Category: Philippine Star

The entire police force will go on full alert status from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 to ensure security and order at 5,628 cemeteries and columbaria nationwide as the nation observes All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on Nov. 1 and 2.

Philippine National Police spokesman Allen Rae Co said the PNP will establish public assistance desks and emergency response and medical teams in cemeteries.

He said police have not monitored any threat related to Undas, but are not letting their guard down.

Meanwhile, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora inspected the San Juan City Cemetery on Thursday as part of preparations for the upcoming observance of Undas.

The inspection focused on the cemetery’s readiness to accommodate the expected influx of visitors, particularly in terms of cleanliness and sanitation, security arrangements, traffic management, public safety and emergency response preparedness.

Zamora also assessed the coordination among concerned city government departments, law enforcement agencies, traffic enforcers and emergency response personnel to help ensure a safe, orderly and peaceful observance of Undas.

As part of Oplan Undas preparations, the city government reiterated the guidelines and regulations that cemetery visitors must observe, particularly during the extended Undas period from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, when a significant increase in visitors is anticipated.

Visitors were reminded to observe the designated cemetery visiting hours, maintain cleanliness, dispose of garbage properly, follow traffic regulations, use designated parking areas and cooperate with security personnel and cemetery authorities.

It also emphasized the prohibition on carrying firearms, knives, ice picks, other bladed and sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, gambling and loud sound systems that may disturb other cemetery visitors.

Unauthorized vending without a Special Mayor’s Permit and unauthorized electrical connections are likewise prohibited. Bicycles and motorcycles are not allowed inside the cemetery premises

Announcing a P50-million bounty for the senator’s arrest, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he is done giving Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa special treatment.

“We have given him all the courtesy that could be afforded as a senator of the Republic of the Philippines, but he has shown nothing but cowardice by going into and remaining in hiding,” Remulla said in a statement on Friday.

He also declared that “gloves are coming off” in efforts to capture him.

Remulla said November would mark one year since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa over his alleged criminal responsibility for killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

The DILG chief said Dela Rosa had mistaken his attempts at negotiation for weakness.

“It’s time for the gloves to come off. It’s time to bring just justice to his victims,” Remulla said.

He also declared Dela Rosa “armed and dangerous” and announced the formation of a task force headed by Gen. Wilson Lopez, whose sole objective is to locate and arrest the senator.

Remulla said Lopez would provide further updates in the coming days

A Grade 5 student was caught carrying a handgun at a school in Opol, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday.

Reports said a .22-caliber revolver was found in the bag of the 12-year-old student.

A classmate saw the handle of the gun protruding from the bag of the suspect. He immediately reported the matter to a barangay kagawad, who confiscated the firearm.

The student reportedly admitted bringing the gun to school, although he did not reveal the reason.

Probers have yet to determine how the minor came into possession of the firearm.

The government is eyeing electric and hybrid ferries to serve sea travelers crossing short and medium-distance routes, respectively.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to pilot-test electric ferries for the Iloilo-Bacolod route and hybrid vessels for the Batangas-Calapan route, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The initiative is in compliance with President Marcos’ thrust to push cleaner and more sustainable transportation.

‘We want to see how we can use this technology and how it would benefit passengers, ship owners and even our health and environment. It can reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and operational expenses of shipping companies,’ DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.

Ramon Hernandez of the MARINA overseas shipping service division said that pure electric ferries are being considered for shorter routes, while hybrid ships are more practical for medium-distance trips. Hybrid vessels can use dual power sources, the traditional diesel fuel engine and the electric motor with rechargeable batteries.

MARINA said there were around 69 million sea travels recorded in 2025.

Of the estimated 4,000 inter-island ferries, 300 account for about 86 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

The use of electric and hybrid ferries was part of a study meant to improve the safety and energy efficiency of domestic ferries.

Routes serving at least 500,000 passengers annually are suitable for electric ferry operations.

Existing ferries may be retrofitted to be able to adapt to changes, which may open opportunities for the local shipbuilding industry.

International Criminal Court prosecutors have asked judges to admit the recorded statements of three witnesses who they say can describe the policy to “neutralize” alleged drug suspects under former president Rodrigo Duterte.

One witness speaks about 13 of the killings charged against Duterte, including one during a police “One Time Big Time” operation, according to the redacted version of the court filing dated October 21 and signed by Acting Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.

The three witnesses, all women, were already on the prosecution’s witness list. The defense has known since August 31 that prosecutors planned to present them under this procedure.

Prosecutors are asking the court to allow transcripts of their earlier interviews with investigators to be admitted as evidence in place of most of their direct examination, saying this would save court time.

Under Rule 68(3) of the court’s rules, each witness must still appear in court, confirm her statement is accurate and consent to its use. Duterte’s lawyers can cross-examine them, and the judges and lawyers for victims can still question them.

All three accounts relate to Count 3, which covers killings in barangay “clearance” operations against alleged small-time drug users and pushers from about July 2016 to September 2018.

When the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed the charges against Duterte on April 23, Count 3 covered 45 victims, 43 of whom were killed. Count 1 covers 19 killings in Davao City from 2013 to 2016, when Duterte was mayor, and Count 2 covers 14 killings of alleged “high-value targets” in 2016 and 2017.

Pattern of killings

The identities of the three witnesses were withheld in the public document.

The statement of one witness, who is labelled in the filing as “P-0008,” comes from two interviews with prosecution investigators.

In several of the 13 killings she discusses, she allegedly described events before the victims died. Names, dates and places are redacted in the public filing.

The filing does not say where or when the “One Time Big Time” operation took place. Police in the Philippines are known to have used the term for simultaneous, large-scale anti-drug sweeps, where deadly shootouts also occur.

Prosecutors said P-0008’s evidence shows the “modus operandi and pattern of violence” police used against alleged criminals.

Another witness, labelled “P-1164,” spoke about three charged killings by police.

Meanwhile, “P-1303” gives evidence about an individual who was shot dead by police, but her relationship to him is redacted in the filing. Prosecutors said her account relates to one charged killing.

Prosecutors said the three accounts are internally consistent and match evidence expected from other witnesses, including “P-0003,” who is due to testify in person.

They said the evidence also helps prove that the killings were part of a widespread or systematic attack on civilians, a requirement for crimes against humanity.

The prosecutors said the three witnesses will show there was a policy to “neutralise” alleged criminals through violence, including murder.

All three women were told their interviews were voluntary and were informed of their rights, and each confirmed she answered of her own free will, the filing said.

Thousands of kilograms of hazardous medical waste from Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and Guba Community Hospital are being packed into ordinary but sealed container vans, shipped by cargo vessel to Luzon, and hauled to Bulacan for treatment and disposal.

The arrangement came under scrutiny by the members of Cebu City Council, who were all surprise to learn about it. City Councilors raised concerns about environmental accountability, local treatment options and the transparency of the bidding process.

The councilors discovered the arrangement during the deliberations on a resolution authorizing Mayor Nestor Archival to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with HCML Logistics Service for the collection and transport of hazardous healthcare waste generated by the two City government-run hospitals. The proposed contract is worth ?4,085,690.

Documents attached to the resolution show that HCML was declared the lowest calculated and responsive bidder.

The company would collect hazardous healthcare waste from the two hospitals and transport it to Total Organic Environmental Solutions Inc. (TOESI), a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-accredited treatment, storage and disposal facility in Pulilan, Bulacan.

The questions were raised primarily by Councilor Joel Garganera, Environment Committee chairman, who said recent reports of improper waste disposal in nearby localities underscored the need for the government to know exactly where hazardous hospital waste ultimately ends up.

“We cannot allow that hazardous waste will be just a mere transfer of address to other areas that will cause environmental degradation,” Garganera said as he pressed hospital officials and the winning contractor for details on the technology, location and final disposal process for Cebu City’s infectious medical waste.

Garganera’s concerns came amid heightened public attention over waste disposal issues in Cebu.

Earlier, authorities in Talisay City investigated an attempted illegal dumping incident involving truckloads of hospital waste from Mandaue City in Barangay Jaclupan, prompting city officials to pursue charges and intensify enforcement of environmental regulations.

During the council’s regular session, HCML representative Muana Tragico disclosed that the company hauls approximately 3,000 kilograms of infectious waste every week.

Tragico said the waste is packed and sealed inside a container van, transported by vessel from Cebu, and delivered to Bulacan for treatment.

When Councilor Franklyn Ong asked whether refrigerated vehicles were used, Tragico admitted that the company only uses an ordinary container van that is sealed before transport.

“Ordinary container van lang siya,” he said, adding that the trip to Bulacan takes roughly five days.

The disclosure prompted further questions from council members, with Ong noting that hazardous waste is usually transported in refrigerated container vans. Tragico, however, maintained that the company complies with DENR standards.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who presided over the discussion, repeatedly sought clarification on the waste’s final destination and the process used to treat it.

He also questioned why waste generated in Cebu had to be transported all the way to Bulacan. At one point, Osmeña referred to a treatment facility in Toledo City and asked whether it was the same company being tapped for the service.

He said he had even been invited to inspect the facility. Osmeña later called for transparency in the bidding process.

“In the interest of transparency, we just want to know whether there was a proper selection, whether everyone was notified, and whether there was fair competition in the selection of the provider,” the vice mayor said.

He also remarked: “That’s rather strange for us to bring our garbage to Bulacan.”

Ong likewise questioned the arrangement, noting that Cebu already has an established medical waste treatment facility.

“It’s good to note also that there is a facility, a very nice facility, in MEPZ, where they’re handling most of the hospital waste,” Ong said.

“That’s why it’s very surprising to know that our medical wastes are being transported to other cities,” he added.

Other councilors noted that transporting waste all the way to Bulacan appeared likely to increase operational costs, making it surprising that the arrangement still emerged as the winning bid.

Meanwhile, Councilor Mikel Rama focused on the procurement structure. Rama pointed out that the bidding documents described the project as covering the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.

However, documents later presented to the council showed that HCML would primarily handle transportation, while another company would perform the actual treatment and disposal.

“Based on the bid documents, the procurement is supposed to be for transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste,” Rama said.

“When they bidded it out, the winning bidder is HCML. But based on the documents, the service that they can provide is only transport, and then they contracted out the treatment and disposal to another entity.”

It was also noted that the MOA between the city and HCML did not specifically identify where the waste would ultimately be treated and disposed of, although the separate agreement between HCML and TOESI identified the Bulacan facility.

Garganera continued to press officials on accountability beyond transportation, stressing that the government’s responsibility does not end once the waste leaves Cebu City.

He asked what safeguards were in place to ensure that the hazardous waste was properly treated and did not simply become another community’s environmental problem. Hospital officials defended the arrangement.

Dr. Anton Oliver Reposar II, CCMC chief of hospital, said the hospitals’ responsibility was to properly segregate and label infectious waste before turning it over to the contractor. He said treatment and disposal were handled by the accredited service provider and monitored by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) through permits, manifests and certificates of treatment.

Dr. Carol Cajegas, officer-in-charge of Guba Community Hospital, added that technical evaluators had visited the Bulacan facility and reviewed HCML’s agreement with TOESI before recommending the contract.

Procurement records show that HCML submitted the lowest responsive bid of ?4,085,690, beating proposals from ZIGS Eco Sanitation Corporation, Cleanaway Philippines Inc. and Medclean Management Solutions Inc.

ZIGS was later disqualified due to deficiencies in its bid security requirements. The resolution authorizes Archival to sign the MOA with HCML for the collection and transport of hazardous healthcare waste from CCMC and Guba Community Hospital, with TOESI designated as the treatment and disposal facility in Bulacan.

The contract will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2026. Despite the questions raised, the City Council approved the resolution, with Rama abstaining

Riot Games has unveiled the eight organizations that will make up the VCT Pacific partnered league beginning in 2027, a move that also signals the departure of several current organizations. These include Global Esports, home to Filipino players Xavier ‘xavi8k’ Juan and Patrick ‘PatMen’ Mendoza, as well as assistant coach Derren ‘Aimix’ dela Cruz.

The new long-term lineup features Japan’s Crazy Raccoon and Zeta Division, South Korea’s Gen.G and T1, Singapore’s Paper Rex, Indonesia’s Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ), Thailand’s Full Sense, and Vietnam’s GAM Esports.

According to Riot Games, the organizations were selected following a months-long evaluation process that considered fan engagement, organizational values, support for players, sustainability, and their ability to grow local communities across the Pacific region.

The announcement ushers in a new era for VCT Pacific while bringing an end to Global Esports’ run in the league despite one of the organization’s most successful seasons in Valorant.

Global Esports captured the VCT Pacific Stage 2 championship in 2026 and qualified for Valorant Champions Shanghai, with Juan, Mendoza and Dela Cruz playing key roles in the team’s campaign.

The organization’s exclusion from the new partnership program also coincides with its decision to step away from competitive esports altogether. Global Esports founder and chief executive officer Rushindra Sinha announced that the organization would cease esports operations and transition into GE Studios, shifting its focus toward content creation and artificial intelligence-driven projects. According to Sinha, 2026 had long been planned as the organization’s final year in esports despite its championship-winning season.

For Juan, the announcement marked the end of an unforgettable first season at the Tier 1 level.

In a social media post, the Filipino player looked back on his rookie campaign and thanked the teammates and staff who helped shape his first year on the international stage.

“This was my rookie year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The memories we made and the experiences we shared are things I’ll never forget.” wrote Juan.

He also paid tribute to the roster and coaching staff behind the team’s championship run, saying the season’s experiences would stay with him regardless of what comes next in his career.

“I’m not sure what the future holds or where I’ll be next year, but I’ll always be grateful for everything this year has taught me. This chapter may be over, but the memories and lessons will stay with me.” said Juan.

The former Valorant UAAP champion with De La Salle University likewise gave a special mention to fellow Filipino Mendoza, expressing hope that the pair could one day represent a Philippine organization together.

“To my Pinoy duo @patmenVLR, hopefully we get to represent a PH org together in the future,” said Juan.

Dela Cruz shared a similar sentiment in his own farewell message, describing his stint with Global Esports as a “life-changing journey” after years of pursuing a place in Tier 1 competition.

The Filipino assistant coach said joining the organization was already a major achievement, but helping the team win Pacific Stage 2 and qualify for Champions Shanghai made the experience even more meaningful.

“Joining the team was already a huge blessing on its own, but it became an even bigger one with the Pacific Stage 2 Championship, and actually qualifying and making it to Champions Shanghai,’ said Dela Cruz.

He also praised the players, staff and management he worked with during the season and thanked fans who supported the team throughout its run.

“Thank you for this life-changing journey, GE. I will forever be grateful, and these memories will stay with me always,’ said Dela Cruz.

The announcement of partner teams comes as the Philippines prepares to host one of the region’s newest Valorant events.

Riot Games previously confirmed that Manila will host the inaugural VCT Pacific Cup from April 29 to May 23, 2027, with teams competing for qualification spots to Masters Valencia. The tournament forms part of the revamped VCT calendar and will bring the newly selected Pacific partner organizations to the Philippines for one of the first major events under the new competitive structure.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has rebuked the Chinese Embassy in Manila over a string of “escalatory and undiplomatic” social media posts targeting Filipino officials since the Chinese ambassador remarked last week that China could ‘easily win’ if it used force.

In a statement on Thursday, October 22, the department called out the embassy for what it says are statements that “erode mutual trust and confidence” and severely undermine efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations.

It reminded all diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise restraint and responsibility in public, “especially on social media,” and said it reserved the right to take further diplomatic action. It did not say what that action could be.

“The recent public statements of the Embassy do not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement between the two countries and the two foreign ministries. Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,” the DFA said.

Even so, the Philippines “values its relations” with China, the statement read.

Calls from lawmakers to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata have not stopped the embassy from churning out sharply worded posts, many of them aimed at the legislators seeking his expulsion.

The embassy has dialed up the provocative tone of its public statements since Jing arrived in December 2025, often assailing Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela and other elected officials who criticize China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

Two resolutions in the Senate and one filed by 10 House members have asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel Jing or ask Beijing to recall him. In turn, the embassy, in several posts, has dared lawmakers to go ahead with his expulsion and warned more Filipino officials would be barred from China if Jing were expelled.

On Tuesday, the embassy reposted a joint statement by House members calling for his removal with the caption, ‘Put on record. You are now on the list.’

The word war between the embassy and Philippine officials ramped up after Jing said in a chance interview with reporters on October 15: ‘If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace, and in this region, we enjoy the peace.’

This remark prompted the DFA to summon Jing on Monday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the words of the ambassador were ‘provocative and unacceptable’ and detrimental to the already sensitive relationship between the two countries.

The DFA has said declaring a diplomat persona non grata was an option of last resort.

In its statement Thursday, the DFA also reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, after a post by the embassy asked the department to clarify Manila’s position on Taiwan.

“In response to recent postings on social media, the DFA reaffirms the Philippines’ continued adherence to its One China Policy, anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique,” the DFA said.

“It underscores our consistent position that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and that we fully understand and respect the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory,” it added.

Kevin Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group , Inc. recently bared developments in the Megaworld Corporation.

In a press lunch at Ogawa restaurant in McKinley West Shoppes, Tan introduced Javier Hernandez who takes over as head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, property developer Megaworld is stepping up its retail expansion, targeting 1 million square meters of gross leasable area (GLA) by 2030.

Over the next five years, the company plans to open new lifestyle malls, expand existing developments, and explore new retail and commercial formats within its townships nationwide.

New malls in Cavite, Rizal, Pampanga, and Bacolod City are set to break ground between this year and next.

Hernandez succeeds Graham Coates, who led Megaworld’s lifestyle mall business for eight years. His appointment comes as the company enters its next phase of expansion, building on its existing portfolio while seeking new ways to serve customers and create opportunities for retail partners.

‘We are very pleased to welcome Javi to the team. He already has a number of exciting ideas and plans in the pipeline, and we look forward to seeing those take shape as he leads Megaworld Lifestyle Malls into its next chapter,’ says Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc., Megaworld’s parent company.

‘We will continue to bring in global brands and new concepts, while creating more opportunities for Filipino brands and experiences that make each of our destinations distinct. There is still a lot we can do, and we are excited about what comes next,’ Tan adds.

Hernandez brings more than three decades of experience in property development, retail, hospitality, and tourism, including around 20 years in the mall business. His background spans mall operations, commercial development, sales and marketing, hotels and resorts, and tourism estates.

‘As we work toward our target, our focus will be on growing the business responsibly while continuing to strengthen our existing destinations. We will keep improving the customer experience, bringing relevant and innovative concepts into our malls, creating more opportunities for our mall partners, and exploring new retail formats that complement the continued growth of Megaworld’s townships,’ Hernandez says.

During Coates’ eight-year tenure, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls navigated expansion, pandemic-related disruption, recovery, and renewed growth. Its portfolio grew with the addition of developments such as the Imperial Wing at Lucky Chinatown and The Shoppes at McKinley West, as well as the redevelopment of Eastwood Mall.

The group also welcomed Tesla into the Philippine market through the Tesla Experience Center at Uptown Bonifacio and expanded the presence of global retail brands KKV and Nitori across its townships. Its entertainment and cultural offerings grew with the introduction of Uptown Tempur Cinema and the REP Eastwood Theater, the permanent home of Repertory Philippines at Eastwood City.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls currently operates 27 lifestyle malls nationwide, bringing together retail, dining, entertainment, culture, and community experiences across the company’s townships and developments.

San Miguel Beer titan June Mar Fajardo got his career milestone.

And the Beermen made sure Kraken’s big night ended in victory – in epic come-from-behind fashion at that.

As Fajardo joined the PBA’s elite 10,000-point scorers’ club, the Beermen battled back from 20 down to secure a 135-133 steal over NLEX in their marque Group A duel in the Governors’ Cup last night at Ynares Center Antipolo.

The victory gave SMB a 9-3 win-loss record at the end of group play – level with the Road Warriors. But after the tiebreak, it was NLEX that wound up with the No. 1 seeding going to the crossover quarterfinals, thanks to its superior quotient on account of its 14-point romp (110-96) versus Fajardo and Co. back in the first round.

JMF breached the 10K point barrier at the 2:21 mark of the opening period on his way to 26 that went with 10 rebounds and three blocks.

But there’s one problem: the Road Warriors were threatening to blow them out, holding a 116-96 tear early in the fourth.

Then the proud Beermen went to work. They went on a furious rampage to turn the game around, with George King putting the finishing touches with an inside stab with 5.2 seconds left.

‘Isang karangalan na mapabilang ako sa 10k club. Credit ‘yun sa teammates ko at coaching staff, hindi ko makukuha ‘yun kung hindi dahil sa kanila,’ said Fajardo, who became only the 19th player in history to achieve the feat.

More important for him, though, was the W that gave SMB positive vibes heading into the best-of-five quarters against the No. 3 seeds of Group B.

‘Masaya ako nakuha namin goal namin sa elims, ‘yung top 2,’ he said.

King dropped 10 of his team-high 27 in the fourth, where he joined forces with Don Trollano in fuelling San Miguel’s telling 39-21 closing barrage. Trollano hit 17 of his 23 in the windup.

The victorious Beermen fell short of the required 15-point winning margin to wrest the top seed from the Road Warriors via tiebreak. But coach Leo Austria isn’t complaining.

‘Going to the game we didn’t care kung No. 1 or No. 2 kame. We’re here to play to win,’ he said.

SMB spoiled the 43-point, six-block outing of NLEX import Deonte Burton.