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Blazers climb to the top, Junior Altas roar on

College of St. Benilde outlasted Mapua, 71-69, to seize a share of the Group A lead in the seniors’ division even as titleholder Perpetual Help edged Arellano U, 107-97, in overtime to stay atop Group B in the juniors play of NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Centre.

The win sent the Blazers to the top alongside the San Beda Lions and the Jose Rizal U Bombers on 7-3 cards while keeping the Cardinals stranded at fourth in the same bracket on a 6-4 slate.

Ian Torre found the time to shine as he dropped a team-high 15 points, which tied his season-high he coincidentally registered at the expense of Mapua in their first round duel.

‘We were lucky and fortunate,’ said CSB coach Paolo Layug, whose chargers stopped a two-game slide.

Marcel Cuenco, who scored his team’s last six points, had a chance to steal the match but his three-point attempt fell short as the final buzzer sounded.

The Junior Altas improved to 9-2 while the Braves fell to 3-8.

BPI raising at least P5 billion via new sustainability bonds

Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is planning to raise at least P5 billion from the sale of sustainability bonds, with proceeds earmarked for eligible green and social projects.

In a disclosure, the lender said it would offer peso-denominated fixed-rate BPI Sustainable Impact Building Our Legacy Bonds or SIBOL due 2028, with an option to upsize.

The bonds will have a tenor of one year and nine months and represent the third tranche under BPI’s P200-billion Bond and Commercial Paper Program.

‘In celebration of its 175th anniversary, BPI builds on its enduring legacy through this BPI SIBOL Bonds offering with a 1.75-year tenor, symbolizing its 175 years of service and unwavering commitment to its customers, communities and the country’s progress,’ BPI said.

The public offer period is scheduled to run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 4, while the bonds are expected to be issued and listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on Dec. 16.

BPI Capital Corp. and ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch will serve as joint lead arrangers and selling agents.

BPI said proceeds from the offering would be used to finance or refinance eligible green and social projects under its Sustainable Funding Framework.

The bank did not disclose the bonds’ interest rate in the announcement.

In the first nine months of the year, BPI booked P48.9 billion in net income, supported by robust loan growth, higher fee-based revenues and healthy business activity across its key segments.

However, this was down three percent from P50.5 billion in the same period in 2025.

NRS urges taxpayers to embrace voluntary compliance under new laws

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has urged individuals and businesses to comply voluntarily with the new tax laws, emphasising the need for public awareness, accurate information and a clear understanding of the reforms.

The service said providing clear guidance on tax obligations, available reliefs and applicable procedures would ease taxpayers’ concerns, prevent avoidable disputes and build public confidence in the tax system.

Alhaji Ismail Abdullahi, the NRS state administrator for Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states, made the call during an engagement with taxpayers and other stakeholders to discuss the implications of the new tax laws for businesses, households, states and local governments.

The discussions addressed concerns about whether banks could automatically deduct taxes from personal accounts, whether loans and money received from relatives would be considered taxable income, and how the reforms could affect small businesses.

Abdullahi acknowledged the concerns, urging taxpayers to rely on accurate information about the laws and the procedures governing tax enforcement.

He said the new tax regime did not, in itself, authorise the automatic deduction of taxes from personal bank accounts, adding that tax collection and recovery must comply with applicable laws and procedures.

He also clarified that the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate remained 7.5 per cent.

On business transactions, the NRS explained that money received as a loan should not automatically be classified as sales revenue or profit. It stressed that proper documentation was necessary to establish the nature of financial transactions.

‘For instance, if a trader receives N500,000 as a loan, the amount should not automatically be treated as sales or profit. Proper documentation is necessary to establish the nature of the transaction,’ he said.

The service urged taxpayers to maintain accurate financial records to support proper tax assessments and reduce avoidable disputes with tax authorities.

It also advised individuals and businesses to familiarise themselves with the tax provisions relevant to their activities, identify eligible reliefs, keep appropriate records and seek clarification from the relevant authorities when necessary.

Abdullahi further stressed the importance of understanding taxpayers’ rights, including the procedures for challenging tax assessments or decisions.

The engagement focused on three areas: the provisions of the new tax laws affecting companies, individuals and businesses; practical steps for achieving voluntary compliance; and measures to close the tax compliance gap through improved taxpayer services.

On compliance, Abdullahi highlighted the need for proper registration, accurate record-keeping, transaction reconciliation, timely filing of returns, payment of taxes and prompt responses to official correspondence.

The third area examined the difficulties taxpayers face in meeting their obligations and explored ways to improve service delivery and make compliance easier.

Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and identify challenges associated with meeting tax obligations, including conflicting interpretations of the laws and difficulties with digital tax processes.

The NRS official said feedback from taxpayers would help the service identify gaps, improve its procedures and provide more accessible support to individuals and businesses.

The service reiterated that effective tax administration required shared responsibility, with the NRS providing clear guidance, consistent treatment and accessible assistance, while taxpayers supplied accurate information, maintained proper records and met their obligations within stipulated deadlines.

Abdullahi expressed optimism that improved public understanding, transparent procedures and responsive taxpayer services would strengthen public trust, encourage voluntary compliance and improve the effectiveness of Nigeria’s tax administration system.

Law, Sovereignty, and the Sparks that Ignite History at Escoda Shoal

As a small-town lawyer accustomed to boundary line disputes between neighbors, I step into public international law with no small measure of trepidation. Maritime geopolitics lies far beyond my modest jurisdiction. Yet, watching armed foreign vessels encircle our offshore reefs, one needs no diploma in diplomacy to recognize ancient wisdom: when clear boundaries are erased by force, a minor spark can ignite a massive blaze.

China’s immediate protest against a United States naval passage near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal-claiming an ‘illegal intrusion’ into its territory-presents a legal impossibility. Escoda lies roughly 110 nautical miles off Palawan, squarely within the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines under Unclos. The 2016 arbitral award permanently invalidated historic claims across these waters, affirming that feature-by-feature assertions cannot override a nation’s lawful EEZ. Under settled law, one cannot suffer an infringement on rights one does not legitimately possess.

What causes me, a provincial practitioner, genuine alarm, however, is not just the physical maneuvering at sea, but the sharp escalation in rhetoric on land. The ongoing public ‘word war’ between the Chinese diplomatic mission and key Philippine figures-most notably Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela-has grown dangerously personal and contentious. When diplomatic discourse devolves from policy debate into coercive posturing and veiled warnings, the diplomatic shock absorbers meant to prevent armed conflict begin to fail.

Our own history provides a tragic reminder of how fast a localized misunderstanding can spiral. On the night of Feb. 4, 1899, along the dark boundary lines of Sta. Mesa, Manila, an American sentry named Private William Grayson spotted a few Filipino soldiers crossing near Blockhouse 7. He shouted ‘Halt!’ heard a response he did not understand, and pulled the trigger. That single rifle shot exploded into the Philippine-American War, consuming our country in years of bitter conflict.

History shows that major wars rarely start with grand declarations; they begin when nervous men with guns stand face-to-face across disputed lines. Today’s world is littered with fragile tinderboxes-from the Taiwan Strait and the Strait of Hormuz to regional flash points in South America and the Horn of Africa. Modern warlords turn these minor friction points into major battlegrounds. With the recent deliberate ramming of a Philippine resupply vessel near Escoda Shoal, our margin for error is shrinking dangerously.

Operational transits supporting international freedom of navigation do not destabilize sea lanes; unilateral aggression and coercive rhetoric do. Beijing must understand that repetitive claims and sharp words do not create legal entitlement. But as a nation, we must also remain vigilant about who holds our own steering wheel. In a sea crowded with warships, miscalculations, and short tempers, the doctrine of ‘have gun, will shoot’ is a death sentence. It takes only one trigger-happy leader on either side to turn an impoverished reef in our backyard into the spark that burns down the house.

Dizon vows to prioritize overhauling LTO as he returns to DOTr

Returning Transport Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday vowed to implement reforms in the Land Transportation Office (LTO), as well as prioritize the commuters’ welfare and road safety to improve the public transportation system.

Dizon made this commitment a day after the latest Cabinet revamp where he was reappointed as the Transport secretary while Secretary Giovanni Lopez will take the helm of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Dizon said that he will continue the programs and reforms that were initiated by Lopez in the agency.

‘Sabi ng Palace kahapon, yung hirap ng commute kailangang ayusin yan. Itutuloy ang nasimulan namin ni [Secretary Giovanni] nung nasa DOTr siya at ako isa sa magiging priority ko ang LTO,’ Dizon said in a press conference.

(According to the Palace yesterday, we have to address the hardships of our commuters. We will continue what [Secretary Giovanni] started when he was in DOTr but LTO will be one of my priorities.)

Dizon noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered him to overhaul the LTO amid complaints about long queues, fixers, and delays in processing public documents.

LTO was among the most complained agencies in the first quarter of the year, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta). In its report released last May, Arta said that LTO received 152 complaints from January to March, of which 132 of them were already resolved.

Meanwhile, as the two secretaries swap leadership roles, Lopez said that he advised Dizon to prioritize the budget of the DOTr, noting that the agency has a lot of big ticket projects.

‘Alam naman niya yung implementing stage galing siya doon pero kahit anong implementation, kung walang pondo o kulang ang pondo, maaantala at maantala ang malaking proyekto,’ Lopez said in the same press conference.

(He already knows the implementing stage because he already experienced that but regardless of the implementation, if there is no fund, there will be a delay in implementing big projects.)

Further, Dizon said that the concerns on road safety and the woes of the commuting public must be addressed already.

‘Talagang ipaglalaban namin yung mga kailangang gawin para padaliin yung buhay ng mga commuter, pedestrian, vulnerable sector, PWD [persons with disabilities] na nagcocommute din, naglalakad din, sumasakay ng MRT [metro rail transit], jeep, bus,’ Dizon stressed.

(We will push for what needs to be done to improve the lives of commuters, pedestrians, the vulnerable sector, and the PWD who use public transportation everyday.

Pakistan welcomes Azerbaijan’s OIC summit, praises Baku’s support on Kashmir [EXCLUSIVE]

Pakistan highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s consistent support for the Kashmir issue within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and looks forward to the upcoming OIC Summit in Baku in 2027, Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires Sara Ijaz told AzerNEWS.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in Azerbaijan to commemorate Kashmir Black Day on October 27, Ijaz addressed the international community’s response to the Kashmir dispute and the role of international organisations in promoting a peaceful resolution.

Responding to AzerNEWS’ question regarding the international community’s position on Kashmir and the steps that the United Nations and the OIC could take towards resolving the longstanding dispute, the diplomat emphasised the importance of international recognition and awareness.

“Well, this day is very, very important and the international community has been backing Pakistan on this very, very just cause to raise voice for the people of Kashmir through the number of United Nations Security Council resolutions that are on it,” she said.

Ijaz pointed to UN resolutions and the involvement of international organisations as evidence of global recognition of the Kashmir issue, which has remained unresolved for decades.

“So the people, many international organizations, UN resolutions, they are all a testament to the fact that the international community does know how serious this issue is, that it’s a dispute that has been going on for eight decades,” she stated.

The Pakistani diplomat further highlighted the importance of public diplomacy and awareness campaigns, particularly through social media and diplomatic missions abroad.

“It continues, it is gaining force and the world can see with the coming of social media and everything and with events like these that the embassy is doing at, and not just embassy of Pakistan, but our embassies all over the world and our offices deputed in major capitals of the world, they are trying to bring awareness to their respective audiences in their countries of this very, very gruesome occupation that India has been carrying on for the past eight decades. And I think this is the best way of making people aware of it, of keeping this cause alive,” she added.

Pakistan anticipates 2027 OIC Summit in Baku

Addressing a separate question from AzerNEWS regarding Pakistan’s expectations for the 16th OIC Summit, which Azerbaijan is scheduled to host in 2027, Ijaz expressed optimism about the forthcoming gathering and commended Azerbaijan’s involvement in the organisation.

“Well, we are very, very happy. We’re looking forward to the summit next year. It’s probably in June. And I must commend our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan,” she said.

The diplomat particularly underscored Azerbaijan’s participation in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, acknowledging Baku’s continued support for Pakistan’s position.

“Azerbaijan’s government is a very active member of OIC contact group on Kashmir. It has been voicing its concerns on the atrocities that are happening in Kashmir. It has been standing by Pakistan’s side in that contact group,” Ijaz noted.

She also expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government and voiced hope that the upcoming summit would provide an opportunity for Muslim-majority countries to address regional disputes through collective dialogue.

“So we are very, very grateful to the government of Azerbaijan for its position. And I’m really, really hopeful that the conference will be able to bring the leaders of the Islamic world together to find solution of issues like Kashmir and other regional conflicts that are becoming quite rampant,” she concluded.

Tinubu Orders Probe Into Sheikh Masussuka’s Murder

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the murder of prominent Islamic preacher, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The President has also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the death, adding that perpetrators should be brought to book.

The gunmen killed the sheikh and his associate in a drive-by shooting incident on Monday evening.

Reacting, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the President was deeply saddened by the news of the killing.

The President described the act ‘as heinous and an assault on the values of peace and sanctity of human life.’

Onanuga said President Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, their followers, as well as the government and people of Katsina State, over the tragic loss.

‘The President has directed the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to move swiftly, intensify efforts already underway by the Katsina State Police Command, and ensure the perpetrators are tracked down, apprehended, and brought to justice.

‘President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for comfort for all those who mourn their death.’

PLDT and Smart partner with Capillary to unify loyalty programs

PLDT and Smart tap Capillary to power AI-led, gamified loyalty experiences.

Manila, Philippines – PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) have partnered with Capillary Technologies to transform and unify their loyalty ecosystem across mobile, broadband, and partner engagement platforms.

Through the partnership, Capillary will power a next-generation loyalty platform, bringing together PLDT Home, Smart, and Ka-Partner programs into a single ecosystem designed to deliver more personalized and rewarding experiences across millions of customers.

The initiative marks a significant step in PLDT and Smart’s customer engagement strategy as the group consolidates multiple loyalty environments into a more intelligent and scalable platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), advanced personalization, and real-time engagement capabilities.

PLDT and Smart selected Capillary for its deep loyalty expertise, scalable enterprise architecture, and proven track record across high-growth markets.

‘Customer loyalty is key to the PLDT Group’s long-term growth,’ according to Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer. ‘As PLDT and Smart customer expectations evolve, we must strengthen our relationship with them, deepen engagement through our products and services, and deliver greater value throughout the customer journey. By investing in customer loyalty through our collaboration with Capillary, we are investing in stronger customer retention, sustainable growth, and the PLDT Group’s continued industry leadership.’

‘Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and their loyalty deserves to be rewarded in ways that are meaningful and relevant. With Capillary’s platform, we can offer a more personalized rewards experience that gives our subscribers and partners access to exclusive perks, curated offers, exciting partner benefits, and rewarding experiences tailored to their preferences. It’s our way of saying thank you while making every interaction with PLDT Home more valuable, more engaging, and more rewarding,’ said John Y. Palanca, Head of PLDT Home.

‘This new loyalty platform allows us to recognize not only our subscribers, but also the Smart retailers and e-load partners who help us serve millions of Filipinos every day. By bringing Smart and PLDT onto one loyalty ecosystem, we are also creating the foundation for more seamless, converged rewards and experiences in the future,’ according to Lloyd R. Manaloto, officer-in-charge of Smart.

Santosh Reddy, President – APAC at Capillary Technologies, said: ‘PLDT and Smart have consistently led the way in redefining digital experiences at scale, backed by a strong understanding of evolving customer expectations. As enterprises across global markets increasingly invest in loyalty as a strategic growth lever, Capillary is proud to bring its experience working with leading brands across APAC and beyond to support this transformation. Together, we look forward to building a more intelligent, engaging, and connected loyalty experience for millions of subscribers.’

The rollout will follow a phased implementation approach over the next year.

BOC chief wants P1 trillion revenue goal achieved

ureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has urged officials and employees to intensify efforts in enforcement, accountability and operational efficiency to achieve the agency’s P1-trillion revenue collection target this year.

‘We are still far from what we want to happen. Let’s just keep going,’ he said during the recently concluded Collectors’ Conference hosted by the Port of Davao.

He cited the bureau’s record-breaking revenue performance, with collections reaching P757.406 billion from January to September this year, surpassing the P748.494-billion target by P8.913 billion.

The BOC also collected P55.735 billion more than it did during the same period in 2025, keeping it firmly on track toward its ambitious P1-trillion revenue goal for the year.

Nepomuceno commended BOC officials and employees for exceeding collection targets and contributing to the agency’s strong performance.

He reiterated his directive to expedite the auction and condemnation of seized and forfeited goods and overstaying containers to ensure their timely disposition in accordance with law.

At the same time, Nepomuceno renewed his call for integrity across the organization, warning officials and employees that he would continue to strictly monitor operations and take appropriate action against those found engaging in corruption, unlawful conduct or other illicit activities.

He recognized ports and offices that demonstrated outstanding performance in revenue collection, enforcement, cargo disposition and legal action, including the Ports of San Fernando, Manila, NAIA, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu,Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri and Limay.

Julianah Michael calls for education, healthcare, mentorship investment to protect girls’ future

Julianah Michael, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MedConnect Pharmacy, has urged stakeholders to invest deliberately in girls’ education, healthcare and confidence-building to protect them against child marriage and secure their future.

Michael made the call as Guest Speaker at the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child programme organised by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Lagos State University (LASU) Branch, held on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE), Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos.

Themed ‘My Rights, My Voice, My Future: Empowering the Girl Child’ in line with the global theme ‘End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,’ the programme brought together female students of Lagos State University International School (LASUIS), Ojo, and DAMVIC Academy, Badagry.

Delivering her address, Michael stressed that access to quality education and healthcare remains critical to empowering the girl child to make informed decisions about her life. She noted that practical support interventions, such as payment of examination fees, provision of school uniforms, and structured mentorship, can prevent financial hardship and exploitation from truncating girls’ education.

She charged the students to take responsibility for their personal health, stay focused on their studies, and understand that their current circumstances do not define their future achievements.

Michael also called on OWSD and other development-focused organisations to deepen collaboration between families, professionals and communities to provide sustained support for vulnerable girls.

The event, chaired by Omolade Okwa, OWSD LASU Branch Chairperson, also featured goodwill messages reaffirming LASU’s commitment to ending child marriage.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo, Professor Yomi Bello of the Department of Music described child marriage as a social and developmental challenge that undermines girls’ education, health, safety and economic independence, and called for stronger enforcement of relevant laws. Read Economics

Earlier, Anthony Ojekale, the Dean, Faculty of Science, represented by Professor Moses AKANBI, commended OWSD for advancing girls’ empowerment, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).