Category: Philippine Star

The San Juan Knights repeated over the Pasay Voyagers, 77-66, on Wednesday and advanced to the semifinal round of the North Division of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Unlike their scrambling 94-89 double overtime victory in Game 1 on October 15, however, the Knights controlled Game 2 almost throughout, allowing the Voyagers to taste the lead for only 19 seconds at 8-9.

By halftime, the third-ranked Knights were ahead, 37-27, and were never seriously challenged by the Voyagers, who finished the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two division tournament at No. 6.

Raul Soyud and Dexter Maiquez submitted double-doubles for the 2019 champion Knights, with the 6-foot-5 Soyud posting 17 points and 13 rebounds on top of two assists and two blocks, and the 6-foot-3 Maiquez tallying 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals.

AC Soberano supported with 10 points plus two steals, followed by Orlan Wamar with nine points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Royce Alforque and Aldrech Ramos with eight points each.

The Voyagers drew 23 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks from Christian Fajarito; 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Cyrus Tabi; nine points plus three rebounds from Jasper Salenga; and five points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists from Marc Sangco.

Pasay struggled from afar, sinking only 2-of-24 triple attempts for a horrendous 8.3%, while San Juan fared a little better, drilling in 7-of-24 attempts for 29.2%.

The Voyagers were further hampered by 16 turnovers against 12 for the Knights, and accounted for only seven steals against 13 for the Knights, who’ll be facing the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the best-of-three semifinal round.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards rallied, then thwarted the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 82-72, in the first game to forge a sudden-death in their similar quarterfinal series.

Pangasinan stunned Nueva Ecija, 86-85, in the opener of the best-of-three affair at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City on October 15.

Trailing, 36-23, following three straight triples by Vic Manuel, Nueva Ecija clawed to within 44-45 at halftime and moved ahead, 65-64, after the third quarter.

The Rice Vanguards, behind Will McAloney and Rob Celiz, took control in the last period, pulling away at 78-67 before coasting to the victory that kept their bid of regaining the crown they held in 2022 going.

McAloney posted 24 points and nine rebounds to earn Best Player honors over Celiz, who tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists; Billy Robles, who notched 13 points plus four rebounds; Ryan Costelo, who finished with 10 points and three assists; and John Wilson, who contributed 11 rebounds and seven points.

The Heatwaves got 13 points, five rebounds and two assists from Hesed Gabo; 11 points and seven rebounds from Manuel; and eight points plus two rebounds from Alyn Bulanadi.

Nueva Ecija missed the services of Top Gun Jaycee Marcelino, but his twin brother Jayvee chipped in six points, four rebounds and four assists.

The MPBL playoffs continue at the Ynares Center Montalban on Thursday, with games pitting Batangas against Zamboanga at 6 p.m., and Binan against Rizal at 8 p.m.

Under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, a new era for the New York Knicks began – not with a dramatic Jalen Brunson clutch shot, but with something far more telling: balance, ball movement, and belief.

On opening night, the Knicks gave new head coach Mike Brown his first victory – a 119-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (Wednesday, Manila time) – that felt like more than just another tick in the standings. It was a statement about depth and direction.

After years of isolation-heavy offense and grinding half-court possessions, these Knicks finally played with a rhythm that reflected Brown’s modern vision. The proof was in the numbers: 22 assists on 37 made baskets, five players in double figures, and a bench that didn’t just fill minutes – it produced.

A team win in every sense

OG Anunoby was everywhere – scoring 24 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and locking down defensively in a performance Brown called ‘monster-like.’ Jalen Brunson was steady as ever with 23 points; Karl-Anthony Towns fought through a Grade 2 quad strain to post 19 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes; while Mikal Bridges filled every gap with 16 points, six assists, five boards, three steals and two blocks. Off the bench, Miles McBride added 15 points in 26 minutes, helping New York regain momentum whenever Cleveland threatened.

The Knicks’ collective effort covered for the absences of Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Josh Hart (back) – two rotation players being eased back from injury. Despite being short-handed, the Knicks displayed a sense of cohesion and confidence that has been rare in recent years.

‘I truly believe this is a deep team,’ Brown said. ‘You give (Knicks president) Leon Rose and this group a lot of credit for it. It’s my job to keep trying to find combinations out on the floor that work.’

Donovan Mitchell tried – but the Knicks had answers

For a stretch, it looked like Donovan Mitchell might steal the show. With the Cavaliers missing Darius Garland, Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter, the All-Star guard caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 21 of his 31 points to wipe out a 17-point Knicks lead and even led 86-85 with 1:32 left in the third quarter.

But the Knicks’ depth – and their commitment to defending collectively – ultimately prevailed. New York opened the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run capped by Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson’s transition dunk and held Mitchell to just two points on 0-of-4 shooting in the final 12 minutes.

‘He’s a phenomenal player,’ Brown said of Mitchell. ‘You’re not going to stop him completely. You just want to make him work. I thought our team defense did that.’

New coach, new culture

Brown’s debut marked the beginning of a cultural shift for a franchise that, after years of grit without grace, is now embracing a faster, freer brand of basketball.

Replacing Tom Thibodeau, who led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, Brown implemented a system built on speed, spacing, and corner threes. The results were immediate. The Knicks raced to a 65-48 in the first half with crisp ball movement and finding open looks early in the shot clock.

‘Every year is different. Things are different [under Coach Brown],’ Brunson said. ‘It’s about adapting, learning and trusting each other. It’s going to keep us fresh.’

Balancing pressure and promise

Expectations are enormous in New York after last season’s playoff run. Anything less than a Finals appearance will be viewed as a disappointment. Brown, who previously coached in Cleveland and Sacramento, understands that pressure comes with the territory.

‘Our expectations are extremely high, but we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,’ he said. ‘We’re nowhere near what we’re capable of. But that’s the exciting part.’

Even amid the early optimism, Brown remained grounded, crediting his front office for assembling one of the league’s deepest lineups and acknowledging his responsibility to make the pieces fit.

The opening-night win was just one game, but it hinted at something bigger – a Knicks team capable of winning not through isolation, but through connection.

And as the Madison Square Garden crowd roared in approval, Mike Brown’s first win in New York felt like the unveiling of something Knicks fans haven’t seen in years: a team built to last.

A major overhaul is ongoing in the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), the agency tasked with certifying legitimate contractors, which became embroiled in controversy over ‘accreditation for sale.’

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque revealed this yesterday, saying the overhaul includes prohibiting new members of PCAB from owning construction firms. PCAB is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Senators have chastised PCAB for its alleged ‘accreditation for sale’ scheme, wherein contractors applying for licenses to take part in government projects are paying P2 million in grease money to secure accreditation.

They made the accusation at the height of legislative investigation on anomalies in flood control projects perpetrated by some public works officials and legislators in cahoots with private contractors.

The controversy triggered the resignation of PCAB executive director Herbert Matienzo and board members Arthur Escalante and Ernie Baggao. Sergie Retome took over Matienzo’s position as acting executive director.

Roque briefed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday on developments in PCAB.

She said the ICI has recommended an investigation on some contractors, but she did not divulge their identities.

For now, PCAB is investigating whether to blacklist the top 15 contractors that bagged the most flood control deals nationwide, as well as a ‘growing number of contractors,’ which she also did not identify.

So far, PCAB has stripped of their licenses nine firms linked to Sarah and Curlee Discaya due to allegations of bid-rigging: St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corp., Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor and Development Corp., St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp., Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc., Way Maker OPC and Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.

Tighter rules

Roque said she has instituted tighter rules for board members. ‘A board member cannot own a construction company because it’s a conflict of interest,’ she said. ‘They should have a construction background, meaning they could be an engineer, they could be engineers that are part of a construction firm, but they don’t own a construction company.’

Contractors applying for PCAB accreditation will also have to undergo a two-level assessment – first by the DTI secretary and later by PCAB members.

The PCAB will also take note of their assets.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it will provide technical and investigative support to the ICI.

The Bureau of Customs has promised not to go after the new owners of the vehicles of contractor-couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya once they are auctioned off.

It’s been more than a month since the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) started their investigations into the alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The three-man ICI was actually tasked, among others, to look into the graft-tainted flood control and other infrastructure projects funded by the government for the past 10 years.

As far as administration critics are concerned, the ICI was just a ploy by Malacanang to nip in the bud the simmering national outrage on the multibillion-peso worth of taxpayers’ money lost to ‘ghost’ flood control projects. At the outset, the decision of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) to create the ICI was met with so much skepticisms. On top of doubts on its supposed ‘independence,’ the ICI is seen as a toothless body because it was not empowered enough to be feared by grafters in and out of the government.

Immediately after the ICI was created by Executive Order (EO) 94 last Sept.11, PBBM named retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. to chair the factfinding body. PBBM also named ex-DPWH secretary Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo as ICI members.

While it has power to issue subpoena, the ICI has no power to cite for contempt anyone who refuses to appear before them. What further compounds the ICI’s woes are the public perceptions that it could not even summon resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. As the former chairman of the House committee on appropriations during the 19th Congress, Co allegedly manipulated the 2025 budget, especially those of the DPWH.

On its first week in office, the ICI took up first the reported ‘ghost’ flood control projects funded in the annual budget of the DPWH from 2022 to 2025. By Sept. 20, the ICI submitted its first-ever interim report to the ombudsman, flagging possible anomalies in a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Dismissed DPWH district engineers in Bulacan pointed to certain ‘proponents’ of the 19th Congress – including Co’s own construction companies – who have cornered flood control projects in the DPWH budget. Co resigned in February this year as the House appropriations chief after PBBM first assailed the ‘badly mangled’ 2025 budget law. Citing medical conditions, Co flew to the United States supposedly for treatment.

Apparently thinking the President had gotten over his anger over the 2025 budget, Co quietly slipped back to the country. In fact, his Ako Bicol won two seats in the last May 12 mid-term national and local elections.

The presidential wrath though wasn’t over as Co thought. In his mid-term State of the Nation Address (SONA) before the 20th Congress, PBBM unleashed his extreme anger.

The President’s SONA triggered full-blown legislative inquiries. Co left the country again at the height of these scandals while parallel investigations were being done by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the House infrastructure committee. Up to now, Co’s whereabouts abroad remain uncertain. Photos of Co have been coming out in some social media posts showing him in a European city while others show him somewhere in Spain.

Appearing for the second time at the ICI last Friday, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco questioned the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its failure up to now to cancel Co’s Philippine passport. Under the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, Tiangco cited, the DFA secretary or consular officer can cancel a passport ‘in the interest of national security, public safety and public health.’

‘People are very angry. There are mass (protest) movements. These mass movements can be taken advantage of by bad elements to destabilize the government. Isn’t that a national security issue?’ Tiangco pointed out.

Reacting to Tiangco’s demand, the DFA clarified it cannot do so unless a criminal case is filed in court against Co. The DFA invoked our country’s 1987 Constitution protecting the right to travel of each Filipino. Speaker Faustino Dy III earlier announced he had already coordinated with the DOJ to file the formal charges that would lead to the cancelation of Co’s passport.

Since he resigned already as congressman, Co could no longer use diplomatic passport, if one is issued to him. But Co can still use his regular Philippine passport.

If the ICI cannot do it, perhaps it’s about time for Congress to consider pending bills seeking to create a more permanent body as an institutional watchdog.

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III was the first to file a proposed legislated creation of ICI. Sotto’s Senate Bill (SB) 1215 proposed the creation of an independent ‘People’s Commission’ to investigate anomalies in all government infrastructure projects. Sotto explained SB 1215 seeks to constitute a five-man ad hoc body to serve as an investigatory and recommendatory body that will report its findings directly to the President.

At the Lower Chamber, like-minded legislators led by Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima co-authored and filed last month a House bill to create a five-man Independent Commission to undertake such investigation without any political consideration. De Lima believes a legislated body would remove any doubts on the genuine intention of PBBM to really punish those accountable for the misuse of public funds.

In the meantime that Co is beyond the reach of Philippine authorities, the ICI has been getting the public’s ire for its lack of transparency on its proceedings. Even a seemingly innocuous courtesy call by the deputy chief of mission of the US embassy in Manila was met with so much suspicions.

Yesterday, the ICI announced they will hire 180 personnel to speed up their investigation of possible corruption cases in the 238,000 projects under its review.

‘Why not tap the existing PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government)?’ Tiangco asked.

Tiangco asked his legislative staff to study the possible recreation of PCGG, currently attached at the DOJ. Created in the aftermath of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, reinventing the PCGG is not an option though for PBBM.

Because the PBA’s golden anniversary season is expected to extend to at least 15 months, there will be no draft next year. But in January 2027, the succeeding draft could be the richest and deepest in years.

The PBA had asked if the UAAP’s graduating players, including one-and-dones, could apply for this year’s draft but was turned down even with the qualification that those picked would finish their varsity obligations before crossing over. That meant the likes of Michael Phillips, Gerry Abadiano, Nic Cabanero, Jake Figueroa, John Abate, Ced Manzano, Dom Escobar, Kymani Lani, Forthsky Padrigao, Harold Alarcon and Josh Lazaro will wait one year before joining the draft. Since the next draft is set after the UAAP’s 89th season, the list of eligibles will bulge with the addition of blue-chippers Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez and Kean Baclaan. Then, there are Fil-foreigners like DJ Fenner, CJ Lane, Robin Duncan and Remy Martin, MPBL players, including Raven Gonzales, and NCAA stars like Clint Escamis waiting in the wings.

The big question is with so many talents available, who will be the first overall pick in 2027? Note that Barangay Ginebra just traded for Terrafirma’s first choice, giving up Maverick Ahanmisi and Aljon Mariano in exchange. It’s more than likely Terrafirma will end up at the cellar again this season, gaining as a result the first overall slot. Terrafirma remains in the market for sale but its value has diminished with the abdication of its first pick. Still, it’s a PBA franchise and a more attractive investment than an expansion option which is costlier.

The PBA’s Technical Committee, made up of four members, approved the trade on a unanimous vote. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial had nothing to do with the vote and has made it a point not to interfere with decisions of the independent committee. Ahanmisi had asked for a trade and his partnership with brother Jerrick was a perfect seal to deal with Terrafirma.

The timing of the next PBA draft couldn’t be more felicitous. The UAAP, NCAA and MPBL seasons will be over by then, making those eligible from the three leagues available to transfer. Overseas players who’ve never applied for the draft will have several months to think whether or not to enlist. Thirdy Ravena would be a prime candidate. Of course, most will opt to stay where they are. But imagine how fully loaded the draft would be if even just a few of the overseas players join in.

Retired police colonel Royina Garma will push through with her testimony against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said yesterday.

In an interview with ‘Storycon’ on One News yesterday, Trillanes said Garma would not be affected should the Interpol issue a red notice against her.

Garma has arrived at her ‘final destination’ and is under the protection of the ICC, he said.

‘The ICC itself will take care of lifting (the red notice) through Interpol,’ Trillanes said.

While Garma is not in ICC custody, Trillanes said she qualifies for the court’s witness protection program.

‘She’s not necessarily under ICC safekeeping, but it has a witness protection program where they constantly monitor and assess the witness’ situation. If relocation is needed, they will facilitate it,’ Trillanes explained.

She is expected to testify in Duterte’s crimes against humanity case that stemmed from his war on drugs.

Asked about the possibility of arrest warrants for Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, Trillanes said it is only ‘a matter of time.’

‘Based on the information we have, Dela Rosa will be the first. It’s a waiting game now,’ he said. ‘As for Go, maybe early next year.’

Garma is facing murder charges for the killing of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

On Oct. 16, a Mandaluyong court ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel Garma’s passport.

Alex Eala absorbed yet another early exit, folding to lower-ranked and unseeded American foe Claire Liu, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, in Round 1 of the WTA250 Guangzhou Open yesterday at the Nansha International Tennis Center in China.

Eala wasted a 4-2 lead in the second set for what’s supposed to be a sweep after taking the opener with ease, and that spelled doom for a bigger meltdown in the third set.

Seeded No. 4 and ranked No. 53 in the Women’s Tennis Association, the 20-year-old Filipina then relinquished another 3-1 gap in the third for the stinging defeat in two hours and 28 minutes.

Liu is ranked No. 305 in the world and had to go through the qualifying rounds before slaying the giant in Eala, who ascended as among today’s young tennis stars with a breakthrough WTA title in Mexico last month.

It’s the third straight early exit for Eala after also bowing in the qualifiers of the W100 Wuhan Open and the first round of the WTA250 Japan Open after consecutive deep runs in Latin America and China.

I knew the sender and he is one of those people who seldom calls unless it’s important or necessary. Considering my circle of friends, I generally assume the person is going to ask for advise on a personal or spiritual matter.

Yes, that is one of the signs that you’re officially ‘mature,”getting on in years’ or have become wise as you aged, with emphasis on ‘aged.’ I remind myself that it is a privilege to gain such trust or confidence that people are willing to share their pain or fear.

My friend called because his son requires surgery within the week and after a ‘Go-No/Go-Go’ process, the doctor wants to cut and remove gall stones from his son.

Like many middle-class Filipinos, they can no longer afford the commercial rates charged by physicians and hospitals. The professional fee of the surgeon was P160,000 and they are still preparing for the aftershock charges of the hospital.

The parents have pooled their resources in terms of HMO, savings, even soliciting help from the LGU and I think DSWD. But all that would not be enough when the total is summed up.

So, my friend is staring at the dire possibility of burning their credit cards and kiss Christmas celebrations goodbye! He reached out in desperation to ask for any amount of help that our discipleship group might be willing to give just to lessen his load.

This situation is all too common and true for many Filipinos, even for those working in the corporate world. We want the best for our loved ones and ourselves, so we instinctively rush to the well-known and well-marketed private hospitals.

Unfortunately, we have misled ourselves into believing that HMOs, PhilHealth and savings will cover the cost of minor to medium-type surgery. Sorry, they no longer do.

People now pay several hundred thousand to several million pesos, with no guarantee of full recovery. We are forced to ‘ransom’ family because we are emotional hostages at the mercy of private health practitioners.

It was honestly painful and humbling to hear my friend ask for financial assistance and to learn that he even approached the LGU for ‘indigent assistance’ that Cong. Tractors have been using for their glorification.

I advised my friend to seriously consider going to my favorite government hospital, the Rizal Medical Center, since he was a resident of Pasig.

In case some readers missed the article, yes I was confined at the ICU of the Rizal Medical Center for three days due to Atrial Fibrillation or AFIB. The care and expertise were superb and even as a regular paying patient the rates were below affordable.

None of us want to take away resources from indigents and the poorest of the poor, but when corporate employees can no longer afford private hospital charges and doctor’s fees, we have become ‘The New Poor.’

How else do you define it? You have to sell your allegiance to the company for HMO coverage, you humiliate yourself lining up for the pittance that PCSO extends, you go to the LGU with a begging bowl for P15,000 to P30,000 maybe, and for the next six months to a year you learn what it’s like to be ‘poor’ because of credit card debts.

In the final chapter you max out credit cards, sell cars or hock your land title for emergency medical loan. And while you are doing it, private hospitals and GOCC hospitals bill you by the day as if you were an ATM machine.

My friend and his family still has to decide if they go to ‘public’ or suffer the consequential indignities of going to a private hospital. Either way, our group will surely help out.

So, what should all of us learn and do about the situation?

For starters, guys like Secretary Ted Herbosa should ‘raise the bar’ and change the reputation of government hospitals as ‘hospitals for the poor.’

Malacañang and the DOH should work at improving the reputation of public hospitals and show the public that things have improved over the decades. Even the media should do its part to make up for the negative portrayal of government hospitals and public health.

Government hospitals should be built and run as proper hospitals for all Filipinos and by that I mean don’t squeeze them to fit. We always talk about lack of beds and rooms because we squeeze hospitals into lots that are too small or not ideal for hospitals.

Make more rooms and increase beds for paying patients as well as improve laboratory services by applying correct planning, project management and future proofing based on population growth and aging and sustainable funding.

The perfect example is how the Philippine government improved public schools, made salaries highly competitive thereby convincing many parents that it was alright to transfer their children to public from private!

The Department of Health should take ownership of its infrastructure. Working with counterpart agencies such as the DPWH, DILG or LGU may be necessary.

But as Secretary Herbosa now realizes, ownership and control must be fiercely defended and done by the DOH. Raise the bar, make public hospitals good for all Filipinos, regardless of status.

If the DepEd did it, so can the DOH!

The Philippines is counting on the resumption of a eVisa program for Chinese tourists in November to help close a widening gap in tourist arrivals, as neighbouring Southeast Asian countries pull further ahead.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Tuesday, October 21 that the government expects Chinese visitor numbers to rise once the eVisa is back in place.

“With the eVisa being resumed only in November, it’s really a lot of market preparation to rebuild what has been lost,” she said at an event in Makati City, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.

Frasco added: “The market penetration, I anticipate, will only be next year. As we can see in the results of any marketing campaign, it’s a work of at least six months before you can see actual conversion.”

The online system aims to make it easier for travelers from mainland China and its Special Administrative Regions to obtain visas for stays of up to 14 days for business or tourism.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it will also work with Chinese industry partners to increase the number of charter flights into the country and will step up marketing for both leisure and business travelers.

“Even when the eVisa was suspended… our marketing efforts in China did not stop,” Frasco said in Filipino.

The DOT reported 203,923 Chinese arrivals in January-September 2025. While that is an improvement in trend compared to 2024’s 300,000 tourists, the Philippines was banking on a 2-million visitor target from China.

Lagging behind peers

The effort, however, is an uphill task. The country, after all, is lagging behind peers in Southeast Asia in overall tourism numbers.

Between January and April 2025, the Philippines drew just 2.1 million foreign visitors-a drop of 3.2 % compared to the same period in 2024. Its neighbors such as Malaysia (13.4 million) and Thailand (12.1 million) posted far higher volumes.

Number of international tourists January-April 2025 in Southeast Asia

Thailand

12.1

Malaysia

8.4

Vietnam

7.7

Indonesia

4.3

Singapore

4.2

Cambodia

2.4

Philippines

2.1

In millions. | Source: ASEAN governments | Philstar.com chart

The weak performance stems from multiple factors: weaker high-volume feeder markets like South Korea and China, and the Philippines’ less-mature public and private tourism infrastructure.

Reintroducing the China eVisa may prove crucial. Before the pandemic, China was the Philippines’ second-largest source market after South Korea, delivering 1.7 million visitors in 2019.

The DOT said it is ramping up joint promotions with the Tourism Promotions Board and private-sector partners to align efforts.

“We hope that it (e-Visa) can lead to higher arrivals from the Chinese market next year,” Frasco said.

Competitive race. Tourism analysts, however, say that inbound tourism has not kept up with outbound tourism, that is, Filipinos visiting countries overseas, particularly Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

One report described inbound arrivals as “a bit slower, at less than three-quarters (72 %) recovered to 2019 levels.”

“The regional market is very competitive, and we need to keep adding more focus, resources, and funding to our tourism sector to ensure we stay relevant,” Mastercard Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific David Mann said in a May report.

Rep. Kiko Barzaga is no longer part of the Philippine Army’s Reserve Force after being found to have committed military violations deemed “grave offenses.”

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala confirmed on Wednesday, October 22, that Barzaga has been delisted from the AFP, barring him from wearing the uniform or joining the regular or reserve forces in the future.

Barzaga was reportedly removed following September 21 social media posts in which he donned a military uniform and appeared to hint at sedition backed by the military. The lawmaker has been actively posting on his social media accounts, calling for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s resignation.

“We do not condone violations of military regulations, regardless of status or position, as part of our duty to preserve the professionalism and credibility of the organization,” Dema-ala said in a statement.

The army, however, clarified that the administrative action against Barzaga “does not reflect” on his personal character as a lawmaker.

“While we regret the necessity of this action, the Philippine Army upholds its commitment to discipline, integrity, and accountability,” Dema-ala said.

Enlisted only this year. Barzaga, who held a rank of private, was only enlisted in January. He served as a member of the National Capital Region Regional Defense Group Reserve Command before his delistment.

The lawmaker faces an ethics complaint after the National Unity Party, his former party, cited violent or lewd content and ostentatious displays of wealth as misconduct.