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Carousel Productions, together with Reign Project Management, held a media conference for the reigning Miss Earth Jessica Lane and her elemental court – Hrafnhildur “Raven” Haraldsdottir of Iceland (Air) and Bea Milan Windorski of the United States (Water) – at the Luxent Hotel ballroom in Quezon City.

“I fell in love with the Philippines not only because my close friend back home is a Filipina, but also because I saw the same passion families and communities share with their loved ones.

“After my reign, I will be back here in Manila more often in the future, just like other Earth queens before me,” said Jessica.

“I’ll run away with the crown, I’m not giving it up,” quipped the Australian beauty, whose victory allowed her country to become a pageant powerhouse.

Lane is set to graduate from college next year. The beauty queen advocates sustainable fashion. She noted how Miss Earth empowers young women to create changes and “somehow rectify excesses left by earlier generations.”

“To all global leaders, please listen because people around the world are affected by the onslaught of climate change; as scientists have shown proof, especially the youth whose future you are impacting. I’ve experienced bush fire and flooding in Australia, too! Protection against climate crisis is so important! We are all Earth citizens,” said the reigning Miss Earth.

She recalled a beach cleanup with children volunteers where the participants had difficulty discerning between waste and natural things because they saw shells and garbage as the same, having grown up with trash all their lives.

The mid-afternoon event was graced by Miss Earth 2004 Priscila Mereilles of Brazil and Miss Earth Air 2016 Michelle Gomez of Colombia, as well as Miss Charm Germany 2025 Luisa Victoria Malz.

Platform for good

For Filipina-American Bea, she plans to pursue law in the country.

“I intend to continue my journey in a legal capacity. The realities of climate change is felt by us, especially here in the Philippines. Miss Earth is a ripple effect of change. I will support it for the next 25 years, and the 25 years after that. Miss Earth should connect with a multitude of people,” said Bea.

Bea’s mother hails from La Union, where a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the its coast.

The Filipina-American revealed that she recently joined a rally in Manila and saw how politics is connected with environmental protection. She said that people should communicate more about disaster preparedness, especially in light of recent events.

“Climate will manifest itself until you’re the one filming it. This summer, my hometown in Milwaukee was flooding. As a climate refugee, and if you feel that pageantry can help propel your advocacy, then join the Miss Earth platform. My home state has the largest number of misplaced individuals from causes not of their doing. That’s the reason why I volunteered to be a tutor for English as secondary language since middle school,” she shared.

This year, the Miss Earth Organizations is expecting more or less 80 international delegates. They will all be formally presented to members of the media next week.

Raven, meanwhile, said that she would continue with her Chemical Engineering degree. She sees the Miss Earth as a platform that people can contribute to and advocate for environmental protection.

“I gathered girls from the pageant community in my hometown and went on a cleanup drive. I remembered my mom telling us how she survived a snow avalanche when she was 16. Growing up with this tragic story changed my outlook in life.

“My hometown has 312 people living therein and I felt incredible going on a beach cleanup drive. Don’t let people stop you from doing what you believe in,” the Icelandic beauty said.

The 25th Miss Earth edition finals will unfold on November 5 at the Okada Manila. Stay tuned!

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has signed the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) requested by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) against 19 individuals on Wednesday, October 15.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed with Philstar.com that the department received the ILBO issued by the DOJ on the new individuals tagged by the ICI.

‘Their names have been included in our centralized database, and their travels will be monitored and reported to the DOJ,’ Sandoval told Philstar.com in a message.

This means that their names have been circulated to immigration authorities to monitor the individuals from leaving the country, typically those who are subjects of ongoing investigations or legal cases.

It differs from a hold departure order, which is a court-issued directive preventing an individual from leaving the country.

The ICI earlier requested an ILBO against 19 individuals which including former and current lawmakers and engineers.

Three of the people included in the list had already been issued an ILBO from the initial list in the DOJ’s lookout bulletin issued on October 8.

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) saw its total assets fall by 18 percent to P278 billion in 2024 after remitting over P117 billion in funds and dividends to the national government under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In its 2024 Annual Report, the state deposit insurer said total assets declined by P61.6 billion from the previous year’s P339.6 billion.

‘The drop in net assets is primarily attributed to remittances to the Bureau of the Treasury aggregating P107.2 billion fund balance under the GAA and P10.7 billion dividends, P1.2 billion operating expenses and P300 million payment of insured deposits,’ the PDIC said.

PDIC president and CEO Roberto Tan said the remittance supports ‘the fiscal strengthening and consolidation initiative’ of the national government and helps fund its priority programs.

‘PDIC remitted a total of P10.7 billion in regular dividends to the national government in 2024. This is in support of the fiscal strengthening and consolidation initiative as well as to help fund various priority programs of the national government,’ Tan said in his report.

The decline in assets, however, was partly tempered by the inflow of fresh resources, including P38 billion in assessment collections, P17.3 billion in income from investments and P2.9 billion in income from financial assistance and other sources.

PDIC’s cash and investments also declined by 18.5 percent to P273.1 billion in 2024 from P335.1 billion a year ago, comprising 98.2 percent of the insurer’s total assets. Most are in government securities and money market placements.

Total investment portfolio is composed of P256 billion corporate funds and P12.1 billion earmarked funds for the loan obligations of the PDIC.

PDIC’s total deposit insurance fund (DIF), which is the deposit insurer’s capital, fell by 23.6 percent at P236.9 billion in 2024 from P310.1 billion in 2023.

The DIF includes a P3 billion permanent insurance fund provided by the national government, P226.1 billion reserves for insurance losses and P7.8 billion in retained earnings.

Despite the decline, the PDIC maintained a DIF to estimated insured deposits (EID) ratio of 7.83 percent, surpassing its 6.5-percent target and exceeding the international benchmark for deposit insurance adequacy.

‘This accomplishment underscores the PDIC’s commitment to maintaining a robust financial safety net for depositors,’ the report said.

The PDIC reported a total income of P58.2 billion in 2024, a 12-percent increase from P52.3 billion the previous year, driven largely by assessment collections from member banks and investment income.

Assessment income accounted for 65 percent of total revenues, while investment income contributed 30 percent.

Investment income rose by 7.3 percent to P17.3 billion, reflecting higher returns from government securities and placements. Assessment income also climbed by 8.5 percent to P38 billion due to the banking sector’s continued expansion.

The PDIC assured the public that despite the decline in assets, it remains financially sound and well positioned to protect depositors in case of bank closures.

‘As of 2024, the financial position of the corporation is stable and adequate to safeguard against the risks in the banking system and the interests of the depositing public,’ the PDIC reiterated.

A low-pressure area (LPA) east-southeast of Baler, Aurora is bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

As of 4 p.m., the weather bureau said the LPA was spotted about 130 kilometers east-southeast of Baler. The weather disturbance, along with the prevailing easterlies, will affect the eastern sections of Luzon and the Visayas.

Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Isabela, Aurora, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan and Camarines Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the LPA.

The agency warned of possible flash floods or landslides, especially in areas prone to flooding or with steep terrain.

The Visayas, MIMAROPA and the rest of the Bicol Region will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms caused by the easterlies.

Similar conditions are expected in Mindanao and the rest of the country, where localized thunderstorms may trigger flash floods or landslides during severe episodes.

Meanwhile, extreme Northern Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to a northeasterly wind flow, but PAGASA said no significant impact is expected in the area.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas, with coastal waters ranging from slight to moderate, or 0.6 to 1.8 meters.

The same wind conditions are expected over Mindanao, with waves reaching up to 1.5 meters.

When GCash celebrates its birthday, everyone’s invited to the party. Starting October 15, the country’s leading finance super app is set to unveil exciting surprises to celebrate with everyone through a Surprise Birthday Shake Away.

GCash users will be surprised with chances to win exciting rewards and surprises every day from October 15 to 31. Big prizes include GCash credits, gift certificates, a home appliance showcase, an iPhone 16, a motorcycle, and even the all-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic hybrid car.

Joining is easy. Simply log in to the GCash app, tap the promo banner, and shake your phone to earn a raffle entry. The more GCash services you use, such as Send Money, Buy Load, or Pay Bills, the bigger the prizes you can win.

The surprise does not stop there, as you shake your phone for a chance to win, PPop’s Female Alpha, G22, turns up the birthday energy with the GCash Surprise Birthday Shake Away jingle and dance craze, inviting everyone to move, groove, and celebrate the GCash way.

Users and fans alike can share, dance, and post their birthday moves on social media to celebrate the nationwide birthday fever of fun, music, and surprises.

Most Filipinos were angry and outraged over issues of corruption in government infrastructure projects, according to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

Results of the Sept. 25 to 30 survey released yesterday showed that 60 percent of the respondents selected anger or outrage as the primary emotion that best described their reaction to the issue.

Another 30 percent said they were fearful or anxious, while nine percent selected sadness or sorrow.

Only one percent said they felt hope or optimism as various government agencies start their investigation on the alleged anomalies involving ranking government officials.

In an interview with ‘Storycon’ on One News, OCTA president Ranjit Rye said the findings showed a ‘clear, uncompromising public mandate for justice, accountability and institutional reform.’

‘People are angry and expect real action. They want corrupt officials and contractors jailed and public funds recovered,’ he said.

Rye noted that the strongest anger came from Gen Z and millennial respondents, who make up a large portion of the voting population.

‘Outrage and anger are powerful emotions, and this could accelerate the development of strong social movements,’ he said, adding that the sentiment could influence the country’s political landscape in 2028. Rye emphasized that the public expects ‘serious, not performative’ action.

‘The President started this. People appreciate it, but he must go full force and follow through with reforms and accountability,’ he said.

He also warned that failure to act decisively could deepen public distrust in government, saying that ‘if nobody is jailed, distrust for government will rise and that will affect its legitimacy.’

Rye said corruption ranked among the top five national issues for the first time in four years, alongside inflation, wages, food access, jobs and poverty. ‘We’re at a critical juncture. People are demanding real change,’ he said.

Palace: Calm down

Malacañang, for its part, has urged the public to remain calm in demanding accountability.

‘Calm down. This cannot be done hastily,’ Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing when asked to comment on public demand for accountability, based on the OCTA poll.

Castro urged Filipinos to allow the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to complete its work.

Based on the OCTA survey, 83 percent of the respondents agreed to President Marcos’ decision to publicly expose corruption in infrastructure projects.

Only three percent disagreed with his move, while 13 percent were undecided on the issue.

The respondents were also asked which institutions or groups they feel is in the best position to conduct the investigation.

Almost half or 46 percent said it should be an independent commission composed of individuals from the private sector, such as the ICI created by the President.

Twenty-three percent of the respondents backed the Senate investigation, while 13 percent selected the one undertaken by the House of Representatives. Another eight percent said it’s the Department of Public Works and Highways that should conduct an investigation.

Most respondents expect accountability, jail time and institutional reform as the outcome of the flood control investigations.

The top five preferred outcomes, OCTA said, are holding corrupt officials and contractors accountable (68 percent), recovery of lost or misused public funds (58 percent), imprisonment of those proven guilty (58 percent), ensuring efficient implementation of quality flood control projects (41 percent) and strengthening transparency and monitoring of government infrastructure projects (34 percent).

The total exceeded 100 percent as the respondents were allowed to select multiple responses.

Other desired outcomes were faster completion of government infrastructure projects (27 percent), restoration of public trust in the government (24 percent) and reform in bidding and procurement processes (13 percent).

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

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has requested the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against 19 individuals.

The commission leading the flood control probe sent the request for an ILBO to the Department of Justice on Monday, October 13.

The ICI has requested that the Justice Department issue an ILBO on the following:

Former Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy

Arturo “Art” Atayde

Alvin Tan

Bong Marasigan

Elmer de Leon

Ed Fuentebella

Johnny Santos

John Mary Vianney Parago

Alvin Mariano

Ryan Uy

Darryl Recio

Nestor Venturina

Benjie Tocol

Romeo “Bogs” Magalong Jr.

District Engr. Ramon Devanadera

District Engr. Johnny Protesta Jr.

District Engr. Aristotle Ramos

District Engr. Michael P. Rosaria

Engr. Angelita Garucha

Three people in the new ICI request, particularly Magalong, Devanadera and Protesta, have already been issued an ILBO on October 8.

An ILBO is a directive to immigration authorities to monitor individuals from leaving the country, typically those who are subjects of ongoing investigations or legal cases.

It differs from a hold departure order, which is a court-issued directive preventing an individual from leaving the country.

Thirty-three officials were initially issued an ILBO on October 8 due to their alleged involvement in corruption in flood control projects.

According to the ICI, the individuals, who include more than a dozen lawmakers and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, are ‘subjects in a relevant position that operates to make them an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process.’

On Tuesday, October 14, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is included in the initial ILBO list, appeared before the commission.

He was asked by the commission to testify concerning questioned insertions in the national budget and his involvement in DPWH flood control projects when he was still the Speaker.

Meanwhile, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was placed on the lookout bulletin on September 25, was also summoned for his role as House appropriations panel chief in previous years.

Election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections or LENTE has questioned a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) resetting the first-ever parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to March 2026.

LENTE described the SC decision as ‘interference’ in the date set for an election by a valid law.

‘This decision also sets a dangerous precedent, one that risks opening the floodgates for malicious actors to use judicial intervention to justify the postponement despite the validity of a law setting the date of the election,’ LENTE said in a statement.

The poll watchdog said that such actions could erode public confidence in the electoral process, weaken democratic institutions and stifle the people’s right to suffrage and self-determination.

LENTE urged the high court to reassess its role in setting the date of elections, noting that this is a legislative prerogative that must be exercised through a valid law.

It urged the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to immediately pass a new redistricting law before Oct. 30 to prevent another deferral of the Bangsamoro people’s right to choose their representatives.

The BTA wants Congress to pass a law setting the date of the BARMM elections.

Rex Laudiangco, spokesman for the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said that members of the Bangsamoro Parliament want to work with Congress for the passage of a law fixing the date of the BARMM electoral exercise.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body would abide by the decision of the high tribunal.

He said the Comelec is waiting for the passage of the new redistricting law.

Garcia assured the Bang-samoro people that the election would push through.

He said the postponement would give the Comelec more time to better prepare for the BARMM parliamentary election.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday cautioned local government units (LGUs) against prolonged suspension of face-to-face classes, warning that it could disrupt students’ learning and development.

The statement came after Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones ordered the suspension of in-person classes in all levels, both public and private, in the province from Oct. 14 to 31 due to the possibility of a strong earthquake.

DepEd chief media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said that while the department respects the authority of LGUs to suspend classes for public safety, such decisions should be made ‘with balance and prudence.’

‘While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students’ development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity,’ Legaspi said.

He added that DepEd will coordinate with concerned schools division offices to ensure that alternative delivery modes are provided to affected learners.

Legaspi also urged local governments to ‘periodically assess whether the suspension is still necessary for public safety.’

The United Nations Children’s Fund earlier warned of a ‘real and widespread learning crisis’ in the Philippines, noting that a vast majority of students are falling behind in reading and mathematics.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito Bacolcol reiterated that earthquakes cannot be predicted.

‘We understand the concern for public safety, but Phivolcs would like to clarify that earthquakes cannot be predicted. There is currently no technology anywhere in the world that can determine exactly when or where a quake will occur,’ Bacolcol said.

Amid the 18-day suspension, the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has asked the provincial government to allow the university to continue essential face-to-face academic activities.

In a memorandum, UPLB said that scheduled examinations, laboratory classes, fieldwork, clinical and internship rotations, human kinetics courses, exchange student activities and other tasks that cannot be effectively conducted online or through modules shall proceed as scheduled since they require physical participation.

The university also directed unit heads to strictly implement safety protocols, including building inspections, emergency preparedness measures and compliance with disaster risk reduction guidelines to protect students, faculty and staff.

Flu break in Rizal

Aside from Laguna, Rizal has also suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private, from Oct. 14 to 17 due to an increase in flu-like illnesses.

‘The purpose of this is to ensure the safety and health of our learners and teachers amid the rise in influenza-like illnesses,’ Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares explained.

Classes will shift to modular distance learning during the suspension period.

Teachers want health break

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has asked Education Secretary Sonny Angara to declare a health break for public school teachers from Oct. 27 to 30.

In a letter to Angara, ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo cited overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities, teacher shortages and added workload from the ARAL Program as factors straining teachers’ well-being.

Pointing to the impact of recent floods, typhoons and earthquakes, Bernardo said the proposed break – coinciding with students’ mid-year break – would allow teachers to rest, recover and engage in professional development activities such as learning action cells and in-service training.

She added that the pause would also give local governments and school administrators time to inspect facilities for damage or structural risks caused by recent seismic events.

‘In upholding teachers’ right to rest and well-being, the department reinforces the foundation of inclusive, resilient and quality education,’ Bernardo said.

DepEd partners with Phivolcs

In a related development, DepEd has strengthened its partnership with Phivolcs to ensure that class suspension decisions are guided by scientific data, localized risk assessments and safety standards.

Angara said the collaboration aims to balance learner and personnel protection with the goal of sustaining education amid emergencies.

He emphasized that decisions on suspensions and resumptions should be based on science, not fear.

DepEd is working with the Department of Science and Technology to ensure schools near fault lines are ‘over-engineered’ to withstand strong earthquakes.

Training programs with Phivolcs are also being planned for regional and field offices to assess building integrity and manage response actions.

Angara added that the department is eyeing the establishment of a DepEd command center to monitor disaster response and early warnings.

DepEd and Phivolcs also committed to improving coordination in releasing science-based advisories and information materials to prevent misinformation during crises.

‘Preparedness must go hand in hand with learning continuity,’ Angara stressed.

Under DepEd Order 22, s. 2024, the authority to suspend classes rests with local executives, schools division superintendents and school heads, who must base their decisions on Phivolcs advisories, field conditions and readiness to resume learning.

Preventive suspensions should activate learning continuity plans, such as modular, online or take-home learning, while safety inspections are ongoing.

A leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and his son were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday.

Abusama Agao and his son, Norodin, were in a tricycle with another family member, Jahara, when the gunmen waylaid them in Barangay Kapinpilan.

Agao and Norodin, kagawad and watchman in the nearby Barangay Matagabong, respectively, died instantly from gunshot wounds in the body.

Jahara was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The assailants fled on separate motorcycles. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack.