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Rising Filipino boxing star Carl Jammes Martin scored the biggest win of his promising career after stunning former world title challenger David Picasso of Mexico on points to annex the WBC silver featherweight title early Sunday (Manila time) at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Martin, the 27-year-old pride of Lagawe, Ifugao, finished strong in the last two rounds to make up for an seventh-round flash knockdown and edge the favored Picasso by split decision.

The unbeaten Filipino won the 10-round bout with scores of 94-95, 95-94 and 96-93 for his 29th victory in as many fights.

And it came against the biggest name in Martin’s resume in Picasso, a one-time world championship challenger who tried his luck against pound-for-pound Japanese star Naoya Inoue in 2025.

After losing to Inoue on points in a failed bid to become the unified WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight champion, Picasso moved up in weight and stopped countryman Maicol Rincon in August this year to win the same minor belt he lost Sunday to Martin.

It was a close, chess match-type of a fight Sunday as both fighters measured each other out and traded shots. But Picasso made significant headway in the seventh round when he dropped Martin with a short jab to the face.

The Filipino quickly beat the count and was visibly in no danger, even protesting that he instead tripped.

Martin proceeded to land solid blows to Picasso’s head and body to make a strong case in winning the last two rounds.

‘Just patience,’ Martin said on the ring after the fight when asked how he adjusted after the crucial knockdown.

The victory put the power-punching Martin, who has 21 knockouts under his name, in a position for a world title shot.

Picasso, for his part, fell to 33-2-1 (with 18 KOs).

The Marcos administration has waged a credible war against corruption that has resulted in some big fish, senators included, landing in jail. The same administration has also done a credible job of bringing corrective remedies to flood control projects. There have also been serious attempts to bring assistance to those suffering from hunger and extreme poverty.

In spite of all these and other attempts to help a poverty-stricken population, the performance approval rating for this administration remains very low. Several attempts are being experimented to try and achieve a much higher approval rating. For example, the administration’s trouble shooter Vince Dizon, who was assigned to correct the DPWH problems, has now been moved to the transportation sector to ease the transport woes of the ordinary commuter.

I predict that all these will not attain its objective of improving the administration’s trust ratings. I think this administration needs to learn a lesson from the administration of past US president Bill Clinton. During Clinton’s campaign for the presidency and his term as president, his administration had only one directive which was summed up in the slogan, ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’

The President must realize that if the economy continues in its present state, his approval rating will never increase significantly. This is the reason that the overwhelming majority of the population, especially the lower class, will continue to ignore even impeachment trials and corruption scandals, with their attention focused primarily on how the state of the economy is affecting their lives. The problem of the economy right now is not simply ‘concerning’ but is actually approaching a critical period.

One of the most serious challenges that any economy can experience is stagflation. This is particularly dangerous because it combines three economic problems: rising prices, slow economic growth and increasing unemployment. Under normal circumstances, inflation is often associated with a growing economy where consumers have more money to spend and businesses are expanding their operations. However, stagflation creates a different and much more difficult situation.

Prices continue to increase even when economic activity becomes weaker and people’s purchasing power declines. For developing countries like the Philippines, the threat of stagflation could lead to an economic depression. The Philippine economy depends heavily on imported petroleum, food commodities, raw materials and other essential products.

Consequently, international conflicts, oil price increases, supply chain disruptions, currency depreciation and global economic uncertainty can directly affect domestic prices and production costs. The important question is not simply whether the Philippines is experiencing inflation but whether the country could enter a long period in which inflation remains high while economic growth slows down.

Understanding stagflation can help the Philippine government develop policies that can protect businesses, workers, consumers and the overall economy. Stagflation is a combination of two terms: stagnation and inflation. It refers to a situation where economic growth becomes weak or nearly stops. Businesses experience declining demand, investments become limited, production slows and employment opportunities become fewer. Inflation, meanwhile, refers to the continuous increase in the general prices of goods and services, reducing the purchasing power of money.

This combination called stagflation means people are experiencing a more expensive cost of living while the economy is failing to create enough opportunities for them to improve their financial or livelihood situation.

Stagflation is a very rare economic situation. Among the historical examples when this happened was the 1973 oil crisis when the oil embargo was imposed by oil-producing countries. However, this is not a common economic occurrence.

The average Filipino is having difficulty looking for a decent job while at the same time is suffering from the continuing increase of prices of basic commodities. The government must take some immediate action to alleviate the lives of the average Filipino. One way of stabilizing or increasing the value of the peso is to either convince or mandate wealthy Filipinos to bring back their funds from foreign countries to the Philippines. If the wealthy business sector refuses to bring back their money, then the government must take drastic measures.

The business sector is urging Congress leaders to remove insertions in the proposed 2027 budget. This is a laudable proposal. But the business sector must also put their money where their mouth is and show their patriotism and love of country by bringing back their foreign-based funds and investing in productive enterprises in the Philippines.

During its remaining term, this administration must take the following steps: it must expand irrigation and agricultural modernization; improve farm-to-market roads and cold storage facilities; increase renewable energy investments; improve access to financing for small and medium sized enterprises and it must somehow eliminate corruption, especially in government procurement and implement anti-corruption measures.

Instead of raising taxes, additional funds can be raised by eliminating corruption in revenue-generating agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

The Philippines must not wait before stagflation becomes a full blown economic crisis before taking action. Prevention, responsible economic management, stronger domestic industries and public accountability are far less costly than recovering from a prolonged period of economic stagflation.

The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) is seeking greater private sector participation in addressing water security risks as climate change, rising demand and infrastructure gaps threaten water supply and business operations.

The business-led disaster resilience organization on Tuesday launched the four-year Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE) Project, funded by the Government of Canada, to strengthen water management and climate resilience in Antipolo and Baguio.

‘Businesses can improve water-use efficiency, reduce avoidable losses, explore water reuse where appropriate and incorporate water-related risks into operational and investment decisions,’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.

PDRF president Rene Meily said the initiative would work with water concessionaires, local governments and other partners, particularly in addressing the needs of women and Indigenous peoples.

‘Clean water is a right. Its availability and use are critical for both communities and businesses,’ Meily said.

Antipolo and Baguio, both implementing partners of the project, face challenges involving rising demand and limited local government resources.

Antipolo Vice Mayor Roberto Puno Jr. said the city’s population was approaching one million, driving demand for water and wastewater services.

‘A lot of the issues come with simply not having enough resources to tackle these issues. We’re in need of personnel who are specially trained; we’re in need of data, feasibility studies,’ Puno said.

Baguio City Environment and Parks Management Office head Rhenan Diwas said immediate concerns such as water security require more extensive solutions than smaller, annual environmental programs.

‘Some environmental challenges can be resolved through fragmented, smaller annual programs, but immediate issues like water security require an ambitious solution. That can only be done when the government taps into the support of the private sector,’ Diwas said.

Manila Water president and CEO Roberto Jose Locsin called on international partners to prioritize local capacity-building to ensure investments generate lasting benefits.

‘I would like to see international partners focus on building local capacity and putting in place the fundamental structures that will enable investments to deliver lasting benefits, even beyond the grant period,’ Locsin said.

Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said the company works with Dumagat communities on livelihood opportunities and watershed protection through tree planting and maintenance.

The company also supports low-income communities through Samahang Tubig Maynilad, which helps organize local water associations, and its Pag-asa sa Patubig Partnership, which works with social enterprises to expand water access in underserved areas.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has commended the country’s three major telecommunications firms – DITO Telecommunity Corp. (DITO), Globe Telecoms Inc. (Globe) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) – for their mobile network performance at key Metro Manila bus terminals ahead of the Undas travel rush.

In a statement, the NTC said nearly 90 percent, or 114 of the 128 tests conducted on Oct. 29, recorded mobile broadband download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps).

The monitoring covered 12 bus terminals, namely: Victory Liner Cubao, Superlines Cubao, Baliwag Transit Cubao, Five Star Bus Cubao, HM Transport Inc., Raymond Transportation, Bicol Isarog, Florida Bus Terminal Cubao, Araneta Bus Terminal, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Victory Liner Sampaloc and Florida Bus terminal in Sampaloc, both in Manila.

DITO registered the highest recorded speed at 851 Mbps at PITX, followed by Smart at 456 Mbps, also at PITX. Globe registered its highest speed at 330 Mbps at the Raymond Transportation Terminal in Quezon City.

All three mobile network operators achieved a 100-percent average SMS success rate, meeting the prescribed standard of greater than 99 percent.

DITO and Globe both recorded zero average call drop rates, meeting the NTC’s prescribed standard of less than two percent. Smart, however, registered a call drop rate of 5.26 percent.

‘Reliable mobile connectivity is essential in transport terminals, particularly during periods when large numbers of Filipinos travel to reunite with their families. The commission commends our mobile network operators’ readiness to heed the public’s reliance on mobile telecommunications services to communicate with their families, coordinate their trips and access essential information throughout their journey this Undas 2026′ NTC deputy commissioner Andy Castelar said.

The agency said it would continue monitoring telecommunication services nationwide and pursue appropriate regulatory action when necessary to ensure reliable connectivity.

The Philippine Army, the largest major service command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of active service personnel, has 445 new recruits.

The recruits were welcomed during a ceremony at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. They will join efforts to strengthen territorial defense initiatives.

Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said the new soldiers have completed the four-month basic military training course.

Maj. Gen. Ronel Manalo, chief of the Army’s Armor Division, emphasized the importance of discipline, commitment and dedication to duty during the soldiers’ graduation.

Manalo reminded the recruits that becoming a soldier entails not only fulfilling their duties, but also upholding the trust and confidence of the people.

Economists expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to raise interest rates again in December, with some seeing further tightening in early 2027 as persistent inflation, elevated oil prices and peso depreciation continue to threaten price stability.

Analysts from Citi, Oxford Economics, Security Bank and Chinabank Research see another rate increase as increasingly likely following the Monetary Board’s larger-than-expected 50-basis-point hike last week, which brought the benchmark interest rate to 5.50 percent.

While Citi, Oxford Economics and Security Bank expect another 25-basis-point increase in December, their outlooks diverge for next year. Citi sees the policy rate climbing to six percent by February 2027, while Oxford Economics expects the BSP to hold rates steady after December. Chinabank, meanwhile, sees the possibility of monetary easing being delayed until late 2027 or early 2028.

The BSP’s benchmark interest rate influences borrowing costs across the economy, with higher rates intended to curb demand and prevent inflation from becoming more entrenched.

The central bank’s latest move marked its fourth consecutive rate hike this year, bringing cumulative increases to 125 basis points as authorities sought to contain broadening price pressures and prevent inflation expectations from rising further.

In its latest assessment, Citi said the BSP’s more aggressive monetary tightening reflected growing concerns over the persistence of inflation, particularly as elevated fuel prices feed into transport costs, food distribution and other goods and services.

‘We call for at least a 25-bp hike in December, followed by another 25-bp hike in the first meeting of 2027 which we expect would be in February,’ Citi said. This would bring the policy rate to six percent by early 2027.

However, it warned that the benchmark rate could climb as high as 6.25 percent if the peso depreciates more sharply in the coming months, potentially prompting a larger 50-basis-point increase in December.

The bank expects inflation to peak around April next year, with monetary easing potentially beginning in late 2027 or early 2028 as price pressures gradually subside.

Headline inflation accelerated to 7.2 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August, while core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, rose to 4.7 percent from 4.1 percent.

Similarly, Oxford Economics expects another 25-bp increase in December as higher food and energy prices generate stronger second-round effects, or the broader impact of initial price increases on wages, transport fares and other goods and services.

Oxford Economics assistant economist Jun Hao Ng said he expects inflation to average 5.9 percent this year and 4.5 percent in 2027, with the peso’s depreciation further strengthening the case for continued monetary tightening.

He also noted that the country’s gross international reserves fell by 8.8 percent year-on-year in September to their lowest level in three years, adding to concerns over the economy’s external position.

Meanwhile, Security Bank chief economist Angelo Taningco also anticipates a 25-basis-point increase at the Monetary Board’s Dec. 17 meeting, bringing the policy rate to 5.75 percent.

Taningco said the central bank’s larger-than-expected October adjustment appeared aimed at containing accelerating inflation and rapid peso depreciation.

Security Bank expects inflation to remain above seven percent in the final three months of 2026, averaging 7.4 percent in the fourth quarter, before moderating next year.

Given the BSP’s ongoing monetary tightening campaign, Security Bank also no longer expects a reduction in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) this quarter.

The RRR refers to the portion of deposits that banks must maintain as reserves rather than lend out. Security Bank now expects the ratio to remain at five percent instead of being reduced by 200 basis points as previously anticipated.

Chinabank likewise said another rate hike in December was becoming increasingly likely, although the case for further tightening would depend on incoming inflation and economic growth data.

However, Chinabank cautioned that monetary policy may have limited effectiveness in addressing supply-driven inflation arising from El Niño, transport fare adjustments and higher food prices.

It also pointed out that minimum wage adjustments have been more moderate than initially expected, while the extent to which government spending could support domestic economic activity in the second half of the year remains uncertain.

Another Ateneo-La Salle game, another learning experience for Kieffer Alas.

Following a tight overtime loss against rivals Green Archers, the Ateneo guard said that tough losses give them more opportunities to learn as the Final Four race heats up.

The Blue Eagles suffered a 76-73 overtime loss against La Salle on Saturday evening.

This pushed them to a 5-5 win-loss record, while La Salle rose to solo third with a 6-4 slate.

After the game, Alas underscored that it will give them invaluable insight as the pressure rises in the Final Four race.

‘The losses don’t feel good, but the experience felt good because I feel like it’s a learning experience that we can bring. We lost both games, big crowds, so I guess that’s a learning thing for us,’ the rookie, who finished with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, told reporters.

‘And like what my dad [Coach Louie Alas] says, our maturity in a way, especially with crowds like these, because those are the types of tests we’re gonna face, especially if God’s willing we make the Final Four. The arena’s gonna be full for sure, so I guess losses like this are lessons for us,’ he added.

In the first round, Ateneo also dropped a 76-83 decision against La Salle.

In that game, the Green Archers pulled away in the final few minutes to grab the win.

On Saturday, Ateneo had chances to go for the win, but breaks of the game went their rivals’ way.

Alas had a chance to go for the win in regulation with the ballgame tied at 66-all, but his shot missed.

‘I just missed, honestly. It was a broken play, but I feel like I had the one-on-one opportunity against [Henry] Agunanne. I just missed. I feel like that was the best shot we could’ve gotten,’ he said.

‘We live and we learn, right? I take that shot every time, honestly. It’s just a matter of it goes in or it doesn’t go in,’ he added.

But now, with four elimination round games remaining, Alas is optimistic with the Katipunan-based squad’s chances of making the semifinals.

‘We’re going to stay locked in. So, like what I said, just keep the faith, keep on believing. I personally believe it’s just a bump in the road,’ he said.

‘Honestly, I think it’s a 50% chance to make the final four because we’re 5-5, ‘di ba? So, yeah, it’s just up to us, honestly. It’s not even with the skills, it’s just the willingness. So, I feel like we got that. We’ve been through worse.’

The Philippine Coast Guard rescued eight crew members, including the captain, after their motorized banca partially submerged off Dalupiri Island in Cagayan on Saturday, October 31.

In a statement on Sunday, November 1, the coast guard said its search and rescue teams in Calayan deployed after receiving reports that M/B Rose Marie 1 was in distress.

Upon reaching the area, responders confirmed that all eight crew members were accounted for.

Five crew members were initially brought to the shoreline of Barangay Magsidel and taken to the Calayan Rural Health Unit. Medical personnel found all five to be in good physical condition.

A second search and rescue team aboard M/B Lagadan 1 assisted in towing operations and brought the remaining three crew members to shore. They were also taken to the Calayan health unit for medical evaluation.

One crew member sustained a laceration on the right knee and was evaluated for suspected hypertension.

The other two crew members were also treated for suspected hypertension, according to the coast guard.

Sixty-two soldiers and Army reservists underwent eight days of training on emergency medical response, battlefield first aid and the evacuation of wounded troops and injured civilians.

The Forward Treatment Unit Readiness Training was held from October 19 to 26 at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Of the 62 participants, 51 were personnel from different units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, while 11 were reservists from the 12th and 16th Regional Community Defense Groups.

The training was conducted by the 6th ID’s Service Support Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Nonie Ruizal, with assistance from military physicians and emergency response personnel.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 6th ID, said the program was also supported by Col. Alexander Zapanta and Lt. Col. Jeremie Villamor.

Zapanta heads the Camp Siongco Station Hospital, while Villamor is executive officer of the hospital of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Camp General Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro.

“We appreciate a lot the efforts of the officers and their subordinates who cooperated in facilitating the Forward Treatment Unit Readiness Training in Camp Siongco,” Catu said.

Trainees received instruction on caring for civilians injured in calamities, disasters and accidents, as well as soldiers wounded in combat.

They also took part in drills on casualty evacuation using a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 12, based at Cotabato Airport near Camp Siongco.

The training culminated in a simulated emergency response operation inside the camp, witnessed by Catu and Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Actress and visual artist Solenn Heussaff and entrepreneur and content creator Erwan Heussaff are mourning the death of their father, Louis Paul Heussaff, who died on Saturday, October 31, after living with dementia for the past few years.

Solenn posted a single heart emoji alongside a photo of herself hugging her father on Instagram on Sunday.

Her mother, Cynthia Heussaff, also wrote about her husband’s struggles with dementia.

“While the last few years have been difficult, we hope that those who knew and loved him will remember him for the person he was, keep his spirited tales alive and cherish their happiest memories of him,” Cynthia wrote.

Apart from Solenn and Erwan, Louis and Cynthia also have a daughter named Vanessa.

Louis was a former sailor in the French Navy who hailed from Brittany, France. He headed Supply Oilfield Services Inc. (SOS), a company involved in the oil and gas industry.