Category: Philippine Star

The government has lifted its ban on poultry imports from New Zealand, the latest in a series of trade restrictions rolled back recently as local authorities ease curbs tied to past animal disease outbreaks.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 62 authorizing the resumption of shipments of domesticated and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs and poultry semen used for artificial insemination.

‘Import transactions for the specified commodities, slaughtered or produced after the issuance of this order, may resume in accordance with existing DA rules and regulations,’ Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

The DA imposed the ban in January following reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in several parts of New Zealand, a country regarded as one of the Philippines’ smaller but reliable poultry suppliers.

The move to reopen trade came after the World Organization for Animal Health confirmed that the outbreak had been resolved.

The lifting of the restriction comes just days after the DA reopened the country’s borders to poultry imports from six other territories, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden and the Malaysian states of Kelantan and Sabah.

Those bans, initially imposed over avian influenza concerns, were lifted after veterinary authorities confirmed the absence of new outbreaks.

In late September, the DA similarly cleared imports from Israel and South Dakota in the United States, citing improved biosecurity conditions and evaluations by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showing minimal risk of infection.

The reopening of poultry trade also coincides with President Marcos’ signing early this month of a measure that seeks to strengthen the country’s livestock and poultry sectors through a P20-billion annual fund aimed at boosting competitiveness and disease resilience.

Under Republic Act 12308 or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, the government will allocate a competitiveness enhancement fund to modernize animal production systems, upgrade biosecurity standards and support farmers as they adjust to easing import restrictions.

Uncollected taxes from online businesses may have already reached billions of pesos, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the agency is intensifying efforts to monitor online sales and coordinate with digital platforms to ensure compliance with tax laws and prevent further revenue losses.

‘What we can say for certain is that online transactions have grown significantly, which is why we really need to concentrate our efforts on closely monitoring online sales and activities,’ he told The STAR.

The BIR issued a revenue memorandum circular last year, ordering electronic marketplace operators to impose a one-percent withholding tax on their sellers and merchants.

It stated that the move seeks to balance the playing field between traditional brick-and-mortar establishments and online marketplaces, emphasizing that all merchants are required to pay their fair share of taxes, regardless of whether they operate in a physical or digital capacity.

A withholding tax is a levy on an employee’s income, where employers are mandated under existing regulations to deduct a specific portion of the salary and remit it directly to the BIR.

Industry data show that more than two million people in the country are engaged in electronic commerce, reflecting its growing role in the economy.

Lumagui said it is continuously coordinating with online merchant platforms and the Department of Trade and Industry on how to implement the shutdown of websites that fail to pay the required fees.

‘All of us are keeping a close watch on social media, and every time we see that they have potential sales there, it becomes quite evident to us,’ the BIR chief said.

Earlier this year, the Philippine Retailers Association urged the government to impose a value-added tax on physical goods sold through e-commerce platforms, saying many of these transactions remain untaxed and put traditional brick-and-mortar retailers at a disadvantage.

From January to August, the BIR’s revenue increased by 11.4 percent to P2.14 trillion. The revenue target for the agency this year was adjusted slightly to P3.22 trillion from P3.23 trillion.

Past midnight the other day the ground started shaking again, as if to remind the people of Cebu that the aftershocks aren’t over yet.

Many immediately took to social media to tell others they were safe, to check on loved ones, and also to give their five cents’ worth about what’s shaking.

Considering how some comments on social media about the quakes are misinformed or even downright silly, it’s high time people should get more educated when it comes to earthquakes, which are purely natural phenomena.

Quakes aren’t caused by mythical creatures. Sure, this was the belief during the times of superstition and the ages before science was made widely available to the masses. The belief was that quakes were caused by giant creatures within the earth. Now we know they are caused by tectonic or volcanic activity.

Quakes aren’t caused by divine wrath against a few greedy individuals. While we dare not say that we know what the almighty is thinking, if he really wanted some specific people dead they would now all be buried. And why target the innocent or those who haven’t offended him?

Besides, and we say this without necessarily being judgmental, if we have to take faults into account we can say more people or nations around the world deserve divine punishment more than we do.

Quakes aren’t predictable. Some netizens have taken it upon themselves to point the finger at PHIVOLCS for not being able to predict quakes ahead of time and warn people. That’s not how quakes work. At our present technological level, even the most advanced nations can never really tell when pressure building up in fault lines is suddenly released.

Of course, this task of educating people about quakes falls to our government agencies and learning institutions, which are actually doing a good job of disseminating information about what is going on under our feet. It’s too bad some of us insist on holding on to misconceptions.

It would be good to understand the whats and the whys of what is going on; we cannot afford to misunderstand what causes quakes considering that more of them may still be to come.

The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the petition of the Duterte Youth party-list to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from canceling its registration.

In a notice issued yesterday, the SC denied the plea of Duterte Youth for a temporary restraining order, writ of preliminary injunction and a status quo ante order.

The high tribunal gave the Comelec 10 days to submit its comment to Duterte Youth’s petition.

The group had filed a petition before the SC questioning two Comelec resolutions – one issued by the Second Division on June 18, which canceled its registration, and another from the Comelec en banc on Aug. 29 that dismissed Duterte Youth’s motion for reconsideration.

In affirming the Second Division’s resolution, the Comelec en banc said Duterte Youth’s withdrawal and substitution of party-list nominees ‘undermined the spirit and intent of the party-list system and mocked the election processes.’

The Second Division also cited the group for committing prohibited acts under the election law, such as the lack of bonafide intention to represent the youth sector, advocating violence and getting assistance from the government.

Duterte Youth secured three seats in the House of Representatives after receiving over 2.3 million votes in the May 2025 elections.

The Comelec suspended its proclamation due to pending cases filed against the party-list group.

In its petition before the SC, Duterte Youth argued that the Comelec rulings were issued with grave abuse of discretion.

On Sept. 30, the poll body issued a certificate of finality and entry of judgment on its decision to cancel the group’s registration.

While drawing up the procedures for public access to government officials’ asset statements, the Office of the Ombudsman is planning to revive the deputization of resident ombudsmen in agencies deemed to be graft-prone.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said an earlier agreement allowed the office to deputize state prosecutors under the Department of Justice, which he used to head, as well as state auditors to serve as anti-corruption watchdogs in selected agencies. But the agreement has not been implemented.

Meanwhile, the regional office in Bacolod of the National Bureau of Investigation is opening online channels where people can send messages detailing complaints or providing tips about government anomalies starting with flood control projects.

Members of the Mayors for Good Governance, who are moving to institutionalize reforms to prevent corruption in local governments, are also preparing to launch a website featuring infrastructure projects, which will include among other things the identity of the contractor, the project specs, costs and implementation dates. This will allow the projects to be subjected to public monitoring for possible anomalies.

These initiatives complement the sumbongsapangulo.ph, a portal launched by Malacañang to jumpstart the anti-corruption crackdown in flood control projects. As of last week, the portal had received over 19,000 reports of possible anomalies in flood control projects all over the country.

Action on the complaints is critical to sustain the momentum of public vigilance. Similar digital portals have been launched in the past years, only to fade into obscurity as people saw no response to their grievances.

In the case of sumbongsapangulo.ph, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, members of the House infra comm, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, among others, said they found many useful tips in the portal in tracking down anomalous projects.

Acting on thousands of tips and complaints will require more manpower. The Commission on Audit, whose officials defended yesterday their budget proposal for 2026, cited the lack of auditors assigned to local engineering offices. While acknowledging accusations that auditors including COA Commissioner Mario Lipana were themselves possibly complicit in corruption, the COA officials at the budget hearing said the lack of personnel contributed to the agency’s failure to detect the massive flood control anomalies in Bulacan involving public works engineers.

While waiting for additional personnel, the different agencies can pool their resources to provide channels for reporting possible anomalies in government. Seeing complaints acted upon will ensure that citizen vigilance won’t be a flash in the pan and will continue beyond the flood control scandal.

The holiday spirit has arrived early as Anko, Australia’s much-loved home and lifestyle brand as it unveils its latest Christmas collection designed to bring warmth, creativity and joy into Filipino homes.

From stylish home décor to thoughtful gift ideas, Anko’s Christmas range captures the joyful spirit of the season-combining Australia’s relaxed aesthetic with the Filipino love for festive gatherings.

Bring the Anko holiday into your home

To jumpstart everyone’s holiday creativity, Anko collaborated with renowned interior designer Madelaine San Jose, founder of Design Gone Mads, to reimagine how Filipinos can bring the Anko holiday spirit into their own homes.

‘Design should always feel within reach. That’s what makes Anko’s Christmas collection special. Every piece opens the door to creativity, inviting you to mix colors, textures, and personal stories that make the season your own,’ San Jose explained.

During the morning workshops, San Jose shared our distinct styling themes that offer a fresh take on holiday decorating that balances style, personality and affordability:

Retro Candy Cane

Joyful and nostalgic, Retro Candy Cane evokes the childlike wonder of Christmas using bright reds, soft whites and playful patterns reminiscent of a classic holiday carnival.

San Jose shared you can adorn your space with Candy Cane Baubles (P190), Candy Cane Letter Decorations (P90) and the Candy and Gift Garland (P290). Complete the look with the Nutcracker Décor Set (36 pieces, P490) for a whimsical touch that radiates fun and love.

Traditional Cheer

Timeless and heartwarming, Traditional Cheer brings the magic of home to life with deep reds, velvety textures and metallic accents. San Jose recommends pairing Christmas Berries in Pot (P690) and Frosted Pine in Pot (P690) with gold ornaments for a sophisticated yet cozy setup.

Add a Bow Basket (P440) or a Christmas Tree (P2,140) as a centerpiece-a reminder that some traditions only grow more beautiful with time.

Natural Holiday

Soft, grounded and serene, Natural Holiday celebrates the beauty of simplicity. Inspired by nature’s calm palette, this look layers soft neutrals, organic textures and cozy fabrics.

Create an inviting space with Christmas Wreath Cushions (P440), Bow Cushions (P690), and the Silk Striped Pillow Case (P690). Complement with ceramic accents and wood finishes for a relaxed, coastal-inspired Christmas.

Seasonal Sparkle

For those who love quiet elegance, San Jose recommends following the Seasonal Sparkle theme, which glows with metallic hues, candlelight and subtle glamour. Layer Light-Up Tree Cushions (P690), Metallic Baubles (P130) and Christmas Tinsels (P90) for a radiant holiday glow.

Serve drinks in Gingerbread, Santa or Red Bauble Drink Jars (P150) to add a refined, festive flourish.

From festive home décor to heartfelt gifting, Anko reminds Filipinos that celebrating the holidays doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. As the brand marks its first anniversary in the Philippines, it reaffirms its promise to make style and joy accessible to every home this Christmas and beyond.

Festive in-store experiencesLast October 10 to 12, shoppers experienced the magic firsthand through immersive displays and weekend activities designed to capture the joy of the holiday season.

From Christmas cotton candy and inspiring tablescapes to craft workshops, a calligraphy corner and a photobooth for personalized keepsakes, every visit to Anko, promises a moment to remember, turning ordinary shopping trips into a celebration of creativity, connection and cheer.

‘There’s a certain magic that only Christmas in the Philippines can bring-homes come alive, families gather and everyday moments feel brighter. It’s only Anko’s second Christmas in the Philippines, but it’s the season where our mission of making everyday living brighter comes to life most vividly. From thoughtful gifts to festive home touches, Christmas is when stylish, quality products at affordable prices matter most to families,’ shared Rachel Turner, Anko Philippines country manager.

The festivities began with a touching surprise from Anko brand ambassador Anne Curtis-Smith, who led a P10,000 shopping spree for a chosen nominee at the Trinoma branch.

Anne joined the winner in curating their cart with festive décor, home essentials and gift-worthy finds from Anko’s Christmas collection. The celebration continued with an intimate meet-and-greet with Anko Club members, where Anne shared her favorite Anko holiday pieces and styling tips.

‘As a mom, I especially love how Anko’s vibrant, friendly pieces make the season even more magical for kids. It’s about creating a space where both the young and the young-at-heart feel the Christmas cheer,’ the model-actress shared.

Anne also shared that Anko will be marking a special milestone this season with its first anniversary celebration on November 7 at Ayala Malls Glorietta 2, Palm Drive Activity Center. The event will feature exclusive activities for Anko Club members.

Three Philippines women’s pairs – led by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons – and two men’s tandems target spots in the main draw in the qualification matches for the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco kick off Alas Pilipinas’s campaign against foreign opponents at 9 a.m. as seeded athletes James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla drew a bye in the qualification round.

‘It’s good that we are seeded in this event and we do not need to play in the qualification that will keep us fresh in the main draw,’ said Buytrago, who along with Abadilla clinched a bronze medal in the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

The specific pairings will be known only after the preliminary inquiry which was scheduled late afternoon Tuesday.

Buytrago and Abdilla are one of the 24 men’s teams seeded in the 32-pair main draw that starts Thursday.

‘We’re hoping to improve on our quarterfinal finish in last year’s BPT although it will not be easy,’ added Buytrago, as he acknowledged the rigid training they’ve been getting under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Simao Barbosa.

‘I’ll be playing with an injured index finger so we’ll just give our best,’ he said.

Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor will also plunge into action in the qualifiers of the FIVB Volleyball World tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara.

The popular tandem of Rondina and Pons, ranked 137th in the world, will see action on Thursday in the main draw.

World’s No. 6 Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson of Sweden are the men’s defending their champions of the competition that drew 65 men’s pairs from 25 nations and 46 women’s duos from 15 countries.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defended the use of unprogrammed funds in the budget, insisting that they are standby allocations with several conditions before they can be accessed.

The DBM cited its release of an additional P5 million to fund the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, which was charged against the 2025 national budget.

‘This latest fund release underscores the importance of unprogrammed appropriations as fiscal buffers that enable the government to respond swiftly to social and humanitarian emergencies,’ DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

‘Unprogrammed appropriations are not discretionary or secret funds, but standby allocations duly authorized and approved by Congress. These funds can only be accessed when there are excess or windfall revenues, new revenue measures, or valid loan agreements for foreign-assisted projects,’ she added.

Pangandaman said that unprogrammed funds are ‘fiscal buffers’ that allow the government to respond to emergency situations without breaking the set fiscal program.

Unprogrammed allocations have been tagged as one of the areas where budgetary insertions are allegedly made for later kickbacks. One of the lawmakers who allegedly made a budget insertion into the unprogrammed fund was Sen. Joel Villanueva.

This has prompted several lawmakers to seek the complete removal of unprogrammed funds.

However, the House of Representatives has already passed the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, which has been criticized for containing P250 billion in unprogrammed funds.

Senate President Tito Sotto and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian are eyeing the elimination of unprogrammed allocations for local projects.

Foreign-assisted projects would be the only exemption for unprogrammed funds, Sotto said.

During the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., unprogrammed funds have ballooned. In 2024, unprogrammed funds reached a whopping P731 billion. Congress has consistently inflated the unprogrammed funds beyond what the Executive Branch had requested.

The United States has denounced China for ramming a Philippine fisheries vessel near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and reminded it that Washington’s defense commitments to Manila cover attacks on Philippine vessels anywhere in the South China Sea.

The statement from US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott came two days after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel water-cannoned and rammed the BRP Datu Pagbuaya while it was anchored in the territorial waters off Pag-asa Island.

‘The United States condemns China’s October 12 ramming and water cannoning of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel close to Thitu Island in the South China Sea,’ the US State Department said. ‘We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s dangerous actions which undermine regional stability.’

China’s ‘sweeping territorial and maritime claims’ and its ‘increasingly coercive actions’ have violated its own pledges to resolve disputes peacefully and have ‘undermined regional stability,” the US State Department said.

Pigott reiterated that the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to ‘armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.’

What happened on Sunday? Three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels were anchored 1.6 nautical miles from Pag-asa on a mission to support Filipino fishermen when CCG and suspected militia ships suddenly approached them, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said at a briefing yesterday.

CCG vessel 21559 fired its water cannon directly at the Datu Pagbuaya, with a video clip from the PCG showing the water blast hitting the ship.

The Chinese ship afterward rammed the Datu Pagbuaya’s stern, causing minor structural damage. No crew members were hurt.

Two other Philippine fisheries vessels were also hit with water cannons but sustained no damage, Tarriela said.

The PCG spokesperson said the incident took place just 1.6 to 1.8 nautical miles from Pag-asa – making it the closest Chinese maritime harassment yet to Philippine territory.

Pag-asa Island – known internationally as Thitu – lies about 277 kilometers west of Palawan and is the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Spratly Islands. It hosts a small civilian population and is under the jurisdiction of the Kalayaan Island Group.

The island has become a flashpoint in recent years as Chinese coast guard and militia vessels increasingly shadow or block Philippine missions in the area.

It was a rousing PBA Philippine Cup debut for league newcomer Titan Ultra with Calvin Abueva scoring a career-high 41 points in 35:04 minutes as the Giant Risers rose to the occasion in beating Meralco, 100-96, at Ynares Antipolo last Wednesday. But with The Beast tallying only two points in 4:47 minutes due to a hamstring strain in Titan’s second game, coach Johnedel Cardel’s troops couldn’t hold the fort and the Risers fell to Converge, 129-92, at Ynares Montalban last Saturday.

Titan’s next assignment is Magnolia at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday and Cardel’s hoping Abueva will be back in full battle gear. ‘First quarter pa lang injury na si Calvin at nawala energy ng team,’ said Cardel, referring to Abueva’s early exit against Converge. ‘Di namin ma-stop sina (Justin) Arana at (Justine) Baltazar. Outrebounded kami. Tapos malas mga field goals namin. Laking kawalan si Calvin. May pumitik sa hamstring niya at di namin pwinersa pumasok uli. Tingin ko, makakalaro against Magnolia.’

After Titan bought NorthPort’s franchise, the Risers underwent a major overhaul, striking out nine players from last season’s roster and bringing in six veterans and three rookies. The freshmen are Chris Koon, Arvie Bringas and Mario Barasi. When the MPBL season ends, Titan draft pick CJ Austria will check in. The veterans who jumped aboard were Aljun Melecio, Ato Ular, Jeo Ambohot, Von Pessumal, James Martinez and Roi Sumang.

It was team owner Bryann Calantoc who brought in Cardel who previously coached Terrafirma and GlobalPort. ‘Yung uncle ni Boss Bryann kasama ko sa GlobalPort kaya naisipan nila kunin akong coach,’ said Cardel. ‘Malaki natutunan ko sa Terrafirma, doon ko natutunan kung paano mag-motivate ng players, paano mag-develop players at coaches to share ideas para manalo.’

Cardel’s goal is to qualify for the quarterfinals. ‘We’ll see anong next step after that,’ he said. In Titan’s first-ever win, Cardel said he let Abueva loose to do his thing. ‘Hinayaan ko maglaro si Calvin kung anong komportable sa kaniya,’ he said. ‘Nakikita ko sa practice na malaki ang improvement niya sa tira sa labas.’ Abueva was on fire in leading Titan’s charge, hitting four of seven threes, nine of 10 free throws and 14 of 27 from the floor in becoming only the eighth active player to net at least 40 points in a game after June Mar Fajardo, Don Trollano, Robert Bolick, RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome and Stanley Pringle.