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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said that 99 out of 204 new hires occupying high positions in the anti-graft body are ‘questionable.’

Remulla said that the 99 new employees were found to have a salary grade level of 25 and above. A government employee with a salary grade level of 25 earns around P111,000 monthly.

‘Yung 204 persons, we identified 99 of salary grade 25 and above, which is very high position in government. And for them to be hired at the last minute and to occupy pivotal positions, highest-paid positions paid with a premium at the last minute I think is questionable,’ Remulla said in a press briefing.

Remulla noted that they occupy the positions of Special Prosecutor, Assistant Ombudsman, Director IV, and Graft Investigator.

He also shared that many of the new hires were fresh lawyers but were already granted high salary grade levels.

‘They have a say in the functions of the office, from evaluation to preliminary investigation to prosecution of people,’ Remulla added.

He also said that a memorandum order has been issued for them to tender their courtesy resignations. However, he clarified that the resignations are not yet accepted.

Last Monday, Remulla said that a total of 204 new hires, suspected of being ‘midnight appointees’ in the Office of the Ombudsman will be asked to reapply before the anti-graft body.

He noted that their applications will be reevaluated as they are still under the six-month probationary period.

A midnight appointee refers to an appointment to a political office that was made in the eleventh hour of the term of office of the person vested with the power to issue such an appointment. /gsg

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said the erotic film ‘Dreamboi’ was given an R-18 rating after producers submitted a third version for review.

‘Dreamboi,’ an entry to the CineSilip Film Festival, made headlines after its writer-director Rodina Singh revealed the MTRCB gave the film an X-rating after its ‘prolonged sexually explicit scenes’ were deemed ‘inappropriate’ for public viewing.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the film’s X (formerly Twitter) page announced that it finally earned an R-18 rating from the government agency after its third review attempt.

‘Dreamboi is finally R-18. Thank you everyone for believing in the politics of our film,’ the post read. ‘Masakit na kailangan nating mag-adjust, pero sigurado tayo-hindi pwedeng hindi sinehan. Salamat sa pagsama sa aming laban (It hurts that we have to adjust, but we’re sure that it has to be seen by the public in cinemas. Thank you for joining us in this fight).’ According to the film’s creators, the original runtime of ‘Dreamboi’ was about 120 minutes long; however, the approved R-18 cut follows an 84-minute run time.

‘Direk Rodina originally thought of a 120-minute max run time. But the first submitted material for review was only 85 minutes. The approved was 84 minutes. She believes that there should only be one cut of the film. And this is the R-18 version we’re about to see tomorrow,’ they said.

In a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday, Oct. 22, the MTRCB said the film underwent an ‘objective’ assessment through a ‘separate review committee composed of three different, distinct committee members.’

”Dreamboi’ by Rodina Singh went from X to R-18. Said the review committee: ‘This is the 3rd version of the film ‘Dreamboi’ submitted for review before the Board. Previous versions were determined to be inappropriate for public viewing,” it added.

– Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 22, 2025

Despite the back-and-forths with the film’s creators, the MTRCB said the film is a ‘meaningful venue’ for transgender representation in Philippine cinema through the lens of Diwa.

‘The film portrays the emotional and sexual life of a trans woman with honesty and dignity, moving beyond stereotypes. Its treatment of sensuality is symbolic rather than exploitative, expressing the human longing for love, identity, and acceptance,’ it said.

‘Artistically, it uses sound, light, and intimacy to reveal the inner world of desire and isolation often unseen in mainstream narratives. While containing explicit material that warrants an R-18 classification, Dreamboi remains valuable for its authentic portrayal of marginalized experience and contribution to inclusivity in Philippine storytelling,’ it added.

Form of ‘transphobia’

The MTRCB’s controversial review of the film earned the ire of Sassa Gurl and filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone on social media, with the internet personality saying the initial X rating is a form of ‘transphobia.’

‘This is transphobia!! Free the dolls!!’ Sassa said.

This is transphobia!! Free the dolls!! https://t.co/lIFZg4lbE9

– Sassa Gurl (@Itssassagurl) October 20, 2025

Jadaone, for her part, said the film is a ‘moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire.’

‘Dreamboi is not pornography. I’ve seen the scene in question. It’s a moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire. It’s about longing, intimacy, what it means to be seen. It’s a story for adults, one that deserves an R18 rating, so it can reach the audience it was made for,’ she wrote.

Dreamboi is not pornography. Ibe seen the scene in question. It’s a moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire. It’s about longing, intimacy,what it means to be seen. It’s a story for adults, one that deserves an R18 rating, so it can reach the audience it was made for.

– Toñet (@tonetjadaone) October 21, 2025

Singh, as well as its lead actors Tony Labrusca and EJ Jallorina, expressed their gratitude to the MTRCB for allowing the film to be screened at the CineSilip Film Festival.

A public school teacher was shot dead by her husband inside a classroom in Matalom, Leyte, on Wednesday morning, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported.

This marks the second shooting incident inside a school campus in Leyte this month.

On October 16, a teacher in Tanauan, Leyte, was shot and wounded by her estranged husband but managed to survive. The suspect was immediately arrested by responding authorities. Police said jealousy was the motive behind the attack.

In Matalom, the victim, identified by police as alias ‘Ellen,’ 39, married, and a teacher at Agbanga Elementary School in Barangay Agbanga, Matalom, was allegedly gunned down by her husband, alias ‘Lino,’ 49, jobless, and a resident of Barangay Caridad Sur, Matalom.

Based on a police report, the incident occurred around 11:05 a.m. inside the classroom of one of the victim’s co-teachers. Initial investigation revealed that the victim ran into the room seeking help after being chased by her husband, who followed her and, without hesitation, fired several shots using an unidentified firearm, hitting her multiple times and killing her instantly.

After the shooting, the suspect fled aboard a white Suzuki minivan heading toward Matalom proper.

Personnel of the Matalom Municipal Police Station immediately responded to the scene after receiving a call from a concerned citizen at around 11:09 a.m. Police are currently conducting a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect, while nearby stations have been alerted to set up chokepoints and dragnet operations.

Authorities have requested the Matalom Municipal Health Officer to conduct a post-mortem examination, while the Baybay City Forensic Unit has been tasked to process the crime scene

Bicol University (BU) will resume classes and sports activities for its 2025 Olympics on Thursday, following a two-day suspension due to an incident that sent several students to the hospital.

Under Memorandum Order No. 392, athletes who are unwell or still recovering will not be compelled to participate in the games.

On Monday evening, students suffered suffocation and hyperventilation from the smoke coming from canisters used in gender reveal events, as part of the BU Hataw performance, a mass demonstration routine conducted in the BU Olympics yearly.

The university is deep-cleaning and preparing the sports complex grounds to ensure safety, cleanliness, and readiness before the continuation of the University Olympics.

The suspension of classes was implemented to provide students with debriefing, medical assessments, and assistance for those still experiencing symptoms.

It also allowed students recently discharged from hospital confinement to recover and for the distribution of aid to affected students.

In a separate statement, the BU administration assured the public and students, particularly those affected by the recent color smoke incident during the BU Hataw presentation, that it is taking action to address the situation. A task force has been established to assess the incident.

Immediate and necessary medical, financial, and psychosocial assistance have been provided and are being extended to all affected students and personnel. (PNA)/coa

Telecommunications veteran Anastacio Martirez has stepped down as chief operating officer of Smart Communications following months of speculation about friction in the workplace.

This departure comes only about a year after his PLDT Group comeback.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Smart Group and parent firm PLDT announced Martirez’s resignation, which would take effect on Oct. 21.

‘Mr. Anastacio R. Martirez has today expressed his intention to pursue his original entrepreneurial ventures which will be outside Smart Communications, Inc.,’ the group statement said.

‘Smart has accepted his decision, and wishes him well in such ventures,’ it added.

Martirez returned to the PLDT group in September 2024. In his previous stint with the same group, he had headed the personal communications and mobile services division, but left the organization in 2005, along with another top officer, Pete Lawrence.

Industry sources said Martirez, who had been mandated to pursue structural reforms in the organization after a controversial budget overrun saga, instead drew flak from some colleagues. /dda

For the second straight game, Ateneo missed the services of foreign student-athlete Divine Adili.

As expected, Dom Escobar rose to the challenge for the Blue Eagles at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

Escobar delivered 15 points and nine rebounds, but his effort wasn’t enough to lift Ateneo past Far Eastern University in a 75-68 loss. Still, he embraced the responsibility of filling the void left by Adili, who is out with a back injury.

‘With Divine Adili being out, I take more pride in that. Coach Tab has challenged me, I [also] challenged myself upon that,’ Escobar said in the first game of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament’s second round of eliminations.

‘We’re not as big as we should be so every time there’s a shot up, all I’m thinking of is just crashing the boards.’ The last time Adili played was in Ateneo’s triple-overtime loss to the University of Santo Tomas, 98-89, at Blue Eagle Gym.

Even in that game, Escobar showed his rebounding prowess, finishing with 13 points and 20 rebounds, while Adili tallied 10 points and 17 boards.

For the one-and-done guard, however, understanding their roles under coach Tab Baldwin isn’t enough. The Blue Eagles must now find a way to snap their four-game skid.

‘We just have to recognize who we are, we’re good enough to turn this around and finish within the Top 4 or even Top 2,’ he said. ‘We have to forget this loss and focus on NU this coming Sunday.’

Ateneo (4-4) faces National University (6-2) on Sunday at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Malacañang on Wednesday downplayed a request submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) seeking an investigation into first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ alleged ties to Maynard Ngu, tagging it as a mere ‘fishing expedition’ to tarnish her name.

These remarks came in response to a letter of sentiment filed by cultural and peace advocate John Santander before the ICI, urging the super body to investigate the supposed connection between Araneta-Marcos and Ngu.

Ngu is the tech billionaire behind Cherry Mobile, whom some sectors have linked to the flood-control controversy. His term as special envoy to China for trade, investments, and tourism expired in August 2025.

‘The First Lady’s initial remark was that she would not give it any attention because it was hearsay evidence,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro, speaking in Filipino, said in a briefing, citing a conversation with the first lady.

‘Is this merely a fishing expedition intended to discredit the First Lady?’ she also asked.

Castro also questioned Santander’s credibility in filing the letter, saying, ‘It’s as if he were a nuisance candidate who was given some money to buy vinegar and, while at it, handed over a letter of sentiment to be submitted to the ICI.’

Castro added that, according to the letter, there is no information linking the first lady to the controversial flood-control project.

She further questioned whether Santander fully understood the ICI’s mandate and whether he had any personal knowledge of the alleged relationship between Araneta-Marcos and Ngu.

On Tuesday, Santander went to the ICI building to submit his letter of sentiment addressed to ICI chair Andres Reyes.

‘We are not pro-Marcos. We are not DDS [Die-hard Duterte Supporters], and we are not Kakampink. This is our own perspective as a part or as individuals living in our country,’ he told reporters, while showing two photos showing Marcos and Ngu together.

Ngu was recently tagged as the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero, one of the lawmakers implicated in the anomalies.

Earlier, former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo alleged that he had coursed P160 million in kickbacks through Ngu.

Submission of leads encouraged

Despite dismissing Santander’s call for an investigation, Castro urged the public to submit to the ICC any leads or information they have, as long as they are vetted.

‘We can encourage it when they have complete evidence. If it has a clear direction and is vetted, then that’s fine; but if it’s merely a way to conduct a fishing expedition-for the ICI to investigate accusations that have no basis-then that doesn’t seem to be the ICI’s mandate, because the ICI’s mandate is to directly focus on anomalous flood control projects and infrastructure,’ she said.

This was not the case in Santander’s letter of sentiment, as it did not contain leads related to flood control or infrastructure projects, she said.

‘That’s what the people, our fellow citizens, need to understand. They shouldn’t just write a letter and say that something should be investigated, because the ICI is already looking into many issues-issues that have evidence, issues that truly need to be investigated. They shouldn’t add more if their only intention is to conduct a fishing expedition,’ said Castro. /mr

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has leads in the killing of broadcaster Noel Samar.

Samar was ambushed on Monday in Guinobatan town, sustaining gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. He died Tuesday afternoon.

‘Our investigators from the Albay Provincial Police Office are already pursuing several leads,’ Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement, without expounding on the leads.

‘We are expediting the process, but we also want to ensure that the evidence gathered will stand in court,’ he added.

The top cop also said the police have begun taking statements from witnesses, reviewing security footage, and conducting forensic and ballistic examinations.

Nartatez added that the Presidential Task Force on Media Security met with reporters at the Police Regional Office Bicol’s headquarters in Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City, Albay, in a bid for stronger ties between the media and law enforcement in the wake of Samar’s ambush. /mcm/abc

Manila Water is undertaking a critical pipe relocation project along Meralco Avenue and Shaw Boulevard in Pasig City to support the Department of Transportation’s Metro Manila Subway Project.

The initiative involves relocating a 600mm steel pipeline, including open-trench excavation, pipelaying, interconnection, looping to existing lines, and full restoration works. With a project cost of over ?49 million, construction began in the second quarter of 2025 and is expected to be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2026.

This proactive measure aims to prevent potential water service disruptions during subway construction and ensure continued water supply reliability in the area.

To manage traffic flow, construction is being done 24/7 along Oranbo Drive, while work is being done along Capt. Henry Javier Street is scheduled from 11:00 PM to 4:00 a.m.

One lane will be closed during these hours, with a stop-and-go scheme in place.

In coordination with the Pasig City local government, Manila Water has installed safety signage, bollards, and board-ups to ensure road and pedestrian safety.

‘We support the government’s infrastructure push while making sure our customers continue to receive reliable water service,’ said Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water Communication Affairs Group Director.

Manila Water appeals for public patience and understanding as the project progresses, reaffirming its commitment to safe, reliable, and uninterrupted water service.

Last Oct. 12, Jeff Napa made his way from the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in España, Manila, to Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Having steered his National U squad to a victory over La Salle in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament, the Bulldogs coach snaked through the winding roads of Rizal province to get to the hilltop venue.

There, Napa helped Terrafirma log a breakthrough victory in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup.

On Wednesday, Napa will make a shorter trip-from Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, to Ninoy Aquino Stadium in neighboring Manila.

Is another double in the offing for the Dyip assistant coach, who is often seen handling timeouts and disgramming plays while designated head coach Ronald Tubid looks on?

‘There’s no head coach here. We’re all head coaches here,’ Tubid said after the Dyip’s 97-91 upset of the NLEX Road Warriors over a week ago, the franchise’s first victory since starting last season’s Philippine Cup with a win.

The victory snapped a string of 11 consecutive defeats for the franchise which could not sell itself in the offseason. Terrafirma rode on a stirring performance of unheralded rookie JM Bravo, the sixth-round pick in last month’s Draft out of Lyceum of the Philippines.

Bravo brings with him some motivation every game. Not only is he riding a comeback since being knocked unconscious while playing for the Pirates in last season’s NCAA, eventually returning to action after weeks of recovery.

‘It’s very special because of what happened last year,’ Bravo said in Filipino after earning Best Player of the Game honors. ‘But I just put in the past and I just focus on what I have now.’

The 25-year-old forward admitted that his dad was instrumental in his comeback-his inspiration as he worked through his recovery.

Unfortunately, the elder Bravo died earlier this year.

‘I told him that I won’t give up [and] that I [will] enter the professional level,’ Bravo said.

Bravo and his teammates battle Converge at 5:15 p.m., the first game of a doubleheader that also features the later match between Phoenix and NLEX. -INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ