Category: Philippine Star

Alvin Aguilar is having a banner year.

Aguilar, the founder of the biggest organization of jiu-jitsu artists in the country and president of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines, clinched four awards at the SJJIF World Championships held in Chiba, Japan recently.

Hailing from Bacolod City, Aguilar, founder of DEFTAC Ribeiro Jiu-jitsu Philippines and its head coach since 1996, was hailed best coach in four categories – Gi Adults, NOGI Adults, Gi Kids, and NoGi Kids – for steering the Filipino jiu-jitsu team to a successful campaign in Chiba tournament.

‘I am incredibly proud to share that I have received the Quadruple Award for COACH OF THE YEAR In the WORLD at the SJJIF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS held in Chiba, Japan!’ Aguilar posted on his Facebook account.

‘This honor recognizes my contributions in four categories: Best Coach in Gi Adults, Best Coach in NOGI Adults, Best Coach in Gi Kids, and Best Coach in NoGi Kids for 2025,’ he added.

Aguilar got the awards thanks to his students collectively scoring the most points in every category. He and his team thus produced the most champions per category.

Aguilar, also the president and founder of the Universal Reality Combat championship, dedicated the awards to those who contributed to the success of their Japan campaign.

‘This achievement is the result of the collective effort of EVERYONE at DEFTAC, from our dedicated Chapter Heads and Coaches to the supportive parents and, most importantly, our amazing students,’ said Aguilar.

‘Each of you has put in hard work and dedication, and while I may be the face of this achievement, it’s truly ALL OF US who have contributed to every victory we’ve celebrated.

‘Here’s to greater things ahead for all of us.’

Aguilar also thanked Generals Sensei Xande Ribeiro and Saulo Ribeiro for their guidance, instruction, smashing, brotherhood and inspiration.

‘This is ours,’ Aguilar, known for being the first homegrown Filipino jiu-jitsu black belter, told the two Ribeiros.

George Diamante shone brightest for Letran as the Knights rolled to their second straight win with a 76-68 thumping of Immaculada Concepcion College in the PG Flex Invitational Tournament 2025 Quintana Cup on Thursday, October 2, at the Paco Arena.

The 6-foot-4 Diamante baffled his defenders with his all-around brilliance as he registered a rare triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in nearly 33 minutes of action to clinch the Best Player of the Game plum.

Three other Letran players – Lance Daniel Siena (11), Justin Hugo (12) and Denzil Sison-Walker (10) – also finished in double figures to help Diamante repel ICC’s repeated rallies.

Rapael Perhis and Mark Gabieta also impressed after leading Manila Central University to a stunning 78-74 win over Centro Escolar University in the event that has the backing Smart Sports, Crane, Topflite, Hapee Toothpaste, Gerry’s Grill, Spalding, Mighty Bond and Best Options.

Meantime, Olivarez College showed its readiness to defend its UCAL crown after downing Gardner College, 62-54, in a game it dominated right from the start.

Jhon Patrick Panela was the lone double-digit scorer for Olivarez but five players tallied six points or more.

In a tight contest, it was Perhis who struck hardest for the MCU Supremos with 18 points apart from posting 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Gabieta added 17 points and 8 boards.

Emmanuel Galman paced CEU with 18 points.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has rebuffed accusations of foot-dragging on reported anomalies in flood control projects, saying it has already secured court orders to freeze billions worth of suspected illicit assets.

In a statement sent to The STAR, AMLC executive director Matthew David addressed criticisms raised in a column article that the council acted belatedly on the controversy, involving several public works officials and private contractors.

‘We acknowledge the concerns and questions raised regarding the AMLC involvement in the ongoing investigation into the alleged flood control project scam,’ David said. ‘We wish to clarify that the AMLC has taken decisive and impactful action in recent weeks.’

Boo Chanco, in his STAR column on Oct. 1, criticized what he described as government officials’ ‘lack of respect for the peso,’ citing wasteful projects and corruption scandals.

He singled out the AMLC for allegedly acting too late in freezing accounts linked to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ ghost flood control projects, saying legislators and contractors involved may have already moved their stash abroad before regulators took action.

But according to David, the Court of Appeals has granted three freeze orders on petitions filed by the AMLC over the past three weeks, effectively blocking the movement of an estimated P2.9 billion worth of suspected stolen public funds and assets.

The most recent freeze order covers 836 bank accounts, 12 e-wallets, 24 insurance policies, 81 motor vehicles and 12 real estate properties.

This was on top of two earlier orders that immobilized 1,563 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 154 vehicles, 30 real estate properties and 12 e-wallets.

Reports indicated that certain banks and even the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines facilitated questionable transfers linked to the scheme.

The Commission on Audit, meanwhile, has filed four more fraud audit reports against DPWH officials and their contractors for their part in four multimillion-peso flood control projects in Bulacan that were fully paid but never built.

The projects include the P92.7-million flood control structure in Barangay San Roque, Baliuag, and the P92.7-million flood control structure along Angat River in Barangay Taal, Pulilan, which were both awarded to SYMS Construction Trading.

Also included were the P69.5-million riverbank protection structure in Barangay Bagong Silang, Plaridel, awarded to Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., and the P96.5-million riverwall in Barangay Pagala, Baliuag, awarded to Triple 8 Construction and Supply Inc.

In another development, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has announced his appointment of new officials, mostly assistant secretaries.

A construction worker from Tondo, Manila died from a gunshot during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protests in Mendiola, according to forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun.

Fortun, in a medical certificate issued yesterday, confirmed that Eric Saber died due to a ‘perforating gunshot to the neck.’

The 35-year-old victim also suffered from a spinal cord injury, Fortun said.

Saber was allegedly shot by police during a violent dispersal of protesters, according to militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

However, Philippine National Police public information officer Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said there was no shooting during the unrest.

Tuaño said police recorded one fatality, a 15-year-old student who died from a stab wound.

‘There was no shooting connected to the protest. Based on the report, it was a stabbing incident, not a case of police firing,’ he said.

The KMU vowed justice for Saber, who was buried yesterday at the Manila North Cemetery.

A Quezon City court has issued warrants for the arrest of four people, including the alleged masterminds, in the murder of an official of the House of Representatives on June 15.

In a decision dated Sept. 24, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 91 ordered the arrest of Alexis Jesus Cuchapin Jr., Ma. Theresa Requerme, Ignicris Pios and Judy Rivera in connection with the killing of Mauricio Pulhin.

Police have identified Cuchapin and Requerme as the ones who allegedly masterminded Pulhin’s murder.

Pios worked as Cuchapin’s driver. Rivera reportedly drove one of the motorcycles used as getaway vehicles by the suspects.

Pulhin was the chief of technical staff of the House committee on ways and means before he was killed.

He was celebrating the birthday of his seven-year-old daughter at Don Jose Antonio Heights Subdivision in Barangay Commonwealth when he was shot dead.

Quezon City Police District director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said yesterday the issuance of the warrants underscored the strength of the QCPD’s airtight investigation.

Silvio said manhunt operations are underway for the suspects’ arrest.

Anyone with information about the suspects’ whereabouts may report to the nearest police station or call E911, Quezon City Helpline 122 or 0917-8403925.

Police have arrested two other suspects in Pulhin’s murder.

Despite the halt on rice imports to the country, the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s revenue collection remained unfazed, earning over P80 billion for the month of September.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said that preliminary revenue data from the BOC indicated an increase of nearly eight percent in collections compared to the same month last year.

‘Our September was very challenging, and we are shocked by the decline in volume. Well, for the last day we are up by 7.73 percent,’ he told reporters. ‘The highest margin year-over-year for the entire 2025.’

In September 2024, the BOC collected P76.28 billion. This means that the BOC collected P82.18 billion for the month of September this year, reflecting an increase in revenue despite challenges brought by the importation halt.

‘We’re struggling because the volume has been down since late last week. And really, we’re a little bit struggling in that particular area. But the rate of assessment is up, and collections year over year are up. So, maybe we’re looking at just certain adjustments,’ Maronilla said.

For the nine-month period, the BOC has collected around P703.57 billion. This is still higher by nearly two percent from January to September last year, which only stood at P690.68 billion in revenue collection.

In terms of revenue leakage due to smuggling, Maronilla said it is hard to estimate because they cannot tell how many are being smuggled out of the country.

‘But given the relative closeness of our collection and our target despite the really substantial reduction in volume, I think it’s not that high. (It) could be, in terms of certain items in the southern part of the Philippines,’ he said.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee reduced the BOC’s revenue target for this year to P990 billion from P1.06 trillion, citing lower tariffs and anticipated sluggish import growth.

Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier mentioned that the BOC is expected to fall short of its 2025 revenue target by around P100 billion.

There will be a new feature in announcing the decision on a coach’s challenge in the PBA’s Golden Anniversary season that reels off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. The previous practice was the public address barker would simply announce the verdict without explaining why. This time, the calling referee will take to the microphone, announce the decision and explain why. While the announcement is being made, the large-screen video monitor in the venue will replay the contested action to show why the decision was made. The audio-visual connection may not be perfect at first but both PBA and broadcast coverer TV5/CignalTV will work closely to deliver the best possible synch for fans to appreciate the justification of the decision.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said it’ll be a challenge for referees to polish their communication skills. They’re not trained to be public speakers but with this innovation, they’ll get used to not just explaining a decision to the crowd but also communicating it to be understood. PBA head of operations Eric Castro said 23 referees are on the roster this season, one less from the starting lineup previously. Of the 23, three are rookies.

Marcial noted that another change is players on the court will now be allowed to huddle with their coach ‘on the bench area’ but will remain standing during a challenge review. The challengeable calls are act of shooting or sideline throw-in, traveling, flopping, eight-second violation, backcourt violation, 24-second shot clock remaining, blocking or charging, blocking or flopping and charging or flopping.

Still another innovation related to a challenge is in the course of a review, a violation is spotted and will be called ‘provided it took place in the same play phase.’ The situations where this will apply are third party contact, blocking or charging, foul on out-of-bounds or last touch call or all kinds of fouls, including charging and blocking. This follows the NBA practice. As an example, if a challenge is made on a last touch call and the review will spot a foul on the play, it will be called even without a challenge on the contact.

Marcial said in the last two minutes of the game, the referees may review a conversion, whether a two, three or four-pointer or free throw, on the immediate deadball. If the shot isn’t reviewed at that point, it may no longer be reviewed. This eliminates the controversy that happened during Game 1 of the Philippine Cup Finals last season where Mo Tautuaa’s shot with 56 seconds left was nullified on a table officials’ review with 6.2 ticks to go, creating confusion as it impacted the outcome.

University of Perpetual Help was in desperate need of a burst of energy that it thoroughly lacked in last year’s NCAA season.

Enter Patrick Sleat.

The former Far Eastern University standout was the shot in the arm the Altas craved for, helping them carve out a 67-54 victory over the San Sebastian Stags Friday that jumpstarted their NCAA Season 101 campaign at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The 6-0 forward debuted with 10 points – including a triple, four rebounds, five assists and a steal without committing a single turnover – before fouling out late in the fourth and final quarter.

It was Sleat’s eight points and superb facilitation in the opening period that sparked the breakaway run and set the tone for the one-sided win.

‘Patrick was big for us,’ said UPHSD coach Olsen Racela, referring to his former player when he was still with the Tams in the UAAP. ‘He is a one player who can create, unselfish and looks for his open teammates and has experience.’

‘We expect a lot of things from him and our players look up to him,’ he added.

Mark Gojo Cruz led the scoring for the Las Pinas-based dribblers with 15 points, including three booming treys, while John Abis and John Boral, the team’s elder statesmen, chipped in 10 points apiece while combining for 13 rebounds while teaming up with Sleat in presiding over their rock-solid interior defense.

‘I like our defensive effort in this game, that was our battle cry before the game,’ said Racela.

It was a result that spoiled the coaching debut of Rob Labagala at SSC-R.

The scores:

UPHSD 67 – Gojo Cruz 15, Sleat 10, Boral 10, Abis 10, Orgo 8, Tulabut 6, Maglupay 2, Casinillo 2, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Alcantara 0, Gelsano 0, Pagulayan 0.

SSC-R 54 – Felebrico 12, Dela Rama 8, Gabat 7, Ricio 7, Are 6, Cuajao 6, Dimaunahan 3, Castor 2, Velasco 2, Nepacena 1, Lumanag 0.

Quarterscores: 22-12; 30-19; 43-34; 67-54

In the One Direction song “Don’t Forget Where You Belong,” members Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson sing the bridge which culminates in “Don’t matter how far I’ve gone, I’m always free to run home.”

It appears like fate then that Zayn and Louis are reuniting to shoot a roadtrip documentary series for streaming platform Netflix.

The show will offer “a rare look inside the world of two of the most famous – and most private – men on the planet opening up about life, love, loss and fatherhood.”

Filming on the project has already begun as the two singers journey across the United States talking about their lives and possibly even discuss the passing of their colleague Liam Payne.

Nicola Marsh will helm the series with Campfire Studios with producing, and the latter’s Ross Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans board as executive producers.

The other remaining members of One Direction, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, are not expected to make an appearance in three-part series.

Zayn will start a Las Vegas residency in January 2026. That same month Louis will release his third album “How Did I Get Here?” and promote it with a world tour.

One Direction debuted in 2010 after forming on “The X Factor” and to this day remain one of the most popular boy bands with a huge fanbase.

Zayn departed the group in 2015 after One Direction had released its fourth album. The boy band released one more album before going on an hiatus the following year.

Liam died last year after falling from a window in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old. His funeral brought Louis, Zayn, Harry and Niall together for the first time since going their separate ways.

Navy and police officers have foiled attempts to smuggle cigarettes with a combined value of P23.5 million in separate operations in Maguindanao del Norte and in this city.

The Navy on Wednesday night intercepted a motorized boat carrying P14 million worth of cigarettes in the waters off Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City.

The boat and its two crewmembers were escorted to the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon for the inventory of 40 master cases of cigarettes.

The crewmembers said the cargo came from Basilan.

Meanwhile, police officers yesterday intercepted a vehicle carrying suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at P9.5 million in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte.

The vehicle, which was pulled over at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion, was found to be carrying 266 master cases of cigaretes with no tax stamps.

The driver and his helper were taken to the police station for questioning after they failed to present documents for their cargo.