Category: Philippine Star

There’s electricity in the Meralco camp as the Bolts are set to unveil the dream team-up of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee in the East Asia Super League.

‘I’ve played alongside JB and I played against Rondae and they’re two of the fiercest competitors I know. And to have them come to our program to lead this team and show that competitiveness that has made them successful, that’s really important not just for myself but for the younger guys to see,’ Meralco star Chris Newsome said.

Hollis-Jefferson of TNT and Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra have been fierce rivals in Asia’s first play-for-pay league, battling in the finals in three of the last six conferences, including two in the previous Season 49 alone.

With the Philippine Cup slated as the PBA’s opening conference beginning Sunday, both the Tropang 5G and the Gin Kings allowed the three-time Best Import awardees to suit up for the Bolts, the country’s lone bet in the international hoopfest.

‘It’s nice we get to all represent the Philippines and we’re all going to be on the same team for once and we’re not competing against each other,’ said Newsome, who is teammates with Brownlee in Gilas.

‘It’s going to be nice to go out there and really just fight alongside those guys and play whatever role I need to play,’ he added.

The irony of Brownlee donning the Meralco jersey after breaking the Bolts’ heart on his way to three of his PBA championships isn’t lost on the Bolts.

‘This is more than Meralco or us,’ said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo. ‘We’re very happy pinayagan si Justin, pinayagan si Rondae because we have to care more for the fans, too. Nakikita natin (fans’ frustrations) sa Gilas and sa EASL kapag hindi tayo nananalo. If you think about it, pound for pound, the Philippines can do well against any Asian country. The problem is the ballclubs allow four imports so we have to pivot and adjust to that.’

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is likely to extend the current rice import ban until the end of the year to help stabilize farmgate prices, with new measures also being prepared to support local farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday he met with President Marcos last week, where they agreed to extend the ban by at least 30 days.

‘It is possible that the ban could be extended until the end of the year, depending on the situation,’ Tiu Laurel told reporters in an interview at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

‘I also talked to our rice millers and local rice traders last week. They are actually requesting the import ban to be extended until the end of this year,’ he added.

Tiu Laurel said the price of palay, or unhusked rice, has dropped again, prompting the government to consider extending the import ban and drafting additional measures to support local farmers.

Among these measures is an executive order that will prohibit local government units and other government offices from buying imported rice to help rice farmers.

Tiu Laurel also said the government may increase tariffs once the import ban ends and will issue an executive order to set a floor price for rice.

Another measure to ease rice prices is to sell P20 rice for one month to households in typhoon-affected areas such as Masbate and Eastern Samar.

Each household could buy up to 30 kilos of the staple grain, the agriculture official said.

The 60-day rice import ban that began in September was implemented by the Marcos administration to help stabilize farmgate prices and shield local farmers during the harvest season.

During his 2022 election campaign, Marcos pledged to lower the retail price of rice to P20 per kilo, a commitment that has since drawn close public attention to both price fluctuations and government actions in the rice sector.

To promote a healthy lifestyle, the Department of Health (DOH) will hold a two-day family health fair in Manila’s Rizal Park.

The DOH said the ‘PinaSigla National Health Fair’ would be held from Oct. 4 to 5 at 9 a.m.

‘The goal of the gathering is to push for health promotion and prevention of diseases of the Filipino family,’ the DOH said in a social media post.

Participants can avail themselves of free medical consultation, X-ray screening, tuberculosis assessment, HIV and cervical cancer screening as well as vaccination.

Those attending the fair can also take part in blood donation, zumba, yoga and games.

More than 2,000 participants and beneficiaries are expected to attend the health fair, the DOH said.

As multiple witnesses accused him of being a principal player in budget insertions and flood control anomalies, Elizaldy Co resigned from Congress yesterday.

All is not lost for his Ako Bicol party list, which will get to have someone else fill the seat he vacated in the House of Representatives.

Resignation was Co’s response to the order from new Speaker Faustino Dy III, to return to the Philippines by Sept. 29. Yesterday’s deadline lapsed with Co still a no-show, still maintaining his innocence, claiming threats to his safety and that of his family and decrying that he has been deprived of due process.

Dy said the resignation spared Co from facing the House ethics committee and likely expulsion from the chamber.

Now without government responsibilities, Co can focus on addressing the serious allegations against him, hurled at congressional hearings and before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

The ICI released yesterday its first major report on the flood control mess, recommending to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of criminal and administrative complaints where applicable against Co, 12 officials and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways along with five officials of Sunwest Inc., the construction firm founded by Co that bagged a P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Among the preliminary findings of the ICI was that ‘grossly substandard’ materials were used in the construction of a road dike along the Mag-asawang Tubig River in Naujan.

The ICI found ‘reasonable ground’ to recommend pursuing charges of graft, malversation, falsification of public documents and violations of the procurement law against Co and the others, apart from administrative cases.

If Co truly wants due process, the best way to get it is to come home and face the accusations against him. He has not adequately explained the reason for his absence since the joint opening of the current 20th Congress. He won’t even disclose where he is exactly, prompting the government to request the Interpol to monitor his movements under a blue notice.

Even with his resignation, Co has a responsibility to explain to the people what happened during the House deliberations on the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Act, when he chaired the appropriations committee.

His refusal to return home is tarnishing even his Ako Bicol party list, and inevitably former House speaker Martin Romualdez. Co’s prolonged stay outside the country is being seen as flight, which is usually associated with guilt.

Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Robert Nazal has urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to exclude the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) from remitting cash balances and trust funds to the National Treasury.

During plenary deliberations on CHED’s proposed 2026 budget, Nazal pointed out that the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) still holds a balance of P11.7 billion, which he said should be used to support new grantees under the Tertiary Education Subsidy program.

While Executive Order 338, issued in 1996, requires government agencies – including state universities and colleges (SUCs) – to transfer their cash balances and trust funds to the National Treasury, Nazal argued that the HEDF is an exception.

Created by law to expand access to higher education, he said the fund was specifically intended to be maintained in a government financial institution, not the treasury.

‘There are numerous students awaiting scholarship, and we cannot afford that these funds lay idle there without any purpose because thousands of our youth are still dreaming of reaching college in their education,’ he said.

Nazal revealed that CHED owes about P12.3 billion to SUCs under the Free Tuition Fee Law, including P1.1 billion to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

He argued that the P11.7-billion HEDF should be tapped to finance new scholarships, while the P12.3-billion arrears must be settled immediately.

‘The law is clear: these funds should be placed in a government financial institution, nor locked in the National Treasury,’ he said.

The HEDF, with a standing balance of P11 billion, earns around P2 billion annually. If invested at five percent interest, it could yield at least P550 million a year for additional scholarships, according to Nazal.

‘If DBM insists on controlling the fund, even the interest should be spent exclusively for college scholarships,’ he added. ‘But once it is commingled with the general fund, the money is moved around and no longer serves the very students it was intended for.’

Funding demands

Meanwhile, the DBM and a group of health workers have urged Congress to act swiftly on the proposed 2026 national budget, raising concerns over rising enrollment in SUCs and underfunding in the health sector.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman reiterated the Marcos administration’s commitment to increasing education spending, particularly for SUCs, and called on lawmakers to expedite the approval process.

The proposed 2026 national budget allocates P1.224 trillion to basic and higher education – equivalent to four percent of gross domestic product (GDP) – with P134.99 billion earmarked for SUCs.

However, with SUC enrollment projected to rise from 1.97 million to 2.27 million in 2026, lawmakers warned of a potential shortfall of P3.29 billion in the Free Higher Education program.

In response, Pangandaman assured Congress that the DBM is open to adjusting allocations to ensure funding matches projected enrollment figures.

She also emphasized the government’s use of Program Convergence Budgeting to consolidate overlapping programs, maximize resources and maintain transparency.

Despite the reallocation of P255.5 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ flood control budget to education and health, Pangandaman said that critical infrastructure projects, such as school buildings, hospitals and agricultural facilities, would not be affected.

Simultaneously, the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) criticized the proposed P320.5-billion health budget, which amounts to only 1.23 percent of GDP – well below the World Health Organization’s recommended five percent.

The group called for an increase to at least P1.3 trillion to fulfill the government’s promise of free and quality health care.

HEAD also condemned the current budget process, citing systemic corruption tied to unprogrammed appropriations and congressional insertions allegedly benefiting political allies.

The group demanded full transparency and accountability in budget proceedings, warning that leadership changes in Congress should not be used as political cover but should lead to genuine reforms.

HEAD further called for a comprehensive public health system that guarantees free, progressive and quality services without patients having to rely on political favors or programs like the medical assistance for indigent and financially incapable patients.

‘Replacements in the Senate presidency, Congress speakership and the creation of an Independent Commission for Infrastructure should not be mere political tools to placate the growing rage and eroding public trust of the people,’ it said.

‘Actions must lead to systemic change to restore integrity, uphold accountability and genuinely serve the people,’ it added.

Schedule

The House of Representatives, under Speaker Faustino Dy III, is set to conclude plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget this week.

Oct. 10 has been designated for the period of amendments before the bill is transmitted to the Senate for further review.

Deliberations on the proposed budgets of the Office of the Vice President, along with the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Migrant Workers, Information and Communications Technology, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission and the Career Executive Service Board, are scheduled for today, Sept. 30.

On Oct. 1, the House will tackle the 2026 budget proposals of the Office of the President, the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology and Transportation.

The same day will also cover discussions on the budgets for the Congress of the Philippines, support for government-owned and controlled corporations, lump sum funds and the turno en contra.

During yesterday’s session, the House reviewed the proposed budgets of the Departments of Public Works and Highways, Agriculture, Health and other executive offices.

Once approved by the House, the General Appropriations Bill will be sent to the Senate.

This will be followed by a bicameral conference committee to reconcile any differences before submission to the President for signing.

Lawmakers are targeting enactment before the end of the fiscal year to avoid a reenacted budget, as outlined under Paragraph 7, Section 25, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution. – Keisha Ta-asan, Rhodina Villanueva

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the city will act on the results of an independent assessment that engineering and architecture groups did regarding the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) project, which may lead to a realignment of its civil works.

The City Council commissioned the experts’ assessment of the CCMC project, after Councilor Nyza Archival raised concerns about transparency and accountability on the long-delayed project. The assessment findings report is expected in the first week of October.

Nyza earlier delivered a privilege speech highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in what she described as a critical and long-overdue infrastructure project of the city.

Without preempting the experts’ report, Mayor Archival revealed he was told of discrepancies between official completion reports and the actual status of the building, noting that some phases were listed as finished on paper but remain incomplete on-site.

‘The first, second, third, fourth (phases), mura’g ang ilang gitan-aw, kung sa paper human na pero wala pa,’ said the mayor, adding that civil works may possibly be realigned, and the project constructed gradually.

Mayor Archival added that the ?700-million contract with Dakay Construction for the hospital’s remaining floors is still under review, aligned with the City Council’s move, especially since the Department of Engineering and Public Works earlier found the project lacked as-built plans.

‘Kay ang mga nahuman nga Phase 1, Phase 2 nga mga contractors, wala may as-built plans, wala man ta’y plano nga nagsulti nga mao ‘ni ang nahuman namo,’ the mayor previously said.

In response, Councilor Archival, with the Council’s approval, sought the assistance of experts from leading organizations of engineering, architecture, and related disciplines to conduct a thorough audit of the existing documents related to the CCMC project.

Specifically, the councilor called for the involvement of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the United Architects of the Philippines, among others.

The objectives of the audit are to scrutinize all original plans, sketches, and designs; verify architectural and engineering documents; check for irregularities, discrepancies, or post-construction alterations that may have led to misappropriation of funds; and facilitate a comprehensive review for the city’s reference in making informed decisions.

It can be recalled that, following his long-awaited review of the CCMC contract for the third to sixth floors, Mayor Archival bared that the DEPW had not located the primary construction plan for the project, prompting him to stop the construction until the missing plan is provided.

When Archival assumed office as Cebu City’s mayor, one of his campaign promises was to finish the long-delayed CCMC building.

He said that, before his administration took over the city government, the contract to complete the third to sixth floors had already been awarded to a contractor, along with the corresponding Notice to Proceed (NTP). Currently, the contractor is requesting a down payment.

However, although the Programs of Work and Estimates (POWE) were already in place, the detailed plans on which construction should be based are missing. This has raised red flags among the engineers involved in the contract review.

Going back to the time of his predecessor, then-mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, before leaving office, named Dakay Construction as the winning bidder for the controversial CCMC project, despite an unfinished City Council investigation into the project’s delays and issues.

Garcia signed the contract with Dakay, which allows for a 240-calendar-day construction period, equivalent to eight months. He clarified that the agreement covers only the third to seventh floors, and that completing the remaining upper floors would require a separate contract-one he intended to leave to the incoming administration, Archival’s for that matter.

The project’s budget is approximately ?700 million, an amount left over from the previous construction before it was halted. Garcia also clarified that the inclusion of the seventh floor involves applying the final touches.

Six police officers in Batangas were relieved from their posts for allegedly firing their guns during a birthday celebration of their fellow police officer in Barangay San Benito, Lipa City last week.

Col. Ruel Ferrer, internal affairs service regional director, said the six officers are being investigated for grave misconduct, adding that they could face sanctions that include suspension or dismissal from service.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, assured the public that the case would be handled with transparency, fairness and firmness, noting that five of the six officers are already under the personnel holding and accounting section of the Batangas Police Provincial Office.

‘We will not allow the alleged misconduct of a few to overshadow the dedication and hard work of the majority of our police officers who continue to serve and protect the people of Calabarzon with honor and commitment,’ Lucas said in a statement.

The country’s leading automotive firm Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) was recognized as the top revenue contributor by the local government of Santa Rosa in Laguna for 2024.

In a statement, TMP said it remitted taxes and fees amounting to P1.16 billion to the city government of Santa Rosa last year, boosting the local government’s fiscal performance.

Given its significant contribution, TMP received multiple distinctions, including the coveted Hall of Famer Award among the Top Business Taxpayers, as well as the Top Manufacturer Award and a Top Real Property Taxpayer – Company Category Award during the Lion Awards.

TMP’s wholly owned logistics arm, Toyota Motor Philippines Logistics Inc. and its franchised dealership, Toyota Santa Rosa Laguna Inc. were also recognized in the same event, underscoring Toyota network’s contribution to the city’s economy.

For Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, businesses like TMP play a crucial role in sustaining the city’s contribution to the national economy.

Santa Rosa is one of the biggest contributors to the country’s gross domestic product.

‘This recognition is not only for our company, but for the entire Toyota community here in Santa Rosa, including our customers, team members, suppliers, dealer, business partners, immediate community and all the families whose lives we share and touch every day,’ TMP senior vice president for Treasury and Comptrollership Dennis Ben-Hur Escuro said.

Beyond its economic contributions, Toyota was also recognized and named Sustainable Development Partner and Earth Hour Advocate during the 2025 Green Awards for its strong commitment to responsible business practices, environmental stewardship and social development.

TMP produces the Vios, Innova and next generation Tamaraw at its plant located inside the Toyota Special Economic Zone in Santa Rosa.

At present, it has over 4,000 employees and accounts for about 29 percent of the country’s total annual exports of original equipment manufacturer parts and components.

It also promotes skills development through the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology.

Cebuana Lhuillier continues to champion financial inclusion by joining the government-led Lab for All caravans, a nationwide initiative that brings both healthcare and community empowerment to underserved Filipinos.

Guided by its vision of financial inclusion and empowerment for every Filipino, the company integrates its business expertise and Corporate Social Responsibility advocacies to ensure that communities gain not only access to medical services but also the financial tools needed to build better futures.

‘At Cebuana Lhuillier, we believe in empowering Filipinos to build better futures for themselves and their families,’ says president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

‘Our participation in the Lab for All caravan aligns with our mission to bring financial services and opportunities directly to the communities that need them most.’

Lab for All is the flagship healthcare initiative of First Lady Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, supported by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Beyond providing healthcare through free medicines, consultations and mobile laboratory services, the program also emphasizes entrepreneurship and innovation, linking local talents with experts and investors for lasting community impact.

Since the launch of the first caravan in Batangas City in May 2023, Cebuana Lhuillier has been a consistent partner in 47 Lab for All events-from Tacloban and Sorsogon to Quezon City and General Santos.

At each stop, the company’s Kanegosyo Centers have offered invaluable resources: Cebuana Micro Savings accounts paired with complimentary Ipon Boxes that transform saving into a rewarding habit, ProtectMax Insurance plans that shield families from financial shocks and hands-on workshops guiding aspiring entrepreneurs toward sustainable businesses.

These initiatives uplift communities and strengthen family resilience by addressing every stage of the financial journey-saving, protecting and building.

The success of Lab for All demonstrates the extraordinary progress that can be achieved when public and private sectors unite with a shared purpose. Just as Lab for All delivers much-needed healthcare to underserved communities, Cebuana Lhuillier brings the promise of financial inclusion, accessibility and livelihood support-ensuring that every Filipino not only survives, but thrives.

“Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” alum Shuvee Etrata made it clear she had no ill intentions in videos of her that resurfaced online, pointing out she is improving as a person.

The Kapuso artist sat down for an interview ABS-CBN entertainment reporter MJ Felipe regarding past videos of her circulating on social media.

“I was really against the shutdown of ABS-CBN kasi I was a fan. I even tweeted that ABS-CBN is a culture… and growing up I always watched,” Shuvee said, even echoing supportive words by GMA executive Annette Gozon for the network.

Annette recently released a statement backing Shuvee, saying she was being “unfairly attacked” and pointed out she “is not ‘die-hard’ for any politician.”

While no political names were mentioned, the latter portion is likely a reference to a viral video of Shuvee appearing to be in favor of the “war on drugs” by former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose supporters are called “Die-Hard Duterte Supporters” or “DDS” for short.

“Rather than spread hate and attack each other, we should unite against our common goals such as searching for the truth, and ending corruption,” Annette said. “Let’s join forces to cancel corruption, not people who work hard for their family.”

Shuvee also addressed a supposed riff with “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda, explaining that she enjoys sharing memes featuring the comedian.

She said such posts were taken out of context especially a “jojowain or totropahin” clip where Shuvee reacted “eww” to Vice, pointing out she and Vice are both attracted to men. MJ asked if Shuvee would return to “It’s Showtime” following the controversies, to which the Kapuso artist said it was only a matter of schedule availability.

“I really love ‘It’s Showtime,’ I’m really grateful for Meme for giving me that opportunity to be on the show, dati pinapanood ko lang,” Shuvee said.

Shuvee added that she sent Vice a message addressing posts involving the host-comedian, making it clear she was honest with Vice.

The two both star in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Call Me Mother” headlined by Vice and actress-singer Nadine Lustre.

Shuvee confirmed that she temporarily deactivated her X account for mental health reasons.

“I always take constructive criticism, but if it’s really hate[ful]? ‘Yan ang di ko mage-gets,” Shuvee said. “Masakit kapag sobra sila nagju-judge at di ko nasasabi ‘yung saloobin ko, parang pinagtutulungan ako ng lahat.”

“Ano bang maling nagawa ko? May tinapakan ba akong tao, may ninakaw ba ako? May ginawa ba talaga akong kamuhi-muhi?” Shuvee added.

Shuvee ended by acknowledging past decisions but is now a better version of herself, “One who decides things for the betterment of others.”