Category: Philippine Star

The Ascott Limited Philippines, in partnership with Grand Land-part of theGaisano Grand Group of Companies-is proud to announce the upcoming opening of Oakwood IT Park Grand Gateway Cebu, the first Oakwood-branded property outside Metro Manila.

Strategically located just steps away from the dynamic Cebu IT Park and the bustling enclaves of Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Oakwood is set to become the largest property under Ascott’s management in the Philippines. Backed by the trust and vision of Gaisano Grand Group chairman Benito Gaisano, the project will feature 400 well-appointed rooms, modern upscale amenities and a variety of customizable function spaces to meet the evolving needs of Cebu’s vibrant MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) market.

Surrounded by industry leaders such as Concentrix, Office Partners 360, and Avant, the development is poised to serve a broad spectrum of corporate clients with Oakwood’s signature blend of personalized service and sophisticated hospitality. In addition to catering to business travelers, the property will also appeal to leisure guests, offering proximity to lifestyle attractions including the Sugbo Mercado food hub, Ayala Center Bloc for shopping and Park Social Bar for nightlife.

‘We are delighted to have joined hands with the Gaisano Grand Group and Grand Land to pioneer Oakwood here in Cebu,’ said Patrick Vaysse, country general manager of The Ascott Limited Philippines.

‘Oakwood IT Park Grand Gateway Cebu will serve as an excellent addition to our growing portfolio, joining lyf, Citadines and Somerset in the Queen City of the South.’

As The Ascott Limited continues to strengthen its presence across the Philippines, Oakwood IT Park Grand Gateway Cebu positions itself as a premier destination for those seeking refined, contemporary hospitality experiences-where business meets comfort at the heart of Cebu.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s attempt to set terms for attending the budget deliberations was swiftly rebuffed by the House, with some lawmakers proposing another year of budget cuts to her office.

The Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget deliberations were scheduled for September 30 but were postponed twice due to Duterte’s absence and the lack of an undersecretary-level representative.

The deliberation for the OVP’s 2026 budget was rescheduled for October 2, the final day of plenary debates – but neither Duterte nor any OVP official appeared.

This mirrored the earlier committee-level hearings for the OVP, where only an assistant secretary appeared. The budget hearing was postponed to allow Duterte to attend, which she eventually did – and alone.

But for the plenary debates, she was absent.

The House typically requires department heads or undersecretaries to be present for budget deliberations.

However, instead of appearing, Duterte chose to set conditions for her attendance. In a letter to the House appropriations committee dated September 30, she said she would only participate in the budget deliberations if two demands were met:

That President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. also attend the deliberations for his office’s proposed P27.3 billion budget

That the House produce a document from the committee on good government confirming that the immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBOs) against seven of her staff members had been lifted.

The staff in question were the ones subpoenaed to the legislative probe into the alleged misuse of the OVP’s confidential and intelligence funds during the 19th Congress.

They include her chief of staff and Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio, Directors Rosalynne Sanchez, Sunshine Fajarda and Edward Fajarda, Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta and Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey.

Several minority lawmakers criticized Duterte’s ‘disrespect’ to the House and the Constitution after learning about the conditions she set.

Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list), in a manifestation, sharply rebuked Duterte for skipping her budget deliberations while making time for the Senate’s plenary.

She mentioned Duterte’s presence on September 29, where she was seen applauding Sen. Chiz Escudero’s privilege speech, accusing former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of corruption.

De Lima pointed out the irony of how Duterte had no official reason to attend the Senate plenary, but she refused to face the House, where she is constitutionally required to defend her office’s budget.

‘If she can afford to be showing herself up to the Senate, including being there and applauding the former Senate president in his privilege speech, which is definitely not part of her mandate as vice president, why can’t she spare a few moments of her time attending to her official function as vice president to defend the budget of her office?’ she said.

The minority lawmaker said she would seek a cut in the OVP’s P902.89-million budget, noting she had first considered pushing for a zero allocation due to what she described as ‘very questionable’ actions.

‘But after some mulling and some reflections, and out of courtesy to the personnel and staff of the OVP, I’m just now thinking of moving for the decrease,’ De Lima said.

The OVP now faces another potential shortfall, the second in as many years, with lawmakers earlier cutting its 2025 request of P2.026 billion down to P733.2 million.

The House terminated the period of interpellations for the OVP’s 2026 budget given it was the last day for plenary debates in the chamber.

The Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats shoot for another victory as they tackle the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in a rare Friday game of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Wildcats outfoxed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 72-65, in their previous match to snap a three-game losing spell.

Coach Felix ‘Donbel’ Belano, Jr. and his boys hope to make it back-to-back wins as they take on the listless Jaguars side at 6:45 p.m.

The Jaguars are smarting from two straight setbacks at the hands of the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs and the four-peat seeking University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.

In the high school division, the CIT-U Baby Wildcats will battle against the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) at 5:15 p.m.

The Baby Wildcats tamed the UC Baby Webmasters in their season-opener while UCLM split their first two assignments, beating the USJ-R Baby Jaguars before falling prey to the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Blue Dragons just last Tuesday, September 30.

I need a break from writing about the most abominable corruption stories these past weeks. It has been depressing.

Instead, let me write about when Filipinos rose to the challenge of an international energy crisis and developed an indigenous energy source from scratch.

It was the mid-70s after the Arabs drastically reduced the amount of oil they sell to Western oil companies to protest Western support of Israel. The oil companies pro-rated the cut in supply among their customers in what they call ‘the equal misery formula.’

Bad for us. Our energy supply was almost totally dependent on Esso, Shell, Caltex and Getty. Only a bit of hydro was local.

We had to start a search for local energy sources in a hurry. The newly organized Ministry of Energy gathered geologists and other scientists from UP and other institutions with a mission to reduce our dependence on imported energy.

There was the predictable search for oil in Palawan and coal from Mindanao. Then there was Dr. Arturo Alcaraz who was toying around with a new energy source, harnessing heat from the earth. On April 12, 1967, an electric bulb was lit up by geothermal energy for the first time in Tiwi, Albay.

Geothermal energy sounded exotic but it wasn’t new. Union Oil of California was using geothermal energy in Sonoma County to produce electricity that was fed to the grid. We heard of their operation and contacted them.

When Fred Hartley, the chairman of Unocal heard about our interest to develop our geothermal resources, the autobiography of the late Energy Minister Ronnie Velasco quoted him saying: ‘Oh, I would like to talk to them. Those guys have fantastic geothermal potential, but they are not doing anything about it. They’re just sitting on it.’

The timing of the meeting couldn’t have been more propitious, Velasco recalled. With the oil supply shock as background, a deal was agreed to let Union Oil check out our geothermal resources. This complemented our independent efforts at PNOC to do the same.

Velasco wrote in his book that the contract between Unocal and Napocor on geothermal development was lopsided in favor of Unocal. That’s because they had the technology we needed in extracting the steam. Unocal worked on the Tiwi and Makiling Banahaw fields.

Eventually, the New Zealand government awarded a NZ$15 million geothermal technical assistance to help advance PNOC’s Tongonan, Leyte development. A NZ company, KRTA, which had extensive experience in geothermal energy, was named to help us.

By this time PNOC had organized an energy development subsidiary, PNOC EDC. With KRTA, we explored and developed the Leyte Tongonan field and the Palimpinon field in Negros Oriental. It was determined that both fields had enough resources to support commercial scale power plants.

For three decades (1980s-2010s), the Philippines was the second largest geothermal power producer worldwide, after the US.

In November 2007, PNOC EDC was privatized in a public bidding won by First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group. EDC moved from the first three MW pilot plant in Tongonan to 1,150 MW by the time EDC was privatized.

As of April 2025, the total installed capacity for geothermal power plants stood at 1,987 megawatts. First Gen’s Energy Development Corp. (EDC) owns and operates 13 integrated geothermal power stations in Leyte, Bicol, Southern Negros and North Cotabato, with an installed capacity of 1,189.34 MW.

The potential geothermal capacity in the Philippines is estimated to be around 4,064 MW. With installed geothermal generating capacity at 1,987 MW, there could be around 2,000 MW more of geothermal potential that may be available for electricity production.

We have probably explored and developed as much of the easy-to-get resource we know we have. As of March 2025, the Philippines only has 122.22 MW of newly committed geothermal power projects.

We went from almost nothing to become the world’s second largest producer because the government prioritized investments in it. There was a special impost on gasoline and diesel retail prices that went into a Special Fund that financed our geothermal exploration and development.

Geothermal development is heavy on the front-end expense because wells must be drilled, the steam piped and the power plants built nearby.

Drilling costs are the single biggest expense in exploration. Drilling a single well can cost around $6 million to $8 million.

Not all wells drilled show the quality and quantity of steam that can be used in a commercial power plant. That risk may not be a problem with a government-owned entity like PNOC but the private sector needs incentives to do more.

The risk in geothermal development is mostly during the exploration stage. That’s why the government is looking at a de-risking mechanism to encourage private developers to invest in geothermal energy.

The DOE is estimating an initial $100 million (out of a total loan of $250 million) for the first tranche of the Geothermal Resource De-Risking Facility from the Asian Development Bank aimed at reducing investment risks in geothermal energy.

Once this financing package is put in place, this move may help spark investor interest for geothermal energy.

While the Philippines has already tapped about half of its geothermal potential, Indonesia still has around 90 percent untapped geothermal resources.

Because we have the technology and trained staff, First Gen established its Indonesian subsidiary, PT FirstGen Geothermal Indonesia, to bring its expertise from decades of geothermal experience to Indonesia.

Given the increasing importance of clean energy, developing more of our geothermal potential is needed. It is also the kind of baseload power source that will help make the RE transition smoother.

Geothermal 2.0 will do our country proud the way the first foray in geothermal did. It will show the world that Filipinos are really a lot better than the international picture of corrupt public officials is currently suggesting.

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his sympathies to the survivors of the Cebu earthquake, and offered prayers for those who died.

In an interview yesterday over Radyo Veritas, newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy said Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown called him to relay Leo’s message.

Leo visited Cebu three times when he was the prior general of the Augustinian Order.

As Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, the pontiff visited Cebu in 2004 to bless the Augustinian friary at the Santo Niño de Cebu Parish in Talisay City. He returned in 2008 to lead the blessing of the Santo Niño Spirituality Center. The following year, 2009, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Radyo Veritas also reported that five churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu were damaged by the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, meanwhile, relayed his condolences to the families of earthquake victims.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also conveyed his condolences in a message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

The United Nations conveyed its sympathies and lauded authorities for their ‘swift response’ to the disaster.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot said he is ‘deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake in Cebu.’

Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, said his country stands ready to support the Philippine government address urgent humanitarian needs.

The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished swift recovery to those hurt.

The Chinese embassy relayed its ‘deepest condolences to the victims, and our hearts go out to the families affected by the earthquake in Cebu.’

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed his sympathies to the families of earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, through its embassy, ‘conveys the sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government and people of the friendly Republic of the Philippines over the devastation caused by Typhoon Opong, which has resulted in casualties and missing persons.’

President Marcos will ask lawmakers for emergency funds to help the communities affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that devastated Cebu.

Marcos yesterday visited the quake-hit areas to inspect damaged structures, oversee relief operations and provide aid to survivors.

He arrived in Bogo City near the epicenter of the Sept. 30 earthquake, conducted site visits, talked to some of the affected residents and attended a situation briefing by disaster management officials.

‘I will be going to the Congress, the House and the Senate, so they can provide emergency funds,’ the President said during a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall.

‘The QRF of some agencies is about to be depleted. So we will release the. quick response fund we are using (so we can respond) immediately,’ he added.

Marcos noted that the country was hit by two successive strong cyclones Nando and Opong before it was struck by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake. He assured local governments that his administration would have the QRF released as quickly as possible.

The Office of the President donated about P200 million to affected local governments and hospitals to support their relief and medical efforts. Cebu City received P50 million financial aid, while Bogo City, San Remigio and Sogod got P20 million each. The towns of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon and Tabuelan were given P10 million each. All hospitals under the health department will receive P20 million while provincial hospitals will be provided with P5 million each.

‘I assured all of our local executives that this is not a one-time aid… We will continue to monitor. We will continue to coordinate with the leaders, the local leadership to make sure that the rehabilitation will run smoothly,’ the President said.

Marcos also directed the budget department to release P150 million in Local Government Support Fund to the Cebu provincial government and P75 million each to the local governments of San Remigio, Bogo City and Medellin.

The administration will also give P10,000 cash assistance for those whose homes were damaged by the quake.

Overall, Marcos ordered the giving of more than P600 million assistance from his office and the budget department.

Before the situation briefing, Marcos visited the collapsed housing units at SM Cares Village in Barangay Polambato, the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vicente Ferrer in Barangay Bungtod, the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy in Barangay Cogon and the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Barangay Taytayan.

Tent city

Noting that the displaced residents remain fearful of returning to damaged buildings, Marcos directed agencies to set up a ‘tent city’ in Bogo City to provide temporary shelters to affected residents.

‘We are fast-tracking this so they can have shelter. Many are afraid to go back to buildings. They prefer to stay outdoors,’ the Chief Executive said.

‘That’s what they want, so we will follow that. So, that’s why our proposal is the tent city.’

The government intends to tap the Philippine Red Cross to deploy its medical field tents, which were used during the COVID-19 pandemic as staging and isolation wards. Marcos gave an assurance that there would be facilities and vital supplies like food, water and electricity at the site of the tent cities.

The energy department had also given assurance that the entire Bogo City in Cebu would be reenergized within the day, the President added.

The death toll from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has reached 72, while the number of injured persons has climbed to 366 as of yesterday.

About 65,000 families in Cebu have been affected by the quake.

VP Sara visits Cebu

Vice President Sara Duterte is currently in Cebu to ‘extend her sympathies’ to those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Duterte visited the wake of one of the victims who died during the powerful quake. ‘We ask God to grant comfort to those who have lost loved ones, and to provide relief and strength for those holding their families together amid property loss and damage. May you find strength in one another, and may the legendary Visayan warmth and resilience shine through amidst this deep sorrow,’ Duterte said.

Duterte and President Marcos did not meet in Cebu where they both visited the province.

She arrived in Cebu on Wednesday afternoon to personally extend her sympathies to residents and meet with local officials, assuring them of sustained assistance from her office.

On Wednesday, the OVP Cebu satellite office distributed relief goods to the victims of the strong quake in San Remigio Sports Complex. The OVP distributed food packs, potable water, hygiene kits and other non-food essentials to affected families in Medellin, San Remigio, Bogo, Tabuelan and Tabogon.

Aid

The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday announced it will apply the zero-balance billing program to benefit those injured in the earthquake.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to shoulder the expenses of patients who were injured in the earthquake and admitted in private hospitals.

‘I already ordered the PCEO (president and chief executive officer) of PhilHealth to make possible coverage of the hospitalization of injured victims that were brought to private hospitals,’ Herbosa yesterday said in a radio interview. ‘I also wanted for private hospitals to help so I will just have PhilHealth take care of the patients that cannot be accommodated in public hospitals.’

According to Herbosa, to make this possible, they checked on a ‘similar issuance’ made during the time he was still undersecretary of the department. ‘We will have this modified for (the situation in) Bogo,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said three DOH hospitals in the province – the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the Cebu South Medical Center and the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital are fully functional.

The 72 victims who died in Tuesday night’s quake that struck Cebu don’t have to worry about burying their loved ones after the Department of Social Welfare and Development vowed to shoulder the burial expenses of their families.

‘The DSWD in Central Visayas is now accounting the number of casualties and their location. Our social workers will also talk to the concerned families to inform them that the DSWD will shoulder the burial expenses of their loved ones,’ spokesperson Irene Dumlao disclosed.

The assistant secretary of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group likewise said the department’s Field Office 7 – Central Visayas will also be providing P10,000 cash assistance to the families.

The DSWD has intensified its disaster response operations for families affected by the earthquake, according to Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla, OIC of the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau.

Quintilla said the department has ensured the delivery of food, water, shelter, and psychosocial services to quake-hit communities, while also preparing for early recovery interventions such as the emergency cash transfer program.

For its part, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has intensified relief efforts to provide quick assistance to quake victims.

PCSO general manager Mel Robles directed their branch offices and authorized agent corporations in the rapid delivery of donations such as food and other essential items to the Cebu provincial government on Wednesday.

Charitimba food packs are part of the initial relief efforts. Evaluation supply kits, including mosquito nets, plastic mats, blankets, slippers, flashlights, pillows, towels and other necessities, have also been airlifted via C-130 aircraft on Wednesday afternoon to support survivors.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines said it is ready to support the government-led response following the quake.

‘In times of crisis, children are among the most vulnerable. We remain committed to working with national and local authorities to ensure their safety, protection and access to essential services as they recover and rebuild after emergencies, including this earthquake and the recent and upcoming series of storms and typhoons,’ UNICEF said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Manila city government sent help for relief efforts following the powerful earthquake that rocked the northern part of Cebu.

The MMDA deployed an 18-man contingent from the Public Safety Division and Road Emergency Group. The team would carry solar-powered water purifiers to provide clean water, life locators, battery-operated extrication equipment, trauma bags and various clearing tools, including chainsaws and dump trucks, according to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

Joining the team are K9 dogs ‘to assist in earthquake response and rescue operations (and) trained to locate people trapped under rubble or debris using their sense of smell,’ he said further.

For its part, the Manila city government would also send a ‘contingent of doctors and nurses, along with medical supplies and the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’ to Cebu, announced Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso. The team from Manila would ‘distribute relief goods, provide medical assistance and coordinate with local authorities for faster and more orderly response to the needs of affected residents.’

The Pasig City government will also send aid to Cebu, Mayor Vico Sotto said, adding that five teams will be deployed in areas in Cebu to assist in disaster response operations in areas heavily affected by the earthquake.

These are composed of search and rescue, mass disaster management, medical, psychosocial first aid and infrastructure audit teams.

Sotto said there are discussions with the city disaster risk reduction and management council for the approval of financial assistance for local government units that are under a state of calamity.

A total of 100 police personnel and firefighters from Negros Island have been dispatched to Cebu to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations in areas devastated by the quake.

P/Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office- Negros Island Region, said 80 police personnel are trained in disaster response and emergency operations and comes fully equipped with the necessary rescue equipment. The Bureau of Fire Protection – Negros Island Region also dispatched 20 of its personnel to Bogo City.

A 19-man rescue and relief team mobilized by the Zamboanga City local government is scheduled arrive Thursday in quake-hit Bogo City in Cebu, to assist in the humanitarian mission.

Mayor Khymer Olaso dispatched the team with two rescue trucks transporting parts of the 1,000 sacks of rice, 1,000 boxes of canned goods, 1,000 jerry cans of water and two ambulances. The convoy of the rescue and relief team is expected to arrive in Cebu by 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao has also deployed two of its 44-meter vessels to provide additional support to the ongoing relief missions in Cebu province and affected areas in Visayas.

Global tourism leaders and policymakers convened in Melaka, Malaysia, from September 27 to 29 for the 7th World Tourism Conference, establishing a new agenda on ‘Sustainable Transformation’ to address growing environmental and social pressures in the tourism industry.

The conference, held in tandem with the official World Tourism Day celebrations, brought together more than 700 delegates to tackle the challenges of overtourism, climate change and economic inequality facing the sector.

The event took place as the industry marked a strong post-pandemic recovery, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in 2024.

In his opening address, Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, H.E. Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, set a tone of urgency, urging delegates to ensure the conference was not “merely ceremonial” and to “avoid producing statements that remain unresolved.”

Focus on ‘sustainable,’ ‘people-centered’ tourism

The theme of ‘Sustainable Transformation’ was defined by speakers as a call for deep, structural changes to the industry, underscoring the vital importance of the sector as leaders, policymakers, industry experts and local communities to come together to shape a sustainable future for tourism.

In his official message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that while tourism is a ‘powerful driver of transformation,’ it ‘must be sustainable to protect the very places and communities it celebrates,’ highlighting the core issue discussed at the summit.

During the conference, host nation Malaysia announced several concrete policy actions. The government revealed its plan to join the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories, with a pilot project in Mersing, Johor, to better monitor and manage tourism’s impacts.

Officials also highlighted national initiatives to develop digital nomad hubs and invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Event speakers underscored the pillars of sustainable transformation: empowering women, youth and marginalized groups through education; driving innovation by bridging the digital gap and supporting start-ups; uplifting micro and small enterprises to fuel local economies; and safeguarding cultural heritage as the heart of authentic travel.

Heritage-rich Melaka: a living example

Melaka’s selection as host of the World Tourism Conference positioned the Unesco World Heritage city as a ‘living laboratory’ for sustainable tourism.

Inscribed in 2008 for its entire historic urban landscape, Melaka was presented as a case study in balancing heritage conservation with modern economic pressures and rising visitor flows.

Conference sessions and curated tours highlighted the city’s inclusive approach, from women’s empowerment and community-based initiatives to eco-friendly practices.

Delegates joined experiences such as the Sungai Linggi Eco Cruise and the Dutch and Heritage Trail, illustrating how cultural assets can fuel the visitor economy without compromising integrity.

Organizers noted that Melaka’s layered history-shaped by Malay, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences-mirrors the global tourism industry’s dynamics of cultural exchange and power imbalances.

By convening in Melaka, UN Tourism and the Malaysian government underscored Melaka’s role as both model and metaphor for a more inclusive, resilient and culturally grounded tourism future.

Visit Malaysia 2026 launched

Another major highlight of the week was the official launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the nation’s tourism push, officiated by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister stressed that the campaign’s success would be measured not just by visitor numbers but by its contribution to “cultural vitality and shared prosperity.”

The principles discussed were also demonstrated through a series of public events. The Melaka Entrepreneurs’ Carnival 2025 provided a platform for over 60 local business owners, with business matching sessions projected to generate RM10 million in transactions

Other festivities included an International Kite Festival, a 3,000-strong traditional zapin dance and a special exhibition honoring Enrique de Malacca, the 16th-century Melakan sailor who was part of Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet.

The conference concluded with Malaysia officially handing over hosting duties for World Tourism Day 2026 to El Salvador.

The theme for the 2026 event was announced as the ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,’ signaling the future of the industry.

San Miguel Oktoberfest kicked off at Parañaque’s Okada Manila recently as San Miguel Beer (SMB) celebrates its 135th year of serving great beers around the world.

More than 8,000 people went to the resort-casino’s Crystal Pavilion during the two-day event filled with an array of specially crafted beers paired with top-notch food offerings over pulse-pounding music from a powerhouse lineup of top local acts.

The festivities were opened with a toast led by SMB President Carlos M. Berba, Pale Pilsen brand ambassador and actor Coco Martin, and Okada Manila Vice Chairperson Takako Okada.

The event kicked off a series of Oktoberfest events which will happen at Laguna’s Paseo de Santa Rosa on October 18 and Cebu City’s Queensland Manor on October 31, Halloween.

SMB lit up the resort-casino as guests were treated to complimentary beer samplers curated from the brand’s global portfolio as well as exciting new brews like India Pale Ale, Fruity Wheat Ale, Summer Ale, and Specialty Lager.

Pop-ups lined the Crystal Pavilion’s walkway with gourmet restaurants Las Flores, Café Fleur by Chef Sau, Flipside Burgers, and Purefoods Deli setting up shop while the new Draft Beer Mobile Bar Truck added more to the overflowing beer at the venue.

Highlight musical acts included Rico Blanco, Lola Amour, December Avenue, Maki, Arthur Nery, Brownman Revival, The Dawn, Autotelic, The Juans, Over October, The Cohens, DWATA, and Carousel Casualties.

Also in the line-up were Paprika, It All Started in May, Magiliw Street, Sean Archer, Acapellago, DJs Chelsea and Rammy.

Outside of food, drinks, and music, San Miguel Beermen basketball players shot hoops with party goers while billiards legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante played an exhibition match and challenged some attendees.

The Santa Rosa Oktoberfest will feature Rocksteddy, Sunkissed Lola, Progeny, The Collars, and Parisukat while December Avenue will join Urbandub, Missing Filemon, Nikolay, and Kuwako at the Cebu City event.

Three former officials of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) yesterday pleaded not guilty in connection with the allegedly overpriced procurement of personal protective equipment and surgical masks from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former PS-DBM officials Allan Raul Catalan, Dickson Panti and Gerelyn Francisco Vergara pleaded not guilty to graft during their arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Former procurement director Warren Liong and Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong did not enter a plea as the anti-graft court has yet to resolve their motions for reconsideration to an earlier ruling denying their bid to dismiss the graft charges filed against them.

Former PS-DBM officer-in-charge Christopher Lloyd Lao and former supervising administrative officer Arnold Jame Dupla pleaded guilty during their arraignment in August.

The Sandiganbayan set the next pre-trial conference on Oct. 21.

Pharmally case: 3 ex-DBM execs plead not guilty

Daphne Galvez

MANILA: Three former officials of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) yesterday pleaded not guilty in connection with the allegedly overpriced procurement of personal protective equipment and surgical masks from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former PS-DBM officials Allan Raul Catalan, Dickson Panti and Gerelyn Francisco Vergara pleaded not guilty to graft during their arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Former procurement director Warren Liong and Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong did not enter a plea as the anti-graft court has yet to resolve their motions for reconsideration to an earlier ruling denying their bid to dismiss the graft charges filed against them.

Former PS-DBM officer-in-charge Christopher Lloyd Lao and former supervising administrative officer Arnold Jame Dupla pleaded guilty during their arraignment in August.

The Sandiganbayan set the next pre-trial conference on Oct. 21.

Independent commissions have long promised to fight corruption in the Philippines. They are born with strong words and public hope, then die quietly when political winds shift. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure now carries that burden. Supporters say we should ‘let it do its job.’ True, but the real test is whether its work ends in convictions, not press conferences.

History paints a bleak picture. Former president Elpidio Quirino formed the Integrity Board in 1950, which could receive complaints only with Malacañang’s blessing and budget. Former president Ramon Magsaysay’s Presidential Complaints and Action Commission in 1953 energized citizens but lacked prosecutors. Former president Carlos P. Garcia’s Presidential Committee on Administration Performance Efficiency in the late 1950s conducted audits, not graft prosecutions. Former president Diosdado Macapagal’s Presidential Anti-Graft Committee in 1962 vanished with the next administration. Even Congress’ Office of the Citizens’ Counselor under Republic Act No. 6028 in 1969 – an ombudsman-type office – was never implemented. Different names, same fate: short-lived, dependent, disposable.

Only institutions built into the Constitution endured. In 1986, former president Corazon Aquino and the framers of the 1987 Constitution gave the ombudsman fiscal autonomy and its own Office of the Special Prosecutor. That is why major graft cases that reached judgment passed through the ombudsman and the courts, not ad hoc commissions. The lesson is blunt: presidential executive orders stir attention, but courts deliver accountability.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure through Executive Order No. 94. Its mandate covers substandard and ghost infrastructure projects of the last decade. It can subpoena records, hold hearings and submit reports to the President. On paper, the powers look broad. In practice, the design is fragile. Funding still comes from Malacañang. Subpoenas duces tecum need resort to courts for enforcement and contempt citations. Criminal cases still pass through the ombudsman or the Department of Justice (DOJ) before trial. The Sandiganbayan remains the court of jurisdiction. Unless the Commission is welded into this pipeline, it risks becoming another intake layer, not a producer of convictions and eventual imprisonments.

Telling the public to ‘let the commission do its job’ should mean more than patience. It should mean removing obstacles that doomed past bodies. Witnesses must be compelled, not invited. Records must be produced, not requested. Investigations must result in cases filed, not reports shelved. Anything less, and history repeats itself.

Neutrality is critical. The Supreme Court in 2010 struck down former president Benigno Aquino III’s Philippine Truth Commission for targeting a single administration. That ruling was a warning: selective scope kills credibility and invites failure of prosecution. The new Commission cannot afford to look partisan. Its reach must cover all administrations and contractors, with conflict-of-interest rules and independent audits of its members.

If the Commission wants to succeed, it needs fixes now. A memorandum of understanding with the ombudsman and the DOJ would force integration: joint teams, shared evidence rooms and strict deadlines and timelines from referral to filing. A statutory upgrade would secure subpoena power, budget and tenure. Dashboards showing how many cases were referred, information filed and convictions won would keep it accountable. Without these, it risks becoming another short-lived Malacañang creation.

Investigators must also watch where corruption starts: the bidding table. Republic Act 12009, the New Government Procurement Act of 2024, requires disclosure of beneficial ownership, standard bidding forms and budget alignment. Yet it has become common practice to subvert these rules through loopholes or selective enforcement. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport concession is a cautionary tale of a different but related kind. Several petitions before the Supreme Court question how the deal secured rushed approvals, ignored statutory guardrails and approved steep fee hikes despite subverting extant laws. The challenge is how to stop this cycle before it undermines every new reform.

The verdict from history is harsh. Executive-created bodies have been loud but brittle. They were easy to set up, easier to ignore and easiest to dismantle. Unless the new Commission is legally insulated, hardwired into the ombudsman and the DOJ and judged by the convictions and incarcerations it secures, it will follow the same curve.

The Filipino people now cry for convictions and imprisonments of those found guilty of plunder (under Republic Act 7080) and forfeiture of unlawfully acquired properties and taxpayers’ monies (under Republic Act 1379), among other relevant laws, after expeditious and public trials by special courts assigned by the Supreme Court to try those indicted. They do not need another body that fades with the headlines. They need concrete results that stand in court. That is the real job the Commission must do.