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Graft court suspends Uswag Ilonggo’s Jojo Ang

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang, who faces graft charges over his alleged ties to a company that bagged P214 million in public works contracts while he remained a lawmaker.

The Sept. 21 resolution giving the order was released on Tuesday by the antigraft court’s Sixth Division, where Ang has been charged with graft on 14 counts.

The Sandiganbayan invoked a Supreme Court ruling on Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, or the antigraft law, which makes the preventive suspension of a public official ‘mandatory’ if charges against the official have already been filed in court.

Named by Discaya

Ang earlier pleaded not guilty when arraigned in connection to two of the 14 counts of graft.

The Office of the Ombudsman has accused Ang of having a stake in a construction firm that had won public works contracts worth P214 million while he served as House member.

Ang was also among the public officials named by the now detained contractor Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya II when the latter testified in congressional investigations on his so-called payoff ledger.

The party-list congressman has denied the allegations.

USC Warriors get back on track

The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors quickly bounced back from a previous loss by defeating the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons, 54-46, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Monday

night, September 21, at the Cebu Coliseum.

James Paolo Gica collected 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks as the Warriors joined the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters at second place in the college division standings with identical 4-1 win-loss records.

USC trailed 23-31 at halftime and was still down by five, 35-40, after three quarters before mounting a spirited endgame rally.

The Warriors wrested the driver’s seat for good, 45-43, midway through the final period and surged ahead by as many as 11 points before securing the eight-point victory.

Aron Dave Kress had 13 points, four rebounds, and a steal for UP Cebu, while AJ de los Reyes added 10 points but their efforts went unrewarded as the Fighting Maroons remained winless in four games.

In high school play, the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters routed the San Roque College de Cebu (SRCDC) Greyhounds, 101-54.

Gamaliel Chaz de la Peña sizzled with 17 points on top of two rebounds, while Jade Bialan posted a solid double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, along with one assist, one steal, and three blocks as the Junior Webmasters improved to 3-1 in a tie with the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats.

Mark Jovil Datoon, Earl Joshua Booc, and John Terol chipped in 11 points each for the Junior Webmasters, who seized control early, 31-14, and built their biggest lead to 48 points.

Jezreel John Muñez finished with 14 points, three assists, and two steals, while John Raven Dumanhug had 12 points and three rebounds for the Greyhounds, who suffered their third straight loss after a winning start

Ekiti guber: Court rejects request to relocate tribunal sitting

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has declined a request by counsel to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) seeking the relocation of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal from Ado-Ekiti to another venue over alleged security concerns.

The development stalled the expected commencement of proceedings on Wednesday, as SDP counsel, Ebenezer Akinbuli, was absent from the tribunal.

Akinbuli had, in a letter to the tribunal, sought another adjournment pending the determination of the request to relocate the sitting.

However, Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Abubakar Kutigi, informed the parties that the President of the Court of Appeal had declined to order the transfer of the tribunal sitting, stressing that the panel was properly constituted to continue hearing the petitions in the state.

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabir Akingbolu, and counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bunmi Ipinlaiye, said they were not aware of the purported decision of the Court of Appeal, which was said to have been served through the tribunal’s secretary.

To avoid uncertainty over the development, Justice Kutigi adjourned proceedings until Thursday, September 24, for continuation of the hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Akingbolu said the request for relocation was made by the SDP in respect of its petition and did not concern the Action Alliance (AA) petition.

He said the latest adjournment was also at the instance of the petitioners, who, according to him, had written letters seeking the postponement of proceedings in both petitions.

Akingbolu further described the petition challenging the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the June 20 governorship election as unusual, citing the wide margin of victory recorded by the governor across the state.

He said Oyebanji won all 16 local government areas and most of the 177 wards, while questioning the basis of the petitions filed against the election.

He also alleged that repeated requests for adjournment and other applications were delaying the hearing of the substantive issues before the tribunal, urging the petitioners to allow the proceedings to take their course.

According to him, ‘There is confusion, so we need to clarify it. The SDP filed a petition and the AA filed a petition. On the last adjourned day, September 16, a petition was written by counsel to the party, SDP, saying that there was no security and that the venue of the tribunal should be moved to Abuja or elsewhere.

‘As it is today, they are secure. They are the ones that sought the adjournment. The court has now adjourned the matter to tomorrow for continuation at the instance of the petitioners because they wrote the petition and a letter of adjournment to that effect on both election petitions.’

Exhibit on Marcelo del Pilar attempts to humanize hero

There’s a free exhibit at the second floor of the Ayala Museum in Makati that people might not be aware of. It occupies a tiny area just before the museum’s dioramas, which is a paid exhibit, and provides a peek into the private life and musings of a Filipino hero.

Curated by his 17-year-old descendant Pax Pineda, ‘Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. del Pilar)’ is an attempt to humanize the lawyer and writer credited for establishing La Solidaridad.

Pineda is Del Pilar’s great-great-great-grandson, a high school senior at the ESF Island School in Hong Kong who only knew his forebear as Lolo Marcelo. He is aware that Del Pilar might be seen by many as ‘an intelligent lawyer who used pen and words as weapon… [which is why] I felt a deep responsibility to bridge the gap between the history book and personal heritage,’ Pineda said at the exhibit opening held September 4.

As a descendant, he was granted access to items and memorabilia on display at the museum dedicated to Del Pilar in his hometown of Bulacan. These items displayed at the Ayala Museum are on view until Octeber 17.

Aside from a bronze bust and a miniature bas relief depicting one of Del Pilar’s daughters pining by a capiz window, there are copies of foundational materials, such as ‘Dasalan at Tocsohan’ and La Solidaridad.

Look down at the floor to read snippets from letters that a lonely Del Pilar wrote to his wife Tsanay and daughters Sofia and Anita while he was in exile in Spain.

‘I always dream that I have Anita on my lap and Sofia by her side, that I kiss them by turns and that both tell me: Remain with us Papa, and don’t return to Madrid. I awake soaked in tears,’ one of them reads.

‘If it were not for lack of the money I need for the voyage, I would be there already,’ reads another.

While most Filipinos might imagine their heroes as stony-faced and unyielding, Pineda presents a man who longs to return to his family. ‘This exhibit is not about a distant monument but about a human character,’ he said.

Del Pilar’s journey as a leader of the late 19th-century Philippine anti-friar movement began with ordinary human choices. In 1869, he was imprisoned for 30 days after quarreling with a parish priest over exorbitant baptismal fees. Following his brother’s deportation in 1872, Del Pilar dedicated his life to limiting the friars’ control over Philippine institutions.

Pineda described ‘Dasalan at Tocsohan’ as biting satire Del Pilar authored to expose colonial hypocrisy. ‘In the 19th century, this brilliant satire was the equivalent of a viral internet sensation,’ Pineda said. ‘It was funny, cutting, and incredibly dangerous.’

Writing and distributing these underground pamphlets demanded tremendous bravery and financial sacrifice. ‘Ultimately, it was this very work that forced a turning point in Del Pilar’s life, fleeing to Spain in 1888 to escape persecution, completely separating himself from his homeland and those he cherished most,’ Pineda said.

There is a small table at the exhibit where visitors can write a letter to Del Pilar and pin it to a board. For younger visitors, putting pen to paper is a way for them to connect to this distant hero.

‘If there’s one thing I hope visitors take away with them, it’s how much Lolo Marcelo loved his family… just as much as any other father would. I think we should all remember just how great of a father he managed to be despite the difficulties,’ Pineda said.

She Cranes complete unbeaten group run, turn focus to semis

The She Cranes completed an unbeaten Pool 2 campaign at the Africa Netball Cup after overcoming Malawi 54-49 in their final group fixture at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, yesterday.

Uganda had earlier defeated Nigeria and Zambia before edging hosts Kenya to maintain their perfect start to the tournament.

The result secured Uganda a place in tomorrow’s semi-finals, where they will face the runners-up from Pool 1.

Pool 1 comprises South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Tanzania. By press time, South Africa and Namibia were the leading contenders, with their final group fixture scheduled for later yesterday.

The She Cranes will now turn their attention to the knockout stage, where the margin for error becomes smaller and consistency across all four quarters will be crucial.

Uganda’s unbeaten run has provided a strong platform heading into the semi-finals, but the next challenge will demand another disciplined performance as they bid to advance to the final.

The Africa Netball Cup has grown into one of the continent’s most important stages for national teams, combining the fight for continental supremacy with a pathway to the global competitions.

This year’s championship, being held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi has brought together 10 women’s teams, including Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and debutants Nigeria.

Beyond the battle for the African crown, the women’s competition doubles as the African qualification pathway for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Blue Eagle booters banner latest Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Atenean football icons will be headlining the newest batch of inductees to the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF).

This year’s inductees will be enshrined during Fabilioh XIV on September 27.

Leading the class are football standouts Mark Allan Ramos, Ramon Espejo Jr., Domeka Gaizka Garamendi, Paolo Antonio Aquino, Juan Paolo Pajarito Buendia, Joseph Vincent Santos and Rely San Agustin.

Espejo and Garamendi were part of Ateneo’s 1995 and 1998 championship teams and earned individual UAAP honors, with Espejo winning the 1998 UAAP MVP award and Garamendi taking Best Goal Scorer honors that same year.

Also to be inducted is taekwondo jin Margarita Bonifacio, who won three UAAP gold medals, a pair of Southeast Asian Games bronze medals, and an Asian Games bronze medal in Bangkok back in 1998.

Track and field greats Felix Santillan, Illac Diaz and Juan Carlos Arteficio, along with swimming standouts John Paul Pang and Raem Puno, will also be enshrined into the ASHOF.

Pang was a two-time UAAP MVP and record-holder, while Puno earned UAAP Rookie of the Year and Season MVP honors while setting multiple meet records.

Juniors track and field coaches Benjamin Silva-Netto and Edward Sediego will likewise be honored for helping Ateneo High School establish a dominant run that produced 24 championships between them.

Ramon ‘Choy’ Cojuangco Jr. – a longtime patron of Ateneo volleyball and basketball – and Ricardo Leong – known for his contributions to Ateneo athletics and education – are also among the inductees.

Climate Change may turn 32m West Africans to refugees, ECOWAS warns

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has alerted that 32 million people risk being displaced from their communities due to ravaging effects of climate change currently confronting the sub-region.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gen. Birame Diop, disclosed this at the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana.

The week-long event has ‘Climate Change as A Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Rising Insecurity’ as its theme.

The seminar is aimed at enabling regional parliamentarians, experts and other stakeholders to interrogate the link between climate change, population displacement and rising insecurity in West Africa.

Diop warned that the combined effects of climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity could push the number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the sub-region to about 32 million by 2050.

Citing World Bank projections, the commission’s president said women and children accounted for about 80 per cent of the figure.

Represented by Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Diop identified climate financing as a major challenge confronting the sub-region, adding that ‘West Africa requires about 294 billion dollars to tackle the crisis of climate change.’

The president said since 2024, ECOWAS had been working towards establishing a regional carbon market platform under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to help mobilise investment for climate action.

He recalled that in 2024 alone, about two million West Africans were displaced by climate-related natural disasters.

He said more than seven million people were affected by flooding alone during the same period, resulting in the destruction of homes, roads, schools, health facilities, farms and other critical infrastructure.

Diop also disclosed that between 2025 and 2026, more than 12 million people were displaced internally across West and Central Africa due to the combined effects of climate change, insecurity and other vulnerabilities.

He, therefore, appealed to member states to adopt a comprehensive regional approach to climate resilience and human security, instead of fragmented responses.

He added that ‘climate change is not simply an environmental issue. It is a development issue, a humanitarian issue, a peace and security issue, and ultimately an issue of human survival and regional stability.

‘We must be proactive and invest in resilience before crises occur. We must protect ecosystems, create livelihoods and address grievances before they escalate into conflict.’

He also appealed to the regional parliamentarians to strengthen climate-responsive legislation and oversight.

Diop urged them to prioritise climate financing, improve early-warning and early-action systems, and promote sustainable management of land, water, forests and fisheries.

He further appealed to the governments of Member States to prioritise women and youths in their climate-resilience efforts, describing them as innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and agents of resilience.

Gilas men dominate Kazakhs, enter Asian Games 3×3 quarterfinals

The Gilas Pilipinas men are off to the quarterfinal round of the Asian Games’ 3×3 basketball after blasting Kazakhstan, 21-15, in the final game of pool play Wednesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan.

The Filipino quartet, made up of Nic Cabanero, Luis Pablo, Koji Buenaflor and Doy Dungo, thus finished the Pool A play undefeated through three games.

Cabanero and Dungo powered the Philippines with seven and six points, respectively. Pablo had five markers while Buenaflor added three.

Gilas trailed by one, 7-8, at the 6:24 mark of the game after a layup by Mansur Seilkhanov.

But four straight points by the Philippines, capped by a deuce by Cabanero, pushed them ahead, 11-8, with 4:47 to go.

This set the tone the rest of the way as Gilas kept their arm’s length against their opponents.

Kazakhstan, though, continued to storm back, slicing the deficit to one multiple times.

As Timur Tangiyev hit a shot to make it a 14-15 ballgame with 2:23 to go, Dungo waxed hot, hitting a 2-pointer sandwiched by close shots to push Gilas 19-14.

A Pablo layup towed the Philippines to 20-14 with 1:24 to go.

Ydydyshzan then tried to rally the Kazakhs back, but Dungo was fouled on the drive. He hit the free throw to put the cherry on top of Gilas’ win.

Tangiyev produced eight points while Seilkhanov had four for the 1-2 Kazakhstan.

The quarterfinals will be held on Thursday.

Makonda faces legal threat over jersey remarks

Sandaland Fashion Wear Limited has demanded an apology from Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Paul Makonda over remarks concerning Taifa Stars jerseys, threatening legal action if the apology is not issued.

Lawyers representing the company said yesterday that they had already issued a notice of intention to sue, as well as a demand for compensation over statements they say have damaged Sandaland’s reputation, brand and commercial interests.

The lawyers, led by advocate Cletus Nziku, said Sandaland’s position is that the remarks went beyond criticism of the jerseys and had the potential to harm the company’s standing in the market. The latest development follows comments made by Makonda on September 16, when he questioned the quality and status of newly publicised Taifa Stars jerseys.

He said the jerseys were not recognised by his ministry and questioned why an image of Deputy Minister Hamis Mwinjuma, popularly known as Mwana FA, had been used in promoting them without his office being informed.

Sandaland subsequently announced that it was considering legal action, arguing that the minister’s remarks had affected the company’s name, reputation and the standing of its products.

But the company’s lawyers have now taken the dispute a step further by challenging suggestions that the jerseys were being produced or supplied outside a valid contractual arrangement.

They said the agreement between Sandaland and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) was signed in 2023 and runs for five years, meaning it remains in force until 2028. Sandaland’s lawyers are relying partly on the principle of privity of contract, arguing that the agreement is between TFF and Sandaland and that a person who was not a party to the contract cannot unilaterally determine its validity.

‘This contract is still being implemented and remains valid because the year 2028 has not yet arrived,’ he said.

Nziku said jerseys that had been questioned had already been worn in various national-team competitions, including matches involving Tanzania’s women’s Under-20 side. He said the contract contained quality requirements and that final approval of the kits rested with TFF.

Akume, Alakija, Fayemi, Others To Headline 10th Voice Of Women Conference

VOW2026 marks a decade of impact with nationwide participation, intergenerational dialogue, political leadership and recognition of outstanding women and institutions.

LAGOS, NIGERIA – September 2026: Ten years after creating a platform for women to speak, be heard and influence the conversations that shape society, the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF), in partnership with Women Radio WFM 91.7, is set to mark its 10th anniversary with the 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2026).

The landmark conference, themed ‘A Decade of Voices and Impact,’ will hold on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON; renowned business leader and philanthropist, Apostle Folorunso Alakija; Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Hansatu Adegbite among distinguished leaders expected to attend. But VOW2026 is not simply a celebration of the past decade. It is a platform for asking a critical question: what comes next for women and girls – and who will shape it?

VOW2026 Awards to Celebrate Outstanding Women, Organisations and Institutions

A major highlight of the 10th anniversary edition will be the VOW2026 Awards, recognising individuals, organisations, companies and government institutions making meaningful contributions to women, families and society. The awards will spotlight leadership, innovation, commitment and measurable impact in advancing the rights, opportunities, participation and wellbeing of women and families. The award categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, Family-Focused Organisation Award, Gender-Balance Empowerment Company Award, Social Media Innovation Award, Woman of the Year Award, Government Agency Supporting Women and Families Award, Civil Society Organisation Supporting Women and Families Award. With participants expected from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, VOW2026 will bring together established women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, grassroots women, students, young women, civil society organisations, development partners, media professionals and advocates. A major feature will be ‘The Power of Women: Across Generations – Shaping What Comes Next,’ an intergenerational conversation bringing together women at different stages of leadership and from diverse fields. The session will explore how experience, fresh perspectives and collective action can strengthen women’s participation and influence across society. To extend participation beyond the conference venue, VOW2026 will be broadcast live on television, radio and digital platforms, enabling audiences across Nigeria and beyond to follow the conversations and participate in the wider national dialogue.

The conference will also spotlight five women contesting the 2027 elections, creating space for conversations around women’s political participation, leadership and representation in decision-making.

VOW2026 will go beyond conversation to create tangible opportunities for women. Asha Microfinance Bank will provide grants to 10 women, supporting their economic aspirations and helping turn empowerment into practical opportunity. Speaking ahead of the 10th edition, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, Convener of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards and Executive Director of the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, said the anniversary is an opportunity not only to celebrate the journey but to deliberately shape the future. ‘VOW2026 is a celebration of ten years of voices, stories, courage and impact. For a decade, the Voice of Women platform has provided a space where women can speak, be heard and contribute meaningfully to conversations that shape our society. As we mark this milestone, we are not only looking back at the journey; we are looking ahead to the next decade and the kind of impact we want to create.’

Aisha Sanni, Programmes Manager, Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, said the 10th edition was deliberately designed to ensure that the next chapter of the platform reflects the diversity of women across Nigeria and creates space for those whose voices are often missing from national conversations. ‘A decade is an important milestone, but for us, it is also a responsibility. We want the next decade to reach further – to women whose voices are often missing from national conversations, and to young women and students who will become tomorrow’s leaders, decision-makers and changemakers. VOW2026 is about creating the space, confidence and opportunities for those voices to be part of what comes next.’

Over the past decade, the Voice of Women Conference and Awards has evolved into a platform for advocacy, empowerment, leadership, dialogue, recognition and action, providing women with opportunities to share their experiences, access knowledge, influence conversations and translate their voices into meaningful change. As VOW enters its second decade, its focus is firmly on expanding that reach – from the grassroots to the highest levels of leadership, and from today’s women leaders to the young women who will carry the conversation forward. VOW2026 is supported by FirstBank, Asha Microfinance, Lotus Bank, Ekiti State Government, LIRS, Nigeria Bottling Company, LASENA, Air Peace, United Airlines, Checkers Custard, Amandla Institute, Betacare, Dejabys Empowerment Initiative, WRAPA and ActionAid.

From Lagos to the six geopolitical zones, VOW2026 will bring women’s voices into one national conversation – celebrating ten years of progress while creating space for the women who will shape the decade ahead.

VOW2026 – A DECADE OF VOICES AND IMPACT

Date: Tuesday 6 October 2026

Venue: Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos

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