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The crime volume decreased by nearly 14 percent over the past two months, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

According to PNP data, index crimes dropped by 13.96 percent, from 6,961 cases recorded between July and Aug. 25 to 5,989 from Aug. 26 to Oct. 30.

Focus crimes also went down by 14.01 percent, from 6,931 to 5,960 cases in the same period.

From Aug. 26 to Oct. 30, the PNP conducted 9,061 anti-narcotics operations, with 10,434 drug suspects arrested and P1.91 billion worth of illegal drugs seized.

Eight suspects were killed during anti-narcotics operations.

The campaign against wanted people resulted in over 11,500 arrests while 5,600 loose firearms were either confiscated or surrendered.

Police also seized P2.86 million worth of illegal gambling paraphernalia and smuggled goods amounting to P337.8 million.

As part of its internal cleansing program, the PNP resolved 335 administrative cases involving 569 personnel.

Celebrated designer Rajo Laurel reopened his eponymous The Rajo Store on October 14 at the second level of the Power Plant Mall in Makati City. It coincides with the launch of the gender-neutral 2025 Collection, which he collaborated on with his sisters Venisse Laurel-Hermano, the brand’s chief operator officer, and renowned makeup artist Gela Laurel-Stehmeier.

At the sidelights of the event, which included a fashion show at Rockwell The Fifth, Rajo, the ever-engaging subject, also shared his thoughts on his other exciting venture – as a judge in ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines (RPDR).’

‘Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale,’ an all-stars season that gathered drag queens of Asian descent from other global franchises, just wrapped up, with Brigiding of ‘DRPH’ Season 1 crowned as the champion. What are Rajo’s thoughts on this?

‘For ‘Drag Race PH,’ congratulations Brigiding! I think that she’s such a very talented performer and she deserves all the flowers that she’s receiving and I love the fact that she’s essentially claiming her space as a true queen of the drag community.

‘[As for who I want to see in the upcoming season 4, I really like a comedy queen so I like people like Jinkx Monsoon and I love Bianca del Rio. That’s my kind of drag entertainer that makes me laugh. I love that. That’s why I love Viñas Deluxe because I find her so hilarious and so intelligent and I know that her future is going to be bright after this,” the designer revealed.

Another ‘DRPH’ resident judge, Jiggly Caliente, passed away this year. What are Rajo’s fondest memories of the Fil-Am drag queen and actress?

‘Jiggly Caliente was such a kind, kind heart. She would appear to be kind of tough on the exterior but really soft on the interior. I would see her literally give away her things; her earrings, her wigs, her necklaces, her jewelry, all to the queens until she would even have nothing left because that’s her heart.

‘She was so generous and she was so good but she was also so real. I think in the exterior you could really see that she was quite tough because of the environment she had to grow up in. But inside, she’s really soft.

‘My special memory of Jiggly was when she first met [Miss Universe 2015] Pia Wurtzbach [who was a guest judge in one episode]. You know, Jiggly is very talkative and very loud and very extroverted to the fullest. However, when she met Pia for the very first time, you could see that she was literally starstruck and she was quiet and I was like laughing at her and she said, na-startsruck daw siya, and I said I have never seen you at a loss for words. That’s a special moment that I have with Jiggly. And, of course, you know, our relationship really behind the scenes was quite special so that was lovely,” Rajo shared.

Sen. JV Ejercito has filed the ‘Emman Atienza Bill,’ also known as the ‘Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Act,’ which seeks to combat cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse.

The proposed measure is named after Emman Atienza, daughter of TV personality Kim Atienza, who passed away while struggling with mental health challenges. Emman, who had an active online presence, had also been subjected to intense online bullying.

In the bill, Ejercito said that while people have the right to free speech, it should not infringe on the rights of others. He noted that online bullying has caused real-world pain, the kind that cannot be erased as easily as deleting a comment.

Ejercito’s measure seeks to expand the scope of the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Anti-Bullying Act by providing a clearer definition of online hate and harassment.

Under the proposed law, cyberlibel, online hate speech, online harassment, and similar offenses would be prohibited.

Digital platforms would be required to promptly remove or disable content classified as online harassment while preserving the data for possible court proceedings.

The measure also mandates platforms to strengthen their mechanisms against online hate and harassment, including employing trained content flaggers and swiftly suspending users who spread such content.

The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development would be tasked with providing improved psychosocial support for victims, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other relevant legal agencies would ensure access to legal assistance.

The DOJ would also coordinate efforts requiring online platforms to take down harmful content.

Under the proposed law, offenders would face fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 for a first offense. Second and subsequent violations would carry penalties of at least P100,000 but not more than P200,000.

If the offender is a minor, they would instead undergo counseling and education.

According to reports from Kuala Lumpur where the ASEAN Summit conference was held last week, the US granted a zero percent import tariff exemption to three Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia – under new trade agreements approved directly by US President Donald Trump.

For Thailand, the US has retained a 19 percent tariff on many items; but several Thai products will now enjoy a zero percent rate.

There are other provisions. Thailand committed to purchase over $20 billion worth of agricultural products, energy supplies and 80 airplanes manufactured in the US. Bangkok agreed to lift tariffs on nearly 99 percent of US goods.

Malaysia secured zero percent tariffs for three major sectors: aerospace equipment; pharmaceutical products and key commodities such as palm oil, cocoa and rubber. Malaysia had agreed to invest $70 billion in the US.

For Cambodia, the US will maintain a 19 percent reciprocal tariff for imports except for ‘identified products from the list set out in Annex III to Executive Order 14346’ which will receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff.

Prior to this agreement the rate for Cambodia had been at 49 percent (then later revised down to 36 percent for all goods as of Aug. 1) while negotiations were ongoing.

As for Vietnam, a joint statement (Oct. 26, 2025) between the US and Vietnam says: Vietnam will provide ‘preferential market access for substantially all US industrial and agricultural exports.’

The US will maintain a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese-origin goods. The US will also identify specific products – from a list set out in Executive Order 14346 Annex III that will receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff rate.

Indonesia is currently negotiating a similar deal.

As for the Philippines, the Palace said the government opted out of a trade agreement to protect key domestic sectors from being fully opened to foreign competition.

Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, said, ‘We are trying to protect several industries in the Philippines, such as rice, corn, sugar and poultry.’

Recall this report from the Philippine News Agency last July 24 about BBM’s White House visit:

‘It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19 percent Tariff,’ Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

But Philippine officials quickly denied Trump’s claim and clarified that not all goods imported from the US will be tariff-free. Some sensitive Philippine sectors (e.g., rice, sugar, corn, fisheries, pork, chicken) are excluded from those concessions.

That’s where we are, still stuck. The Philippine trade negotiating panel has achieved nothing since BBM’s visit to the White House back in July. In the meantime, our neighbors have been getting ahead in their trade talks with the US.

Our ASEAN neighbors are bold enough to open their borders to zero percent tariff even on agricultural products as the price to pay for favorable treatment in the large US market. We are content to be where we are now.

That’s not surprising. Protectionism has crippled our economy since 1946. We have never considered export as an engine of economic growth.

What little manufacturing we have had were focused on the domestic market, victimizing Filipino consumers with overpriced and substandard products. Filipino First protectionism stunted our economy.

Even today, we are not hospitable to manufacturing for export. Energy is expensive. Regulation is iffy, with corruption and red tape to scare any investor.

According to TheGlobalEconomy.com, as of 2023, exports as a percentage of our GDP is just 26.6 percent and that includes earnings of our BPO sector.

Compare that to our ASEAN neighbors: it is 86.5 percent for Vietnam; 181.6 percent for Singapore; 68.6 percent for Malaysia; 66.9 percent for Cambodia.

It is probably safe to say that no developing country like us can hope to economically develop and reduce poverty by simply depending on domestic consumption and ignoring exports. Vietnam is a good recent example of how it is done.

Earlier, South Korea pursued an export-oriented industrialization strategy from the 1960s through to the 1990s: building heavy and chemical industries, expanding manufacturing capacity, focusing on global markets and using exports to drive growth and build domestic capability.

The precarious political situation of BBM, who is also lackadaisical, explains his hesitance to take a leap away from protectionism.

Agriculture is a sore point because 20 percent of our workforce is still there, languishing in poverty and by our prevailing logic, requires protection.

The failure to modernize agriculture, especially rice and sugar, has made them inefficient and uncompetitive, unable to survive without government help, at the expense of food consumers.

In the end, the whole nation suffers from expensive food. We recently experienced high food inflation. Expensive food explains massive malnutrition/hunger. It also causes high labor costs that prevent our manufacturing sector from being competitive.

Allowing US corn imports in, for example, will bring down the cost of feed for poultry and livestock that will make the cost of food for every Filipino go down. Maybe that will also force corn farmers to be more competitive or shift into higher-value crops.

Opening up may also provide opportunities for trade diversifications and foreign investment. Strong trade relations with the US may bring investment, technology transfer and market access which can benefit broader economic growth.

In summary, opening to agricultural imports from the US can keep food prices in check, spur higher-value processing and linkages and boost growth.

But if the transition is mishandled, which our government likely will, local agriculture could shrink without replacement jobs emerging fast, leading to localized rural decline and higher inequality.

Our real problem is simple: every President we ever had, failed to modernize agriculture and the current one is afraid to even try.

Being left behind in Kuala Lumpur by our neighbors who signed trade agreements with Trump is another step backward in our country’s competitiveness. Kulelat nanaman.

Technology firm Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corp. (SEMPHIL) is set to invest an additional P50 billion in the Philippines and is expected to generate some 3,000 new jobs, President Marcos said yesterday.

SEMPHIL is a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd. (SEMCO), whose officials discussed with Marcos the P50.7-billion expansion of its manufacturing operations in Calamba, Laguna, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The investment will create more than 3,000 new high-technology jobs for Filipino engineers and technicians.

‘We just finished a meeting with Samsung. And as you know, Samsung is already in the Philippines. They have employed 8,000 Filipinos in their very, very high-tech manufacturing plant,’ Marcos told reporters at a press conference here.

‘The products that they make in the Philippines are of the highest tech that you can imagine. And so that is very, very important for us,’ Marcos said. ‘I met with them today and they asked me what we could help them with for an expansion in the Philippines.’

According to Marcos, the SEMPHIL investment is qualified to receive tax incentives under the CREATE MORE Act.

‘They said because there is a CREATE MORE now… there are now incentives that make it easier for (them) to invest and to expand. That is their commitment,’ Marcos said.

‘They made a commitment of a little over P50 billion to expand. That translates into 3,000 new jobs. And again, the transfer of technology is going to be very important.’

Marcos witnessed the signing of a supplemental agreement between the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and SEMPHIL for the expansion plan.

The project enhanced the Philippines’ role in the global electronics and electric vehicle supply chain, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

SEMCO, which is based in Suwon, Gyeonggi, manufactures and sells electronic products and components. Its product portfolio includes passive components such as multilayer ceramic capacitors, inductors, chip resistors, tantalum modules and assembled devices like camera modules and package substrates.

The conglomerate has manufacturing facilities, production plants, distributors and sales offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Marcos also interacted with representatives of conglomerate DL Group, whose subsidiary, DL E and C, is partnering with Meralco to pursue small modular reactor (SMR) projects in the Philippines.

SMRs are compact nuclear plants that can generate clean and stable energy using less land and shorter construction periods than traditional facilities.

Globe continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a #GlobeOfGood through a series of impactful initiatives across Western Mindanao, aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities, promoting digital inclusion, and protecting the environment.

In partnership with Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), the company launched the Digital Horizons for Out-of-School Youth (OSY), a strategic program designed to equip young Filipinos with essential digital literacy, athletic development, and leadership skills. By harnessing WMSU’s local expertise, the initiative delivers a sustainable and future-focused learning experience that empowers youth to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

A total of 40 OSY and 117 WMSU students, faculty, and staff joined the inaugural Digital Horizons program, marking a strong start to this impactful collaboration.

Globe also activated the GT Coop CAREavan at WMSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Education, engaging over 150 students, faculty, and staff in a day of learning and giving. The event featured the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), which covered topics such as Digital Conduct, Cyberbullying, and Telco 101. A symbolic turn-over of shoes and whistles further emphasized Globe’s commitment to inclusive education and youth empowerment.

Reinforcing its sustainability mission, Globe volunteers partnered with local fisherfolk and leaders in Misamis Oriental to launch the Coastal Digital Roots initiative. A total of 917 mangrove seedlings were planted in Brgy. Baybay, Alubijid, helping protect the coastal ecosystem and strengthen community resilience against climate change.

‘These initiatives reflect Globe’s deeper purpose to extend care, connectivity, and opportunity to every Filipino,’ said Aldwin Mahusay, Assistant Director – HR Business Partner for VisMin at Globe. ‘Whether it’s empowering youth or restoring our environment, we are committed to building a future where no one is left behind.’

Globe’s efforts in Western Mindanao exemplify how technology, partnerships, and purpose can come together to create lasting impact online and on-ground.

Cebu City Councilor Francis Esparis has called for stronger mental health support within the city government following the death of a popular media influencer that reignited public concern over emotional distress and the pressures of social media.

In a privilege speech delivered during the City Council’s last regular session for October, Esparis described mental health as a collective responsibility and warned of an ‘epidemic of loneliness’ affecting individuals regardless of status or appearance.

‘Adunay mga tawo nga bisan anaa taliwa sa bagang duot sa katawhan nagpabilin pa gihapon nga gibating nag-inusara,’ Esparis said, ‘adunay mga tawo nga bisan nagbuntaog na sa gahom, salapi, ug kabantog, ang kinabuhi alang kanila nagpabiling haw-ang, nagduliraw sa kangitngit.’

He urged fellow officials and the public to offer simple gestures of compassion, asking those present to turn to their seatmates and ask, ‘Kumusta ka karong adlawa?’

Esparis said this helps people feel seen, heard, and acknowledged –especially those silently struggling.

He also addressed the stigma surrounding suicide, noting how some react with disbelief when someone perceived as attractive or successful takes their own life.

‘Usahay, kung naay mokutlo sa iyang kaugalingong kinabuhi nga gwapa o gwapo, naay mo-ingon, ‘kasayang niya, nagsuicide man nga gwapa o gwapo man unta!’ Walay gipiling panagway o pamayhon ang kasub-anan,’ he said.

While clarifying that his speech wasn’t psychiatric or psychological advice, Esparis offered personal counsel for those experiencing breakdowns and loneliness, urging individuals to remember their worth, surround themselves with the right people, and trust in God.

‘Adunay kay bili sa kaugalingon nga bisan kinsang hari o gamhanan, bisan tawo nga imong gihigugma o gikasilagan, dili mahimong makalangkat niini, hangtod nga imo kining ihatag,’ he said, ‘don’t let anyone make you feel small –not a single day, not a single second.’

He also advised against staying in harmful company, saying, ‘Choose to be alone, when necessary, rather than be with the wrong people. Sa tinuod lang, sa mga dagkong gubat sa atong kinabuhi, we can only count with our fingers the people who will truly help us.’

To institutionalize support, Esparis proposed for an executive session to revisit the city’s mental health programs, with representatives from the Department of Health-7, the City Health Department, and mental health-focused non-government organizations, and for the city government to consider hiring a psychologist to be assigned at City Hall, serving both employees and walk-in constituents.

The speech follows earlier proposals from former councilors Rey Gealon and Mary Ann de los Santos to implement existing mental health ordinances and establish a crisis response program, especially after reported suicide attempts in the city.

Mental health remains a growing concern in Cebu, where economic pressures, digital exposure, and post-pandemic recovery have contributed to rising cases of anxiety and depression. Advocates also continue to call for stronger coordination, public education, and accessible support services.

Over ?217.93 billion in benefit claims were released to various healthcare facilities nationwide during the first nine months of 2025 by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) – a figure that represents a 94.18 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

In a statement, PhilHealth emphasized that the surge in payments reaffirms its strengthened financial support for both Filipino patients and healthcare providers. They added, this also marks a major milestone in its drive to deliver prompt and reliable health insurance services.

Based on the data provided, from January to September 2025, PhilHealth’s claims payments rose sharply from ?112.23 billion in 2024 to ?217.93 billion this year, covering both public and private facilities across the country. Of this amount, ?127.79 billion went to private healthcare institutions, while ?90.14 billion was released to public hospitals.

Aside from the increase in disbursements for benefit claims, PhilHealth also highlighted significant progress in the turnaround time for claims processing, which now averages 22 days, according to records as of September 30, 2025. The public corporation noted that this improvement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance the agency’s performance and ensure faster service delivery to the public.

PhilHealth explained that the rise in expenditures is largely due to payments for catastrophic conditions covered under the Z Benefit Packages, which include heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and kidney transplants. Likewise, it added that claims for high-cost outpatient services, such as hemodialysis, continue to grow significantly, reflecting the increasing medical needs of the population.

‘This commitment ensures that members diagnosed with life-threatening or complex illnesses receive sustained, high-value financial support,’ the agency said.

Moving forward, to strengthen the sustainability and accuracy of its payment mechanisms, PhilHealth reiterated its plan to transition to the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) payment system, a modernized approach that groups patient cases by diagnosis and required procedures.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin M. Mercado said the DRG system will make healthcare provider compensation more equitable and reflective of actual care requirements.

‘DRG will better account for the severity and resources needed for patient care, thereby ensuring that our healthcare providers are compensated accurately and sustainably for treating complex conditions,’ Dr. Mercado explained.

The DRG system is a patient classification and payment framework that groups cases according to diagnosis, treatment, and resource utilization, enabling more standardized and transparent reimbursement.

PhilHealth assured the public that it will continue to accelerate its claims processing through streamlined and automated systems to sustain the timely release of funds to accredited healthcare facilities.

The agency then reaffirmed its commitment to its ‘Mabilis, Tapat, at Mapagkakatiwalaan’ values as it continues to enhance service delivery for both members and healthcare partners nationwide.

Miguel Tabuena followed up his celebrated triumph in The International Series Philippines with a solid joint 21st place at the prestigious Link Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Tabuena shot a three-under 67 in yesterday’s final round, banking on clutch birdies on the last two holes to offset back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14 and secure a 33-34 round.

With earlier rounds of 66, 67 and 66, the Pinoy ace finished at 14-under 266 overall in the $2-million IS tournament held immediately after his greatest championship at good old Sta. Elena Golf Club.

He banked $20,600 (around P1.2 million) for this week’s performance, which is also expected to boost his quest to top the IS rankings by yearend and gain entry to next year’s LIV Golf.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has reconstituted the Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (DPWH-COHRMPSV) as part of efforts to clean up the graft-ridden agency.

In an Oct. 30 order, Dizon appointed Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III to chair the reactivated unit.

Dizon had tasked the board to take charge of the judicious and objective selection of candidates for appointment to DPWH positions in accordance with the approved Merit Selection Plan that will feature a systematic assessment of the competence and qualifications of candidates for appointment.

Dizon previously said there were about 2,000 vacant plantilla positions nationwide that need filling up, and he wants to hire from within the DPWH rank-and-file and even among the job order (JO) pool.

‘We must lift up the deserving, honest, hardworking people here in DPWH – including job-order employees,’ Dizon said.

‘Being a JO for a long time does not mean you have no right or opportunity to move up. You will be first in line for the roughly 2,000 vacancies all over the country,’ he added.

The public works chief also announced the revival of the DPWH Cadet Engineering Program, first launched by then secretary Rogelio Singson in 2013, to attract fresh talent into government engineering ranks.

‘This is a big step to infuse fresh blood into DPWH – new engineers who’ve just passed the boards or are still starting their career as engineers to do it here in the department,’ Dizon said, noting the program will help strengthen project preparation, construction supervision, and maintenance across the agency’s regional and district offices.

In his Oct. 30 order, Dizon also directed the creation of a technical working group and secretariat from the DPWH’s Human Resource Management Division to help implement the systematized hiring and recruitment of competent and qualified people.

The DPWH COHRMPSB chairmanship had been left vacant with the acceptance of the courtesy resignation of former DPWH undersecretary for support services Marichu Palafox, who had chaired the unit during the time of former secretary Manuel Bonoan.

How to deal with tainted donations

Amid the continuing controversy of corruption in flood control projects, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued guidelines on how churches should deal with donations tainted with corruption.

‘The outright response of the Church must be to refuse donations, or to desist from soliciting donations from wrongdoing. When the goods are unjustly acquired – or if their origin is so publicly associated with sinful structures – the Church must act in a way that safeguard its witnesses to justice and holiness. She must be circumspect and diligent enough to scrutinize the source of any donation, especially if there is suspicion that it may have come from a morally compromised source,’ Libmanan, Camarines Sur Bishop Jose Rojas, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith chairman said.

However, in instances when a donation or a benefit, that was appropriated in good faith, was belatedly discovered to have come from a crime or a misdeed, this is ‘retrospective complicity’ and the Church becomes morally implicated after the fact.

The Church can make a moral response such as returning promptly the donation to the rightful owners or victims, if they can be identified.

But if returning the donations directly to the original victims or rightful owners is impossible or impractical, there is an option to redirect the funds to causes of injustice or charity.