Category: Philippine Star

The Philippines made its first appearance in Asian Games men’s football after 52 years and Uzbekistan was in no mood for a nice welcome-back treat.

With the Pinoy booters left with 10 men in the last 42 minutes, the Uzbeks capitalized and scored four goals to run away with a 5-1 romp in yesterday’s Group C opener at Nagoya City Minato Field.

Though disadvantaged in manpower after Gavin Muens was issued a red card at the 48th minute for pulling down Ollabergan Kalimov, the U23s managed to stay within striking distance of their rivals two-thirds of the way.

Martin Merino’s 62nd minute goal pulled the Filipinos to within 1-2 but that turned out to be their final say as the Uzbeks – fresh from their historic Olympic debut in Paris two years ago – went on a late scoring spree.

Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev scored his second of the match at the 71st minute to restore a two-goal cushion then Ruziboy Fayzullaev and Mukhammedali Reimov took turns punching through the Philippine defense to complete a four-goal triumph.

Alas vs Great Wall

Meanwhile, the Alas Pilipinas women’s team assumes the chore of trying to tear down China’s great wall today at the start of volleyball competitions at the Okazaki Sogo Park Gym.

It’s the toughest possible opening assignment but the Pinay spikers are all pumped up and ready to go.

‘We are mentally ready to face the Chinese. We’ll try our very best,’ said Alas coach Taka Minowa, whose charges take on the dreaded Chinese two days after Gilas Pilipinas fared miserably against Team Dragon and kissed its title-retention bid goodbye.

Personnel-wise, the Filipinas are the complete underdogs in their 1 p.m. duel (Manila time) against the Chinese.

And then they also brace for a China squad that’s out for redemption after its heartbreaking runner-up finish at the AVC Continental Cup in its own home ground in Tianjin last month.

The Chinese were denied the gold by Thailand in the said meet, missing a ticket to the 2028 LA Olympics in the process.

Of course, an upset of titanic proportions against China will be the ideal result for Alas Women in the kickoff game of Pool B preliminaries.

But a loss won’t be fatal as the Pinay spikers can still advance to the quarterfinals if they can take care of business in the succeeding game against Kazakhstan tomorrow.

The top two in each of the four brackets will advance to the quarters and the Nationals hope they would be the ones to that.

Alas will be bannered by Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure and Angel Canino while the other members of the squad are Niña Ytang, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Dell Palomata, Amie Provido, Thea Gagate, Jia de Guzman and Shania Nitura.

The mission is to replicate, if not eclipse, the Philippines’ best finish in the quadrennial games in the sport at fourth in the 1962 Jakarta edition.

Alas looks to bring a breath of fresh air to a Philippine contingent that’s been struggling in the competitions held ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremonies.

Gilas’ 44-point loss to Team Dragon eliminated it from the quarterfinal picture the other day, leading to one gold lost in the delegation’s projected harvest.

Four lawyers in the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) were elected as members of the 80-seat parliament in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the regional parliamentary polls on Monday, September 14.

The BFP is the party that will dominate the BARMM parliament, having many members elected as bloc party nominees and district representatives to the 80-member regional lawmaking body.

Local executives in BARMM’s five provinces and three cities are expecting lawyers Ishak Mastura, Jay Salliman, Naguib Sinarimbo and Kitem Kadatuan Jr. to lead deliberations on regional laws that their bloc will draft and submit for approval by the regional parliament.

More than half of the 116 municipal mayors in BARMM are members of the BFP. Three of the region’s five provincial governors and the chief executives in its three cities, Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato, where BARMM’s capitol is located, are also BFP members.

The lawyers Mastura, Salliman and Sinarimbo were elected as representatives of parliamentary districts in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan and Cotabato City, respectively. Kadatuan, who is of Maguindanaon descent, is among the 16 BFP members elected as bloc nominees to represent their party in the region’s lawmaking body.

‘They shall, as lawyers, become the strong voice in the Bangsamoro parliament of Muslim, Christian and indigenous non-Moro communities in all provinces and cities in the Bangsamoro region,’ BFP’s president, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, told reporters on Wednesday.

Macacua, currently functioning as the figurehead of the BARMM parliament and also overseeing all agencies of the regional government as an appointee of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was also elected last Monday as representative of a parliamentary district covering several barangays in Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Sur province.

The newly elected parliament member Mastura, who had served as regional trade and investment secretary in the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is a scion of a big noble Moro clan in Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura towns in Maguindanao del Norte.

Salliman is the son of Basilan Vice Gov. Hadjiman Salliman. The maternal grandfather of the now-parliament member Salliman is the late Simeon Datumanong, a lawyer and member of the government peace panel that crafted, in Tripoli, Libya, along with negotiators from the Moro National Liberation Front, the vaunted 1976 government-MNLF Tripoli Agreement.

The 1976 government-MNLF Tripoli Agreement was to become the main reference in the crafting of the September 2, 1996 final peace compact between the MNLF and the national government. It was also used as a basis for the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MILF shall be represented in the parliament by representatives elected last Monday as candidates of its regional political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.

A known Moro rights activist while still a college student, Zulfikar-Ali Bayam, is among the 16 elected BFP nominees for seats in the parliament.

Macacua said he is certain that Bayam will stand for the rights of the Moro and non-Moro communities in the parliament.

Local executives across BARMM belonging to the BFP are certain that the elected members of the region’s parliament will nominate Macacua as their chief minister during their first session as duly elected regional lawmakers

– University of Santo Tomas grinded one out against defending champion La Salle, 80-75, to notch its first win in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UST saw its nine-point fourth quarter lead evaporate to just one late, but clutch free throws by Amiel Acido saved the day for the Espana-based squad.

Acido finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to go with two steals, while Collins Akowe had 18 markers, 10 boards and three dimes.

After leading by as much as 13 points, the Green Archers kept themselves within striking distance, tying things up at 56-all in the third quarter.

UST then uncorked a 7-1 run capped by a Kirk Canete layup to make it a 63-57 lead with 9:42 to go.

Slowly, the Tigers broke the game open, taking a 72-63 lead with 5:23 remaining after Akowe powered one in.

La Salle, however, showcased its championship pedigree.

Free throws by Jacob Cortez and Luis Pablo sliced the deficit to two, 70-72, with 3:21 left.

Mark Llemit then halted the run with a bank shot to hike UST’s lead back to four, 74-70, with 3:05 to go.

Several misses and turnovers by the Tigers kept windows of opportunities open for La Salle, and it was taken by JC Macalalag with a clutch corner triple at the 1:27 mark of the ballgame.

And as time winded down, back-to-back turnovers by Akowe and Cortez kept things close.

Akowe sank a layup with 25.2 seconds to keep the Green Archers at bay, 76-73.

And as La Salle missed late, free throws by Acido iced the game.

Landyn Jumawan had 10 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist. Charles Esteban provided the spark with nine.

Vhoris Marasigan powered the Green Archers with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Cortez and Earl Abadam had 13 points each, while Pablo and Macalalag had 10 apiece.

Both teams are now holding 1-1 win-loss records.

Shorter does not mean easier.

That will be the message when the Sunrise Sprint hits the water, roads and streets of Samal Island in Davao del Norte on Sunday, September 20, offering a fast-paced, high-energy test for newcomers, returning athletes and seasoned triathletes looking to sharpen their speed and race strategy.

Featuring a 750-meter open-water swim, 20-km bike ride and 5-km run, the Sunrise Sprint packs the essential elements of triathlon into a compact but demanding format.

More than simply a shorter race, the Sprint is designed to stand on its own – delivering its own blend of speed, pressure and competition while complementing the weekend’s centerpiece, the second Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon.

The 5150 will feature the standard Olympic-distance challenge of a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run, drawing another strong field to Samal.

Together, the two events, organized by Sunrise Events Inc., give athletes different ways to test themselves on the same triathlon weekend: the 5150 demanding endurance and consistency, while the Sunrise Sprint puts a premium on speed, efficiency and execution.

The Sprint is particularly suited to athletes making their first serious step into multisport racing, as well as those returning to competition after a break. For experienced competitors, its shorter format provides an opportunity to race aggressively and fine-tune transitions, pacing and strategy.

A strong field is expected across several age-group categories, underscoring the growing depth of triathlon talent in the country.

Leading the men’s individual Sprint field are Erwin Uy, John Carl Lim, Darius Lacorte, Ronald Berondo, Arnold de Chavez, Raymund Libre, Gio Ampog and John Ray Piedraverde.

The women’s division is likewise expected to produce a spirited battle, with Sophie Dimaporo, Julie Ann Bejar, Andrea Marie Cui, Blanca Fe Villarico, Kristine Dasargo, Nikita Dacera, Krishna Nina Perandos, Jane Villanueva and Regine Valentin among those tipped to contend.

The Sprint relay will add another layer of excitement, with 18 entries making up the early roster.

While the distance may be more accessible, the competitive demands remain real. Athletes will still have to negotiate an open-water swim, sustain speed on the bike and finish strongly on the run – all while managing transitions and the pressure of racing against the clock and a strong field.

That combination makes the Sunrise Sprint a fitting side event to the Damosa Land 5150, rather than merely an undercard. It gives first-timers a welcoming gateway to the sport while giving experienced athletes another opportunity to compete, experiment and push their limits.

It also reflects the broader growth of triathlon in the Philippines, where events are increasingly bringing together elite competitors, age-group racers, recreational athletes and first-time participants on the same starting line.

Samal’s smooth highways, white-sand beaches and strong local support provide an ideal backdrop for that mix of competition and community.

The Sunrise Sprint also serves as the closing leg of an inaugural four-event circuit that has showcased some of the country’s most scenic endurance-racing destinations, including Guimaras, Camiguin and Bohol.

Beyond the competition, the series forms part of the Philippine Sports Commission’s broader initiative to position the Philippines as a premier destination for endurance sports. The program is supported by the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Council and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, with the PSC Filipino Elite Category providing another major highlight

After years of it being charged to our monthly electric bills, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has officially removed the value-added tax (VAT) on system loss charge of power utilities like the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). The BIR officially issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 97-2026, removing the 12 percent VAT on allowable system loss charges within the cap approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

System loss is the electricity lost as power travels from power plants to homes due to technical factors like heat in wires and transformers and non-technical issues like electricity theft and illegal connections.

‘For consumers, the practical effect is straightforward: once the new rules become effective, VAT will no longer be imposed on the allowable system loss portion of the electricity bill. That means a lower amount will be passed on to consumers on covered billings and transactions,’ BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza announced last Monday.

The BIR’s RMC No. 97-2026 follows ERC Resolution No. 26, approved on Aug. 26, which declared that charge – within the ERC cap – a government-mandated pass-through cost. The charge is no longer part of the gross sales of generation companies, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and distribution utilities for VAT purposes. It takes effect immediately.

The VAT is a consumption tax. So why should we pay for systems losses when we did not even use the electricity?

For VAT purposes, the BIR explained the allowable system loss charge must be separately identified in the billing statement, invoice or similar document. Generation companies, transmission companies like NGCP, distribution utilities like Meralco, electric cooperatives and other affected utilities must also ensure proper billing, accounting, reporting and separate identification of the charge in accordance with applicable ERC rules and tax regulations, the BIR further instructed.

The BIR clearly stated though in its directive ‘allowable’ because system loss charge is regulated by the government upon utility companies that deliver services like power and water to public. While it is an authorized pass-on charge to us customers, there is an allowed limit or cap set by law to ensure these public utilities do not abuse it. It is meant to prod these utilities to improve efficiency in their system of delivery of services, whether these losses such as leakages from theft, illegal connections or damages are minimized, if not totally avoided.

Finally, we can now see the light of the end of the tunnel metaphorically. This came about only after no less than President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) gave the marching order in his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) before the 20th Congress last July 27.

PBBM demanded that Congress immediately amend the 2001 Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) that will henceforth prohibit the passing of system loss charges and their corresponding VAT to consumers. Speaking in Tagalog, PBBM made the dramatic policy direction that he vowed to see implemented before the end of his term in July, 2028.

‘And if we are talking about lowering prices, I think it is time to remove the system loss that is passed on to the consumer.

It is not the consumer’s fault why there is a system loss. Therefore, we, their people, request – no, we demand – the immediate amendment of the EPIRA and to prohibit charging system loss against consumers, including the VAT thereon,’ PBBM told lawmakers.

It was one of the most applauded portions of the President’s SONA at a time when Filipinos began reeling from the impact of the Middle East (ME) conflict between the US and Iran that erupted in February this year.

In the Philippines, we have laws like the EPIRA that mandated power rates to be fully unbundled. Under Republic Act (RA) No. 9136, or the EPIRA that took effect in June 2001, distribution utilities are legally allowed to pass a portion of these losses on to end-users through monthly electric bills of households and businesses. The higher VAT rate started being imposed and collected following the implementation of the Reformed Value-Added Tax (RVAT) law (RA No. 9337) in November 2005, with the 12 percent rate fully taking effect in February 2006.

That’s why through these years, the Philippines has the most expensive electricity rates and consequently losing its competitive advantage to our Southeast Asian neighbors. No less than the Department of Energy (DOE) conceded this fact as the biggest disincentive to prospective investors to locate and operate their manufacturing companies here in our country.

Incidentally, both the EPIRA and the RVAT were signed into law by former president and now still congresswoman of Pampanga, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A former Arroyo Cabinet member and now Murang Kuryente party-list Rep. Arthur Yap hailed the speed by which the BIR chief ‘found the legal basis and used it’ to implement PBBM’s policy directive to remove the VAT charge out of system losses.

Yap, vice chairman of the House energy committee, noted the DOE calculated removing the VAT charge to systems loss itself would cut bills by five to ten percent.

‘Now the arithmetic…Meralco’s September rate is P14.7424 per kWh. So today’s relief is about six-tenths of one percent of the bill – P17 to P19 a month for a household using 200 kWh (kilowatthour),’ Yap computed.

‘Remove the system loss charge from consumer bills entirely – technical and non-technical losses, not just the tax on top,’ Yap urged. ‘And only a law can undo a law… That is the benchmark, and Congress will be measured against it,’ he pointed out.

The BIR chief hastily clarified the exclusion of the 12 percent VAT ‘will apply prospectively’ in accordance with the effectivity of ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2026. Obviously, the BIR does not want refunds to be demanded from them. These VAT charges on system loss were collected from us taxpayers through our electric bills that Meralco et.al. collected for the government.

So we can only reasonably expect BIR to strongly lobby for Congress to make sure a ‘no refund’ provision will be included in the pending bills to amend the EPIRA.

Getting fiber internet at home can now be as easy as ordering food delivery. Globe AT HOME and Grab are expanding the country’s first order-and-install WiFi-on-demand model to more customers across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Following its initial rollout in Pasig, GFiber Prepaid on GrabMart is now available in more cities, allowing households to order directly through the Grab app and get an installer visit in as fast as two hours, subject to serviceability. Starting at P699, customers can enjoy 7 days of UNLI internet with speeds of up to 300 Mbps, giving them a more accessible and convenient way to get connected at home. This makes GFiber Prepaid a practical option for work-from-home professionals, renters, gamers, streamers, and young households who need reliable internet without the long application process.

‘GFiber Prepaid is bringing the country’s first ‘order-and-install’ WiFi-on-demand to even more Filipinos nationwide,’ said Abby Cardino, vice president and head of Globe’s Broadband Brand Management. ‘Customers can skip the lines and the traditional application process, order their WiFi seamlessly online, and get an installer almost immediately. More than expanding our reach, this initiative reflects our commitment to continuously innovate and adapt around the evolving digital lifestyle of Filipinos.’

For customers balancing remote work, online learning, gaming, streaming, and everyday digital life, GFiber Prepaid on GrabMart offers a more immediate and accessible way to get connected. It is a fresh take on home internet that feels more on-demand, more flexible, and more in step with how Filipinos live today.

Actor Romnick Sarmenta has reiterated his opposition to the proposed Pax Silica project in the Philippines, questioning how the planned AI-focused industrial hub would benefit Filipinos.

In a video shared on his X account, Romnick questioned why the Philippines was being considered for the project when larger countries with more expansive territories could potentially host similar developments.

‘Sabi nila, ang bansang Pilipinas ay maliit, masikip, watak-watak na mga isla, at overpopulated. So ang tanong ko, bakit dito itatayo ‘yong Pax Silica na data centers?’ he said.

‘Bakit hindi sa mga bansa ng mga foreign proponents kung saan mas malawak at wala sigurong madi-displaced na indigenous people at mga magsasaka?’ he added.

Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban said the 16-vote threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte should not be treated as a fixed number.

Appearing before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday, September 16 as an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, Panganiban said the constitutional requirement of “two-thirds of all the members of the Senate” translates to 16 of 24 senators only “in the abstract.”

The calculation, he argued, “cannot always be reduced to abstract arithmetic.”

Panganiban said senators should approach the constitutional provision with “common sense,” guided by “truth and fairness,” rather than rely exclusively on either a literal reading of the text or the intent of its framers.

He noted that senator-judges are not sitting as ordinary jurists but as elected representatives exercising the Senate’s constitutional power to try impeachment cases.

Should absent senators vote?

Panganiban also questioned whether senators who have not participated in the proceedings should be allowed to cast a vote on Duterte’s guilt or innocence.

He said determining the truth in an impeachment trial requires studying evidence and hearing witnesses in person, including observing their body language, tone of voice and spontaneity.

Fairness likewise requires hearing all sides before reaching judgment, he said, quoting the ancient Greek statesman Themistocles: “Strike me as you may, but hear me first.”

Panganiban then raised the cases of senators who may be in hiding, abroad, detained, sick, hospitalized or otherwise absent from the proceedings.

Such senators, he said, would not have examined the documents presented to the court, heard the testimony or personally observed the witnesses.

“Meaningful adjudication requires active participation in this search for truth and fairness,” Panganiban said.

In one of the sharpest parts of his presentation, he contrasted senators “sweating it out” inside the session hall with absent members who could be sightseeing by the Nile, shopping in Paris, riding gondolas in Venice or “deliberately hiding in the dark corners of the world.”

He did not name any senator.

Panganiban’s position adds another argument against automatically treating two-thirds of the Senate as a fixed 16 votes, although he did not, in the portions of his presentation summarized Wednesday morning, prescribe a specific alternative number.

Senate has final say

Panganiban also argued that the Senate itself has the final word on an impeachment verdict.

He said the Constitution provides no route for appealing a Senate judgment in an impeachment trial to the Supreme Court.

The high court may intervene only when the Senate commits grave abuse of discretion, he said, such as a capricious, whimsical or arbitrary exercise of judgment amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court cannot step in simply because it disagrees with the wisdom of the Senate’s decision, Panganiban added.

The former chief justice is one of four retired Supreme Court justices tapped as amici curiae, or friends of the court, to advise senator-judges on the disputed voting threshold.

Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who submitted a written memorandum, separately argued that the two-thirds requirement should be based on senators legally and physically qualified to vote rather than automatically on the full 24-member Senate.

Shares succumbed to the pressure as the peso continues to weaken near the 63 to $1 level, pulling the local stock market nearer 6,000.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) yesterday tumbled by 1.11 percent or 67.29 points to 6,007.78, as investors feared the peso’s decline is far from over.

The broader All Shares index also slipped by 0.62 percent or 21 points to 3,342.52.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said investors have taken a step back following the peso’s folding to 62.86 to $1 on Monday. Further, they went on a selling spree because they believed the depreciation would persist.

The peso yesterday plunged to a new record intraday low at 62.925 after opening at 62.9 and strengthening to an intraday high of 62.777.

It appreciated by 2.5 centavos to close at 62.835 from Monday’s all-time low of 62.86 as traders believed that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas intervened to smoothen the volatility in the market, as volume almost doubled to $1.9 billion from $969.22 million.

Likewise, there are concerns that elevated oil prices would worsen the peso’s decline. Given that the Philippines is a net buyer of oil, it spends more for every barrel of import, causing the peso to become volatile in foreign exchange.

‘Elevated oil prices continued to weigh on investor sentiment, raising concerns over inflationary pressures and the broader economic outlook,’ Limlingan said.

Investors are likely keeping a cautious stance in trading, especially with the US Federal Reserve expected to hike interest rates in a move to prevent inflation from potentially running away.

The PSEi saw P5.35 billion worth of shares changed hands yesterday, as the losers outnumbered the winners, 96 to 90, leaving 53 issues unchanged.

Beauty had its moment in the spotlight as Rustan’s Beauty Source staged its much-awaited Beauty Addict Event 2026, transforming Rustan’s Makati into a glamorous playground for beauty devotees.

With this year’s theme, ‘Spotlight,’ the event rolled out the red carpet for an irresistible mix of makeup, skincare, fragrance and beauty experiences. From discovering the latest cult favorites to trying out new products, guests were treated to a day where looking good was very much part of the fun.

Adding star power to the occasion were beauty influencers and personalities who shared the products they personally swear by.

Claudia Barretto singled out Nars Light Reflecting Foundation for its natural, skin-like finish that leaves her complexion polished and even.

Angelique Manzo called Mac Prep + Prime Fix a ‘cult classic,’ using it before and after makeup to keep her look fresh all day.

For Mark Qua, it’s the Mac Glow Play Bouncy Highlighter, which he applies directly to the skin after foundation for a naturally flushed look.

Fragrance had its own devoted following. Claudette Ferrer loves Hermès Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate for its unique, lightweight and versatile scent, while Michelle Arceo chose Guerlain Aqua Allegoria, saying its feminine, sexy, sophisticated and slightly mysterious character feels like an extension of her identity.

Kayla Jean Carter keeps YSL Loveshine Candy Glaze in her bag, praising its non-sticky texture, buildable color and easy balm application.

Shine Dee has been loyal to L’Occitane Softening Shower Oil since 2016, loving its cozy scent and moisturizing effect. And Nicole Go prefers Jo Malone Sea Salt and Bergamot for its light, effortless character.

The beauty stations were anything but ordinary. Hermès Beauty offered its bespoke Blooming Portrait experience and flash makeup inspired by Barénia, while Anastasia Beverly Hills provided brow and lip styling. Nars invited guests to discover their perfect shade and create a signature look, while Clarins, Shiseido, Estée Lauder, Clinique and Laura Mercier turned beauty discovery into playful challenges – with prizes to match.

There was also Mac Cosmetics’ Blend and Brew, pairing shade matching with iced coffee, and Sisley Paris’ botanical tea station for a more leisurely beauty break.

Adding to the excitement were special offers, Beauty Addict perks and exclusive gifts from an impressive roster of international beauty names.

More than simply a shopping event, Beauty Addict 2026 celebrated the pleasure of beauty itself – part indulgence, part discovery and plenty of glamour. At Rustan’s, the message was clear: when beauty takes center stage, everyone gets a chance to shine.