Category: Business Mirror

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals a concerning reality: half of Filipino families-a staggering 14.2 million households-still rate themselves as poor. This figure, unchanged from April 2025 and slightly up from June, is a searing indictment of the persistent economic struggle endured by millions, and a deafening alarm bell demanding a fundamental shift in approach. (Read the BusinessMirror story: ‘Half of Pinoy families rate themselves ‘poor’-SWS poll,’ October 30, 2025).

For over four decades, SWS has meticulously tracked this self-perception of poverty. While the current 50 percent is significantly lower than the harrowing peaks of the mid-80s and early 90s, it remains depressingly high, stubbornly hovering far above the record low of 38 percent achieved in 2019.

The regional breakdown paints an even more alarming picture. Mindanao’s 69 percent self-rated poverty rate is a crisis demanding immediate, focused intervention. While the Visayas saw a welcome 6-point decline (to 54 percent), this was accompanied by a worrying doubling of families rating themselves as ‘borderline,’ suggesting acute vulnerability and economic fragility. Meanwhile, significant increases in poverty perception in both Metro Manila (up 7 points to 43 percent) and Balance Luzon (up 4 points to 42 percent) indicate that economic pressures are tightening their grip even in areas traditionally seen as more affluent.

Equally concerning is the parallel story of food poverty. The 41 percent of families rating themselves as ‘food-poor’-meaning they feel they cannot afford even basic decent meals-remains unchanged since April. While marginally lower than 2024’s average, it underscores the daily battle against hunger faced by a massive segment of the population.

These numbers are not just about income; they are stories about the most fundamental human need. They represent parents skipping meals to feed children, workers trapped in low-wage jobs with no security, families living in constant fear of the next unexpected expense pushing them over the edge, and generations seeing limited pathways out of hardship. The ‘borderline’ category, holding steady at 12 percent nationally but surging in the Visayas, represents millions teetering precariously, one shock away from slipping into outright poverty.

The persistence of this high self-rated poverty points to deep-seated structural issues. It highlights the failure of economic growth to translate into broad-based prosperity, the inadequacy of social safety nets, the crushing weight of inflation on basic goods, and the persistent inequalities plaguing different regions. It speaks to a lack of quality jobs, accessible healthcare, affordable housing, and reliable pathways to upward mobility.

Policymakers and leaders must move beyond complacency, recognizing that incremental change is no longer sufficient. There is a pressing need for targeted interventions in regions like Mindanao, where generic national programs have failed to address specific community challenges.

Additionally, immediate relief from inflation is crucial to combat rising costs of food, energy, and transportation, which significantly impact purchasing power and contribute to the perception of poverty.

Job creation should focus on quality, offering fair wages and benefits to enable families to build sustainable futures through dignified employment.

Social safety nets must be robust and adaptable, effectively supporting those at risk of poverty to prevent their situations from worsening.

When half the country says it has nothing left to lose, that should alarm everyone. This ‘national emergency’ reflects a failure to deliver on the fundamental promise of a decent life for all Filipinos. An economy’s success shouldn’t be judged only by growth but by whether families can feed their children, keep them in school, and avoid eviction.

Half of Filipino families seeing themselves as poor is a moral indictment-and a call to design policies rooted in family realities, invest in people as well as infrastructure, and judge progress by how inclusive it is. If the nation truly seeks shared prosperity, it must act with urgency and compassion.

THE Department of Finance (DOF) is backing a policy that mandates all online tobacco sellers to adopt stricter age verification systems to curb the access of minors from harmful tobacco products.

A statement issued by the DOF last Monday read that Finance department has concurred with a new resolution from the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-Tobacco) requiring stricter age verification for online tobacco sales.

The IAC-Tobacco recently passed IAC-Tobacco Resolution 01 (series of 2025), which ensures that no person below 18 years old can view, access, purchase, or sell cigarettes or tobacco products online.

The resolution mandates all online business operators, including e-marketplaces, digital platforms and e-retailers to install or upgrade robust age verification systems to ensure full compliance with the law. The resolution also instructs e-marketplaces and digital platforms to exercise due diligence oveer online merchants and implement necessary measures to ensure compliance with the law.

Online marketplaces and digital platforms are given 90 days from publication of the resolution to submit proof of compliance.

‘Through this resolution, we will be able to strictly control the sale and distribution of tobacco products. The DOF is always ready to help ensure the proper management of these products, especially in protecting our youth,’ Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto was quoted in the statement as saying.

The DOF is a member of the IAC-Tobacco and helps oversee the implementation of Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003).

According to the law, the sale and distribution of tobacco products to minors are prohibited.

It further states that it shall not be an excuse for the seller or distributor to be unaware of the minor’s real age. Neither shall it be a defense that they had any reason to believe that the product was for the consumption of the minor to whom it was sold.

The law also instructs retailers to verify the buyer’s age by means of any valid form of photographic identification containing the date of birth of the bearer.

THE House Committee on Public Accounts will begin this month its investigation into the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project, its chairperson announced on Monday.

Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro, the panel chairman, said the first hearing, which will be done in the week of November 17, will focus on determining the necessity of the project based on the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus directing government agencies to clean, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay.

The inquiry will also examine the flooding impact of the project on adjacent Ermita-Malate areas, particularly the status of the Padre Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad drainage outfalls. Lawmakers will review whether the project’s engineering design contributed to waterway blockages and subsequent flooding incidents in Manila.

Ridon said the committee will also look at available alternative interventions and solutions to further ‘clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay’ and improve its water quality to make it fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation-the specific requirements under the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus.

He added that the panel will likewise explore alternative interventions to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay and improve its water quality to levels safe for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of recreation, as mandated by the Supreme Court.

Invitations to participate in the hearing have been sent to the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), of Economy, Planning and Development DEPDev), and of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the City Government of Manila.

Ridon earlier filed House Resolution 56, urging the Committee on Public Accounts and other appropriate House panels to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the necessity, cost, and environmental impact of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program-particularly the Beach Nourishment and Coastal Restoration Project, more commonly known as the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach.

The resolution recalls that in January 2019, the DENR launched the ‘Battle for Manila Bay’ rehabilitation program in compliance with the Supreme Court’s 2008 Mandamus order. Part of the initiative was a P389-million beach nourishment project along the Manila Baywalk, which involved overlaying the shoreline with crushed dolomite rock starting in September 2020.

During the 2020 budget hearings, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones acknowledged that the dolomite beach was not part of the National Economic and Development Authority’s (Neda)-approved master plan, raising concerns about its planning and approval process.

In August 2023, then Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga announced the suspension of all reclamation projects in Manila Bay-including the dolomite beach-pending review of their environmental clearances.

More recently, in May 2025, fishermen and environmental groups filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop further dumping of crushed dolomite, alleging violations of environmental laws such as the Ecological Impact Assessment Law (Presidential Decree 1586), the Clean Water Act, and the Fisheries Code.

Also, the MMDA has identified the dolomite beach project as a contributing factor to flooding along Taft Avenue and nearby areas. The agency said construction of the artificial beachfront obstructed three major drainage outfalls, forcing rainwater to be rerouted through a treatment plant that could not handle the excess flow during heavy rains.

Ridon said the committee’s proceedings will determine whether such findings warrant policy reforms, including stricter environmental oversight and cost-efficiency standards for future coastal rehabilitation projects.

Will Smith homered in the 11th inning after Miguel Rojas connected for a tying drive in the ninth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in Game 7 Saturday night to become the first team in a quarter century to win consecutive World Series titles.

Los Angeles overcame 3-0 and 4-2 deficits and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to become the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, and the first from the National League since the 1975 and ’76 Cincinnati Reds.

Smith hit a 2-0 slider off Shane Bieber into the Blue Jays’ bullpen, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw 96 pitches in the Dodgers’ win on Friday, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth and pitched 2 2/3 innings for his third win of the Series.

He gave up a leadoff double in the 11th to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was sacrificed to third. Addison Barger walked and Alejandro Kirk grounded to shortstop Mookie Betts, who started a title-winning 6-4-3 double play.

With their ninth title and third in six years, the Dodgers made an argument for their 2020s teams to be considered a dynasty. Dave Roberts, their manager since 2016, boosted the probability he will gain induction to the Hall of Fame.

Bo Bichette put Toronto ahead in the third with a three-run homer off two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who was pitching on three days’ rest after taking the loss in Game 3.

Los Angeles closed to 3-2 on sacrifice flies from Teoscar Hernández in the fourth off Max Scherzer and Tommy Edman in the sixth against Chris Bassitt.

Andrés Giménez restored Toronto’s two-run lead with an RBI double in the sixth off Tyler Glasnow, who relieved after getting the final three outs on three pitches to save Game 6 on Friday.

Max Muncy’s eighth-inning homer off star rookie Trey Yesavage cut the Dodgers’ deficit to one run, and Rojas, inserted into the lineup in Game 6 to provide some energy, homered on a full-count slider from Jeff Hoffman.

THIS holiday season, The Body Shop invites you to experience the spirit of Christmas wrapped in love. Start off with the Classic Beauty Advent Calendar. From shower gels, shampoos, and sheet masks to balms, butters, and body scrubs, there’s something for everyone in this cult classic calendar. It’s Christmas after all. The calendar launches on the Body Shop website on October 30. Celebrating nearly 50 years as a joyful gifting destination, indulge your senses with new seasonal special editions. The 2025 festive range from the ethical beauty brand introduces three unique special-edition seasonal scents-Caramel Cuddle, Cranberry Crush, and Sugarplum Passion-alongside a wide selection of meaningful gift sets curated to reflect the values of the brand.

– Caramel Cuddle: Wrap yourself in the comforting embrace of golden caramel, creamy vanilla, and toasted almond. This sweet and cozy range includes the Caramel Cuddle Bath and Shower Gel, Body Butter, Body Yogurt, and Hand Balm-all made to transform your daily routine into a warm, festive escape.

– Cranberry Crush: Get ready for a burst of juicy, festive cheer with frosted cranberry, blood orange, and refreshing mint leaves. The Cranberry Crush range, including the Bath and Shower Gel, Body Butter, Body Yogurt, and Hand Cream, are perfect for invigorating your senses and adding a sparkle to your holiday season

– Sugarplum Passion: Dive into a fruity-floral fantasy with sparkling notes of plum sorbet, raspberry, and pink grapefruit, accented with apricot blossom and magnolia. The Sugarplum Passion Bath and Shower Gel, Body Butter, Body Yogurt, and Hand Balm, offer an irresistible, magical experience.

Each new seasonal range is crafted with The Body Shop’s signature commitment to skin-loving, natural origin ingredients and Community Fair Trade partnerships. The brand’s Community Fair Trade ingredients, such as the aloe vera from Mexico in the Shower Gels, the almond milk from Spain in the Body Yogurts, and the shea butter from Ghana in the Body Butters, ensure that every gift gives back; by helping to empower communities and foster positive change.

This Christmas, celebrate the joy of giving with gifts that go beyond the season. With The Body Shop’s collection, every present not only delights the senses but also helps make a positive difference in communities around the world. The holiday collection is now available at all stores nationwide.

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has issued a public warning about the possibility of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on November 5, a date globally recognized by hacktivist groups as a symbolic moment for digital protest. These attacks could severely disrupt government websites and financial platforms, exposing vulnerabilities in public systems.

What’s at risk

In an interview with ANC, Undersecretary Renato ‘Aboy’ Paraiso, acting Executive Director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), outlined several high-risk scenarios:

· Disruption of government services, which violates the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175)

· Financial crimes, including fund siphoning and phishing

· Website defacement, especially targeting high-visibility agencies

Paraiso emphasized that small government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are particularly vulnerable due to limited cybersecurity budgets. While national agencies have made strides in compartmentalizing systems to prevent cascading breaches, gaps remain.

In a social media post, the agency said it will closely monitor possible Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) or traffic flood incidents that may cause some websites to load slowly or possibly inaccessible.

The DICT advised users to ‘try again later’ if affected sites fail to load.

Under ‘Oplan Cyberdome,’ the DICT said it continues to coordinate with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, National Telecommunications Commission, law enforcement agencies, and other partners to ensure an immediate response and protection of online platforms.

The agency stressed that the DDoS is not a data breach.

Government response

The DICT and CICC have mobilized to assist agencies in scanning and securing their systems. Free vulnerability assessments and penetration testing (VAPT) are being offered.

‘We’ve seen improvement,’ Paraiso said, ‘but there’s still a long way to go.’

Public advisory: Stay online, stay vigilant

The CICC is not recommending internet abstinence. Instead, it urges citizens to:

· Monitor for slow or inaccessible websites

· Report anomalies via hotline 1326

· Avoid panic and misinformation

· Be cautious of suspicious links and defaced content

Hackers aren’t playing politics

Addressing speculation about politically motivated attacks, Paraiso clarified: ‘Hackers aren’t regional when it comes to politics. Their scope is global.’ He explained that hacktivists are more focused on exposing weaknesses in digital infrastructure than pushing partisan agendas.

A message to hackers

In a rare appeal, Paraiso called on hacktivists to channel their advocacy constructively.

‘If you find vulnerabilities, bring them to us-not to the public-so they aren’t exploited by those with malicious intent.’

Seemingly frustrated by the government shutdown and Democrats’ unwillingness to accept a Republican funding bill, President Donald Trump is once again demanding that the Senate eliminate the legislative filibuster.

The filibuster is a longstanding parliamentary tool that halts action on most bills unless 60 senators in the 100-member chamber vote to move forward. Over the years, it has stymied policy priorities for Democrats and Republicans alike, and Trump has been complaining about the maneuver since his first White House term.

Getting rid of it would be a way for Republicans to immediately end the now month-long shutdown, he said. ‘It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option – Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!’ the president wrote on his social media site Thursday night.

But majority Republicans have strongly resisted calls to eliminate the legislative filibuster, since it would dilute their power if and when they are in the minority again. In its best form, the filibuster encourages compromise and dealmaking.

Here are some common questions about the filibuster, and why it’s coming up now in the shutdown debate.

What is a filibuster?

Unlike the House, the Senate places few constraints on lawmakers’ right to speak. But senators can use the chamber’s rules to hinder or block votes. That’s what’s effectively a filibuster-a term that, according to Senate records, began appearing in the mid-19th century.

The filibuster isn’t in the Constitution and it wasn’t part of the Founding Fathers’ vision for the Senate. It was created inadvertently after Vice President Aaron Burr complained in 1805 that the chamber’s rule book was redundant and overly complicated, according to historians.

But how the filibuster is used today doesn’t resemble the public’s longstanding perception of the tactic, which was made famous by the 1939 film, ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,’ in which James Stewart played a senator who spoke on the floor until exhaustion.

Now, senators inform their leaders-and often confirm publicly-that they will filibuster a bill. No lengthy speeches required. Nonetheless, the Senate still needs to muster 60 votes to move past that obstacle. If they get that, then senators can move to final passage, which only requires a simple majority.

Wait-isn’t the filibuster

already gone?

Yes, but only for nominations. In 2013, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., led Senate Democrats in eliminating the filibuster for all nominations except for candidates to the Supreme Court, triggering what’s known in the Senate as the ‘nuclear option.’ Democrats were fed up with repeated Republican filibusters of President Barack Obama’s nominees, especially to the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, then the minority leader, furiously warned Democrats that they’d come to regret going nuclear. And he returned the favor in 2017, when Republicans moved to eliminate the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees as they confirmed Neil Gorsuch to the high court.

Trump mentioned in his Truth Social post that eliminating the filibuster would help Republicans get the ‘best Judges’ and the ‘best U.S. Attorneys,’ but it’s unclear what he meant since he needs only a simple majority to install those picks.

Democrats came close to dumping the legislative filibuster for voting rights legislation in 2022, but faced resistance from then-Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. They said changes to the filibuster would haunt Democrats if Republicans regain control of Congress and the White House-which the GOP did, not long after.

Earlier this year, Republicans changed the Senate’s rules further to make it easier to confirm large groups of the least controversial executive branch nominees. But they have resisted calls from Trump to eliminate so-called ‘blue slips’ that allow both senators to sign off on some lower court judges regardless of party.

What does this have to

do with the shutdown?

As with any government funding bill-and most other legislation-Republicans need help from at least a handful of Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate since they control just 53 votes.

In exchange for their votes on a stopgap funding bill, most Democrats have been demanding an extension of subsidies for people who purchase health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say that’s a costly nonstarter, especially on a bill that keeps the federal government operating for a mere seven weeks.

Democrats argue that because the Senate needs 60 votes to advance funding bills, that gives them leverage. As the shutdown drags on, frustrated Republicans have been floating the idea of getting rid of the filibuster in order to erase that leverage.

‘Maybe it’s time to think about the filibuster,’ said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, on Fox News earlier this month. ‘Let’s just vote with Republicans. We’ve got 52 Republicans. Let’s go, and let’s open the government. It may get to that.’ (There are 53 GOP senators, but one-Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul-is a committed ‘no’ on funding bills.)

Where do Republicans stand

on dumping the filibuster?

Unlike many other demands from Trump, GOP senators have generally resisted his calls to get rid of the filibuster.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has long defended the filibuster, and began his tenure as the Senate’s top official in January pledging to preserve it.

He reiterated those sentiments in early October, saying the filibuster is ‘something that makes the Senate the Senate’ and that the ’60-vote threshold has protected this country.’ His spokesman emphasized on Friday after Trump’s comments that Thune’s position hasn’t changed.

Veteran senators who have seen the chamber swing back and forth from Democratic to Republican control are generally the ones who are the most firm on keeping the filibuster. But even some newer members agree.

‘The filibuster forces us to find common ground in the Senate,’ Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, elected in 2024, said on social media on Friday. ‘Power changes hands, but principles shouldn’t. I’m a firm no on eliminating it.’

Oftentimes, House Republicans weigh in on Senate strategy, urging GOP senators to follow Trump’s wishes to eliminate the filibuster. But House members-unfortunately for them-have no influence on what the Senate does.

Speaker Mike Johnson said he texted with the president after Trump’s late-night demand but refused to publicly weigh in on the filibuster question.

‘It’s not my call,’ Johnson said during his daily press conference at the Capitol.

PI DURDEN WANGKAY has proven he can rise on the Asian athletics stage and although he admits there’s still a long road ahead to reach the elite level, he’s confident he has what it takes.

The sprint champion, along with other Filipino medalists from the Third Asian Youth Games (AYG), already has plans to invest in his development after learning about the incentives pledged by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

‘I have potential,’ the 16-year-old Wangkay, winner of the 200-meter run in the AYG at Isa Sports City in Riffa, Bahrain.

‘I believe I can go beyond the SEA Games, not now but in time. I can compete at the Asian level. As for the World stage, I’m not sure yet-but we’ll work hard for it,’ he said.

‘The incentives will go a long way in helping me reach my goals,’ he added.

Each gold medal won by a Filipino individual athlete or pair in the Bahrain AYG is worth P500,000 and silver medals earn P300,000 and bronze medals P100,000, the PSC announced on Monday.

And there are more as POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino said that the POC would give P250,000 for the gold medalists, P150,000 for the silver winners and P75,000 for the bronze medalists.

The gold medalists will also be given iPhone 17 Pro Max units, while iPhone 17 will be given to silver and bronze medalists care of Sportsplus, the official gaming partner of the POC.

With a packed schedule leading up to his Southeast Asian Games debut later this year, Wangkay is prioritizing safe and strategic preparation-focusing on nutrition, training, and equipment.

‘I hope to clock the best times while avoiding injury so we’re trimming the schedule,’ the De La Salle Zobel product said.

Elite-level athletics training requires specialized resistance equipment that is not cheap, and Wangkay is grateful for the support.

‘I’ll use the incentives to cover the expenses of my mom and coach,’ he said.

Kram Airam Carpio was first to deliver gold for the Philippines, winning in pencak silat, while Charlie Ratcliff made noise with a 63-second triumph in the girls’ 45-kg modern mixed martial arts.

Muay was the most productive team with three gold medals from Lyre Anie Ngina in girls’ wai kru, Zeth Gabriel Bueno in boys’ wai kru, and the mai muay pair of Jan Brix Ramiscal and Tyron Jamborillo.

The Philippines capped its campaign with a thrilling finale, with Fil-American jiujitsu fighter Isabella Butler sealing her dominant week with a submission win for the gold in the girls’ -63kg class.

Jhodie Peralta, who had earlier earned incentives from the Zamboanga sports program following her triple-gold performance at the International Wrestling Federation World Youth and Junior Championships in Peru, now has additional funds for to support her family’s plan to purchase land.

At the AYG, she bagged silver in the snatch and bronze in the clean and jerk in the 53kg class and like Wangkay is also gearing up for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

The Philippines haul of seven gold, seven silver and 10 bronze was good for 12th place.

Tolentino lamented the country’s missed chances in other events such as beach volleyball and 3×3 basketball and urged sports stakeholders such as University Athletic Association of the Philippines teams to rally behind a common goal: ‘Put flag first.’

‘There were lessons learned there, we could have sent more medal contenders,’ Tolentino said.

PSC chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio emphasized the urgent need for deeper investment in youth sports.

‘When I attended the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, it became clear-we can win at this level. That’s why I’m thrilled the POC is prioritizing the Asian Youth Games. These young athletes are future contenders for the Asian Games and even the Olympics. We need to keep building, because we’re on the right track.’

GMA Integrated News’ podcast ‘Howie Severino Presents,’ hosted by award-winning journalist Howie Severino, returns with a new three-part special series, titled Online Invasion: The Secret Battle for Hearts, Minds, and Headlines. The series unpacks an emerging field of research called Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), which tracks how state-sponsored disinformation moves across borders and shapes what people believe.

A timely response to a growing global threat to democracy, Online Invasion features conversations with leading thinkers in the field.

The first episode, released last October 27, traces the recent history of FIMI, with insights from Dr. Rachel Khan of the University of the Philippines’ Journalism Department and the fact-checking coalition Tsek.ph. (tinyurl.com/3w6mpn78)

The next two episodes, dropping on November 3 and November 10, take deeper dives into how foreign disinformation networks have penetrated the Philippines, and explain how the public can inoculate themselves from manipulation.

‘Our main goal,’ Severino says, ‘is to help audiences think critically about the information they consume. And since podcast listeners are usually already well-informed, we hope they can help their families-their parents, titos, and titas-do the same. In short: think before you click.’

Adds Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, senior vice president and head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy: ‘In an era where information can be weaponized, GMA Integrated News remains steadfast in its commitment to combat disinformation through the ‘Howie Severino Presents’ special series. Our leadership in media literacy and public trust is not just a responsibility but a cornerstone of our mission to deliver credible and responsible journalism.’

Online Invasion is produced by the GMA Integrated News Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab (DigiLab).

Episode 2 of Online Invasion: The Secret Battle for Hearts, Minds, and Headlines is available on November 3, and Episode 3 on November 10, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and GMA Integrated News’ social platforms.

THE Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday announced that it has filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 97 individuals who were involved in the violent protest action last September 21 near Malacañang Palace.

CIDG Director Major Gen. Robert Morico II said the involved protesters were charged with inciting to sedition, conspiracy and proposal to commit sedition, and sedition under the Revised Penal Code.

The charges were filed last Tuesday before the DOJ-National Prosecution Service.

Morico added that another batch of a complaint against at least 40 individuals, including the instigators and financiers of the protest, would also be filed soon.

‘The investigation is continuing and in the next few days, we will be filing again cases against the instigators and supposed people behind the violent incident in Recto and in Mendiola,’ he said.

It can be recalled that some of the protesters attempted to storm Malacañang to show their outrage over the massive corruption in the government’s flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Several policemen were injured after protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects at them while attempting to break barriers.

Protesters also burned several tires in front of a shipping container used by authorities as a blockage.

The PNP has reportedly issued subpoenas against several student leaders to appear before it for investigation in connection with the September 21 rally.