At least 45 individuals now face charges spread across the Sandiganbayan and regional trial courts.

They include two sitting lawmakers, two former representatives, 33 former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and eight contractors.

While investigations are still ongoing and some cases are pending before courts, she noted that the court already ordered the freezing of billions of bank accounts and assets connected to the flood control scandal.

On Friday, a panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman filed a supplemental complaint for the preliminary investigation of former House Speaker and President Marcos’ cousin Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, former congressman Zaldy Co and others for plunder, direct and indirect bribery, graft, and money laundering, in relation to the flood control anomalies.

However, Co, who remains hiding in Europe, had his separate graft case in the Sandiganbayan archived after law enforcement failed to arrest him within six months.

Among the high-profile personalities detained for these investigations include Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Bong Revilla, contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya, and several officials of the DPWH.

However, the charges against former DPWH Manuel Bonoan were dropped by the Ombudsman as he was accepted last month to be a state witness.

‘What proof do they need that the government is working on these cases? Imagine, in less than a year, the government has made these developments,’ Castro said.

‘Some groups just want to criticize the administration. But if they have evidence, go ahead and file the cases against these big personalities,’ she added.

WATCH: Marcos teases ‘next chapter’ in upcoming SONA

Malacañang refused to disclose any topics that the president may raise during his fifth Sona.

Asked whether he would again address the corruption issues in this year’s Sona, Marcos made a brief response: ‘Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!’ (Watch out for the next chapter.)

The president admitted on Friday that he could be changing his speech even ‘until one hour before the Sona,’ because he wanted it to be ‘perfect.’

Malacañang said President Marcos prefers a more austere fifth Sona to cut government expenses, given that it incurred additional expenses for its response to the Middle East crisis.

There will be no celebrities or A-listers in this year’s Sona program.

Castro said the award-winning Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will sing the national anthem, while Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will direct the Sona’s broadcast.

There will be no red carpet for the Sona, which was traditionally a highlight for guests in the event, especially the spouses of lawmakers.

It will also be the first time that House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will be leading the chambers of Congress, following shake-ups in their leaderships.

Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the Sona as she is abroad and will not return to the country until July 31.

The last time Duterte attended Marcos’ Sona was in 2023, when their political alliance was not yet broken.

King-Chan says P700 million ready for Lapu-Lapu CH complex

The Lapu-Lapu City government has earmarked an initial P700 million for the construction of a new City Hall complex, Mayor Ma. Cynthia King-Chan announced following her State of the City Address (SOCA).

In an interview, King-Chan said the amount will serve as the initial funding for the project, which is envisioned to house government offices in one location and improve the delivery of public services.

The mayor said the city is now laying the foundation for the future Lapu-Lapu City Hall Complex, which she described as a modern, smart, resilient, and sustainable center of government.

She said the project aims to consolidate government services in one complex, improve accessibility for residents, and provide a more suitable workplace for city employees and public servants.

‘Hopefully, makahinay na ta. By the end of the year, ma-final na nato ang framework,’ King-Chan said.

During the mayor’s SOCA on July 22, the city government presented an artist’s rendition of the proposed City Hall complex.

‘That was not the final design, but more or less ingon ana na,’ she said.

King-Chan said the proposed complex will be built in front of the existing City Hall in Barangay Pusok.

However, she clarified that the city has yet to complete the project’s master plan.

‘The master plan is not only for the city hall building itself but also includes the surrounding area,’ she said.

According to the mayor, the initial P700 million allocation comes from the city government’s own funds.

‘Actually, naa na ta ron, makaingon kog P700 million. Naa na ang siyudad ana for the city hall,’ she said.

King-Chan explained that the city began setting aside funds for the project last year by allocating P200 million annually. This brought the city’s allocation to P400 million for 2025 and 2026.

She added that the city has also generated another P300 million, bringing the total amount currently set aside for the project to P700 million.

The mayor said the city also plans to allocate another P200 million for the project in 2027.

King-Chan said the city government prefers to finance the project using its own funds rather than taking out a loan.

However, she disclosed that both the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have offered financing for the project.

‘Nag sige og pangulitaw ang Land Bank ug DBP, tag-P2 billion ilang gipa-loan, but kung pwede dili lang ta mag-loan,’ she said.

The mayor said the P700 million is only the initial allocation, noting that the total cost of the City Hall complex is estimated at around P1 billion.

She added that the city envisions the complex as a green and resilient government building, with solar panels installed on its roof. The proposed design also includes a retention pond to help manage stormwater runoff and improve flood mitigation within the area.

Winless Team Liquid fails to defend title, crashes out of Esports World Cup

Defending champion Team Liquid Philippines saw its title defense come to a stunning early end after bowing out of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup (MSC) at the Esports World Cup 2026.

The team thus became the first Filipino representative to miss the playoffs in tournament history.

The MPL Philippines champion entered Paris looking to repeat as MSC titleholder, but it instead endured a disastrous group stage run that ended with back-to-back sweep losses against Aurora Trkiye and Peru’s Entity7.

Team Liquid’s campaign got off to a rough start when it suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to Aurora Trkiye, a squad coached by Filipino mentor Neil “Midnight” De Guzman.

Caught off-guard by Aurora’s unconventional drafts and relentless aggression, the Cavalry found itself on the receiving end of one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Aurora dominated the opening game, closing out the contest in less than 10 minutes before carrying that momentum into Game Two – which ended in under 15 minutes – to complete the sweep and send the defending champion to the lower bracket.

With its campaign on the line, Team Liquid then faced Peru’s Entity7 in a do-or-die lower-bracket showdown.

Instead of bouncing back, the Philippine champion struggled to regain its footing as Entity7 dictated much of the series. The Peruvian squad controlled key objectives and repeatedly denied Team Liquid opportunities to establish momentum. Although the Cavalry showed signs of life, particularly during the early stages of Game 2, Entity7 remained composed and completed another 2-0 sweep to eliminate the reigning champions from the tournament.

Reflecting on the early exit, jungler Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno admitted that Team Liquid struggled to keep pace with the rapidly evolving competitive landscape.

“The competition is really high this year and I saw a lot of teams improve so much during the update. I feel like it’s our fault that we didn’t adapt very fast. And that has always been the problem for us even before,’ Nepomuceno said during the team’s post-match interview.

Head coach Wei “Aeon” Sheng echoed the sentiment, pointing to the team’s inability to adjust quickly when faced with adversity and changes to the game.

“The biggest challenge [we had]? In terms of performance-wise, I think it’s just ourselves, to be honest. We know that when we play well, we can play really well. But at the same time, when we don’t and when it’s uncomfortable for us, we cannot adapt as fast. So that’s something that we have to work on and reflect on,” said Sheng.

He added, “Looking back, if there’s anything to take away from this, this is it. Because we cannot control what the game developers are going to do. Even if they want to patch one day before the tournament, we can’t do anything about it. So we just need to make sure that our arsenal is big enough for any changes.”

The loss marked a historic low for Philippine MLBB on the international stage.

Team Liquid finished MSC 2026 without a single series victory and without winning a single game, ending its campaign with an 0-2 match record and a 0-4 game slate. The 13th-16th place finish stands as the worst performance by an MPL Philippines team in either MSC or M-Series history.

With Team Liquid now out of contention, the country’s hopes rest on Team Falcons Philippines. The squad will look to keep its MSC campaign alive as MPL Philippines’ last remaining representative when it meets sister and team and wildcard winner Team Falcons in the Group A lower brackets tonight, July 26, at 9:30 p.m. Manila time.

Fisherfolk-powered West Philippine Sea campaign launched

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has launched a national initiative empowering Filipino fisherfolk as champions of fact-based information and responsible public discourse on the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea.

Called the Alliance of Truthful Information and Narratives on the West Philippine Sea (ATIN WPS), the effort taps Filipino fishermen in recognition of their direct connection to developments in the disputed waters, being among the most affected by Chinese incursions in the area.

BFAR launched the initiative in a ceremony that gathered over 80 fisherfolk leaders from across the country, along with leaders from BFAR, the Local Government of Zambales, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Security Council (NSC) and other partner institutions. Together, they formed a united front to strengthen the role of coastal communities in promoting truth, maritime awareness, and responsible information sharing.

In remarks during the launch, BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig underscored the indispensable role of Filipino fisherfolk in asserting the country’s claim to the West Philippine Sea in the face of escalating tensions.

“Our fisherfolk navigate the West Philippine Sea every day, ensuring our food security while anchoring our nation’s presence in these tense waters. Through ATIN WPS, we recognize their role as the true frontline guardians of our sea,’ said Salilig.

‘By equipping them with accurate knowledge and empowering them to counter misinformation, we are transforming our fishing communities into credible voices of truth. This is a vital step in safeguarding not only our marine resources, but the integrity of our national narrative,’ he added.

National Security Council Director Romeo Racadio, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of protecting the information space alongside the country’s maritime domain.

‘Just as crucial as protecting our territory, we must protect the truth. Misinformation and disinformation pose significant challenges to the nation’s interests, and fact-based narratives are essential in fostering public understanding of the West Philippine Sea. This is where our fisherfolk play a key role,’ said Racadio.

As part of ATIN WPS, fisherfolk underwent technical training that sought to equip them with factual, evidence-based, and legally grounded knowledge on the West Philippine Sea, enabling them to counter misinformation and disinformation as trusted sources in their respective communities.

The training included lectures on the legal and historical foundations of the West Philippine Sea, the 2016 Arbitral Award that favored the Philippines’ claims against China, maritime entitlements, responsible conduct at sea, and practical approaches to identifying and addressing misinformation and disinformation.

It highlighted the important role that fisherfolk play in ensuring that accurate and verified information reaches coastal communities across the country.

ATIN WPS is part of the Philippines’ whole-of-nation approach to protecting the West Philippine Sea by ensuring that coastal communities are active partners in advancing truthful narratives.

The initiative is supported by the United States Embassy Manila’s Fish Right Project, demonstrating a shared commitment with BFAR to strengthen community engagement, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage the responsible use of accurate information about the West Philippine Sea.

Big strides in 3×3

There’s an exciting buzz in tracking the Philippines’ progress in 3×3 basketball with the men’s team qualifying for the 20-nation FIBA U23 World Cup in Wuhan on Sept. 15-19, ending an eight-year wait from when RJ Abarrientos, Ricci Rivero, Rhayyan Amsali and Jeepy Faundo posted a 2-2 record in 2018.

‘It came as a surprise,’ said SBP 3×3 project director Ryan Gregorio who took over the role six months ago. ‘We topped the U21 Nations League with three first place finishes, two second places and one fourth in six stops over Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore and Malaysia. That qualified us for the U23 World Cup. A U23 Nations League will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 17-23. We’re looking at our players from the U21 and U23 Nations Leagues to decide who will participate in the U23 World Cup and U23 Asian Games on Sept. 20-25.’

The U21 players who saw action in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, were FEU’s Cabs Cabonillas and Jed Daa, UST’s Koji Buenaflor, Adamson’s Earl Medina and San Beda’s Jhuniel de la Rama. So far, La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo are confirmed for the U23 Nations League. Gregorio said he’ll reach out to four others this weekend before finalizing the roster. In contention are two from UAAP and two from NCAA.

Gregorio said the Gilas 3×3 women are ahead of the men in ranking points and made it back to the FIBA 3×3 Women World Cup in Warsaw last June. The women are No. 21 and the men, No. 40 in the federation ladder. Anton Altamirano coaches the women while Kirk Collier, Patrick Fran and JJ Espanola take care of the men. SBP executive director Erika Dy said the upswing in both the women and men programs is ‘proof that Filipinos are world-class not just in 5×5 but also in 3×3…with the support of our sponsors and the commitment of stakeholders, SBP will continue to put our athletes in a position to succeed.’