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Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito secured the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon for his push to institutionalize a long-term national infrastructure masterplan under Senate Bill No. 2 or the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND) Act.

Speaking during the DPWH budget hearing on Monday, October 20, Ejercito warned that the absence of a unified plan has led to anomalous projects, wasteful spending, and overlapping flood control initiatives.

‘We spend P350 billion a year on flood control-that’s about P1 billion every day,’ Ejercito said. ‘But flooding in Central Luzon and Metro Manila keeps getting worse because projects are scattered and inconsistent. We need a masterplan that continues regardless of who’s in power.’

Ejercito said the MIND Act aims to institutionalize long-term planning so that major infrastructure programs such as railways, highways, and floodways remain consistent through different administrations.

‘With the MIND Act, we can hit two birds with one stone; we ensure continuity in development while preventing waste and corruption,’ the lawmaker from San Juan added.

Once passed, Ejercito said the MIND Act would not only rationalize infrastructure spending but also strengthen transparency, continuity, and national development planning.

Dizon agreed with the lawmaker’s observation, saying many existing projects were implemented without coordination or alignment with a central plan. He confirmed that the DPWH is now developing a Central Luzon Floodway Masterplan, funded by the Asian Development Bank, targeted for completion by August 2026.

It can be remembered that Ejercito first filed the MIND Act in the 19th Congress. It is now among the priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) in the 20th Congress.

Fair weather is forecast over the majority of the country on Tuesday, while rain may prevail in extreme Northern Luzon, said the state weather bureau.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the easterlies will continue to bring rain and cloudy skies over extreme Northern Luzon.

‘Here in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will remain, meaning there is a low chance of rain,’ Pagasa weather specialist John Manalo said.

Fairer weather is also forecast over the Visayas and Mindanao, but rain showers may still be possible due to isolated thunderstorms.

Temperature range in key cities/areas on Tuesday

Metro Manila: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Baguio City: 18 to 23 degrees Celsius

Laoag City: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay: 22 to 28 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius

Iloilo City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Cagayan De Oro City: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 24 to 34 degrees Celsius

Davao City: 26 to 34 degrees Celsius

University of Santo Tomas and National University delivered scintillating performances in the final round to clinch the collegiate men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the UAAP Season 88 Chess Championships on Sunday at the Adamson University Gym.

Breaking the trend of early title clinches in previous seasons, this year’s collegiate chess action produced a thrilling finish, keeping players and coaches on edge until the very last round.

The Sampaloc-based NU squad, in particular, trailed for most of the season before pulling off a stunning victory in the penultimate round and sealing the championship with a clutch final-round win.

‘We played catch-up all season long. We had to go through the needle on our way to becoming champions this season. From Round 1 to Round 12, La Salle was leading. Then, luckily for us, we beat them in Round 13. Up to the last round, it was still everybody’s game,’ shared NU coach Jojo Aquino.

‘Yung pressure talaga di nawawala yung (kada championship run)There’s always pressure every time you contend for a championship. That’s why I told my players not to be complacent and they responded very well,’ he added.

The Lady Bulldogs claimed their third overall title and first since their back-to-back championship runs in Seasons 84 and 85. Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy led the charge with a gold-medal performance on the top board, earning her second MVP award in the women’s division.

‘Super proud and happy because I got the MVP award and the team was able to win the championship in my last playing year,’ said Doroy, who also won a pair of MVP honors while anchoring NU Nazareth School in the girls’ division during Seasons 81 and 82.

Fellow Lady Bulldog Jersey Marticio earned Rookie of the Year honors with a silver medal on Board 2, while Kyla Dalagan secured a silver on Board 4.

In the men’s division, UST dominated the University of the Philippines, 3.5-0.5, to capture a fifth consecutive title and 12th overall. Chester Reyes led the Male Woodpushers, going undefeated in the final three rounds to claim a gold medal on Board 2 and the MVP award.

‘Winning the championship and MVP is a big achievement. We were able to peform up to our standards even in the absence of our senior players. I hope we’re able to continue our winning ways,’ said Reyes.

UST’s Lee Roi Palma (Board 3), Mark Reyes (Board 5), and Allan Hilario (Board 6) each added a gold medal, while FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz took silver on the top board.

Far Eastern University finished as runner-up behind UST, anchored by FIDE Master Marcojo’s gold medal on Board 1. Lemuel Adena (Board 5) earned silver, while Jerish John Velarde (Board 2) and National Master Franklin Andes (Board 6) each secured bronze.

Completing the men’s podium was De La Salle University, which rebounded from three opening losses to claim second runner-up honors. Rigil Pahamtang (Board 4), John Lance Valencia (Board 6), and Cyril Telesforo (Board 3) finished with gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively, with Pahamtang also earning Rookie of the Year.

In the women’s division, De La Salle also took runner-up honors after edging the dethroned back-to-back champions FEU in the final round. Woman National Master Rinoa Sadey (Board 3) and Checy Telesforo (Board 5) both won gold medals, while Lovely Geraldino (Board 6) and Woman National Master Francois Magpily (Board 1) took silver and bronze, respectively.

FEU placed third in the women’s division with gold medal performances from Samantha Umayan (Board 2), Franchesca Largo (Board 4), and Joyce Rueda (Board 6), and silver medals from Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros (Board 3) and Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (Board 5).

Despite finishing fourth overall in the women’s division, UST’s Jamaica Lagrio (Board 2), Rohanisah Buto (Board 4), Princes Oncita (Board 5), and Nathalie Liscano (Board 6) all secured bronze medals. Ateneo de Manila University’s Alphecca Gonzales claimed bronze on Board 3, while Adamson University’s Robelle de Jesus took silver on the top board.

UP, which ended the season fifth in the men’s division, earned two silver medals through Io Aristle Calica (Board 2) and Daniel Tagufa (Board 3), while Roderenz Adra added bronze on Board 4. Ateneo finished fourth in the men’s division, highlighted by Ritchie Abeleda’s silver (Board 4) and Christopher Kis-ing’s bronze (Board 5). Adamson’s John Rocel Simon rounded out the men’s medalists with a bronze on Board 1.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Plans on Monday said 225,545 personnel qualified to receive the performance-based bonus (PBB) for fiscal year 2023.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Budget Division Chief Col. Veronica Agusin said the law enforcement agency scored 70 points on the 2023 PBB, meaning qualified personnel are entitled to a bonus equivalent to 45.5 percent of their base salary for that fiscal year.

‘As to the release, the Finance Service will release it anytime directly to the ATM (automated teller machine account) of the PNP personnel,’ Agusin explained.

The bonus was approved by the Department of Budget and Management last Oct. 15, releasing P3.3-billion in funding needed for the incentive.

‘It will boost the police force’s morale and welfare. It’s additional funds for our daily expenses, especially in the performance of our designated mandate,’ Agusin said in Filipino.

However, Agusin noted that PNP personnel were not eligible to receive the bonus if:

Their performance rating was below ‘very satisfactory’;

They were on vacation or sick leave, with or without pay, for the entire year;

They were found guilty of administrative and/or criminal cases by final and executory judgment during Fiscal Year 2023;

They failed to submit their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth in 2022; or

They failed to liquidate all cash advances received in FY 2023 within the reglementary period

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of a pickup driver caught on camera beating an elderly bus driver during a traffic altercation.

Arny Jose Montes was filmed allegedly assaulting the older bus driver on a highway in Silang, Cavite, a video shared by the DOTr on Sunday showed.

‘It is clear in the video how he hurt the elderly driver,’ said DOTr acting chief Giovanni Lopez in a Facebook post. ‘We will not tolerate such behavior.’

Montes was not immediately available for comment.

Citing the Silang Municipal Police Station, the DOTr said Montes’ Toyota Hilux made a right turn and collided with the bus.

Montes has been ordered to appear at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) headquarters in Quezon City on Oct. 24 to submit a verified sworn statement explaining the incident.

‘Failure to appear and submit the required statement will be construed as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case will be decided based on the evidence at hand,’ said the LTO show-cause order, signed by Intelligence and Investigation Division Chief Renante Melitante.

The DOTr also said Montes must surrender his license upon appearing before the LTO. His Toyota Hilux will be flagged to prevent any transactions while the investigation is ongoing.

Lopez added that the DOTr will continue suspending driver’s licenses of individuals involved in road rage incidents./mcm

Police have launched a hot pursuit operation to arrest the assailant who shot and wounded a local media practitioner along the Maharlika Highway in Morera village in Guinobatan town on Monday morning, Oct. 20.

Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, identified the victim as Noel Samar, 54, of Kadunong ITV and DWIZ.

‘He sustained four gunshot wounds from a caliber .45 pistol when he was ambushed at 9:05 a.m.,’ she said.

She said Samar was rushed to the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center and is scheduled to undergo surgery.

The motive has yet to be determined.

‘Checkpoints have been set up, while adjacent municipal police stations have been alerted to help track down the suspect/s, who fled after the shooting,’ Col. Noel Nuñez, Albay police chief, said.

He said a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) ‘Samar’ has been formed to lead the probe, gather CCTV footage, and interview witnesses.

Brigadier Gen. Nestor C. Babagay Jr., Bicol police chief, condemned the attack and ordered an intensified manhunt and a thorough investigation. INQ

Response time to 911 calls sped up by 39.6 percent in the past month, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.

In a statement, the PNP said its average response time improved from 4.62 minutes to 2.79 minutes from Sept. 11 to Oct. 17, 2025.

Further, it said the revamped 911 system handled 19,761 ‘legitimate’ emergency calls during the said period, with only 2,736 found to be prank calls.

Although it did not provide a more detailed breakdown of the calls made to the system from Sept. 11 to Oct. 17, the PNP noted that there were 3,539 calls for traffic-related incidents and 5,302 calls for public order disturbances.

‘To prevent abuse of the system, the Unified 911 is also equipped with an automated filtering and blocking mechanism that detects repeat prank or nuisance calls,’ the PNP explained.

‘Once flagged, the offending number is automatically blocked from making further calls to the hotline – ensuring that emergency lines remain open for genuine distress calls,’ it added.

The revamped 911 system was launched last Sept. 11 by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, combining the police, hospital and fire emergency services.

Calls for the removal of embattled Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso to step down from his post have already reached the table of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

But Malacañang on Monday said the President was still studying the allegations of Veloso’s gross mismanagement of the state-run pension fund of 2.6 million members and repeated violations of its policies before he could give his judgment.

‘What we know is that the President wants people who fulfill their responsibilities. He expects proper leadership and good governance in every agency,’ Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in a briefing.

‘The President does not make hasty decisions. If there are complaints, these must be carefully studied. And if there is sufficient basis, then we will see what the President’s decision will be,’ she added.

Not even a month after Veloso returned to his post after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his preventive suspension, former and current officials of the GSIS called for his ‘immediate and irrevocable’ resignation accusing him of ‘poor investment decisions’ that resulted in losses amounting to P8.8 billion.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Veloso dated Oct. 14, past and present members of the GSIS’s board of trustees alleged that the fund’s top executive had pursued risky investments ‘marked by a disturbing lack of transparency.’ They also raised red flags over the proposed P456-million Figaro Culinary Group investment, and the planned acquisition of The Centrum.

The letter was signed by four of the nine current members of the GSIS board of trustees – Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, chair of the legal oversight committee; Emmanuel de Leon Samson, chair of the risk oversight committee; Rita Riddle, chair of the audit committee; board member Evelina Escudero.

Former GSIS board members Jocelyn de Guzman Cabreza and Alan Luga were also signatories.

They accused Veloso of ‘fabricating issues and weaponizing administrative procedures to retaliate against [board] members exercising their fiduciary duty of oversight.’

A livestock caretaker was shot dead inside his house in Purok-4, Barangay Dalumay, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on Saturday, police reported.

Police Major Laurence Conde, Magsaysay town police chief, said suspects on board a Red Skygo motorcycle arrived at the house of victim Douie Mamites Flores around 10:30 a.m., pretending to buy a turkey. Moments later, however, Flores was shot in his head and died on the spot.

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage installed near the site captured the image of the suspects fleeing towards Barangay Bacungan onboard their motorcycle after the shooting.

Scene of the crime operatives (Soco) recovered one fired cartridge of a .45 caliber gun and a bolo at the place of the incident. Conde urged those who knew something about the incident to come forward to expedite the resolution of the case.

Some sources claimed the attack could have something to do with the shooting incident at the Barangay Site of Dalumay six months ago that allegedly involved the victim.

Flores’ father confirmed his son had received death threats after the incident at the Dalumay Barangay site

Marck Espejo is returning to Spikers’ Turf action with renewed fire after a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Espejo, arguably one of the kings of Philippine men’s volleyball, revealed he pondered hanging up his national team jersey after the World Championship, as he thought representing the country for 10 years was already enough.

‘I actually said after the FIVB tournament that I was planning to retire from the national team,’ Espejo said in Filipino.

‘I’ve been part of the national team for about 10 years now, since 2015. And there was a time I felt like there wasn’t much growth or progress in the program, so I thought maybe it was time to step away.’

But after he was able to show the world what the Filipinos are capable of with Bryan Bagunas and the rest of the Alas team with a decent 19th-place finish in the 32-nation championship, highlighted by a historic win over Egypt before a heartbreaking five-set loss to Iran.

The five-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo realized he’s far from done as far as answering the country’s call as he aims to achieve more for the men’s volleyball program.

‘After the FIVB experience, I realized we actually can compete. There’s so much support coming in, from fans, from people helping the team, and that really motivated me,’ Espejo said.

‘As long as my body can still handle it, I want to keep representing the Philippines. Especially now that I’ve been on the world stage, it feels like I’ve reached a peak in my career, and I’m hungry for more. For the next tournaments, the SEA Games, the Asian Games. I want to fight for medals, reach the podium, and help raise the Philippines’ ranking even higher.’

His impressive showing in the World Championship also raised his standard in Criss Cross’ title quest in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, which starts on Monday next week at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

‘Personally, the expectations and pressure are always there. I just focus on performing. I’m expecting even more from myself, to perform better all-around, especially in attacking,’ he said.

‘My performance with the national team during the World Championship was pretty good, and of course, people’s expectations went up after that. But I just want to say, please don’t expect the same ‘world level’ performance here in Spikers’ Turf. In reality, the level of competition is still far from that. But I do hope that everyone-players and coaches-learned something from that experience. I hope we can start to adopt that high-level system, and bring it into the UAAP, NCAA, and even club teams.’

Espejo and the other Alas players will be focusing on their SEA Games preparation once they get a call-up for an overseas training camp, needing to leave their team in the middle of the season.

But the international volleyball star is confident of the King Crunchers’ bid to reach the top this time after losing to Cignal in the past three Spikers’ Turf finals.