Author: user user

After plunging to its lowest since he assumed office earlier this year, public satisfaction with President Marcos rebounded in the second quarter of 2025, according to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Results of the June 25 to 29 survey released on Tuesday showed that 46 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of Marcos, up from 38 percent obtained in a similar survey in April.

Some 36 percent said they were dissatisfied, down from 48 percent, while those who were undecided increased from 14 percent to 19 percent.

SWS said the survey results resulted in a net satisfaction rating of ‘moderate’ +10, a 20-point rise from the ‘poor’ -10 he obtained in April.

The net satisfaction rating is the percentage differential between those who said they were satisfied and those who were dissatisfied with the performance of the government official.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as ‘excellent;’ +50 to +69 as ‘very ‘good;’ +30 to +49 as ‘good;’ +10 to +29 as ‘moderate;’ +9 to -9 as ‘neutral;’ -10 to -29 as ‘poor;’ -30 to -49 as ‘bad;’ -50 to -69 as ‘very bad’ and -70 and below as ‘execrable.’

Based on SWS survey results, Marcos’ satisfaction rating had been in a steady decline since September 2024, when it was at ‘good’ +32.

It went down to +19 in December 2024, +9 in January 2025 and +1 in February 2025.

Marcos had a ‘very good’ +63 satisfaction rating in October 2022, the first quarterly survey conducted by SWS during his administration. It went up to as high as +68 in December that year.

According to SWS, the latest net satisfaction rating of the President rose across all areas in the June 2025 survey.

It was highest among those in balance Luzon at +28 (from +7), followed by those in Metro Manila at +1 (from -6), the Visayas at -2 (from -11) and Mindanao at -9 (from -44).

It rose among men and women respondents, among all educational groups and across age groups, except among 18 to 24-year-olds, SWS said.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.

Marcos Jr.: Keep working

President Marcos said yesterday the significant improvement in his performance rating in the latest SWS survey was ‘nice’ but stressed the government must continue working to serve the people.

‘It’s, of course, nice to note. I didn’t know about that. But now that you tell me, of course I’m glad that it’s that way,’ Marcos told reporters after visiting typhoon victims in Masbate.

‘I guess we just have to keep working. Whatever happens, whether there is a storm, there is a scandal, there is chaos, the people expect the government to continue providing services, to continue the work of the government at every level,’ he said.

‘As public servants, who are elected by the people, we should not be seen playing around, doing whatever, politicking,’ Marcos said.

President Marcos extended his condolences yesterday to the families of those who died in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu on Tuesday night.

‘My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and my prayers go out to those who were injured and all those affected by the earthquake,’ the President said.

The earthquake, which hit the city at 9:59 p.m., left more than 60 people dead and caused widespread damage across the province.

While visiting typhoon-hit Masbate, Marcos said Cabinet members had already been deployed to Cebu to fast-track relief and restore essential services.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is inspecting roads and bridges for structural damage, while the Department of Energy is working to restore electricity in affected areas.

The Department of Health has dispatched additional medical personnel to assist hospitals, while the Bureau of Fire Protection is participating in search and rescue operations. Philippine National Police personnel are also on the ground to maintain order.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council joined forces to ensure the quick distribution of food and relief items.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the DSWD has P379 million in standby funds and over 2.4 million family food packs prepositioned nationwide.

The DBM, for its part, has instructed agencies to activate their quick response funds, which serve as emergency resources to finance immediate disaster relief and recovery.

Vice President Sara Duterte offered prayers for those affected.

House Speaker Faustino Dy III expressed his sympathies.

Some senators who expressed solidarity and urged immediate aid deployment were Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Francis Escudero, Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva.

Foreign ambassadors in the country also offered aid.

‘The US embassy community offers our deepest condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Cebu. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected. We stand ready to support the government’s response as #FriendsPartnersAllies,’ US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said.

‘We mourn the loss of lives and we stand with those who are grieving, injured or displaced. Canada stands ready to coordinate closely with Philippine government agencies, humanitarian partners and the international community to help meet urgent needs,’ the Canadian embassy posted on X.

Aside from Carlson and the Canadian embassy, European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown and the Embassy of India also extended their sympathies to the victims and their families.

Two Filipino seafarers were injured when Houthi rebels attacked a Dutch-flagged cargo vessel in the Red Sea, the Department of Migrant Workers confirmed yesterday.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the victims are undergoing treatment.

Cacdac said 10 other Filipino crewmembers of Minervagcht are safe.

The 12 seafarers are set to be repatriated this weekend, Cacdac said.

Based on news reports, a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels set the cargo vessel on fire.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide burial assistance as well as a P10,000 cash aid to families of victims of Tuesday’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

‘The DSWD’s Field Office Central Visayas is now counting the number of casualties and their location. Our social workers will also talk to the concerned families to inform them that the DSWD will shoulder the burial expenses of their loved ones,’ DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a statement.

The death toll from the powerful quake that rocked Central Visayas continues to rise, along with the number of injured and missing individuals based on reports by Cebu’s Provincial Disaster Response and Risk Reduction Management Office.

Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity to give the provincial government the ability to respond quickly and mobilize resources.

From Masbate where he assisted President Marcos in distributing cash aid to 600 Opong-affected families, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian was directed by the Chief Executive to proceed to Cebu to check on the condition of the families severely affected by the earthquake.

According to the Department of Education, the earthquake in Central Visayas is projected to affect more than 16,000 schools across 73 divisions of DepEd in varying intensities.

In Masbate City, Education Secretary Sonny Angara and other state officials accompanied President Marcos in the distribution of aid at Nursery Elementary School on Oct. 1.

These include the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation of P10,000 each for 600 families and two checks totaling over P34.8 million from the Department of Labor and Employment Region V to the Provincial Government of Masbate for Livelihood Assistance and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers for 6,455 beneficiaries in 11 municipalities.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the Department of Health will tap its P500-million quick response fund to assist earthquake victims.

In another development, the Department of Trade and Industry has imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in Cebu following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the province.

In Iloilo, retired Col. Cornelio Salinas, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, complained about the lack of local earthquake monitoring station in the area.

The Archdiocese of Cebu yesterday ordered the structural assessment of churches and rectories in its jurisdiction.

Former Senate president Francis Escudero has sent a letter to the Commission on Elections expressing his readiness to be investigated by the poll body for accepting illegal campaign contributions during the 2022 elections, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

‘The candidate who received (donation) from a contractor sent us a letter expressing his intention to appear next week. He’s a senator. He already made an admission,’ Garcia said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum without mentioning the senator’s name.

Garcia belied reports that the Comelec is singling out Escudero in its probe on candidates who had accepted donations from government contractors.

He explained that Escudero was among the first to be summoned because the contractor had already admitted giving P30 million in campaign funds to Escudero. The senator confirmed the donation.

In an interview with ‘Storycon’ on One News, Garcia also said he has inhibited from the investigation on Escudero’s case, admitting that he served as election lawyer when the senator ran for vice president alongside former senator Grace Poe in the 2016 elections.

‘I already inhibited myself,’ he said. ‘You cannot see my signature or participation in that particular case.’

Lawrence Lubiano of Centerways Construction and Development Corp. earlier appeared before the Comelec to confirm that he made the donation – but in his capacity as private individual.

‘Let’s just wait for the candidate to tell us his side because based on the law, both the donor and the candidate are liable,’ Garcia said in Filipino.

If proven guilty, Garcia said both the donor and the candidate would face imprisonment as well as permanent disqualification from holding public office.

At the same forum, Garcia confirmed that there are also presidential and vice presidential candidates facing Comelec investigation for allegedly receiving illegal campaign donations.

‘I would like to confirm that those on the PCIJ list are also on our list,’ he said, referring to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report on campaign contributions.

Based on the PCIJ report, both President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte received donations from contractors.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the posting on social media of a photo of him with contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya was meant to discredit his Senate Blue Ribbon committee probe on the flood control corruption scandal.

Rep. Kiko Barzaga posted the photo, which Lacson said was taken during the May midterm elections campaign season. ‘The fact that it is being circulated only means that it is intended to besmirch my reputation and credibility in chairing the Blue Ribbon committee on the flood control project anomalies,’ Lacson said.

Lacson said a friend, Fred Villaroman, brought the Discaya couple to his Taguig office where they invited him to join their grand rally in Davao with their son who was a nominee of Pinoy Ako party-list.

Lacson said he declined the invitation after a meeting that lasted no more than 20 minutes. He said he turned down the offer because the Discayas were a political rival of his ally Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

‘I thought it was not a smart political decision to join a rally of any party-list group,’ he said.

‘I did not know the Discayas and that was the first and only time outside of the Blue Ribbon committee hearings that I met them,’ he added.

‘I did not receive, nor did the Discayas offer any campaign contribution in whatever form,’ he also pointed out. ‘I hope this clarifies whatever insinuations are being attached to this said photograph.’

At his playful homecoming presscon, the new Mister International 2025 Kirk Bondad was still reeling from his victory.

‘Honestly, the feeling that I’m getting from being Mister International right now, it’s like when you walk in the park and suddenly a fresh breeze hits you and it goes like, I’m still catching up to the feeling. I have nothing but love in my heart,’ the Filipino-German supermodel, fitness enthusiast and businessman said.

Held at Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Pasay on September 29, Kirk expressed his gratitude to all his supporters, mentors and fellow kings.

He also dove deep into his budding friendship – and kilig chemistry – with Mister Korea Choi Seung-ho, who emerged second runner-up at the pageant’s finals in Bangkok on September 25.

‘We have been always very near to each other at the pacing of rehearsals or anything else because P and K are close to each other in alphabetical order. So, it was just naturally inclined that we will just spend more time together,’ explained a smiling Kirk.

‘But also, we are gym bros so there were not many people who were bonding in the gym but he was one of the people that I always saw in the gym so naturally we bond there, too,’ he added.

The duo made several videos together that fanned the flames of a possible bromance.

‘And then shoutout to my roommate Oliver [Prasetyo, who placed in the top 20], Mister Indonesia. One day out of nowhere in the live stream, he creates F4, which I at that time, I didn’t know what it means. But it meant a lot because that video also got viral and it was Oliver, Mr. Thailand Scott [Kanapol Treesongkiat, who was part of the Top 11], Seung-ho, Mr. Korea and me. So, automatically with that we were also doing additional content so we were just naturally organically building chemistry more,’ shared Kirk.

New F4 version

F4 (Flower Four), formed in 2001, is the now legendary Taiwanese boy group consisting of Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu, and Vic Chou.

Kirk has another plan to further his ‘partnership” with Seung Ho.

‘I’m really pushing and pushing hard that [lifestyle brand] Bench will get him here because Bench is the official sponsor for Mister Korea International. So, I want him to bring Seung-ho here and do some shooting with me because I know there’s a lot of demand and we want to please [the fans].’ .

Mister Korea has also said that he’s hoping to do a project with you, a Boys’ Love (BL) series.

‘Yeah, we’ll figure out the details later about that,’ replied a hopeful and impish Kirk.

The Philippine manufacturing sector contracted in September due to weak demand and lower output amid weather disruptions.

In a statement yesterday, S and P Global said the Philippines’ manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dipped to 49.9 in September from 50.8 in August.

This is the first time the PMI reading fell below the 50 no-change threshold after being in expansion mode since April.

A PMI reading of over 50 indicates an increase from the previous month, while below 50 denotes a decline.

Generated from a survey of around 400 manufacturers, the PMI covers the following: new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases.

S and P Global Market Intelligence senior economist David Owen said the PMI reading at the end of the third quarter is highly unusual in the sector’s post-pandemic history.

‘New orders and output decreased slightly as firms mentioned a fall in client numbers and a modest drop in production from the suspension of rice imports,’ he said.

While new orders dipped slightly, S and P Global said orders from foreign clients continued to improve, suggesting that the weak demand is mainly from the domestic market.

Poor weather conditions also affected manufacturing firms’ output.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said in an email that the series of storms and floods that hit the country reduced working days for some manufacturers.

He said the ghost month and the tariffs imposed by the United States also led some manufacturers to take a more cautious stance.

The US tariffs on goods entering the US took effect on Aug. 7.

Despite the dip in orders, S and P Global said manufacturers continued to increase their purchases of raw materials.

While input costs went up, manufacturers only implemented marginal increases in selling prices.

‘With overall sentiment in the year-ahead remaining upbeat in September and purchasing quantities increasing, manufacturers appear hopeful that the dip in sector performance is temporary,’ Owen said.

S and P Global said manufacturers are optimistic of posting improved sales and higher output in the next 12 months.

As the country reels from back-to-back disasters -several destructive cyclones and a deadly earthquake – the Senate chose this week to pass a resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former president Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for ‘humanitarian’ reasons.

The measure was approved by a slim majority, with15 votes in favor, three against, and two abstentions.

It was framed by its backers as a gesture of fairness. Senate Minority Leader Allan Cayetano, Duterte’s former foreign affairs chief, refused to discuss Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, saying the resolution was not about vengeance on Duterte, but justice.

But lawyers say the resolution has no real effect on Duterte’s fate at The Hague.

No legal weight

‘The resolution carries no weight at all, as far as the ICC is concerned,’ ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan told Philstar.com. ‘I think it was just passed to deflect public attention from the flood control scandal.’

Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who serves as assistant counsel at the ICC, agreed that the court will consider only mattes of fact and law.

‘The Senate as an institution is not in any way involved in the ICC process, and it is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court,’ Conti said.

‘Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Rodrigo Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,’ she added.

A show of Duterte’s power

Instead of heeding the resolution, both lawyers said the ICC is more likely to see it as a reminder of Duterte’s continuing political clout.

‘It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses,’ Butuyan said.

Apart from Duterte’s family members still exercising influence in their bailiwick of Davao, having support in the Senate would show how this influence extends nationwide, Conti said.

Butuyan agrees. “It shows to the ICC that Duterte is still powerful in the Philippines, that he still has very powerful allies, he can even have an overwhelming majority of the Senate to advocate his personal interest. All of these show that if he is released, it will endanger victims and witnesses.”

She believes that the court may also be aware that among the senators who passed the resolution could have had a hand in the drug war.

Tony La Viña, the former dean of Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, told Philstar.com that the Senate’s resolution does not help in Duterte’s bid for interim release.

“This is bad for Duterte’s petition for interim release as this shows he has power and influence that can be used against victims,” La Viña said.

Noise, distraction

For Butuyan, the resolution also looked like an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing corruption probes into flood control projects. Several senators close to the Dutertes have been tagged in the schemes, including former Senate president Chiz Escudero.

‘If the Senate really cares for the people they serve, they should first pass a resolution commiserating with the families of victims of the war on drugs and set aside a fund to help the thousands of children orphaned by it,’ Butuyan said.

The ICC is prosecuting Duterte over his war on drugs, which is estimated to have killed as many as 30,000 people. Duterte was turned over to the court in March this year, but his allies continue to push for his release.

With former Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis hounded by foul trouble, his teammates stepped up and towed the Mapua Cardinals over the Lyceum Pirates in their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball matchup Wednesday evening.

Mapua escaped Lyceum, 90-89, in a double overtime thriller.

There, Escamis played just 21 minutes and 19 seconds before fouling out in the first overtime. He finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assets to go with two steals as he struggled from the floor on a 4-of-15 clip.

After the game, the guard said he is happy with the way the other Cardinals picked up the slack in the grind-it-out win.

‘Sobrang saya ko kasi syempre, hindi lang naman ako yung Mapua e. One to 15-man lineup kami, pwede maglaro, pwede mag-bench, pwede mag-start,’ he said.

‘Kahit sino sa amin, maaasahan yun. Yun lang yung gusto ko, gusto ko [i-emphasize] sa kanila. Yung just be ready all the time when your number’s called. No emotions, pag pinasok ka, ready ka,’ he added.

Escamis was called for three early fouls in the first quarter of the game.

He was able to keep himself from committing his fourth foul until the 5:17 mark of the fourth, and he was finally whistled for his final foul with 3:27 remaining in overtime.

Still, his teammates stepped up, led by JC Recto, who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three assists. EJ Sapasap also had 16 markers and four boards for the Cardinals.

But the hero of the night was Marc Cuenco, who tallied 14 points, including a split from the line with 6.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime to push Mapua ahead for good.

Escamis admitted that it was ‘very frustrating’ for him to watch from the sidelines and be unable to help his teammates when the game went into deep waters, but he emphasized that he trusts his fellow Cardinals.

‘I just cheered them on, kinausap ko sila, like veteran advice, and they pulled out the win.’

And with this, Escamis underscored that it is a ‘good experience’ for them to have such a game to start their title defense bid.

”Di na kami magsha-shy away sa mga ganito moments. Especially yung mga rookies, mga bagong pasok. Ano lang agad sila, mga honed na agad sila sa mga ganitong sitwasyon,’ he said.

‘Pero kailangan namin mag-improve para sa defense kasi we were grateful na panalo kami, pero dapat yung margin of panalo dapat di umabot sa ganiyan.’

Mapua will be back in action next Wednesday, taking on Perpetual Help at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

As the PBA met the media to launch its 50th season yesterday, the pro league brought in tow the newest member of the family – Pureblends Corp..

Officially on board after the completion of its purchase of NorthPort, Pureblends is carrying the Titan Ultra Giant Risers banner to start its PBA journey.

Their designated representative to the board, Emilio Tiu, attended the team’s first public function with much excitement.

‘We’re very happy we are formally accepted by the PBA,’ Tiu said as he joined his peers in the PBA board and commissioner Willie Marcial in the event that served as curtain raiser for the golden season that starts Sunday.

‘Since last year, we’ve already had the intention of joining the PBA because of the product exposure and the quality of the players. But we waited for this year because we feel this is the right timing, being the 50th year of PBA,’ he added.

He explained Pureblends decided to use Titan Ultra, a male dietary supplement the company is rolling out soon, for it felt it would be ‘an impact product.’

With a squad led by veterans Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon, Aljun Melecio, Von Pessumal and young guns Fran Yu, Chris Koon and Mario Barasi and coached by John Cardel, Tiu promised a competitive Giant Risers crew.

‘I have to admit we’re still young but we have a complete lineup and we have four or five veterans who can guide the young ones. We’ll give the strong teams a fight,’ said the Pureblends exec.

Titan’s arrival is one of many exciting changes on tap for the season.

Four new coaches are making their debut in Magnolia’s LA Tenorio, Phoenix’ Willy Wilson, Terrafirma’s Ronald Tubid and Pampanga Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda of Converge while Cardel, formerly with the Dyip, is on a comeback with the Pureblends franchise.

Aside from Tiu, there are two other fresh faces on the board in Jason Webb of Magnolia and former NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio of Terrafirma.

The PBA has lined up a loaded opening weekend.

On Saturday, the 12 teams engage with fans in a meet-and-greet at the Smart Araneta Coliseum then join the stars and personalities of yesteryears in a homecoming event at the Meralco Theater.

On Sunday, the Leo Awards for Season 49 at Novotel Manila precedes the formal opening ceremony at the Big Dome before Manila Clasico rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, with Tenorio on the other side this time, fire the first salvo in the Philippine Cup.

‘At 50, we are healthy, we are strong and ready to face the next 50 years, for the next generation of players will emerge, where fans can interact with them in a digital and social media space. The PBA remains solid now at 50 and look forward to the next 50 with much enthusiasm,’ PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said in a video message from overseas.