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It has been a few years since Blackwater has made the PBA playoffs.

The Bossing’s last playoff run was back in the Season 47 Philippine Cup, where the team lost to San Miguel in the quarterfinals.

Since then, it has been seven conferences where the Bossing have failed to reach the quarterfinal round.

On Friday evening, big man Christian David said he wants to end that playoff drought for the Bossing, as he steered Blackwater to a dominant 107-87 win over the Terrafirma Dyip to usher in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.

David had 24 points and seven rebounds against the Dyip, as he had a game-high +- of +31. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and had a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

After the game, the third-year big man said he aims to win more with the Bossing.

‘Just you know, try to lead this team to more wins. I felt like last year it was kind of disappointing. I felt like we felt confident going into last year,’ David, the second overall pick of the PBA Season 48 draft, told reporters following the win at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

‘This year I want to you know take take this team to the playoffs so that’s a goal,’ he added.

In last season’s Governors’ Cup, the Bossing almost made the playoffs. However, their inferior head-to-head record against the NLEX Road Warriors dropped them to fifth place of Group B, where only the top four punched a ticket to the quarterfinals.

They could not replicate that finish, though, as they won just three games in the Commissioner’s Cup and two games in the Philippine Cup.

But now, the Bossing had a strong start in the All-Filipino Cup in a game where super scorer Sedrick Barefield did not play.

In Barefield’s place, RK Ilagan provided the spark with 22 points and 10 rebounds, to go with four steals and three assists.

Rookie Dalph Panopio had an impressive debut with 13 markers, six boards, four dimes, two steals and a block, while Abu Tratter had 12 points and eight rebounds.

It was a close game through the half, with Blackwater leading by just eight, 50-42, after the first two quarters.

But the Bossing broke the game wide open in the third quarter, as a 3-pointer by Richard Escoto gave them a 23 point spread, 79-56.

The Dyip tried to storm back, cutting the deficit to 12 multiple times, but it was the nearest they got to.

Blackwater head coach Jeff Cariaso, for his part, said that while they are happy to get the win, they still have a lot of improvements to do.

‘You want to always try to start on a good note and today was a good first step. There’s still lots to learn, lots to improve on but you know we’re happy that we were able to do enough tonight to get a win,’ he stressed.

Panopio echoed this, as he tipped his hat to his teammates.

‘Masarap po yung feeling kasi we won and I want to appreciate the coach and the teammates for helping you know like being together and working this out. I feel like yeah like Coach Jeff said like we got a lot of things to do still improve on and work on and definitely, we’re gonna do that,’ he said.

“We’ll go back to practice and fix things that we didn’t do today. I think you know I think we just gotta do better next time. We can’t, we can’t just be satisfied about this game, this win. We gotta keep working and be hungry for the next games.’

New Terrafirma player Jerrick Ahanmisi powered the Dyip with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Paolo Hernandez had 19 markers. Louie Sangalang chipped in 12 points.

Terrafirma will have a quick turnaround as it takes on NLEX Sunday at the Ynares Antipolo, while Blackwater will face Meralco next Wednesday at the Big Dome.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Markus Lacanilao as the new chair of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), replacing Vigor Mendoza in a reshuffle that affected two other transportation agencies.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the appointments on Friday, October 10, saying Mendoza will now be the chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, replacing Teofilo Guadiz III.

Guadiz, meanwhile, has been designated chair of the Office of Transport Coop.

Role in Duterte’s handover. Prior to his appointment as new LTO chief, Lacanilao was the government’s special envoy on transnational crime. He was among the officials who accompanied former president Rodrigo Duterte to the Hague, Netherlands, when Duterte was handed over to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity.

Lacanilao was questioned in the Senate over his role in the handover, and was briefly detained during the hearings.

Leadership shuffle

The reshuffle comes amid mounting pressure from Magnificent 7 transport groups for faster implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). They called for Guadiz’s resignation over the delays as LTFRB chair. Other members of the Magnificent 7, however, did not back the calls for his dismissal.

The Palace has yet to explain the reason behind the shakeup in three transportation agencies.

The modernization, which was first introduced during the Duterte administration, aims to replace traditional jeepneys for modern, environmentally compliant models.While the plan has been widely supported in its main goals, many operators and drivers have lamented the lack of aid during the transition to the newer, pricier models in what is supposed to be an improvement in public transportation.

Officials have repeatedly assured that the modernization program will proceed gradually to prevent disruption of public transport services.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday asked members of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) to give senior high school graduates a fighting chance amid efforts of the government to ensure the employability of students who will finish SHS.

In his speech during the MAP General Membership Meeting in Taguig City, Angara cited efforts of the Department of Education to improve the curriculum of the K to 12 program.

‘Give our graduates a fighting chance. Let us examine our entry-level requirements and ask: does this job truly require a four-year degree, or does it require grit and trainability? By valuing demonstrated competency, you unlock a vast, eager and capable talent pool of Senior High School graduates,’ Angara said.

He noted that the DepEd is shifting toward structured apprenticeships and high-quality work immersion programs as genuine pathways to employment.

He also asked the MAP to help the DepEd about emerging technologies and the skills that companies need.

‘With artificial intelligence on the rise, we cannot afford both a learning and digital gap for our youngest citizens. Our next generation of movers, thinkers and builders must go beyond finding jobs in our future economy. They must help create that economy alongside all of you,’ he said.

He noted that the DepEd started this year the pilot implementation of the Strengthened Senior High School Program to make the graduates more aligned with industry demands.

‘We have reduced the core subjects to five, allowing our students more time for work immersion, based on your insights and recommendations. This ensures that a learner in Romblon can strengthen their grasp of the basics while preparing for employment opportunities in their province,’ he noted.

Promotion system

Teachers’ group Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) is seeking a dialogue with DepEd amid issues on the program and the promotion system for teachers under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

TDC chairperson Benjo Basas expressed confidence that the DepEd will address the concerns of the teachers following the Angara’s directive to refine the implementation of the ECP.

‘We need to engage the DepEd on this issue. Next week, we have a scheduled meeting with the DepEd, together with the leaders of TDC in Calabarzon, Metro Manila and Central Luzon,’ Basas added.

President Marcos recently signed into law Republic Act 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which aims to provide a clearer career path for teachers.

Angara has issued DepEd Order No. 24 on the ECP System to provide teachers with clearer, fairer, and competency-based pathways for growth.

Under this order additional teaching positions will be available for Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V and offers two career tracks, the classroom teaching and school administration.

Meanwhile, Speaker Faustino Dy III joined the Schools Division Office of Cauayan City’s Teachers’ Day Celebration, honoring the country’s educators as the pillars of nation-building and reaffirming his commitment to their welfare and professional growth.

Dy stressed the House of Representatives’ efforts to ensure that the education sector receives sufficient funding in the 2026 national budget.

He also cited the P928.52 billion allocation for DepEd in the 2026 national budget — equivalent to a historic four percent of the country’s GDP — as proof of the administration’s commitment to addressing classroom congestion, child malnutrition and the lack of learning materials nationwide.

In another development, Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula has led the filing of House Bill 5332 or the Lakambini Bill, which seeks to institutionalize the teaching of Filipino heroines across all public and private educational levels in the country.

Jose Rizal University was never given a chance in NCAA Season 101 after finishing 10th and dead last a season ago and undergoing a major revamp that saw it changing its former coach early in the year.

But armed with sheer guts and perseverance, the Bombers turned it around and slew the beast in the San Beda Lions, 67-66, on Friday to jump back into contention at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the second win for JRU in three starts, with its first coming at the expense of another big fish in Letran, 73-69, last week.

Allan Laurenaria came out of nowhere and delivered the game-winning shot in the dying seconds that hammered in the dagger straight into the hearts of the Lions, who absorbed their first defeat after two wins in a row.

‘This was a huge win for us because it gave us confidence,’ said JRU’s new mentor Nani Epondulan, who spent college ball on this same team he’s now coaching. ‘We’re small but our hearts are big,’ he added.

The result also forged a three-way logjam atop Group B among JRU, San Beda and College of St. Benilde.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for San Beda, which practically lost two important points in the clutch – the first when John Sajonia’s triple was reduced to a long-two after he was seen on a video replays stepping on the three-point line and the other when rookie Agjanti Miller’s second made foul shot was nullified due to lane violation.

Earlier, San Sebastian claimed its first win in three outings by outgunning Lyceum of the Philippines, 100-94.

The Pirates fell to 0-3.

The scores:

First Game

SSC-R 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0.

LPU 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0.

Quarterscores: 19-27; 41-50; 62-63; 75-75; 87-87 (OT); 100-94 (2OT)

Second Game

JRU 67 – Salvador 15, Lozano 13, Panapanaan 9, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Laurenaria 6, Herrera 5, Sarmiento 3, Castillo 1, Benitez 0, Peñaverde 0, Duque 0.

San Beda 66 – Sajonia 16, Miller 13, Lina 13, Etulle 8, Gonzales 6, Reyes 4, Celzo 2, Culdora 2, Puno 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Calimag 0, Jalbuena 0, Vailoces 0, Songcuya 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16; 37-33; 55-46; 67-66

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is planning to set new thresholds not just for large cash withdrawals but also for digital and other fund transfers, as part of efforts to prevent the misuse of public funds and strengthen banks’ ability to detect suspicious transactions.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the move aims to help banks guard against questionable withdrawals and transfers, especially those involving government disbursements to private contractors, without having to make difficult judgment calls on their own.

‘We’re looking very carefully into this. One will be a threshold on how much can be withdrawn. We have a threshold on how much cash can be withdrawn. But now, there will be a threshold on transfers in general – it could be cash, it could be digital,’ Remolona said in a press briefing yesterday.

The BSP’s ongoing review forms part of broader efforts to tighten financial integrity safeguards following past corruption controversies and to ensure banks can act decisively against suspicious activity without fear of liability.

State-owned lenders, such as the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, have faced scrutiny for allowing large withdrawals tied to flood control accounts.

Landbank earlier rejected allegations of irregular activity following reports of unusually large cash withdrawals by contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways involved in flood control projects, saying all questioned transactions were legitimate and fully compliant with banking laws.

Remolona explained the BSP is studying transaction patterns to determine appropriate limits and may also introduce new rules ‘that would make it hard for this thing to continue,’ referring to instances where public funds end up in questionable hands.

Banks, he noted, often found themselves in a bind when asked to release funds that appeared suspicious but were technically legitimate transfers from government agencies.

‘These banks were not comfortable with releasing the funds, but they couldn’t refuse,’ he said. ‘The money that got into their account was from our Treasury. So that was a legitimate transfer. As a bank, how do you say no to that?’

The central bank now intends to ‘take that decision out of their hands’ by clearly defining when banks can refuse transactions based on suspicion of corruption.

‘We’re going to figure out when the banks can actually refuse based on suspicion of corruption. The banks, I think, would appreciate that,’ he said.

Remolona added that applying uniform rules across all financial institutions would prevent depositors from simply moving their funds elsewhere.

Last month, the BSP required financial institutions to cap large-value cash transactions at P500,000 per banking day unless the amount is processed through traceable channels.

The BSP chief said all banks are currently complying with existing cash withdrawal limits and that lenders themselves welcome clearer guidance.

For now, the planned thresholds will likely cover government-related transactions, particularly those involving transfers from the state to private individuals or contractors.

A Cebu City councilor has filed an ordinance seeking the full disclosure of City Hall employees in all positions, including their corresponding salary grades.

The proposed ordinance, authored by Councilor Kendrick Go, is entitled ‘An Ordinance Mandating the Disclosure of the Names, Positions, Employment Status, Office Assignments, and Salary Grades of all Cebu City Government Employees, Including Regular, Casual, Co-terminus, and Job Order Personnel, Requiring Employees to Execute a Limited Waiver Under the Data Privacy Act for These Specific Details, Providing for Procedures and Sanctions for Non-Compliance.’

This initiative aims to counter allegations that the City is keeping numerous ‘ghost employees,’ raising concerns on accountability, transparency, and the proper use of public funds.

Go said that transparency in government is essential in maintaining trust and accountability.

He said among the most effective ways to combat the reported ghost employees is through the public disclosure of government workers’ salaries.

‘This practice is not just about revealing numbers; it is a cornerstone of good governance, ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and that government officials and employees are held accountable for their compensation decisions,’ the proposed measure said.

Once the proposed ordinance is approved, it will apply to all employees of the Cebu City Government, including regular, casual, co-terminus, and job-order (JO) personnel.

Part of the procedures to be done as per ordinance is for employees to fill out a disclosure form that shall be published quarterly by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO). Employees will also be required to execute a limited waiver under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173).

Under this form, employees are required to disclose their full name, position title, employment status, and corresponding salary grade.

This information shall be made public on the Cebu City Government’s official website and the Cebu City Public Information Office’s official Facebook page. It will also be posted in three conspicuous places – the HRDO Bulletin Board, ABC Building, and DGS Building.

Failure to submit this information will subject the HRDO and department heads to sanctions outlined in the ordinance, which include a written reprimand for the first offense, a 30-day suspension for the second offense, and administrative liability under Civil Service rules.

For employees who refuse to sign the waiver, the ordinance also prescribes penalties such as non-renewal of contracts for JO employees, withholding of appointment or disciplinary action for casual and co-terminus employees, and disciplinary action for regular employees.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered for the immediate evacuation of areas at risk of a tsunami following a massive earthquake that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental on Friday, October 10.

State seismologists have already issued a tsunami warning in several coastal areas in Visayas and Mindanao, namely Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Davao Oriental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

‘I have directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments,’ Marcos said in a statement.

Search and relief operations are also being prepared and will be deployed once it is safe, Marcos added.

Both the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are on standby to provide emergency aid.

‘To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm. Move to higher ground and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe. Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials. Your safety is our top priority,’ Marcos said.

The quake, initially recorded at a magnitude 7.6 and revised down to 7.5, struck in the waters off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental.

Several local government units and schools have already suspended classes in light of the earthquake.

The earthquake that struck Davao came one week after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, killing several people and destroying vital infrastructure.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., is stepping up its waste management efforts as it targets composting 80 percent of its food waste by 2040.

SMHCC said that it has diverted 323 tons of food waste through its ‘Plate for the Planet’ program since its 2019 launch in Pico Sands Hotel and Taal Vista Hotel.

The company said this is equivalent to the amount of waste produced by more than 500 Filipino households in an entire year.

‘Plate for the Planet is now active across 10 of our hotel properties and three convention centers. This reflects our commitment to closing the loop on food waste, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing guests closer to the farm-to-table experience,’ SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said.

The program tracks the journey of food from sourcing to serving, starting with green procurement and support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local farmers, encouraging responsible consumption, reducing plastic use and managing food waste effectively.

SMHCC said that its kitchens are equipped to minimize waste through accurate forecasting, mindful production and cooking techniques that optimize inventory and preserve freshness.

Composting likewise plays a central role in the program, with food waste converted into soil-enriching material used to grow vegetables, herbs and fruits that return to the table for guests to enjoy.

SMHCC said the initiative supports the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ efforts to reduce food waste and landfill contributions, helping mitigate methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.

‘As the hospitality sector faces climate and waste challenges, Plate for the Planet demonstrates how targeted interventions can reduce environmental impact while reinforcing SMHCC’s leadership in sustainable and resilient hospitality practices,’ the company said.

Moving forward, SMHCC’s strategy includes expanding partnerships with local producers and MSMEs to promote inclusive sourcing and integrating more local produce into menus.

Newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that he will lift the restriction on public access to government officials’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

In a press briefing on his first day in office on Friday, October 10, Remulla said that he may issue a memorandum on Wednesday, October 15, on the lifting of the restriction on SALNs.

‘Public information yan, hinahanap natin. We’re talking transparency, let’s go all the way,’ Remulla said. (That is public information; we are seeking it out. We’re talking transparency, so let’s go all the way.)

‘Pati kami, kasama kami diyan,’ he added. (Even us included.)

However, echoing his pronouncement after his oath-taking on October 9, he said that there is information that may be redacted, which he referred to as ‘privacy matters.’

Remulla also plans to expand the scope of investigations by crowdsourcing citizen-generated information for lifestyle checks and complaints.

He said the office is moving away from sole reliance on dedicated fact-finding teams, choosing instead to incorporate direct input from the public through an open communication channel.

Access to the SALN was severely restricted during the tenure of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, as per Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2020.

This policy effectively barred the public and the media from obtaining copies of a SALN unless they first secured a notarized letter of authority from the official who filed it.

Invoking the late Nelson Mandela’s concern for the elderly, the oldest member of the House of Representatives has decried the ‘digital and social exclusion’ of Filipino senior citizens from government services.

‘In this age of digital transformation, many elderly Filipinos are left behind,’ 83-year-old Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. of Bulacan’s 6th district lamented in a privilege speech on Wednesday.

Pleyto cited as example the ‘online’ transactions imposed by government financing institutions, like the Social Security System for about 23 million private sector workers and the Government Service Insurance System for 1.6 million government employees.

‘Without assistance, many senior citizens are unable to access these services, cutting them off from opportunities and benefits that are rightfully theirs,’ Pleyto said.

He pointed out that members have to make sure that they have phones with Wi-Fi and have downloaded the apps of the agencies before they can receive their ‘reduced pension.’

‘But how about the seniors who live in far-flung and very remote areas in the country that do not have cellular phones and can’t even get any Wi-Fi signal? Will this stop their pension? Or do they still have to go on a long trip to the provinces and cities if only to get their pension?’ he asked.

Reminding House members of Mandela’s resentment of discrimination, Pleyto quoted the late African leader: ‘A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future.’

The Elderly Filipino Week was observed in the country from Oct. 1 to 7.

‘Their hands once toiled to feed the younger generation, their wisdom continues to guide, and their sacrifices made us what we are today,’ Pleyto said as he appealed to fellow lawmakers to act decisively to improve the welfare of senior citizens.

Describing many of the elderly as ‘living their twilight years in poverty, illness and neglect,’ Pleyto pressed for stronger social protection and medical support for senior citizens, noting four key challenges they face: poverty, lack of access to healthcare, social neglect and digital exclusion.