Category: Business Mirror

Melmac Sports officially opened its FIFA-standard football field at Villar City in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on Saturday, September 27, marking a significant milestone for the sports organization and the local football community.

The new facility sits on a 3.5-hectare property, providing ample space for football, sports activities, events, and future developments aimed at serving athletes, families, and the wider community.

The opening ceremony was led by All Star Properties, Inc. President and CEO Mel Macasaquit, alongside Melmac Sports partners and former Philippine national team players Misagh Bahadoran and Simon Greatwich.

Also in attendance was former Senator Manny Villar, Chairman of Villar Land Holdings, together with Chief Operating Officer Mary Lee Sardiasa, Division Head Engineer Allan Santos, members of the Villar City team, guests, and partners.

For Macasaquit, the opening represents more than just the addition of another sports facility, as football has long been close to his heart.

‘While people may see a lot of basketball in our portfolio, football has always been the foundation of Melmac Sports. It was through this beautiful game that our deeper involvement in sports began.

My partners, Misagh and Simon, both dedicated their careers to representing the Philippine national team, and for all of us, this has always been driven by our genuine love for the game. We hope this new facility gives young players a place to develop their skills, build their confidence, chase their dreams, and hopefully become the next generation of Philippine football players.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Villar Group for welcoming Melmac Sports to Villar City.

This was not easy. It took a tremendous amount of work, time, and commitment from everyone involved. We even turned Misagh into a construction worker just to make sure we got this done.’

‘Simon literally dedicated his life to teaching kids football through G8 Academy. Today, it finally has a home. And for me, that makes everything we went through worth it.’

The opening also coincided with the grand opening of Planet Melmac at Villar City, the fried chicken brand that originated in Singapore and has since expanded into the Philippines under the Melmac brand.

The Villar City facility further expands Melmac Sports’ growing footprint in Cavite.

MelMac Sports also operates a 3,500-square-meter multi-sport facility at Vista Mall Imus, which features courts and spaces for pickleball, 3×3 and 5-on-5 basketball, a sport-specific gym, and other recreational activities.

With the opening of the football field and Planet Melmac, Melmac Sports and Villar City aim to create a destination where athletes, families, and the wider community can come together through sports, recreation, and dining.

NAGOYA-Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons bounced back and together with the Khylem Harl Progella-Sofiah Shanine Pagara tandem, the Philippines scored twin victories in women’s beach volleyball in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games on Monday.

Rondina and Pons secured a spot in the quarterfinals after beating Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 21-17, 21-15, and so did Progella and Pagara against N.L. Tsang and M.C. Wong, 26-24, 21-18, at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

‘We put things in the right place and we were able to perform the best we can,’ Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball Brazilian coach Joao Kyodai said.

Rondina and Pons admitted they were determined to put their opening-day loss to Kazakhstan behind them.

‘That loss made us feel stronger and more determined to get the win,’ said Rondina, adding ‘but we have to stay focused in the round of 16 and play better, execute game plans to the end.’

Pons called the pool-stage setback to the Kazakhs a ‘wake-up call,’ saying the pair remained optimistic.

‘Sometimes our biggest opponent is not on the opposite side of the court but what’s inside our minds,’ Pons said. ‘And that’s what we want to beat.’

Pagara, on the other hand, said they have to add more confidence to their game plan.

‘The skills are there, but we need to trust ourselves more,’ she said.

Progella and Pagara also thanked their teammates and fans who came to watch them compete.

‘The cheers, the shouts, they’re all motivation to us,’ Progella said. ‘Hearing ‘Laban Pilipinas!’ from the stands makes us strong.’

After Tuesday’s break, Progella and Pagara square off with Japanese sisters Non and Ren Matsumoto and Pons and Rondilla take on Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee both at 8 a.m. (Manila time) on Wednesday.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) is backing efforts to tap new geothermal resources in the Philippines as the country seeks to strengthen energy security and reduce its reliance on imported fuels.

ADB Philippines Country Director Andrew Jeffries said the $170 million-worth Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF) is among the lender’s projects in the pipeline for the country, with implementation possible by the end of the year or early next year.

‘It’s working with the [Department of Energy] and [Land Bank of the Philippines] to provide funding to de-risk the drilling and exploration phase of geothermal energy. That has been approved by the [Investment Coordination Committee],’ Jeffries told reporters in a recent interview.

The PGRDF is designed to reduce the financial risk of exploring new geothermal sites, where developers have to spend heavily on drilling before knowing whether an area contains a commercially viable resource.

Under the facility, up to 50 percent of eligible exploration drilling costs can be financed through sub-loans. These will only have to be repaid if exploration confirms a commercially viable geothermal resource. If exploration fails, ADB said the financing will be written off and effectively converted into a grant. Such risk-sharing is expected to encourage more private investment and help bring new geothermal sites to commercial development.

The DOE said the facility would help move geothermal projects from the exploration stage toward commercial development, expanding the pool of investible projects, while also strengthening the power system and reducing exposure to volatile imported fuel prices.

Financing projects

BEYOND geothermal development, the ADB is also working with the Philippine government on financing programs aimed at strengthening public financial management and deepening the country’s financial markets.

One of these is the Public Financial Management Reform Program, Subprogram 2, which will support efforts to improve fiscal discipline, modernize government financial-management systems, and strengthen the delivery of public services.

The lender said the program will also support fiscal decentralization and the devolution of public services, while encouraging local investments in climate resilience. It will include measures to strengthen public financial management in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) and help build its capacity for greater fiscal autonomy.

The subprogram will also help the government develop a medium-term reform roadmap and corresponding action plans for public financial management, the ADB said.

Another program in the pipeline is the Promoting Financial Market Deepening and Innovation Program, Subprogram 1, which seeks to expand the Philippines’ capital markets and reduce the economy’s heavy reliance on bank financing.

The ADB said the program will seek to expand access to long-term financing for government infrastructure and private-sector investments by making it easier to issue capital-market instruments, broadening available financial products, and strengthening capital market supervision.

It will also support reforms on sustainable finance, consumer protection, cybersecurity, and financial integrity as the government seeks to address regulatory gaps arising from digital and innovative financial services.

The Atin Ito Coalition will bring its West Philippine Sea fisherfolk forums to Subic, Zambales and Puerto Princesa, Palawan in October, with a third stop in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro tentatively set for the first or second weekend of December 2026.

The Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS) will partner with the coalition for the succeeding local forums.

The series opened today in Quezon City, where fisherfolk leaders, government representatives, and civil society advocates are meeting to assess the condition of Filipino fishers and the public support needed to protect their livelihoods and safety at sea.

A fisherfolk panel will tackle access to fishing grounds, operating costs, and safety at sea. The panel includes Leonardo ‘Ka Nards’ Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association; Fausto Alpay, president of the Subic Commercial Fishers Association; and Roberto ‘Ka Dodoy’ Ballon, chairperson of PAKISAMA.

Roy Ortega, chief of the Fisheries Resources Management Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will present the proposed 2027 fisheries budget. Akbayan Party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismulah will discuss the legislative agenda for fisherfolk rights.

The forum will also recognize local government leaders who have supported fisherfolk communities and other West Philippine Sea frontliners, including those whose local governments declared July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

Several entities will provide assistance, including Spirit of America, a privately funded nonprofit that has partnered with CIRIS to support initiatives engaging vulnerable communities. The organization provides rapid, flexible humanitarian and economic assistance to fisherfolk and other disaster-affected communities through partnerships with local networks and the diplomatic community.

Titled ‘West Philippine Sea: Mana Natin: The State and Legacy of Filipino Fishers and Those Who Stand With Them,’ the forum is being held at B Hotel in Quezon City as part of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month. CIRIS supports and participates in the initiative.

Atin Ito co-convenors Rafaela David and Edicio Dela Torre are among the speakers, while Dorothy Dulnoan, project coordinator and volunteer advocate, represents CIRIS.

The program also features the screening of CIRIS’s short film ‘Alon ng Kabayanihan’ on West Philippine Sea frontliners and a presentation on Atin Ito’s fourth civilian mission.

Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong, Philippine Navy, will deliver the closing remarks.

With two of the last three Philippine Golf Tour legs decided by one stroke and the other by two, the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Iloilo Golf Challenge is shaping up for another tense and unpredictable finish.

The P2.5-million championship gets going on Tuesday at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club here, with a deep field led by Angelo Que, seeking a third title this season.

‘I’m just out here to have fun since, you know, I like this golf course. It’s a thinking course,’ Que, the Caliraya Springs and Summit Point champion who last week finished tied for 12th in Negros Occidental following a stint in Taiwan.

Eyes will also be on Art Arbole, who topped Marapara for his first title since turning pro 14 years ago.

Zanieboy Gialon also has a special reason to feel confident on a course where he produced one of his most impressive victories. Two years ago, he turned what had been billed as a final-round shootout into a runaway six-shot triumph over Que and Ira Alido.

After finishing fourth in Negros, Gialon now hopes to end a two-year winless stretch and reclaim the title at the country’s oldest golf course.

Former Order of Merit winner Jhonnel Ababa, meanwhile, is seeking redemption after his late collapse in Negros.

Ababa shared the first-round lead with Arbole, remained just one stroke behind after the next two rounds and then surged ahead early in the final round. But a costly back-nine meltdown, coupled with Arbole’s late charge, allowed the latter to regain control.

Clyde Mondilla, Tony Lascuña, Reymon Jaraula, Rupert Zaragosa, Jay Bayron and Guido van der Valk – all multi-titled campaigners still looking for their first victory of the season – add even more uncertainty to an already crowded title picture in the seventh leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

‘The fairways are tight, no power advantage, and it’s difficult to attack the greens. So, you have to play the position. The rough is thick, so you need to be accurate off the tee,’ Mondilla said.

Asian Tour mainstay Justin Quiban also takes advantage of a break from the region’s premier circuit due to the Asian Games competitions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He further strengthens the field while seeking his second PGT victory of the year after winning the season-opening Lakewood Championship in come-from-behind fashion last March.

Then there are the hungry contenders – Dino Villanueva, Elee Bisera and Nilo Salahog – along with young guns Gab Manotoc, Ryan Monsalve, Kristoffer Arevalo, Leandro Bagtas, Josh Jorge and Jonas Magcalayo, plus Fil-Ams Ivan Yabut and Jeremy Tandoy.

A slew of foreign bidders also seek the spotlight, led by Kim Tae Soo, Lee Song, Miki Ryoma, Jisung Cheon, Hyun Jin Youn and Kim Tae Won.

A SENATOR warned on Friday that a P9.757-billion decrease to the government’s free tuition subsidy could undercut the implementation of a reform law he authored, as the Commission on Higher Education’s overall budget fell by more than a quarter for 2027.

CHED’s proposed 2027 budget stands at P35.453 billion, down P12.916 billion or 26.7% from its 2026 level. Inside that reduction, the allocation for Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, the government’s free tuition fund, falls from P37.547 billion to P27.790 billion, Sen. Joel Villanueva said.

The cut lands as Republic Act 12325, the law enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, moves toward implementation.

‘We must also prepare for the implementation of Republic Act 12325, enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the I authored and co-sponsored,’ Villanueva said during the CHED and SUCs budget briefing.

Only 12.6 percent of Tertiary Education Subsidy grantees in the first semester of Academic Year 2025-2026 came from 4Ps households, a gap RA 12325 was designed to close by directing subsidies more precisely toward disadvantaged learners.

‘I authored this reform because the subsidy was not reaching the students who needed it most. A smaller budget makes that job harder, not easier,’ Villanueva said.

He took note of other CHED programs that received additional funding allocations, with the commission;s Student Financial Assistance Programs having a proposed P3.185 billion budget for 2027 from this year’s P2.154 billion, which will allow it to expand beneficiaries from 42,128 to 49,243.

Villanueva expressed relief that the Doktor Para sa Bayan program, or the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program, received ample funding for next year. With an allocation of P1.232 billion, the program will support 4,557 continuing scholars and provide scholarships to 700 incoming medical students.

‘Take note of the increase in our scholarship and financial assistance programs. More of our students are getting help, and we intend to keep pushing that number up,’ Villanueva said.

Philippine business sentiment became less pessimistic in August due to higher demand for essential commodities, loan products and construction activities, results of the latest Business Expectations Survey (BES) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

However, the business confidence index remained in negative territory during the month.

Based on the report, the overall Business Confidence Index (CI) improved to -10.9 percent in August 2026, from the -20.3 percent in July 2026.

A negative CI means that more respondents are pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.

‘The improved sentiment of firms in August 2026 was attributed to higher demand for goods and services,’ the survey noted.

Respondent firms noted that financial condition was less tight in August compared to July as the confidence index, albeit still negative, improved to -24.9 percent from the -31.4 percent in July.

Financial condition, the central bank said, refers to the firm’s general cash position considering the level of cash and other cash items and repayment terms on loans.

However, the report noted that firms flagged the ‘slightly tighter’ access to credit, with the index marginally declining to -7.2 percent in August, from the -7 percent in July.

According to BSP, access to credit refers to the availability of credit in the banking system and other financial institutions.

Meanwhile, firms said there was an uptick in average capacity utilization in industry and construction, with the business confidence index improving to 69 percent, slightly higher than 68.6 percent in July.

However, the top business constraints flagged were stiff domestic competition, insufficient demand, and high interest rates.

Outlook

Firms have become more optimistic for the next three months, as their confidence index for this timeframe improved to 24.6 percent compared to July’s 3.7 percent, as businesses expect an uptick in business activities by November due to the holidays and rice harvest.

Philippine businesses are also pinning their hopes on stronger demand for consumer and financial products and services in the next three months.

For the next 12 months, firms have also become more sanguine as they expect consumer spending in tourism, construction, education and financial activities to improve.

The optimistic outlook of Philippine firms also rests on their expectation that the rise in the prices of goods and services or inflation is expected to ease in the next 12 months.

Other reasons behind the more sanguine outlook of businesses in the year ahead anchor on the possible resolution of the Middle East conflict, ‘enhancement’ in business operations, and ‘improved’ investor confidence.

Meanwhile, employment prospects were ‘more favorable’ as the share of businesses planning to hire more workers both over the next three- and 12-month periods increased.

Based on the BES report, the business confidence index on employment outlook in the three-month period improved to 13.4 percent in August from the 11 percent in July.

As for the 12-month horizon, businesses’ confidence index surged to 30.7 percent in August from 9 percent in July.

In contrast, the share of industry firms intending to expand operations declined both over the three- and 12-month periods.

Over the three-month horizon, businesses’ confidence index for expansion plans dipped to 12.4 percent in August from the 13.6 percent recorded in July.

For the next 12 months, the index declined to 17.1 percent in August from the 20.8 percent in July.

Inflation expectations

While firms have pegged a lower inflation expectation for the next 12 months, they are expecting the rate to linger above 4 percent-the upper bound of BSP’s inflation target range-due to continued oil price hikes, uncertainty over the resolution of the Middle East conflict and decreasing purchasing power.

Based on the report, Philippine businesses now see inflation for the year ahead averaging at 5.4 percent compared to their 5.6 percent forecast in July.

‘The BSP continues to monitor developments in the Middle East and their potential effects on business and consumer sentiment, spending, and investment. These indicators are among those considered in the BSP’s monetary policy decisions,’ the central bank said in a statement over the weekend.

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on local governments (LGUs) to strengthen efforts to protect the country’s maritime resources and support coastal communities affected by developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

A report by the Philippine Information Agency said coastal communities heavily dependent on the West Philippine Sea (WPS)-particularly fisherfolk and towns along the western seaboard of Luzon and Palawan, such as Masinloc in Zambales- bear the direct economic and livelihood brunt of foreign intrusions, maritime disputes, and large-scale marine developments.

The call was made during the ‘Kapihan para sa Karagatan,’ organized by the DILG with the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as part of the 2026 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) under the theme ‘Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-sama Nating Alagaan.’

Local Government Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon, one of the forum hosts, underscored the role of LGUs in protecting the country’s maritime domain and natural resources, particularly as the situation in the WPS continues to affect Filipino fishermen and coastal communities.

‘We are encouraging all local governments to intensify their support for strengthening actions to protect our maritime domain and natural resources,’ de Leon said.

‘All Filipinos have an important role in this matter,’ she added.

The forum brought to the fore the situation of communities directly affected by the WPS dispute, with the mayor of Masinloc, Zambales, Hazel J. Lim, detailing its impact on local fisherfolk.

Lim said China’s prohibition on Filipino fishermen from entering reefs within the WPS has affected their catch and livelihood, leaving some fishing boats unable to operate.

‘Now, what happened to the boats, which are worth three million [pesos], is that they are just parked because they can no longer get close to the reef. We have already made attempts to approach, but the Chinese Coast Guard vessels follow us,’ she said.

National Maritime Council (NMC) Spokesperson Alexander Lopez emphasized that the WPS issue extends beyond maritime security, affecting the livelihood and food security of Filipinos. He said the national government, through the NMC, is implementing programs to assist coastal communities such as Masinloc in addressing food security concerns.

Other resource speakers included Philippine Coast Guard Lt (junior grade) Janey Anne Paloma and the mayor of Kalayaan, Palawan, Beltzasar Alindogan.

The forum also tackled challenges confronting coastal communities, including the harassment of Filipino fishermen, gaps in government support, and the spread of misinformation and propaganda on maritime issues.

The DILG emphasized that protecting the country’s maritime resources requires action not only at the national level but also from LGUs and communities whose livelihoods and food security are directly tied to Philippine waters.

MANA Mo is observed every September pursuant to Proclamation 316, s. 2017, which promotes understanding of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic character and directs government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector to participate in related activities nationwide.

DAVAO CITY-A Filipino-owned company has successfully connected the remote islands of Surigao del Norte, including the top-surfing destination of Siargao, starting with four former internet dead spots and allowing live users to seamlessly livestream their tourist activities.

The Cagayan de Oro City-based Community Wireless and Power rolled out its first fiber-backed public network, similar to the ubiquitous Piso Wifi boxes, in four locations in the Municipality of General Luna on Siargao Island ‘targeting the town’s busiest gathering points, several of which sit in cellular dead zones.’

Called the SuperWiFi, it was launched in January this year as its first Philippine rollout in 2,140 remote locations across the country.

The four locations of the SuperWiFi covered the town’s four highest-traffic locations: the farmers and fish market, the boardwalk, the Town Center church and Bravo Resort, which the community said was ‘opening a rollout designed to reach communities throughout the Philippine archipelago.’

‘The launch is the first live service under eSari-Sari, World Mobile’s community distribution program in the Philippines, and the opening stage of a deployment planned across 2,140 locations nationwide,’ it added. ‘Anyone within range of a live AirNode can connect today. Users select the ‘eSariSari WiFi’ network on any phone, tablet or laptop and purchase access starting at P10 for a 7-day pass.

It said a 30-day 5-gigabyte data package starts at P48 but delivers a high-speed internet at rates up to 80 per cent below entry-level packages offered by traditional mobile network operators, and can be paid via GCash, Maya, Visa, Mastercard, Bancnet, load or cash at a host store.

It said access is sold in short-duration passes or daily and weekly bundles with no contract, no credit check and no minimum term.

The company said Surigao del Norte was chosen as the launch market ‘precisely because of what makes it hard to serve: its population is spread across Siargao, Dinagat and dozens of smaller islands, separated by water that makes conventional network economics fail; centralised operators have never had a commercial reason to build there.’

Several of those locations sit in cellular dead zones, it said, where the only connectivity option has been mobile data bought in increments, at a cost that adds up quickly for a household or a market vendor. It said the SuperWiFi gives those areas a fixed, fibre-backed alternative.

What makes it tenable, it said, was that each AirNode ‘is hosted and operated at community level.’

‘Cooperatives, sari-sari stores and local businesses host the hardware, maintain the site and earn a share of the revenue,’ it said.

The Community Wireless and Power said the operation took its inspiration from similar network operations in Pakistan, Zanzibar and the United States. ‘Because access is paid, the money spent on connectivity stays partly within the community that provides it, rather than leaving for a head office in Manila.’

‘For the communities now covered, the change is immediate: students can complete online coursework without travelling to find a signal, small businesses can accept digital payments and reach customers online, and households can access government services, banking and telehealth from home. In an island province, that access also carries a resilience dimension.’ It said.

‘Before SuperWiFi went live, our sari-sari store couldn’t process digital payments or offer steady internet,’ said Maria Santos, local sari-sari store owner and eSari-Sari host in General Luna. ‘Now, tourists stay longer, local families have affordable Wi-Fi, and we generate extra income right from our shop.’

Following initial live rollouts in General Luna and Dapa, deployment has expanded to the Caraga Region (Butuan City) and Region 10 (Cagayan de Oro City).

THE Bureau of Corrections (BoC) on Monday said it would first seek clearances from the Regional Trial Court in Taguig and the Court of Appeals before facilitating the release of Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and two others from prison.

Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. made the statement following reports that the CA has issued a decision ordering Lee, Cornejo, Simeon Palma Raz Jr. and Ferdinand Guerrero from prison two years after they were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment in the serious illegal detention case filed by actor and television host Vhong Navarro.

A copy of the decision which modified the sentences handed down against the four convicts has yet to be made public by the CA.

Catapang said the BuCor is preparing a formal correspondence to the CA seeking clarification of its order reportedly issued on September 25.

He said the BuCor will specifically request a copy of the Entry of Judgment from the CA.

The BuCor is also preparing a request for the issuance of a Certificate of No Pending Case from the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Taguig City.

The document will form part of the records and documentation required to determine the four’s release status.

Catapang emphasized that BuCor’s actions are part of its standard records-validation and release procedures.

‘The Bureau must obtain and verify the necessary court documents, including the Entry of Judgment and Certificate of No Pending Case, before finalizing the release process,’ Catapang sressed.

Based on the records provided by the Person Deprived of Liberty Documents and Processing Division (PDPD), Catapang said Lee, was received into BuCor custody on May 3, 2024, by virtue of a commitment order issued by Branch 153 of the Regional Trial Court in Taguig City.

He was initially sentenced to reclusion perpetua for serious illegal detention under Criminal Case 153705.

Cornejo was received into BuCor custody on May 2, 2024, pursuant to the corresponding commitment documents.

The case was later affirmed and modified by the Court of Appeals, Manila, Special Seventeenth Division, under CA-G.R. CR HC 20030.

In its September 25 decision, the appellate court modified the offense to grave coercion and imposed a sentence of six months as minimum to three years, six months, and 21 days as maximum.

However, Catapang noted that based on its records the subject PDLs are also serving sentences of six months as minimum to three years as maximum for grave coercion.

The sentence was issued by the Branch 266 in Taguig City and affirmed by the CA Ninth Division.

‘No Entry of Judgement has been issued, therefore it is being requested before the Judicial Records Division of the said court,’ Catapang noted.

Catapang added that based on records, the sentences imposed in the two cases are supposed to be served successively.

Thus, the combined sentence is computed at four years and 21 days as minimum to seven years and 21 days as maximum.

‘The Bureau is reviewing the records and sentence computations to ensure that any release is carried out in accordance with the appellate court’s order and applicable rules on sentence administration,’ Catapang pointed out.

As of September 26, 2026, Lee has accumulated 460 days of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

His credited time served with BuCor, including the applicable allowance, is three years, 10 months, and 29 days.

His actual time served is two years, seven months, and 24 days.

Based on the current computation, Lee’s presumptive date for serving his minimum sentence is February 18, 2027, while his presumptive date for serving his maximum sentence is February 18, 2030.

Cornejo, meanwhile, has accumulated 440 days of GCTA and 75 days of Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM).

Her credited time served with BuCor is three years, nine months, and 24 days as of September 26, 2026.

Her actual time served is two years, four months, and 24 days.

Her presumptive date for serving the minimum sentence is December 23, 2026, while the presumptive date for serving the maximum sentence is December 23, 2029.

TASTM is a privilege granted under Republic Act No. 10592, which provides for the reduction of a PDL’s prison sentence in recognition of participation in study, teaching, or mentoring activities, subject to applicable requirements and verification.

In its 2024 ruling, the RTC in Taguig held that Cornejo lured Navarro to her condominium unit on January 22, 2014 so that her co-accused would be able to restrain him and extort money from him.

It also pointed out that Cornejo’s allegations of rape and acts of lasciviousness has been proved wrong after the Supreme Court (SC) issued a ruling in 2023 which set aside the 2022 Court of Appeals’ decision directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute Navarro for rape.