Category: Philippine Star

The ‘Degree Behind Bars’ program of Mandaue City College (MCC) drew the attention of local college presidents in Central Visayas as they explored initiatives that could be adapted by other institutions.

Association of Local Colleges and Universities in Region 7 (ALCU-7) Chairman Dr. Richel Bacaltos, president of Talisay City College, said the group looked into how MCC provides persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) an opportunity to pursue higher education while serving their sentences.

ALCU-7 members visited MCC on September 16 as part of its 13th quarterly meeting held in Mandaue City.

‘Mao na ang among tan-awon dinhi og giunsa nila… tingali ma-apply namo ang among nakat-unan sa pagbisita sa Mandaue City College,’ Bacaltos said.

He said the visit allowed members of the association to learn from MCC’s experience and examine how the program could potentially be applied in other local colleges.

Around 21 presidents of local colleges and universities from Cebu and Bohol took part in the two-day meeting, with eight representatives from Cebu and 13 from Bohol.

Bacaltos said the quarterly gathering also served as an avenue for local colleges to exchange experiences and discuss concerns that they commonly face.

‘We establish partnership, ingon ani benchmarking aron sa usa’g usa makakat-on mi,’ he said.

Among the challenges faced by local colleges, according to Bacaltos, are financial constraints and compliance with the standards and requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

‘These are all challenges nga atong giatubang sa mga local colleges,’ Bacaltos said.

The association also discussed micro-credentialing with CHED and other initiatives related to student development.

Before the MCC visit, the college presidents met with Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano at City Hall on September 15.

Bacaltos said ALCU-7’s regular meetings provide member institutions with opportunities to establish partnerships and learn from programs and practices implemented by other local colleges

Justin Kenneth Carandang of GMA News Online was elected new president of the Collegiate Press Corps for the 2026-27 athletic season, which covers UAAP Season 89 and NCAA Season 102.

Carandang steps up as new head of the unified media organization after previously serving as its Vice President for Internal Affairs following elections held on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Joining Carandang in the new CPC leadership are Julio Gabriel Sampedro of UAAP Varsity Channel as VP for internal affairs, Luisa Morales of One Sports as VP for UAAP, Rom Anzures of ABS-CBN News as VP for NCAA and John Mark Garcia of SPIN.ph as secretary.

The new Board of Directors is composed of Theodore Jurado of People’s Journal, Ivan Suing of Daily Tribune, Abby Toralba of Malaya Business Insight, Niel Victor Masoy of The Manila Times and Ralph Villanueva of Philstar.com.

‘I would like to thank the Collegiate Press Corps for putting their trust in us. We will strive to become better storytellers as we put the journeys of our student-athletes into the spotlight,’ said the 33-year-old Carandang.

The UAAP and NCAA Press Corps were unified in 2022 to bring together members of traditional and digital media covering both leagues.

The organization has since expanded its programs and projects beyond game coverage, including its annual Awards Night recognizing standout collegiate athletes and coaches across basketball, volleyball and football.

Meanwhile, former CPC presidents Joey Villar of The Star, Norman Lee Benjamin Riego of SPIN.ph, Randolph Leongson and John Bryan Ulanday of The Star, as well as Camille Naredo of ABS-CBN News will serve as advisers to guide the new set of officers.

‘We would also like to thank those who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of the great leaders and members who helped shape the organization into what it is today,’ Carandang added.

The Gilas women stamped their ticket to the quarterfinal round of the Asian Games women’s basketball division after blasting Hong Kong, 90-73, Sunday morning at the Aichi International Arena in Japan.

Gilas remained unscathed through two games after back-to-back huge wins. The squad first defeated Kazakhstan, 86-58, before the huge win over Hong Kong.

Stefanie Berberabe paced the Filipina dribblers with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Afril Bernardino added 17 markers, 11 boards and four dimes, while Jhaz Joson had 15 points.

The two teams were kept in a close game through the midway point of the third quarter, with a triple by Tsz Kwan Li making it a 59-57 lead by the Philippines.

But Gilas stepped on the gas and left Hong Kong on the rear-view mirror with a backbreaking 16-3 run capped by a deuce by Afril Bernardino to push the Philippines ahead, 76-60, with 7:37 remaining.

Li and Tong tried to rally Hong Kong back into the game, but Bernardino, Joson, Camille Malagar and Berberabe put the finishing touches in the dominant win.

Malagar tallied 14 points for the winning team, while Elizabeth Means chipped in 11.

Li carried the offense for Hong Kong with 30 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Tan Fung Ma had 15 markers.

The Philippines will take on Japan in their final Group B play on Tuesday. The home team is also holding a 1-0 record thus far, before facing Kazakhstan Sunday afternoon.

Global investment giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. (KKR) has divested its entire stake in Lopez-led First Gen Corp. for P25.77 billion, just weeks after its bid to raise its ownership in the power firm was rejected.

KKR, through Valorous Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., sold 715.86 million shares – equivalent to a 19.9-percent economic interest in First Gen – to Angsana Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of Cayman Islands’ Gateway Holdings Ltd.

A Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) filing showed that the block sale was executed on Sept. 10 at P36 per share, substantially higher than First Gen’s P23.70 closing price on Sept. 11.

Following the transaction, KKR senior advisor Manolo Michael de Guzman resigned as a director of First Gen. Bank of America advised KKR on the deal.

‘KKR had been in First Gen since 2020, so it was about time for it to exit and realize a return on its investment,’ China Bank Capital Corp. managing director Juan Paolo Colet said when sought for insights.

While the transaction is not expected to have any immediate financial impact on First Gen, Colet said Gateway’s entry could affect how tycoon Federico Lopez charts the power firm’s strategic direction.

Gateway is an alternative investment manager focused on emerging markets across South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

‘Given Gateway’s entry price of P36 per share, they would need to unlock significant value to make a good return, and one way to do that is through an MandA (merger and acquisition) either at the First Gen or EDC (Energy Development Corp.) level,’ Colet said.

KKR’s divestment came after the Lopez Group’s First Philippine Holdings Corp. thumbed down the former’s proposal to acquire a portion of the latter’s stake in First Gen. FPH currently owns 67.84 percent of First Gen.

KKR had sought to buy an 8.43-percent stake in First Gen held by FPH and launch a voluntary tender offer for the power firm’s entire 11.67-percent public float at P35 per share.

The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests, possible government contracts and registered firearms for this week’s impeachment hearings.

Counsel for the prosecution Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said at a Saturday News Forum that the presentations will depend on the progress of the hearings, with oral arguments on the two-thirds conviction threshold scheduled on Wednesday.

Tolosa said the Civil Service Commission witness would explain statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) filing guidelines, while the Securities and Exchange Commission representative would address companies in which Duterte declared financial interests.

Meanwhile, a witness from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System and a representative of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Regional Office XI’s bids and awards committee will be asked about government dealings involving the Vice President’s companies.

A representative from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office would then address the firearms registered to Duterte and her husband.

Tolosa said the testimony of Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte aims to examine whether Gencorp Industries, a company identified in the Vice President’s SALN, had dealings with the city government.

The business records would also address allegations that Duterte failed to divest and participated in businesses while Vice President, he said.

The panel will also be seeking the Senate impeachment court to classify the Davao City Mayor as another hostile witness in the impeachment trial of his sister.

Once the younger Duterte is declared a hostile witness, the prosecution can ask him more ‘leading questions’ which can be answered by ‘yes or no,’ Tolosa said.

The impeachment court is currently discussing Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which involves the alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President.

Sub judice

Tolosa also said the Senate impeachment court should apply its sub judice rule equally to the Vice President over her statement that President Marcos controls senators.

He raised the issue after he and public prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon were ordered to explain separate public statements being reviewed for possible violations of Rule 18.

Both have submitted their responses to the impeachment court.

Rule 18 requires the presiding officer, senators, prosecutors, the impeached official and their respective counsels to refrain from public comments and disclosures pertaining to the merits of a pending impeachment trial.

Tolosa said the prosecution was not seeking preferential treatment but wanted the same rule applied consistently to everyone it covers, including the Vice President.

In a Sept. 7 video message discussing her impeachment trial and other legal cases, Duterte told supporters that even if President Marcos controlled senators, prosecutors, judges and police, she had many lawyers helping her fight and win her cases.

‘That is an attack against the integrity of the impeachment court, to say that the President is controlling the senators,’ Tolosa said.

Several groups marched through the streets of Metro Manila on Sunday, September 20, on the eve of the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Youth and student groups marched from La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong to the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City, while the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) held a separate march in front of the Supreme Court in Manila.

The protesters called for government transparency, accountability over corruption, and the passage of legislation against political dynasties.

The march also called for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate impeachment trial.

The protest was spearheaded by Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Youth Against Kurakot and various university student leaders.

Meanwhile, ATOM marched to the Supreme Court to protest the high court’s ruling that reverse the conviction former First Lady Imelda Marcos. The group called for accountability for what it alleged the Marcos family had stolen. The group, along with Tindig Pilipinas and Partido Manggagawa, also marched toward the EDSA Shrine.

Monday, September 21, marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.

The proclamation placing the country under martial law was signed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on Sept. 21, 1972, but it was only announced on national television on September 23.

Martial Law was lifted on Jan. 17, 1981. Human rights groups estimate that the regime resulted in 70,000 arrests, 34,000 cases of torture and 3,240 deaths.

The Philippines couldn’t cash in on its chances versus 18th seed Hungary and suffered a heartbreaking 1.5-2.5 defeat Friday night in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda seized a positional edge and the initiative after the opening play but could only extract a draw on boards two and three while Mhage Sebastian battled her way from a cramped position and escaped with a split.

It wasn’t the case for Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza, who appeared to have survived her opening inaccuracies with a strong middlegame only to throw it away with poor endgame play and lost to WIM Kata Karacsonyi at board four.

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes across all levels in both public and private schools in the capital on Monday, September 21.

In a statement on Sunday, September 20, Domagoso cited recommendations from the Manila Police District (MPD), which anticipates heavy traffic, road closures, and security risks stemming from various public gatherings, marches, and freedom rallies marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

‘This suspension is issued to ensure the safety and welfare of students by minimizing their exposure to potential risks associated with heavy traffic, road closures, and large public gatherings,’ Domagoso said.

With the suspension, schools are advised to shift to alternative modes of learning delivery.

Protests are expected as the country commemorates the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously said that law enforcement personnel would be placed on full alert status in anticipation of the protests.

The PNP said more than 15,700 personnel would be deployed on Monday to ensure security during the demonstrations.

The beloved ‘Maroon 5′ may have already moved on from the collegiate ranks but the University of the Philippines remains in good hands with Francis Nnoruka emerging as the team’s new leader this UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

The graduating Nigerian center proved his pedigree to lead the Fighting Maroons right away in the opening week, tallying back-to-back double-double performances as they coasted to a 2-0 record with victories against the UST Growling Tigers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles to gain provisional lead in the standings.

For his efforts that saw him average 15.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block, Nnoruka was hailed as the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Player of the Week for the duration of September 13 to 19.

Nnoruka emphasized the need for them to step up and even raise the bar left by the ‘Maroon 5’ – comprised of Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Reyland Torres, Terrence Fortea and Gerry Abadiano – higher this year, especially with Nnoruka now on his last playing year for the Fighting Maroons.

‘I believe the previous UP teams have a standard. So just pretty much continue where they left off and raise the standards higher,’ said the 6-foot-9 big man on his outlook this season after falling short of the crown last year.

He delivered 18 points and 12 rebounds against UST in the opener last Sept. 13 before dropping 12 points and 13 boards against Ateneo on Sept. 19 with both games held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

His performances – which also included limiting Season 88 Rookie of the Year and Elite Team member Collins Akowe in their opening day matchup – propelled Nnoruka to the weekly citation over nominees teammate Noy Remogat, UST’s Amiel Acido, NU’s Kenshin Padrones, Adamson’s Mathew Montebon, La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Ateneo’s Kieffer Alas.

Despite the early lead in the standings, Nnoruka believes that the Fighting Maroons are still a long way to go from what they are aiming to be.

‘I’m excited we got the win but just got a lot to work on and you know a lot of stuff we need to improve so we’re gonna head back to the lab and get to work,’ he shared.

Nnoruka and UP return to action on Saturday, September 26 as they tussle with the NU Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Philip Morris International (PMI)’s global business services hub has expanded its facility in Makati to deliver higher-value services.

PMI Business Solutions (PMIBS) Philippines Inc.’s expanded facility at 8 Rockwell creates over 80 new positions and marks the next phase of the hub’s growth.

PMIBS president Harry Tan said that when operations began in 2021, the facility was focused mainly on finance and information technology (IT) and catering to 20 markets globally.

Today, he said the hub has expanded with over 500 professionals delivering 600 services across finance, human resources, IT, commercial services, data analytics, supply chain, project management and fleet services to 160 markets worldwide.

He said the capabilities built over the past five years now allow the facility to deliver complex and higher value work for PMI markets around the world.

As the hub transitions to more complex and value-adding services, Tan said that PMIBS wants to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to provide more strategic work for PMI.

‘If the first five years were about building capability, the next five years will be about helping our people create even greater value through Al. At the center of this future is still our people – their judgment, creativity, collaboration and ability to turn technology into real business impact,’ he said.

As such, he said that PMIBS is focused on building future-ready talent, scaling excellence and driving AI transformation.

‘With Al, we now have the opportunity to help our teams work smarter, build stronger capabilities and take on more complex, higher-value work for PMI, while creating more meaningful opportunities for our people to grow,’ he said.

For his part, PMFTC Inc. president Zhenya Ivanov reaffirmed PMI’s long-term commitment to the Philippines and expressed confidence in PMIBS’ role in supporting the company’s broader transformation and growth.

PMIBS’ facility in Makati is the second global business services center established by PMI globally and the first in Asia.

PMFTC and PMIBS both operate under the umbrella of Philip Morris Philippines.