Category: Philippine Star

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.

The countdown has begun to one of the most anticipated events in Southeast Asia’s running calendar – the inaugural ASICS META: Time: Trials (MTT) Philippines set to fire off on Sunday, October 19, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

With 3,500 runners expected to participate, the event not only marks a major milestone for ASICS in the region but also signals the Philippines’ growing importance as a hub for high-performance athletic events.

From elite athletes to passionate weekend warriors, the diverse lineup of participants reflects the expanding appeal of performance-focused road racing. For many local runners, the event offers a rare opportunity to test themselves on a world-class course, backed by innovative gear and support from one of the world’s most trusted athletic brands.

But the MTT is more than just a 10K race – it’s a full-blown celebration of running innovation and personal progress.

‘This is more than just a race – it’s about pushing your own boundaries,’ said Ishina Buxani, Marketing Director of SONAK Retail Group, the official ASICS distributor in the Philippines. ‘Whether you’re aiming to break into elite times or finish your first sub-hour 10K, the META: Time: Trials is a platform to chase your personal best.’

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. As the global running boom continues, the MTT series, which debuted in Málaga, Spain in 2022 and has since expanded to Thailand and Malaysia, lands in the Philippines at a moment when local interest in running is surging.

The event is expected to draw attention from not only Filipino runners but also regional athletes and influencers, creating a melting pot of talent, energy and culture.

On center stage is the new Metaspeed collection, featuring breakthrough models like the Metaspeed Ray, Sky Tokyo and Edge Tokyo, each designed to help runners optimize performance according to their unique stride and cadence styles.

Powered by technologies like FF Leap cushioning and carbon plates, these shoes have already received global acclaim – and now, Filipino runners will get their own chance to experience the difference.

What sets MTT apart is the experience it offers beyond the racecourse. Race-week events, including interactive showcases, athlete education sessions, and gear trials, will give runners the chance to immerse themselves in the latest performance tech, while building community with fellow enthusiasts.

The Metaspeed Apparel collection adds another layer to this performance ecosystem. With thermo-mapped jacquard mesh, low-profile seams, and ultra-light materials, the line is designed to keep runners cool, comfortable and focused when it matters most.

The University of the Philippines-Diliman’s sari-sari store-inspired artificial intelligence (AI) environment simulation has been picked as one of this year’s best innovations for the International Conference on Computer Vision 2025.

The ‘Sari Sandbox: A Virtual Retail Store Environment for Embodied AI Agents,’ from the team led by Prof. Rowel Atienza of the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Engineering’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, was selected as one of the ‘Best of ICCV,’ a prestigious showcase of research from among 12,000 submissions worldwide.

‘This recognition at ICCV, one of the world’s most competitive conferences in computer vision and AI, demonstrates that the Philippines can stand alongside the world’s best researchers in AI,’ Atienza said.

Sari Sandbox is the first comprehensive retail store simulation environment designed to train AI systems in performing shopping tasks.

With the project’s photorealistic 3D simulation environment and dataset from human participants interacting with it through a virtual reality controller, embodied AI agents could learn complex shopping behaviors and tasks, from navigating store aisles to reading product labels such as expiration dates and scanning barcodes at checkout – benchmarked against authentic human behavioral data.

Lead researcher Janika Deborah Gajo, a BS Computer Engineering student, said the team surveyed several convenience stores across Metro Manila to ensure that the simulation accurately represents the retail experience.

The retail sector, particularly the sari-sari store, which represents nearly 70 percent of manufactured goods sold in the Philippines, remains a largely unexplored territory for AI development because existing systems focus on household tasks.

The study added that through Sari Sandbox’s simulation environment, AI assistants can be developed for inventory management, store layout design, product placement optimization, customer service and supply chain optimization, technologies particularly valuable for the country’s 1.3 million sari-sari stores.

For his part, Sari Sandbox co-author Emmanuel Maminta, an AI PhD student, said their goal was to ‘build AI that can make smart, practical decisions that mirror human-level reasoning.’

‘By developing AI that can handle tasks like budgeting and grocery planning, tasks every Filipino knows well, we’re advancing practical AI solutions rooted in Filipino ingenuity,’ Maminta said.

UP president Angelo Jimenez said while the project’s recognition in the conference reflects the university’s growing prominence in AI research, it demonstrates how our researchers are leveraging Filipino cultural contexts to advance global scientific knowledge while addressing challenges directly relevant to our economy.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday cautioned local government units (LGUs) against prolonged suspension of face-to-face classes, warning that it could disrupt students’ learning and development.

The statement came after Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones ordered the suspension of in-person classes in all levels, both public and private, in the province from Oct. 14 to 31 due to the possibility of a strong earthquake.

DepEd chief media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said that while the department respects the authority of LGUs to suspend classes for public safety, such decisions should be made ‘with balance and prudence.’

‘While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students’ development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity,’ Legaspi said.

He added that DepEd will coordinate with concerned schools division offices to ensure that alternative delivery modes are provided to affected learners.

Legaspi also urged local governments to ‘periodically assess whether the suspension is still necessary for public safety.’

The United Nations Children’s Fund earlier warned of a ‘real and widespread learning crisis’ in the Philippines, noting that a vast majority of students are falling behind in reading and mathematics.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito Bacolcol reiterated that earthquakes cannot be predicted.

‘We understand the concern for public safety, but Phivolcs would like to clarify that earthquakes cannot be predicted. There is currently no technology anywhere in the world that can determine exactly when or where a quake will occur,’ Bacolcol said.

Amid the 18-day suspension, the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has asked the provincial government to allow the university to continue essential face-to-face academic activities.

In a memorandum, UPLB said that scheduled examinations, laboratory classes, fieldwork, clinical and internship rotations, human kinetics courses, exchange student activities and other tasks that cannot be effectively conducted online or through modules shall proceed as scheduled since they require physical participation.

The university also directed unit heads to strictly implement safety protocols, including building inspections, emergency preparedness measures and compliance with disaster risk reduction guidelines to protect students, faculty and staff.

Flu break in Rizal

Aside from Laguna, Rizal has also suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private, from Oct. 14 to 17 due to an increase in flu-like illnesses.

‘The purpose of this is to ensure the safety and health of our learners and teachers amid the rise in influenza-like illnesses,’ Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares explained.

Classes will shift to modular distance learning during the suspension period.

Teachers want health break

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has asked Education Secretary Sonny Angara to declare a health break for public school teachers from Oct. 27 to 30.

In a letter to Angara, ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo cited overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities, teacher shortages and added workload from the ARAL Program as factors straining teachers’ well-being.

Pointing to the impact of recent floods, typhoons and earthquakes, Bernardo said the proposed break – coinciding with students’ mid-year break – would allow teachers to rest, recover and engage in professional development activities such as learning action cells and in-service training.

She added that the pause would also give local governments and school administrators time to inspect facilities for damage or structural risks caused by recent seismic events.

‘In upholding teachers’ right to rest and well-being, the department reinforces the foundation of inclusive, resilient and quality education,’ Bernardo said.

DepEd partners with Phivolcs

In a related development, DepEd has strengthened its partnership with Phivolcs to ensure that class suspension decisions are guided by scientific data, localized risk assessments and safety standards.

Angara said the collaboration aims to balance learner and personnel protection with the goal of sustaining education amid emergencies.

He emphasized that decisions on suspensions and resumptions should be based on science, not fear.

DepEd is working with the Department of Science and Technology to ensure schools near fault lines are ‘over-engineered’ to withstand strong earthquakes.

Training programs with Phivolcs are also being planned for regional and field offices to assess building integrity and manage response actions.

Angara added that the department is eyeing the establishment of a DepEd command center to monitor disaster response and early warnings.

DepEd and Phivolcs also committed to improving coordination in releasing science-based advisories and information materials to prevent misinformation during crises.

‘Preparedness must go hand in hand with learning continuity,’ Angara stressed.

Under DepEd Order 22, s. 2024, the authority to suspend classes rests with local executives, schools division superintendents and school heads, who must base their decisions on Phivolcs advisories, field conditions and readiness to resume learning.

Preventive suspensions should activate learning continuity plans, such as modular, online or take-home learning, while safety inspections are ongoing.

Akari proved that its stunning five-set victory over powerhouse Creamline was no fluke, beating Chery Tiggo, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, yesterday in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Annie Mitchem, Eli Soyud and Ced Domingo fired 17, 17 and 16 points, respectively, with Fifi Sharma also providing a lift as the Chargers zoomed to the Group B lead with a 2-0 record.

It came on the heels of a 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 squeaker over the Cool Smashers, the reigning champions and the league’s yardstick, last Saturday.

The strong start was the significant improvement for the chargers of Akari coach Tina Salak.

‘I saw the character, growth and composure of the team improved. The team is starting to mature,’ she said.

Akari could have wilted under pressure against Creamline boasting 10 crowns and Chery Tiggo, reigning supreme in the Bacarra bubble several years back.

But it did not.

‘Every day, we have a mindset that we want to prove ourselves,’ said Domingo.

It was the Crossovers’ second straight defeat.

In what was expected to be a tightly contested decider, Domingo’s poise and precision under pressure turned the momentum decisively in the Chargers’ favor. She scored three crucial points during a fiery stretch that saw Akari surge to a commanding 9-4 cushion, a lead the Chargers never relinquished.

In the second game, ZUS Coffee routed Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to remain atop Group B with a 3-1 mark. The Highrisers dropped to 0-2.

Maverick Ahanmisi’s wish to be traded has been granted.

Barangay Ginebra has traded Ahanmisi and longtime forward Aljon Mariano to Terrafirma for the Dyip’s first round pick in the PBA Season 51 draft, the league said.

The PBA approved the swap.

Ahanmisi, last week, bared that he asked to be traded from Ginebra ‘for the opportunity to play and showcase your talent.’

Now, the 34-year-old will have a fresh start with the young Dyip squad.

In 65 games last season, Ahanmisi averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting a career-high 44.2% from the field.

Mariano, for his part, had 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds a contest in 28 games.

But the real gem here is the first round pick of Terrafirma.

The Season 51 draft is set to be held in January 2027, which is about the end of the UAAP season.

Among the big names from the UAAP and the NCAA who could declare for the draft are La Salle center Mike Phillips, Mapua floor general Clint Escamis and UST scorer Nic Cabanero.

Blacklist International etched its name in Honor of Kings history on Sunday after surviving a seven-game thriller against Boom Esports to clinch its first Philippines King League (PKL) title at Ayala Malls Trinoma.

The Codebreakers had been the tournament favorites during the inaugural season of the PKL, having mounted a perfect group stage run at 14-0 and only dropping maps against Boom Esports in the upper bracket and grand finals. The heartbreak continued as the team suffered an early exit at the Kings World Cup during the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, placing at the bottom 15th-18th place.

This Fall Season, Blacklist International still had an impressive group stage run, finishing as the second seed with an 11-3 standing. The team suffered losses at the hands of ACT Esports Club and eventual top seed Boom Esports.

In the playoffs, the Codebreakers came prepared, sweeping ACT Esports, 3-0, in the upper bracket semifinals and plowing through Boom Esports, 3-1, to once again book themselves a slot at the PKL Grand Finals.

But its rival Boom Esports was not too far behind. The former quickly survived the lower bracket, sweeping Elevate, 3-0, to set up a rematch of last season’s grand finals.

In the best-of-seven series, Blacklist International quickly took down Boom Esports to take the opening game in under 13 minutes. But Boom Esports had been in the same situation before with their rivals, securing key team fights to stage a comeback and the series lead as they took Games 2 and 3.

A deadly team fight in the final moments of Game 4 gave the momentum back to Blacklist International, which managed to tie the series. But Boom Esports was hungry to defend its title with a quick 15-minute Game 5 to move to match point.

Game 6 seemed to be the turning point for Blacklist International – the longest game so far in the tournament – reaching over 22 minutes and seeing the Tempest Dragon spawn, the Codebreakers dismantled Boom Esports with key objective takes and team fights that sent the series to a deciding Game 7.

As with previous Honor of Kings grand finals decider, both teams were given a time to draft without knowing the heroes of their opponents. Blacklist International’s Yuhuan-Agudo combo proved lethal to Boom Esports’ lineup, giving Blacklist International a swift victory at just nine minutes to take the PKL trophy.

Though the local league has ended, Honor of Kings Esports still has a busy schedule ahead. Blacklist International along with fan voted WeTrnd Esports will compete in the Honor of Kings Nation Clash in Malaysia at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, PKL’s top four teams – Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, Elevate and A.C.T. Esports Club – will hope to win in front of their home crowd as the Philippines hosts the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) this November.

One of the most blatant and callous audacities of traditional politicians is to use ongoing calamities and disasters as platforms for their perennial “epal” publicity stunts. They come with a coterie of their PR staff and some alleged “envelopmental reporters” to be photographed and interviewed on air while distributing sardines and rice purchased with public funds.

These are the worst forms of cheap and shameless politicking. They want to earn “pogi” points by using government-funded aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies should not allow themselves to be used and their agencies to give aid and comfort to these modern-day scribes and Pharisees who are just out to show off their pretended compassion and generosity at the expense of public funds. These trapos already used the AICS, AKAP, TUPAD, 4P’s and other government dole-outs allegedly in the last elections. Now, the same self-righteous and pretentious trapos are using the disasters and calamities as occasions to gain publicity stunts.

Even more reprehensible is the alleged corruption in the acceptance, allocation, and distribution of relief goods. There were reports of some high government officials receiving dollar contributions from other countries given by foreign charity organizations and private individuals but these ended up in the pockets of the said corrupt public officials. These are unforgivable offenses against the poor victims of disasters and calamities and should be considered crimes of economic sabotage to be punished with capital penalties. Others do not really pocket these aid funds but channel them to their favored constituents and local political leaders.

When traditional politicians suddenly appear in disaster-stricken areas and interfere in the distribution of goods and services to the victims, they usually come with their PR staff who coordinate with the local print and broadcast media reporters to give maximum coverage to these trapos. They make sure that these politicians are interviewed so that the whole nation shall know that they “care” for the people in distress. These super-rich trapos often come in their own choppers or in air assets borrowed from rich flood-control contractors. They exert utmost efforts to project an image of concern and care for the people using public funds in their transportation and representation.

Then, after a brief photo shoot, they would immediately leave and most probably go to the nearest resort to relax, eat, drink, and be merry with their local leaders and perhaps some naughty girls or very young boylets. These standard operating procedures are being repeated whether in the typhoon-stricken province of Masbate or the earthquake-hit northern Cebu. Many LGU officials are always in a hurry to declare their provinces, cities or municipalities under a state of calamity so that they can get hold of the huge calamity funds. Well, nothing wrong with that if they will really use the money for the intended purpose. But, we all know what usually happens.

There should be a law explicitly prohibiting politicians from interfering in acceptance, allocation, and distribution of relief funds. Also, any interference by a politician in the management and coordination, distribution, and safekeeping of relief goods and relief funds. The current practices by trapos in using calamities as platforms for political gimmickry should be criminalized. Trapos should be jailed for taking advantage of calamities and disasters as a platform for their traditional politics. They should be exposed and shamed for their audacious abuse of powers and public funds.

We, the “hoi polloi” should resist the abuses of dirty politicos and stand up against the shameless antics of trapos. We should start objecting to any attempt to make fools out of victims of disasters and calamities. It is high time that good men and good women stop evil deeds to proliferate in our times and milieu. They cannot fool all the people all the time. When politicians take advantage of calamities, we, the people, should stand up to denounce it.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P3 billion to boost internet connectivity across the country, with half earmarked for public schools in remote areas.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said P1.5 billion will go to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning, aimed at providing free Wi-Fi access in last-mile and far-flung schools.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will assist in carrying out the program.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the initiative will reduce the burden on students and teachers who often travel or spend extra just to access Wi-Fi.

‘Once free internet access is fully implemented in last-mile schools and far-flung areas, our students and teachers will no longer have to spend much or travel far just to get Wi-Fi access. We want every young Filipino-whether in the city or in the farthest island-to have equal access to quality education,” Pangandaman said.

The DBM said 8,253 public schools are expected to benefit from the P1.5 billion allocation to the DepEd.

DICT to expand public Wi-Fi program. Another P1.5 billion will go to the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to broaden free internet availability in public places.

Both the DICT and DepEd are expected to sign a memorandum of agreement to coordinate implementation of the two initiatives.

The Philippines continues to face some of the slowest and costliest internet service in Southeast Asia. A 2024 World Bank study found the country had the most expensive internet in the region while lagging behind Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei in speed.

The Konektadong Pinoy Act, which lapsed into law in August, aims to address the country’s connectivity issues by encouraging new companies to enter the market.

The trust ratings of both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Vice President fell amid the most controversial corruption scandal of the administration, according to a new survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released on Wednesday, October 15.

The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy and confirmed by the SWS, was conducted from September 24 to 30, interviewing 1,500 adults.

A total of 300 people were interviewed in Metro Manila, 600 in Balance Luzon, 300 in the Visayas and 300 in Mindanao. The survey has a sampling error margin of ±3% for national percentages.

In the SWS survey, Marcos had a trust rating of 43% in September, down from 48% in June. Combined with those who do not trust him and those who are undecided, Marcos’ net trust rating stands at +7 – an 11-point decrease from +18 in June.

Marcos’ highest net trust ratings remain in his bailiwick of Luzon. He retained a +22 trust rating in Balance Luzon, yet this still represented a strong decline. The president used to enjoy high trust ratings in Balance Luzon at +40, an 18-point drop from July to September.

Marcos’ next highest trust rating is +11 in Metro Manila. This is also a significant drop from his net trust rating of +19 in June.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ net trust ratings in the Visayas and Mindanao have fallen into negative territory. In September, the president scored -1 net trust in the Visayas and -21 in Mindanao.

For the vice president, she has a net rating of +25 among those who still trust her (53% who trust her, 28% who do not, and 18% who are undecided).

Mindanao remains Duterte’s stronghold. Interviewees from the region gave her a +75 net trust rating last September. However, this is a decline from her +86 trust rating in June.

Duterte’s second-highest net trust rating is in the Visayas at +29 in September, but this is a 13-point decline from her +42 rating in June.

The vice president’s trust rating in Balance Luzon is her lowest at +4, followed by Metro Manila at +6.

This latest round of trust surveys comes amid the massive corruption scandal at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Billions of pesos are suspected to have been stolen in kickback schemes wherein lawmakers allegedly inserted money into the national budget for a cut later on.

The Palace took note of the survey results but maintained that Marcos cared little about numbers and would continue to work for the people.