Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

On Friday, Sept. 4, a warrant of arrest was issued against Vice President Sara Duterte.

But can the second-highest elected official of the land be arrested?

In a phone interview with the INQUIRER, University of the Philippines College of Law Assistant Dean and Professor of Constitutional Law Paolo Emmanuel Tamase said there is nothing in the Constitution that exempts the Vice President from being sued.

‘There’s no basis in Philippine constitutional law for the immunity of a Vice President from any type of suit, including a criminal suit,’ he said.

Unlike the President, who enjoys immunity from suit while in office, the Vice President does not have the same protection.

Tamase explained that the immunity is based on the need to allow the President to function as the country’s sole executive without facing multiple legal challenges during the term.

That rationale, according to the Law professor, does not apply to the Vice President, who is ‘constitutionally a spare tire.’

Duterte’s arrest, mugshot, and bail

As for Duterte’s actual arrest, Tamase said this remains significant given Duterte’s position as the country’s second-highest elected official.

‘There is no other point in the entire Philippine history. This is the highest public officer who is currently sitting who has been subject to a criminal prosecution and arrest,’ he said.

‘So, that itself is dramatic. But on the whole, the bail process is actually quite dry and run of the mill.’

Tamase said the process may be ‘less dramatic’ than what the public has seen in other high-profile cases, because her case is bailable.

Under current criminal procedure, the accused does not necessarily have to be physically present when posting bail, as another person may do so on her behalf as long as the other requirements are met, he explained.

According to Tamase, these may include an affidavit of residency, a barangay certification showing where she lives, and the bond required by the court.

As for Duterte’s mugshot, Tamase said Duterte would still have one.

‘Those mugshots, she will take herself. She will just attach them to her application for bail when she posts,’ he said.

Impeachability vs immunity

Tamase also pointed to what he described as a confusion between being impeachable and being immune from suit.

‘Impeachability only relates to the mode of removing a public officer whereas a criminal case doesn’t seek to remove a public officer but only hold her accountable for violating criminal acts,’ he said.

He also warned that extending presidential immunity to all impeachable officials would create a large gap in accountability.

‘If that argument were to be respected or to be given weight, you would have… at least 30 officers who are impeachable and therefore cannot be sued,’ he said. ‘Which is absurd because it creates a huge gap in accountability among public officers in the Philippines.’

The arrest warrant against Duterte was issued after the court found probable cause to hold her for trial on all three counts of grave threats. Bail was set at P120,000 for each count, or a total of P360,000.

The case stemmed from Duterte’s statement during an online press conference on Nov. 23, 2024, when she said she had arranged an assassination plot with a hitman to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The same alleged threats also form part of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, whose trial is currently ongoing.

Effect on impeachment trial

While the criminal case and Duterte’s impeachment trial are separate proceedings and do not affect one another, Tamase said the arrest warrant could affect public perception of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Asked whether it will have an impact on how the public may view the ongoing impeachment proceedings, Tamase said, ‘My sense is it is likely to have an impact, but the direction is not sure, is not certain.’

On one hand, the criminal prosecution could be viewed as confirmation that Duterte’s statements during a November 2024 press conference constituted grave threats, he said.

‘It seems to confirm on multiple fronts the fact that there was a crime committed and therefore supports the grounds for impeachment against her,’ Tamase explained.

But he also pointed out that the development could also strengthen the narrative among Duterte’s supporters that the legal system is being weaponized against her.

‘My own sense is that it’s important to hold all public officers accountable, but if trust in government is low, then you can’t help people that suspect whether there are ulterior motives,’ he said.

Public trust, independent institutions

Asked whether the case may still possibly be viewed as being pursued on legitimate grounds, Tamase said the public should look to the strength and independence of institutions handling the case.

He said the Department of Justice, although under the executive branch, has ‘historically operated with functional independence from the President,’ particularly in prosecutors’ evaluation of whether criminal cases should proceed.

‘It’s also important for people to have faith in the courts,’ Tamase said.

While court cases are not always easily accessible, he said monitoring by the media and academe may help ensure that the process is conducted fairly.

Over and above the strength of institutions, it’s important for the process to be a little more transparent to the public,’ he reiterated

Manila Water Infratech Solutions (MWIS) said it recovered about 1.7 million liters of water per day after completing a four-month non-revenue water optimization program for the Philippine Economic Zone Authority-Cavite (PEZA-Cavite).

MWIS, an operating unit of Manila Water’s Non-East Zone, said the program sought to improve water system efficiency, operational reliability and resource sustainability across PEZA-Cavite’s facilities.

The program involved network diagnostics, hydraulic engineering and field investigations to assess PEZA-Cavite’s water production, transmission and distribution facilities.

MWIS also established two district metered areas, or DMAs, to provide greater visibility into water movement across the network and allow more precise monitoring of consumption and system losses.

The DMAs enabled MWIS to isolate service zones, improve water balance analysis and identify areas requiring operational intervention.

The company also conducted step-testing and acoustic leak detection activities to identify hidden leaks and other inefficiencies in the distribution system.

MWIS replaced critical gate valves to improve network control, zone isolation and operational flexibility during maintenance and repairs.

These measures allowed the program to recover about 1.7 million liters of water per day, reducing losses and improving system efficiency during the four-month implementation period.

MWIS also developed and calibrated a hydraulic model of the network to simulate water flow and pressure under different operating conditions.

According to the company, the model was used to optimize water distribution, identify operational bottlenecks and evaluate possible infrastructure improvements.

The hydraulic simulations also guided operational adjustments aimed at improving network efficiency and reducing reliance on energy-intensive facilities.

‘At MWIS, we believe that effective water management begins with a clear understanding of system performance. Through a combination of data-driven analysis, hydraulic modeling, and targeted field interventions, we were able to help PEZA-Cavite recover significant water losses and improve overall network efficiency,’ MWIS General Manager Adrian Bryan Magallanes said.

‘This project demonstrates how innovative NRW management strategies can strengthen operational reliability while supporting long-term resource sustainability,’ he added.

Magallanes said MWIS was also committed to helping PEZA-Cavite improve the efficiency and resilience of its water distribution system.

‘We are proud to partner with PEZA-Cavite in enhancing the efficiency and resilience of its water distribution system. We remain committed to delivering solutions that drive efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence for our partners,’ he said.

PEZA-Cavite, also known as the Cavite Export Processing Zone, is a 275-hectare industrial park in Rosario and General Trias City in Cavite. It hosts hundreds of export-oriented manufacturing, electronics, logistics and warehousing companies.

Scottie Thompson was a polarizing figure amid the euphoria of Gilas Pilipinas’ twin victories last week in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

A portion of the fans would discuss the way Thompson defended Jalen Harris during the thrilling overtime victory over Jordan and the court awareness and other intangibles he brought in that game. He had basically the same against Iran.

But others are looking at the five-second inbound violation in the Jordan game that nearly cost Gilas, until Kai Sotto made the game-saving block in the end. His lack of scoring is also being looked at, the missed free throws and some of the turnovers early in the Iran matchup.

Thompson is aware of the praises-and the criticism-and understands that’s part and parcel of being in the national team.

‘It’s normal,’ Thompson said. ‘Everyone has an opinion and it’s an honest mistake. And I take the blame for it. But ganun talaga ang mundo natin dito ngayon (but that’s how it is in our world today).’

The fourth window saw Thompson average 0.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists and a steal in 26 minutes, numbers that will create further debate.

But coach Tim Cone has defended Thompson for the way he impacts the game-or what is described as ‘Scottie Things,’ like the hustle and energy-while Gilas team manager Alfrancis Chua and Asian Games mainstay Adrian Nocum noted that skeptics didn’t point out his defensive work.

Against Jordan, Thompson was given the arduous task of initially defending Freddy Ibrahim before spending the rest of the contest manning Harris, who before the fourth window was averaging 23.3 points.

Harris scored 19, but went 6-of-22 from the field while making only a handful during the business end of the ballgame.

Thompson took a backseat of sorts after his early struggles against Iran, with Juan Gomez de Liaño stepping up and scoring 16 points. Thompson would later share duties with Gomez de Liaño for the rest of the contest, especially in finding a way to stop Iran’s surprise spark plug, Mobin Sheikhi.

‘All of us want to impact the game defensively, and we do have some of our offensive guys,’ Thompson said. ‘It’s a total team effort and it’s not just one guy who can do it.’

Thompson and Gilas succeeded in their goal of sweeping the window, closing in on Jordan and Iran in the Group E standings. For now, Thompson is relishing the long break before the PBA resumes.

Recently, Thompson got to join fellow Ginebra players and their wives in playing pickleball in Las Piñas, finally getting to relax after the rigors of the Gilas work and shut off the noise surrounding his role with the national team.

The Miss World pageant is celebrating its 75th edition this year with its 73rd edition happening in Vietnam, and culminating at the coronation show in Nha Trang on Saturday evening, Sept. 5.

The final competition will be held at April 2 Square, an open seafront space at the Vietnamese resort destination, at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila). The ceremonies will be streamed in real time on the Miss World YouTube channel.

A total of 111 delegates from different countries and territories around the world are competing this year to inherit the title from reigning queen Opal Suchata, the first Thai woman to win the crown.

The first round of elimination will see the Top 40 quarterfinalists, 10 each from the continental groups of Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.

Several delegates have already secured their Top 40 placements by topping fast-track challenges for their respective continental groups, and some of the challenge winners will be revealed on the finale show.

These fast-track challenges are ‘Head-to-Head,’ Top Model, Multimedia, People’s Choice, and ‘Beauty with a Purpose.’ The remaining slots in the continental Top 10 will be filled up by the judges’ choices.

The next cut will trim the roster to just 20 qualifiers, with guaranteed placements for the Top 2 for Beauty with a Purpose and the overall winners of Multimedia, Head-to-head, and Top Model. The judges will choose who will fill up the remaining 15 slots, making sure that the four continental groups will each have five delegates.

Twelve delegates will move to the next round, and they are the Top 2 for Beauty with a Purpose, the Top 2 for People’s Choice, and two each from Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.

The final round will see the Top 6 delegates, composed of the top performers from Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Asia and Oceania, and Europe, the Beauty with a Purpose winner, and the People’s Choice winner. From the six finalists, only two runners-up will be chosen, while the top performer will be crowned as Miss World 2026.

Teen queen Asia Rose Simpson is representing the Philippines in this year’s competition. She had already secured her spot in the Top 40 by topping the Head-to-Head challenge for Asia and Oceania.

Simpson also finished third in the Talent competition, and scored placements in the Sports and Top Model challenges. Her Beauty with a Purpose project was also shortlisted in her continental group.

She is hoping to become the second Filipino woman to win the ‘blue crown,’ 13 years since Megan Young posted the Philippines’ first-ever victory at the 2013 Miss World pageant held in Indonesia.

Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk has been referred to prosecutors without detention over allegations of fraudulent trading surrounding the K-pop powerhouse’s 2020 initial public offering, police said Thursday, Sept. 3.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency referred Bang and four others, including Hybe executives and private equity officials, to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office on suspicion of violating the Capital Markets Act.

Police allege that Bang and others misled existing shareholders in 2019 by telling them there were no plans to take the company – then Big Hit Entertainment – public, while preparations for an IPO were already underway.

The shareholders were encouraged to sell their stakes to a private equity fund linked to people close to Bang. Investors in the fund, meanwhile, were informed of the listing plans.

Hybe went public on Korea’s main bourse, the Kospi, in October 2020. Police said the shares acquired through the fund were subsequently sold following the listing, generating about 263.1 billion won ($190 million) in improper gains for those involved.

A court has granted a police request to preserve assets equivalent to the alleged gains ahead of potential prosecution.

Authorities began a preliminary investigation in December 2024 and raided Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul in July 2025. Bang was questioned five times during the investigation.

Police also sought arrest warrants for Bang twice earlier this year, but prosecutors rejected the requests, citing the need for further investigation. He was ultimately referred to prosecutors without detention after an investigation lasting about 20 months.

Police characterized the case as an organized and planned financial crime, alleging that those involved withheld information available to company management from existing shareholders to pursue profits from the eventual listing.

Bang has previously denied wrongdoing. His side has maintained that the transactions were conducted legally and that he did not deceive investors over Hybe’s IPO plans.

Hybe is home to K-pop acts including BTS, Seventeen and Le Sserafim.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), expanding government assistance for tertiary and vocational education students.

The new law, which will be known as Republic Act No. 12325, strengthens RA No. 10931, which provides free tuition and other school fees for students at state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions.

RA 12325 expands coverage under the Tertiary Education Subsidy and provides additional assistance to students from disadvantaged and underserved groups, including qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The law will also cover more education-related expenses to help more Filipinos pursue tertiary education.

‘It is a measure that builds on the government’s promise and strengthens it for the years to come-bringing us closer to a future where every Filipino family has at least one child who completes a bachelor’s degree or a technical-vocational education and training (TVET) program,’ Marcos said in his speech.

‘Poor and deserving students taking priority programs who are not covered by existing grants may also receive government support to pursue their studies in qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions,’ he also said.

Marcos said education will remain at the top of his administration’s priorities, noting that every learner who completes a college degree or TVET program brings greater opportunities to their family and strengthens the country.

He also cited improvements in the country’s global standing in education.

‘In 2022, only 12 of our local colleges made it to the World University Rankings for Innovation. Today, 140 of our colleges have made it into the same rankings. This is a result of deliberate choices that have been made by government,’ he said.

The total proposed budget for the education sector is P1.314 trillion to P1.326 trillion under the P7.2-trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program. As mandated by the Constitution, the education sector receives the largest portion of the national budget

There was, for Alex Eala, something a bit unfamiliar about this year’s US Open.

‘It felt different, definitely,’ she said on Wednesday (Manila time) after her victory over Mary Stoiana in her opening match at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

‘It was my first time playing on one of the main stadiums here [at the] US Open, and it was very loud,’ the world No. 18 told reporters. ‘And especially when the roof is covered. So that’s something that adds to the atmosphere, but it’s also something you have to navigate.’

There was also that one bit about coming in as a seeded player, 17th in the women’s field, compared to last year when she won her first main-draw Grand Slam match against a seeded opponent.

‘Yeah, of course, coming in as a seeded player and having done pretty good … [during] American swing, it brings a different vibe,’ the Filipino superstar said. ‘Of course, you’re a little more confident.’

‘But [that’s] not to say that one is … more challenging than the other. It’s just different circumstances. There’s a little more expectation [this year].’

Eala was playing Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine at press time with a shot at extending her run at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is about a seven-minute train ride from Woodside, the Queens neighborhood known as ‘Little Manila’ for its strong Filipino community.

And staying in contention would mean a lot to her fans, mostly immigrants from the Philippines, who take every opportunity to see her in the flesh. Eala Mania has turned every WTA tournament the 21-year-old ace joins into an ‘it’ event. And that’s amplified in New York, where even her practice sessions have been packed to the rafters.

But whether or not she gets an extended stint, playing in the US Open already means so much for Eala, who first played in New York in an eight-under tournament more than a decade ago.

‘It’s nice to revisit this place and experience it a little bit differently in different stages of my life,’ she said before the tournament started.

Against Stoiana, Eala put on a dominant show, but she admitted that beneath the surface, she dealt with some inner tension.

‘[T]here were nerves for sure. And I’m not really sure if I can pinpoint where they came from, if it’s from the noise, if it’s from [playing in] the first round of a Slam,’ she said. ‘But I think with experience, my goal is to, you know, tune it out. And I’ve, I’ve had experience with big crowds, especially in the past year.’

‘And in the end, when you get into the groove, get into the rhythm … a match is a match, whether or not I think there are so many people.’

Second-seeded Elena Rybakina advanced to the third round of the US Open Thursday, seeing off Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4.

The Kazakh dominated most of the match with heavy, deep ground strokes and big serves that the Spanish baseliner struggled to handle. Rybakina moved well and did not show effects of a left heel injury that has clouded her prospects in the week before the tournament.

Rybakina was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 when the Spaniard lifted her level. But Rybakina immediately broke back, returning Bouzas Maneiro’s serve forcefully to finish the match in just over an hour.

‘I’m super glad, super happy to be here,’ Rybakina said afterwards, adding that she was ‘very proud’ of strong play through two rounds despite imperfect preparation.

The 2026 Australian Open champion, Rybakina had been playing well in the US Open warmup tournaments, reaching the final in Toronto and winning matches the following week in Cincinnati.

But she was forced to retire from the latter event in the quarter-finals due to an injury that made her a question mark heading into the tournament.

Now the 2022 Wimbledon champion needs just three more wins to reach the semi-finals and be assured of overtaking Aryna Sabalenka atop the world rankings.

Her best showing at the US Open was in 2025 when she fell in the fourth round to Marketa Vondrousova.

She’ll be out for revenge in her next match against Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva, who beat Maria Sakkari 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

Starodubtseva stunned Rybakina in the second round at Roland Garros this year.

Military forces dealt another blow to armed elements in the Caraga region after troops on Thursday recovered buried high-powered rifles and assorted ammunition in a hinterland village of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.

Soldiers from the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion, under the 4th Infantry Division, uncovered the weapons cache in Signalnan, Sitio Katarugan, Barangay Lobo.

The seized cache yielded an M14 rifle, an M1 Garand rifle, five 20-round detachable box magazines, 32 rounds of .30 caliber ammunition, and 89 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition.

The weapons are believed to be from communist rebels.

The recovery forms part of the Army’s drive to secure local communities, block any resurgence of armed conflict, and lock down peace gains in previously conflict-affected zones.

Lt. Col. Rey Vergel Annogui, commanding officer of the 30th IB, said the operation reflects the troops’ resolve to safeguard the area from renewed violence.

‘This successful operation demonstrates our troops’ unwavering commitment to protecting our communities and sustaining the gains we have achieved in our areas of responsibility,’ Annogui said.

Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, commended the 30th IB for sustaining the division’s security momentum.

Angcao emphasized that vigilance and close coordination among the military, local government units, communities, and key stakeholders remain critical to keeping communist terrorist groups from regaining access to firearms and destabilizing the Caraga region

Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Friday grilled newly appointed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV, alleging that he was appointed to the position because of his ties to former FDA chief Paolo Teston.

During the Senate Committee on Finance’s hearing on the Department of Health’s (DOH) spending plan for 2027, Tulfo questioned Tabaquin’s appointment.

Atty. Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV – Screengrabbed from Senate of the Philippines / YouTube

‘Bakit ikaw ang na-appoint? Samantalang marami naman diyan mas qualified pa sa iyo sa FDA, who’s been there for so many years, at alam nila ins and out ng FDA, and yet ikaw in-appoint. Mali. Nagkamali ang Malacañang, kasi bitbit ka ni Teston,’ the senator said.

(Why were you appointed? There are many others there who are more qualified than you in the FDA, who have been there for so many years and know the ins and outs of the FDA, and yet you were appointed. That’s wrong. Malacañang made a mistake because Teston brought you along)

Tulfo also revived his longstanding criticism of Teston, whom he accused in 2025 of failing to effectively enforce FDA warnings and challenged to resign over the continued online sale of banned products.

Asked about his appointment again later in the hearing, Tabaquin confirmed that Teston had recruited him.

‘Nag-apply po ako. Ako ay nirecruit nga po ako ni Atty. Paolo Teston po,’ Tabaquin said.

(I applied for the position. I was recruited by Atty. Paolo Teston)

Tulfo then asked Tabaquin about a case allegedly filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘Meron kang kaso sa Ombudsman, graft and corruption, pending, tama? Bakit ka kinasuhan sa Ombudsman?’ Tulfo asked.

(You have a pending case before the Ombudsman for graft and corruption, correct? Why were you charged before the Ombudsman?)

Tabaquin, for his part, said the allegations involved delays that occurred before he assumed his current positions.

‘It’s very unfortunate nga po… In my 15 years of government service po, ngayon lang po ako nakasuhan… At yung mga kaso kasi, mga delays po na nangyari po way, way before my time,’ Tabaquin said.

(It’s actually very unfortunate… In my 15 years of government service, this is the first time I’ve been charged… The cases involved allegations of delays that happened way, way before my time)

He said he only became OIC deputy director for operations in October last year, was officially appointed deputy director in July this year, and had been serving as the FDA’s OIC director general for only two weeks.

Tulfo, however, maintained that Tabaquin’s appointment raised concerns because of his association with Teston.

‘Nothing personal to what I’m going to say to you. You don’t deserve to be the Director General because marami pang mas magagaling diyan sa iyo. Binitbit ka lang eh ni Teston, dinala ka diyan,’ Tulfo said.

(Nothing personal about what I’m going to say to you… You don’t deserve to be the Director General because there are many others there who are more qualified than you. Teston was the one who brought you in and brought you there)

‘For me, ikaw ay bata ni Teston. So kung ano mga kalokohan ni Teston, ipagpapatuloy lang ‘yan,’ he added, recalling that he had previously challenged Teston to resign and accused him of wrongdoing.

(For me, you are Teston’s protégé. So whatever wrongdoings Teston did, you will just continue them,)

Tulfo said he would bring the matter to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for a broader investigation.

During the same budget hearing, Tulfo again questioned the DOH over the continued expiration and disposal of medicines worth hundreds of millions of pesos, demanding records to determine why the drugs were procured and why supposedly near-expiry medicines were accepted.

He likewise reiterated his calls for an investigation into the matter, saying the wastage was particularly alarming amid shortages of medicines in some health centers