Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A loaded caliber .45 pistol was found inside the motorcycle of a 17-year-old female student during a security inspection at Notre Dame of Matalam in North Cotabato on Thursday, police said.

Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, Police Regional Office-12 director, said a school security guard found the firearm inside a black sling bag in the motorcycle’s compartment box. The motorcycle was driven by the Grade 12 student, identified by the alias ‘Ljem,’ in Barangay Poblacion, Matalam.

The firearm, a Model 1911 U.S. Army caliber .45 pistol, had a magazine containing eight rounds. Police personnel secured it and brought the student to the Matalam Municipal Police Station for assessment and intervention.

Police said the firearm allegedly belonged to the student’s father, who reportedly forgot to remove it from the motorcycle before his daughter drove it to school. Authorities are determining whether the firearm is licensed and whether the father is a licensed gun owner.

Lt. Col. Marvin Hugos, Matalam police chief, said the firearm and ammunition were secured for documentation, verification and disposition. Police said the investigation was being conducted cautiously to avoid causing further trauma to the student.

Providing young basketball players with a more professional environment to compete, develop their skills and gain exposure will be the focus of a grassroots showcase set for Sunday in Quezon City (QC).

The HTG Sports Showcase Game will bring together youth programs from across Metro Manila in four age divisions at the MRB QC District 2 Gymnasium, with organizers hoping the event can help raise playing and operational standards at the grassroots level.

Games will be played in the 12-under, 13-under, 14-under and 15-under divisions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with San Beda, Diligent Basketball, R3R and Jubilee Christian Academy among the participating programs.

Beyond providing competition, the showcase is designed to give young players an environment that more closely resembles higher-level basketball, with experienced officiating, game broadcasts and media coverage.

‘The core purpose of the Showcase Game is to demonstrate HTG Sports’ commitment to raising operational and production standards in local youth sports,’ founder Miggy Al-Alawy said.

‘The event provides a platform where young players can compete, develop and showcase their skills under professional conditions, while acknowledging everyone involved in the ecosystem-from coaches and referees to event staff and families.’

The local government and African swine fever (ASF) task force of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, have intensified the crackdown on the unauthorized entry of live pigs amid efforts to protect local hog raisers from the effects of the disease.

Authorities intercepted a group of pig transporters in Barangay Burgos on Saturday, Oct. 3, for allegedly violating Executive Order No. 63-B, which regulates the movement of live pigs into Sablayan and Occidental Mindoro, the municipal government said.

The local government said the regulation serves as a biosecurity measure to protect Sablayan’s hog population, estimated at more than 6,006 heads, from ASF and other animal diseases.

‘The indiscriminate entry of pigs without proper authorization directly puts at risk the livelihood of our local hog raisers and the food security of our community,’ the municipal government said.

It warned pig transporters and operators that unauthorized entry could result in penalties and legal action.

The municipality urged residents, hog raisers and transporters to cooperate with authorities in enforcing biosecurity measures and preventing the spread of ASF.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs but does not infect humans. Outbreaks can cause losses to hog raisers and disrupt pork supplies.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon responded on Sunday to the Palace’s concern that withdrawing an impeachment article might ‘shortchange’ the public, saying that evidence has already been presented with the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

In a statement, Ridon said he respects Palace press officer Claire Castro’s remark, as he noted that evidence of alleged wrongdoing against Vice President Sara Duterte has been laid out already to the Senate, which has televised the proceedings since July.

‘We respect the view of the President’s spokesperson on this matter,’ he said in Filipino.

‘However, the previous and current impeachment articles have already been brought before the Senate Impeachment Court, and the decision now rests with the Court based on the evidence presented in the trial,’ he added.

Ridon’s remark comes after Manila Rep. Joel Chua revealed early Sunday that the prosecution team will drop the bribery charge against Duterte, a development Castro said could deprive Filipinos of the chance to know the ‘whole truth.’

‘If they withdraw the bribery allegation against the vice president, wouldn’t that shortchange or disadvantage Filipinos who want to know the whole truth about this?’ Castro said in a message to reporters.

The decision to abandon the bribery count against Duterte comes as her trial enters its 14th week.

In September, prosecutors said they were studying whether to pursue the allegation that the vice president bribed officials to persuade Department of Education (DepEd) officials to bypass procurement rules in her stint as education secretary.

The prosecution team had already presented two impeachment articles: that Duterte allegedly threatened President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the First Lady and a former House speaker; and that she misused P612.5 million in confidential funds.

The allegations that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth and misstated her asset disclosures are now being heard in the trial.

La Salle snapped a two-game losing streak, routing University of the East, 112-87, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Philsports Arena.

The Green Archers returned to the win column with a 2-2 record and kept the Red Warriors winless after five games.

‘This is going to make every game very interesting,’ coach Topex Robinson said, referring to the team standings. ‘We came from back-to-back losses, which are big, but with us it’s more about focusing on ourselves. We want to make sure we get better as a group.’

UE showed little resistance early, trailing 31-19 at the end of the opening period.

By the intermission, the Green Archers had already built a 61-42 advantage that proved insurmountable for the struggling Warriors.

Mason Amos scored a season-best 19 points that went with five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Jacob Cortez chipped in 15 points and four assists while his younger brother, Mikey, contributed 11 points.

UE guard Toper Lagat fired a game-high 30 points. Mo Tañedo added 14 points and nine assists, while Gene Carillo and Kean Dungca had 12 points apiece.

The Diocese of Kalibo in Aklan has raised concerns over the recent opening of a casino in Boracay as it reiterated its opposition to gambling and its implications to the lives of many Filipinos.

The opposition was made after a six-story casino hub opened at Station 0 in Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island.

The diocese said does not want to promote hostility towards anyone, but to uphold the dignity of every individual, particularly the welfare of families.

The diocese cited a Catholic Church teaching that while games and chances are not contrary to justice, ‘gambling becomes morally unacceptable when it deprives a person of what is necessary for his or her own needs or for the needs of others.’

It added that the teaching must serve as a reminder that money shall be used for basic necessities, such as education, food, shelter, and livelihood and not for gambling and easy money.

‘Our concern is also about the concrete consequences that gambling can bring to individuals, families, and society. Gambling can lead to financial distress and debt. It can consume resources intended for basic family needs. It can contribute to conflict between spouses, broken relationships, and neglect of children, and in serious cases, to other forms of social harm,’ it said in a pastoral statement.

While it recognizes economic benefits a casino may bring, it then raised the following questions: ‘What happens when a family’s savings are lost to gambling? What happens when money meant for food, education, or medicine is gambled away? What happens when a parent becomes enslaved by the hope of winning back what has already been lost?’

With this, it called on the provincial government of Aklan, municipality of Malay, and other concerned government agencies to consider the welfare of the people and exercise their responsibilities.

It then urged the faithful to not be deceived by easy money that can weaken hardship, sacrifices, and family solidarity.

It also advised the public to treat those already struggling with gambling addiction with compassion, understanding, and concrete help.

Actor-politician Mark Lapid took up the cudgels for his father, Senator Lito Lapid, amid criticisms that he underperformed as a lawmaker, and mocked for supposedly being a member of the Senate ‘committee on silence.’

Speaking to the entertainment press, Mark got candid when asked about how the elder Lapid, known for being reticent on the Senate floor, was really taking the bashing over the years.

The ‘Sigabo’ actor said that he and his siblings also feel hurt when they read about it on social media, but that as public servants they shouldn’t be too onion-skinned when it comes to criticisms. As seasoned politicians, Mark said that they have learned to take the criticisms in stride.

‘Of course masakit yan, bilang isang anak. But we’re here, nandito kami sa trabahong ito, so we just have to accept all criticisms as a learning stage, and we all know na hindi naman totoo,’ Mark said of his father, who is now on his last term as senator.

‘Nasasaktan yan (Lito). Syempre tao naman tayong pare-pareho. Kasi if we will balat-sibuyas, hindi kami dapat dito. Wala kaming karapatan na magsilbi kung di kami tumatanggap ng kritisismo. Kasi hindi naman kami perpektong tao e… It’s part of our job to be criticized,’ he further said.

Mark said his father is naturally quiet and not given to grandstanding, that’s why people often equate his silence to nonperformance. In truth, he said, his father was more of an action man, who has already passed hundreds of bills into law.

”Di namin kelangang i-brag, but the records are there to prove that he has done his job even though he is not loud… There are some issues kase where he doesn’t need to talk or say something to be relevant. So ganun lang yon. Ang kanya, kung kelan sya kelangang maging relevant, dun sya nagsasalita,’ he further said.

Mark said the bad perception about his father may be due to the fact that people still look down on his father, who is just a high school graduate and actor before joining politics.

With the presence of social media, they are hopeful that more people would be more aware of his father’s achievements.

‘Hndi lang nya binibida, hindi alam na sa kanya, dahil siguro tingin pa rin sa kanya hindi sya nakapagtapos, high school graduatuate sya, so medyo mababa ang tingin, artista lang sya. May mga ganyang factors siguro. We hope with all the records out there, sana ma appreciate na sya,’ he added.

Mark is currently the chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), an attached agency under the Department of Tourism in charge of tourism infrastructure. Prior to this post, he was the general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority, the precursor of Tieza, after serving as governor of Pampanga from 2004 to 2007.

Marian Rivera has been recognized as one of the top taxpayers of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Revenue District Office 041 in Mandaluyong City.

The BIR RDO 41-Mandaluyong City recognized Rivera as one of its ‘Natatanging Taxpayers’ during a ceremony on Oct. 1, according to a post on the district office’s official Facebook page.

‘RDO 41-Mandaluyong City proudly honors Ms. Marian Rivera as one of its Natatanging Taxpayers for her valuable contribution to nation-building through responsible tax compliance,’ the BIR said.

Photos shared by the agency showed Rivera receiving a plaque from BIR officials.

The plaque cited Rivera as one of the top taxpayers of RDO No. 41-Mandaluyong City and recognized her contribution to the district’s revenue collection for the first semester of 2026. No specific amount of taxes paid by Rivera was disclosed.

The recognition comes as Rivera continues to maintain an active career in show business. She is set to star in the upcoming Star Cinema film ‘Remember,’ which reunites her with husband Dingdong Dantes and ‘Rewind’ director Mae Cruz Alviar. The film was shot in Quebec, Canada, and is slated for theatrical release later this year.

She is also set to headline Prime Video’s upcoming mystery drama ‘Behind Closed Doors,’ where she will play a radio announcer who becomes a prime suspect in the assassination of the Philippine president. The project marks Rivera’s return to series after ‘My Guardian Alien’ in 2024.

Meanwhile, aside from Rivera, other Filipino celebrities have also previously received tax-related recognition from the BIR.

In July 2026, Alden Richards and Barbie Forteza were recognized among the country’s top taxpayers. Richards was recognized as one of the highest taxpayers for 2025, while Forteza was also honored for her tax contributions and for using her platform to promote proper tax compliance.

In 2025, the BIR also honored several other entertainment personalities as responsible taxpayers, including Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Vice Ganda, Kim Chiu, Darren Espanto, Catriona Gray, Karla Estrada and Julia Barretto, among others.

It is not every day that a movie such as ‘Forgotten Island’ ends with an audience applauding.

The reaction felt particularly fitting for a film that puts Filipino culture and mythology at thecenter of a major animated production.

Earlier this year, excitement grew when DreamWorks Animation announced the film, which promised to bring Filipino folklore to a global audience. For Filipino viewers, it was a rare opportunity to see familiar elements of our culture take center stage in a mainstream Hollywood production.

‘Encanto’ brought Colombian culture to audiences worldwide, while ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ drew inspiration from Southeast Asian cultures. Filipino mythology, meanwhile, rarely – if at all – received the same kind of mainstream treatment.

‘Forgotten Island’ follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Grammy and Oscar-winning artist H.E.R. and Filipina actress Liza Soberano. After being transported to the mysterious island of Nakali, a fantastical world populated by creatures from Filipino mythology, the two must find their way home while confronting the possibility of losing their memories of each other.

The premise gives the film plenty of room to explore its Filipino influences, but at its heart, ‘Forgotten Island’ remains a story about friendship. Jo and Raissa’s relationship anchors the film emotionally, while Nakali provides the larger adventure.

Aside from Soberano and H.E.R, the animation movie also boasts of Filipino talents who lent their voices to some of the interesting characters that are distinctly, well, Filipino – Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, and Jo Koy. The animated original also features homegrown talent for the soundtrack, with groups like BINI and SB19 in its roster.

Visually, the film is one of its strongest elements. Nakali is colorful and imaginative, populated by creatures and environments inspired by Filipino folklore. The world feels designed to give audiences plenty to look at and discover, while grounding the fantasy in references that Filipino viewers can recognize.

The film received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, with a Certified Fresh score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an audience score of 97%.

It is no mystery then that ‘Forgotten Island’ became the number one movie in the country on its opening weekend, grossing P97.23 million, and becoming the biggest opening weekend for Universal in the country for 2026. ‘Forgotten Island’ has also snagged the biggest non-franchise animation film of all time.

No player won the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and Super Lotto 6/49 jackpot prizes on Sunday, October 4, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw result: 10-48-11-15-46-26 Jackpot prize: ?361.49 million

Super Lotto 6/49 draw result: 06-19-45-24-44-03 Jackpot prize: ?34.46 million

Minor games

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 8-5-8 – ?4,500; 179 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 0-2-7 – ?4,500; 101 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 0-7-0 – ?4,500; 197 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 17-05 – ?4,000; 135 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 04-21 – ?4,000; 214 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 29-10 – ?4,000; 428 winners

Draw schedule

Ultra Lotto 6/58 draws are held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, while Super Lotto 6/49 draws take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.