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The San Juan Regional Trial Court denied the application for a temporary restraining order filed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada against former Public Works Assistant Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez.

In a resolution, the San Juan RTC Branch 160 denied the senator’s request to stop Hernandez from making false and defamatory statements linking him to the anomalous flood control projects.

The court explained that the extreme urgency warranting the need for the restraining order is no longer present since its purpose is to prevent the wide dissemination of Hernandez’ false allegations.

It noted that the senator himself admitted that Hernandez’s statements have already pervaded all media outlets and featured on news channels.

‘Clearly, the issuance of a temporary restraining order at this point would no longer serve its purpose as the acts sought to be restrained were already fait accompli (they have already happened),’ the court, through Presiding Judge Caron Aicitel Lascano-Nethercott said.

It added that: ‘Owing to the permanent nature of online posts, even assuming that a restraining order can be issued, the digital footprint of the alleged malicious imputations which have been posted and reposted online lasts indefinitely, almost impossible to be forgotten.’

Although the court denied the TRO request of the senator, it warned the public that further public commentary on the matter outside official legislative proceedings could violate the sub judice rule.

‘Any imputations, comments or discussions made either through conventional or digital platform, outside the realm of official legislative inquiries and investigations. would in any manner tend to influence the Court, prejudge the issue, and in general, obstruct the administration of justice, are hereby proscribed,’ the ruling said.

The court clarified that its decision does not bar Hernandez from testifying in congressional inquiries, citing constitutional respect for legislative investigations conducted in aid of legislation.

‘The Court, ever mindful of the principle of separation of powers, and owing to the Constitutional respect due to a co-equal branch of the government, will not even venture to pry into their business,’ the court said.

Still, the court noted a hearing for Estrada’s application for a writ of preliminary injunction on November 12, 2025.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was prepared for potential cyberattacks that may occur on Wednesday, November 5, which is Guy Fawkes Day in Britain.

The date November 5 was popularized by the 2005 film ‘V for Vendetta.’ It commemorates the failed 1605 plot by a group of English Catholics – among them a soldier named Guy Fawkes – in an attempt to assassinate King James I and members of the Houses of Parliament.

Fawkes’ image is a symbol widely used by hacktivist groups.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) warned of a ‘flood’ of web traffic causing distributed denial of service (DDoS) incidents that may slow down or temporarily prevent users from accessing targeted sites.

‘The PNP is prepared for any possible cyberattacks. We keep reminding our units and personnel to always secure the different systems of the PNP,’ Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

A DDoS attack is a type of cyberattack that uses multiple computers or devices to flood a website, server, or online service with an overwhelming amount of traffic, overloading the target site’s resources and preventing legitimate users from accessing it or using a service.

According to acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the police force is protecting its digital systems and access to its data, particularly its databases for logistics, firearms, electronic warrants, and criminal records.

‘The PNP is continuously protecting our systems, especially since we are already using e-governance. ‘To protect our systems, ginagawa natin ang iba’t ibang activities like to ensure firewalls, to ensure the integrity of hardware and software. To protect our systems, we do activities like ensuring firewalls, ensuring the integrity of hardware and software,’ Nartatez said at the briefing in a mix of English and Filipino.

ADOR, the music label under HYBE and home to NewJeans, has completed several demos for the group’s next album and submitted the list of tracks to the Seoul Central District Court as evidence of its continued management responsibilities, The Korea Herald has learned.

According to a legal source, Friday, ADOR submitted the list to the court in July. The list is believed to contain more than five demos, as it pertains to a full-length album.

During a trial session that month, the presiding judges asked whether the list included new songs, to which ADOR’s legal representatives confirmed that it did. The submission was intended to demonstrate that the label has been fulfilling its duties as NewJeans’ management company amid the ongoing legal dispute with the group.

The tracks ADOR in the list submitted to the court are in MR form, meaning the instrumental tracks have been completed, but no member vocals have been recorded.

In a press statement released Thursday, ADOR said, ‘As we have stated during the trial, we have completed preparations for NewJeans’ official album release and are waiting to resume their activities.’

Although the kind of music Ador has produced for the group remains unknown, The Korea Herald confirmed that Beasts And Natives Alike (BANA) – the creative collective behind NewJeans’ previous hit songs such as ‘Attention,’ ‘Hype Boy,’ ‘OMG’ and ‘Ditto’ – appears not to have participated in the new material.

Min Hee-jin, former ADOR CEO. Image: Courtesy of ADOR

BANA, founded by Kim Ki-hyun, a longtime friend of Min Hee-jin, was rumored to be attempting to bring NewJeans under its management in February, when the group announced its departure from the agency, though that speculation later proved false.

The conflict between NewJeans and ADOR began in November 2024, when the group unilaterally announced the termination of its exclusive contract, citing a management and production vacuum following Min’s dismissal as its CEO in August that year. NewJeans argued that their contract was built on trust in Min and that her removal constituted a serious breach of the label’s contractual obligations.

However, the Seoul court ruled Thursday that NewJeans must maintain their exclusive contract with ADOR, stating that Min’s dismissal alone did not justify contract termination. The court said it found no managerial vacuum that prevented ADOR from carrying out its duties, adding that ‘the members’ trust in Min Hee-jin alone cannot be considered a fundamental contractual obligation.’

Following the ruling, NewJeans announced through their legal representative, law firm Sejong, that they respect the court’s decision but plan to immediately appeal, saying, ‘The relationship of trust with ADOR has been completely destroyed,’ making it ‘impossible to return and continue normal activities under the company.’

President Marcos has approved the Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), a 10-year national industrial roadmap that aims to strengthen key sectors, create jobs, and lift Filipino products to global standards.

Signed through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 104 last Oct 24, the policy directs all government agencies to give preference to local products and services in their procurement.

Under the policy, local suppliers can be awarded contracts if their bids are within 25 percent of the lowest foreign offer. This measure seeks to ensure that the government’s purchasing power directly supports Filipino enterprises.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement that the the TPS serves as a national framework for industrial transformation anchored on five pillars: people, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments, and sound financial management.

‘The TPS empowers our MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and industries to innovate with purpose, produce with pride, and compete globally with confidence,’ Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement on Monday.

The DTI said the multi-year blueprint operationalizes the Tatak Pinoy Act and supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

The provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon, and Negros Oriental ordered the suspension of classes on Monday, November 3, due to projected heavy rains and storm surge on Monday brought by Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).

In Sorsogon, Governor Edwin Hamor said classes at all levels in public and private schools were suspended to ensure the safety and welfare of the public.

Local officials were advised to monitor their areas and implement necessary precautionary measures.

In Masbate, Governor Richard Kho ordered the suspension of classes due to the threat of storm surge and flooding in low-lying areas.

Kho advised the public to avoid the landslide-prone and coastal areas.

In the 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of a high risk of ‘life-threatening’ storm surge in the next 48 hours in Masbate, Sorsogon, and other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao within the path of the storm.

Several local government units in Visayas – the provinces of Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Capiz and the cities of Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod – have also suspended classes and have gone on high alert, placing their disaster response teams on full response or emergency mode, as they braced for the onslaught of Tino, which was expected to reach typhoon category within the next 12 hours, according to Pagasa’s 11 p.m. bulletin.

Pagasa has raised the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes) in the Visayas and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao.

Under TCWS Signal No. 1 were the southern portion of Sorsogon (Barcelona, Bulusan, Magallanes, Gubat, Santa Magdalena, Casiguran, Juban, Bulan, Irosin, Matnog) and Masbate, including Ticao Island in Luzon.

In the Visayas, under TCWS No. 1 were: the rest of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu including Camotes Islands and Bantayan Islands, Bohol, the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Bais City, City of Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose), the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Isabela, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Enrique B. Magalona, Toboso, Valladolid, Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, San Enrique, City of Kabankalan, Hinigaran, Bacolod City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, City of Escalante, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Silay City, Pulupandan, City of Himamaylan, City of Victorias, City of Talisay, Pontevedra, Manapla), Guimaras, the northern and central portions of Iloilo (Calinog, New Lucena, Maasin, Estancia, Batad, Oton, Concepcion, Pavia, Dueñas, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Ajuy, Iloilo City, Anilao, San Dionisio, San Miguel, Mina, Santa Barbara, Barotac Viejo, Leganes, Carles, Dingle, Zarraga, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Alimodian, Dumangas, San Rafael, San Enrique, Badiangan, Banate, City of Passi, Pototan, Lambunao, Lemery, Sara, Janiuay) and Capiz.

In Mindanao, TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, City of Tandag, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait), the northeastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat), and the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes

With Philippine economic growth losing steam and inflation still well below the target range, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to deliver more rate cuts through 2026, according to a unit of Fitch Solutions.

BMI, the research unit of Fitch Solutions, said in a report that the BSP is likely to trim its policy rate to 4.5 percent by the end of the year, following its Oct. 9 decision to cut the benchmark interest rate to 4.75 percent.

The latest reduction marked the BSP’s fourth consecutive rate cut this year.

‘We expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to maintain a pro-growth policy stance amid growing economic uncertainty,’ BMI said.

‘The central bank has ample room to ease as inflationary concerns subside. The latest headline inflation in September came in at 1.7 percent, marking the seventh consecutive month below BSP’s 2.0-4.0 percent target range,’ the research group added.

The BSP on Oct. 30 also said that inflation for the month may have settled within the range of 1.4 percent to 2.2 percent.

BMI is projecting average inflation to settle at 1.6 percent by the end of 2025.

Inflation averaged 1.7 percent from January to September, according to BSP data.

Further easing is expected in 2026, with BMI expecting the rate to end at 4 percent by year-end, as inflation rises due to possible electricity hikes and higher rice import tariffs.

‘As such, we forecast a higher average inflation of 3.5 percent for 2026, which remains within BSP’s target range. We also forecast GDP growth to slow to 5.2 percent in 2026, well short of the government’s 6-7 percent target. This will contain inflation, providing BSP the policy room to continue the easing cycle to stimulate the economy,’ BMI said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine peso is likely to weaken gradually toward 59 per US dollar by the end of the year, averaging around 58 for the whole of 2025.

The Philippine peso recently tumbled to a historic low after closing at 59.13 against the US dollar last Oct. 29, which the BSP said may have been partly due to the controversy over infrastructure-related corruption.

Despite this, BMI said the BSP remains well-positioned to manage the peso’s depreciation, supported by gross international reserves of $108.8 billion as of September.

Ten towns in this province were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Monday due to Typhoon Tino.

These towns are Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong, Bansud, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Socorro, Pola, and Victoria, according to the latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Boat trips at the Calapan City Pier remain in normal operation, but the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has advised shipping companies to stay on alert for a possible upgrading of the storm signal.

Fastcraft vessels, however, have already suspended their operations as a precautionary measure

In preparation for the effects of Typhoon Tino, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed 525 personnel across Eastern Visayas, which is among the areas where the cyclone is forecast to make initial landfall, according to the state weather bureau.

The PCG said in a statement on Monday that it divided over 500 personnel into 73 disaster response teams in Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte.

‘We will raise the alert status of all our coast guard operating units. In total, we have 770, including deployable response groups,’ PCG Spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said in an interview with the dzRP.

Additionally, the PCG has put other assets on standby for faster emergency response.

‘Floating and land mobility assets such as high-speed response boats, rubber boats, aluminum boats, rescue trucks, service vehicles and a PCG ambulance are also on standby for quick response to any incident,’ the statement read.

The agency is also coordinating with local government units and disaster risk reduction management offices for monitoring, and dissemination of safety advisories, especially to coastal residents, Cayabyab noted.

With the typhoon affecting the country shortly after the observance of Undas, Cayabyab said that several passengers traveling home after the holiday break are stranded in ports.

As of 8 a.m., the coast guard recorded a total of 2,480 stranded passengers in 46 ports.

‘These are the passengers who are possibly returning home from observing Undas. They were stranded due to Typhoon Tino,’ Cayabyab said.

The ports with the most passengers stranded are the Pio Duran Port in Albay, and three ports in Sorsogon, namely Matnog Port, Pilar Port and Castilla Port.

Cayabyab said that as soon as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) are issued, all sea travels are prohibited.

‘Definitely, if Signal No. 1 is raised in the area where the typhoon will originate, pass through and end, all our sea travel will be canceled,’ the spokesperson added.

Signal no. 3 has already been issued in parts of Eastern Visayas and Caraga, while the rest of Eastern Visayas are under Signal no. 2, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

As of 11 a.m., the typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph), and gusts of up to 150 kph, Pagasa said.

It added that Typhoon Tino is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Eastern Visayas on Monday evening to Tuesday morning.

Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has proposed a P114.07-billion regional budget for 2026, the biggest so far, in the six-year history of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The proposed spending program for next year is P19.66 billion higher than this year’s Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) of P94.41 billion.

Speaker Mohammad Yacob and members of the 80-man Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) welcomed the BEP for 2026 during its regular session here last Oct. 29.

In his budget message, Macacua, the second chief executive of the regional government, told parliament members that his proposal ‘aims to strengthen social services, accelerate development and ensure continuity as BARMM transitions toward a regular government.’

Macacua identifies education, health, and infrastructure as the top spending priorities for 2026.

‘This is your government, and this is your budget,’ Macacua said.

As in previous BEP, the education, health, and public works ministries have the biggest shares in the budget pie.

Bridge to peace

The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) will receive the largest share at P32.65 billion, followed by the Ministry of Health at P8.61 billion and the Ministry of Public Works at P5.77 billion.

Almost one third of the budget is allocated to the education sector because it is ‘our bridge to peace and progress,’ Macacua said.

‘It is the foundation of progress and the bridge to peace,’ he added in justifying the huge budget for MBHTE. He stressed that his administration is now focused on building human capital through accessible and quality education.

‘For the Bangsamoro, education is not only a fundamental right but our bridge to peace, progress and empowerment,’ Macacua explained.

Next to education, the 2026 budget gives due importance to sustaining and expanding health-care services across the region, particularly in far-flung communities.

‘Health care is not a privilege but an essential right for every Bangsamoro,’ Macacua said. ‘Every family will have equitable access to essential health services.’

Other ministries getting the large chunks of allocation are the Office of the Chief Minister, P4.9 billion; Ministry of Social Services and Development, P4.3 billion; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, P2.1 billion; and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, P2.1 billion.

Fund sources

The BARMM’s annual budget is sourced from the annual block grant, national government subsidies, the BARMM’s share of national taxes, regional collections, and unutilized prior appropriations.

Macacua urged regional lawmakers to support the swift passage of the 2026 budget, saying it will help translate the government’s reform agenda into tangible programs for communities in the region.

The parliament’s committee on finance, budget, and management will begin budget hearings in the third week of November

Transportation of both passengers and goods from Caticlan to Boracay (and vice versa) was suspended on Monday amid the effects of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).

The Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) implemented a suspension of transportation on both islands starting at 2 p.m. on Monday and will remain in effect until further notice.

‘To ensure passenger safety and to allow vessels to take shelter in preparation for the effects of Typhoon Tino, operations on the Caticlan-Boracay route are hereby cancelled until further notice,’ the CBTMPC said in an advisory.

The province of Aklan is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to the effects of Tropical Tino.

Tino was last spotted 235 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and is expected to make its initial landfall over the vicinity of the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, or Dinagat Islands by Monday night at the earliest.

Based on its latest forecast track, Tino is expected to pass through Central Philippines, affecting Visayas and parts of Mindanao and Luzon until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday.