Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Senate impeachment court said on Friday that former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has the right to free speech, but his statements will not be the senator-judges’ basis to either convict or acquit Vice President Sara Duterte.

Impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol made the assertion shortly after Trillanes held a press conference.

The former senator earlier held a media briefing presenting supposed evidence on Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth had he not been withdrawn as a witness in the trial.

‘They are free to exhaust their freedom of speech because that is part of our democracy,’ Tongol began.

He continued: ‘However, for our senator-judges, of course, we just have to have faith in them that only the evidence and the testimonies and the exhibits or documents presented before the impeachment court are the only ones they will be the basis of their decision on the ultimate question.’

Trillanes was listed among the prosecution’s witnesses to prove that the vice president had amassed unexplained wealth and failed to disclose it.

However, the prosecution withdrew Trillanes as a possible witness on Thursday.

According to the former senator, he himself asked lead prosecutor Rep. Greville Luistro not to present him because of ‘pressures’ against the prosecution panel.

In his press conference on Friday morning, Trillanes recalled his testimonies to the House justice panel during its hearings on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.

He linked Duterte’s income to a supposed known drug lord in Davao City, Sammy Uy.

Trillanes also accused Duterte’s foundation of receiving P150 million from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

He also revealed that Calle88, the supposed company of Atty. Manases Carpio, received P319 million from the Chinese government and China-based corporations.

Still, Tongol reminded that the prosecution may still present Trillanes voluntarily.

‘If the House prosecution panel sees that what former Sen. Trillanes said is important to include in their presentation of evidence-in-chief (foundational facts), they are free,’ Tongol said.

‘They have the prerogative to call Sen. Trillanes in the coming days,’ he noted.

Former supermodel Naomi Campbell won a legal challenge on Thursday, Oct. 1, to overturn a five-year ban on being a charity trustee after a panel accepted she had been the victim of deception.

The Charity Commission watchdog had banned Campbell in 2024 after identifying ‘multiple instances of misconduct’ at her charity, Fashion for Relief.

The tribunal ruled on Thursday that there had been mismanagement but that Campbell was ‘not involved’ and ‘did not know’ about it.

Instead, Campbell had been the victim of deception perpetrated by her co-trustee, Bianka Hellmich, who was disqualified from being a charity trustee for nine years.

Hellmich had ‘used forged documents and a false email address’ purporting to belong to Campbell, the tribunal ruled.

She had received unauthorized payments and had hidden the misuse of funds and mismanagement of the charity from Campbell.

The 56-year-old model said in a statement afterwards she had been ‘hurt deeply.’

But she said the ruling meant she could ‘get back to what matters most to me: being there for the people and communities I’ve always wanted to serve.’

After the ruling, the Charity Commission said its disqualification of Campbell had been made on the ‘evidence available to us at the time.’

It said the ruling recognized that the commission, Campbell and others had been ‘subject to sophisticated deception.’

READ; Naomi Campbell seemingly throws shade at Anna Wintour in her acceptance speech

Campbell founded the charity in 2005, aiming to harness the fashion industry to relieve poverty and advance health and education, by making grants to other organizations and giving resources toward global disasters.

No player won the Ultra Lotto 6/58 or Mega Lotto 6/45 jackpots on Friday, October 2, 2026, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw result: 58-52-34-29-11-32 Jackpot prize: ?353.31 million

Mega Lotto 6/45 draw result: 04-24-16-14-43-39 Jackpot prize: ?87.78 millio

Minor games

4D Lotto: 4-0-1-7 – ?15,846; 17 winners

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 8-2-6 – ?4,500; 310 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 5-2-8 – ?4,500; 225 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 8-1-9 – ?4,500; 433 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 08-27 – ?4,000; 260 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 10-16 – ?4,000; 330 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 22-09 – ?4,000; 795 winners

Draw schedule

Ultra Lotto 6/58 draws are held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, while Mega Lotto 6/45 draws take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

As Filipinos prepare for the arrival of the latest generation of iPhone, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, is giving customers more ways to plan their upgrade through flexible financing options for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Starting October 2, customers may pre-order the latest iPhone models through Apple Authorized Resellers and partner stores nationwide using Home Credit financing options and experience eye-opening control and next-gen performance for as low as ?137 per day, with as low as 0% interest and 0% down payment for up to 24 months, subject to applicable terms and customer eligibility.

With lower upfront costs and longer payment terms, Home Credit gives customers greater flexibility to fit a premium smartphone purchase into their budget, making it easier to manage monthly expenses while upgrading to the latest technology.

‘A new iPhone launch is always one of the most anticipated moments for Filipino consumers. For many, however, upgrading also comes with the important consideration of how the purchase fits into their monthly budget,’ said Puneet Suneja, Chief Sales Officer of Home Credit Philippines.

‘At Home Credit, we make it easier with clear and flexible financing options, helping customers enjoy the latest technology while choosing a payment plan that fits their budget and lifestyle,’ he added.

With flexible installment terms, customers can spread the cost of their iPhone upgrade over time while choosing a payment arrangement that better fits their budget and lifestyle.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available for pre-order starting October 2, at 12:01A.M., with nationwide availability beginning October 16, at 12:01 A.M. Customers may visit Apple Authorized resellers and Home Credit partner stores nationwide and check out available offers, and financing options.

Visit www.homecredit.ph/disclosures to learn more. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-242751 Series of 2026.

For the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, corporate.homecredit.ph or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers may likewise download the Home Credit App, available on Google Play, the App Store, and HUAWEI App Gallery to get pre-approved.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

An unidentified body in an advanced state of decomposition was found floating in the waters off Honda Bay on Thursday morning, police said.

Police Station 2 said the body was spotted at around 11 a.m., about 1.2 nautical miles from the Honda Bay Wharf in Purok Honda Bay, Barangay Sta. Lourdes.

A man and his companion were searching for squid in the area when they saw what appeared to be a body floating in the water, police said.

The discovery was reported to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, which alerted the police Tactical Operations Center.

Police officers, Maritime Police personnel, Philippine Coast Guard members and a nurse from the Health Emergency Response and Operations went to the area aboard a Maritime Police speedboat.

They found the body floating face down.The attending nurse said the remains were already badly decomposed and could no longer be recognized.

Police asked Scene of the Crime Operations personnel to examine the remains and help determine the identity of the deceased.The remains were brought to Abot-Kamay Funeral Services.

The identity of the deceased remained unknown as of Thursday. Police were still looking into the circumstances surrounding the death.

A drunken challenge on Wednesday evening escalated into a fatal bloodbath after a Bukidnon man shot an alleged intruder six times before stabbing him in the neck Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1.

Police said the 30-year-old victim, reportedly intoxicated, forced his way into the suspect’s residence in Barangay Kipaypayon, Quezon town at around 5:50 p.m. to provoke an armed confrontation.

Claiming self-defense, the 38-year-old suspect opened fire using a 9mm Cobravo Ingram gun. As the victim collapsed from multiple gunshot wounds, the suspect seized the intruder’s own bladed weapon and without hesitation, stabbed him in the nape.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Quezon Health Infirmary Hospital.

Initial investigation by the Quezon Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed a brewing feud between the two men. On Sept. 28, the victim allegedly chased the suspect with a knife. Two days later, the suspect filed a police report claiming he was mauled by the victim’s brother.

Following the killing, the suspect surrendered to the local barangay chairman, who turned him over to the Quezon MPS. Investigators seized the Ingram firearm, a steel magazine, several spent 9mm bullet casings, and the knife used in the stabbing at the crime scene.

Col. Oliver Navales, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office director, has ordered a thorough probe into the incident, urging the public to immediately report suspicious individuals or threats.

‘Cooperation and support of the community is the key to make Bukidnon a safe place to live,’ Navales stated in an advisory.

Sabrina Carpenter, Margaret Qualley as well as Talia Ryder have joined the cast of the upcoming Fred Astaire biopic, which will feature Tom Holland as the legendary film actor and dancer.

Carpenter will portray the role of Ginger Rogers, Fred’s co-star and dance partner; while Qualley is set to play Adele Astaire, Fred’s older sister. Ryder was cast to portray June Allyson, a fellow dancer and MGM actress.

Paul King is at the helm of the biopic, with Steven Levenson serving as his co-writer for the screenplay. The film is based on Kathleen Riley’s book ‘The Astaires: Fred and Adele.’

‘I am thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with telling the story of Fred Astaire and his original dance partner-his big sister Adele-to the big screen,’ King said.

‘Fred left a timeless legacy of dance on film-most famously in his collaborations with Ginger Rogers-while Adele’s work has been lost to history; indeed, no footage of her dancing survives,’ he added. ‘The cinematic challenge of bringing to life these icons of the twentieth century is one that I could not imagine without Tom Holland, Margaret Qualley and Sabrina Carpenter by my side.’

Fred, regarded as one of the greatest dancers of all time, had a seven-decade career in film and on stage in Broadway and the West End before he died in 1987 at the age of 88.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it has promoted over 3,000 teachers and principals in Cagayan Valley.

It also hired over 1,000 new school personnel during the celebration of National Teachers’ Month.

In a statement, DepEd said the mass-oath taking ceremony of the newly promoted and newly hired personnel was conducted at the Santiago City Sports Arena in Isabela.

President Marcos and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara were in attendance.

A total of 3,047 teachers and principals were promoted across the nine divisions of Cagayan Valley as part of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.

This system seeks to resolve ‘long-standing promotion bottlenecks,’ according to DepEd.

The initiative enables teachers to ‘advance across multiple career stages, from Teacher I up to Teacher VII, Master Teacher I to V, and School Principal I to IV.’

The department added that these movements are ‘based on competency, performance and professional standards without leaving classroom teaching.’

‘You are not just teaching lessons. You guide, take care and help mold the future of the Filipino youth,’ Marcos said in Filipino.

‘That’s why you can expect the continued support of this administration,’ he told the audience.

For his part, Angara said the mass promotion was meant to show the teacher that ‘their dedication is recognized and properly compensated.’

‘When the careers of our teachers are progressing, our students directly benefit,’ he said.

Aside from the mass promotion, DepEd said it also hired 328 new School Principals I, 612 Administrative Officers II, and 257 Project Development Officers I.

According to the agency, the newly created nonteaching positions were funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

These personnel will be in charge of ‘administrative duties in schools, allowing teachers to focus on classroom instruction,’ said DepEd.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has placed its firefighting equipment on standby as it anticipates a possible increase in grass fires amid the extreme heat associated with super El Niño, according to the Provincial Information Office Mimaropa- Palawan on Friday, Oct. 2.

CDRRMO chief Earl Timbancaya said the city currently records an average of three grass-fire incidents daily, but the number could increase as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out.

Timbancaya warned that dried leaves and grass that had been cleared and burned could pose a fire hazard during periods of excessive heat. Even debris left by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 could still fuel grass fires, he said.

High temperatures and dry grass could trigger fires in grasslands, potentially threatening forested areas and other communities across the city, Timbancaya added.

The CDRRMO said its firefighting equipment, including a lorry truck equipped for firefighting, is ready for deployment.

To strengthen disaster response in far-flung communities, the CDRRMO has also established forward operating centers at mini city halls maintained by the Puerto Princesa city government.

Timbancaya said the centers would bring disaster-response services closer to residents and help address community needs as the city prepares for the possible effects of Super El Niño on health, agriculture and other livelihood activities.

The CDRRMO urged residents to exercise caution in handling dried vegetation and other combustible materials, particularly during periods of extreme heat.

Starting today, Oct. 2, subscribers can pre-order the iPhone 18 Pro with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499 starting at P3,713 per month, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at P4,050 per month, with zero-interest credit card installment for up to 24 months with select banks.

Under this plan, subscribers can enjoy the freedom of having an open-line device, along with their preferred Unli App bundle, UNLI 5G for 12 months, Open Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

Smart Postpaid subscribers renewing their plan can also enjoy more flexible payment options for up to 36 months conveniently charged to their Postpaid bill. Customers who successfully pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can enjoy exclusive Smart Postpaid offers, including 18GB of FREE Open Access Data valid for three months, FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, and 18% off select third-party Digimap accessories.

Customers who successfully pre-order via the Smart Online Store will also receive a complimentary AirTag.

Smart Postpaid customers can pre-order at Smart Stores nationwide and online via https://smart.com.ph/iphone18-preorder.

For customers looking for a more premium experience, Smart Infinity offers the latest iPhone starting from Infinity Plan 5000, now enhanced with the Infinity Roam+ Plans for a more seamless connectivity experience while travelling abroad. Members can also explore the Infinity Plus Plan 9500, a multi-line plan with one Primary Line and two Supplementary Lines, extending the Infinity experience to the people who matter most.

Smart Infinity members who pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can get a FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, plus a complimentary PowerMac e-voucher.

Smart will also offer the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 starting Oct. 9, giving subscribers more ways to stay connected.

Smart subscribers can get the Apple Watch Series 12 for P1,521 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout of P28,900 with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 999. Smart also offers the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for P2,467 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout.