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Tropical Storm Ramil has slightly weakened over the coastal waters of Northern Samar, but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over eight areas of Luzon and Visayas, according to the state weather bureau on Saturday.

Based on its 2 p.m. bulletin on Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the tropical storm now carries a maximum sustained wind speed of 65 kilometers per hour (kph)-slightly down from the 75 kph recorded during the 11 a.m. bulletin. Its gustiness remains at 90 kph.

Ramil was last located over the coastal waters of Laoang, Northern Samar, moving westward at 25 kph.

TCWS No. 2 has been hoisted over the following areas:

Luzon:

Northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan)

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion)

Extreme eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu)

Northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz)

Visayas:

Northeastern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Gamay)

TCWS No. 1

Luzon:

Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

The rest of Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat)

Eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona)

Eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)

Northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc)

The rest of Camarines Sur

The rest of Albay

The rest of Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Visayas:

The rest of Northern Samar

Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid)

Northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong)

Pagasa said the center of Ramil may make landfall over Catanduanes this Saturday afternoon or evening and over Camarines Sur this evening or early Sunday morning.

‘A slightly southward shift in the forecast track will result in a landfall over Albay or Sorsogon this afternoon or evening,’ Pagasa said.

The possibility of landfall over northern Quezon or southern Isabela instead of Aurora is also not ruled out, the weather bureau added.

After making landfall in Aurora, the tropical storm is forecast to traverse the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union on Sunday evening.

As for its strength, the cyclone’s proximity to the sea and the absence of large mountain ranges in the Bicol Region can lead to the re-intensification scenario before the final landfall in Aurora within the next 24 hours.

‘During its passage over Northern Luzon, Ramil may maintain its strength or slightly weaken due to the frictional effects of the mountainous landmass. Once over the West Philippine Sea, further re-intensification is highly likely,’ Pagasa said.

Ramil is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning.

A storm surge warning was raised for several areas in Luzon and the Visayas due to Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen), the state weather bureau said Saturday.

In its 8 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said there is a ‘minimal to moderate risk of storm surge in the next 36 hours, with estimated heights of one to two meters’ in the following low-lying coastal areas of these provinces:

Luzon

Albay

Bacacay

Ligao City

Tabaco City

Legazpi City

Libon

Malilipot

Malinao

Manito

Oas

Pio Duran

Rapu-Rapu

Santo Domingo (Libog)

Tiwi

Aurora

Baler

Casiguran

Dilasag

Dinalungan

Dingalan

Dipaculao

San Luis

Camarines Norte

Capalonga

Daet

Jose Panganiban

Mercedes

Paracele

Santa Elena

Talisay

Vinzons

Camarines Sur

Balatan

Bato

Caramoan

De Gallego

Garchitorena

Lagonoy

Libmanan

Lupi

Minalabac

Pasacao

Presentacion (Parubcan)

Ragay

Sagñay

San Fernando

San Jose

Sipocot

Siruma

Tigaon

Tinambac

Cabusao

Calabanga

Bula

Catanduanes

Bagamanoc

Baras

Bato

Caramoran

Gigmoto

Pandan

Panganiban (Payo)

San Andres (Calolbon)

Viga

Virac

Eastern Samar

Arteche

Can-Avid

Borongan City

Dolores

Oras

San Julian

San Policarpio

Sulat

Taft

Ilocos Norte

Badoc

Pinili

Ilocos Sur

Cabugao

Caoayan

Candon City

Vigan City

Magsingal

Narvacan

San Esteban

San Juan (Lapog)

Santa

Santa Catalina

Santa Cruz

Santa Lucia

Santa Maria

Santiago

Santo Domingo

Sinait

Tagudin

Isabela

Dinapigue

Divilacan

Maconacon

Palanan

La Union

Agoo

Aringay

Bacnotan

Balaoan

Bangar

Bauang

Caba

San Fernando

Luna

Rosario

San Juan

Santo Tomas

Marinduque

Boac

Buenavista

Gasan

Mogpog

Santa Cruz

Torrijos

Masbate

Aroroy

Baleno

Batuan

Masbate City

Claveria

Dimasalang

Mobo

Monreal

Palanas

San Fernando

San Jacinto

San Pascual

Uson

Pangasinan

Agno

Anda

Bani

Binmaley

Bolinao

Burgos

Alaminos

Dagupan City

Dasol

Infanta

Labrador

San Fabian

Sual

Quezon

Agdangan

Alabat

Buenavista

Burdeos

Calauag

Catanauan

General Luna

General Nakar

Guinayangan

Infanta

Jomalig

Lucena City

Macalelon

Mauban

Mulanay

Padre Burgos

Pagbilao

Panukulan

Patnanungan

Perez

Pitogo

Polillo

Quezon

Real

San Andres

San Francisco (Aurora)

San Narciso

Sariaya

Tagkawayan

Unisan

Atimonan

Plaridel

Gumaca

Sorsogon

Barcelona

Bulan

Bulusan

Castilla

Sorsogon City

Donsol

Gubat

Casiguran

Juban

Magallanes

Matnog

Pilar

Prieto Diaz

Santa Magdalena

Zambales

Botolani

Cabangan

Iba

Masinloc

Palauig

San Antonio

San Felipe

Santa Cruz

Visayas

Western Samar

Almagro

Calbayog City

Gandara

Santa Margarita

Santo Niño

Tagapul-an

Tarangnan

Northern Samar

Allen

Biri

Bobon

Capul

Catarman

Gamay

Laoang

Lapinig

Lavezares

Mapanas

Mondragon

Palapag

Pambujan

Rosario

San Antonio

San Isidro

San Jose

San Roque

San Vicente

Victoria

Pagasa warned that the storm surge may cause minimal to moderate damage to communities, coastal and marine infrastructure, and disrupt marine-related activities.

The agency also advised residents in these areas to stay away from the coast and cancel all marine activities.

Meanwhile, Pagasa reported that Ramil had slowed while moving west-northwest over the waters off East Sorsogon.

The storm was located about 260 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 80 kph. It was advancing west-northwest at 15 kph.

Ramil is also forecast to make landfall or approach Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon or evening

Current and former high-ranking officials of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have called for the ‘immediate and irrevocable’ resignation of Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso, the president and general manager of the state-run pension fund, accusing him of ‘poor investment decisions’ that resulted in losses amounting to P8.8 billion.

In a strongly worded letter 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.’

‘Your continued presence at the helm of the GSIS puts the welfare of its 2.6 million members-dedicated public servants who have entrusted their life savings and future security to this institution-in imminent danger,’ they wrote.

‘The primary mandate of the GSIS is to manage its funds with utmost prudence, diligence, and loyalty. Your current trajectory suggests a departure from this sacred mandate, prioritizing transactions that serve interests other than those of the members,’ they added.

The letter was signed by 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; and former board members Jocelyn de Guzman Cabreza and Alan Luga.

The signatories also cited what they described as ‘a pattern of actions seemingly designed to bypass proper governance,’ including the alleged practice of splitting investment transactions-a ‘clear tactic,’ they wrote, intended to evade the mandatory board review for investments exceeding P1.5 billion.

They accused Veloso, who recently returned to his post after a preventive suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman, of ‘fabricating issues and weaponizing administrative procedures to retaliate against [board] members exercising their fiduciary duty of oversight.’

Keep ‘politics’ out

In a statement, Veloso said he would stay in office for as long as he has the trust of President Marcos, adding that the call for resignation was ‘not entirely unexpected.’

‘I categorically state that the allegations against me are baseless. I am addressing them squarely and transparently in the proper legal forum, where they rightfully belong,’ he said. ‘I appeal to everyone to spare GSIS from politics.’

‘Our performance speaks for itself,’ Veloso said, citing figures as of August 2025. He pointed to GSIS’s total assets climbing to P1.92 trillion and a total income of P231.06 billion, with net income reaching P100.02 billion.

‘These results clearly demonstrate that, despite market headwinds, GSIS remains financially strong, resilient, and highly profitable,’ he added.

Veloso, who also sits on the board, noted that only four of its nine members signed the letter.

‘As an appointee of the President, I serve at his pleasure. I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as President and General Manager of the GSIS for as long as I have his trust and confidence.’ he said.

In July, Veloso and several other GSIS officials were suspended by the Ombudsman after an anonymous complaint questioned the fund’s P1.45-billion investment in Alternergy Holdings Corp. The other GSIS officials were executive vice presidents Michael Praxedes and Jason Teng, vice presidents Aaron Samuel Chan and Mary Abigail Cruz-Francisco, officer Jaime Leon Warren, and acting officer Alfredo Pablo.

The six-month suspension, the Ombudsman said, was intended to prevent those accused from influencing the investigation.

Suspension lifted

In the same month, the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) and ACT Teachers pressed for swift action on the Ombudsman case, saying ‘heads should roll’ for GSIS’s ‘unauthorized’ and ‘irresponsible’ investment in Alternergy.

Courage is composed of state employees and ACT represents public school teachers, who are among the biggest contributors to the pension fund.

The Ombudsman’s order was lifted in September after the antigraft body determined there were ‘insufficient grounds’ to believe the officials’ continued stay in office would affect the inquiry.

Also in July, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Department of Finance would check if Veloso and the others violated ‘any rule imposed by law or board resolution’ when they made certain investment decisions.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian threw his support behind the probe ‘as this shows the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in all public institutions, especially those managing workers’ funds.’

In their letter, the signatories pointed not only to the Alternergy investment but also to other ‘transactions of particular concern’ that they said had been split to avoid oversight.

They alleged that GSIS’s dual-tranche investments in Monde Nissin Corp., Nickel Asia Corp., Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and DigiPlus Interactive Corp. have already incurred combined losses of P3.67 billion.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros in August called for a probe into GSIS’s P1.2-billion investment in DigiPlus, an online gambling operator, which suffered a brutal sell-off over the past three months amid calls to ban online games.

‘Unacceptable risk’

The GSIS officials also flagged a proposed P456-million investment in Figaro Culinary Group Inc., noting that the company ‘failed to meet the P15-billion minimum market capitalization requirement’ and that the proposed investment ‘is more than 50 times the maximum allowable exposure of P8.5 million.’ Data from the stock exchange showed Figaro has a market capitalization of P3.28 billion.

They further warned that GSIS’s investments in private equity funds managed by Neuberger Berman and NightDragon would introduce ‘a grave and unacceptable level of risk to members’ retirement funds, fundamentally violating this core mandate.’

The letter also questioned GSIS’s investment in Udenna Land Inc., calling it a ‘rescue’ of businessman Dennis Uy’s Clark Global City project, as well as what they described as the ‘reckless’ bulk purchase of condominium units for resale from 8990 Housing Development Corp.

Incurred since 2023

The executives likewise criticized the proposed acquisition of The Centrium, a corporate center in Parañaque City, saying the transaction proceeded despite ‘questionable and conflicting valuations issued by various private appraisers, as well as by the Parañaque Assessor’s Office and the Commission on Audit.’

‘Poor investment decisions have led to GSIS huge losses of P8.8 billion,’ they said. ‘Despite our repeated inquiries and formal requests for your explanation, you have failed to provide a substantive response or engage in a discussion regarding these critical concerns.’

‘To prevent further erosion of trust and to safeguard the future of our members, your resignation is the only honorable and viable course of action,’ they added.

The losses cited in the letter were incurred since 2023, a year after Veloso was named GSIS chief by President Marcos.

Veloso was the president and CEO of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) prior to his appointment to GSIS. He was an international banker and was appointed as the first Filipino CEO at HSBC Philippines until he transferred to PNB in 2018.

A rebel was killed and a high-powered rifle was seized in an encounter with government forces in Sitio Balagbag, Barangay San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan on Friday afternoon.

According to a report from the Philippine Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, the clash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. as government forces of the 73rd Division Reconnaissance Company were responding to reports from residents about the presence of about 20 armed insurgents allegedly involved in extortion and subversive activities.

As the soldiers approached the target area, they were met with gunfire, resulting in a 10-minute firefight. The insurgents later retreated northwest, leaving behind one dead comrade, one M14 rifle, and five jungle packs.

No casualties were reported on the side of government troops. The identity of the slain insurgent is still being verified by authorities.

703rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, said pursuit operations have been launched to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent them from regrouping.

He said the Army is also coordinating with nearby military units, the Philippine National Police, and local government officials to tighten security measures and block possible escape routes.

‘This successful operation reflects the vigilance and professionalism of our soldiers, as well as the growing cooperation between the military and the community,’ Osias said in a statement.

‘We remain steadfast in ensuring peace and security in Central Luzon. I urge the remaining insurgents to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs so they can live peacefully with their families.’

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has requested to postpone his hearing on Oct. 22 at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) ‘as he is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure,’ the probe body said Saturday.

The commission said it will issue another advisory to announce the date of the next hearing.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said Friday that the commission decided to conduct a second hearing with Romualdez next week to carefully review his affidavit from the first meeting.

Romualdez, the representative of Leyte’s 1st District, first appeared before the ICI on Oct. 14 after he was invited to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House regarding the National Budget insertions, as well as DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’

After the hearing, Hosaka said the ICI commissioners questioned Romualdez about allegations against him, particularly claims that he received kickbacks from government infrastructure projects. However, Hosaka added that the congressman denied the allegations.

Hosaka also said that the information provided by Romualdez was ‘helpful,’ as he was able to clarify his and his colleagues’ roles in the national budget process.

The allegations came from Orly Guteza, a surprise witness presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Sept. 25.

Guteza, a security consultant for former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, claimed that he personally delivered luggage filled with money to the residences of Co and Romualdez

Alyssa Solomon earned her first win in the Japan SV.League after defending champion Osaka Marvelous vented their ire on Aranmare Yamagata, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21, on Saturday at HOS Sumiyoshi Sports Center.

Solomon played as a substitute in every set and scored two off four attack attempts, as Osaka improved to 1-2 after getting swept by Himeji Victorina in its first two games last week.

The National University product was benched in her first game and scored a point in a five-set defeat.

Lisa Van Hecke led the Marvelous with 21 points off 15 kills, three blocks, and three aces. Mikoto Shima chipped in 20 points, while Mizuki Tanaka added 19.

Solomon and the Marvelous gun for a weekend sweep of Aranmare on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jaja Santiago and the Denso AiryBees dominated Rivale Astemo, 26-24, 25-20, 25-17, at Hitachinaka City Sports Park Total Gym.

Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa, delivered seven points off six kills and a block. Sabrina Machado had 17 points to lead the AiryBees.

The 6-foot-5 Filipino middle blocker powered Denso’s sweep of the Toray Arrows Shiga last weekend

The three-time SV.League Best Blocker and her team seek to stay unbeaten against the same opponent on Sunday.

As people in the Davao region slowly recovers from the devastating impact of magnitudes 7.4 and 6.8 doublet earthquakes in Davao Oriental last Oct. 10, people in the Caraga region still grappled with the scare from tremors.

Amid the continued shaking due to the series of aftershocks that struck Manay town in Davao Oriental, the epicenter of the Oct. 10 doublet quakes, in just over a day, a magnitude 6 tremor hit Cagwait town in Surigao del Sur province at 10:32 p.m. on Oct. 11.

This series of tremors had led to a suspension of classes in most parts of the region as engineers and building officials assess the safety of school structures and facilities.

The state-run Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, a 500-bed Level 2 hospital here, evacuated patients and temporarily sheltered them on tents pending a thorough evaluation of the integrity of its buildings.

The hospital resumed to its normal flow on Thursday, almost in time for the resumption of classes in most schools of the region.

But on Friday, another magnitude 6 earthquake jolted much of the region.

The quake occurred at 7:03 a.m. and was traced some 13 kilometers southeast of General Luna, a town in touristy Siargao Island of Surigao del Norte. It had a depth of 10 kilometers.

Immediately, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga ordered the suspension of classes in all levels and work in government offices as a precautionary measure. He also ordered the evacuation of residents in coastal communities although there was no tsunami alert raised by state seismologists.

No surfing for now

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers had also ordered the suspension of water activities on Siargao Island, such as surfing and island hopping until authorities deem it safe.

As of Friday afternoon, the General Luna local government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had distributed some 750 family food packs to those temporarily displaced by the precautionary measures.

According to Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga regional director Maria Ines Asuncion, classes in both public and private schools across the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands were suspended on Friday following the earthquake in General Luna, which triggered another rounds of safety assessments of school buildings and facilities.

The suspension was implemented under local declaration per school, in line with the DepEd Caraga Memorandum Circular issued on the same day that authorized school heads to suspend classes based on their local situation and safety assessments.

DepEd had urged school heads to conduct safety assessments of school facilities and implement necessary precautionary measures before resuming in-person classes or office operations.

Asuncion also enforced a work-from-home arrangement for all its personnel on Friday as a precautionary measure.

The North Eastern Mindanao State University (Nemsu), which maintains campuses in the towns of Cantilan, San Miguel Cagwait, Lianga and Tagbina, and in Tandag City, is yet to recover from the impacts of the Davao earthquakes.

Due to some structural issues, some of its facilities cannot be used when students return to in-person classes on Oct. 20. Nemsu had resorted to hybrid learning modalities since Oct. 15 after a two-day ‘academic freeze’ on Oct. 13 to Oct. 14 as a result of the Manay tremors.

The Caraga State University, which has a main campus in Butuan City, to resume on-campus classes also on Oct. 20

The 13th edition of the Miss Grand International pageant will culminate in a final competition show at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 18 at 7 P.M. (8 P.M. in Manila).

The ceremonies will be streamed online, in real-time, on the pageant’s official YouTube channel, GrandTV, available worldwide.

Seventy-seven delegates representing different countries and territories around the world, including the Philippines’ Emma Tiglao, are competing in this year’s pageant. This is the global tilt’s biggest haul so far.

Reigning Filipino queen Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza will crown her successor, who will be proclaimed at the conclusion of the ceremony, and will receive the ‘Unity Torch’ crown unveiled this year, the fifth design used in the international pageant.

Pageant fans around the world are looking forward to another glitzy production with a high-energy opening number. Opiaza, known for her show-stopping dance moves, will get to showcase her talent on stage once again.

And as evidenced by the recently-concluded preliminary competition show, the stage for this year’s grand finale will still have the Miss Grand International pageant’s signature massive LED panels that extend to different directions.

The first cut will see 20 delegates moving on to the semifinal round, which also include the delegate from the country that will top the online poll for ‘Country’s Power of the Year,’ where the Philippines is currently leading as of the latest tally.

From 20 semifinalists, the field will be further trimmed in half, and only 10 ladies will proceed to the next round, which also include the delegate who will top the ‘Miss Popular’ paid poll online. Tiglao is ranked 10th in the latest tally.

The final round will see the five leading ladies competing for the crown via a question round. The five other ladies who will not advance will all be proclaimed fifth runners-up.

At the end of the ceremonies, the pageant will select the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up from the final five ladies, and the winning delegate will be hailed as Miss Grand International 2025.

Geneva Cruz and Gerald Santos paid a courtesy call at the Embassy of the Philippines in Papua New Guinea ahead of their upcoming show, ‘Pinoy Pride Night.’

In an Instagram post on Friday, Oct. 17, Santos shared photos of their visit and expressed gratitude to the embassy staff for their hospitality.

‘Had a courtesy call here at the Embassy of the Philippines in Papua New Guinea! Thank you to Consul Jom Sadie and the rest of the Embassy staff for the warm welcome!’ he wrote.

The ‘Pinoy Pride Night’ event on Saturday night, Oct. 18, in Papua New Guinea will feature performances from Cruz and Santos, to highlight Filipino music and culture.

Cruz recently joined hundreds of Smokey Mountain residents in Manila to oppose the government’s planned waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration project in the area.

The singer-actress rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the group Smokey Mountain and is known for such hits as ‘Anak ng Pasig’ and ‘Kailan.’

Santos, meanwhile, gained prominence after winning ‘Pinoy Pop Superstar’ in 2006 and has since built a career in music and theater, notably portraying Thuy in the international production of ‘Miss Saigon.’

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has permanently revoked the license of a UV Express driver who plowed into 14 motorbikes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Friday, killing a motorist.

LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao on Saturday signed the perpetual license disqualification of the driver, who was identified as Ruel Dela Cerna, 51.

Earlier, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez emphasized that the agency will ensure that the UV Express driver will ‘never be able to drive again.’

‘The President has repeatedly said that our roads and motorists must be safe from such irresponsible and abusive drivers,’ Lopez said in Filipino.

‘We at the DOTr extend our heartfelt condolences to one of the victims who has passed away,’ he added.

According to the DOTr, the investigation of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and LTO found that the UV Express driver named Ruel Flores Dela Cerna used an illegal drug on Thursday evening, hours before the incident took place.

The QCPD on Friday said the driver ‘lost control of his vehicle.’

Thirteen other motorists reportedly suffered injuries from the incident, aside from the victim who died.

The UV Express driver is already under the Quezon City Police District’s custody and facing multiple charges, the DOTr said.

Lopez instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to strictly implement Department Order 2025-008, which requires public transport operators to subject their drivers to mandatory drug testing, and expedite the completion of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The LTFRB was also directed to look into possible compensation of victims through the insurance company of UV Express, which is a public utility vehicle.