Category: Philippine Star

The Judicial and Bar Council released the shortlist for the candidates for the position of Ombudsman, with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on the list.

Six other individuals are also included in the shortlist released on Monday, October 6, namely:

Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez

Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi

Philippine Competition Commissioner Michael Aguinaldo

Philippine Postal Corporation Chairman Stephen Cruz

Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Anna Liza Logan

Article XI, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution states that vacancies from the Ombudsman must be filled within three months from the vacancy.

Like members of the judiciary, the Ombudsman is appointed by the president and does not need confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

The Ombudsman also has a non-renewable term of seven years and can only be removed through impeachment.

The individual who will be appointed to the post will occupy the Office of the Ombudsman, which was vacated by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27, 2025.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier cleared Remulla to be in the running for the post amid kidnapping and arbitrary detention charges filed against him over the government’s handover of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court.

The top priority for National Power Corp. (Napocor)’s new top official is to slash costly diesel reliance in off-grid areas, signaling a stronger push toward renewable energy (RE).

‘The instruction is to decrease dependence on diesel fuel because diesel power plants are basically the majority of the Napocor generation facilities,’ Napocor president and CEO Jericho Nograles said in an interview.

Nograles, who took office just last month, said diesel-fired facilities remain the ‘most expensive’ power plants to operate for the state-run firm.

He said diesel-generated electricity costs about P30 per kilowatt-hour on average, but consumers pay only around P7 per kWh, leaving the government to shoulder the heavy subsidy gap.

Given this, Nograles said Napocor is now focused on accelerating the rollout of new RE assets by overhauling its previously slow-moving strategy.

‘We’re reviewing that (RE rollout), and we’re getting better leads nowadays. Let’s hope that you will see the results within six months,’ Nograles said.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, Napocor is mandated to provide electricity and associated power delivery systems to areas and communities not connected to the main grid.

It currently operates over 200 power plants and manages the transmission systems of several island provinces, including Palawan, Catanduanes, Masbate, Marinduque and Mindoro.

According to Nograles, Napocor is working closely with the Department of Energy to deploy new technologies aimed at reducing diesel consumption in off-grid areas.

‘We’re looking at islands. We’re looking at geographically isolated areas. And for those that are within the Napocor territories, within our 168 islands, we will fix their cost of electricity,’ Nograles said.

Two-time Olympian weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando is starting to become like someone she had envisioned herself to be – a legitimate medal contender in the 2028 edition of the quadrennial event in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Cebu native showed a glimpse of that potential by copping a bronze in the women’s 63-kilogram class of the IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway Sunday.

There, the Southeast Asian Games gold winner and Asian Games bronze medalist lifted 131kg to claim the country’s first and only medal in Forde so far.

And it could have been two bronzes had she not lost that one to Colombian Yenny Sinisterra, who had identical 231kg lift but took it on tiebreaks after being the first one to reach that mark.

Sinisterra had only 128kg in clean and jerk but had 103kg in the snatch.

Ando, who had 100kg in snatch, wound up fourth.

North Korean Ri Suk swept all three golds with a 253kg total on a 111kg lift in snatch and 142kg in clean and jerk.

Albert Ian delos Santos, who is just 19 years old in competing against older foes in the men’s 71 kg section, also achieved a milestone, registering 185 kg lift in clean and jerk that set a new world juniors record.

The Philippines remains at a critical stage in its digital development. Connectivity underpins education, commerce and daily life, yet the country still trails its Asian neighbors in the infrastructure needed to support growing demand.

As of 2025, the Philippines has under 38,000 cell sites, short of the estimated 50,000 required to serve more than 113 million mobile users. By comparison, Indonesia operates over 121,000 sites, Vietnam around 90,000, and Myanmar has already surpassed the Philippines in tower density. This gap continues to affect the reach and reliability of mobile and internet services nationwide.

Globe’s mobile network now covers 96.13% of the Philippine population, serving more than 106 million people, though about 4.2 million Filipinos remain outside coverage. The company invested P56.2 billion in 2024, mostly for network upgrades.

Globe said its mobile network now covers a million Filipinos, giving them reliable signals for calls, internet use, and daily communication. Still, around 4.2 million people remain outside coverage, highlighting the need for continued expansion.

To address this, the telco said it continues to build and upgrade its network. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, it rolled out 487 new towers, upgraded nearly 4,000 sites with LTE, and activated 235 additional 5G sites. Today, its 5G network supports over 9.5 million devices nationwide.

The push extends to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), where 600 operational sites are already live, with a target of 700 by year-end. Industry-wide plans between 2025 and 2028 aim to bring more than 1,000 new towers to these underserved communities.

‘Every tower we build brings Filipinos closer to opportunity, better education, stronger businesses, and more connected communities,’ said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO. ‘Expanding our network is how we ensure the Philippines stays competitive in Asia’s digital future.’

These efforts are backed by strong investments. In 2024, Globe said it spent P56.2 billion in capital expenditures, the bulk of which was directed toward strengthening and expanding its network.

The company said challenges remain in building new infrastructure. Lengthy permitting processes, difficulties in site acquisition, and local restrictions continue to slow down expansion. Globe has called for streamlined processes and closer coordination with stakeholders to accelerate network deployment.

Asia’s digital race highlights the importance of reliable infrastructure. Each new tower strengthens the country’s digital backbone, enabling students to access online learning, allowing small businesses to connect with markets, and helping families stay connected across the archipelago.

Globe’s ongoing projects show the scale of investment needed to close the gap and keep pace with regional neighbors. Expanding tower density and improving service reliability remain central to positioning the Philippines competitively in the digital economy.

Known as the City of Pines and Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City is a premier tourist destination and home to a vibrant community of over 366,000 residents.

Beyond its cool climate and scenic beauty, Baguio is also known for its strong commitment to sustainability and progress, with its local government consistently championing projects aimed at creating a livable, inclusive and creative environment for its Baguio 2043 vision.

Helping to illuminate this vision is no other than the world leader in lighting, Signify. Together, Signify and the Baguio LGU have embarked on a transformative lighting project that not only enhanced the city’s visual charms but also propelled significant progress across various sectors.

In an interview with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the LGU was using traditional streetlights and was paying P4.9 million a month. But when they made the switch from high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) to low-wattage LED lights, not only did it generate significant savings for Baguio, but it also resulted in more safety and security for people due to better illumination.

‘Ang naging vision namin, Baguio 2043-a liveable, inclusive and creative Baguio,’ Mayor Magalong shared.

‘When we transitioned to LED, mas maliwanag pa…ang binabayaran nalang natin (ay) umaabot ng P1.5 to P1.6 million as compared sa P4.8 million. Ang savings namin is around P30+ million a year sa lighting pa lang,’ he added.

The impact of Philips lighting solutions extends beyond simply making streets brighter. It also lights the way to meaningful progress on tourism, public safety, good governance and the city’s overall environmental footprint.

Glowing reviews from tourists

Baguio’s picturesque views, bustling night markets and city activities added another layer of attraction with the help of reliable and appealing lighting.

Visitors have taken notice, describing a better experience with just a touch of the power of effective lighting.

“This is my second time roaming around the Baguio Night Market,” shared Sophia, a Balikbayan tourist. ‘And the first time I went here, it was not well-lighted. So I think it’s better na ganito siya kaliwanag. Kasi mas maayos siya and better experience siya for visitors.’

Local businesses also felt the benefits of the improved lighting system. Lighting, while often overlooked, holds a profound power to transform experiences and environments, making them better.

Shining the light on good governance

The Baguio LGU’s commitment to good governance and efficient resource management is the cornerstone of its operations. The partnership with Signify, in particular, reflects a meticulous approach to ensuring public funds are utilized effectively for the highest quality outcomes.

‘One of the things we are proud of here in Baguio is that there is no corruption,’ Mayor Magalong shared. ‘That’s why our principle of good governance is very strong. And you have to make sure also that there’s due diligence in choosing the right brand.’

‘We have to make sure that our suppliers are so aligned with our principle of good governance as well. That’s why for me, I would rather go for Philips because we have already tested it,’ he added.

The consistent quality and reliability of Signify’s Philips brand played a crucial role in the LGU’s decision. With this, Signify also underscores its commitment to providing innovative, sustainable lighting solutions that genuinely contribute to urban development and the well-being of communities.

The project in Baguio indeed serves as a powerful testament to how intelligent lighting can foster progress and create a better future.

The signify promise

Raghuraman Chandrasekhar, country leader for professional business at Signify Philippines, also echoed the same sentiment: ‘Taxpayers’ money is sacred, it is hard-earned. This drives us to win the trust of the government and the Filipino people. Given this, Signify works hard to execute LGU lighting projects right the first time. All of us at Signify owe this promise to everyone, and we are committed to working hard to keep this pledge.’

Signify remains committed to providing reliable, energy-efficient and future-ready lighting solutions across the Philippines. The story of Baguio City is a shining example of how, through collaboration and innovation, a city can light its way to a more sustainable and secure future.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has warned public officials against using the Senate’s current leadership turmoil to weaken or redirect investigations into corruption in flood control projects, saying such a move would ‘heighten public suspicion of a cover-up.’

In a statement on Monday, October 6, CBCP President Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said the public is watching closely amid several unanswered questions into the alleged multibillion-peso anomalies in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects despite weeks of hearings.

‘After the revelations of massive anomalies in flood control projects, any move to change Senate leadership or redirect investigations now would only heighten public suspicion of a cover-up,’ the CBCP statement read.

The CBCP also called on all public officials to uphold the integrity of the ongoing inquiries and allow the newly formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to ‘investigate fully and freely, without political interference from any branch of government.’

Lacson’s resignation

The CBCP statement comes after Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said over the weekend that he would submit today his resignation as chair of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon committee, which has been conducting an inquiry into irregularities in flood control allocations.

Lacson, in stepping down from his chairmanship, cited the ‘disappointment’ of several colleagues over his handling of the hearings.

His exit has fueled talks of another leadership shake-up, barely a month after Sen. Chiz Escudero was replaced by Senate President Tito Sotto III.

Sen. JV Ejercito earlier told reporters he and four other senators had considered leaving the majority bloc after the Lacson-led Blue Ribbon committee started to turn its focus on senators involved in the anomalies in flood control projects.

Lacson had earlier revealed that nearly all senators had inserted at least P100 billion worth of items in the 2025 budget, much of it for DPWH projects. That disclosure, according to some senators, risked damaging the Senate’s collective reputation.

Budget insertions themselves are not anomalous. However, the practice of doing so has drawn controversy as it has been abused to allegedly funnel billions of pesos into projects that are either non-existent (ghost projects) or subject to kickbacks.

Lacson’s resignation is now widely seen as an attempt to prevent instability in the upper chamber, appease the majority and, in effect, keep Sotto at the top.

Speculation over another leadership change has been growing as reports alleged some senators were considering backing Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano for the top post.

Within the Senate, however, senators have denied that Cayetano was poised to take over. Lacson has also dismissed the rumors as ‘rehashed psywar tactics intended to sow intrigue among members of the majority.’

‘Let the truth flow freely’

In its statement, the CBCP called on both Congress and Malacañang to demonstrate that they ‘serve the common good, not partisan power.’

‘We strongly oppose any attempt to pre-empt or derail the investigation through backroom deals, leadership takeovers, or selective justice,’ the statement added. ‘A nation cannot heal when its moral arteries are clogged by corruption and self-interest.’

They warned that attempts to sidestep the inquiry or silence investigators would only deepen public cynicism about corruption and erode confidence in the government’s anti-graft efforts.

The bishops also called for protection of whistleblowers and technical personnel ‘who come forward in good faith,’ noting that many such workers had been exposed to harassment or political pressure in past investigations.

‘No to a whitewash. Yes to full accountability,’ the statement declared. ‘Only through truth can our nation begin to rebuild trust and ensure that flood control no longer becomes another flood of corruption.’

The CBCP also expressed support for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure – the body the president created last month to investigate corruption in public works – but emphasized that its hearings must be open to the public.

The ICI was created precisely to restore public trust, the CBCP said, and its work must proceed ‘thoroughly, transparently, and without fear or favor.’

The CBCP earlier called for a National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance to be held tomorrow, October 7.

Police seized P11 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Talaban in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

The Maritime Police said two men from Zamboanga City and Jolo in Sulu were caught unloading 190 boxes of Fort, Pure and Berlin cigarettes but failed to produce documents to prove proper importation.

Both men are detained at the Himamaylan City Police Station pending the filing of charges for violation of Section 1401 of Republic Act 10863 (Unlawful Importation) and Section 6 of Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products Act of 2014).

A Swiss man convicted of possessing and distributing child abuse materials has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Heinz Arbenz, 66, is suspected of visiting Southeast Asian countries to victimize children after escaping criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

Immigration agents intercepted Arbenz on Sept. 29 as he attempted to depart for Bangkok.

Arbenz reportedly stayed in the Philippines for over three weeks.

New charges were filed against him last year following his convictions in 2017 and 2021.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado denounced the presence of another foreign predator in the country.

Arbenz is being held at the Bureau of Immigration detention facility in Taguig pending deportation.

It has been half a century since the Philippine Basketball Association played its first game in April 1975. What started out as a rebellion against the overuse of MICAA players by the BAP has become an enduring symbol of Filipino culture. As the national basketball federation abused players to the point that they could not play for their mother teams for entire years, the only way the team owners could escape was by turning pro. Basketball was not yet an open sport then, and pros were forbidden from international competitions.

The PBA has undergone so many changes in the last 50 years. From a speedy, rough and tumble league to a blueprint of professionalism in Asia. There are not that many of us who still remember those early days. Truth be told, this writer still gets approached by the children – and even grandchildren – who grew up watching the games on television with their elders. Honestly, I sometimes have mixed feelings about it when I realize their age and mine.

The league has undergone so many format changes, rules, regarding eligibility, and even scheduling. The traditional All-Filipino Conference used to be played in the middle of the year. Eventually, it became obvious that it did not allow for the availability of the best possible imports, who were playing in various tournaments overseas. With the current calendar, teams now have a much wider selection of reinforcements to meet their needs. There have been so many magnificent performances by foreign players, a few of whom have stayed or returned to give back to Philippine basketball, like Norman Black, Bobby Parks, Sean Chambers and Daryl Smith, who lived in Cebu until his untimely death after a game there in 2008. There have been two imports per team, high handicaps, and other measures to ensure parity. Some of those who have spent time here have been NBA champions to journeymen who considered the country a second home.

The PBA has had it ups and down as well, with only six teams at one point in the 1980’s, to the robust line-up of 12 franchised it has maintained. The fuel crisis of that decade did the most economic damage, forcing smaller family corporations like Crispa and Galerie Dominique to give up their teams, and even international companies like Toyota to leave the country. It took the league a while to regain its strength. By 1989, a very strong rookie draft class buoyed it up. The following year, new teams, Pepsi, and Pop Cola joined the mix. Teams have come and gone, but it has been business as usual.

Asia’s first pro league has set other historical milestones, as well. The first all-professional basketball team to compete internationally was the PBA selection in the Asian Games in 1990, pre-dating the American Dream Team. That also ended the isolationist attitude of the league as the Philippines was no longer the juggernaut of the continent. As basketball opened up to professionals, there was more reason to deploy our best players to represent the country. And they were all in the PBA.

At the end of the day, two things have continued the fill our imagination when it comes to local basketball. The rivalries and personalities of the PBA have imprinted themselves on our consciousness for generations. Many of us could list all the greats, maybe even in chronological order. Nobody can forget the likes of Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Bogs Adornado, Atoy Co and the dozens who compose the league’s all-time greatest. We have seen it all: fist fights, walkouts, even incarceration. But most of all, we have the innumerable memories: wild cheers, moments captured, the fiercest of competition, the hero worship, and all the indelible images which boosted us up when we needed heroes the most. We have learned so much about life from the PBA. Truly, it is golden, in more ways than one.

Various animal welfare advocates have filed a petition before the Office of the Mayor, raising objections to portions of the Cebu City Animal Welfare Ordinance, which they described as potentially causing ‘deplorable injustice and cruelty.’

In a 12-page petition addressed to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, the groups sought the suspension and amendment of specific provisions of Ordinance No. 2526, Series of 2019, also known as the Animal Welfare Ordinance of Cebu City.

The petitioners argued that certain sections of the measure are ‘prejudicial to the marginalized and indigent sectors, particularly to pet owners.’

Among the provisions they questioned were: Extortionate and Unwarranted Fees Imposed on Registration and Public Services and Fines for Failure to Comply; Mandatory Submission of Pets for Animal Population Control (Spay and Neuter); and Undue Prejudice Against Marginalized and Indigent Pet Owners in Favor of Pet Breeders in the Reproduction or Procreation of Companion Animals.

‘Unfortunately, it seems that there has been a vital element glaringly wanting in the crafting process of the ordinance,’ they said.

They added that adequate public consultations with animal welfare groups, stakeholders, and affected pet owners may have been excluded during the drafting of the measure.

As a result, they said, some provisions turned out to be ‘arbitrary, prejudicial against pet owners, anti-poor, utterly oppressive, and unconstitutional.’

In line with this, the petition calls for the suspension and amendment of certain provisions of the ordinance, particularly those they described as imposing ‘extortionate and unwarranted fees and fines.’

They cited Section 28 of the ordinance, titled Fees, which sets registration fees at ?200 and registration with microchip at ?600.

According to the petitioners, even the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 does not require pet owners to pay a registration fee.

‘If this is the case, then it would appear that the anti-rabies vaccine is not really free as prescribed by the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 and this Ordinance, and, as a consequence, the pet owners, notwithstanding the responsible ones, are being systematically penalized, compelled to subsidize the anti-rabies vaccine, and forced to shoulder the lucrative operation,’ their petition further reads.

While acknowledging Cebu City as a ‘progressive local government’ where 94 percent of households own pets, they said the imposition of such fees could be ‘preposterously staggering.’

To them, this constitutes a form of ’emotional blackmail’ to allegedly ‘unnecessarily’ fund the operations of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) at the expense of marginalized pet owners.

Under this section, they recommended retaining the existing spay and neuter fees for dogs and cats but urged the city to refrain from imposing additional on-the-spot or incidental charges for supplies.

The petitioners also raised concerns over Section 5 of the same ordinance, which they described as ‘utterly defective, oppressive, and discriminatory.’

According to them, the provision implies the possibility of indiscriminate mass culling of aspins (asong Pinoy) and puspins (pusang Pinoy), while favoring registered pet breeders over marginalized pet owners.

They noted that nowhere in Republic Act No. 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, does it state that spaying or neutering is a mandatory responsibility of pet owners.

‘The Cebu City Government, unnecessarily blinded with misguided overzealousness, has made it a priority the implementation of the so-called ‘Animal Population Control Program’ spearheaded by the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF),’ they said.

The petitioners urged the city mayor, vice mayor, and members of the City Council to amend provisions of the ordinance that they consider unlawful and oppressive, saying these work ‘to the extreme prejudice of pet owners, particularly the marginalized and indigent.’