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Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

We’re referring to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, who must soon make a Solomonic decision regarding tariffs on cement.

On one hand are the cement importers who fear that raising tariffs or safeguard duties too high-with around 16 percent as the threshold-will force them out of business as they will not be able to fully absorb the higher costs.

Then on the other are the local cement manufacturers who are lobbying for the import tariffs to shore up their production and gain a bigger share of the market, thus keeping their manufacturing operations that employ thousands of Filipinos humming along.

Some members of the Cement Importers Association of the Philippines, however, claim that ‘a troubling shadow of lobbyist pressure from local cement manufacturers looms large, threatening to tilt the playing field unfairly.’

A leaked working document from the Department of Trade and Industry revealed that imported cement from China was supposed to remain exempt from tariffs to help keep local cement prices low, but then there is intense pressure to remove China from the exempt list.

The cement importers who together account for as much as 32 percent of the local cement market argue that if Roque yields to the local manufacturing firms’ lobby, then costs will go up to the point that they may ‘decimate’ their industry that supports some 5,000 jobs.

But then, if Roque listens to the local firms, they argue that the extra cost from the safeguard duty is not too much for the market to absorb, plus will redound to bigger benefits, including keeping job-generating manufacturing facilities within the country to ensure a stable supply.

Clearly, there are arguments supporting both sides; thus, Roque’s ability to discern whose interests she must primarily serve will be tested.

Here’s hoping she comes up with the decision that will help-rather than hurt-the cement industry and ultimately, the consumers. -Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Surprise, surprise

The past few days, everybody was already pricing in the possibility that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would keep rates steady.

Supposedly, this was because officials were still waiting for clarity on the state of the Philippine economy, as well as the local currency.

But in a surprise move, the BSP opted to cut rates for overnight borrowing by another 25 basis points to 4.75 percent on Thursday.

This is the lowest it has been since September 2022, and most observers were stunned.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the BSP’s fourth cut of the year was, indeed, a surprise.

Still, he said this was a ‘justified’ move, especially since inflation remained ‘benign’ and below the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.

Apart from that, Ricafort told Biz Buzz the reduction may also be because of the ‘stable peso exchange rate.’

The day before the BSP’s decision, the peso was at 57.95 against the US dollar. However, it did close beyond 58 again.

The question now is whether the BSP would price this in during its next meeting in December, during which Ricafort sees another ‘possible’ rate cut to match the Federal Reserve. Abangan! -Meg J. Adonis

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake jolted Northern Luzon on Thursday morning, triggering panic in schools, traffic gridlock and the suspension of classes and government work in different localities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake struck at 10:30 a.m., with its epicenter located 2 kilometers northeast of Pugo, La Union, at a depth of 10 km. It was felt as far as Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Itogon in Benguet, and Bontoc in Mountain Province.

This came nine days after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, killing at least 70 people.

The ground shaking, felt at Intensity 5 in Baguio, caused mass evacuations, school disruptions, and massive traffic jams as worried parents scrambled to pick up their children.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong suspended classes from kindergarten to senior high school, with students being led out of buildings in accordance with standard emergency protocols.

Even the University of the Cordilleras halted its graduation ceremony, resuming only after safety measures were confirmed.

By midday, major roads in the city were choked with vehicles, and passenger vehicles were stuck in barangay roads.

Taken to hospitals

The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center was forced to set up a temporary emergency room in its garden on Thursday after a surge of patients overwhelmed its facilities. By 2 p.m., at least 46 people had been brought in for medical assistance or first aid following the earthquake.

In La Union province, at least 28 students from Sto. Tomas National High School suffered dizziness and anxiety during the quake. Five were referred to the La Union Medical Center, but all are now in stable condition, according to provincial officials.

The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said several La Union towns – Tubao, Naguilian, Caba, Pugo, Burgos, Agoo, Bauang, Rosario, Santo Tomas, Aringay, and Bagulin – suspended classes and government work.

In neighboring Pangasinan, seven towns also suspended classes and government work after ground shaking was felt at Intensity 2. These include Bayambang, Mapandan, Asingan, Pozorrubio, Mangaldan, Sto. Tomas and Rosales.

Precautions

Bayambang Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao said the suspension was a precautionary step while assessments are conducted on public infrastructure. Emergency and essential services continued to operate.

In Asingan, Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. instructed schools to shift to modular or distance learning for the remainder of the day.

Meanwhile, Dagupan City, which was devastated by the magnitude 7.7 Luzon earthquake in 1990, opted to continue classes and government operations, with Mayor Belen Fernandez saying the temblor was ‘barely felt’ and posed no risk of structural damage.

‘No suspension is necessary,’ Fernandez said in a Facebook post in Filipino. ‘But our DRRMO remains on full alert in case of stronger aftershocks.’

Despite the widespread panic and precautionary measures, no damage or injuries had been reported in affected areas, according to local disaster response officials

Cebuana Lhuillier, through its insurance arm Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB), is reinforcing its commitment to championing mental health and financial inclusion with the turnover of ?10 million worth of insurance coverage under its MindCare initiative to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).The insurance coverage will be distributed nationwide, providing accessible protection to individuals and communities in need of mental health support. The initiative aligns with the celebration of World Mental Health Day and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to address the growing need for mental health awareness and accessible protection.

‘Through MindCare, we are extending our advocacy of financial inclusion to encompass mental health,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier. ‘We believe that empowerment is achieved when Filipinos are both financially secure and emotionally resilient. By partnering with the NCMH, we aim to make mental health protection more accessible to all Filipinos, wherever they may be.’

Developed by CLIB, MindCare is an innovative insurance product designed to provide coverage for mental health consultations and treatments. It demonstrates Cebuana Lhuillier’s broader commitment to developing inclusive financial solutions that address relevant social concerns and promote the overall well-being of Filipinos.

According to Atty. Isagani Acosta, General Manager of CLIB, MindCare exemplifies the company’s dedication to making insurance more inclusive and responsive. ‘Our objective at CLIB is to offer innovative insurance products that meet the evolving needs of our clients. MindCare recognizes the importance of mental health as a key component of a person’s well-being and ensures that support is available to those who need it most,’ he said.

The ?10-million coverage turnover to the NCMH highlights the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting mental health. As the country’s primary institution for mental health care, NCMH will oversee the nationwide distribution of the insurance coverage, allowing more individuals to benefit from essential mental health services.

Dr. Noel Reyes, Medical Chief of the NCMH, expressed appreciation for the partnership, stating, ‘We are grateful for Cebuana Lhuillier’s support and commitment to mental health. Partnerships like this help strengthen our capacity to reach more Filipinos and promote greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. This initiative is a meaningful step toward a more compassionate and supportive society.’

Through initiatives such as MindCare, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to lead in providing innovative and inclusive insurance solutions. The company remains steadfast in its mission to empower every Filipino with access to financial protection and mental wellness resources that contribute to a stronger, more resilient nation.

Classes in all levels in public and private schools in Davao City were immediately suspended on Friday (October 10) after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the waters off the region.

‘In view of the recent earthquake and to give way to the conduct of rapid damage assessment of infrastructures and facilities, classes in all levels, public and private educational institutions, in Davao City are hereby suspended immediately,’ the local government said in an advisory.

The tremor occurred 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town, Davao Oriental at around 9:43 a.m. on Friday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs has yet to release details about the reported and instrumental intensities resulting from the quake.

At least two people were killed after a powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off Davao Oriental on Friday, triggering regional tsunami warnings that were later lifted.

Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario said two fatalities had been recorded.

‘One is an elderly person who was confined at the Davao Oriental Medical Center and suffered a cardiac arrest during the quake due to panic, while another is a 54-year-old woman who was hit by a falling wall and also died,’ Almario said.

The Office of Civil Defense confirmed only one fatality – the woman who was struck by a falling hollow block in the mountain village of Calapagan, Lupon town, where a residential building also collapsed.

‘I just talked to the mayor of the town, who confirmed the first casualty during the earthquake,’ said Ednar Dayanghirang, Office of Civil Defense regional director.

He also noted that the seawater along Barangay Dahican in Mati City was observed to have receded following the quake, whose epicenter was traced 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental.

Strong quake

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the offshore quake, initially measured at magnitude 7.6 and later revised to 7.4, struck at 9:43 a.m. about 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental.

The tectonic quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), causing strong ground shaking across the southern Philippines.

‘Destructive tsunami is expected with life-threatening wave heights’ on the country’s east coast, Phivolcs reported. Coastal residents ‘are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland,’ it added.

Phivolcs said waves about one meter higher than normal tides could reach the shore between 9:43 a.m. and 11:43 a.m.

The OCD warned that tsunami waves could hit six nearby coastal provinces from Davao Oriental within two hours after the quake. Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV urged residents to ‘immediately evacuate to higher grounds until further notice.’

Boat owners were advised to secure their vessels and stay away from the waterfront, while those already at sea were told to remain in deep waters.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said waves up to three meters were possible in parts of the Philippines and smaller waves, up to one meter high, could reach Palau and Indonesia.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said minor tsunami waves were detected in North Sulawesi province, ranging from 3.5 to 17 centimeters (1.3 to 6.7 inches) in Melonguane, Beo, Essang and Ganalo in the Talaud Islands. People were warned to stay away from beaches and riverbanks.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said hazardous waves were possible within 300 kilometers of the epicenter.

Local governments along the Davao Oriental coast ordered preemptive evacuations following the warning. In Davao City, where the quake was felt at Intensity V, classes were suspended, and some banks sent workers home as power was cut off in parts of the city.

Residents describe shaking

Police officer Dianne Lacorda said the province of Davao Oriental, which includes Manay, expects damage.

‘Our tumblers on the table were moving and falling,’ she said, adding power and communication lines have been cut and the authorities are currently unable to assess the potential damage in some areas.

Christine Sierte, a teacher in the town of Compostela near Manay, said she was in the middle of an online meeting when the violent shaking started.

‘It was very slow at first then it got stronger,’ she said. ‘That’s the longest time of my life. We weren’t able to walk out of the building immediately because the shaking was so strong.’

‘The ceilings of some offices fell, but luckily no one was injured,’ she said, though some of the school’s 1,000-odd students ‘suffered panic attacks and difficulty in breathing.’

Kath Cortez, a local journalist based in Davao City to the west of Manay, said the ground floor walls of her family’s house were showing small cracks.

‘I was surprised by the strength. I had just woken up and was about to take a shower,’ she said, adding members of her family ran out of the house.

Quake felt across Visayas

The powerful quake was also felt across several provinces in the Visayas, prompting precautionary measures in Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, and nearby areas.

Phivolcs said that although the tremor’s origin was in Mindanao, its strong ground motion rippled across the Visayas, including Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Bohol.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered the immediate suspension of classes at all levels – both public and private – to ensure the safety of students and school personnel. The Office of the Building Official, City Engineer’s Office and Facility Conservation Office began structural inspections of City Hall and other government facilities before allowing employees and clients to enter. Residents across the city reported feeling the quake, with some offices and schools temporarily evacuating as a precaution. As of Friday afternoon, no reports of major structural damage or injuries had been recorded in Iloilo City or the rest of the province, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Provincial authorities also heightened monitoring of public infrastructure. The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said it was coordinating with local governments to verify the quake’s effects in municipalities and to remind residents to remain vigilant.

Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in the City of Kabankalan at 9:48 a.m., prompting the immediate evacuation of students to designated open areas within the Kabankalan Catholic College campus.

Several local government units across Cebu also suspended classes and government work on Friday, October 10, after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental, was felt in parts of the Visayas, including Cebu.

In Bohol province, the earthquake prompted brief panic and precautionary evacuations. In Tagbilaran City, anxious parents rushed to schools to fetch their children, while in Guindulman town, classes were suspended and students were sent home as a safety measure.

At the Bohol Provincial Capitol, employees and guests attending the State of the Province Address of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado on the fourth floor were advised to vacate the building. After structural checks confirmed there was no visible damage, they were allowed to return inside.

Safety checks urged

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the potential damage was being assessed and that rescue teams and relief operations were being prepared and would be deployed when it was safe to do so.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas field offices were directed to assess key bridges and roads, while the Department of Education-Region VI urged school heads to conduct building safety checks before resuming face-to-face classes.

Phivolcs said it had not issued a tsunami warning for the Visayas but advised coastal communities to stay alert for possible aftershocks. The agency’s seismologists continued to monitor the situation. Local officials urged residents to avoid reentering damaged structures until engineers cleared them, to report visible cracks in homes and buildings, and to follow only verified updates from government channels.

The latest Philippine quake struck just 11 days after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake killed 74 people and destroyed or damaged about 72,000 houses in the central island of Cebu.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

No break from rising fuel prices are seen next week as gasoline prices are expected to rise anew.

Gasoline prices may go up by 40 centavos to 60 centavos per liter, according to Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas.

‘Gasoline remained supported due to an uptick in domestic demand from China and India, and healthy spot demand from Indonesia,’ Bellas said Friday.

Diesel prices, meanwhile, might remain at current prices or have a small price cut of 10 centavos a liter.

Fuel prices also rose last week, with diesel and kerosene increasing by seventh consecutive time. /rwd

The well-known proverb ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ perhaps needs redefining in today’s world, as social media has emerged as the mightiest of all. These platforms have spawned a vast number of so-called ‘influencers’ who operate without formal accountability, thriving on their ability to deepen divisions and sharpen antagonisms. They often recklessly blend lies with half-truths, distort facts, misquote others, and cherry-pick data to suit their purposes. And here lies the real danger-the blurring of lines between professional journalism and influencer content-which has become one of the most disruptive developments of the digital age.

This failure to distinguish between professional journalists and self-styled influencers has left the public vulnerable to manipulation. In particular, assembling a mob for political or personal gain has become one of the most alarming phenomena in Bangladesh today. Professional journalists working for newspapers and broadcast channels-those who painstakingly verify facts, exercise editorial judgment, and adhere to professional ethics-are losing ground in the battle for truth. In contrast, influencers are driven by an insatiable hunger for popularity, likes, and content-generated income, sometimes twisting facts or spreading lies to suit their agenda. Shockingly, quite a few people having years of experience in journalism have also senselessly sacrificed ethical standards for cheap popularity or political ambition.

Bangladesh, where media literacy among the general populace is still quite low, has thus become fertile ground for the cultivation of hatred. Politicians, artists, cultural figures, and media personalities all remain at risk of being targeted for online harassment. Rather than fostering healthy debates or meaningful counterarguments, the widespread practice is to brand opponents with derogatory labels, distort information, or unleash vulgar language.

In Bangladesh, Facebook and YouTube are the primary battlegrounds for such attacks, while globally, X (formerly Twitter) plays the leading role. The destructive power of social media is not unique to Bangladesh: in 2018, United Nations investigators concluded that these platforms helped incite ethnic hatred against the Rohingya in Myanmar, contributing to what many recognize as genocide. In 2021, a lawsuit was filed against Facebook’s parent company, Meta, for failing to prevent incitement of violence against the Rohingya.

Of course, social shaming as a trend is not new. But strikingly, those most frequently targeted are not black marketeers, corrupt bankers, nor food adulterators, for instance, as one might expect. Instead, political rivals and public figures often face the brunt of orchestrated campaigns. Just as the Awami League had become a fascist party by often calling for the total annihilation of their political opponents, now we are witnessing the emergence of another group of people who have started to act in the same way to eliminate their rivals.

In this volatile context, the government’s response has been far from satisfactory. It has failed to prevent troublemakers, provocateurs, and criminals, particularly those driven by or operating on social media, although quick arrests were made in a few cases, such as the rape and murder of a child in Magura and the brutal murder in Mitford.

The government appears not to be paying sufficient attention. Some critics even allege that it is deliberately ignoring these provocations-an accusation many of us would rather not believe. Still, inaction is no longer an option. While no one expects an interim government to shut down the internet or suppress free speech, it is internationally recognized that governments bear the primary responsibility for curbing online hatred and incitement to violence.

Yes, regulating social media is undeniably complex, given that these platforms are run by multinational corporations. Yet governments around the world have already imposed billion-dollar fines, forcing companies to adopt stricter policies against the circulation of harmful content. So, Bangladesh must follow suit, and urgently. It must hold these companies accountable, compel them to act against hate speech or manipulated content, and ensure that the digital space does not remain a breeding ground for hatred. Ahead of the 2026 election, holding social media platforms accountable is paramount. Regulating social media is not about curbing freedom of expression; it is about safeguarding society from manipulation, division, and violence. The cultivation of hatred must not continue unchecked. The Daily Star/Asia News Network

Kamal Ahmed is consulting editor at The Daily Star. He led the Media Reform Commission under the interim government. His X handle is @ahmedka1.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer is a member of the Asia News Network, an alliance of 22 media titles in the region.

Carla Abellana has seemingly opted to remain silent on her relationship status amid claims of her supposed December wedding with her non-showbiz beau.

Rumors of the actress’ upcoming wedding arose after showbiz insider Ogie Diaz talked about this via his vlog on YouTube on Monday, Oct. 6.

‘Ang nakarating sa atin, sa December na ikakasal si Carla Abellana,’ Diaz said, citing an unnamed source. (We were told that Carla Abellana is set to get married in December.)

Speaking about the actress’ supposed groom, Diaz added, ‘Isang pribadong tao, doktor. Isang chief medical officer ng isang pribadong ospital sa Quezon City.’

(He is a private person, a doctor, and the chief medical officer of a private hospital in Quezon City.)

Diaz further claimed that Abellana and the mystery guy had dated back in high school and have only rekindled their friendship, then romance. The showbiz insider, however, noted that Abellana may still confirm or deny the claims.

It has been days since Diaz released his vlog, but Abellana – whose recent social media posts include matters concerning her business, relaxation activities, animals and corruption in the Philippines-has yet to publicly comment on this.

Abellana, who was previously married to actor Tom Rodriguez, confirmed last August that she was dating someone. She, however, opted not to disclose the identity of the guy