Category: Philippine Star

Hundreds of lawyers in Mindanao condemned yesterday the killing of former National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 10 legal department head Niruh Kyle Antatico in Barangay Patag here on Friday.

Antatico was known for his advocacy against corruption, including within the NIA.

In a statement, the Portia Sorority of Mindanao, composed of law students and lawyers from Liceo de Cagayan University, Xavier University and Bukidnon State University, expressed outrage over the slaying.

‘He was a man of unwavering integrity, courage and principle, someone who lived a life anchored on the pursuit of truth and justice,’ the group said in a joint statement.

‘His advocacy for farmers and the marginalized reflected his deep compassion and enduring belief in the power of justice to transform lives,’ the groups added.

Earlier, the Fraternitas Scintilla Legis denounced the killing of Antatico, their fraternity brother, by two unidentified men on a motorcycle.

Cagayan de Oro Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Lordan Suan, aside from condemning the murder, condoled with Antatico’s family and urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting Philippine National Police chief, ordered an ‘extensive investigation’ and a manhunt for the assailants.

Filipino-French businessman Christophe Bariou revealed that he and his girlfriend, actress Nadine Lustre, were allegedly subjected to a P50-million extortion attempt by unnamed representatives of politicians in Siargao.

Bariou bared the corruption and harrassment allegations he, Nadine, and his businesses faced while living in the island province known for its surfing activities.

The couple are residents of the island, with Bariou counting 11 years of living in Siargao.

‘Before the elections, individuals claiming to represent certain politicians approached Nadine and me, offering to ‘resolve’ the bridge issue if we provided P50 million in cash,’ Bariou wrote on his lengthy Instagram post on October 11.

Bariou and Nadine openly opposed the construction of the Union-Malinao bridge citing environmental reasons.

The local government unit classified the area as a ‘highest priority for conservation’ zone in General Luna because of protective mangroves, seagrass, and corals.

The project was stopped by the national head office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following the report by Malinao residents and concerned citizens. The report revealed that the project had falsified approval documents, the absence of legally required Environmental Impact Assessment, and the ignored recommendations from the local DENR.

Bariou said that he also shared with the DENR an independent study about the proposed bridge, which would have caused irreparable ecological damage and threatens the livelihood of Brgy. Union’s fisherfolk.

‘The project was stopped because it was illegal, environmentally destructive, and after being originally budgeted at around P140 million, it suddenly ballooned to over P500 million just weeks after Typhoon Odette and months before the elections,’ Bariou wrote.

Super Typhoon ‘Odette’ struck central Philippines islands, including Siargao, in December 2021.

Bariou said that ‘projects like these’ are happening all over Siargao but receive ‘little to no attention’ because “those affected often lack resources, legal protection, or the ability to speak up without fear.”

He said that when the alleged extortion attempt failed, the unnamed other party proposed for him and Nadine to join them and support their local election bid in 2022 and ‘maybe we can sit down and talk about the bridge.’

Bariou said Nadine stayed firm in their response: ‘We don’t make deals with corruption. ever.’

Waves of harassment

Bariou said they faced a series of harassment after their objection and firm refusal.

His businesses, which includes resorts, were subjected to ‘countless and random inspections’ that he said failed to uncover anything questionable.

There were also ‘unauthorized soil testing’ conducted by unnamed government workers who he said ‘refused to identify themselves’ with a badge as mandated by law.

His staff were even ‘bullied and shouted at’ for filming their actions.

His business permit renewal was even ‘unlawfully put on hold.’

Bariou said that ARTA ruled in his favor and asked his business permit released after he filed an anti-red-tape complaint with the agency. He bared that an administrative and criminal investigation is ongoing, adding that there are other establishments that were intimidated and targeted during those times.

Bariou said that he ‘personally’ saw a photograph of what appeared to be a ‘red tag list,’ which he said seemed to identify establishments as ‘politically opposed’ and ‘deserving retaliation.’

Ongoing cases

Apart from this, Bariou said he also filed a case before the Supreme Court months ago in relation to the alleged illegal collection of tourism and so-called ‘environmental fees.’

Bariou said that it surfaced after an attempt at imposition of so-called fees on Secret Beach in Malinao, which forms part of his titled property. The property includes a public easement that is lawfully open for public access.

Bariou said a tent was set up on Secret Beach without prior consultation. He cited that under the law, no fundraising or fee collection may be conducted without the prior authorization of the adjacent landowners, which he said was them.

The Filipino-French businessman said the cases are now ongoing and he is refraining from disclosing further details about them.

He also filed a formal complaint for criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao, where it was received. He claims he has solid evidence, and that he will, likewise, refrain from divulging information since the case at the Ombudsman is ongoing.

For the silent majority

Bariou said Siargaonons deserve justice, adding that no Filipino should live in fear of speaking out or demanding accountability from those they elect and trust to serve them.

He also stressed that no parents should be threatened about their children’s expulsion from school if they do not vote for a particular candidate or have their livelihoods destroyed if they refuse to participat in corruption.

Bariou said he decided to speak up for the silent majority and because it has been difficult for him and Nadine.

‘The time for accountability has come. I am offering my cooperation to any credible media outlet for or government body willing to investiage what has long been whispered and now must be exposed,’ Bariou wrote.

He called on Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Vince Dizon and other national agencies investigating the misuse of public funds to include Siargao in their list of priorities for review and reform.

‘As one of the country’s windows to the world, Siargao should also be an example and inspiration,’ Bariou said.

‘Accountability is needed from all sides, regardless of political team or color,’ he added.

The Moro National Liberation Front and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region are working together to identify the gunmen behind the fatal ambush of a senior municipal MNLF leader and his son in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, October 13.

Officials of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade told reporters on Tuesday, October 14, that Abusama Agao, his son Norodin, and daughter Jahara were together in a tricycle when they were attacked by gunmen along a highway in Barangay Kapinpilan, Ampatuan.

Agao, a longtime commander of the MNLF and member of the barangay council in Matagabong, Ampatuan, and his son, a volunteer community watchman, both died instantly from multiple bullet wounds sustained in the attack, which left his daughter Jahara wounded.

Local officials and traditional Moro leaders in Ampatuan said the gunmen who carried out the ambush immediately escaped using getaway motorcycles.

The slain Agao, who was close to MNLF central committee chairman Muslimin Sema, was known for his active involvement in peacebuilding activities and law enforcement operations with the police and military in Barangay Matagabong and nearby areas in Ampatuan.

Sema, who is also labor and employment minister in the Bangsamoro regional government, condemned the atrocity and urged its speedy resolution by the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Sema said provincial MNLF leaders in the adjoining Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte provinces are helping police investigators and local executives in Ampatuan work toward a speedy closure to the incident.

PRO-BAR director Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman said officials of the Ampatuan Municipal Police Station and their immediate superior, Col. Sultan Salman Sapal, Maguindanao’s provincial police director, are personally overseeing the investigation into the attack.

Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., a listed integrated technology company chaired by Jerry Liu, is seeking new investors as the company recovers from financial setbacks due to a global slowdown in market demand.

Cirtek said that it is actively seeking potential new investors to address liquidity constraints and meet its obligations.

The company said the entry of new investors, if realized, is expected to generate future revenue and improve financial stability.

‘The company is also implementing internal measures to optimize cash flow and improve operations and exploring strategic partnerships and funding options to support long-term sustainability,’ Cirtek said.

According to Cirtek, it continues to face challenges due to the global slowdown in market demand, particularly in the first half.

The demand slowdown was further impacted by tariff-related concerns, which led several of the company’s customers to delay purchases and reduce orders across key segments.

Given these conditions, Cirtek said that it has no unappropriated retained earnings available to redeem and pay dividends on its preferred shares, specifically the Preferred B-2 Subseries A Shares, Preferred B-2 Subseries B Shares, Preferred B-2 Subseries C Shares and Preferred B-2 Subseries D Shares.

The company, however, stated that it will review the unrestricted retained earnings available for distribution as cash dividends once its audited financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, become available.

While it is unable to provide a definitive timeline for dividend payments and redemption of the preferred shares, the company said that it is taking deliberate steps to recover from the temporary setback.

‘Cirtek fully recognizes that these dividends are cumulative. And as the company has previously emphasized, it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to pay its shareholders in accordance with the terms set out in the said prospectuses once sufficient unappropriated retained earnings become available,’ the company said.

‘This includes payment of all dividends due on all preferred shares of the company and payment of all arrears of dividends outstanding by reason of the suspension, on future dates to be set by the board of directors,’ it said.

Cirtek was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Nov. 18, 2011.

Through its subsidiaries, Cirtek is primarily engaged in two major activities: the manufacture and sale of semiconductor packages as an independent subcontractor for outsourced semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging services, as well as the manufacture of value-added, highly integrated technology products.

Rico Hoey posted his season’s best performance in the PGA Tour so far, placing fourth in the Baycurrent Classic won by American Xander Schauffele Sunday at the Yokohama Country Club in Japan.

Hoey, the lone Filipino bet in the circuit, assembled a 14-under 270 over four days, capping his strong outing with an bogey-free eight-under 63 that lifted him 10 spots up in the final leaderboard. The tie at No. 4 was worth $301,600 (around P17.5 million).

Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts proudly marked Travel with Purpose Week 2025 with a series of meaningful initiatives that reflect Hilton’s global commitment to responsible travel and positive social impact.

Through purposeful action, Team Members championed community engagement, environmental stewardship, and sustainable hospitality across various locations throughout Mega Manila, reaching diverse communities and creating tangible impact where it matters most.

The week began with empowering youth through culinary skills training at Don Bosco Pugad Center in Makati. Team members mentored scholars aged 17 to 24 from underserved communities, sharing career insights and hands-on pastry-making skills to inspire confidence and future opportunities in hospitality.

Midweek, Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts team members turned their attention to the Pasay Social Development Center, where they revitalized the community playground by repainting structures and refreshing a mural originally created by volunteers in 2018.

The transformation brought new life to the space, creating a safe and vibrant environment where abused and abandoned children can begin to heal and thrive.

The spirit of giving continued the next day with Feeding Hope: Community Kitchen, held in partnership with Scholars of Sustenance Philippines at Sta. Ana Church.

Team members and volunteers came together to prepare and distribute nourishing meals to 150 individuals from vulnerable communities-including inmates at the nearby detention center-addressing food insecurity while advancing food rescue efforts and promoting responsible consumption. On October 2, Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts Team Members joined Conrad Manila and the Dumagat Tribe in planting 1,000 cacao seedlings around Angat-Ipo Dam, which supplies 90% of Metro Manila’s water.

The initiative strengthened watershed protection and created sustainable livelihood opportunities for the Dumagat community through cacao farming and the production of traditional tablea. An appreciation meal was also shared to honor the tribe’s role as stewards of the land.

The week concluded with Greens in the City: Herb Gardening at the hotel’s sixth-floor garden, where team members planted herbs and ornamentals to promote urban sustainability, culinary freshness and eco-conscious practices.

‘Travel with Purpose is not just a program-it’s a reflection of who we are and what we stand for,’ said Gagan Talwar, General Manager of Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts. ‘This week reminded us that hospitality goes beyond service; it’s about uplifting communities, protecting our environment, and creating moments that matter. I’m incredibly proud of our team members for leading with compassion and purpose.’

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala suffered an early exit from the Japan Women’s Open after getting dominated by Tereza Valentova, 1-6, 2-6, in the tourney’s first round Tuesday in Osaka.

World No. 78 Valentova, who defeated Alina Charaeva in the qualifiers to punch a ticket to the main draw, needed just an hour and 27 minutes to grab the victory against Eala, who is ranked 54th in the world.

The pride of Czechia started off the match with four straight games, before Eala finally put herself on the board, 4-1.

Valentova, though, secured the next two games to grab a 1-0 lead.

It was more of the same in the second set, as Valentova went up 3-0 before the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate won the fourth game to inch closer.

But the Czechian was too dominant as she moved to within a game from the next round, 5-1.

Eala kept herself alive as she broke her opponent’s serve, 2-5 and she tried to mount a comeback.

But Valentova would not be denied.

This is the second straight early exit for Eala. After a string of deep runs in her previous tournaments, the Filipina exited the qualifying round of the Wuhan Open earlier in the month.

Amid the successive powerful temblors that struck Cebu and Davao Oriental, a labor group has called on private companies nationwide to regularly conduct earthquake drills.

‘We should make disaster preparedness a habit and earthquake readiness a work culture,’ Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) president Raymond Mendoza said.

The group asked companies to hold earthquake drills at least twice a month ‘to build muscle memory among workers, especially when disaster strikes.’

Mendoza said frequent drills should be an opportunity for emergency preparedness meetings, including raising awareness on workers’ right to refuse to work in an unsafe environment.

The Department of Labor and Employment backed the TUCP’s call for the conduct of regular earthquake drills.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma pointed out that concern and advocacy for occupational safety and health is a shared responsibility among workers, employers and the government.

In San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora called on local officials and the public to strengthen disaster preparedness efforts amid fears of a major earthquake or the ‘Big One’ in Metro Manila.

Zamora, who also serves as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines and Metro Manila Council president, said local government units must continue capacity-building programs for disaster response personnel and ensure that emergency equipment and supplies are ready at all times.

‘I urge all our citizens, not only those in Metro Manila but also from all regions, to recognize their crucial role in disaster preparedness. Your vigilance and active participation can help save lives and minimize property damage,’ Zamora said.

He reminded residents to remain calm and alert during earthquakes.

‘Local governments are ready to assist you, but your immediate response in the crucial first hours after a disaster can make a big difference,’ Zamora said. ‘Let us remain alert, informed and united in building a safer and more resilient Philippines.’

Four people died while eight others were injured after a dump truck hit 11 vehicles before plowing into three houses along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Isabang, Lucena City on Saturday.

According to police, the impact was so strong that it set at least five cars ablaze.

Truck driver William Busa was rushed to the Quezon Medical Center where he died during treatment.

Col. Romulo Albacea, Quezon police director, identified the three other fatalities as Sherwin dela Cruz and Roldan Hernandez, who both died at the scene while in a tricycle that was also hit by the speeding truck, and Mark Oliver who was found dead under the rubble of his collapsed house.

Albacea said rescuers pulled Oliver’s mother out of the rubble alive. She remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Lt. Col. Ryan Hernandez, acting Lucena city police chief, said the truck was traveling at high speed when it hit the vehicles at Bagong Lucena Welcome Circle in Purok Maulawin at 11:20 p.m.

Hernandez identified those injured as Maria Nelia Panuelas, 70, Jerimy Quidlat and Rosemarie Abrigo as well as family members Michelle, Almico, Almira, Almica and Almiro, all surnamed Revaula.

Rescuers rushed the eight injured residents to the Quezon Medical Center.

Hernandez said police as well as personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office worked together to conduct crowd control as well as the fire suppression and rescue efforts.

Police are investigating to determine whether reckless driving or mechanical failure caused the accident.

James Kevin Cruz and Jessa Mae Roda topped the PCSO Charity Run 2025 on Sunday at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.

Cruz was the fastest man in the 21K race with his time of 1:17:50, followed by Richille Estampador (1:18:00) and Moiselle Angelo Alforque (1:24:02); while Roda clocked at 1:28:01 to win the women’s division, edging out Maricar Camacho (1:28:52) and Niche Ann Barcena (1:30:55).

The race organized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in partnership with RUNRIO, and has Ayala Land Inc. and Make It Makati as venue partners championed the cause to unite communities in support of Philippine charities and foundations.

‘We hope that we continue to advocate events like these as we all know the noble and selfless intentions that the PCSO has in helping those in need,’ said PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles, who participated in the 5K race of this event which also has Olympic Village and Decathlon Pasig as redemption partners, Cristalino Spring as hydration partner, ION+ Electrolyte Drink as electrolyte partner, and GU Energy PH as energy gel partner.

True to PCSO’s purpose, proceeds from the run will benefit its partner agencies Christian Mission Philippines, Inc., Buklod-Unlad Ng Batangas, Inc., Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly, Inc., White Cross Inc., Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home Inc., SOS Children’s Village Lipa Inc., Cottolengo Filipino Inc., Our Lady of Sorrows Foundation Inc., Lingap-Pangarap ng mga Paslit Center Inc., and Self Help Approach and Rights-Based Environment Inc.

In the 10K race, James Daniel Orduña, Welfred Jack Labrador and Jevie Rebultazo took the top three spots in the men’s category, while Edna Magtubo, Reveilyn Aquino and Camille Santos led the women’s field.

The 5K race also saw Mark Anthony Oximar, Merck Jounes Tribo and Reynor John Rivera place in the top three of the males, while Princess Sambog, Klarisse Odiame and Bernadette Galang made the podium for females.

Meanwhile, in the 3K division, Ronel Arenas, John Chavez and Judiel Malanay ruled the men’s ranks, while Tracy Kate Calupig, Jasmine Malabanang and Kyla Joyce Roy led the female runners.

The PCSO Charity Run 2025 has Unilab, Giggles Cooling Wipes, Leslie’s Snacks, Farmer John Premium Potato Chips, Nacho Corn Chips, Clover, Nike by Park Access and REV*, Fitbar, Diabetasol, Salonpas, Mood Food, DailyFix, Lubie, Chlorelief, Hello, Chippy, Mang Juan, Cloud 9, and Ascend Therapy and Wellness Center as sponsors.