Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Operatives of the Central Luzon police’s intelligence division on Thursday arrested eight men allegedly involved in the illegal trade and transfer of million-peso worth of fuel in Victoria, Tarlac.

In a statement on Friday, the Central Luzon police said two men were initially arrested in Barangay Santa Catalina for selling and distributing fuel products to motorists without the required government permit, clearances, and compliance certificate.

‘Petroleum products require proper handling and regulation because unauthorized activities can pose risks to consumers and nearby communities,’ Said Brigadier General Jess Mendez, Central Luzon police director, in the statement.

He said the regional police will continue to act on tips and information about illegal trading of petroleum products, especially now that gasoline, diesel, and kerosene prices are high.

Fuel stations are required to secure a certificate of compliance from the national government to authenticate the quality of their products and accurate quantity standards.

They are also required to have valid fuel supply agreements with government-accredited oil companies.

Other requirements include permits and various clearances from national government offices and local government units.

During the operation, the regional police, along with the Victoria police, also discovered that petroleum was being transferrred from one tanker truck to another. The Central Luzon police said the tanker trucks have a combined capacity of 80,000 liters.

Six more men allegedly involved in the fuel transfer were arrested.

Policemen secured the two tanker trucks and dispensers and seized the sales invoices and sales proceeds for documentation and further investigation.

The arrested individuals face charges for violating Batas Pambansa Bilang 33 and Presidential Decree No. 1865 that prohibit illegal trading of petroleum products.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing has maintained that there is no pork in the proposed 2027 national budget or the House of Representatives’ General Appropriations Bill (GAB), contrary to claims from progressive groups and budget observers.

In an online interview on Friday with reporters covering the House, Suansing – head of the House committee on appropriations which leads the crafting of the annual budget – said she can categorically say that there is no pork, and not even the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) can be considered one.

The LGSF has been labeled by the opposition as the ‘President’s Pork’ due to its supposed characterization as a discretionary fund, but Suansing said the the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has pointed to jurisprudence stating that the LGSF is not a form of pork.

‘Categorically I can tell you that there is no pork in the 2027 budget, what was mentioned when I defended the LGSF, which was repeated several times by our colleagues in the Minority, it was answered by the DBM – that there is apong jurisprudence on the matter that says that LGSF is not pork,’ Suansing said.

There are fears that the current administration will make use of the LGSF as a tool for patronage politics come the 2028 national elections, as the executive branch can determine which areas will get prioritization for the appropriation.

Last August, former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno said the government needs to set clear rules for allocating the LGSF, as it should not be distributed at the mere discretion of the executive branch.

Magno said it will be up to Congress to determine a ‘clear framework and parameters for how these funds will be used.’

During the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) – a sub-panel of Suansing’s committee on appropriations tasked to thresh out amendments in the GAB – members agreed to push for a P4.091 million increase to the LGSF.

Proposed amendments made by the BARSc will be tackled at the plenary level, during the period of amendments on House Bill (HB) No. 10858 which contains the GAB or the proposed P7.2 trillion budget. Once the period of amendments is finished, the House can consider HB No. 10858 for second reading approval.

Under the 2027 National Expenditures Program or the budget submitted by the executive branch to Congress, the LGSF was given P58.53 billion.

Other issues

But the concerns of budget watchdogs stretch beyond the LGSF, as several observers like the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) noted that 85 percent of the BARSc’s P116.3 billion proposed amendments were transferred to items they consider as ‘red flags.’

PBC was referring to ‘ayuda programs that run on politician referrals, infrastructure insertions with opaque project plans, the Local Government Support Fund, the House’s own budget, and confidential and intelligence funds.’

Suansing, however, explained that the allocations were necessary especially in the context of an economic slowdown and higher prices of goods brought by the Middle East conflict. One example, she said, was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) which allowed the provision of fuel subsidies to the transport sector.

‘For example, the fuel transport subsidy of the DOTr (Department of Transportation) is targeted, but generally for the rest of the tricycle drivers, PUV (public utility vehicle) drivers, especially those in far-flung areas outside of Metro Manila, we really relied on the AICS for funding of the transport fuel assistance given to them,’ she said.

‘To be honest, the funds added yesterday – based on what we gave the DSWD amounting to P25.8 billion, our total of now even with that addition would only be at around P59 billion which is still lower than the 2026 GAA (General Appropriations Act) level, and much, much lower than the request of Secretary Rex Gatchalian,’ she added.

Suansing said that Gatchalian requested for a P76 billion budget for DSWD.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker noted that the P10 billion for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk was a big help in providing fuel subsidies to farmers hit by the rising oil prices – and will also be crucial in preparing the agricultural sector for the possible effects of a super El Niño.

‘This is also an item used by our government to respond to the needs of our farmers who were affected by the fuel crisis, because prices of diesel, fertilizers, and other farm inputs also spiked. So the P10 billion we placed in 2026 played a big role […] in helping our farmers,’ she said.

‘The P10 billion in 2026 was able to help 4.2 million farmers all throughout the country. So that is what the Department of Agriculture is asking for again […] in anticipation of the potential super El Niño, so that they could also help our farmers again,’ she added.

Suansing also rejected notions that the infrastructure budget is for ‘opaque projects’ as there is a set of requirements that the DBM asked for even as early as the budget call.

‘Definitely this is not opaque, because there is a detailed list of items, it was tagged yesterday as locally-funded projects […] So we will see that, this will be reflected line by line once the House General Appropriations Bill comes out,’ she said.

‘And all of these, as I manifested yesterday, particularly for DPWH projects that will be reflected in the House General Appropriations Bill, every single one of the projects that will be approved in the HGAB will be backed up by complete documents,’ she added.

Last September 25, the House wrapped up its plenary-level debates on the government agencies’ proposed budget for 2027. However, it took some time for the BARSc to start, as the public meeting started late afternoon of Thursday.

After days of uncertainty, it was announced on Wednesday that the BARSc will convene by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, but the session was pushed back two hours. Eventually, the conference was delayed again by an hour.

Joy. Love. Hope. When the calendar page turns to Sept. 1, a unique phenomenon occurs across the Philippine archipelago. The air fills with the smooth melodies of legendary crooner Jose Mari Chan, and shopping malls undergo an overnight transformation into winter wonderlands. This marks the official start of the ‘ber’ months-a four-monthlong countdown that gives the Philippines the undisputed title of having the longest Christmas season in the world. For a developing country, this early embrace of the holidays is not merely an extended exercise in commercialism or consumerism. Instead, experiencing a four-month Christmas in a developing landscape reveals how anticipation acts as an economic buffer, a spiritual anchor, and a collective psychological sanctuary against the hardships of daily Filipino life.

To understand why the holiday begins so early, one must look at the material reality of a developing economy. In a country where many families live on tight budgets or rely heavily on daily wages, the arrival of September offers a practical strategy for financial survival. Spreading the costs of the holiday over a third of the year allows working-class Filipinos to buy gifts, gather ingredients, and plan family reunions without swallowing a massive, single-month financial shock. Furthermore, this timeline aligns perfectly with the logistics of the vast Philippine diaspora. Millions of overseas Filipino workers utilize the early months of autumn to pack balikbayan boxes-large cardboard care packages filled with clothes, canned goods, and treats-and coordinate remittances to ensure they arrive in time for December. Far from being premature, September is the essential launchpad for the community’s collective economic planning.

Beyond the financial pragmatism, the extended season serves as an invaluable emotional and psychological shelter. The Philippines is routinely buffeted by socioeconomic inequality, political volatility, and severe climate variabilities, including devastating typhoons and earthquakes. In the face of persistent structural and environmental uncertainty, the festive atmosphere introduced in September functions as a form of national resilience. The vibrant, star-shaped parol lanterns hung on humble doorsteps and joyful carols echoing through congested urban transits do not ignore reality. Rather, they deliberately soften its sharp edges. Immersing themselves in the holiday spirit allows Filipinos to foster an unyielding atmosphere of hope, transforming a season of celebration into a vital mechanism for psychological strength and collective survival.

The spiritual pulse of the nation also deepens during this prolonged period. As a predominantly Catholic country, the cultural anticipation that starts in September steadily builds toward profound religious devotion. By the time mid-December arrives, the communal warmth nurtured over the previous months culminates in Simbang Gabi-a series of nine deeply revered dawn masses held before sunrise. Stepping out into the cool, dark morning air, churchgoers gather not only for prayer but also to share traditional street-side treats like steaming bibingka and purple rice cakes called puto bumbong. This blending of faith and community reveals the heart of the Filipino Christmas. It is an extended monthslong exercise in profound hospitality, shared faith, and unconditional mutual support.

The true magic of experiencing Christmas starting in September lies in how it redefines wealth. In a developing nation where material resources may be scarce, the abundance is found instead in time, community, and relationships. The ‘noche buena’ midnight feast on Christmas Eve might feature a grand roasted lechon, or it might simply consist of a modest pot of sweet Filipino spaghetti and fried lumpia. It is the people sitting around the table who genuinely matter. By stretching the holiday across a third of the year, Filipinos maximize the opportunities to gather, sing karaoke, check in on neighbors, and express gratitude.

The Philippine ‘ber’ months offer a beautiful testament to human resilience. They prove that a festival of joy does not require absolute prosperity to thrive. By starting the celebration in September, the Philippines demonstrates that hope is something to be actively practiced, sustained, and stretched for as long as possible. In a world that often rushes through life’s moments, this extended season stands as a vibrant reminder that warmth, community, and a shared belief in brighter days are the ultimate forms of abundance. During this season, the Pacific weather unleashes severe storms that bring devastating floods, power outages, and widespread displacement to vulnerable communities. Yet, it is precisely within these darkest moments that the indomitable Filipino spirit shines brightest. Resilience is not just about enduring adversity. It is about actively manufacturing hope, singing through the rain, and refusing to let hardship dim the light of home.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Eastern Visayas is strengthening climate monitoring and providing farmers with localized weather information as a worsening El Niño threatens agriculture, water resources, and other sectors in the region.

DOST-8 Regional Director Glenn Ocaña said agriculture is particularly vulnerable because many farmers in Eastern Visayas continue to rely on rainfall to irrigate their fields.

‘This will have a major impact on us, especially on the agriculture sector because it is the most affected sector. That is why we have to prepare,’ Ocaña said during a media conference Thursday.

Rolling out automatic weather stations

As part of its preparations, DOST-8 is rolling out automatic weather stations (AWS) in the region, including one installed on Sept. 30 in Barangay Lower Hiraan, a farming area in Carigara, Leyte.

The AWS was installed under Project SARAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry) to provide localized, near-real-time weather and climate information that farmers and local officials can use for farm activities and in responding to weather-related risks.

Ocaña said prolonged dry conditions could affect irrigation systems and eventually reduce farm production, particularly in areas dependent on rainfall.

The weather station will provide data for crop-specific advisories, including information on rainfall and other weather conditions that may affect planting, cultivation, and harvesting.

Through the SARAI Knowledge Portal, farmers and other users can also access six-day weather forecasts and other agricultural information.

The portal also features a real-time agricultural monitoring system that uses satellite data to provide near-real-time information on agricultural areas. This can help users monitor crop conditions and identify possible effects of drought, flooding, vegetation stress, and water-related problems.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said a strong El Niño was present in the tropical Pacific as of Sept. 23 and could intensify into a very strong event between September and December 2026, and persist through the first half of 2027.

El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, which can result in dry spells and drought in some areas. Prolonged rainfall deficits can affect agriculture, water resources, energy production, public health, and other economic activities.

Pagasa’s latest agricultural assessment showed that Central and Eastern Visayas experienced significantly drier-than-normal conditions in August, with dry conditions persisting since May.

The agency warned that rain-fed rice and corn are particularly vulnerable to moisture stress, while prolonged dry conditions could delay crop development and reduce yields without appropriate interventions.

Effects could go beyond farm production

For Eastern Visayas, the effects could extend beyond farm production. Reduced rainfall may affect water supplies, while lower agricultural output could affect food availability, farm incomes, and businesses dependent on agriculture.

The energy sector could also be affected. Prolonged drought can reduce water availability for hydropower generation, while higher temperatures can increase electricity demand as households and businesses use more cooling equipment.

Public health risks

Public health is another concern. Hotter conditions associated with El Niño can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Reduced water availability may also create additional sanitation and health concerns.

Despite the generally drier conditions, Pagasa has cautioned that localized heavy rainfall may still occur, particularly when tropical cyclones or the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, affect the country.

Ocaña urged farmers to regularly monitor advisories from PAGASA, an attached agency of DOST, and use the information on when to plant, what crops to grow, and when to carry out other farm activities.

A total of 4,244 promoted teachers and non-teaching personnel in Cagayan Valley formally took their oaths before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.at the Santiago City Sports Arena in Barangay Baluarte on Friday.

‘This event marks the implementation of the administration of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System designed to strengthen the regional workforce and basic education support,’ Marcos said.

The President later visited the Patul Elementary School here to witness the school feeding program for learners and to inspect the school’s facilities and condition after a brief meeting.

Marcos also supervised the distribution of metal detectors to schools regionwide to beef up campus securityThe mass promotion was mandated through Executive Order No. 174 in 2022 but implemented only in 2025 to improve teacher morale and provide structured career advancement opportunities from Kindergarten to Senior High School (SHS) levels, including Alternative Learning System (ALS), Madrasah, and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) programs.

The promotion was based on merit, fitness, and competence rather than solely on length of service or educational attainment.

Promoted teachers advanced to new teaching ranks, Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V, bridging the gap between Teacher III and Master Teacher I.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the system focuses on a Classroom Teaching (CT) career line on instruction with positions that range from Teacher I to VII and Master Teacher I to V, and the School Administration (SA) career line which focuses on school management and instructional supervision that includes positions from School Principal I to IV.

‘With this promotion, our salaries also increased. I am almost nearing retirement so I would enjoy my promotion to Teacher VI,’ said teacher Janita Tomas, 60, of Manaring Elementary School in the City of Ilagan. She has been teaching for the past 31 years.

Tomas said she felt challenged by her promotion to do better.

Tuguegarao East Central School teacher Liberata Soriano, 24, of Tuguegarao City, said she spent 24 years as Teacher III mentoring fifth-graders before promotion to Teacher IV.

‘This would be a big help. My children are studying in college and senior high school, respectively. My salary will pay for their tuition and other fees,’ Soriano said

A’ja Wilson made sure her basketball spoke for itself Thursday night.

The four-time WNBA MVP, who had a verbal encounter with a Fever fan in Indiana two nights earlier, scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the defending champion Las Vegas Aces to a 94-83 victory in the deciding Game 3 of the first round.

‘I have my moments because I’m human,’ Wilson said. ‘But after a while, I understood I didn’t want that to be a distraction to myself and my team, and I knew what we had to do coming into tonight. So I put it behind me. I prayed a lot. I cried a lot.’

The third-seeded Aces, who have won three of the past four titles, moved on to play the winner of the Golden State-Dallas series, which will be decided Friday night in San Francisco.

This is the second year in a row Las Vegas has ended the season for the Fever, who were seeded sixth. The teams met in the semifinals a year ago, with the Aces pulling out an overtime victory in the finale of the five-game series that Caitlin Clark missed because of injury.

‘We’ve got to give credit to the Aces,’ Clark said. ‘I thought they played well. I thought they were ready to go. That’s what championship teams do.’ Wilson book ended this series with sensational performances in Games 1 and 3, making her sure verbal confrontation with a Fever fan wouldn’t be the enduring memory. The league did not punish Wilson, who opened the series with 38 points and 16 rebounds, followed up in this game by scoring 21 points in the first half and making 11 of 18 shots overall.

Teammate Chelsea Gray added 23 points and Jackie Young had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Clark scored 11 points in the first quarter, but was held to seven the rest of the game. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 23 points but shot 7 for 23. Aliyah Boston had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Tensions ran high again Thursday, both teams bringing the physical play expected when each season is on the line in a game that had the intensity of a WNBA Finals.

Clark and Las Vegas’ Brianna Turner each picked up a technical foul just more than three minutes into Game 3. The Fever were huddling on the court when Turner worked her way into the group only to be shoved out by Clark.

Early in the second quarter, Indiana coach Stephanie White was called for a technical, arguing that Turner brought down Lexie Hull, who instead picked up the foul.

Clark took a shot to her mouth in the fourth quarter and had to be attended to because of the blood.

The Aces threatened to run away from Indiana in the third quarter, taking a 67-55 before going cold over the final 4:32 and making just one shot. The Fever twice cut their deficit to two points in the fourth to make Las Vegas sweat out the ending.

Aces forward Stephanie Talbot, who started all but one game this season, did not play because of a leg injury and was replaced by Jewell Loyd, who scored 11 points. Talbot averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in the first two games of this series.

Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said she didn’t know what Talbot’s status would be going forward.

Police arrested a 30-year-old man and seized about P510,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Polomolok, South Cotabato on Friday, Oct. 2.

The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) said the operation was carried out at around 11:09 a.m. at a waiting shed along the national highway in Barangay Silway 8.

The suspect, identified only by his alias ‘Jat-jat,’ a resident of Barangay Tambler in General Santos City, was classified by police as a high-value individual.

Police said operatives recovered six sachets containing about 75 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P510,000.

Also seized were P1,000 in buy-bust money, a .357 Magnum revolver loaded with three rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones, a weighing scale, a sling bag and other personal belongings.

The operation was conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12 with other police units and the Polomolok Municipal Police Station.

This is in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 12.

The seized drugs were turned over for forensic examination, while the suspect remained in the custody of the Polomolok police pending the filing of charges.

Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, PRO-12 regional director, said the operation showed that authorities would continue pursuing those involved in the illegal drug trade.

‘The message of this operation is clear: We will continue to go after those selling illegal drugs and make sure they are held accountable under the law,’ Manibog said.

‘PRO-12 will not stop working to maintain safe and peaceful communities,’ he added.

At just 18, Juliana Mykhail Candelaria delivered a performance that showed Philippine taekwondo has another rising star for the long haul.

Competing in the women’s individual poomsae at the 20th Asian Games, Candelaria scored 9.1300 to claim the silver medal behind South Korea’s Jung Hae-un, who won gold with 9.3100.

But the numbers told only part of the story.

Just as impressive was how Candelaria handled the pressure of her first Asian Games appearance and showed she belonged among Asia’s elite.

‘There were strong performances from the other athletes, so going into the finals, I just had to reset my mind and take it one step at a time,’ Candelaria said after delivering Team Philippines’ fifth silver medal of the Games. The Philippines also has three gold and 14 bronze medals with two days remaining before the closing ceremony.

‘Being a first-time athlete in the Asian Games will make you nervous,’ national coach Rani Ortega said. ‘You’ll get overwhelmed with the environment, the crowd, the venue, so in the finals I just told her to focus on herself. Reset and regroup.’

Candelaria followed those instructions to the letter.

Ortega credited the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the taekwondo community for their support.

Yape’s bronze

‘Hard work really pays off with the trust and teamwork from all of us. We’re capable of accomplishing things,’ Ortega said.

Candelaria, however, isn’t in a rush to chase those accomplishments for now.

‘I want to live in the moment, just enjoy my performance and what’s happening around me and be grateful for everything,’ Candelaria said.

Meanwhile, Jeus Yape captured the bronze medal in the men’s individual poomsae competition.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the oath-taking ceremony for 4,125 newly promoted and newly hired education personnel of the Department of Education Region II in Santiago City, Isabela.

The promotions were part of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, which provides career advancement opportunities for public school teachers and school heads.

In Region II, the ECP initiative covers teaching positions, including Teachers I-VII, Master Teachers I-IV, and Principals I-IV, as well as 1,197 newly created non-teaching positions.

Marcos, in his speech, said the promotions were part of the government’s efforts to ensure that teachers are properly recognized for their service and given opportunities for professional advancement.

‘Dahil sa aming pananaw, hindi naman tama na ibinibigay ninyo ang napakalaking bahagi ng inyong buhay sa pagtuturo, tapos hindi kayo uunlad sa inyong propesyon,’ he said during the ceremony at the Santiago City Sports Arena in Barangay Baluarte.

(From our perspective, it isn’t right that you devote a huge part of your lives to teaching, yet you don’t progress in your profession

He said the ECP System is creating more opportunities for teachers and school heads to advance in their careers while continuing to serve in their chosen fields.

As of September, a total of 82,105 teachers and school heads nationwide had already been promoted under the administration’s career progression initiatives.

The president also highlighted the role of teachers in protecting their students, particularly following recent incidents of violence involving students.

‘Sa ating mga teacher, mahalaga ang tulong ninyo upang matugunan natin ang hamong ito. Hindi lamang kayo nagtuturo ng aralin, kayo ang gumagabay, nag-aalaga, at tumutulong humubog sa kinabukasan ng kabataang Pilipino,’ he said.

Japanese judo officials said they had never seen anything like it after eventual champion Rin Maeda appeared to be bitten by her Chinese opponent at the Asian Games.

Maeda was awarded victory in the quarter-final bout in Nagoya when Tang Jing was disqualified just over a minute into the contest.

Tang appeared to bite Maeda just above the wrist while the pair were clinched on the ground, with Maeda showing the referee visible teeth marks after getting up from the mat.

Judges reviewed the footage and Tang was disqualified.

Japan women’s judo coach Maki Tsukada told sports website The Digest that it was a first for her in her long career in the sport.

‘At tournaments like the Asian Games there have been incidents in the past where someone gets punched in the face or their eye swells up,’ she said following Thursday’s incident in their -70kg class bout.

‘I regret that we hadn’t anticipated that something like this might happen.’

Tsukada said the bite marks were visible despite Maeda wearing protective tape on that part of her arm.

‘It was to the point where we thought she might actually start bleeding, but it didn’t go as far as needing disinfection or anything like that,’ said Tsukada.

‘Still, the teeth marks were clearly and firmly there.’

Maeda went on to win gold, beating Kazakhstan’s Azhar Askhat in the final.

‘I entered this tournament with a strong determination to win gold,’ said the 21-year-old.