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There appears to be a disconnect between Vice President Sara Duterte’s ability to frequently travel abroad and her financial capability as declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Monday.

Ridon, in an ambush interview on the sidelines of Duterte’s trial at the Senate impeachment court, said it is also important to note that aside from the Vice President’s failure to show up, the common argument that she spends her own money for her trips is misplaced.

The lawmaker noted that Duterte has been out of the country for 91 days between 2025 to present, and he believes such frequency requires a budget of P5 million to P8 million – based on the United Nations’ daily subsistence allowance standards.

‘I think at this point, it’s also very important to push back already on their narrative that the Vice President’s trips should not be meddled with since she uses personal funds. But we want to clarify now: the Vice President has been out of the country from 2025 to 2026 for 91 days,’ said Ridon.

‘If we calculate how much her expenses are for her trips, this will amount to around P8 million – combined expenses for flights, daily needs, based on the United Nations daily subsistence allowance – this means the expenses for hotel accommodation, food, and other incidental expenses.’ he added.

However, Ridon noted that Duterte in her 2024 SALN – and even in years before that – did not declare any cash on hand. ‘Ano ho ang nakalagay sa SALN ng 2024? Una, wala pong cash dito, zero ‘yong cash in bank, cash on hand ng Pangalawang Panuglo. Pero pangalawa, even assuming na may cash ang ating Pangalawang Pangulo, hindi lang po niya na-deklara po ito, ano po ‘yong monthly income na kailangan ng isang tao para makagastos ng P5 million to P8 million na travel?’ Ridon asked.

‘What was in her SALN for 2024? First, no cash, the vice president had zero cash in bank or on hand. But second, even assuming that the vice president had the cash but she failed to declare it, how much should be the monthly income of a person so that she can spend P5 million to P8 million for travel?,’ Ridon pointed out.

‘I think around P3 million per month is needed so that her finances would not be drained up, to afford this P8 million (expenses for) her total trips. But how much does a Vice President earn? I don’t think it will reach P500,000 per month,’ he added.

Also, the lawmaker said that Duterte’s SALN also showed that her businesses were losing, which makes the possibility of her sourcing funds from her own ventures unlikely.

‘So, very important to clarify that even if the Vice President is supposedly paying for these trips from private funds, where does that private funds come from? Can it come from her salary alone? I don’t think so.’

‘Can it come from the businesses that supposedly they own or they are partners of? Probably not because we had seen in the financial statements of all the Duterte-Carpio businesses, the businesses are not doing well. So where does she source the money needed for these trips, 91 days out of the country, three months outside?’ he added

INQUIRER has asked Duterte’s office for their side regarding Ridon’s claims, but they have not yet responded as of posting time.

Possible graft?

When he asked about the possibility that the trips are paid for by Duterte’s donors and benefactors, Ridon said this may be tantamount to graft.

‘If that’s from friends, isn’t that like a prima facie graft case? When other people fund your trips? Right? So that’s a big issue.’

Earlier, Ridon – a member of the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel for Duterte’s impeachment trial – already released a statement questioning Duterte for her continued absence.

Ridon said it has been five weeks since the trial before the Senate impeachment court started – and months since the House committee on justice tackled the two impeachment complaints against her – but Duterte still has not showed up.

‘In the fifth week or eleventh day of the trial, Vice President Sara Duterte is still not present inside the Senate Impeachment Court,’ Ridon said in Filipino.

Currently, the impeachment court is tackling the prosecution’s Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which deals with accusations that Duterte misused the confidential funds (CF) allocated to her office.

The CF issue is an integral part of the allegations against Duterte, as a huge amount of the expenses made through these secret funds have disallowed by the Commission on Audit – P375 million CF expenditures made by the OVP in 2023, and another P73 million CF for 2022.

It was Ridon who said last April 20 that if this P375 million CF disallowance is upheld and affirmed, it would raise Duterte and her staffers’ liability – or the amount that they have to return – to P448 million.

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters the 11th day on Monday, Aug.3, with prosecution panel presenting state auditor of the Commission on Audit’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO).

The witness is expected to testify on the audit of Duterte’s confidential funds, as prosecutors continue presenting evidence under Article 1 of the impeachment articles./dp

In recent months, the global optometry community has watched a troubling narrative unfold in Australia. Investigations and insider accounts have exposed a worrying trend within corporate optical chains, where optometrists are reportedly pressured to sacrifice patient care quality in favor of corporate sales targets. This controversy serves as a stark, universal warning: when vision care is treated as a retail transaction, patient health suffers.

In the Philippines, we stand at a critical crossroads. We must protect our health-care standards before corporate commercialism erodes the trust and safety of Filipino patients.

The foundation of our defense lies in the law. The Philippine optometry law mandates that the practice of optometry belongs solely to registered and licensed optometrists. It prohibits non-optometrists-including corporate, profit-driven optical chains-from controlling or dictating clinical judgment. This law exists for a reason: to ensure that the person examining your eyes is bound by a medical oath, not a corporate sales quota.

When corporate interests override clinical independence, the most vulnerable populations fall through the cracks. Today, bioethicists and pediatricians are raising alarms over a dangerous trend: commercial optical centers turning away young children for eye examinations.

Refusing to examine children compromises public health. Licensed optometrists are qualified and mandated to perform basic, comprehensive eye examinations for pediatric patients, including cycloplegic refraction, a crucial procedure that temporarily relaxes the eye’s focusing muscles to get an accurate prescription in children. Turning these young patients away is dangerous given the current crisis of pediatric myopia (nearsightedness).

Unmanaged and undiagnosed myopia in children is rising rapidly worldwide. When a child’s vision problems go unnoticed, it hinders their education, social development, and long-term eye health, sometimes leading to preventable vision loss later in life.

We cannot solve this growing public health challenge in silos. To protect the vision of the next generation, optometrists must partner with pediatricians, ophthalmologists, and educators. By building a collaborative network, we can ensure that anyone with vision impairment is directed to the right eye care professional. Early intervention changes lives.

As members of the Professional ODs Society, we believe that clear vision is a fundamental right, not a luxury or a retail commodity. We call on our fellow practitioners to guard their clinical independence. We call on corporate entities to respect the boundaries of Philippine law. We call on the public to demand comprehensive, quality eye care from professionals who prioritize your health over a sales pitch.

Let us keep the ‘care’ in eye care. Our nation’s vision depends on it.

Motorists may expect some relief this week as oil companies will implement price roll back on Tuesday, Aug. 4, following lower global oil prices despite persistent supply concerns linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

Based on fuel price movements, diesel prices are expected to reduce by P0.50 to P1.00 per liter, while gasoline prices may decrease by P1.00 to P1.50 per liter. The projected reductions come after this week’s hefty pump price hikes of as much as P7.30 per liter.

Below are the oil prices monitored and gathered by Inquirer team as of Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. /dp

Winless Alas Pilipinas won’t go empty-handed as Alyssa Solomon earned the Best Opposite Spiker anew in the SEA V Cup Leg 1 on Sunday at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Philippine women’s volleyball team saw its four-tournament podium streak come to an end after falling to Indonesia, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16. Solomon tried to mount a comeback in the fourth set with Bella Belen, but their efforts weren’t enough as Alas women wound up winless for the first time since 2023.

The former Japan SV.League import out of National University got her second individual award in the tournament since 2023 Leg 2 when she and her school represented the country.

Solomon scored 12 against Vietnam and led Alas’ gallant stand against Thailand on Saturday with 13 points before yielding in five sets.

Sasipaporn Janthawisut captured the MVP after leading Thailand’s first-leg sweep to regain the title from Vietnam, 25-18, 25-17, 25-14.

She also won the Best Outside Spiker, while her teammates Natthanicha Jaisaen (Best Setter) and Kaewkalaya Kamuthala (Best Middle Blocker) were also part of the mythical team.

Vi Thi Nhu Quynh of Vietnam was the other Best Outside Spiker. Indonesia’s Rara Maradanti got the other Best Middle Blocker award, while Vietnam’s Nguyen Khan Dang earned the Best Libero.

Tropical Depression Luis weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) as of 8 p.m. Monday, the state weather bureau said.

In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the weather disturbance remains inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Earlier in the day, Luis made landfall over Maconacon, Isabela, after crossing the coastal waters of northeastern Luzon. While Luis has since weakened, Pagasa earlier warned that its remnants, combined with the southwest monsoon, could continue to bring moderate to heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon, raising the risk of flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

The weather bureau is also monitoring another low-pressure area (LPA 08a) inside the PAR, as well as Typhoon Dolphin, which remains within Pagasa’s Tropical Cyclone Information Domain.

Pagasa advised the public to continue monitoring its official weather bulletins for further updates.

Tropical Depression Luis may make landfall or pass close to the coast between Cagayan and Isabela on Monday evening before curving away from the Philippine landmass, the state weather bureau said.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Luis was last spotted over the coastal waters of Divilacan, Isabela at 4 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph), gusts of up to 60 kph, and moving northwestward at 20 kph.

During the agency’s 5 p.m. weather briefing, Pagasa weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said the tropical depression had slightly accelerated while moving along the waters east of Isabela. ‘Based on our latest forecast track and the expected increase in the speed of Tropical Depression Luis, it may make a close approach or landfall in the area between Cagayan and Isabela this afternoon or tonight,’ Varilla said in Filipino.

Pagasa said Luis is forecast to remain a tropical depression as it begins to recurve toward the northeast on Tuesday, moving away from the country before weakening into a low-pressure area (LPA) by Wednesday while exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The weather bureau, however, noted that changes in the forecast track remain possible.

Signal No. 1 remained in effect over the central and eastern portions of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands; Isabela; Quirino; eastern and southern Apayao; eastern Kalinga; eastern Mountain Province; eastern Ifugao; and the northern portion of Aurora, where winds of 39 to 61 kph may pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Varilla said Signal No. 1 had been expanded to cover additional areas in Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Aurora as Luis accelerated.

She also warned that heavy rainfall remains the primary concern as Luis interacts with the southwest monsoon.

‘Aside from the winds, we will continue to closely monitor the rainfall that Luis will bring,’ she said.

Pagasa placed Pangasinan under its red rainfall warning, where more than 200 millimeters of rain may fall from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan were placed under the orange rainfall warning, with 100 to 200 mm of rainfall forecast during the same period.

Varilla warned that these provinces face a higher risk of flooding and landslides.

‘Again, the areas or provinces marked in orange and red are those that may experience widespread flooding and landslides,’ she said.

Meanwhile, 50 to 100 mm of rain is forecast over Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Cavite and Batangas, where localized flooding and landslides remain possible, particularly in areas highly susceptible to these hazards.

Pagasa said the combined effects of Luis and the southwest monsoon are expected to continue bringing significant rainfall over parts of Luzon and some areas of the Visayas through Tuesday.

The weather bureau also warned of strong to gale-force gusts over much of Luzon and the Visayas, including areas outside tropical cyclone wind signal coverage, due to the combined effects of Luis and the southwest monsoon.

Pagasa is also monitoring Typhoon Dolphin, which remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. While it is not expected to directly affect the country, the weather bureau said the typhoon could influence weather conditions by enhancing the southwest monsoon.

‘Although it is not expected to directly affect the country, it is expected to further enhance and strengthen the southwest monsoon,’ she said.

Pagasa advised the public, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, as well as local disaster risk reduction and management offices, to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and follow evacuation and safety advisories issued by local authorities. /jpv

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded a 36.12-percent decline in focus crime incidents across the country in July 2026.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the national police force recorded 2,209 focus crime incidents from July 1 to 31, 2026; a drop from the 3,458 incidents recorded during the same period in 2025. Focus crimes refer to carnapping, homicide, murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, and theft.

According to Nartatez, rape cases posted the biggest year-on-year decline at 56.93 percent, followed by carnapping of motor vehicles, 46.15 percent; motorcycle carnapping, 42.59 percent; and physical injury, 40.40 percent.

Robbery cases likewise dropped by 34.34 percent; theft, 31.28 percent; homicide, 5.26 percent; and murder, 4.61 percent.

The PNP chief further said that 6,368 individuals were arrested during 5,526 drug-related operations during the past month, confiscating P387 million worth of illegal drugs.

Police also arrested 2,352 most wanted persons and 5,847 other wanted persons during the same period.

Also, 965 individuals were arrested for firearms-related offenses while 3,724 firearms were confiscated for violations, and 1,106 other guns were voluntarily turned over for safekeeping.

As for the police’s anti-illegal gambling initiatives, 9,401 individuals were arrested in 4,631 operations in July 2026, confiscating P3.2 million worth of pot money.

Lastly, 656 individuals were arrested for alleged smuggling in 2,927 operations, which confiscated P628 million worth of suspected contraband. /dp

BTS’ announcement Wednesday that the group would not submit its music for consideration for next year’s Grammy Awards has reignited debate over whether music should be judged beyond region and language – or whether race- and region-based award categories promote diversity or undermine the principle of evaluating music on its artistic merits.

In identical posts shared on their individual social media accounts, all seven members of BTS said they would forgo Grammy consideration in the hope that ‘music can be heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language.’

Stephanie Choi, an assistant professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Colorado Boulder, argued that categorizing artists by race rather than musical characteristics undermines the principle of equal evaluation.

‘Considering how the category ‘Asian’ is attached not to musical elements but to the racial identification of artists, and how race neither represents nor can rightfully represent cultural characteristics, there is no justification for the Grammys to employ such categorization (‘best Asian pop music performance’) in the name of fairness,’ Choi said.

‘Rather, it risks institutionalizing the assumption that Asian artists require separate recognition instead of equal evaluation.’

Criticism of the Grammys’ voting and award structure is long-standing. In 1989, members of the hip-hop community boycotted the ceremony after the newly created best rap performance category was excluded from the live telecast. Jay-Z skipped the 1999 awards in support of DMX, while The Weeknd announced in 2021 that he would no longer submit his music after receiving no nominations for ‘Blinding Lights’ and ‘After Hours’ despite their critical and commercial success.

BTS’ decision also drew strong reactions from fans, some of whom viewed it as a principled stand against what they see as the Grammys’ tendency to categorize Asian artists separately from the mainstream.

Ashleigh Wojciechowski, an Army from the US, described the new best Asian pop music performance category as ‘inherently racist and outdated.’

‘I believe BTS likely felt the same way – that they were continually being put into little boxes and categories because the Grammys didn’t want to give them the attention they deserve,’ she said.

The Recording Academy, however, defended the new category, saying it was intended to broaden recognition rather than segregate Asian artists.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he respected the group’s decision but stressed that the new category was created ‘to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.’

He also emphasized that artists who submit in the category remain fully eligible for the Grammys’ General Field awards – including record of the year, album of the year and song of the year – adding that ‘recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive.’

Others argue the issue is more nuanced.

Music critic Lim Hee-yun said it is difficult to conclude that the Recording Academy intentionally sought to marginalize Asian artists, arguing that the Grammys should first be understood as an American awards show rather than a global institution.

‘Although BTS’ album ‘Arirang’ and its lead single ‘Swim’ achieved short-term success, it’s difficult to say they have generated sustained mainstream popularity in either the US or globally,’ Lim said when considering a potential BTS Grammy win.

Recalling director Bong Joon-ho’s remark that ‘the Oscars are not an international film festival. They’re very local,’ Lim said people should not mistake the Grammys for events such as the Olympics or the World Cup.

Lim argued that, viewed in that context, the addition of an Asian category is a business decision rather than a value judgment.

‘If you object to an Asian category, then you could just as easily ask why there’s a separate Latin pop category,’ he said. ‘By that logic, you could also ask why there’s no Arab pop category or Azerbaijani pop category. There’s no end to those questions.’

The critic agreed music awards should ideally be divided by musical genres such as hip-hop, R and B and rap rather than by region. However, he added that the Recording Academy’s regional categories reflect the realities of the US music market rather than an attempt to classify the world’s music.

Former Commission on Audit (COA) Confidential Funds Unit auditor Roderick Wamil tells the Senate impeachment court that Vice President Sara Duterte was the only vice president whose confidential funds were audited during his tenure from 2014 to 2024 because previous vice presidents did not receive confidential funds.

Wamil adds that Department of Education (DepEd) had no confidential fund allocation before Duterte assumed office as education secretary.