Category: Philippine Star

While driving home in my 1970 model Volkswagen Beetle, I noticed that traffic flow began to move slowly somewhere in Barangay Pit-os. I came from Barangay Paril. When we eventually got stuck near a mini-mall in Talamban, I saw, on my side mirror, a car, many vehicular units behind me, breaking out from our lane and counter-flowing. To counter-flow in traffic means driving a vehicle against the designated or normal direction of traffic on a road or lane. It was a BYD, an expensive car made in China. Unfortunately for it, the vehicles from the opposite direction started moving.

The BYD was forced to stop beside my 56-year-old car and honked for me to give way. Even if I wanted to accommodate it, I could not just move and the BYD driver incessantly blew its horn. Was it an act of arrogance or panic? It sure looked like the driver threatened to ram me. But, I stood on my legal ground and prepared for a kind of physical assault my old 76-year-old body could offer.

That incident reminded me of a China Coast Guard cutter CCG-21585 deliberately cutting across the stern of a Filipino vessel and ramming it while inside the West Philippine Sea. This Chinese criminal act committed against Filipinos in Philippine waters happened on September 18, 2026, only few days ago. The Philippine vessel, BRP Datu Magat Salamat, was on a resupply mission, delivering fuel to Filipino fishermen inside our own exclusive economic zone when criminally attacked. The Chinese coast guard cutter was, by analogy, situated illegally like the Chinese-made BYD which was on the wrong Talamban lane poised to hit my ‘Magat Salamat’ Beetle.

Still, only few more days earlier, an unarmed Philippine government-owned civilian patrol aircraft was targeted with Chinese flares. That incident occurred on September 7, 2026. The Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, owned by the Philippine Coast Guard, was conducting a routine maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese criminal act endangered Filipino lives and property. And not unlike my traumatic BYD experience. To repeat, it really was a Chinese-made car driven on a wrong lane in Talamban and threatening to bump me off my lane. Experientially, that car represented the flares that were fired from Zamora (Subi) Reef and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef which are artificial islands illegally occupied by Communist China.

It is not completely off-tangent to the character of this column if I talk about some few things related to BYD. BYD operates nine major vehicle manufacturing bases in China, with its largest and most advanced gigafactories located in Zhengzhou (Henan) and Xi’an (Shaanxi). Do we all know that BYD Cars Philippines sold 28,399 units from January to August 2026? This reported volume of sales is 99% higher than the 2025 sales generation. I got the information that the best-selling BYD cars are the BYD Song SUV priced at ?2.5 million and the BYD Seagull hatchback.

Here is something we must really put in our minds into and consider its entire context. It is not entirely impossible (as it can be theoretically correct) that a likely portion of the millions of BYD sales proceeds is used to pay the salaries of the very Chinese coast guard who continue to violate our sovereign territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea using the same floating assets which might have been acquired partly by BYD funds.

In other words, by buying BYD cars and for that matter purchasing Chinese-made products, we are helping fund the illegal incursion of the Chinese into our territory. How awful.

BLURB: ‘It is not entirely impossible that a likely portion of the millions of BYD sales proceeds is used to pay the salaries of the very Chinese coast guard.’

The camp of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Saturday, September 26, has rejected claims by dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered billions of pesos in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family on Velasco’s instructions.

Lawyer Rowell Ilagan, Velasco’s spokesperson, described Gracioso’s account as ‘designed and fabricated,’ saying it does not match verifiable events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Velasco’s period as House speaker.

According to GMA News, Gracioso claimed he served as Velasco’s head of security from 2018 until 2022 and delivered cash-filled suitcases to Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.

He estimated that he delivered more than P2 billion to the vice president in more than 20 separate deliveries.

Gracioso’s sworn affidavit detailed alleged cash deliveries ranging from P20 million to P50 million to various locations in Metro Manila, Davao and other areas.

The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into the allegations.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency subjected Gracioso to a polygraph test and was able to validate some of his statements through other means.

VP Sara denies receiving money

Duterte denied knowing Gracioso and receiving money from him.

‘I do not know Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., nor have I ever received any money from him,’ Duterte said in a statement on Saturday.

She said her lawyers were waiting for an official copy of Gracioso’s affidavit from the NBI before preparing cases against him.

‘Once we are done dismantling the lies contained in his testimony, it will end up in the trash bin-just like the one from Ramil Madriaga,’ she said.

Madriaga had previously been identified by Gracioso as Duterte’s alleged bagman and aide. Duterte has also denied knowing him.

The vice president described Gracioso’s allegations as ‘another media stunt’ aimed at reviving what she called a ‘faltering impeachment case.’

Duterte also accused the Marcos administration of trying to remove her from office, pursue Charter Change, prevent the 2028 elections and stay in power.

Velasco camp hits back

Ilagan said Velasco’s government record was ‘untainted with corruption’ and rejected the allegations against the former speaker and his wife.

‘The ‘one-size-fits-all’ narrative by this individual seems to be designed and fabricated to attack as many targets as it can while being inconsistent with verifiable events, that is, the Covid-19 pandemic, Atty. Velasco’s period of service as speaker, other details, and even basic common sense,’ Ilagan said.

Ilagan also questioned Gracioso’s personal and professional record, citing what he described as misconduct and disciplinary sanctions, including his recent dismissal from the Philippine National Police over criminal acts.

He urged the public to be ‘more circumspect’ in assessing the report as Velasco’s camp considers possible legal action against Gracioso and the publisher.

The House prosecution panel, meanwhile, said Gracioso’s claims should be taken seriously, saying they could be relevant to allegations of unexplained wealth raised in Duterte’s impeachment case.

Malacañang called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her recent public statements, urging her to address the allegations raised against her with concrete evidence rather than resorting to personal attacks and rhetorical evasions.

This came after Duterte, in her statement, said she does not know former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso and accused the Marcos administration of being ‘desperate’ to bring her down.

In a message to reporters, Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro advised her to familiarize herself with basic logical fallacies.

‘Maturuan sana ang Bise Presidente na matuto siyang sumagot ng may ebidensiya sa mga inaakusa sa kanya bago magturo ng iba,’ Castro said.

(Hopefully, the Vice President can learn to answer the accusations against her with evidence before pointing fingers at others.)

‘Uulit-ulitin natin para tumimo sa isipan… She needs to level up her defending skills so she can appear credible, if only for once,” she added.

(We will keep repeating this so it sinks in… She needs to level up her defending skills so she can appear credible, if only for once.)

Castro’s remarks came in response to Duterte, who had denied allegations that she knew or accepted money from Gracioso, a former security aide for then-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, while turning the accusations back against her critics.

‘The desperation of the administration to bring me down, push for Charter Change, prevent the 2028 elections, and cling to power is becoming increasingly diabolical,’ Duterte said.

Gracioso previously alleged that he made more than 20 deliveries of cash-filled suitcases totaling more than P2 billion to Vice President Sara Duterte and over P1 billion to detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The National Bureau of Investigation said that it is currently probing Gracioso’s claims.

Meanwhile, Velasco’s lawyer dismissed Gracioso’s claims of alleged unlawful acts by Velasco and his wife, calling the claims fabricated, logically inconsistent, and contradicted by verifiable facts.

The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters have clashed in the college basketball finals of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament in the past four years.

Each time, the Lancers emerged victorious.

Now, they meet again.

The Lancers and the Webmasters will renew their rivalry as they take on each other in the CESAFI Season 26 basketball tournament today (Sunday, September 27) at the Cebu Coliseum.

Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

With a 3-1 win-loss record, the four-time defending champions Lancers are eyeing a share of the lead, which is currently enjoyed by the UC Webmasters, Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs, and University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, all sporting identical 4-1 slates.

In the other collegiate matchup, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, coming off an upset victory over the previously undefeated Cheetahs, gun for their second straight win as they go up against the slumping University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers at 3 p.m.

The Jaguars hold a 2-3 card, while the Panthers are 1-4, losing four straight after hurdling their opening assignment against the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM).

In the juniors division, UCLM aims to stretch its perfect start to 4-0 as it battles the 2-1 Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons at 2 p.m., while the UC Junior Webmasters will try to improve their 3-1 mark as they tackle the winless PAREF Springdale Titans (0-4) in the 12:30 p.m. opener.

For the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball, the road got a little bumpier, but the destination is still very much in sight.

Cherry Ann ‘Sisi’ Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are through to the Round of 16 in the Asiad competition at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court, despite absorbing a tough three-set loss to Kazakhstan.

Rondina and Pons bowed to the towering Kazakh pair of Merey Kozhakhmet and Laura Kabulbekova, 17-21, 21-10, 10-15, but their earlier wins were enough to secure a knockout round berth – keeping alive the Philippines’ bid for a breakthrough podium.

‘We missed the opportunity (for a higher spot), ‘yan lang masasabi ko. Sayang pero bright side pa rin kami,’ Rondina said.

‘Positive pa rin kami sa mga upcoming days and games namin. Nakakalungkot but at the same time nakaka-excite kung ano pa yung susunod na mangyari,’ she added.

They are not alone.

Fellow Filipinas Sofiah Shanine Pagara and Khylem Progella also advanced, and will play for top spot in Pool G today at 9 a.m. against Hong Kong. Both Philippine tandems entered the day with perfect 2-0 cards.

Two pairs in the Last 16 means the Philippines is now just one win away from the medal rounds – uncharted territory for the country.

Since beach volleyball was included in the Asian Games program in 1998, the Philippines has never cracked the podium.

The best finish remains the fifth-place run of Dij Rodriguez and Gen Eslapor in Hangzhou in 2023. In that edition, the Philippines actually sent three pairs to the knockout stage – Rodriguez/Eslapor to the quarterfinals, while Progella/Grydelle Matibag and Jude Garcia/James Buytrago reached the Round of 16.

Now, Rondina and Pons – fresh off their historic SEA Games gold that ended Thailand’s eight-year reign – have a chance to surpass that mark.

On the men’s side, the fight continues tomorrow.

James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales face a virtual knockout against Vietnam’s Lam Toi Nguyen and Van Viet Tran.

An official of the defunct New People’s Army shot and wounded by a companion after she sent surrender feelers to local executives, the military and police, is now in a hospital, protected by soldiers and policemen.

Officials of the 6th ID and its component unit, the 603rd Infantry Brigade, the Police Regional Office 12 and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., separately told reporters on Saturday, September 26, that they shall cooperate in facilitating the return to mainstream society of Arnida Cuaton Manguinguilid.

She had served as a political instructor in the NPA’s now virtually inactive Regional Operations Command-Far South Mindanao Region, whose remaining officials are wanted for high-profile criminal cases pending in different courts in Regions 10, 11 and 12.

One of Manguinguilid’s companions attempted to kill her with a pistol last week when they learned she had separately contacted members of the multi-sector South Cotabato Provincial Peace and Order Council, whose presiding chairperson is Tamayo, officials of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, who is acting commander of the 6th ID and asked them to usher her back to their community in one of the towns in Central Mindanao.

Despite her gunshot wound, she managed to run away and relocate to a safe area with the help of Tamayo’s office, the 603rd Infantry Brigade and the 6th ID, whose officials cooperated in having her confined to one of the hospitals in South Cotabato, one of the four provinces in Region 12, which also has four component cities.

Provincial governors and mayors in the region, units of the 6th ID and the 10th Infantry Division, which is presently under Major Gen. Alvin Luzon, had worked out the surrender in batches in the past five years of 609 NPAs from across Region 12’s Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces.

Manguinguilid had told reporters that she decided to avail of the government’s reconciliation program for communist insurgents after she had confirmed that her former companions who had availed of it with the help of Tamayo, Cotabato Gov Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and officials of the 6th and 10th IDs had been reunited with their families, now thriving as farmers, livestock raisers, construction workers, vendors and laborers in public markets and as driver of passenger vehicles.

Severe Tropical Storm Queenie (international name: Surigae) maintained its strength as it decelerated while moving over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said Saturday morning.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, September 26, the state weather bureau said Queenie was carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 115 kph.

It is moving northwestward at 15 kph.

The center of Queenie was estimated at 600 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes.

PAGASA said strong to storm-force winds extend outward up to 280 kilometers from Queenie’s center.

Queenie is unlikely to directly affect the country’s land areas throughout the forecast period.

Sea conditions

PAGASA said moderate seas of up to 2 meters are expected over the northern seaboard of Batanes in the next 24 hours.

Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels were advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.

Other coastal waters are expected to have wave heights of less than 2 meters.

Track, intensity

Queenie will continue decelerating while moving north northwestward in the next 12 hours before turning north northeastward by Sunday morning, September 27.

On the forecast track, the center of Queenie is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Sunday afternoon and evening.

Outside the PAR, Queenie will accelerate northeastward toward the sea east of mainland Japan.

PAGASA said Queenie will likely intensify into a typhoon by Saturday evening or Sunday and strengthen further while moving over the sea south of the Okinawa Islands.

After reaching peak intensity, Queenie is expected to weaken by Monday, September 28.

Actress Glaiza de Castro is selling her family’s holiday home in Baler, Aurora after indicating a shift in plans and priorities.

Glaiza confirmed the house was on the market by posting photos of the property on her social media accounts, recalling how she bought it in eight years as place to “escape, slow down, and spend time together.”

Over time her family would head over to the house for birthdays, celebrations, and long weekends as well as regular days where key memories were formed.

During the pandemic Glaiza and her family frequented their stays in Baler which allowed the actress for moments of reflection.

“I discovered a deeper appreciation for the province – the slower pace, the beautiful surroundings, the warmth of the community, and the simple joy of being together,” she shared.”

It was around this time that Glaiza got engaged to and married Irish businessman David Rainey. The house itself saw structural developments and was placed on Airbnb for other guests to rent.

“Now, life is changing again. Our priorities have shifted and new plans for the future are taking shape,” said Glaiza, who is expecting her first child with Rainey. “And after much thought, we feel that it is time to let this special place begin a new chapter with another family.”

The actress is hoping the next buyer will see the house just as her family did, one filled with warmth, character, and abundant potential.

She described the holiday home as “a place where families can gather, where friends can celebrate, where children can grow up making memories, where someone can wake up, breathe a little deeper, and appreciate the beauty of life.”

“We have made so many memories here, and now we are ready to pass the keys-and the opportunity to create many more-to someone new,” Glaiza ended. “Maybe the next chapter of this home is meant to be yours.”

Alex Eala’s tormentor in the Singapore Open, Tatiana Prozorova, has been withdrawn from the WTA 500 tournament after getting hit by a ball during a doubles’ match Friday.

Prozorova, who stunned Eala in the second round of their singles match, is having a run to remember in the tournament, but her campaign will be stopped at the singles’ semifinal round.

The Russian tennister was playing in a doubles’ match on Friday, together with partner Sofya Lansere, against Miyu Kato and Ellen Perez.

As the two pairs traded returns, an overhead smash went straight to the head of Prozorova, who dropped to the floor.

Eventually, the match was called off and the duo of Kato and Perez won, 7-5, 5-2.

Prozorova, in a series of Instagram stories, said that the organizers withdrew her from the tournament.

‘During the doubles match, one of the opponents hit a smash in my direction; it grazed my cheek and hit my shoulder. Things like that happen sometimes. The physio called to the court insisted on taking me off-court to run a specific test. Unfortunately, I didn’t know I could refuse,’ Prozorova said.

‘The test wasn’t easy. Given that I’d spent over three hours on court each of the last three days, I was fatigued, and I struggled with some of the exercises-like standing on one leg with my eyes closed. To be honest, even when I’m fresh and well-rested, I find that difficult anyway. I explained this to the physio, too,’ she added.

After failing to do the exercise, Prozorova claimed that she passed all the others, and ‘that was the only one they weren’t happy with.’

‘The physio also pressured me, implying I couldn’t make my own decisions and needed at least six days (!) of rest from tennis-which sounds crazy. considering I was perfectly fine,’ she said.

‘After our doubles match ended, I completed my recovery routine and had dinner; felt great. But unfortunately, the physio was following a specific WTA protocol and pressuring the organizers regarding my condition,’ she added.

‘The organizers’ decision really upset me. My dream week came to an end today.’

Prozorova, ranked 180th in the world, had been on a roll in Singapore.

After grinding out a win over Sofia Costoulas in the first round, she pulled off a massive upset against Eala.

She then defeated World No. 40 Wang Xinyu in the quarterfinal to stamp her semifinal ticket.

In all three matches, Prozorova dropped the first set before climbing out of the hole and win the last two.

‘WTA, it seems to me that you need to reconsider your own rules, a system that renders players absolutely helpless,’ Prozorova said.

But more than the Singapore Open, the Russian may miss the Beijing Masters 1000, which will kick off next Monday.

‘The physio made it clear that I wouldn’t be allowed to play until six days had passed; it is completely absurd and an overreach of authority by the WTA staff member,’ she said.

‘Just a quick clarification: the organizers fought for my right to continue competing in the tournament, but ultimately, the decision was made by the WTA.’

Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines will begin financing local government units (LGUs) next year to address underfunding and support infrastructure deficits and basic public services.

Al-Amanah chairperson and CEO Amenah Pangandaman said the state-owned bank would initially focus on local governments in Mindanao before expanding the program nationwide.

The bank primarily extends Shariah-compliant financing to individuals, agricultural workers, cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises.

Shariah-compliant means that a financial product, service or business activity is in accordance with the rules and principles of Islamic law.

‘We all know that Mindanao’s LGUs have long faced underfunding and infrastructure deficits compared to the rest of the nation,’ Pangandaman said in a forum.

‘By providing the support and investment these communities deserve, we can close the gap in basic public services and pave the way for a sustainable climate-resilient future,’ she added.

Al-Amanah plans to finance revenue-generating projects such as hospitals and health facilities, water systems, public markets and slaughterhouses, cold storage facilities, transport terminals and solar and other power-generation facilities.

It will also finance service-enhancing projects, including heavy equipment, farm-to-market roads and bridges, municipal halls and capitol buildings, schools, convention centers, solid waste management facilities and real property tax collection systems.

Under the planned program, all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays may apply, provided they have balanced or surplus actual income for the last three years and efficient collection of real property and other local taxes, with collections showing steady growth over the same period.

LGUs that designate Al-Amanah as their national tax allotment depository will also be given priority, the bank said.

Pangandaman said LGUs typically implement development plans using annual budget allocations, meaning projects are funded one year at a time. Al-Amanah’s financing would allow them to accelerate implementation, with repayments matched to the revenue generated by the projects.

The bank also plans to structure repayment around the LGU’s own revenue cycle, not a fixed calendar.

‘At Al-Amanah, we do not lend money and charge for its use. Instead, we build, buy or lease the actual asset the LGU needs, then is paid for that asset at a price fixed in advance,’ Pangandaman said.

Pangandaman said the transactions would not involve ‘riba’ or unjustified excess and will be free of interest in any form.

‘There is no floating rate as the profit or rental rate is fixed for the entire term and does not change. Lastly, the total cost will be agreed upon and disclosed to the LGU before signing,’ she added.

Al-Amanah operates under its own legislative charter, supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.