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A center steel barrier and two electric posts saved a row of flower and candle vendors in Balagtas, Bulacan from being hit by a wayward truck on Saturday.

It was 1:10 a.m. when the truck driver, identified only as Jefferson, fell asleep while his vehicle was moving along the MacArthur Highway in Barangay Wawa, a police report said.

Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Central Luzon police director, said Jefferson had admitted to falling asleep while driving, waking only after his truck hit the barrier and the light posts.

Peñones said Jefferson, a resident of Aborlan town in Palawan, was heading south when the incident happened.

Maj. Mark Anthony San Pedro, Balagtas police chief, said Jefferson negotiated with a local government official to be allowed to repair the damage, instead of getting arrested.

To ensure organized evacuation management, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) has intensified its efforts in camp coordination, camp management (CCCM), and the protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across various evacuation sites established in Northern Cebu affected by the recent earthquake.

In a statement released by DSWD-7, the agency highlighted that as part of its enhanced disaster response operations, it has deployed additional personnel to the local government units (LGUs) of Bogo City, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan to serve as camp managers and staff.

They added that this move aims to ensure the organized management of evacuation sites and the timely encoding and reporting of camp data.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting quake-hit LGUs in Northern Cebu through ongoing technical assistance and on-ground coordination.

‘DSWD Field Office 7, in collaboration with government and non-government partners, remains at the forefront of ensuring that internally displaced persons are safe and comfortable while temporarily staying in camps,’ said Lucero.

Since October 1, 2025, DSWD-7 has extended comprehensive humanitarian assistance to quake-affected LGUs in Northern Cebu.

This includes the distribution of food and non-food items, the provision of psychosocial support services, the deployment of response vehicles and camp personnel, and data-gathering support for local governments.

In the same statement, DSWD-7 camp manager Provost Japitana shared his experience working with displaced families in Barangay Banban, Bogo City, one of the hardest-hit remote areas. According to him, among their priorities is building healthy relationships with the IDPs to maintain a harmonious environment in the camp.

‘We assist in organizing camp operations and ensuring peace and order. We also conduct psychosocial activities, especially for women and children,’ Japitana said.

He, however, admitted that the role is not without challenges but described it as rewarding, especially when camp managers like him are still trying to build rapport with displaced families.

For Lilibeth Cabiara, chief of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), the continuous deployment of DSWD personnel to affected LGUs ensures the protection and welfare of internally displaced persons.

‘In every disaster, IDPs are among the most vulnerable. We ensure that displaced families have a safe space to stay temporarily during and after the disaster,’ she said.

‘Through our CCCM and IDP Protection initiatives, we make evacuation camps more conducive for all displaced individuals and families,’ she added.

As typhoon looms, Cebu Archbishop calls for relocation

Meanwhile, as Tropical Storm Tino officially enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Cebu Archbishop Alberto Sy Uy has called on LGUs to urgently relocate families affected by the recent earthquake that are still living in tents.

This comes as the archbishop, currently in Bohol for Kalag-Kalag observances and pastoral duties, expressed deep concern for communities in Northern Cebu, especially the elderly and children.

At 2 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued Storm Surge Warning No. 1, placing several coastal provinces under alert for possible inundation within the next 48 hours.

According to them, the Eastern Samar faces a high risk of a storm surge exceeding three meters, while Dinagat Islands, Leyte, Northern and Western Samar, and Surigao del Norte may experience surge heights between 2.1 and 3 meters.

Cebu, along with Bohol, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and other Visayan provinces, is under moderate risk, with surge levels ranging from one to two meters. In line with this, residents in low-lying coastal areas are advised to move to higher ground and suspend all marine activities.

With this pressing concern, Archbishop Uy urged LGU leaders to act swiftly, emphasizing that many churches and gyms may no longer be structurally sound to protect residents due to the damage sustained from the recent earthquake.

He recommended relocating vulnerable residents to safer structures, even if it means transferring them to neighboring towns with intact facilities. He, however, acknowledged the logistical challenges but stressed that proactive relocation is the most prudent course of action.

He also called on parish priests to assist in guiding and preparing communities, despite the difficulties they themselves face in quake-affected areas.

During All Souls’ Day, Uy offered prayers of thanksgiving and protection, invoking divine mercy for those in distress. He prayed for safety from the storm and strength for those who continue to suffer, especially in areas where aftershocks are still being felt.

All 24 senators have already released to the public copies of their sworn statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, or SALN for short. The entire Senate of the 20th Congress voluntarily made public their respective SALNs. Actually, it’s the previous year’s financial status of the SALN declarant as of April 30, 2025.

The Senate has always been like a ‘millionaires’ club’ in terms of reported net worth. Or this is the difference between total assets (such as bank deposits, investments and cash-on-hand) minus total liabilities (such as loans and mortgages) equals net worth for the entire year.

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III and Senator Risa Hontiveros were the early birds who released their SALNs. Through the Senate secretariat, the rest of the senators followed suit one after the other.

On the other hand, many of their House counterparts have yet to give the go-signal for the public release of their SALNs. So far, only newly installed Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III along with a dozen House members have so far released copies of their respective SALNs. Dy took over from ertswhile speaker Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who has yet to release a copy of his SALN.

While Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero reported P18 million net worth, red flags were seen in his SALN. Escudero and Romualdez lost their respective leadership posts after being accused as being behind the congressional initiatives and insertions that went into anomalous transactions in the flood control projects in the 2025 budget law.

The Makabayan bloc at the House and other party-list leaders headed by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno were among the first to release to the public their individual SALNs. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice were the latest House members who opened their SALNs to the public.

As per Republic Act (RA) 6713, all state-paid officials and employees in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government are mandated to submit their SALN on or before April 30 each year.

The demand for access to the SALNs of public officials arouse amid the national outrage over the alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects funded by the ‘proponents’ insertions in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Todate, at least three Senators, a number of House members 22 or so private contractors and top-ranking DPWH officials and district engineers are now facing corruption charges before the Ombudsman.

The public disclosures of SALNs came days after former justice secretary and now Ombudsman Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla announced he has rescinded the previous directives of his immediate predecessor. A few days after he was appointed by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM), one of Remulla’s first official acts was to relax the previous restrictions on public access to all SALNs deposited at the Office of the Ombudsman. However, Remulla specified that copies of SALNs will be provided with redacted versions only. This is, Remulla pointed out, to protect the rights of privacy of individual declarants and their respective family members.

How about the right to life for the many lives lost due to non-existent flood control projects that could have protected them during typhoon-related flooding and landslides?

It was the ombudsman of former president Rodrigo Duterte, retired justice Samuel Martires, who imposed the public access restrictions. Martires previously served as one of the justices at the Sandiganbayan for 12 years. Ex-president Duterte tapped Martires, his schoolmate at the San Beda College of Law, to become associate justice of the Supreme Court (SC) in March 2017. Martires opted for early retirement from the SC after he was appointed ombudsman on July 26, 2018.

On Sept. 15, 2020, Martires issued Memorandum Circular No. 1 which restricted public access to SALNs. The ombudsman issued this circular that significantly limited public access by requiring requests to be made by the official, through a court order, or by the ombudsman’s own investigators.

Martires justified the restrictions on SALNs supposedly to prevent unscrupulous parties from ‘weaponizing’ it to attack those in the government service. Martires insisted SALN declarants can invoke this law to protect themselves if it is used as tools of public-shaming to besmirch their integrity and reputation.

The SC affirmed restrictions on access to SALNs through its ruling on July 1, 2021 that dismissed the first legal challenge to the ombudsman’s 2020 memorandum. The SC upheld that public access to SALNs is ‘not an absolute vested right.’

The SALN law was signed on Feb. 20, 1989 by the late president Corazon Aquino. On the other hand, the Data Privacy Act under RA 10173 was signed into law by the late president Benigno ‘PNoy’ Aquino III on Aug. 15, 2012. The aim is to protect personal data in information and communications systems in both private and government sectors.

Obviously, the Data Privacy Act of 2012 came out later than the SALN Law in 1989 under RA 6713.

As then head of this constitutional anti-graft body, Martires issued his memo that effectively superseded the very law that empowered the Office of the Ombudsman to review SALNs as the starting point of lifestyle check. Thus, Remulla, who has a term of seven years as ombudsman, must use the SALNs to conduct lifestyle checks motu proprio.

As of this writing, both Malacañang and the judiciary have yet to respond to transparency calls for public disclosure on SALNs. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin echoed the sentiments of Martires in favor of maintaining restrictions. Bersamin argued that the rights to privacy of SALN declarants must be balanced with the public’s right to know.

Ex-president Duterte appointed Bersamin as SC chief justice in 2018 before the latter retired a year later. So Bersamin and Martires served together at the SC in 2017, albeit for a brief period only. No wonder Bersamin and Martires are singing the same tune, along with ex-Marcos Cabinet colleague now Ombudsman Remulla.

President Marcos arrived in Manila yesterday following his participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

During the summit, Marcos met with his Chilean and South Korean counterparts to bolster the country’s ties with its partners and allies.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay at 2:23 p.m.

‘From supply chain disruptions and climate change to persistent economic inequality, and the accelerating pace of technological transformation, I’m pleased to report that our engagements were robust, our discussions fruitful, and our shared commitment to collective action reaffirmed,’ the President said in his arrival message.

Marcos said he had the opportunity to advance the Philippines’ priorities, including narrowing the digital divide for micro, small and medium enterprises; advancing seamless movements of goods and people through infrastructure development; promoting supply chain resiliency amid shocks and crises; and promoting digital literacy and upskilling for MSMEs, women, and other segments whose full economic potential can be realized through digitalization.

‘These priorities were well-received, and we worked with our partners to identify concrete ways forward, as reflected in the outcome documents adopted and concluded during the visit,’ the Chief Executive said.

Marcos also managed to shake hands with China President Xi Jinping to congratulate him for his upcoming role as chairman of next year’s APEC. The Philippines is embroiled in a longstanding row with China over the latter’s acts of provocations and illegal takeover of land features within Philippine sovereign waters in the South China Sea.

The President also met with top executives from Korean corporations and witnessed the signing of a supplemental agreement between the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines.

The deal valued at over P50 billion is expected to generate more than 3,000 new high technology jobs for Filipino engineers, and technicians.

The company also committed to the training of Filipinos and establishing research and development centers with some Philippine universities, Marcos said.

The President said the business meetings, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, aimed to significantly deepen economic ties, leveraging the momentum of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force last year.

Marcos also met with the Filipino community upon his arrival in Busan on Thursday.

Bilateral meetings

During a bilateral meeting with Chile President Gabriel Boric yesterday, Marcos discussed trade concerns as well as the two countries’ shared heritage.

He cited the need to finalize the Philippines-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA, which would be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement in Latin America. Manila hosted the third round of talks for the agreement in October.

‘Both leaders agreed to facilitating the signing of the agreement by end of this year,’ the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement distributed by Malacañang.

The Philippines and Chile will celebrate the 80th anniversary of their relations next year.

Philippines, South Korea: Very special friends

Meanwhile, Marcos’ meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed the more-than-seven-decades-old ties between Manila and Seoul.

Lee said the Philippines and South Korea are ‘very special friends,’ noting that when Seoul was grappling with a national crisis, Manila deployed its military to provide assistance.

‘The people of Korea will never forget the contributions and dedication and sacrifices made by the Philippines,’ Lee said through a translator during the bilateral meeting.

Marcos and Lee also vowed to cooperate to facilitate the smooth operations of Korean companies in the Philippines and to boost ties in the areas of defense industry, shipbuilding and infrastructure.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in March 1949. They formalized their strategic partnership through a joint declaration last year.

South Korea was the biggest source of foreign investments to the Philippines from January to June this year. In 2024, the East Asian country ranked as the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade reaching $13.2 billion. South Korea was also the Philippines’ top source of foreign tourists last year, accounting for more than 26 percent of total arrivals.

Honoring war veterans

Marcos capped his visit to South Korea by honoring the Filipino soldiers who perished during the Korean War, a historic episode that cemented the deep relations between Manila and Seoul.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos visited the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, where they led a wreath-laying ceremony and a tree-planting activity.

The Philippine deployed 7,420 troops during the Korean War, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The sending of Filipino expeditionary force to South Korea to help repel communist aggression was made possible by the enactment of the Philippine Military Aid to the UN Act in 1950.

Former president Fidel Ramos and two former Philippine ambassadors to South Korea were among those who were sent to the conflict.

A total of 112 Filipino soldiers were killed during the war.

Marcos visits pa’s tomb

Upon his return yesterday, the President, accompanied by the First Lady, visited the tomb of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Marcos Sr. died while in exile in Hawaii in September 1989 at the age of 72.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) alerted the public about a possible cyberattack in the form of a ‘traffic flood’ to be staged on Nov. 5.

In a Facebook post yesterday, the DICT said it was monitoring a possible Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) incident on that date, which could slow down or temporarily prevent some websites and apps from loading or being accessed by users.

The DICT called for calm, saying the traffic flood was not a data breach or hack.

‘It will not involve theft of personal accounts, data or funds,’ the DICT said in the post in Filipino.

ICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the DDoS attack was known to be global in scale, and the DICT’s readiness was being done along with its counterparts in other countries.

‘There is a world-wide alert, not just in the country. We are ready,’ Aguda told The STAR.

Under Oplan Cyberdome, the DICT is coordinating with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, the National Telecommunications Commission, law enforcement agencies and other partners for rapid response and protection of online platforms.

The National Computer Emergency Response Team is on 24/7 watch to help keep the digital space secure, the DICT has assured the public.

Netizens were advised to just try again later if a site or app won’t load; use official apps or check official status pages; follow verified updates from authorities and service providers, and not engage in illegal online activities this Wednesday.

Commuters and motorists are expected to face heavy traffic on Sunday, November 2, and Monday, November 3, as many Filipinos return to Metro Manila after the weekend observance of Undas 2025 (All Saints’ Day).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Proclamation 727, declared October 31 and November 1 as special non-working holidays for All Saints’ Day Eve and All Saints’ Day, respectively.

Check the latest traffic updates for Metro Manila and major expressways, including NLEX, SLEX, Cavitex, CALAX, SCTEX and Skyway.

Another Indian moneylender was shot dead on Sunday, November 2, in Central Mindanao, marking the fifth such killing in the region since 2022.

The victim, Jagmeet Singh, was collecting payment for loans from villagers along a highway in Sitio Datu Faisal in Barangay Limbo in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, when one of three men who approached him from behind shot him with a pistol in the head, killing him instantly.

Officials from the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station and the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Police Office told reporters on Monday, November 3, that Singh’s assailants escaped before responding community volunteer watchmen and barangay officials could reach the scene.

The attackers also took Singh’s sling bag containing his cash collections as they fled.

Traditional Moro community leaders told reporters gunmen who killed Singh is known by their aliases Monib and Sattar. One is a known hired killer and is also involved in large-scale trafficking of shabu and marijuana.

Four other Indian moneylenders were killed in separate gun attacks in the past three years in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte and in far-flung towns in Maguindanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in a seaside municipality in Sultan Kudarat, in Midsayap, Cotabato and in Koronadal City, all in Region 12.

Ranking officials of the business communities in BARMM, including lawyer-entrepreneur Ronald Hallid Torres, chairman of the Bangsamoro Business Council, have separately called on the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, which has intelligence units in Central Mindanao, to cooperate in identifying the killers of Singh for prosecution.

“These killings of Indian moneylenders can badly affect our efforts of boosting the investment climate in the Bangsamoro towns in mainland Mindanao,” Torres, also president of the multi-sector Regional Advisory Group of PRO-BAR, said.

PRO-BAR director Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman said investigators from the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police, intelligence agents from various units under his office, and local officials are working together to bring closure to Singh’s brutal killing.

Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Tucao Mastura and Vice Gov. Marshall Sinsuat have separately pledged their support for PRO-BAR’s ongoing investigation into the incident.

Headline inflation likely crept higher in October due to pricier food and utilities, although price pressures remain broadly contained, according to a poll of economists.

Estimates from analysts showed the growth in consumer prices would be higher than the 1.7 percent recorded in September, but still below the two percent low-end target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

If inflation stays below two percent, it would mark the eighth consecutive month that it has remained within that range.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official October inflation data on Nov. 5.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri said headline inflation likely rose to 1.8 percent in October, reflecting higher prices of rice, vegetables and fish. Additional upward pressure came from higher electricity rates and a weaker peso, although these were partly offset by lower prices of meat, fruits and oil.

‘Going forward, upside risks to inflation are building as favorable rice base effects fade and the extension of the rice import suspension through year-end adds further pressure,’ Neri said in a note.

He expects inflation to hover around two percent through December before edging above three percent in the first half of next year, driven by base effects, wage increases and possible supply disruptions linked to trade policy.

Neri noted that an influx of cheap Chinese exports could help temper some of these pressures.

Given the still benign inflation environment, BPI’s lead economist said the BSP may consider another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, especially if the third-quarter gross domestic product report ‘reinforces the view that economic weakness persists.’

Metrobank chief economist Nicholas Mapa likewise expects inflation to inch up to 1.9 percent this month, noting that downside pressure from rice may be offset by higher costs in other food items and utilities.

‘Inflation could tick higher on base effects in the coming months,’ Mapa said.

Reyes Tacandong and Co. senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas also sees inflation climbing to 1.8 percent year-on-year, citing ‘the same suspects of transport and some food items.’

In contrast, UnionBank chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion forecasts a slightly lower 1.6 percent, attributing it to base effects and modest price adjustments.

He said higher generation charges following Meralco’s rate adjustment and mild pressure from rice and select food items may be offset by fuel rollbacks and stable meat and vegetable costs under government monitoring.

‘Upside risks include the extended rice import suspension, further peso weakness and higher global oil prices,’ Asuncion said.

Despite the expected uptick, analysts agreed that inflation remains subdued and well below the BSP’s two to four percent target range.

Neri said expectations of further monetary easing could keep the peso under pressure, although seasonal inflows of remittances during the Christmas holidays should provide support, helping the peso end the year around 58.2 per dollar.

‘Looking beyond December, the BSP could still deliver up to two additional cuts in the first half of 2026 if growth continues to run below potential. The central bank may also align its policy path with that of the Federal Reserve, particularly if markets begin to price in aggressive US rate cuts,’ he said.

However, Neri cautioned that this could lead to policy overshooting, noting that if inflation pressures resurface once base effects fade later in 2026, the BSP may need to reverse course.

The Monetary Board slashed its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent in October, marking its fourth straight rate cut this year. This brought the cumulative rate cuts to 175 bps since August 2024.

SM Markets is wrapping up its 40th anniversary with heartfelt gratitude to its shoppers and a warm welcome to the holiday season.

After four decades of being part of everyday moments, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore are keeping the celebration alive with exciting holiday deals, rewards and treats-just in time to make this season even more special.

Anniversary promos

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, SM Markets continues to offer ongoing promos such as free items, the 4+1 bundle, and extra SMAC points.

Shoppers can earn up to 40 extra points at SM Hypermarket and 10 extra points at SM Supermarket and Savemore until November 15.

Online promos

Promos are also available online, shop at smmarkets.com.ph and get a free item with a minimum P1,500 inclusive of any 40th Anniversary promo participating items until November 15.

Ron Turon charm

On September 19, SM Markets launched the newest Turon Charm Keychain, which quickly sold out at SM Supermarket Fairview, SM Hypermarket Pasig and Fairview, and Savemore Salitran.

Shoppers can still get a free Turon Charm Keychain with a minimum P1,000 purchase of participating promo items. This SMAC exclusive offer is available only at selected stores on specific dates:

SM Supermarket Southmall, SM Hypermarket Bicutan, and Savemore Angono 2: October 18 to 19

SM Supermarket Calamba and SM Hypermarket Marilao: October 25 to 26

SM Supermarket Megamall B and Savemore Novaliches: November 8 9

Holiday promos

As the anniversary celebration comes to a close, SM Markets smoothly transitions into the holiday season with even more exciting promos designed to make holiday shopping joyful and rewarding.

All SM Markets Stores

Buy two pieces Siopao for only P50 and save P10 on all weekdays in October

Get a free bundled pack (SMB Spaghetti Pasta 250g, SMB Spaghetti Sauce 200g, SMB Mushroom 425g) with a minimum P3,000 spend on October 17 to 19 and October 24 to 26

Buy two pieces Turon with Langka for only P40 and save P10 on all weekdays in November

Earn 200 extra points with a minimum P5,000 spend on October 31, November 1 to 2, and November 7 to 9

Get free SM Bonus Pear Shaped Ham with a minimum P5,000 spend on November 14 to 16, 21 to 23, and 28 to 30

In select stores:

Buy SM Bonus BBQ Master 10s for only P40 with a minimum P3,000 grocery purchase (SMAC exclusive)

Shop with a minimum P1,000 spend and get a P100 off next purchase coupon with a minimum P5,000 spend on November 17 to 20 and 24 to 27 in all SM Supermarket stores and select SM Hypermarket and Savemore locations

Christmas Baskets and more

SM Markets is keeping the holiday spirit alive with its Christmas Baskets, starting at just P399-perfect for early gift planning.

Shoppers can also enjoy Mix and Match deals, Buy 3, Get 1 Free, and Buy 1, Get 1 Free offers on select home appliances and holiday must-haves until December 31.

A year of thanks and giving

The 40th anniversary may be coming to a close, but SM Markets continues the celebration through the holidays with exciting promos and offers for every shopper.

Here’s to 40 years and beyond at SM Markets!