Patrick Garcia’s wife Nikka declares love after his tell-all: I won in this life

After speaking his ‘truth’ on his past relationship with Jennylyn Mercado and their son Jazz, Patrick Garcia received support from his wife, Nikka Martinez, who described him as a ‘good man.’

Martinez expressed her love for the actor through her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Sept. 29. On the same day, Garcia’s tell-all interview with Ogie Diaz was shared on the latter’s YouTube channel.

‘I won in this life. I fell in love with a good man and I’ll never stop being grateful for that,’ the quote card shared by Martinez read. ‘A self-made man. A hardworking man. A gentle man and safe man. A man who takes care of me in all the ways that matter.’

Martinez also made mention of Garcia’s Instagram handle and wrote, ‘Lavyew (love you).’

In his interview, Garcia denied the nearly two-decade-old claim that he abandoned Mercado while she was pregnant with their son Jazz. He claimed it was the actress who did not want him to be involved in the pregnancy, saying she refused his efforts to support her and that she cut off their communication at the time.

Garcia also revealed that he has not spent time and provided financially for Jazz since 2017 because Mercado has supposedly been unresponsive to his messages.

Garcia further noted during the interview that his decision to finally speak up was prompted by Michelle, his eldest daughter with Martinez, who convinced him to do so because of the continued bashing toward him and their family.

Mercado’s management agency, Aguila Entertainment, said the actress will not comment on Garcia’s statements. It nonetheless relayed Mercado’s appeal to stop the bashing toward the actor’s family. In a separate post, her manager Becky Aguila, speaking as her ‘second mom,’ told Garcia that he will never get her respect.

Meanwhile, Mercado’s actor husband Dennis Trillo responded to Garcia, ‘Hindi ako pabor sa bashing, pero salamat at naalala mo si Jazz dahil na -ash ang anak mo. Spread love not hate.’

Occidental Mindoro town holds ‘Piso Para sa Tamaraw’ conservation drive

The local government of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro has launched a donation drive to protect the endangered tamaraw, a wild buffalo endemic to Mindoro.

The ‘Piso Para sa Tamaraw’ campaign was launched by the municipal government through its Municipal Tourism, Culture and the Arts Office (MTCAO) and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

The campaign coincides with the observance of Tamaraw Conservation Month this October.

This initiative encourages individuals, families, students, workers and community groups to contribute whatever amount they can for the project.

The organizers emphasize that even small donations can support collective conservation efforts.

The observance of Tamaraw Conservation Month is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 273, series of 2002, which established the annual celebration to promote awareness and protection of the species.

The tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is found only on Mindoro island.

The endangered animal is considered as one of the Philippines’ important wildlife conservation priorities.

The San Jose municipal government is urging residents to take part in safeguarding the species and in preserving the province’s natural heritage for future generations

Highlights: Day 32 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 1, 2026

On Day 32 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial Thursday, lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro announced that the prosecution has decided not to present former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness.

Trillanes later confirmed on social media that he had personally asked Luistro to withdraw his name, saying the move would relieve the prosecution panel of the pressure it is going through. He added that he would hold a press conference on Friday, Oct. 2, to reveal the contents of the testimony he would have delivered before the court.

Also during Thursday’s session, the defense and prosecution clashed over the confidentiality provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act ahead of the scheduled testimony of AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura.

Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison requested that Buenaventura’s appearance be moved to Monday to give the defense time to prepare for the documents to be presented alongside his testimony, and also raised an objection concerning the absolute confidentiality of AMLC records.

The impeachment court granted the deferment, pushing Buenaventura’s testimony to Monday.

The court also granted the prosecution’s request to subpoena representatives of banks, insurance companies, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, with BIR witnesses scheduled for Oct. 5 and bank and insurance representatives for Oct. 6.

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile, scolded the prosecution for fielding witnesses he said were unnecessary to the trial, urging them to be more strategic in their witness selection.

Meanwhile, outside the court, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Palace press officer Claire Castro, said he respects the Supreme Court’s decision dismissing the petitions against the voting threshold ruling.

Unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups in parts of Metro Manila – DENR

The air quality in some parts of Metro Manila remained ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ levels on Thursday, Oct. 1, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that high PM2.5 levels, which refer to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter,were recorded in present in Caloocan City (University of the East), Mandaluyong City, Navotas City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, San Juan City and Valenzuela City.

The observed transboundary haze, according to DENR-EMB, may be linked to ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Air quality index in affected areas ranges from 101 to 150, which indicates that exposure may pose risks to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and vulnerable individuals with health conditions.

The agency advised the public, especially those sensitive to air pollution, to limit outdoor exposure in affected areas and wear an N95 or equivalent mask when going to areas with noticeable haze.

‘Stay updated through official advisories and air quality information from the DENR-EMB and other concerned government agencies,’ the DENR-EMB said in an advisory

1,216 aspiring military officers pass PMA entrance exam

Around 1,216 young men and women passed this year’s Philippine Military Academy entrance examinations, the military school announced on Thursday.

They make up 4.78 percent of the 25,452 qualified applicants who took exams in 48 testing centers from July to September 2026, said Navy Lt. Commdr Jermaine B Dacanay, acting chief of the PMA Public Affairs Office.

The number of passing applicants in 2026 was lower than the 5.28 percent passing rate in 2025, Dacanay said. ‘This year, PMA received 36,596 online applications,’ he said.

‘All 1,216 passers will undergo a comprehensive and rigorous selection process to determine who will compose the incoming PMA Class of 2031, tentatively set to convene in May 2027,’ Dacanay said.

They will go through a ‘meticulous’ screening phase from October this year to April 2027, ‘which includes a Complete Physical Examination, Medical Assessment, and Neuropsychiatric Evaluation’ to ensure that ‘only the most qualified-physically fit, mentally prepared, and morally grounded-will earn the privilege of becoming part of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines and the honor of setting foot on the hallowed grounds of the Academy, ‘ Dacanay said. INQ

Tying for highest-ranking examinee were Jillian Alexis Chan Lapada of the Philippine Science High School in Baguio, and Gabriel James Valdez of the Philippine Science High School in Ilocos Sur.

They were followed by Francesca Marinella Estacio Aquino of Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City and Zeke Marcus Esperancilla Macadat of Cainta Catholic College in Cainta, Rizal, who tied for second place.

The top three is Justyn Carlo Barsalote Apilat of Precious International School of Davao in Davao City. John Matt Rivas Amaza of Philippine Science High School in Koronadal and Art Dominic Nasdoman Gubiaon of Philippine Science High School in Cagayan Valley both placed fourth.

Ranked fifth was James Kieffer Bullecer Taglinao of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro, followed by sixth placer John Benedict Padernilla Porras of Philippine Science High School Main Campus, seventh placer Paul Nathan Lorenzo Santiago also of Philippine Science High School Main Campus, and eighth placer Kurt Rafael Balai Calingacion of Highway Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City.

Ranked ninth was Sofia Venize Carasi Barola of Philippine Science High School in Baguio City, with the 10th place shared by Philip Arthur Tabang Acidre of Philippine Science High School in Leyte, Bai Zharean Jathiya Sinsuat Ante of Albert Einstein School, Inc. in Cotabato City, and Tyron Beltran Liquigan of Philippine Science High School in Cagayan Valley.

These top performers exemplify the Academy’s vision: to attract and select the best and brightest through a stringent and merit-based recruitment system,’ PMA said in a statement

House panel OKs over P8B in education budget amendments for 2027

The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) of the House of Representatives on Thursday approved an additional over P8 billion in amendments to the funding of the education sector for 2027.

The BARSc began its deliberations on the proposed amendments to the P7.2-trillion House budget bill on Thursday. The subcommittee, composed of select lawmakers from major political parties and the minority bloc, is tasked to discuss amendments expected to be introduced by lawmakers before being voted on the floor for second reading.

House committee on appropriations chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing introduced P1,952,000,000 worth of amendments to six line items under the Department of Education (DepEd). The agency received over P916 billion allocation under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The biggest chunk of the amount was allotted to the additional budget for the basic education facilities program worth P952 million. Suansing said that as this will fund additional classrooms, the House of Representatives will exercise its oversight functions to ensure that the construction of classrooms will not be delayed.

Suansing also presented P500 million worth of additional allocation for DepEd’s school safety and security program. She noted that Education Secretary Sonny Angara requested P800 million in funding as it was not allocated any funding under the 2027 NEP amid the growing concerns of school violence across the country.

The chairperson then proposed for P350 million funding for DepEd’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, noting that the initiative got no funding under the 2027 NEP.

She also proposed additional funding for the Special Needs Education Program, Indigenous People Education Program, and the Madrasah Education Program worth P75 million, P25 million, and P50 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong Program under the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) received P3,868,865,000 in amendments as proposed by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez.

Hernandez proposed P2,102,475,000 and P1,766,390,000 for the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong Program, respectively. He noted that the Tulong Dunong Program received no funding under the 2027 NEP.

The committee also approved P360 million worth of amendments under three line items to the budget of the University of the Philippines System.

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin proposed the allocation of P70 million for the UP Center for Education and Development in its Diliman campus, noting that it received no allocation under the 2027 NEP.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list Rep. Brian Poe then introduced the allocation of an additional P250 million for the funding of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards). Project NOAH which was defunded in 2017, was the country’s flagship disaster risk reduction and management program.

Poe also presented the allocation of P15 million for the UP Diliman Institute of Mathematics, as he shared that it got no funding under the 2027 NEP. It has been recognized by the CHEd as a Center of Excellence since 1998.

Samar Rep. Stephen James Tan also proposed the inclusion of P456,000,000 for the locally funded projects of various state universities across the country.

Lastly, Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan introduced P1,435,910,000 worth of amendments to two line items under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Training for Work Scholarship and Special Training for Employment Program received P966,650,000 and P469,260,000, respectively.

All motions made for the amendments of these items received no objections from the members of the subcommittee.

With a total of P8,072,775,000 amended allocation proposed for the education cluster, Suansing underscored the national government’s responsibility to provide sufficient funding to sustain programs under the sector.

‘We have repeatedly said, on the part of the House of Representatives, to make sure that the education cluster gets the biggest budgetary share in our budget,’ Suansing said.

The Article XIV, Section 5(5) of the 1987 Constitution mandates the government to give the highest budgetary priority to the education sector and ensure that teachers will receive sufficient remuneration and other means of job satisfaction.

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Wang Xiyu – Asian Games tennis semifinals

Alex Eala’s bid for an Asian Games women’s singles gold medal ended with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 semifinal loss to China’s Wang Xiyu, but the Filipino tennis star had a simple answer when asked whether she regretted competing.

‘No.’

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‘I feel like I have no regrets,’ Eala added after settling for the bronze medal at Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan.

Even with the loss, Eala focused on what the Asian Games gave her beyond the result.

‘I’m really happy to have experienced this, of course, to experience the support, to be with the team and to compete for the country again,’ she said.

Eala also believes she has changed substantially as a player since her previous experiences on the international stage.

‘I think physically I’m better, more mature, more experienced, of course,’ she said. ‘So many things. I think everything all around has improved.’

That made her verdict on competing in the Asian Games unequivocal even after seeing a first-set lead disappear in the semifinals.

There was a match to review with her team and a bronze medal rather than the gold she had pursued.

There were no regrets.

‘I’m so happy to be here,’ Eala said.

Heavy rains expected over Metro Manila, Luzon areas Thursday afternoon

Heavy rains with thunderstorms are expected to prevail over Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1, the state weather bureau said.

In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 2:05 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that heavy rain showers with lightning and strong gusts of winds may affect the following areas within the next two hours:

Metro Manila (Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pasay, and Manila)

Bataan (Morong, Orani, and Samal)

Batangas (Tingloy, Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Mabini, Alitagtag, San Luis, Santa Teresita, San Nicolas, Taal, Agoncillo, Laurel, Padre Garcia, Rosario, Taysan, Lobo, San Juan, Santo Tomas, Tanauan, and Talisay)

Bulacan (Obando, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Santa Maria, Angat, Norzagaray, Pandi, Bustos, Bocaue, Bulakan, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Plaridel)

Cavite (Tanza, General Trias, Ternate, Bacoor, Carmona, Cavite City, Dasmarinas, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Trece Martires, Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay, and Mendez)

Laguna (San Pedro, Alaminos, San Pablo, Binan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Banos, Calauan, Bay, Victoria, Nagcarlan, Rizal, Liliw, Magdalena, Santa Cruz, Pila, and Majayjay)

Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, San Jose, and Lupao), Pampanga (Porac, Floridablanca, Lubao, Mabalacat, and Angeles)

Quezon (Agdangan, Atimonan, Plaridel, Padre Burgos, Perez, Alabat, Pagbilao, Mauban, San Antonio, Tiaong, Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, Jomalig, Patnanungan, Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, San Narciso, and San Andres)

Rizal (Pililla, Tanay, Jala-Jala, and Rodriguez)

Tarlac (Bamban, Capas, San Jose, Mayantoc, and San Clemente)

Zambales (Cabangan, San Felipe, San Antonio, San Narciso, Botolan, Iba, and Palauig)

Meanwhile, heavy to intense rains with thunderstorms and strong winds are affecting the areas as follows, which may persist within the next two hours:

Bataan (Hermosa and Dinalupihan)

Batangas (Calaca, Balayan, Tuy, San Pascual, Bauan, San Jose, Batangas City, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa, Ibaan, Malvar, Balete, and Mataasnakahoy)

Cavite (Alfonso, Magallanes, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Indang, Naic, and Maragondon)

Metro Manila (Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Taguig, Makati, Pateros, Marikina, Quezon City, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Caloocan)

Quezon (Tagkawayan, Mulanay, Catanauan, Quezon, Pitogo, Unisan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Calauag, Lopez, and San Francisco)

Rizal (Cainta, Antipolo, Taytay, Morong, Cardona, Binangonan, Angono, Teresa, Baras, and San Mateo)

Zambales (Olongapo, Subic, San Marcelino, Castillejos, Santa Cruz, Candelaria, and Masinloc)

Pagasa reported in its 5 a.m. weather advisory that Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains and localized thunderstorms on Thursday

Carpio’s land purchases in Davao not reflected in VP’s SALN – witnesses

Two property registrars testified on Thursday that two parcels of land in the Davao Region purchased by Vice President Sara Duterte’s spouse, Atty. Manases Carpio, were not reflected in the vice president’s statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Davao City Register of Deeds IV Kathy Florence Baldonado and Samal Deputy Register of Deeds III Marco Pineda took the witness stand to present documents in relation to Carpio’s properties in the region.

Matina land

Baldonado testified that based on the transfer certificate of title, Carpio supposedly purchased a 379-square-meter parcel of land located in Juna Subd., Matina Crossing, Talomo, Davao City, Davao del Sur.

The deed of sale states that the land was sold to Carpio on July 2, 2024 for P6 million pesos.

‘Base po sa record na hawak ko, wala po sa 2025 (SALN)- wala pong nagmatch sa presyo at sa lugar at ang mode of acquisition ang nakalagay po sa 2025 ay construction at dito po sa aming dokumento ay deed of sale,’ Baldonado told the court.

(Based on the record I have, there is nothing in 2025 (SALN) – there is no match in the price and the location and the mode of acquisition is stated in 2025 as construction and here in our document it is deed of sale.)

Presiding officer Francis Escudero also declared before the court that after inspecting the SALN of Duterte, ‘[he did] not find this particular property as one of the real properties declared because we checked it against all of the declarations of the vice president.’

Defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel made a manifestation, saying it would be ‘erroneous’ for the impeachment court to not identify the same property in Duterte’s SALN.

‘The court must take mandatory judicial notice of the geographical divisions in the Philippines that Matina Crossing is also known as Brgy 74A, which is declared in the SALN,’ Bacquel added.

Later, Escudero clarified that the property was not found because the areas in the SALN are ‘too generic’ to identify.

But he continued: ‘There is a sale mentioned here as identified earlier.. of a parcel of land in 76A Davao City but the amount of acquisition is P10 million, and a sale of property in Dumoy Davao City but the sale is P2 million.’

On August 24, 2024, a real estate mortgage was executed by Carpio on the P6 million property ‘in favor of the Philippine Savings Bank’ for P8 million.

Samal Land

The same observation was made for another parcel of land measuring 751 square meters that Carpio supposedly purchased in Matanos, Island Garden City of Samal, Province of Davao del Norte.

According to Pineda, the records of the registry show that Carpio acquired the land on March 15, 2018 for P3,453,849.

Upon referencing the vice president’s SALN once again, Pineda said: ‘Nothing in this SALN perfectly matches the DOAS (Deed of Absolute Sale.)

Escudero referenced the 2019 SALN pointing out that Duterte declared two land purchases in Brgy. Aundanao, Igacos – one sold at P2 million in total and another at P1 million.

But Pineda said that both declarations, though coming close to the total amount paid for by Carpio, ‘does not match the deed of sale… in so far as this title is concerned there is only one parcel (of land) not two.’

Defense: Documents show Duterte’s SALN declares Carpio properties

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team showed on Thursday that the land purchases of Duterte’s spouse, Atty. Manases Carpio, match those declared in the vice president’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

This, as defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel cross-examined Davao City Register of Deeds IV Kathy Florence Baldonado and Samal Deputy Register of Deeds III Marco Pineda.

Both persons earlier testified that the documents in their registries did not match the SALN declarations of Duterte.

Matina property in Davao City

In Carpio’s supposed July 2024 purchase of a 379-square-meter parcel of land located in Matina Crossing, Talomo, Davao City priced at P6 million, Baldonado said the property was not in the 2025 SALN of Duterte.

She said that the deed of sale and the transfer certificate of title of the Matina Crossing property does not match in terms of price, and location, to any of Duterte’s declared properties.

In refuting this, the defense presented an August 2024 tax declaration to show that the P6-million lot in the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) is the same as a property declared in the SALN located at Brgy. 74-A in Matina, Davao City.

Baldonado identified that the property in the tax declaration had the same identification number of the P6-million property in the TCT.

Samal Acting Register of Deeds Atty. Marco Pineda (Photo from NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER.net)

The document read that the property had an assessed value of P82,046.

Upon reviewing Duterte’s 2025 SALN, the Brgy. 74-A property had the same exact assessed value, Baldonado also stated.

Bacquel explained the differing locations on the two documents, saying that Brgy. 74-A is Matina Crossing, and asked the court to take judicial notice of maps proving such.

‘We looked further into it, and there’s actually an official Facebook account of Brgy. Matina 74-A Davao City,’ Bacquel added.

Samal property

On the other hand, Pineda was also confronted with the documents to show otherwise.

He earlier testified that Carpio’s supposed P3-million Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) land did not match any of the properties declared in Duterte’s SALN

Bacquel presented another tax declaration of a Carpio property in San Isidro-Kaputian, Samal with the same property identification as the P3-million lot in Brgy. Matanos, Kaputian.

Though also differing in declared locations, Pineda later said that the locations may change due to shifts in tax mapping.

In 2019, its assessed value under the tax declaration stood at P346,960, and Pineda identified the same in a property declared in Duterte’s 2024 SALN.

Pineda earlier noted, however, that the property in the SALN Bacquel was referring to had an acquisition date of 2013, while the deed of sale of the property in contention states that it was acquired in 2018.

He said: ‘Based on the patent distinction that the value or cost of acquisition is not that same as that appearing in the deed of absolute sales at the same time the year.’

He explained that this is ‘because it was acquired, as per the perusal of the deed of absolute sale, in 2018, but this one is 2013 (in the SALN).’

In reconciling the five-year gap in acquiring the properties, Presiding Officer Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero referred to Duterte’s previous SALNs.

‘In the SALN of the vice president in 2015 and 2016 and 2017, she declared a property in IGaCos, stating that she bought a property in 2013. But it first appeared only in her SALN in 2015,’ Escudero said.

‘And then, she wrote installment in 2015, deferred installment in 2016, which she described as deferred installment again in 2017, and in 2018, declared it as a sale,’ the senator-judge noted.

Afterwards, Escudero asked Pineda if it is possible that the property was only declared in 2018 when it was fully paid.

Instead of a direct answer, Pineda responded that a deed of sale is only registered once ownership is transferred.