Category: Philippine Star

Amid rising violence involving minors, President Marcos has called for a whole-of-community approach to ensure the safety of the Filipino youth.

In his latest vlog posted on YouTube yesterday, Marcos said the country has witnessed heartbreaking and horrifying tragedies involving Filipino children in recent weeks.

‘Today, I speak not only as President but also as a father, as a fellow Filipino and as someone who is deeply concerned about the safety of our children,’ Marcos said.

He cited the fatal shooting inside a classroom in Tacloban and two incidents of stabbing in schools in Cavite, all of which involved minors.

He also mentioned the death of two student-athletes due to drowning during a team-building activity.

‘The school should be a place of learning, dreams and growth. Not a place where parents fear for the safety of their children,’ the President said.

‘And so, I have directed our education and health agencies, the police and local government units to further strengthen measures for the safety of students across the country,’ he said.

Marcos said schools must strictly enforce measures to prevent violence, whether inside the classroom, on field trips, training camps or other school activities.

‘Although these were different circumstances, the message they show us is the same. We need to protect our young people. Protect them against violence. Protect them against neglect. Protect them against danger. And protect them against silent battles and burdens that many of them carry,’ he said.

The Chief Executive, meanwhile, urged the youth to seek help when in need, saying asking for support is not an indication of weakness.

He also reminded parents to maintain an open communication with their children.

‘To every student watching today, your life matters. Your struggles matter. And asking for help is never a sign of weakness,’ Marcos said.

‘To parents, don’t underestimate the value of a simple conversation with your child. Sometimes, the most important protection we can give our children is our time, attention and understanding,’ he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) believes there is a ‘strong indication’ that Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa is still in the country, as authorities continue to pursue leads on his whereabouts following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday investigators are tracking information indicating that Dela Rosa has not left the country.

Matibag said it would be difficult for Dela Rosa to flee abroad because ICC member-states, as well as countries cooperating through Interpol, have obligations to notify authorities, arrest him and turn him over to the international tribunal if he enters their jurisdictions.

The ICC earlier issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa for his alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity in connection with the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Authorities attempted to serve the warrant on May 11 inside the Senate building, but Dela Rosa was placed under the ‘protective custody’ of the Senate. He left the compound on May 14 after a lockdown triggered by a shooting incident. He has not been seen publicly since.

Matibag said the NBI has submitted its fact-finding report on the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate to the Department of Justice.

He said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued subpoenas to former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca as well as Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robinhood Padilla to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, Matibag said the NBI has not received any ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bong Go.

‘None. We have not received any additional warrant. The only warrant we have is the one for Senator Bato,’ he said.

A month-long break has given the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour stars ample time to reset, recharge and sharpen every aspect of their games.

But as the circuit resumes with the ICTSI Pinewoods Challenge on Tuesday, June 30 in Baguio, no player appears to carry more momentum – or confidence – than Harmie Constantino.

Fresh off a commanding six-shot victory at Caliraya Springs, Constantino heads into the P1-million championship looking every bit like the dominant player who ruled the circuit in 2024.

Yet reclaiming that status won’t come easy.

Awaiting Constantino is arguably the strongest field assembled on the LPGT this season, with overseas campaigners and former champions converging at the Pinewoods Golf and Country Club for what promises to be one of the most fiercely contested tournaments of the year.

Constantino snapped a year-long title drought with a wire-to-wire masterclass at Caliraya, a performance that not only ended a frustrating slump but also rekindled memories of her brilliant 2024 campaign when she won four legs on her way to capturing the Order of Merit crown.

For Constantino, however, the biggest victory came long before lifting the trophy.

“I think this year will be a lot better, especially since I changed a lot with how I play and how I think mentally,” said Constantino. “It has been a lot different.”

That renewed mindset has restored not only her confidence but also the consistency that once made her the player to beat on the local circuit.

“I’ve been working on it a lot and my game has gone so much further from where it was in 2024. That’s the biggest bonus I could ever ask for,” she added.

Still, Pinewoods presents an entirely different examination. Unlike the more forgiving layouts on tour, the par-72 mountain course rewards precision over power. Narrow fairways and punishing rough penalize errant drives, while the undulating terrain demands stamina, patience and smart course management over three demanding rounds.

Constantino’s improved confidence may prove invaluable, but she’ll need every bit of it against a field loaded with talent in the upcoming P1-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Leading the challengers are China LPGA Tour campaigners Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy, both taking a break from their overseas schedules, while Princess Superal returns after her stint in Japan.

Adding even more depth are Lakewood leg winner Yvon Bisera, Mafy Singson, reigning OOM winner Sarah Ababa, Tiffany Lee, Seoyun Kim, Chihiro Ikeda, Marvi Monsalve, Seoyun Kim, Martina Miñoza and Pamela Mariano, all capable of mounting serious title bids.

With proven champions, rising stars and seasoned international campaigners all in the mix, the 54-hole championship shapes up as one of the LPGT’s deepest and most unpredictable battles in recent memory.

For Constantino, though, the equation remains simple.

Her game is back. Her confidence has returned. Now comes the toughest test yet – proving that her resurgence is real against the strongest field she’ll likely face all season. (Pool story)

The Philippines, in time for next months’ 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, has called on members of the United Nations and the international community to reaffirm the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the constitution that governs the oceans of the world.

Actively participating in the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea (SPLOS 36) held on June 15 to 19 at the UN headquarters in New York, Manila urged the international community to reaffirm the central role of UNCLOS as the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas.

The Philippine delegation was led by Enrique Manalo, ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, and Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Donato Guzman of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who were joined by the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

In a National Statement delivered under Agenda Item No. 12 of SPLOS 36, the Philippines cited the 10th anniversary of the issuance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, crediting it as a guidepost for states on essential maritime matters and concerns, such as the invalidity of excessive or historical claims, the proper assessment of the status of maritime features, the activities at sea deemed prejudicial to the rights of the relevant coastal state and the obligations of states parties for the protection and conservation of the marine environment.

In several interventions throughout SPLOS36, the DFA said the Philippines also called for compliance with decisions and rulings duly rendered through the compulsory dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS, such as the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and respect for decisions as well as respect for the advisory opinions that provide authoritative clarity to its provisions, such as the 2024 ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Case No. 31 on Climate Change and International Law.

ITLOS is the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Philippines emphasized that these judicial decisions and arbitral awards rendered under UNCLOS benefit all states.

‘By clarifying the content of international law, they provide guidance, strengthen legal certainty and support the peaceful and predictable governance of the oceans.’

The Philippines expressed its continuing support for the implementing bodies of the UNCLOS: ITLOS, the International Seabed Authority and the Commission on the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf.

‘These institutions play indispensable and complementary roles in maintaining the integrity of the legal order of the sea and ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention.’

‘Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.’ – Martin Luther King

There has been so much noise surrounding the preventable deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Much of it is hatred towards Ateneo de Manila as an institution, its officials, and even the players who’ve been traumatized by witnessing their teammates’ and friends’ deaths. While we understand the outrage, for our part, we can confine the discussion to where it should be.

Firstly, it is a basketball issue, and if we stop placing blame and instead ascertain responsibility, then we know who did it, which seems to be clear. The buck stops with the head coach. He was in charge; he designed or at least approved the program. Even team manager Epok Quimpo was merely a conduit for the resources the head coach required. He did not have the seniority or stature to overrule his coach. He could not overrule his coach. Quimpo, who was overseas when the tragedy happened, manned up and stepped down, for which he has this writer’s respect. And the players were merely following orders to keep their spots out of need for scholarships and so on.

Secondly, it would be silly to blame Ateneo for hiring Tab Baldwin 10 years ago. In any organization, you choose the best possible people for the job, and set goals for them. How they achieve those goals is usually their prerogative, and, for the last decade, with four UAAP championships, the Blue Eagles have been successful on the basketball court. But it is another matter to put your players in an uncontrolled environment and expose them to life-threatening risk. That shifts the matter to a possible criminal one involving authorities and society at large. As of this writing, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended the filing of charges against Baldwin and 10 others connected with the team, under Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act. This conclusion was made because, apparently, the training was in aid of determining the final composition of the team.

Also, why punish the school’s entire sports program? If a father commits a crime, does the whole family tree go to jail? What do the hundreds of other athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel have to do with what happened? The crux of the matter is the rule of the UAAP which prescribes men’s basketball as a mandatory sport. If a member school cannot field a team in the said event, then the school’s entire participation is scrapped for the season. The same applies to having a women’s volleyball team. Therefore, it is ultimately in the hands of the UAAP to decide how this goes.

Ateneo has been handling the consequences of the deaths mostly outside public awareness, though public perception demands that they should have named a representative sooner. Absent a direct channel, a face to speak to, the outrage sprayed all over the place. Then again, this is not something that you can prepare for. Besides, no one outside the basketball team knew what was going on.

Now here comes the fork in the road. Will the UAAP bring the hammer down on Ateneo, which is already hurting, and inflict damage upon an even bigger community of innocent athletes, or will they embrace Ateneo as a member of long and good standing, and say ‘You are one of us; we’ve got you’? Will they show indifference, or compassion? We understand that other schools have been sanctioned in the past, but this is an extraordinary circumstance essentially created by one person. And should we continue to do things the old way just to even some invisible score? ‘If it was done to me, it should be done to you, too.’ Somehow, that way of doing things no longer seems apt. As the saying goes, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. This goes beyond trying to outdo each other. This is an opportunity to show humanity for those who are blameless.

The Philippines was cited among the world’s worst human rights performers after receiving poor marks in both quality of life and protection from state abuses, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) 2026 said on Thursday.

According to the New Zealand-based rights tracker, the country’s economic and social rights situation may have deteriorated significantly due to the effects of the economic crisis, war, political violence and natural disasters.

The HRMI gave the Philippines a score of 74.9 percent on quality of life based on its income-adjusted benchmark, which measures access to food, education, health care, housing and work.

Under the global best benchmark, the country received a score of 72.5 percent.

‘Compared with the other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is performing worse than average on Quality of Life rights,’ it said.

The report also flagged the country’s performance in civil and political rights.

With an overall score of 4.6 out of 10, HRMI said Filipinos have not been safe from arbitrary arrest, forced disappearance, extrajudicial execution, torture and ill-treatment.

Meanwhile, the country scored 5.4 out of 10 on empowerment, indicating that many Filipinos are not fully enjoying civil liberties and political freedoms.

Among specific rights, freedom of assembly and association received the lowest score at 4.3, followed by freedom of speech at 5.4, democratic rights at 7.0 and freedom of religion and belief at 7.9.

The Philippines was among more than 50 countries included in HRMI’s inaugural dataset, alongside Argentina, Burkina Faso, North Korea, the Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Zambia.

The HRMI 2026 used a multilingual expert survey to assess countries’ civil and political rights, while the Social and Economic Rights Fulfillment Index methodology was used to measure economic and social rights outcomes.

Fresh from successful inaugural races in Guimaras and Camiguin, the 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series heads to Bohol on July 12 for the pivotal third leg of the four-stop circuit showcasing Olympic-distance racing across some of the country’s most breathtaking island destinations.

More than just the penultimate stop of the inter-island series, the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon carries added significance as it celebrates its historic 10th staging, a milestone that underscores its status as one of the Philippines’ most enduring and well-loved races.

Over the past decade, the event has earned a reputation for competitive racing, strong community support and a festival-like atmosphere that continues to attract both elite athletes and first-time participants.

Set against the backdrop of one of the country’s premier sports tourism destinations, Bohol offers competitors a unique racing experience amid stunning natural attractions, rolling countryside and warm island hospitality. Beyond the racecourse, athletes and visitors can explore the province’s world-famous Chocolate Hills, pristine beaches, centuries-old churches, lush forests and vibrant marine sanctuaries, making the event as much a travel experience as a sporting challenge.

Organized by Sunrise Events Inc., the series forms part of the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Council’s initiative to position the Philippines as a premier global destination for endurance sports, with support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The Philippine Sports Commission is at the forefront of the campaign, stressing that internationally recognized races held in scenic natural settings can promote both the nation’s sporting prestige and its tourism industry.

In Bohol, the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon combines high-performance racing with the island’s signature charm. Athletes will tackle the classic Olympic-distance format featuring a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike ride and 10-km run across a course expected to test endurance, speed and strategy under the tropical sun, over rolling terrain and against a highly competitive field.

The event is expected to draw many of the country’s top triathletes, including elite Under-23 standouts, alongside seasoned age-group racers eager to make their mark on one of the most prestigious stops on the local circuit.

Athletes from various countries are also expected to compete, adding international flavor to the blue-ribbon event and further reinforcing the growing global reach of IRONMAN-branded races in the Philippines.

Race weekend will likewise welcome aspiring triathletes through the Sunrise Sprint, featuring a 750-meter swim, 20-km bike ride and 5-km run. The shorter format offers newcomers and recreational athletes an ideal introduction to multi-sport competition while allowing them to experience the excitement of racing in one of the country’s most scenic island destinations.

Relay competitions in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions are also expected to showcase some of the nation’s leading triathlon clubs.

The series concludes on September 20 at Samal Island in Davao City, which hosts the grand finale after a successful debut last year highlighted by smooth highways, white-sand beaches and enthusiastic local support.

The fight for Asian supremacy in the 2026 Women’s Beach Handball World Championship is coming down to the Philippines-Vietnam showdown at the close of the six-day meet in Zagreb, Croatia Monday.

It’s the de facto Asian final as the Philippine handballers, dubbed the Amigas, and their Vietnamese counterparts slug it out for 11th place in the conclave among the giants of the sport – widely considered the second most popular team sport in Europe after football.

‘We win it, and we’ll emerge the best Asian team,’ said Philippine Handball Federation president Ernesto Jay Adalem.

Last time in Pingtan Island, China, the Vietnamese finished ninth overall and the best from the region, with the Amigas winding up 12th and the host Chinese at 14th.

Now in Zagreb, coach Joanna Franquelli’s team outperformed the Vietnamese in the group play. The Amigas, however, failed to progress further from the main round while the Vietnamese managed to make a run from the consolation pool.

They’ve found themselves pitted against each other in the final day of competition after the Philippines and Vietnam dropped shootouts against Uruguay and Norway, respectively, yesterday.

The final count was 23-16, 14-8, 5-2 in the Philippines’ loss to Uruguay. And it’s 32-16, 18-19, 7-6 in Vietnam’s heartbreaker against Norway.

Josephine Ong and Aurora Adriano carried much of the load for Team Philippines with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Zhalyn Mateo added eight and Shanina Mae Tapawan contributed six.

A 32-year-old motorcycle rider died after his motorcycle was hit then run over by a wing van along the National Highway in Barangay Poblacion Ward 1, Minglanilla town, around 5:40 A.M. Saturday, June 27.

The victim was identified as Vince Henry Dolino Saso, a resident of Barangay Tabtoy, Tuyan, City of Naga.

His 37-year-old wife, riding as his passenger, was injured and was taken to the Minglanilla District Hospital for treatment.

The wing van was driven by Jason Fernandez, 43, a resident of Barangay Pangdan, Naga City.

Initial investigation by the Minglanilla Municipal Police Station showed that the wing van was traveling northbound on the inner lane while the motorcycle was heading south.

According to the victim’s wife, her husband allegedly fell asleep while driving, causing their motorcycle to enter the opposite lane.

Police said the wing van driver tried to avoid the collision by swerving to the right, but the motorcycle still crashed into the vehicle and was later run over by the wing van.

Saso died at the scene due to the impact, while his wife suffered injuries.

Fernandez is now under police custody and may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries, and damage to property. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

In a separate incident, another motorcycle rider died after crashing into the rear of a pickup truck along the southbound lane of the Tabunok Flyover in Talisay City around 10:40 A.M. Friday, June 26.

The rider sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Cebu South Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. Authorities have not yet released his identity pending the official police report and notification of his family.

According to City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority head Joy Tumulak, witnesses saw the motorcycle traveling along N. Bacalso Avenue on the outer lane before it suddenly turned toward the flyover.

Upon entering the flyover, the motorcycle was reportedly traveling at high speed before it crashed into the rear of a pickup truck heading in the same direction. The impact trapped the rider behind the pickup truck before throwing him onto the gutter along the flyover.

Based on the initial investigation, authorities believe excessive speed may have been one of the factors that caused the crash. Investigators are also looking into whether the rider swerved to avoid oncoming vehicles before hitting the pickup truck.

Authorities are still determining whether alcohol, mechanical failure, or other factors contributed to the accident

Several media outlets are reporting that the Department of State (DOS) has issued a cable instructing consular officers to question non-immigrant visa applicants (such as those applying for visitor, work or student visas) about whether they believe they are being persecuted or will be persecuted on their return trip. If so, their visa will be refused.

Specifically, consular officers ‘should request that a non-immigrant visa applicant affirm that he or she does not fear harm or mistreatment in returning to his or her country of nationality or former habitual residence and document the response in the case notes.’

The two questions to now be asked of visa applicants are:

‘Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?’ and ‘Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?

If the visa applicant responds ‘yes’ to either question or refuses to answer the question, their visa will be refused/denied. If the visa applicant answers ‘no,’ their response will be documented in the consular officer’s notes. If the person later comes to the US and applies for political asylum, their credibility would be challenged, as it appears they must have been lying somewhere: either at their visa interview (when they said they were not being persecuted) or when they later apply for political asylum (when they suddenly claim that they were being persecuted or fear of future persecution.) They could possibly face an additional fraud charge based on misrepresentations at their visa interview.

It appears this new tactic of asylum questions is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to crack down on fraudulent asylum claims. During the Biden administration, millions of people poured across the southern border, with many claiming political asylum, and over 90 percent of those claims were bogus.

I also recall that back in the 90’s many Filipinos came to the US on visitor visas and went to consultants, who urged them to apply for political asylum so they could get a work permit. Although they were never really persecuted, the consultant prepared and submitted fabricated stories of the NPA coming after them, just so they could get a work authorization. They were also told that they could renew the work authorization each year and then, in a few years, be eligible for a green card. That was all lies. Most of the Filipinos who applied for political asylum had their applications denied, and they were placed in deportation. Simply put, Filipinos love the Philippines, and even those who were applying for asylum looked forward to the time when they could take a trip back home. So where was the persecution?

The bottom line is the Trump administration is cracking down on all forms of immigration applications, loopholes and fabrications. If you wish to apply for any immigration benefit, whether you are in the US or abroad, you should consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your eligibility for the immigration benefit, and if you are eligible, the attorney can help gather the required documents and package your case to greatly increase the chances of success.

This is all the more important during the Trump administration, where everything is looked at through a magnifying glass and they are really cracking down on people who apply for benefits to which they are not entitled.