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Wedding Turns Tragic As 3 Brothers Die

What started as a day of joy and celebration has ended in tears at Kade in the Eastern Region after three brothers were killed in a horrific motor accident at the C4C Junction on Monday, September 14, 2026.

The deceased, identified as Abubakar Kamiru, 26, Bashiru Fataw, 21, and Seidu Shamsu, 17, reportedly died when the motorcycle on which they were travelling crashed into a faulty Tata bus parked along the road.

Abubakar, the eldest of the three, had reportedly just tied the knot and was on his way with his two younger brothers to welcome his newly-wedded wife, who was travelling home in a car.

According to family members and eyewitnesses, the brothers, apparently overwhelmed with excitement and eager to meet the bride, were travelling at high speed when the tragedy occurred.

The motorcycle reportedly crashed into the stationary Tata bus, with registration number GT 9288H, at the Kade C4C Junction.

The impact was said to have been devastating, leaving all three brothers critically injured.

Residents who rushed to the scene quickly conveyed the victims to the Kade Government Hospital, but medical officers pronounced them dead on arrival.

The incident has since plunged the bereaved family, the newly-wedded bride and residents of the Kade C4C community into deep sorrow.

The tragedy has particularly shocked the community because it occurred on a day that was expected to be filled with happiness following Abubakar’s marriage.

Police officers at Kade have visited the scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The bodies have since been deposited at the Kade Government Hospital mortuary pending burial arrangements.

The bereaved family is expected to make arrangements for the burial in accordance with Islamic customs.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns about speeding and road safety, particularly among motorcycle riders, with residents urging road users to exercise maximum caution to prevent avoidable deaths.

LTO suspends driver’s license of Niño Muhlach

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the driver’s license of actor Niño Muhlach after he was involved in a multi-establishment crash along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 17, the LTO said that it imposed a two-year license revocation after determining that the actor lost control of his vehicle due to severe fatigue, crashing into three commercial establishments along the highway.

The LTO found the actor liable for reckless driving and officially declared him an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.

In addition to the license revocation, the agency placed the actor’s vehicle on alarm status to enforce the penalty and prevent any related transactions while the resolution remains in effect.

“Seryoso ang LTO sa pagpapatupad ng batas-trapiko, lalo na sa mga paglabag na maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa ibang gumagamit ng kalsada,’ LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said.

(The LTO is serious about enforcing traffic laws, especially violations that could endanger other road users.)

‘Ipatutupad natin ang kaukulang kaparusahan batay sa resulta ng imbestigasyon at pagdinig, anuman ang katayuan ng sangkot,’ he added.

(We will impose the appropriate penalty based on the results of the investigation and hearing, regardless of the status of those involved.)

The road accident involving the actor occurred on August 23.

According to Muhlach, he fell asleep behind the wheel due to extreme fatigue, causing his vehicle to veer off, cross lanes, and hit a parked motorcycle, a pedestrian and three roadside shops.

Quirino governor dies at 48; remembered for 25-year public service

Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo ‘Dax’ Cua passed away on Tuesday evening, ending a quarter-century career in public service marked by youth leadership, legislative reforms and local governance advocacy. He was 48.

His family appealed for prayers and support as they mourned his death and prepare to bring his remains home to the province.

Former Gov. Junie Cua, Dax’s 81-year-old father, made the appeal in a Facebook Live broadcast on Wednesday through the provincial government’s Quirino Province page.

Speaking in a mix of Ilocano and English, the elder Cua, who was visibly emotional, announced the death of his son and thanked Quirinians for their support.

‘Ay-ayatek a kailian (My dear constituents), it is with a heavy heart and profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved son, Dax Cua,’ he said.

He did not disclose the cause of death. The governor had reportedly been suffering from an undisclosed illness before his death.

‘Iti daytoy a napalalo a narigat a panawen (In these trying and difficult times), agkiddaw kami iti kararag kadagiti kailiantayo a Quirinian (we ask for prayers from our fellow Quirinians),’ Junie said.

‘Your presence, your support, your prayers will be a great comfort to our family,’ the former governor added.

The elder Cua said his son’s contributions to Quirino and his service to its people would be remembered.

‘His memory, his contributions he leaves behind will remain with us,’ Junie said.

Dax Cua’s remains are scheduled to be flown from Metro Manila to Quirino today.

He is survived by his wife, Quirino Rep. Midy Nacague Cua-whom he married in 2011-and their three children.

Marcoleta won’t seek temporary release to vote for impeachment threshold

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday said he does not intend to move for his temporary release so he could participate once senators move to vote on the matter regarding the 16-vote conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

The need for senator-judges to vote on whether to retain or revise the 16-vote requirement arose as four senators, including Marcoleta, remain absent from the impeachment trial.

Marcoleta made the remarks after his bail hearing for plunder at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which allowed the interview inside the courtroom.

‘No, I will not move for a furlough just to vote for the threshold,’ Marcoleta said.

A prison furlough refers to a temporary release granted to an incarcerated person.

The senator thinks the threshold should be up for a vote.

‘It’s already in the Constitution,’ he said. ‘Nobody has a right to change the Constitution.’

On Wednesday, the Senate impeachment court invited four retired Supreme Court justices as ‘amici curiae (friends of the court) in a hearing to discuss whether there is a need to revisit the 16-vote threshold needed for conviction.

Three of the retired SC justices agreed that the minimum number of votes needed for conviction is not automatically set at 16.

In a related development, Marcoleta also lamented that the Senate impeachment court did not take up his July 20 manifestation.

According to Marcoleta, he was questioning in this manifestation the legitimacy of Sen. Francis Escudero as a presiding officer of the impeachment court.

‘They did not take up. I was questioning first of all, the legitimacy of the presiding officer,’ he said. ‘The last time I checked, it should be the Senate president who will preside.’

‘If they won’t take that up, why would I participate there,’ he said.

‘They have not even discussed,’ he said, ‘they have not even debated the merits of my manifestation and request.’

Marcoleta faces a 90-day suspension for his plunder case stemming from an alleged P75 million campaign donation he received while an incumbent party-list representative.

The Sandiganbayan, however, has yet to resolve the matter regarding his suspension

Republic Act No 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act, provides for the preventive suspension of any official facing such a case.

BYD launches RACCO in Japan, marking its entry into small vehicle segment

BYD officially launched RACCO, its first model specifically designed to break into the highly competitive Japanese automotive market.

The launch took place across multiple events hosted across Japan, marking BYD’s official entry into the ‘kei’ car segment. BYD Group Vice President Liu Xueliang attended the event and unveiled the new model together with BYD Japan Head of Passenger Vehicles, RACCO Project Leader Atsuki Tofukuji, and Head of Japan Planning Hirohide Tagawa.

By highlighting RACCO’s safety, spaciousness, convenience and other product advantages based on Japanese consumers’ daily mobility scenarios, BYD demonstrated how RACCO is designed around the real needs of the users, further increasing awareness and influence of the BYD brand in Japan.

RACCO is BYD’s first vehicle developed specifically for the exacting standards of an overseas market, and the first mass-produced pure electric vehicle built by an overseas automaker exclusively to meet Japan’s stringent ‘kei’ car regulations.

‘Kei’ cars are a distinct category unique to Japan, governed by strict rules on engine size, power, and vehicle dimensions, and account for approximately 40% of the country’s new vehicle sales, making them one of its most significant automotive segments. To capture this opportunity, BYD drew on its global R and D capabilities to develop the RACCO around Japan’s stringent ‘kei’ car regulations, road conditions, and consumer expectations, optimising everything from vehicle architecture and battery systems to electric drive, chassis, and safety, engineering RACCO to the precision and rigor that define one of the world’s most demanding automotive segments.

Its official launch marks BYD’s entry into Japan’s largest automotive segment and represents an important milestone in BYD’s global small EV strategy. It also demonstrates the evolution of BYD’s globalisation approach from product export toward localised R and D and localised innovation.

John Keells CG Auto Chief Executive Officer Charith Panditharatne said: ‘RACCO was engineered to meet Japan’s exacting ‘kei’ car standards, a segment that demands precision, efficiency and smart use of space. That same combination, compact on the outside, spacious inside, is exactly what resonates with Sri Lankan customers. We’re actively exploring how RACCO, or a version adapted for our market, could fit into BYD’s growing lineup here, and looking at the right timing to bring that experience to Sri Lanka.’

He added: ‘Given the long-standing popularity of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles in Sri Lanka, BYD’s entry into the ‘kei’ car space has major implications for the Japanese market, as well as our own,’

The RACCO demonstrates BYD’s capability to define products, develop technologies and innovate locally for specific overseas markets. It proves that BYD possesses the R and D capability to ‘develop any vehicle for any country,’ rather than simply export the same product globally. This milestone reflects the continued maturity of BYD’s global R and D system and provides valuable experience for future localised development in additional markets.

As BYD’s smallest mass-produced vehicle to date, RACCO further expands BYD’s global new energy vehicle portfolio, completing the company’s product coverage in the small EV segment and providing stronger support for continued expansion into global niche markets.

The successful launch of RACCO is not only an important achievement for BYD Japan, but also a significant practice of BYD Group’s global strategy. Looking ahead, BYD will continue pursuing a strategy that combines globalisation with localisation. Leveraging its global R and D network and core new energy technologies, BYD will continue introducing products that better meet the needs of regional markets, further strengthen its global brand influence and international competitiveness, and advance its global development to new levels.

President Ilham Aliyev inspected conservation works at Pir Omar Sultan shrine in Shamakhi

On September 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inspected the conservation works carried out at the Pir Omar Sultan shrine in Shamakhi.

The historical Pir Omar Sultan shrine is located in the village of Avakhil, Shamakhi district. Initial archaeological excavations conducted at the site revealed the remains of a 14th-century tomb and artifacts confirming that it belonged to Pir Omar Avakhili, the founder of the Khalwatiyya order.

During their visit to Shamakhi in 2020, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the shrine and issued instructions for conservation works to be carried out on the monument.

The remnants of the shrine, constructed from river stone and rock, have been conserved with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Eight graves were discovered and restored, including that of Pir Omar Avakhili inside the shrine and others around its perimeter. To protect the shrine and its surrounding area following the conservation works, a protective wall was built using matching stone materials. An octagonal metal canopy structure, 16 meters in height, was installed over the wall. A walking path was also created within the conserved area for visitors. Special attention was paid during the execution of the works to avoid damaging the natural environment or the surrounding graves.

The restoration of this sanctuary is part of comprehensive state measures aimed at preserving religious and historical monuments. The conservation of the Pir Omar Sultan shrine with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation reflects the Foundation’s substantial contribution to these state-level efforts across the country.

During the inspection, the head of state and the First Lady were also briefed on the completed restoration works at the Kalakhana Tombs Complex in Shamakhi district.

Eight of the nine 17th-century tombs belonging to the complex, located in the village of Kalakhana, have survived to the present day, while one has suffered severe damage.

Restoration and conservation works were carried out on this historical monument with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. The restoration efforts, which also involved international experts, covered seven tombs within the Kalakhana complex.

New era of PH volleyball seeks growth spurt via Asian Games stint

It was far from the start Alas Pilipinas wanted for its women’s team in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games-but neither was it unexpected.

So the nation’s brightest volleyball stars are milking the result for whatever they can get from it.

‘[W]e came into this tournament very excited, very ready to learn, and very ready to be put out of our comfort zone,’ said team captain Jia De Guzman in an interview with local Games broadcaster One Sports after absorbing a 25-18, 25-22, 25-8 defeat at the hands of nine-time Asiad champion China on Wednesday.

For the Alas women, the Asian Games stint provides a perfect competitive laboratory to begin building the future of the national volleyball program.

‘All of the things that happened the past year have really led to us coming into this moment,’ added De Guzman. ‘And it doesn’t stop here. We’re really trying to absorb all of the experience that we can because this is a stepping stone for all the plans in the future for the Philippine national volleyball team.’

There’s little consolation in a defeat, but the silver lining shone brightly. The Filipino women gave a good account of themselves against a team that is aiming for a third straight Asiad crown.

The Philippines stayed in step with China for two sets, much to the delight of the crowd at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium, which turned 25 years old this month and is located in the castle town of Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture, some 43 kilometers southeast of Nagoya.

The nationals even tied the count at 20 in the second set, before China rallied through and then cruised in the third.

‘I think it just shows what kind of potential this team has that when we really believe in ourselves, whoever we face, we will fight until the end,’ said De Guzman, the long-time national team setter.

Xin Tang led China with 19 points, all from attacks, while Yushan Zhuang chipped in 17 from 15 kills and two blocks.

Top performers

The Philippines’ young stars contributed heavily for the country’s cause, with La Salle’s Angel Canino making her Asiad debut with 14 points off 13 kills and former University of Santo Tomas star Eya Laure chipping in 10. Alyssa Solomon, the ex-National U standout who has played internationally as an import, added nine points.

‘There’s no better way to learn or to know our current level, except to put everything on the court, whether it’s a win or a loss, as long as we leave everything on the floor,’ said De Guzman, who leads the young Alas crew now after being one of the young standouts in the 2018 Asiad squad that featured Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago-Minowa, Aby Maraño, Mylene Paat and Majoy Baron.

‘And I think we really had fun in this game because we were challenged, but at the same time we were pushed to our limits. And it will help in our game tomorrow,’ she added.

The Philippines battles Kazakhstan on Thursday and National coach Taka Minowa said the game against China provided a ‘good warmup’ to the crucial duel that could book a quarterfinal berth for the country.

Crash victim apologizes to Niño Muhlach, family after motorcycle complaint

Nicolas Villanueva, the crash victim who previously called out actor Niño Muhlach over his damaged motorcycle, has apologized to the actor and his family following the viral complaint.

Villanueva posted his apology on Facebook on Wednesday, Sept. 16, addressing Muhlach, his wife Diane Abby Tupaz, and the actor’s sister, Angela Muhlach Hortaleza.

‘Isang taos-pusong paghingi ng paumanhin sa inyong lahat. Ako ay humihingi ng malalim na patawad sa aking mga nasabi at nagawa kamakailan,’ Villanueva wrote.

The post included photos of Villanueva alongside Hortaleza and local officials in which they appeared to be mending things. Muhlach and his wife were not seen in the photos.

The crash victim acknowledged that his actions had hurt others and said he was taking responsibility for his mistake.

‘Buong-puso kong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad sa aking pagkakamali. Hindi ko sinasadya na makasakit, pero alam ko na ang epekto ng aking ginawa ay totoo at seryoso,’ he said.

‘Marami akong natutunan sa pangyayaring ito. Sana ay mabigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataon na patunayan ito sa pamamagitan ng aking mga susunod na kilos,’ he added.

Villanueva explained that he had been carried away by his emotions because his motorcycle was important to his livelihood.

‘Nagawa ko lang po dahil sa dala nang aking emosyon dahil sa motor ko po ako umaasa para may pang suporta po ako sa pang araw araw namin,’ he said.

‘Muli hindi kabawasan sakin ang pag hingi ng kapatawaran upang maging maayos po ang lahat. Maraming maraming salamat po,’ he concluded.

Villanueva’s apology came days after he publicly called out Muhlach over his damaged motorcycle, which was involved in the actor’s road crash along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City on Aug. 23.

Muhlach’s SUV crashed into several establishments, including an eatery where Villanueva was reportedly present. His motorcycle was also hit and ended up underneath the SUV.

Muhlach previously acknowledged responsibility for the accident, saying he fell asleep while driving because of fatigue. He also said his priority was to provide the necessary care and assistance to those affected by the crash.

Villanueva later posted on Facebook that three weeks had passed since the incident and claimed that he had yet to receive a replacement for his motorcycle. He also said he had not been able to return to work because of the accident.

‘Sir Niño, pangatlong linggo na po. Parang binabalewala na po ninyo yung nangyari sa akin,’ Villanueva wrote in his post on Sept. 13.

Villanueva’s posts prompted Muhlach’s wife, Diane Abby Tupaz, to defend the actor.

Tupaz said it was not true that Muhlach had abandoned Villanueva as the actor continued to provide assistance to the victim and his family following the accident.

At the time, the celebrity wife also said the insurance company had been trying to contact Villanueva but that the latter was not responding.

Muhlach had previously visited Villanueva in the hospital after the crash.

NGCP boosts grid capacity with P23.5-B transmission project

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is on track to activate P23.5 billion worth of transmission projects this year as it works to strengthen the country’s grid network further.

Breaking it down, NGCP assistant vice president Leonor Felipa Cynthia Alabanza said the grid operator is spending around P11 billion to finish projects in the Visayas; P4.5 billion on Mindanao projects; and another P8 billion on Luzon assets.

The Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission line project and the Panay-Guimaras 138-kilovolt (kV) interconnection project in the Visayas will begin operations in 2026.

The Mindanao Substation Expansion 4 project and the Nasipit Substation Bus-in project are also on course for completion.

Main island Luzon, meanwhile, will welcome the Tuguegarao-Lal-lo (Magapit) 230-kV transmission line project and the North Luzon Substation upgrading project 1.

These projects add to the five facilities worth P7.2 billion completed between April and June this year.

Alabanza said the projects would beef up the grid system’s reliability, but noted that addressing the electricity supply woes is not on the NGCP’s hands.

‘The transmission system can only deliver the power that generators produce and have available. So it will help as long as we have enough supply,’ Alabanza said.

The official said the NGCP remains committed to injecting new investments into the power sector.

‘Every year, we have new projects that we begin-some in the pre-construction stage and others already under construction. As projects move from pre-construction to construction, another set of projects moves into the pre-construction stage as we complete and further develop the grid,’ she added.

Meanwhile, consumers will see a 23-percent drop in transmission rates in their electric bills this month.

The overall transmission rates in August fell to P1.525 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from July’s P1.7560 per kWh.

Last week, Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor, announced a rate reduction of P0.0409 per kWh for September. The overall rate for a typical household now stands at P14.7424 per kWh, down from P14.7833 per kWh a month ago

DepEd taps 170 leaders to boost SHS graduates’ employability

The Department of Education (DepEd) has tapped the assistance of more than 170 leaders across government, industry and strategic economic sectors in implementing the work immersion program under the Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curriculum to improve the employability of graduates.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said closing the gap between schools and industry requires urgent, ground-level execution.

The DepEd is streamlining the senior high school framework from four tracks to two: Academic and Technical-Professional (TechPro), giving learners greater subject flexibility while embedding intensive, industry-guided work immersion options.

For TechPro learners, the enhanced work immersion program will feature structured joint training plans, hands-on mentoring and industry assessments tied directly to national skills certifications.

Industry leaders underscored the need to embed strict workplace safety standards, essential soft skills and ethical values into early career training to help learners succeed in high-demand environments.

Partner associations expressed strong support for structured immersion models, with initial industry commitments already pledging around 31,000 work immersion slots.

This represents more than 60 percent of DepEd’s 50,000-slot target across over 1,100 distinct job roles.

‘We are refining our curriculum and expanding our Enhanced Work Immersion Program because our learners deserve real pathways to quality jobs, entrepreneurship and higher learning. We cannot build a future-ready economy with yesterday’s skills framework,’ Angara said.