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The Office of the Ombudsman has uncovered a paper trail and bank transactions linking several high-ranking government officials to anomalous flood control projects, according to ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Remulla revealed that his office is now preparing to file ‘many’ cases before the Sandiganbayan, which will involve ‘higher officials.’

‘Yesterday, I spoke with the Sandiganbayan. They are preparing for a continuous trial because we are set to file numerous cases that will involve high-ranking officials,’ Remulla said in Filipino in a press briefing on Tuesday.

‘We have already obtained a substantial amount of data, which continues to come in gradually. It clearly shows money being transferred from one account to another, not in cash, but through bank-to-bank transactions, which is why we have solid evidence,’ he added.

Remulla likewise disclosed that his office has also sought the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in the preparation and filing of these ‘big cases.’

During the same briefing, Remulla received the findings of the Department of Justice following its investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said they turned over five cases covering reported ghost flood control projects in Bulacan.

These cases involve officials from Bulacan’s district office and contractors who may have committed violations under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (malversation), Article 171 (falsification by public officers), Article 183 (perjury), and Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). /gsg

Carl Tamayo and the defending champions Changwon LG Sakers pushed their winning streak to three in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) over the weekend.

Tamayo continued his stellar play as Changwon swept its weekend games against the Goyang Sono Skygunners and Suwon KT Sonicboom Tamayo recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Kevin Quiambao and the Skygunners to power the LG Sakers to an 80-74 win on Friday.

He followed that up with an all-around game of 14 points, four rebounds and four assists in a 69-53 romp of the Sonicboom and his former University of the Philippines teammate JD Cagulangan, who registered 11 points in the loss.

Changwon improved to 3-1 after dropping its season opener for a share of first place with KCC Egis and Wonju DB Promy. Meanwhile, Rhenz Abando erupted for a season-high 25 points but his scoring outburst was still not enough to lift the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters over the Seoul Samsung Thunders, who picked up the 83-80 victory. Bouncing back from the loss to Changwon, Quiambao and Goyang (2-3) beat the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus , 86-80, on Sunday with the ex-La Salle standout notching 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Former Ateneo guard SJ Belangel scored 22 in the loss as Daegu remained winless.

British social media personalities Dan Howell and Phil Lester, more popularly known as Dan and Phil, have finally confirmed being in a relationship after over a decade of speculation from fans.

‘Alright, let’s get this over with. Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?’ Dan said in a vlog released on Tuesday, Oct. 14, echoing questions from the viewers.

Phil replied, ‘Yes.’

Dan then described their relationship as ‘friends, lovers, comedy duo, business partners, and flatmates,’ admitting they have been together since 2009, the year they met.

‘We fell into it hard and fast in 2009 and here we are almost 16 years later,’ Dan said.

Phil added, ‘So yeah, relationship, boyfriends.’

The vlogger couple, however, disclosed that they never labeled their relationship and that they ‘just ended up living together.’

‘We have been held back from doing this for so many years,’ Dan added, citing ‘past trauma and terror of what could happen in the future.’

Phil then continued, ‘But if you’ll have us, we’d love to just finally be ourselves and do what we love, which is really how this should have been this whole time.’

The vloggers, who both came out as gay in separate instances in 2019, have over 2.9 million subscribers on YouTube as of this writing. /ra

Jema Galanza won’t be playing for Creamline at least for the entirety of the Cool Smashers’ title defense in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

Galanza has been ruled out of the conference as she continues her recovery from a left foot injury that she’s been dealing with since the Invitationals in August. Jema Galanza gives an update bout her left foot injury. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5ROWZzkoey

‘Actually, we don’t really know when it started. It’s been hurting for about a year already, but during the Invitational, the pain became something I felt every single day,’ said Galanza, who was wearing a walking boot, in Filipino. ‘That’s when I told my PT that it didn’t feel normal anymore. I finally had an MRI, and that’s when they found something.’

Known for her competitiveness, the former PVL MVP this time said that playing through pain, which risks her career, wasn’t on the table, as per the advice of her physical therapist and doctor.

‘It’s tricky because we don’t really know what stage the injury is at-is it already healing, just starting to heal, or is it still bad? So my coaches and PT decided that the focus now has to be full bone healing. I honestly don’t know how long I’ll be in this boot,’ said Galanza. ‘We always try to play through pain if we can, because it’s part of our job. But as an athlete, you also have to think about the longevity of your career. I can’t be sure if I’d last the whole season if I kept playing through it. And if it gets worse, the recovery will take even longer. The doctor also warned me that if I force it now, there’s a much bigger chance that it could end my career. So we chose to focus on proper healing rather than take the risk,’ she added. In its first two games without Galanza, Creamline split its first two games without Galanza after dropping a five-setter to Akari in its opener on Saturday and bouncing back big time against Petro Gazz on Tuesday.

Galanza is grateful to have the full support of Creamline as she works her way back.

‘Creamline has always been there for me. Of course, they’re sad I can’t play, but they also know that the more important thing is for me to fully recover and come back at 100 percent,’ said Galanza.

‘We still have a long career and a long season ahead. There are so many more chances to bounce back. And like they always tell me, there’s a reason why this is happening.’

The Police Regional Office Northern Mindanao (PRO 10) has determined some persons of interest in the killing of a former National Irrigation Authority (NIA) legal researcher.

The police declined to identify the persons and their number.

‘There was a threat to the life of the victim as early as last year, but we’re looking into all angles,’ PRO 10 Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said in a phone interview with reporters in Camp Crame on Tuesday.

‘We have persons of interest that we’re looking at. We are confident that, at the soonest possible time, we will resolve this crime,’ Abrahano said.

He refused to disclose the profiles of the persons of interest or how many they were, citing that the investigation is still ongoing.

Ex-NIA 10 researcher and lawyer Niruh Kyle Antatico, 40, was killed by gunmen on a motorcycle at Crossing Patag in Cagayan de Oro City last Friday. Antatico left NIA 10 last year and, in online posts leading up to his killing, made allegations of anomalies in connection with a P75-million project of the agency, according to Abrahano.

‘Based on the modus operandi and the gunmen’s movements, our investigators’ confidence is high that these are guns-for-hire,’ Abrahano pointed out.

The Northern Mindanao top cop further said NIA Central Office Administrator Eduardo Guillen wrote to him, saying they were offering a P100,000 reward for anyone who could come forward and give information that will lead to the resolution of the case.

In a statement on Monday, Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the creation of a special investigation task group to look into Antatico’s killing.

National University-Nazareth School and Adamson University will head into their much-anticipated rematch of last season’s finals with perfect records after the defending champion Lady Bullpups and the Baby Falcons routed separate foes on Sunday.

The Bullpups lost just 27 points in grounding the Ateneo Baby Eagles, 25-7, 25-14, 25-6, while the Baby Falcons scored a dominant 25-4, 25-8, 25-14 rout of University of the East as both improved to 6-0 going into their clash that will end the first round of eliminations.

‘We are really looking forward to our game against Adamson,’ NUNS coach Karl Dimaculangan said in Filipino. ‘There are still a lot of things we need to improve on. The match against Adamson, which we have been thinking of as early as last week, will be a truly special one.’

Ysabella Cruz led the Bullpups with 11 points, while Diza Berayo chipped in nine points off seven attacks and two aces, along with 12 excellent digs. Slash Obera and Akeyla Bartolabac contributed eight points apiece.

Ateneo lost for the sixth straight game, like the Junior Lady Warriors.

Janessa Buhay and Kristal Martin powered another balanced showing for Adamson with eight points each while playing just two sets. The match wrapped up in just 49 minutes. Buhay dominated from the service line with six aces, while Martin posted four attacks and a block. Janna Dizon, Sofia Baloloy and Seanne Ordonio added five apiece, all in just two sets of play.

‘I always remind my players to always play their best,’ Adamson coach JP Yude said in Filipino. ‘And it will be up to the Lord what the result will be.

‘We go back to the drawing board, prepare as hard as we can (for the match with NUNS),’ Yude added. ‘We have to be prepared to play against them mentally, that’s a big thing, because there will be a lot of pressure (in that game).

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas stayed on a roll, dispatching De La Salle Zobel in four hard-fought sets, 25-21, 28-26, 22-25, 27-25, for its third straight win.

Nicole Pelaez starred with 19 points built on 16 kills and two aces, while Kim Rubin added 16 from 15 attacks in the one-hour and 52-minute match. Adrianna Menchavez and Erin Sotto finished with 11 points apiece.

Aneeza Santos dished out 16 excellent sets, while libero Chasliey Pepito anchored the floor with 22 excellent digs.

For the Junior Lady Spikers, Zeianne Laborte topscored with 18 points on 15 attacks and two aces, as Kylie Celada added 17, all on attacks, in the losing effort.

The victory pushed UST to solo third at 4-2, sending DLSZ to an even 3-3 slate. INQ

Dearest gentle reader, the love story of Benedict and Sophie will be revealed soon, as ‘Bridgerton’ season 4 will be arriving in two parts in 2026.

Netflix announced that the first four episodes of ‘Bridgerton’ season 4 will be dropped on Jan. 29, while the remaining four will be out on Feb. 26. This continues the period romance’s two-part release model set by season three in 2024.

The streaming giant also shared glimpses of Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie’s (Yerin Ha) Cinderella-inspired romance in a teaser clip and poster, with the video showing the pair locking eyes on a staircase during the much-awaited masquerade ball.

‘With each passing season, one is known to experience plenty of ups and downs. So then, we must ask ourselves, do we rise to the occasion? As always, time and this author will tell,’ a voice-over from Lady Whistledown (portrayed by Julie Andrews) said in the background.

Netflix also thrilled viewers with snippets of Benedict and Sophie’s blooming romance in the Masquerade Ball on X on Monday, Oct. 13, showing Thompson and Ha sharing a longing gaze and an intimate moment, and holding hands.

‘It would seem the Masquerade Ball shall be quite eventful, indeed,’ the caption read.

It would seem the Masquerade Ball shall be quite eventful, indeed. pic.twitter.com/lanIOcryrb

– Bridgerton (@bridgerton) October 13, 2025

Based on the Julia Quinn-helmed novel ‘An Offer from a Gentleman,’ season 4 revolves around Benedict falling in love at first sight with a mysterious Lady in Silver at Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball. He goes on a search to uncover her identity; however, the maiden turns out to be Sophie, a maid who works at the house of Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung).

‘When fate brings Benedict and Sophie back together, Benedict wrestles between the reality of his affection for this intriguing maid and the fantasy of the Lady in Silver – unaware that they are the same person. Will Benedict’s inability to see these women as one in the same derail the undeniable spark between him and Sophie? And can love truly conquer anything?’ the logline reads on Netflix’s Tudum.

Thompson expressed his excitement in having the audience witness the ‘magic and romance’ of the Cinderella-inspired love story in season 4.

‘It’s such a great story, but it’s also, I hope, really relatable,’ he said. ‘What’s striking about Season 4 is that it’s the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale – the romance of it – and the actual reality of the world. Both are true. You have to hold both of them – the romance and the reality – in your hand. In its best version, ‘true love’ happens in the middle of that.’ Meanwhile, Ha said she is looking forward to the viewers seeing Sophie’s inner turmoil on screen.

‘What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles – something that she constantly has to overcome. Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict,’ she said.

Returning to ‘Bridgerton’ season four are Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Luke Newton, Nicola Coughlan, Ruth Gemmell, Claudia Jessie, Florence Hunt, Hannah Dodd, Will Tilston and Adjoa Andoh.

Joining the cast are Katie Leung, Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei. /ra

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto has issued a stern warning to corrupt barangay officials in the city, vowing to root out ‘old and corrupt practices’ that persist at the local level.

In his official Facebook page, Sotto doubled down on the warning, posting the segment of his speech during his seventh 2025 State of the City Address Monday, captioned: ‘Enough is enough.’

‘Since 2019, we have fought for better governance. We have focused on the city government. This 2025, we will fight against the old and corrupt practices in the barangay government,’ said the mayor.

He said administrative cases have already been initiated against several barangay officials, while criminal complaints are currently being prepared.

In his speech, Sotto denounced the barangay officials who, he said, bragged about having a protector from the Commission on Audit (COA).

‘Don’t boast to me that you’re close to COA Commissioner Lipana,’ said Sotto.

‘We will do what is right in Pasig City,’ he added.

Sotto was referring to Mario Lipana, the current COA commissioner who has served the commission since 2022.

Lipana was previously linked to a flood control scandal, following allegations that his wife-Marilou Laurio Lipana-was an active contractor for government projects.

The Office of the Ombudsman confirmed it is conducting an investigation involving the COA commissioner. /apl/abc

After her successful surgical procedures in the past two months, a grateful Kris Aquino expressed her appreciation for her sons Josh and Bimby who have been by her side through it all.

The celebrity mom documented her recent hospital visits, through her Instagram page on Sunday, Oct. 12.

In the photos, Kris can be seen on a wheelchair while surrounded by medical staff and Bimby. She is also seen lying on a hospital bed while her youngest son stands by her bedside.

‘It’s been a very tough [eight] weeks but somehow I SURVIVED,’ she said. ‘This video is about my [two] boys. And why I’m fighting for them.’

Kris then talked about Bimby pursuing a career in music, hinting how the latter has been receiving lessons from some of the veteran singers in the industry. Bimby began his vocal coaching sessions under Cornerstone Entertainment in September.

‘My 18 year old has for now decided to continue with his singing lessons with coach Thor [Dulay] (plus some super star ‘Titos’ who have volunteered to teach him about stage presence and how to make audience rapport fun for all),’ she wrote.

The Queen of All Media also looked back at how Bimby has been her constant companion during her medical procedures since he was just 11 years old.

‘A singing doctor-thank you hunny for being the embodiment of what mama had wished for,’ she addressed Bimby.

Kris, who has been diagnosed with 11 autoimmune diseases, earlier started a more aggressive treatment following an alarming blood test result. /ra

Courtney Schwan delivered in the clutch as Creamline exacted sweet revenge against its All-Filipino tormentor, Petro Gazz, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Schwan stepped up especially late in the fourth set, where she dropped three straight points to give the Cool Smashers a 22-18 cushion.

Brooke Van Sickle cut Creamline’s lead to two with back-to-back kills before Schwan scored again and Pangs Panaga put Creamline on the verge of victory after blocking Van Sickle. In the right place at the right time, Kyla Atienza’s save won the game after Petro Gazz libero Jellie Tempiatura’s attempt to dig it went out.

Schwan fired 27 points built on 24 kills and three blocks to go with 16 excellent receptions as Creamline bounced back from a tough five-set loss to Akari and tie Petro Gazz at 1-1 in Pool B.

‘I’m feeling much better, every day, every practice. We’re incorporating some new things every day. We’re trying a little bit more back row. We’re trying to connect a little bit more with the setters,’ said Schwan.

‘I’ve learned different things work for different times, so if one thing’s not working, I need to use a different tool in my toolbox. It’s just good to have everything and I think, sometimes, being smart and very helpful, like I showed today.’

Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos had 14 points each, with the former tallying 14 digs and 13 excellent receptions.

‘We were honestly really excited to face Petro Gazz, knowing that every match between Petro Gazz and Creamline is always a good one,’ said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. ‘The players were excited too, so the game turned out well-especially in the fourth set when we caught up and managed to hold on to the lead.’

Creamline flies to Ilagan City for its duel against winless Galeries Tower on Saturday.

Van Sickle paced the Angels with 26 points off 23 kills, two aces, and a block. Lindsey Vander Weide had 17 points, 14 digs, and 10 excellent receptions.

Petro Gazz hopes to get back on track on Saturday against Chery Tiggo.