Author: user user

Vietnam’s flag carrier is mounting a direct flight between Hanoi and Cebu, marking the first-ever connection in a corridor that shows growth potential for Southeast Asian airlines.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) yesterday announced it would soon host direct flights from Hanoi through Vietnam’s flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines.

‘For the first time ever, Cebu will soon be directly connected to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, via Vietnam Airlines,’ MCIA said in a social media post.

Vietnam Airlines will be testing the market starting Dec. 3, setting up thrice a week flights for the route. The airline is deploying an Airbus A321, which can seat at least 178 guests, for the four-hour flight.

Flight VN 643 operates every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Hanoi at 10:50 p.m. and arriving in Cebu at 3:30 a.m. Flight VN 642 is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, flying out of Cebu at 4:45 p.m. and landing in Hanoi at 7:35 p.m.

Right now, Vietnam Airlines flies daily to Manila from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, competing with domestic carriers Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) in that market.

However, Vietnam Airlines has no rival in the Hanoi-Cebu corridor, with both Cebu Pacific and PAL focused on the demand for Ho Chi Minh flights.

The two offer thrice-weekly flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh, acknowledging the growing desire of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, which is considered as the most budget-friendly destination in Southeast Asia currently.

Based on data from the Department of Tourism, Vietnam is becoming a preferred destination by thousands of Filipinos. Vietnam has received 237,157 Filipinos as of end-August, making it the ninth most visited overseas destination.

On the other hand, the Philippines welcomed just 23,237 Vietnamese during the period. Vietnam is 22nd on the list of countries with the most visitor arrivals into the Philippines.

Southeast Asia’s tourism giants Thailand and Malaysia are watching Vietnam, as it is fast becoming a travel magnet for its budget adventures, cultural heritage and natural sceneries.

Hanoi, for one, is gaining traction among tourists as the jump-off point for provincial attractions like Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa, and on its own the city is popular for its ancient temples and coffee community.

The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) has requested copies of the National Expenditure Program and General Appropriations Act for fiscal years 2023 to 2025 from the House of Representatives, as well as line items involving infrastructure projects with details of their proponents.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Faustino Dy III, the group of nearly 200 local chief executives advocating for clean governance said the request was done to make records involving taxpayers’ money more accessible to the public.

‘We make this request in the spirit of transparency in the use of public funds and to ensure that allocations reflect the true needs of communities,’ M4GG stated in its letter sent on Thursday night.

‘Having access to these records will help local governments and civil society track implementation, strengthen accountability and uphold public trust in our institutions,’ it added.

The letter was signed by the M4GG’s convenors: Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Sitti Hataman of Isabela City, Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City and Vico Sotto of Pasig City.

Granting the request, the M4GG believes, would set a ‘strong example of open, participatory budgeting’ that prevents the misuse of public resources.

M4GG has exponentially grown since it was formed two years ago – struggling in the early days to recruit even one mayor weekly before 300 new members applied when the flood control scandal erupted.

In an interview with dzRH on Thursday, Magalong said the coalition would continue its crusade against corruption despite the presence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

He said all documents gathered would be turned over to the fact-finding body. M4GG has an existing memorandum of understanding with the ICI.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has officially dropped resigned Ako Bicol party-list congressman Rizaldy Co from the roll of members.

Co decided to resign from his post amid allegations of ‘insertions’ in the current 2025 national budget and his supposed involvement in the flood control projects corruption scandal.

He is still out of the country.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given Aboitiz-backed Lihangin Wind Energy Corp. (LWEC) the green light to link its large-scale wind farm in Northern Samar to the Visayas grid.

LWEC, a joint venture of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Vivant Energy Corp. and Singapore-based Vena Energy, is now authorized to build point-to-point limited transmission facilities for its 206-megawatt (MW) San Isidro Wind Power Project (SIWPP).

The project’s interim grid connection will be through the Calbayog substation of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), pending completion of the proposed 138-kilovolt San Isidro substation for its permanent link.

The ERC, however, denied LWEC’s request to manage the dedicated transmission facilities, assigning full operational and maintenance responsibility to the NGCP.

‘In case the subject assets shall be required for competitive purposes, the ownership of the same shall be transferred to NGCP using the fair market price of the said facilities, subject to optimization,’ the ERC ruled.

In evaluating the merits of LWEC’s application, the regulator said it focused on several aspects, including the wind project and the company’s technical capability to construct the proposed transmission assets.

Located in the municipality of San Isidro in Northern Samar, SIWPP is targeted for commercial operations in February next year, based on the application.

The project’s capacity, the ERC said, is expected to help meet the country’s growing power demand. It is likewise aligned with the government’s push to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources.

SIWPP’s generation output will be dispatched through a power supply agreement with retail electricity suppliers, the commission noted.

The actual system peak demand in the Visayas grid reached 2,654 MW as of end-April, while the region’s dependable capacity stood at 3,252 MW, latest Department of Energy data showed.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero to explain the P30-million campaign donation he received from a contractor during his 2022 senatorial campaign.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed on Saturday, October 4, that a show cause order (SCO) was sent to Escudero on Friday.

The senator has been directed to appear before the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department on October 13.

The order follows a similar directive issued earlier against Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., who admitted during a House hearing that he donated P30 million to Escudero’s campaign. Lubiano claimed the funds came from his personal account, not from the company.

Garcia said the Comelec is determining whether the donation violated Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits contractors or entities with government projects from contributing to political campaigns.

”Yan ang pinaka-puno’t dulo ng magiging desisyon ng Comelec,’ Garcia said in an interview on Dobol B TV, referring to whether the donation was made in a personal or official capacity.

Escudero acknowledged receiving the donation but denied any involvement in flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon or other areas.

Centerways Construction is among 15 contractors previously identified by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. as having cornered about 20% of the government’s flood control project contracts.

Garcia clarified that Escudero was not being singled out, saying the poll body is also looking into alleged illegal donations received by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during their 2022 campaign, as well as other names mentioned in the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report.

Malacañang has said Marcos is open to being investigated over the reported campaign donations.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal previously said that soliciting or receiving donations from individuals or entities with government contracts is an election offense punishable by imprisonment and disqualification from public office.

The ongoing investigations also coincide with congressional inquiries into flood control projects after Marcos revealed that contractors linked to several lawmakers had cornered massive government flood control contracts.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala suffered an early exit from the Wuhan Open qualifiers after succumbing to Moyuka Uchijima, 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, Saturday evening in Manila.

Eala, who had a quick return to action after the Suzhou Open, ran out of fuel after competing in her fifth straight three-set match.

The three-setter matches started during the Jingshan Open semifinals, where the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate bowed out of the tourney after a 6-3, 4-6, 2-6 defeat against Lulu Sun.

Eala then played three-set thrillers against Katarzyna Kawa and Greet Minnen, before falling against Viktorija Golubic on Friday.

And on Saturday, Uchijima took the first set with ease, before the Filipina equalized things up, breaking the 2-all deadlock with four of the next five games.

However, Eala fell behind 0-3 in the third set, and she could not claw out of the deficit this time around.

The Japanese tennister won 54 service points to Eala’s 49. The latter, though, punched in 39 receiving points to the former’s 33.

University of the Philippines fended off a late rally by National University to deal the Bulldogs their first loss, 66-59, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Fighting Maroons dropped a 22-2 bomb in the third and fourth quarters to erase a 13-point deficit and take full control of the contest, before NU’s comeback attempt came up short.

Francis Nnoruka paced the Diliman-based squad with 14 points and six rebounds, while Gani Stevens chipped in 10 markers and five boards. Harold Alarcon and Miguel Yniguez contributed eight points apiece.

UP trailed by 13, 34-47, in the third quarter after a deuce by Steve Nash Enriquez.

But the Maroons, off back-to-back 3-pointers by Yniguez, made it a one-point contest, 48-49, heading to the fourth quarter.

UP’s run continued in the final frame, taking a 56-49 lead with five minutes remaining.

A split from the line by PJ Palacielo finally ended the NU drought, but the UP continued as the Maroons took a 12-point lead late, 65-53, following a Reyland Torres jumper.

Jake Figueroa and Palacielo tried to mount a comeback with six straight points, but a Stevens split iced the game.

NU actually held an 11-point advantage in the first quarter, going up 17-6, before UP went ahead, 24-23, in the second frame.

The Bulldogs though regained their touch and erected the double-digit lead.

UP’s Rey Remogat tallied six points while shooting 2-of-9 from the field.

Enriquez paced NU with 16 point and four assists, while Gelo Santiago had 10 markers.

UP is now holding a 2-2 win-loss record, while NU dropped to 3-1.

Currently, Ateneo is the only remaining team without a defeat this season.

Following the flag-raising rites performed by personnel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the area, an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maintained that the Philippines has sovereign rights over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

In a post on his X account yesterday, PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea (WPS) issues Commodore Jay Tarriela wrote: ‘The ceremonial flag-raising by China Coast Guard officers at Bajo de Masinloc underscores the continuing unlawful activities of the People’s Republic of China in the West Philippine Sea,’ referring to the Philippine traditional name of Panatag.

He cited the ‘unanimous 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,’ which declared that ‘China had unlawfully interfered with the Philippines’ traditional fishing rights at the shoal’ and that ‘China’s claims of historic rights had no legal basis where they conflicted with UNCLOS.’

‘The Award further affirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is a rock under Article 121(3) of UNCLOS and, therefore, does not generate an exclusive economic zone of its own. Accordingly, the waters surrounding the shoal, beyond its 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, lie entirely within the Philippines’ EEZ, measured from Luzon’s baseline,’ he added.

Panatag Shoal is situated within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ that also makes up the WPS.

Tarriela also dismissed China’s earlier declaration of making Panatag Shoal a ‘national nature reserve.’

He quoted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that maintained ‘Beijing’s action ‘clearly infringes’ upon the Philippines’ rights and interests under international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Award.’

‘The DFA reiterated that Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of Philippine territory, over which the country exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction. Declarations of this nature are misleading and serve as pretexts for asserting control, rather than genuine efforts to conserve or protect the marine environment,’ he said.

Tarriela wrote his X post in response to another X post by Chinese state publication Global Times, which reported the flag-raising ceremony held by the CCG aboard its vessel Dahao while patrolling Panatag Shoal last Wednesday in line with China’s National Day.

‘We stand guard over these blue waters, assuring the nation of our unwavering commitment. Recently, CCG officers, who were conducting routine patrols on CCG vessel Dahao in the waters of Huangyan Dao national nature reserve in the South China Sea, held a solemn flag-raising ceremony on the frontlines of safeguarding China’s maritime territories,’ Global Times reported, referring to China’s name for Panatag Shoal.

Ahead of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, thousands of teachers walked out of their classes yesterday in a coordinated protest to denounce corruption and government neglect, specifically in the education sector.

Protest actions were staged across the country to push for increased education funding, better wages for teachers and accountability from public officials.

According to Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines chairman Vladimer Quetua, the demonstrations were held amid growing revelations of corruption in public infrastructure projects.

These include recent testimonies before the Senate detailing how classrooms, flood control systems and other projects were either left unfinished or constructed below standard due to kickbacks.

To illustrate their grievances, Metro Manila protesters staged a satirical game show skit that underscored the state’s neglect of the education sector – highlighting issues such as overworked teachers, meager salaries, the reduction of subjects in general and senior high school and the militarization of campuses – while public funds continue to be lost to questionable infrastructure projects, confidential funds and kickbacks.

Amplifying ACT’s calls for reform, Quetua called for a substantial salary increase for teachers and education support personnel, the doubling of the education budget to six percent of the gross domestic product and full accountability for corrupt officials.

He warned that if no meaningful reforms or concrete relief are forthcoming, teachers are prepared to escalate their actions.

‘World Teachers’ Day is not about hollow praises; it is our collective defiance against a corrupt system that starves education,’ said Quetua.

Education data

Meanwhile, in a bid toward seamless learner tracking and evidence-based policymaking, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to unify their data systems.

The agreement was formalized during the first joint management committee meeting, with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis and TESDA director general Jose Francisco Benitez.

‘For too long, our view of a student’s journey has been fragmented. We are finally seeing the complete picture, from their first day in kindergarten to their entry into the workforce,’ Angara said.

The initiative directly addresses the long-standing issue of disjointed learner data among the three agencies.

Previously, each maintained separate systems – DepEd’s Learner Reference Number (LRN), CHED’s own identifiers and TESDA’s Unique Learner Identifier – which made it difficult to track students across educational transitions.

Under the MOU, CHED and TESDA will adopt and utilize DepEd’s LRN as the unique identifier for students in higher and technical-vocational education.

DepEd will continue issuing the LRN and ensure its data is accessible to both agencies, while TESDA will provide its data to support the harmonization effort.

‘This unified system will be our compass for upskilling and reskilling the Filipino workforce, ensuring our training programs are not only world-class but also perfectly aligned with the needs of our growing economy,’ Benitez said.

Agrupis emphasized that higher education institutions will benefit from improved clarity in enrollment projections, scholarship program targeting and curriculum development.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education hailed the agreement as a critical move toward system convergence, especially for supporting Alternative Learning System completers, out-of-school youth and beneficiaries of programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship.

EDCOM 2 noted that the new system will improve enrollment forecasting for technical-vocational and higher education, guiding budget planning for state universities and colleges.

It also emphasized that the MOU is a direct result of the consensus reached during the first education data harmonization meeting it convened.

‘The new MOU acknowledges that sustained educational reforms are only possible when data is readily available and accessible for policy formulation,’ EDCOM 2 said.

The agreement also calls for coordination with other government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Statistics Authority, to align the system with broader national development goals.

The three agencies aim to pilot the system by 2026 and fully implement it by 2027, following a phased approach supported by the Education Center for AI Research.

The Philippines has sharply expanded its startup incubation network under the 2019 Innovative Startup Act, but officials warned that limited funding, overlapping mandates and staffing constraints are holding back the sector’s potential.

At the Geeks On A Beach (GOAB 2025) technology conference in Cebu at Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Mactan, representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the law provided a framework to nurture entrepreneurs but lacked the resources to match its ambition.

From just 12 incubators before the law’s passage, the country now counts 81, mostly embedded in universities and regional hubs, according to DOST Chief Technology Transfer Officer Russell Pili.

These facilities have backed 103 startups with a combined P398 million ($6.8 million) in funding, mainly for prototype development. Regional clusters have also been formed to encourage pitching and investment outside Metro Manila.

‘That’s a good development, but the level of funding remains a challenge,’ Pili said.

‘When the law was passed, no dedicated budget line came with it. We end up carving out resources from research projects and justifying them with the jobs created,’ Pili added.

The DICT in 2024 launched its own grant fund to support early-stage ventures at the prototype stage.

Two cohorts covering 19 startups have been rolled out, said assistant division chief Jeehad Januar Tanggol, but the program has been slowed by delays in regulatory approval and remains modest in scale.

Beyond financing, officials acknowledged coordination gaps.

DOST senior researcher Edward Paul Apigo said overlapping mandates and the absence of dedicated personnel have created confusion for founders. ‘Startups sometimes don’t know which agency to approach, because programs are scattered,’ he said.

While the incubator network has opened opportunities in regional centers, officials warned the momentum will be difficult to sustain without more cohesive support and reliable funding streams.

‘We want to attract people to look at startups in their own regions,’ Pili said.

‘Not all founders have the luxury of travelling to Manila to pitch. But to make that vision work, we need more resources,’ he added.