Category: Philippine Star

The Senate may soon have a Blue Ribbon Committee chair once more-in the form of its old one.

Senate President Pro Tempore is mulling a return as the committee chair, according to Senate President Tito Sotto.

Lacson resigned as the Blue Ribbon Committee chair during the Senate’s probe into the flood control corruption mess. The probe became heated as more and more senators were tagged by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in corruption schemes.

The Senate president previously said that his longtime ally was likely frustrated with how the investigations were going in the Senate, with their own colleagues interrupting the proceedings. Lacson said that he resigned after some of his colleagues in the majority disagreed with how he was handling the probe.

In an interview on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas on Tuesday, Sotto said that there was a high chance that Lacson would now return as the Blue Ribbon chair.

‘I think it’s very positive at this point,’ said Sotto in the media interview.

Later asked by reporters to further confirm this, Sotto did not give an explicit yes, saying that it was a ‘long story.’

‘In the course of our many conversations, it has come to his (Sen Ping) attention [regarding the] clamor of some of our colleagues and the public that he retake the [commission],’ Sotto told the media.

In the course of Lacson’s probe, several senators were tagged in the flood control corruption mess, namely former Senate President Chiz Escudero, Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Former senators Bong Revilla and current Mankato Mayor Nancy Binay were also tagged in kickback schemes by retired DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. Many of the senators have already denied the allegations.

It was also during Lacson’s stint as Blue Ribbon Committee chair that sacked DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez admitted to inflating the prices of materials to get kickback money.

Billions of pesos are suspected to have been stolen in the flood control corruption schemes as activists and civil society groups continue to call for corruption.

Claudine Barretto’s mother, Inday, accused Raymart Santiago of physically and emotionally hurting her daughter. In an interview with Ogie Diaz on his YouTube channel, Inday revealed that the Barretto family wholeheartedly accepted Raymart when he married Claudine.

‘.kinuha mo na lahat ng properties na pinaghirapan niya para sa mga anak niya, mga anak n’yo which is supposed to be your job! Wala kang property at all,’ she said. ‘You married my daughter because she was Claudine Barretto, you dropped her when she stop being a Claudine Barretto.’

The interview followed Claudine’s revelation that she is struggling with anxiety and depression. Inday also shared that she once saw Claudine kneeling in front of Raymart to get his attention. She also recalled an incident when she was at a mall and received a call from a frightened Claudine, who claimed Raymart was hurting her.

‘Pagdating ko doon (sa bahay ng mag-asawa), alam ko may gulo. Mga anak ko kasi, alam ko kung may sakit sila. Alam ko kung may kagalit sila. Alam ko kung sinaktan mo sila. In fact one of them, kung may away with anyone sa partners nila, I can hear them cry, aswang ata ako.sana!’ she said. ‘Tapos bumaba si Raymart, normal naman, mamayang konti bumaba si Claudine hindi naman siya nagwawala, na-injectionan na pala and that’s the start of that famous injection thing.’

It was previously rumored that Claudine was injecting illegal drugs, but Inday clarified that this was not true. ‘Hindi naman siya (Claudine) adik, eh. Alam mo kapag may kasalanan, (Raymart) you make up stories, people will believe lalo na celebrities,’ she said.

Claudine later called Inday again, asking for help. ‘Ibang klaseng iyak ‘yun. Parang kinakatay na yata ito, it was so bad! Pagdating, ayan na naman si Raymart baba sa stairs. After a while, bumaba si Claudine, parang zombie na hindi normal parang may pinagdaanan.’

‘This one panindigan ko talaga ito, kita ko pagbaba ni Claudine sa ilalim ng stairs usually tumatakbo pag (nakita) ang parents, she just collapsed in the arms of daddy, hug siya ni daddy, kinuha ko ‘yung paa niya nilagay ko dito malamig pa sa yelo,’ Inday continued. ‘Alam mo daddy looked at me, I looked at daddy, we knew it was more than anything else lalo na instinct ng parents.’

Asked how she knew Raymart was abusing Claudine, she said, ‘Later on, nobody needs to tell me. Nagtitinginan lang kami ni Claudine hindi niya masabi sa hiya o sa takot. Iniisip niya kung anong gagawin ko o anong gagawin ng mga kapatid niya, o baka ikamatay ni daddy,’ Inday said.

‘Kinaladkad niya si Claudine parang kinatay na baboy. Malaki ang garahe nila marami silang kotse. Hindi ko nakita pero narinig ko nagsisigawan kasi marami ng tao sa street. Maririnig mo ‘yung (sigaw ng mga tao), ‘Tama na uy, tama na, tulungan n’yo (si Claudine).’ Walang magawa (ang lahat),’ she said.

Claudine and Raymart tied the knot in March 2006, had four children, and filed for annulment in 2013.

The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors are aiming to stretch their hot streak to four games.

But it would be a tall order for the Warriors as they clash with the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers at the start of the second round of elimination in college division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament today (Tuesday, October 21) at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game time is set at 6:45 p.m.

The Warriors are coming off their best winning roll at three games that towed them to a joint third and fourth spots with the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs on identical 4-2 win-loss records.

The Carolinians though are expected to face an uphill battle against the Visayanians, who clobbered them, 61-75, in their first meeting last September 23.

The Lancers themselves are itching to bounce back after being denied of a six-game sweep in the first round by the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in their previous match nine days ago.

Before the UV-USC duel, the Baby Warriors hope to snap their four-game jinx as they go up against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguar Cubs in the 5:15 p.m. opener.

The Baby Warriors are still listless in four starts while the Jaguar Cubs have only victory to show against four defeats.

Thai star Prin Suparat, better known as Mark Prin, is coming back to the Philippines for a fan meeting before the year ends.

The “A Moment with Mark Prin” fan meeting is set for December 7 at the Samsung Hall of Taguig’s SM Aura.

“Get ready to fall in love all over again!” teased show promoter 3’nBox Studios. “He’s here to once again fill your hearts with love.”

The actor last visited the Philippines in March 2023, also for a fan meeting alongside his now-wife Kimberley Anne Woltemas.

Tickets for Mark’s upcoming event are already available online via the SM Tickets website, divided into four sections:

General Admission – P4,550

Silver – P7,500

VIP – P9,700

MVIP – P12,500All ticket holders will take part in a Hi-Bye session with Mark. General Admission and Silver ticket holders will take home an official poster (for claiming after the show) while individuals in either VIP section can have a photo with the actor in groups of six.

All MVIP ticket holders can also join a 15-minute sound check session before the show, joined by 50 people each from the VIP and Silver sections.

100 MVIP and 50 VIP ticket holders have the chance at an individual photo with Mark, and 50 people from either VIP sections will join a fan sign and talk session.

Finally, 50 MVIP, 20 VIP and 10 Silver ticket holders will get signed posters. Lucky winners will be announced online via 3’nBox Studios social media channels.

A 15-year veteran of Thailand’s Channel 3, Mark is best known for starring in “My Forever Sunshine,” “Game of Outlaws” and “Waves of Life.”

McDo-loving Pinoys, rejoice! CIMB Bank Philippines and McDonald’s Philippines are extending their successful cashback promo via CIMB Pay due to insistent public demand!

On October 1, the duo began offering an irresistible deal for both their customers: CIMB Bank PH customers get an instant P30 cashback when they use CIMB Pay at any McDonald’s branch nationwide for purchases of at least P200 in a single receipt. This offer is available for all food items and is capped at three redemptions per month.

In a media conference, CIMB announced that the promo will be extended until the end of 2025 to give more time for customers to enjoy their favorite McDo treats with the cashback using CIMB Pay.

CIMB Pay is the QR Ph-powered feature found in the CIMB Bank PH mobile app that makes cashless payments safer and easier. Customers only need to scan any QR Ph code to transfer funds, pay merchants and even settle their bills with zero fees. CIMB Pay can be used at over 1 million merchants in the country, giving CIMB customers unparalleled convenience.

‘At CIMB, we always strive to go beyond the usual banking products and services. While we continue to strengthen our deposit and lending offerings, we’re also focused on enhancing our payment solutions to make everyday transactions more seamless and rewarding for our 10 million customers,’ said Vijay Manoharan, CEO of CIMB Bank PH.

‘This is why we are grateful that our partnership with McDonald’s, a brand well-loved by Filipinos, was met with such enthusiasm. It quickly has become one of our most successful CIMB Pay offers, accounting for 8% of our total CIMB Pay transactions in just two weeks,’ Manoharan added.

‘At McDonald’s Philippines, we are driven by our commitment to provide unmatched value and rewarding experiences to our customers. MyMcDonald’s Rewards-the country’s first fully digital QSR loyalty program-brings this to life by making every peso spent more rewarding,’ said Ada Almendras-Lazaro, vice president and chief marketing officer of McDonald’s Philippines.

“Through our partnership with CIMB, we’re taking that commitment even further, giving customers the chance to earn both points and cashback with every order,’ Almendras-Lazaro added.

McDonald’s is the latest addition to CIMB Bank PH’s growing number of merchant partners. With CIMB Pay, customers get exclusive access to special deals from popular brands while enjoying safe and convenient cashless transactions.

These merchant partnerships also underscore CIMB Bank PH’s commitment to contributing to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Digital Transformation Roadmap, with products and features that are designed to address Filipinos’ everyday financial needs.

Customers who use CIMB Pay as their payment option at any McDonald’s branch until December 31 can enjoy the ongoing cashback promo for up to three times per calendar month. This offer is available exclusively for dine-in, take-out and drive-thru transactions at McDonald’s.

K-pop group Enhypen will meet fans worldwide in a whole new way through its first-ever virtual reality (VR) concert.

The “ENHYPEN VR Concert: Immersion” will be shown in Manila exclusively at Gateway Cineplex from November 20 to December 6.

The experience begins with a mysterious invitation from the boy band to its fans, Engenes. As whispers from the members echo through an unfamiliar hallway, the line between reality and fantasy starts to blur.

Audiences are then transported into ever-changing spaces: a vast office, an abandoned factory, and a rooftop where a pink moon and red moon coexist coming face-to-face with a whole new side of Enhypen never seen before.

This VR concert was produced using AMAZE’s cutting-edge technology, featuring innovative interactive elements such as a heart effect appearing on screen when the viewer makes a hand-heart gesture, and a branching scene that allows fans to choose one of the seven members and watch from their favorite’s point of view.

It also brings together AMAZE’s proprietary technologies including ultra-high-definition 12K live-action filming, Unreal Engine-based VFX, and AI super-resolution to deliver a level of immersion and emotion beyond that of any previous VR concert.

Viewers will feel as if they are standing right in front of a real stage, fully experiencing Enhypen’s performance and emotional depth in the most vivid way possible.

“Immersion” is additionally the first-ever VR concert project to simultaneously announce and confirm its release in advance across about 40 major cities worldwide, including Korea, the United States, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Tickets for the “ENHYPEN VR Concert: Immersion” will be available starting November 8.

Enhypen last visited the Philippines in person earlier this year for the group’s “Walk the Line” world tour, performing at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

A fully-autonomous robot now greets visitors to the administration building of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), probably a first-of-its-kind among free ports and special economic zones in the country.

No, it’s not yet the C-3PO type of humanoid robot, but close enough to an R2-D2 of Star Wars fame. It moves around the AFAB halls using a combination of laser and visual sensors, greets guests, plays cheerful music, carries information materials and even shares updates about the Freeport.

‘It’s one of the simple ways AFAB is starting to integrate meaningful innovations into its day-to-day environment,’ the freeport authority said during the robot rollout on October 16.

‘In a time where most government agencies still rely on traditional setups, AFAB’s readiness to explore new approaches reflects a Freeport that keeps pace with change,’ it added.

The KettyBot, developed by Pudu Robotics based in Shenzhen, China, is designed as a three-in-one robot capable of performing delivery, reception and marketing tasks.

Along with its capability for autonomous navigation, KettyBot can carry up to 30 kilograms of load-in AFAB’s case, copies of its newsletter ‘FABalita’-while navigating crowded spaces. It even returns to its charging dock automatically when idle.

Meanwhile, its 18.5-inch interactive display and smart voice interaction are proving to be a huge boost to AFAB’s quest to enrich visitor experience.

Though still in the early stages of use, the KettyBot ‘reflects AFAB’s growing effort to explore technology that improves efficiency,’ the State-owned firm also said.

The launch of KettyBot is just the latest in AFAB’s innovations under the growing technology-driven economy. Early last week, AFAB announced its ‘virtual office’ that allows digital enterprises to establish a legal and compliant base of operations within the Freeport, without the heavy cost of traditional office space.

The 800-square-meter facility located in the AFAB administration building features executive rooms, coworking areas, meeting spaces, private offices for small teams, and a secure mailbox system.

Through this virtual office, technology-driven businesses can access incentives, register remotely and operate from anywhere in the world, while remaining part of the FAB’s investment environment.

AFAB also said that by virtue of Republic Act 11453, it is the only investment promotion agency in the country that is legally empowered to license enterprises in blockchain, fintech and other new and emerging technology-based sectors.

Philippine golden boy Carlos Yulo showed that even with wrist issues, he’s a force of nature.

Yulo, who hurt his wrists in training, put himself in position for a smashing follow-up to his Paris Olympics golden double as he twisted and piked his way to the finals of his stronghold events – the vault and floor exercises – in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta.

The 25-year-old superstar averaged 14.750 for a gorgeous piked Dragulescu and handspring front 2.5 twist to lead the march of finalists in vault while he ranked second in the qualifications for floor with 14.566.

Arur Davtyan, the Armenian whom the Filipino dynamo beat for the vault gold in the French capital, is out to challenge for the world crown after qualifying with the second best score of 14.566.

Yulo’s British friend, Olympiad floor bronze medalist Jake Jarman, also looms as a major threat in the world meet after topping the qualifications with 14.70.

‘First of all, I want to thank God for my performance. I am also just grateful that I was safe (from any mishap). I am just really grateful that I got to compete, show my performance and come back here in a good state,’ said Yulo after the qualification round at Indonesia Arena.

Prior to striking gold in Paris, Yulo previously reigned as world titlist in floor in 2019 and vault in 2021. On Friday, he gets his chance to regain the floor mint and do the same in the vault the next day.

Yulo is forced to compete in just his two pet events as he’s been dealing with a wrist injury that started two months before the world meet.

‘While I wasn’t able to do the all-around, I am still proud that I am here and still aiming for the best,’ he said.

‘We’re proud that Carlos was able to perform well and make it to the finals of both events. This was our aim so, hopefully, he will duplicate his golden performances in Paris,’ Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said. ‘We pray that our Filipino fans back home will pray and rally behind him once again in both finals.’

Infrastructure giant Megawide Construction Corp. is bringing its expertise in building landports to the summer capital, winning a P1.19-billion deal to deliver an integrated terminal for Baguio City.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Megawide said it has secured the notice of award from the local government of Baguio for the Baguio City Integrated Terminal (BCIT).

The award selects Megawide as the private sector proponent for the delivery of the P1.19-billion landport in Baguio, one of Luzon’s busiest tourist destinations known for its cool weather.

The BCIT aims to decongest the roads leading to Baguio. Currently, buses enter the city through Marcos Highway, with their terminals located at the Governor Pack Road, causing traffic buildup in the central business district.

Initially, the project will cater to seven southbound routes, namely, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila and Cavite. The BCIT will be able to accommodate as many as 25,000 passengers daily for both provincial and in-city commuters.

Based on Megawide’s proposal, the BCIT will be put up in a five-hectare property in Barangay Dontogan, which is about five kilometers away from the city proper.

The BCIT features terminal bays for buses and vans; ticketing booths; covered waiting areas for passengers; comfort rooms; park-and-go services; and commercial spaces.

The contractual arrangement for the BCIT is covered by a 40-year lease that may be extended as deemed necessary by Baguio.

In Cavite, Megawide unit Megawide One Mobility Corp. also signed the P800-million contract to build the South Luzon Integrated Terminal Exchange. The project, to be located in Carmona, Cavite, gives Southern Tagalog a landport that can handle up to 30,000 passengers daily.

The terminal will be linked to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and there are plans to connect it to a new exit at the South Luzon Expressway. Megawide is given a concession of 30 years to manage the project.

These landports, including the PITX, are expected to raise an annual recurring net income of as much as P400 million once they reach full capacity over the next three years.

Megawide developed and operates the PITX, which is the largest of its kind in the Philippines, as it handled close to 52 million commuters in 2024.

Two Customs officials and a trader have been detained at the Senate after allegedly lying to the agriculture panel.

At yesterday’s agricultural smuggling inquiry, panel chair Sen. Francis Pangilinan cited in contempt Andrew Calixihan, Customs deputy collector for assessment at the Port of Subic, and Mary Anabelle Gubaton, Customs operations officer III at the same port.

The Senate also detained Erwin Pascual, owner of EPCB Consumer Goods Trading.

Pascual admitted to using his nephew’s name in registering his company, even if the latter was unaware of any brokerage dealings, Pangilinan said.

‘He also admits to lending his license,’ the senator noted.

Calixihan allegedly misled the panel about three trucks that left the Subic port on June 27, with shipments declared as chicken poppers, but later found to contain onions and mackerel.

Calixihan gave ‘less than forthright’ testimony about the destination of the cargo, which was supposedly headed to a warehouse that did not exist, Pangilinan said. As for Gubaton, truck drivers testified that containers were released without Customs supervision.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan permitted Customs broker Brenda de Sagun, previously cited in contempt, to be temporarily released to gather information about a certain ‘Mr. Vicente,’ who allegedly contracted the importation.

De Sagun and broker Lujin Tenero were cited in contempt two weeks ago for refusing to identify suspects in multimillion-peso smuggling operations in Subic.

The Senate panel will resume the inquiry next week.