Category: Philippine Star

Labor groups have asked a Navotas court to dismiss a petition filed by fishing companies seeking to stop the implementation of the P85 daily minimum wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The groups argued that wage-setting matters should remain under the jurisdiction of wage boards and labor agencies and not the courts.

They raised concern over the impact of an order issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 152 in Pasig, which halted the implementation of the first tranche of the P85 daily wage increase.

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and leaders of the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition yesterday filed an Urgent Motion for Leave to Intervene with an attached Opposition-in-Intervention before the RTC Branch 287 in Navotas in connection with the case challenging NCR Wage Order No. 27.

FFW president Sonny Matula personally went to the Navotas Hall of Justice to submit printed copies of the electronically filed pleading. However, court personnel were unavailable due to the suspension of government work brought by Typhoon Maymay.

But the labor leaders proceeded with the filing, saying the case would directly affect millions of workers who are expected to benefit from the wage increase.

‘This case is not merely about legal procedure. It is about protecting the wages and livelihood of millions of workers whose voices deserve to be heard before any court decides their fate,’ Matula said.

The intervention was filed on behalf of 13 labor organizations, with Matula and other lawyers from NAGKAISA preparing the pleading to challenge the petition seeking to overturn the wage order.

The labor groups argued that they are real parties in interest because several of their organizations participated in the proceedings before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (NWPC) -NCR, which resulted in the issuance of NCR Wage Order No. 27.

They said they were not included as parties in the petition despite having interests that could be affected by the court’s decision.

The groups maintained that issues involving alleged wage distortion should not be resolved by a regional trial court, citing Article 124 of the Labor Code, which provides mechanisms through grievance machinery, voluntary arbitration, negotiations, conciliation before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, and, when necessary, compulsory arbitration before the National Labor Relations Commission.

NAGKAISA also argued that the petition against the wage order attempts to bypass the wage-fixing system established under the Labor Code and pointed to Article 126, which prohibits courts from issuing temporary restraining orders or injunctions against proceedings before the NWPC and regional wage boards.

‘A court without jurisdiction has only one lawful authority – to dismiss the petition,’ Matula said.

Matula said workers had expected to receive the increase after it was announced by President Marcos and then labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, but the TRO delayed the release of the initial P60 wage adjustment.

‘When the President and the labor secretary announced the P85 wage hike, workers hoped that they would soon receive the increase. However, due to the TRO, the initial P60 tranche has remained unimplemented,’ Matula said.

He added that the suspension affected not only the workers’ income but also the implementation of the wage policy issued by the executive branch.

The labor coalition acknowledged the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law but stressed that wage determination is a specialized function assigned by Congress to tripartite wage boards, with review authority lodged with the NWPC.

The groups urged the courts to respect the jurisdiction provided under the Labor Code and uphold constitutional protections for labor and social justice.

Featuring a scenic 10km race that starts at KM0 in Rizal Park, the Nike After Dark Tour Manila 2026 is happening for the first time ever this coming November 21.

A global race series designed for women and powered by Nike, After Dark Tour brings together sport, self-expression and the energy of running after the sun goes down.

This year 2026, the series spans seven major cities around the world, including Manila, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai and Sydney.

The Manila stop will feature a 10km race, inviting women of all backgrounds and abilities to step onto the starting line together for an evening built around movement, confidence, culture and community.

Now in its second year, the After Dark Tour builds on Nike’s longstanding commitment to supporting women runners around the world. The inaugural tour drew more than 50,000 women across seven races on five continents, with one in three participants racing for the first time.

The Manila race continues that momentum, creating a dedicated space for women to run, connect and celebrate what they are capable of-whether they are chasing a personal best, signing up for their first 10K or making the night unforgettable with their closest friends.

The race starts at KM0 at Roxas Boulevard, with runners pounding the wide-open lanes of the highway under the night sky.

The course will take them through the historic streets of Old Manila, along landmarks such as Intramuros, the National Museum, and Jones Bridge, before finally ending at the finish line at Quirino Grandstand.

Expect the After Dark Tour weekend to be the ultimate girls’ weekend, full of activations at the Race Village, exclusive Nike Experiences, Finish Line celebrations and the iconic ADT finisher medal, designed to be worn as a necklace, bracelet, keychain loop or belt chain.

Across the tour, runners will also experience Nike’s latest running, training and sportswear innovations, designed to help women look good, feel good and perform at their best.

The same performance technologies developed for Nike’s elite athletes are available to everyday runners, reinforcing the brand’s belief that innovation should serve all athletes, at every level.

They are no Gokongweis, but they are leading property giant Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) the Gokong-way.

Tasked to lead RLC in its next chapter, these executives are taking a page from the Gokongwei family playbook in how they run the business.

Currently at the helm of the company is Mybelle Aragon-GoBio, who was appointed as president and CEO in 2025, becoming the first woman and non-family member to lead RLC.

While RLC’s growth strategy includes almost doubling profits by 2030, Aragon-GoBio said the Gokongweis have taught them that it’s not just about looking for or chasing profits.

‘It’s really about how our projects contribute to progress, nation-building and how it really improves lives. And they make sure that we champion integrity,’ she told The STAR.

‘We always believe that growth and ambition on one side does not have to be in conflict with discipline and prudence. It’s that balance which I think is the biggest contribution or the guidance being given to us by the Gokongwei family that has really allowed us to grow sustainably and responsibly through the years,’ she added.

RLC senior vice president and business unit general manager for Robinsons Offices Jericho Go said one of the key lessons that have been shared with them by tycoon Lance Gokongwei, coming from his father, the late taipan and Gokongwei Group founder John Gokongwei Jr., is that ‘the family is here to support the business and the business is not here to support the family.’

‘That already sets the tone of what this company is all about – what nation-building is all about,’ Go said.

Go recalled that when he joined the company back in 2019, the very first thing Lance asked of him was what his mobile number was.

‘In my mind, it’s because maybe if there would be instructions or if he needs something. But it’s actually the opposite. Can I have your number, so that I can give you my number, so that anytime, anything you need, I’m here to help. It’s the reverse,’ Go said.

‘So the principal, the owner themselves are very much involved in the operations to help because they have resources, they have access, they have connections and they just want to give us the best chance to perform at our best,’ he added.

For seasoned business and hospitality leader Barun Jolly, who serves as RLC senior vice president and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts business unit general manager, it’s the Gokongwei family’s entrepreneurial spirit, stewardship and integrity that have served as their guiding principles.

‘For me that’s been really these key things which we’ve learned and which we continue to display in how we think, operate and build at RLC,’ Jolly said.

Ramon Rivero, chief strategist and business unit general manager of Robinsons Sports and Leisure, meanwhile, credits the Gokongweis for their unrelenting innovation.

RLC on its own is the first hotel group to bring essential value in a branded experience, while also having the first Filipino five-star hotel brand through Fili, and the first ultra luxury homegrown brand through NUSTAR.

‘Remember the time when Cebu Pacific came in, they challenged and introduced what we call as low-cost carrier. They also put out the iconic C2, which was the first herbal tea in a bottled drink, which is different in its kind with the sweet taste. And then just recently, they went into the fintech industry with GoTyme. I think the Gokongweis are really known for their innovation,’ Rivero said.

One of the most prominent business families in the country, the Gokongwei clan is behind industry-leading companies like JG Summit, Cebu Pacific, Universal Robina Corp. and RLC, among others.

For Lance, president and CEO of JG Summit, future leaders in the group must have integrity, prudence, entrepreneurial spirit and the boldness to dream – the same values that his father had.

Also essential is the hunger to try to find solutions for customers and continue to pursue new opportunities for growth.

But instilling these values in the next generation is only part of the challenge.

‘The business was founded by my dad and his siblings. In our generation, which is the second generation, there are 23 of us. Not all of us are in the business. And in the third generation there are 50 cousins. Maybe two or three of them are in the business,’ Lance explained.

‘Kids of the next generation, they have so many choices and their own aspirations. Many of them want to prove themselves outside their own independent capacity and it’s our job in the second generation to make it, I guess, attractive for them to join the business in the future,’ he said.

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck off Occidental Mindoro on Friday morning, with Intensity 5 shaking recorded in parts of Mindoro and tremors reaching Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology located the tectonic earthquake 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

It struck at 10:38 a.m. at a depth of 14 kilometers.

The agency initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.8 before revising it to moment magnitude 5.4.

Intensity 5 was reported in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, as well as Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Victoria in Oriental Mindoro.

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

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

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

PHIVOLCS’ instruments separately recorded Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera, and Intensity 4 in Abra de Ilog, Looc and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

Instrumental Intensity 3 was recorded in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City and Victoria.

Earlier social media reports also described shaking in Makati and Mandaluyong, as well as parts of Manila, Marinduque, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.

Damage was not expected, but aftershocks were possible.

Rolando Bregente carved out two impressive wins and Grace Quintanilla needed to go through the proverbial wringer before advancing as the the top-ranked men’s and ladies’ seeds to the semifinals of the NGAP’s Match Play Championship at rain-softened Luisita in Tarlac.

Lisa Sarines and Jet Hernandez, who last week won the Strokeplay Championship titles, had contrasting wet Thursday fortunes at the tree-lined layout, with the ladies champ bundling out twin sister Mona and the men’s titlist seeing his bid end after 16 holes in the quarterfinals.

The 24-year-old Bregente played just a combined 28 holes in eliminating Roel Taga-an in the morning, 3and2, before coming back at midday to bundle out young Bobe Salahog, 7and6 and advance opposite Emilio Hernandez, whose brother, the double win-seeking Jet, got the boot from teen wonder Ralph Batican, 4and2.

The match between the twin sisters ended at the 16th hole with a routine par from Lisa, who took control right out of the gates by going two-up after four holes. It ended with a 3and2 victory as Sarines advanced to face Precious Zaragosa.

‘It is what it is,’ Lisa said.

State prosecutors in the Bangsamoro region had recommended the filing of criminal cases against a mayor in Basilan and several others for their alleged involvement in a deadly election-related gun attack hours before the May 12, 2025 polling day.

Radio reports on Friday, August 7, stated that the resolution of the Regional Prosecution Office 14 mentioned Arsina Kahing Nanoh, mayor of Hadji Muhtamad, her husband Nadz Nanoh, and relatives Walihiul Allama, Hadji Rahim Kahim, Lucman Kahim, Tudy Bayro, Sing Hassan and several others, tagged only as ‘john does,’ as respondents to the three counts of murder, two counts of frustrated murder and attempted murder that prosecutors are to file in a court.

The RPO 14 of the Department of Justice covers the five provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato, where the BARMM regional capitol is located.

Copies of the RPO 14’s resolution pertaining to its case buildup against Nano, one of the 11 municipal mayors in Basilan, and several others, were obtained on Wednesday by reporters from officials of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte and the military’s Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City.

The resolution, dated July 2, 2026, was signed by four officials of RPO 14.

Regional police officials said the case that the BARMM regional prosecutors have recommended for filing in court against the respondents is related to the offshore attack before dawn on May 12 last year in the sea close to the beachfront Barangay Sangbay Big in Hadji Muhtamad by gunmen riding speedboats, allegedly owned by the mayor, of supporters and poll watchers of then mayoral candidate Hadji Jamar Abdullah Mansul.

The attack left three passengers of the pumpboat, Ben Bakil, Murasidol Abdurahman and Samir Jamiri Allil dead and two others, Habir Alih and Saldi Alih, wounded.

Mansul was defeated by Nanoh in the 2025 mayoral race in Hadji Muhtamad.

Regional Prosecutors had stated that while Nanoh, then seeking reelection, was not at the scene, it is assumed that she was part of the conspiracy to harm the victims owing to his alleged ownership of the speedboats used in the atrocity and her close relationship with its alleged perpetrators.

Reporters in BARMM provinces and cities tried, but failed to reach the mayor for comment.

The more than 5,000 Capitol employees will each receive a P20,000 anniversary incentive and 25 kilos of rice as part of the Province of Cebu’s 457th Founding Anniversary celebration.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced on Thursday, August 6, that the 5,070 employees of the provincial government, regardless of employment status, provided that they have rendered at least one month of service before the anniversary, will receive the incentives.

Baricuatro said the cash bonus and rice incentive is the provincial government’s way of recognizing the dedication and commitment of Capitol employees to public service.

“Thank you for your service, patience and professionalism. I see your hardwork everyday, especially the many sacrifices you made to serve our people,” the governor told employees during the anniversary program.

She also urged Capitol workers to continue working together to deliver quality government services.

“Ato ning ipadayon, dili ni nako kaya,” Baricuatro said.

The governor explained that this year’s anniversary incentive is lower than last year’s grant as part of the provincial government’s efforts to maintain sound fiscal management.

“The 20,000 is a little bit smaller than we gave last year but due to financial housekeeping nato mao na nga e make sure nga sound atong ipang hatag karon ug walay tiyansa nga bawion og balik,” she said.

Last year, Capitol employees received a P35,000 anniversary incentive.

The provincial workforce is composed of 846 permanent employees, 377 casual personnel, 3,591 job order workers, 233 co-terminus employees, two contract of service personnel, and 21 elected officials.

Capitol officials and employees gathered yesterday at the Capitol grounds for the anniversary celebration, which opened with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Jonathan Rubin.

The celebration also featured a raffle for Capitol employees, with one employee winning the P100,000 grand cash prize. Baricuatro said the grand prize came from her personal salary.

“It’s out of my salary, so ako tong gi share sa Probinsiya nu pampalingaw lang sad and also makatabang lang sad,” the governor said.

Other raffle prizes included a motorcycle, eight JBL speakers, eight laptops, eight tablets, and several hotel stay packages.

The festivities also included a Family Day activity held a day earlier, during which the children of Capitol employees participated in games and received prizes.

Baricuatro said the happiness of Capitol employees is equally rewarding for her.

“Basta happy mo, happy kaayo ko,” she said.

She likewise reaffirmed her commitment to leaving behind a stronger provincial government, regardless of how long she remains in office.

“I really don’t know how far we’ll stay here…one term, two terms, three terms. But I want to ensure, that we will leave behind a strong, clean, and credible Provincial Capitol,” Baricuatro said.

The Province of Cebu traces its beginnings to August 6, 1569, when Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi established Cebu as the first Spanish settlement and seat of government in the Philippines.

Despite territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines and China have forged a stronger partnership in the fight against transnational crime.

The alliance was formalized during a meeting between Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Fujian Provincial Public Security Department executive director general Wang Xizhang at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

Nartatez and Wang tackled intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation between the two sides.

For Nartatez, the meeting reaffirms the longstanding partnership between Philippine and Chinese law enforcement agencies in the campaign against transnational crime as well as groups involved in cybercrimes and kidnapping.

‘We want every police office to be better equipped to investigate transnational crime, respond to cyber threats and strengthen intelligence gathering through internationally accepted practices,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

Officials from both sides underscored the importance of sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing and capacity-building programs to address evolving security threats.

‘There will be no safe haven for transnational criminals. We will continue working closely with our international counterparts to track, investigate and bring offenders to justice,’ Nartatez said.

The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday to extend their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Dave Ildefonso again bailed out the Weavers, scoring seven of their last nine points, including two charities with 11.5 seconds left, that secured the defending champions’ 16th straight win and 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed his long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds left, and Abra’s Mike Ayonayon snared the rebound to preserve the Weavers’ lead in the North Division over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2).

Showing why he’s the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals to garner his fourth straight Best Player citation.

“I always strive to stay in shape, stay ready,” said Ildefonso, who only got a 44-second respite for the game as DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina were both unavailable. “Hats off to Bataan. They gave us a run for our money.”

Ayonayon also shone with 15 points, including nine straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter.

Raven Gonzales supported with eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with 12 rebounds, five points, four assists and three steals.

Bataan, which fell to 8-12, got 19 points, spiked with five triples, from Hubert Cani; 10 points from Yves Sazon; and nine each from Chris Javier and Corteza.

Basilan nips Paranaque

Jervy Cruz converted two free throws with 12.6 seconds left to lift Basilan Steel past Paranaque, 75-74, in the nightcap.

Paranaque’s James Mangahas was able to launch a shot before the final buzzer but missed, allowing Basilan to escape and level its slate at 11-11, good for the eighth spot in the South.

Gab Cometa towed Basilan ahead, 73-68, only for Paranaque to counter with a six-point cluster, four by Marlon Monte, and seize control with 36.2 seconds to go.

But Cruz was up to the challenge and pulled Paranaque down to 2-21.

Veteran John Wilson paced Basilan with 15 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Byron Villarias with 13 points and three rebounds; Mark Montuano with 10 points and eight rebounds; and Cruz with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Also-ran Paranaque drew 24 points and 13 rebounds from Jomar Santos; and 22 points, six rebounds and six assists from Monte.

Bulacan trips Pasig in OT

The Bulacan Kuyas bunched eight points in overtime to beat Pasig City, 110-105, in the opener.

Pasig was ahead, 97-96, until Bulacan struck behind a free throw by Marj De Leon and four charities of Joshua Moralejo that sandwiched Benedict Benedictos’ triple, 104-97, with 1:10 left.

The Kuyas improved to 5-15, good for 11th place and just a step short of a play-in spot in the North Division.

Jeremy Cruz, a 6-foot-3 find from Baliwag, posted 18 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks to clinch Best Player honors over Calumpit’s Mico Dizon, who had 22 points and nine rebounds.

Other Kuyas who delivered were Jonathan Medina with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists; Marj De Leon with 14 points and six rebounds; and San Jose Del Monte’s Moralejo with 11 points, 10 assists and four rebounds.

Pasig’s John Felix Corpuz knotted the count at 93 with 53.2 seconds, after which Bulacan missed two field goal attempts, sending the game into extension.

Pasig skidded to 8-10 despite Jacob Galicia’s 36 points, 18 rebounds, two assists and two steals; Jerome Garcia’s 22 points, six rebounds and four assists; Warlo Batac’s 13 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists; and Jhapz Bautista’s 12 points, six rebounds and two assists.

The tournament visits The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela, on Saturday, featuring games between Rizal XentroMall and Pasay at 5 p.m., and Meycauayan Marilao against Ilagan Isabela at 7 p.m.

Unidentified masked men in vans dumped at least five caskets with anti-China, anti-communist messages in Metro Manila before dawn on Friday, August 7, police have confirmed.

The caskets were found in various parts of Metro Manila. The National Capital Region Police Office, in a statement, said these were “intentionally abandoned” in Sta. Cruz, Manila; Barangay 54 in Caloocan City; Barangays South Triangle and Sta. Teresita in Quezon City; and along Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

“The caskets were deliberately abandoned by perpetrators wearing masks on board gray and white vans at around 2:00 to 4:00 in the morning of August 7,” the NCRPO said.

The caskets contained “anti-CPP-NPA and anti-China messages,” the NCRPO added.

One coffin was left in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati and was found by passersby on Friday morning. Displayed in front of the casket was a red flag with the words “greedy” and “salot (plague).”

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for any of the caskets.

Police are now conducting a probe and reviewing CCTV footage to identify who’s behind the stunt, according to the NCRPO statement.

The Philippine National Police, in a separate statement, said the caskets and other materials found at the scenes have been secured as evidence to establish “their origin, purpose, and whether any laws or local ordinances may have been violated.”

DFA treats it as a security threat

The Department of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned the stunt on Friday.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs does not condone acts or threats of violence against any individual, including foreign nationals or officials,” it said in a statement. “Such irresponsible and disrespectful acts cannot be tolerated.”

Free expression does not cover threats or acts that endanger others, the DFA said, adding that the caskets do not reflect how the government conducts its foreign relations “nor do they represent how Filipinos express criticism or dissatisfaction, even on sensitive political matters.”