Category: Philippine Star

A shabu dealer wanted for four criminal cases and his aide were killed, while two policemen and a Marine private were wounded in a shootout in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Wednesday morning, October 15.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters that personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station were about to serve Samsudin Usman warrants for his arrest in Sitio Lalaog, Barangay Semba, when he and his henchmen drew their guns and opened fire, provoking a gunfight.

Barangay Semba is less than 10 kilometers southwest of Cotabato City, where the regional capitol of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is located.

De Guzman said the police units out to arrest Usman, led by the chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat police, Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, and his deputy, Capt. Sammy Paning, were forced to immediately neutralize him and his aide, Piong Mindo, when they fired at the team that was to show him the warrants for his arrest.

Usman and Mindo died instantly from bullet wounds sustained in the brief clash that left Paning and his subordinate, Cpl. Marson Quijano, and Private Alex Bajoyo of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6, wounded.

Bajoyo was part of a team from the MBLT-6, a unit of the Navy’s 1st Marine Brigade, that provided tactical support for the operation that turned violent.

Usman’s companions managed to escape, but one of them, his relative Barry Usman, yielded peacefully to combined operatives from the Datu Odin Sinsuat police and different units of PRO-BAR tasked to arrest him based on warrants from various courts.

Usman was wanted for murder, drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives pending before different courts in Cotabato City.

Local officials told reporters Usman’s slain follower, Mindo, was his transporter of shabu to contacts in Datu Odin Sinsuat and nearby barangays in Cotabato City.

Madin said policemen seized Usman’s 5.56 Bushmaster combat rifle, ammunition, and two-way radio used to communicate with his accomplices in the trafficking of shabu and marijuana.

Madin also confirmed that they found ?34,000 worth of shabu, a weighing scale, an M16 assault rifle, and a .45-caliber pistol in Usman’s hideout.

De Guzman said the supposedly peaceful operation that went awry was launched after local officials and community leaders in Barangay Semba reported Usman’s presence in the area the day before.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported no untoward incident during the first day of the three-day strike launched by transport group Manibela yesterday.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police personnel were deployed in key areas to monitor the situation and assist commuters.

‘The strike did not affect commuters,’ Nartatez said.

Police vehicles were on standby for possible mobilization to help stranded passengers.

Members of Manibela began their protest along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to denounce what they called ‘continuous harassment’ of drivers by the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation.

The Philippines has inked an agreement with Brunei to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and fisheries as part of broader efforts to boost regional food security, trade and sustainable development.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brunei’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry meeting in Pasay earlier this month.

‘This agreement reflects the shared goals of the Philippines and Brunei, good neighbors in Southeast Asia, to strengthen agri-fisheries systems and enhance food security through collaboration, innovation and responsible development,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

Under the agreement, both countries will pursue joint initiatives in agrifood trade, agro-biotechnology, aquaculture and precision agriculture.

This includes collaboration on research, exchange of expertise and promoting market access.

Key areas of cooperation include livestock and poultry development, disease prevention, high-yield crop technologies and downstream processing in both agriculture and fisheries.

The MOU also highlights planned capacity-building efforts such as joint training, technical visits and the sharing of publications, studies and technical data.

The DA said private sector participation will be encouraged under the partnership, with both governments facilitating agrifood investment and trade through information sharing, particularly on sanitary and phytosanitary standards and market access requirements.

The government agency said the agreement provides a framework for policy coordination and knowledge exchange, with mechanisms to protect intellectual property, handle research outcomes and maintain the confidentiality of shared information.

Tiu Laurel said the MOU is expected to create new opportunities for Filipino farmers and fishers while fostering stronger ties with Brunei.

Heads up! Economic growth is likely to slow down next year and inflation is expected to rise from three to four percent, according to Mark Angeles, head of research at First Metro Securities.

Angeles notes that ‘there are risks coming next year, but are manageable. But if there is no confidence, it will be exacerbated. It’s a confidence issue.’

In a breakfast briefing at the Westin Manila in Ortigas for members of the Monday Circle, Angeles pointed out that there are two economic drivers of the Philippine economy – overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and business process outsourcing (BPOs).

Export earnings, unfortunately, Angeles admitted are ‘very small’ and so is manufacturing. Even the much vaunted semiconductor sector, Angeles pointed out, is not expected to be a big contributor to the Philippine economy since the Philippines does not have the ability to manufacture the more high value wafers.

The Philippine semiconductor manufacturing sector, he said, only makes intermediary products that require Filipino semiconductor firms to import foreign-made chips to which we add some value and then export at a higher price.

What is more concerning, according to Angeles, is the recent shutdown of two big BPOs in the country due to the advent of Artificial Intelligence.

Furthermore, he warns, revenues and salaries of existing BPO firms and workers may decrease as the BPOs experience a slow process of decline and face further threats from the move in the US to push for a bill that would force American firms to onshore or return business processing activities back to America.

But even prior to that, Philippine BPOs have been competing with the Indian BPOs which outranks our BPOs. Just recently, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IT-BPAP) hosted the International IT-BPM Summit here in Manila and IT-BAP president Jack Madrid had made a wake-up call for the sector to upskill their talent as the sector faces disruption from AI.

The Business Process Management (BPM) sector, Madrid said, projects the sector to earn $42 billion next year and employ 1.97 million. That projection may not materialize if more local BPOs suddenly fold up.

The AI risk was recently highlighted by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office as one of the risks facing the Philippines, along with climate vulnerability.

AMRO similarly projects Philippine inflation to pick up to three percent in 2026 and growth to slow down slightly to 5.5 percent from its 2025 growth projection of 5.6 percent.

If more BPO workers are laid off and companies hire less, Angeles warned, workers from that sector are thus likely to cut down on their consumption, or rack up more debt using their credit cards.

Data recently released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for August this year on non-performing loans or NPLs of local banks showed a slight increase from 3.4 percent in July to 3.5 percent, an uptick that may become a problem going forward as several economic factors continue to weigh on the country.

The construction sector, which has a strong multiplier effect on the economy, has already expressed concern about the stoppage in several government projects.

Additionally, Angeles predicts that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio will rise if President Marcos secures external funding to finance growth, even as constraints on the 2026 budget have been put in place with the removal of un-programmed financing for new flood control projects and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure projects.

Imposing additional taxes is not an option for the Marcos administration as it will be highly unpopular in the face of the current corruption issue, thus the alternative is borrowing from external sources.

Angeles boldly assesses that ‘BBM wants to spend. He wants to spend because he wants to be popular until the end…’

The debt market, Angeles admitted, is already anticipating the government’s move to borrow funds to finance growth…’that’s why the bond yields are not going down. The BSP cut rates already but you can see that bond yields are sticking at six percent because it is a supply issue now. You know there is going to be a lot of government supply coming in because they have to borrow money to fund all the projects…such as free medicare…rice…Konektadong Pinoy.. the backbone has to be supported…the government has to fund that.’

The First Metro Securities chief economic analyst believes that the corruption issue must be definitively addressed with some key personalities charged.

At the moment, Angeles said, the public is merely being ‘entertained’ by the fact-finding probe of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) which has been sticking to its closed-door interview of private contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and several Congressmen and Senators and resource persons.

However, just recently, the ICI has indicated that it may be willing to allow some transparency in its investigation by allowing a live streaming of some of its proceedings and holding regular press briefings.

Rep. Terry Ridon, who co-chairs the House Infrastructure Committee that was also investigating the flood control corruption at the DPWH, was also at the Monday Circle briefing.

When asked his opinion as to who would likely be most liable so far in the probe into the flood control corruption issue in so far as some members of the House of Representatives and Senate are involved, he said that it would likely be resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co and former Senate president Chiz Escudero, as well as Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, so far based on the evidence.

Not yet factored in the brew is the turmoil from the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs which has not yet completely settled down, and may still affect the Philippines indirectly as President Trump continues to threaten China with an additional 100 percent additional tariff on top of what he had previously announced.

The tariff turmoil is affecting foreign exchange rates which would also impact the Philippines, another external factor to worry about.

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee are about to become grandparents with the birth of their son Jimuel’s baby.

Jinkee posted on Instagram a throwback photo of her and a baby Jimuel as a way to announce their family’s good news.

“The day I became your mother, my world changed instantly… It marked the start of a new version of myself, one that is tender, tired, and transformed,” Jinkee wrote.

“Time flies so fast na ikaw ang karga-karga ko noon sa susunod na buwan ang apo ko naman ang kakargahin ko. So grateful to God. He is indeed good all the time!” the boxer’s wife added.

Jimuel’s family had dinner with his rumored fiancee’s family in Los Angeles, California, as seen in Jinkee’s Instagram post last July.

‘Tonight deserves something special. Family dinner time. Cherishing family moments,” Jinkee wrote in her caption last July.

Manny fought against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas last July.

Election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections or LENTE has questioned a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) resetting the first-ever parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to March 2026.

LENTE described the SC decision as ‘interference’ in the date set for an election by a valid law.

‘This decision also sets a dangerous precedent, one that risks opening the floodgates for malicious actors to use judicial intervention to justify the postponement despite the validity of a law setting the date of the election,’ LENTE said in a statement.

The poll watchdog said that such actions could erode public confidence in the electoral process, weaken democratic institutions and stifle the people’s right to suffrage and self-determination.

LENTE urged the high court to reassess its role in setting the date of elections, noting that this is a legislative prerogative that must be exercised through a valid law.

It urged the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to immediately pass a new redistricting law before Oct. 30 to prevent another deferral of the Bangsamoro people’s right to choose their representatives.

The BTA wants Congress to pass a law setting the date of the BARMM elections.

Rex Laudiangco, spokesman for the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said that members of the Bangsamoro Parliament want to work with Congress for the passage of a law fixing the date of the BARMM electoral exercise.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body would abide by the decision of the high tribunal.

He said the Comelec is waiting for the passage of the new redistricting law.

Garcia assured the Bang-samoro people that the election would push through.

He said the postponement would give the Comelec more time to better prepare for the BARMM parliamentary election.

Digging deep into the ongoing flood corruption scandal comes at a price – literally, and for journalists, a hefty one.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said that it has been made aware of the concerns raised by some media practitioners regarding the fees collected for accessing annual financial statements and general information sheets of corporations, in relation to the ongoing probe against companies involved in anomalous flood control projects.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said earlier this month that government agencies should make access to important documents related to investigative reports free of charge.

If that is not possible, he said agencies should instead impose a lower fee to access these documents, noting the vital role journalists play in uncovering anomalies and promoting accountability.

Diokno made the statement after learning from journalists about the cost of accessing records from the SEC.

At a recent Senate hearing, WeSolve Foundation president Kenneth Abante revealed that some journalists spent P30,000 to obtain files from the SEC regarding companies owned by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who has been implicated in the alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

In a statement to The STAR, the SEC said that it is fully committed to supporting efforts to tackle corruption in both the public and private sectors.

‘In this light, the commission recognizes how greater transparency in the ownership and operations of corporations could further help in the prevention, as well as in the investigation and prosecution of corruption,’ the SEC said.

‘To this end, the SEC has allowed public access to registration and reportorial requirements, and other information concerning corporations it supervises and regulates,’ it said.

Through the years, the SEC said that it has made access to such documents even more efficient and convenient by developing and implementing updated digital systems.

It said that such moves were done not only in compliance with provisions of the Revised Corporation Code in 2019, but more importantly to facilitate public access to corporate documents.

‘Owing to these digital systems, the SEC has been able to deliver on the requests of both houses of Congress, agencies from the Executive department and other fact-finding bodies in relation to copies for corporate documents necessary to carry out their respective mandates and inquiries,’ the commission said.

‘Moreover, lodging these records in updated IT systems has enabled the forging of data-sharing agreements with law enforcement agencies, among others, which allows for real-time or close to real-time access to corporate data,’ it said.

The SEC, however, noted that the fees collected for accessing corporate documents are necessary to cover the administrative and operational expenses incurred for the upkeep and continued development of the document management system.

‘Nevertheless, following the installation of more efficient systems and organizational changes over time, and in keeping with the commitment to continuously review fees and charges in all services, the SEC managed to implement a 50-percent reduction in the fees charged for requests for corporate documents starting July 1, 2025,’ the commission said.

‘This will be followed by cost-effective reforms in the modes by which the requested documents are delivered to requesting parties,’ it added.

SEC issued on June 24 Memorandum Circular 6, Series of 2025, which outlines the prescribed rates for requesting physical and digital copies of documents filed by registered entities with the commission.

Under the new rates, physical and authenticated copies of company filings may be requested for P1,000 each, half of the previous price of P2,000. These company filings include articles of incorporation and by-laws, AOI or amended AOI, by-laws or amended by-laws, general information sheet, increase in capital stock, resolution, secretary’s certificate, board resolution, registration data sheet and deed of assignment.

Authenticated copies of other documents may be purchased for P50 per page under the new rates, down from P100 per page previously.

Plain copies of the same documents, meanwhile, cost P750 each, instead of the old rate of P1,500.

Other documents are now priced at P25 per page, from P50 per page under the old rates.

For digital copies of the same types of documents accessible through the Electronic SEC Education, Analysis and Research Computing Hub or eSEARCH, standard rates have been set at P625 for each authenticated copy and P375 for each plain copy, representing a 50 percent reduction from the previous prices of P1,250 and P750, respectively.

In a social media post, one journalist said that while the documents are now cheaper, costs still pile up when dozens are needed.

On its end, the SEC said that it remains open to collaborating with government agencies and private sector partners to further improve public access to corporate records, ‘without compromising the viability and sustainability of its operations.’

After five long years, new Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has reversed an order of his unlamented predecessor, which effectively ended public access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of government officials.

SALNs were routinely made accessible to the media until Samuel Martires was appointed ombudsman by then president Rodrigo Duterte.

Following the lead of the Supreme Court where he used to be an associate justice, Martires clamped down in 2020 on the public accessibility of the SALN – a requirement under the principles of transparency and accountability provided in the Constitution and Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Some quarters think the corruption in infrastructure projects would not have reached such alarming proportions if the public had been able to monitor the assets and noticed unusual spikes in the wealth of lawmakers and public works officials.

Remulla is still drawing up the rules and procedures for accessing the SALNs. Restrictions are meant mainly to protect privacy and personal safety and prevent the misuse of the SALNs for malicious purposes.

Once the rules are finalized, the public expects leadership by example from officials. Four members of Congress, three of them belonging to the party-list Akbayan, had voluntarily released their SALNs at the start of September, but no one else followed their lead.

Public officials may follow if the example is set by President Marcos and Remulla themselves. The President, after all, jump-started the ongoing anti-corruption crackdown that has taken on a life of its own, hitting even his allies and relatives. He has nevertheless stood firm on his avowed commitment to transparency and clean government.

Remulla has also committed to transparency, which should go without saying for the ombudsman. He is hitting the ground running, making up for the years lost in the anti-corruption campaign under his predecessor.

Martires had cited the ‘vague law’ and a ‘vague system’ in the release of the SALNs. At one point, he proposed to send critics of his policy to prison for five years.

The SALNs had been ‘weaponized, Martires had said in explaining his move to keep the asset declarations under lock and key. But of course the SALN is a weapon – against corruption. This is a battle that the ombudsman is mandated by law to carry out. The President and Remulla can take the lead with the release of their SALNs.

The 141-strong Philippine delegation carries a big fighting chance when it plunges into action in the Third Asian Youth Games set Oct. 22 to 31 in Manama, Bahrain.

‘We’ll train and do our best to get a medal,’ said boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido, one of two Philippine flag bearers in the 10-day, 45-nation quadrennial meet during the national team’s photo shoot on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Lobrido, a Bago City (Negros Occidental) native who turned 16 only last Friday, is one the nation’s top bet for a medal, most probably a gold, being a decorated internationalist after having won in the Fourth Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China, late last year.

High school volleyball star Harlene Serneche, the other flag bearer, is also optimistic that they will make the country proud.

‘We have the potential and hopefully we’ll be competitive there,’ said the 18-year-old National University student during the photo shoot that featured 30 athletes to rally support for the delegation led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino and the organization’s partners Avel Bacudio, Milo and Oishi.

Marikina City 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro submitted yesterday his counter-affidavit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to the complaints of rape by sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness filed against him by two policewomen.

Twenty-eight witnesses also filed affidavits to belie the allegations of Teodoro’s accusers, including police officers who are colleagues of the complainants. The two were assigned as Teodoro’s close-in security when he was mayor.

Teodoro was accompanied at the DOJ yesterday by his wife, Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro, and lawyer Alma Mallonga.

On Monday, the congressman filed perjury charges against the policewomen before the Manila prosecutor’s office.

He said he is also considering filing complaints against his accusers with the police Internal Affairs Service.