Category: Philippine Star

Ricofer Sordilla and Maverick Eligoyo combined for 64 points during an explosive performance that powered the University of the Cebu (UC) Webmasters to a stunning 89-85 upset of the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament 2026 on Thursday night, August 6, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Sordilla exploded for 35 points laced with four rebounds, six assists, and a steal while Eligoyo fired 29 points on top of six boards, one assist, one steal, and two blocks to help the Webmasters get off to a flying start in the six-day cage wars that offers P130,000 to the champion.

The Webmasters of coach Kernn Sesante actually trailed by 13 points, 14-27, after the first period but flipped the script against the visiting UAAP squad with a scintillating second-half show.

Still down 41-50 at halftime, the Webmasters dropped 27 points in the third quarter while limiting the Red Warriors to only 13 to seize command of the match, 68-63, going into the last 10 minutes.

The Webmasters padded their lead to seven, 70-63, early in the final stretch and then hung tough when the game was on the line to eke out the win.

The Webmasters shoot for a second straight victory as they take on the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers at 4 p.m. today (Saturday, August 8).

The Heavy Bombers opened their campaign with a 78-65 thrashing of the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs.

Cebuano guard Lawrence Mangubat paced JRU with 19 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Christopher Hubilla added 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal while Allan Laurenaria chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and one block in the wire-to-triumph that saw the Heavy Bombers leading by as many as 20 points, 52-32, early in the third frame.

Pax Silica has an image problem. Before I explain why, let me tell you what it is about.

Pax Silica is a flagship effort of the U.S. government on AI and supply chain security, ‘advancing new economic security consensus among allies and trusted partners.’ It has already 24 signatory-countries including the Philippines. Taiwan, meanwhile is considered a non-signatory participant.

The Pax Silica Declaration commits participating countries to building a trusted, secure, and integrated AI-centered economic order spanning semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, data networks, and software. It seeks to reduce dependence on unreliable suppliers, counter unfair market practices, protect sensitive technologies, and mobilize private investment among strategic partners.

The Philippines joined Pax Silica on April 16, 2026. No construction crew is on site yet, but the Philippine and U.S. governments have announced plans for a 4,000-acre economic-security and industrial zone in New Clark City, intended to host mineral processing, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, AI-related facilities, logistics, and supporting infrastructure.

It is too early to pass judgment on Pax Silica as a project, particularly when no ground has yet been broken and its actual benefits and costs remain uncertain. Yet it already suffers from an image problem.

The word ‘pax’ is Latin for peace and, by extension, a stable international order. But the same word is historically associated with the Pax Romana. Do you remember that from world history class?

Pax, in the tradition of the Pax Romana, does not evoke peace in the ordinary sense of harmony among equals founded on justice. The historical problem with ‘pax’ lies precisely in what historian Toni Naco del Hoyo describes in his work, ‘War, peace and Rome’s empire-building ideology in the making,’ (2020) as its gradual incorporation into an empire-building ideology, in which stability went hand in hand with the permanent subjection and integration of provincial peoples into a world order centered on Rome. In other words, the word pax (peace) became part of the ideology by which the Roman Empire justified itself.

That is where I got the sense that there was something about the name Pax Silica that does not quite sound right. That does not mean Pax Silica is today’s version of the Roman Empire, nor is it fair, this early, to judge what the initiative will eventually become.

In its Roman historical context, pax connoted military and territorial dominance. In the emerging AI economy, that dominance may instead be technological, which means control over chips, critical minerals, energy, data infrastructure, supply chains, and the rules governing access to them – all of which sounds like a recipe for intense competition, if not war.

Pax gives one that niggling feeling that we are being unnecessarily drawn into the orbit of a dominant power, and possibly into troubles that are not necessarily our own. And it does not help that the current U.S. president is Donald Trump, a leader whose instinct for conflict and disruption hardly inspires confidence that this new ‘pax’ is principally about shared prosperity and peace but more like a plan to organize the emerging technological oder around technological dominance, exclusion, and control.

This is not a call to junk the initiative altogether. With an increasingly dominant and aggressive China that does not share the democratic values of the free world, there is indeed a need for cooperation among freedom-loving nations to construct a secure technological order based on shared benefits and capabilities.

Pax Silica has sensible elements – secure semiconductor supply chains, critical-mineral processing, AI infrastructure, reliable telecommunications, energy security, and protection against coercive economic practices – but it remains to be seen what principles does it operate under

Is it going to be partnership rather than alignment or loyalty to one dominant power? Will it allow technology transfer, not merely investment, leading developing countries like the Philippines to acquire engineering capability, intellectual know-how, and research capacity?

Will the Philippines, a mineral-rich country, be allowed to position itself higher in the value chain rather than remain merely a source of raw minerals? Will our partners respect our sovereignty over strategic resources and our environmental standards?

A foreign semiconductor plant, data center, mineral-processing facility, or AI campus built on Philippine soil may appear like a reason to celebrate. But will Filipinos know how to design, manufacture, own, improve and export in the future that we are not capable of producing today?

Shared access, resilient supply chains, technological capability, and equitable prosperity. Could somebody find a better name that captures all of these?

Illegal cigarettes with a combined value of P9.8 million were seized in separate anti-smuggling operations in this city on Thursday.

Members of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company were conducting maritime patrol around Layag-Layag Island in Barangay Talon-Talon when they spotted a suspicious motorized boat.

The team intercepted the boat and found it loaded with 2,182 reams of assorted cigarette brands with an estimated value of P6.5 million.

Crewmembers Omar Abdullah and Ismar Hussin were arrested after they failed to show documents for the transport of their cargo.

Meanwhile, another shipment of illegal cigarettes valued at P3.3 million was seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from a commercial ferry docked at a wharf in this city yesterday.

The PCG said the ferry, which came from Jolo, Sulu, was carrying more than 1,000 reams of smuggled cigarettes concealed in several pieces of luggage.

No one claimed ownership of the cigarettes, prompting the PCG to coordinate with other authorities to investigate the matter.

Before the world’s elite battle for IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu glory tomorrow here, the spotlight first belongs to the sport’s young stars.

A record-breaking 657 participants will converge at the Beachfront of Dusit Thani Mactan today, making RLC Residences IRONKIDS Lapu-Lapu the largest IRONKIDS event ever staged in the Philippines.

The milestone event officially opens the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu race weekend, transforming Mactan into a celebration of triathlon that spans every generation – from aspiring six-year-olds taking their first race steps to world-class professionals chasing championship honors.

Young athletes aged six to 15 will compete in both the aquathlon (swim-run) and kids run races, with participants coming from Lapu-Lapu City and neighboring cities and provinces. The record field reflects IRONKIDS’ continuing success.

Veteran actress Lorna Tolentino is now a member of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command, just like her late husband Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez.

Lorna attended her Basic Citizen Military Course Class’ graduation last August 7, Friday, at the Navy’s headquarters in Taguig, sharing photos of the event on her social media accounts.

“Discipline is choosing to finish, even when it’s hard. Just finished,” the actress wrote on her caption. “Lorna Tolentino Fernandez, at your service. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”

Lorna was given the rank of Seaman First Class assigned to the Navy’s medical and media responsibilities, according to Pang-masa writer Gorgy Rula.

The 64-year-old actress recounted to the showbiz journalist days of sea training her class had to go through in Cavite and how she was inspired to enlist because of Daboy.

The late actor was a Navy reservist and adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1972, receiving full military honors when he passed away in 2008 from cancer. He was 56 years old when he died.

Lorna did not know what rank Daboy had in the Navy, as he largely kept that part of his life private but still noted how that inspired other celebrities, including herself.

“Maraming celebrities ang nagpa-enlist after nung death ni Daboy, di ba?” she said. “Iyon yung nag-pave ng way para makita ng ibang artista, lalo na ng mga action star at iba pa, ‘Ay, maganda pala sumali dito sa Philippine Navy.”

Local celebrities who are also military reservists include Christopher de Leon, Dingdong Dantes, Julia Barretto, Gerald Anderson, Michelle Dee, Winwyn Marquez, Bea Luigi Gomez, Arci Muñoz, Matteo Guidecelli, Geneva Cruz, Enzo Pineda, JM de Guzman, Rocco Nacino, Ronnie Liang and Karina Bautista.

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolted Occidental Mindoro yesterday morning, with intensities felt in some areas of Metro Manila.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the temblor occurred at 10:38 a.m., with its epicenter located 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao town.

Phivolcs initially reported the quake to be magnitude 5.8.

The temblor was tectonic in origin.

Intensity 5 was felt in Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro, and Calapan, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Victoria in Oriental Mindoro.

Intensity 4 was felt in Taal, Batangas, and Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

Intensity 3 was recorded in Batangas City, General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna as well as in Quezon City.

Intensity 2 was reported in Santa Cruz, Laguna and Guinayangan, Quezon as well as in Parañaque City.

A red rainfall warning has been raised over Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon due to heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.

In its heavy rainfall advisory at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, state weather bureau PAGASA said serious flooding is expected in flood-prone areas under the red warning level.

The following areas are under the red warning level:

Bataan

Cavite

Metro Manila

Zambales: San Felipe, San Narciso, San Marcelino, Castillejos, San Antonio, Subic and Olongapo

Batangas: Nasugbu, Tuy, Lian, Balayan, Calatagan, Calaca, Lemery, Taal, San Luis, Bauan, Mabini, Tingloy, Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Batangas City, San Pascual, San Jose, Ibaan, Lipa, Mataasnakahoy, Balete, Tanauan, Malvar and Santo Tomas

Pampanga: Lubao, Sasmuan, Masantol, Floridablanca and Macabebe

Bulacan: Hagonoy, Paombong, Malolos, Bulakan, Obando, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and Calumpit

Laguna: Calamba, Cabuyao, Santa Rosa, Biñan, San Pedro, Los Baños, Alaminos, Calauan and Bay

An orange warning level, where flooding is threatening, was raised over:

Rizal

Batangas: Lobo, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Juan and Taysan

Laguna: Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria, San Pablo, Rizal, Liliw, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Magdalena and Santa Cruz

Zambales: Botolan, Cabangan, Iba, Masinloc and Palauig

Quezon: Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong and San Antonio

Pampanga: Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, San Fernando, Magalang, Mexico, Minalin, San Luis, San Simon, Santa Ana, Santo Tomas, Angeles, Mabalacat, Guagua, Porac and Santa Rita

Bulacan: San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Bustos, Angat, Pandi, Santa Maria and San Jose del Monte

A yellow warning level, where possible flooding may occur in flood-prone areas, was also issued over:

Zambales: Santa Cruz and Candelaria

Laguna: Kalayaan, Mabitac, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Cavinti, Lumban and Luisiana

Bulacan: Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Ildefonso, San Miguel and Norzagaray

Tarlac: Mayantoc, San Jose, Capas and Bamban

Quezon: Lucban, Tayabas, Lucena, Pagbilao, Sampaloc, Atimonan, Mauban and Real

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains with occasional heavy downpours were affecting Nueva Ecija, as well as parts of Quezon and Tarlac, and may persist within three hours.

The warning comes as the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rains across Luzon. The Office of Civil Defense said six people have reportedly died from the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and habagat, with the deaths still being validated.

Around 74,800 families or 261,000 people have been affected by the weather systems as of Saturday morning, while at least 63 areas have been reported flooded, mostly in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and parts of Calabarzon.

Maymay made landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, before dawn on August 6 and later weakened into a low pressure area. Despite the cyclone’s dissipation, PAGASA said habagat rains are expected to continue affecting Luzon and Visayas over the next 24 hours.

Gokongwei-led food and beverage company Universal Robina Corp. (URC) delivered a strong second quarter performance, with core net income attributable to parent rising by 10 percent to P2.9 billion on the back of disciplined financing cost management and better sales.

URC’s net income from continuing operations during the three-month period reached P3 billion, up by 25 percent year-on-year.

Sales improved by two percent during the quarter to P41.5 billion, bringing first half revenue growth to four percent.

URC attributed the growth in sales to the company’s branded businesses, particularly branded consumer foods (BCF) and animal nutrition and health, supported by resilient core demand and sustained brand investments.

BCF posted P29.4 billion in sales for the quarter, up by four percent year-on-year.

URC said the continued scale-up of the flour business also contributed positively to its overall performance.

Its agro?industrial and commodities segment saw sales slip by three percent to P12.1 billion as growth in animal nutrition and health, as well as flour, was offset by lower sugar volumes and softer market prices.

Flour sales increased by eight percent, while animal nutrition and health sales surged by 20 percent, driven by hog feeds, cat petcare and featherlines.

Overall, URC president and CEO Irwin Lee said the company’s second quarter performance demonstrates the strength and balance of its portfolio.

‘Growth from our branded consumer and animal nutrition businesses, alongside improving contributions from flour, enabled us to deliver on our plans despite the anticipated softness in sugar. More importantly, we were able to manage disruption and cost impacts triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,’ Lee said.

A red rainfall warning remained in effect over Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon as the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat continued to bring heavy rains on Saturday, August 8.

In its heavy rainfall warning at 5 p.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said serious flooding is expected in flood-prone areas under the red warning level.

The following areas are under the red warning level:

Bataan

Metro Manila

Zambales

Batangas: Lobo, Rosario, San Juan, Taysan, Batangas City, Ibaan, San Pascual, Bauan, Mabini, Tingloy, San Luis, Taal, Lemery, Calaca, Balayan, Tuy, Lian, Calatagan, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Nasugbu, Laurel, Agoncillo and San Nicolas

Cavite: Maragondon, Ternate, Magallanes, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Alfonso, Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Cavite City, Noveleta, Rosario, Naic, Trece Martires, General Trias and Tanza

Pampanga: Porac, Floridablanca, Lubao, Guagua, Macabebe, Sasmuan, Masantol, Santa Rita and Minalin

Bulacan: Hagonoy, Paombong, Malolos, Calumpit, Bulakan, Meycauayan, Obando and Marilao

PAGASA said flooding is still threatening in areas under the orange warning level. These are:

Pampanga: Magalang, Angeles, Mabalacat, Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, San Fernando, Mexico, San Luis, San Simon, Santa Ana and Santo Tomas

Bulacan: Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bustos, San Jose del Monte, Guiguinto, Norzagaray, Pandi, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Rafael and Santa Maria

Rizal: Antipolo, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Morong, Taytay and Teresa

Cavite: Amadeo, Indang, Mendez, Silang, Tagaytay, Carmona, Dasmarinas and General Mariano Alvarez

Batangas: Balete, Tanauan, Cuenca, Lipa, Malvar, Mataasnakahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, Santo Tomas and Talisay

Laguna: Cabuyao, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Biñan and Calamba

Tarlac: Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Capas, San Jose, Bamban and Santa Ignacia

A yellow warning level, meanwhile, was raised over parts of Laguna, Quezon, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Rizal, with flooding possible in flood-prone areas.

The areas under the yellow warning are:

Laguna: Liliw, Luisiana, Magdalena, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan, Pila, Rizal, Santa Cruz, Victoria, Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan, Lumban, Mabitac, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Santa Maria, Siniloan, San Pablo, Calauan, Bay, Alaminos and Los Baños

Quezon: Mulanay, Buenavista, Catanauan, San Narciso, San Francisco, San Andres, Macalelon, General Luna, Guinayangan, Lopez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Lucban, Tayabas, Pagbilao, Lucena, Padre Burgos, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Agdangan, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Mauban, Sampaloc, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong and San Antonio

Tarlac: Tarlac City, La Paz, Concepcion, Paniqui, Gerona and Moncada

Nueva Ecija: San Isidro, Cabiao, San Antonio and Gapan

Bulacan: San Miguel, Doña Remedios Trinidad and San Ildefonso

Rizal: Tanay, Pililla and Jala-Jala

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains with occasional heavy downpours were affecting parts of Quezon, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac and may persist within three hours.

Habagat continues to drench Luzon

The latest rainfall warning came as the enhanced southwest monsoon continued to bring heavy rains across Luzon.

The Office of Civil Defense earlier said six people have reportedly died from the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and habagat. The reported deaths are still being validated.

Around 74,800 families or 261,000 people had been affected by the weather systems as of Saturday morning, while at least 63 areas were reported flooded, mostly in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and parts of Calabarzon.

Tropical Cyclone Maymay made landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, before dawn on August 6 and later weakened into a low pressure area.

Despite Maymay’s dissipation, PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon would continue to bring rains to affected areas.

The public’s trust in the election process relies, whether we like or not, on the perception that the process is fair.

Even the appearance of impropriety undermines the public’s faith in the process, no matter how well-intentioned the action may be.

Just recently, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dasmariñas in Cavite approved a resolution granting P50-million in financial assistance to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to defray the expenses for the Aug. 29 special election to fill the vacancy in the position of representative of the fourth legislative district of Cavite.

The House of Representatives earlier expelled Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco ‘Kiko’ Barzaga after finding him guilty of disorderly behavior, conduct unbecoming of a member and violations of the House Code of Conduct.

The House adopted the committee on ethics and privileges’ recommendation to expel Barzaga, including the committee’s finding that Barzaga’s conduct fell short of the professionalism required under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Sanggunian resolution noted that Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga recommended granting P50-million in financial assistance to the Comelec to cover the expenses for the special election to fill the vacancy created by Kiko Barzaga’s removal.

The mayor, the expelled congressman’s mother, filed her certificate of candidacy in July to replace her son in the Lower House. She is one of the five candidates for the position.

The donation was turned over by vice mayor (now acting mayor) Elpidio ‘Third’ Barzaga III, Kiko’s brother, to the Comelec last July 23.

Unfortunately, the donation has sparked significant public debate between institutional necessity and possible conflict of interest.

After all, Comelec is an independent constitutional body tasked with overseeing an election that is now partly financed by the same LGU unit upon the recommendation of a candidate and approved by the Sanggunian presided over by Vice Mayor Third.

Some critics argue that having the local government headed by a candidate fund the very body regulating their election compromises institutional neutrality.

The Comelec is designed to be a completely independent body funded solely by the national government to prevent local interference. Relying on local government funding sets a worrying precedent where wealthy LGUs can possibly exert financial influence over public democratic processes.

Section 4 of RA 6713, which covers elective and appointive public officials and employees including constitutional officials, provides that every public official and employee shall observe professionalism and endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage.

Recently, Comelec dismissed claims by a Facebook page named ‘Calabarzon Connect’ that the P50-million donation is ‘legal bribery in broad daylight,’ reiterating that it will be used for the honoraria of teachers serving as electoral board members on election day.

Holding a special election is not cheap, requiring a budget of about P191 million.

But is P50 million worth the appearance of impropriety? Comelec may have the best of intentions, even the Barzagas, but it is simply not worth it. The end after all never justifies the means. Preserving the public image and perceived credibility of the Comelec should come first.

Chilling effect

Every election depends on citizens willing to participate. Some volunteer for campaigns. Others speak for the candidates they believe in. Many contribute financially within the limits set by law. These are ordinary acts of civic engagement that help sustain a functioning democracy.

However, the plunder case involving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former congressman Mike Defensor and two private businessmen will now make campaign donors think twice, fearing that a lawful contribution could later become part of a non-bailable criminal prosecution because of a candidate’s actions.

It is alleged that campaign-related transfers amounting to P75 million were omitted from the required election disclosures, eventually giving rise to plunder charges.

A campaign contribution does not automatically become evidence of criminal conspiracy simply because it is later questioned. The existence of a financial transfer, even one connected to a political campaign, does not by itself establish criminal intent. Prosecutors must demonstrate that each accused knowingly and intentionally participated in an unlawful scheme. The burden applies separately to every individual charged.

Unlike the public figures named in the case, the others do not hold public office. The deeds of donation identified the transfers as campaign contributions and that donor’s taxes were reportedly paid. If prosecutors contend that the transfers were actually corrupt payments made by reason of public office, they bear the burden of proving precisely that. They must establish not only the movement of money but also each donor’s knowledge and intentional participation in the alleged scheme.

The pending bail applications bring this requirement into sharper focus.

A bail hearing does not determine whether an accused is guilty. It asks whether the prosecution has presented sufficiently strong evidence to justify continued detention while trial proceeds. The inquiry is individualized. It focuses on the evidence against each applicant, not on the prominence of the other names appearing in the same information.

Personal liability remains a cornerstone of criminal justice. Association alone cannot substitute for proof. One defendant’s alleged conduct cannot automatically establish another defendant’s intent. Courts have long recognized that conspiracy must be supported by evidence showing each participant knowingly joined the alleged unlawful design.

However the Marcoleta case turns out, its significance may lie not only in the verdict but also in the precedent it leaves for future elections.

If citizens begin to fear that supporting a political candidate could later expose them to the gravest criminal charges without proof of their own knowing participation in wrongdoing, the chilling effect will extend far beyond this single prosecution.