Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Alas Pilipinas’ Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara saw their gold medal hopes end after a heartbreaking 21-23, 18-21 loss to Thailand in the Asian Games women’s beach volleyball semifinal on Thursday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Progella and Pagara were two points away from taking the first set with a 19-15 lead, but Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee dug deep to take a 20-19 advantage.

The Filipinos saved two set points, but Naraphonapat struck to close out the set-the first one the young Alas duo had dropped in the tournament.

The pair from University of Santo Tomas took a 14-12 lead in the second, but Thailand scored six straight points to take an 18-14 advantage.

Alas Pilipinas’ Sofiah Pagara during a match vs Thailand in the Asian Games 2026 beach volleyball semifinals. -AVC PHOTO

Progella kept the Filipinos within striking distance, scoring points to cut the deficit to two, 19-17. Pagara then sent her serve into the net to put Thailand at match point before making up for the error by saving one.

But Naraphonapat used her height to score over the Filipino pair and send Thailand to the gold medal match.

Thailand, which lost in the semifinals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, returned to the women’s beach volleyball final for the first time in 12 years.

Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee also eliminated Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons from contention in the quarterfinals, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15, on Wednesday.

The Philippines is already bound for its best finish in the Asian Games since beach volleyball was introduced in the 1994 Hiroshima edition.

Authorities seized about P1.7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested a suspected drug peddler during a joint buy-bust operation in Poblacion 5 here on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The operation was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Office (PDEA-MagNor), according to PDEA-BARMM Regional Director George Paul Alcovindas.

Joining the PDEA in the entrapment operation were operatives from Cotabato City Police Office, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 17 (NICA 17), PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit BAR (PDEG-SOU BAR).

Arrested was alias ‘Ivan/Jehad,’ 22, a farmer, of Barangay Kuden, Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte.

Recovered from the suspect were five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 250 grams, with an estimated street value of P1.7 million.

Authorities also recovered a mobile phone, the buy-bust money, a black belt bag, a white plastic bag, and a brown paper bag allegedly used in the transaction.

The suspect is currently under the custody of the PDEA BARMM jail facility pending the filing of appropriate charges.

He is set to face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PDEA BARMM urged the public to support its campaign against illegal drugs by providing authorities with information on suspected drug activities

The project engineer of the allegedly substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro told the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Thursday that he needed to rely on the reports of contractor Sunwest at times when he or his staff were not around to personally inspect the activities for the project.

Felisardo Casuno, former engineer of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of Region IV-B, made such remarks when he testified on Thursday to defend himself in his malversation case through falsification of public documents before the court.

Sunwest was co-founded by resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, one of the co-accused in this case.

The P289 million worth project by Sunwest was supposed to have 12-meter steel sheet piles (SSPs), but inspection of DPWH chief Vince Dizon revealed that it only had three meter SSPs.

Casuno told the court that there were three SSP pile driving activities made for the project in 2024, but he was only physically present at one of them.

He also said he was not able to delegate staff to observe the two other activities.

Associate Justice Kevin Vivero asked why Casuno could not ask somebody to be there to observe such a ‘critical activity.’

Casuno said he only has three personnel under him, who is already in charge on more than 60 infrastructure projects in Region IV-B under his responsibility.

When pressed as to why he could not bring personnel to check the two other SSP pile driving activities, Casuno said: ‘Because of the number of projects my personnel have to do rotations with, somehow, your honor … the reports of contractors, we sometimes have to rely on their report.’

Casuno was the one who prepared the certificate of inspection (COI) for the project.

His counsel Dustin Jay Condez asked the court to show him the COI if he could recognize it.

‘Yes, this is the document I prepared,’ he said in response.

Casuno maintained that he did not falsify the COI.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been allocated an additional P2.349 billion in its proposed budget for 2027 as the House of Representatives’ budget review subcommittee approved amendments for the funding of its four key programs.

The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee on Thursday began its deliberations on the proposed amendments to the P7.2-trillion House budget bill. 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.

Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan made the motions to allocate a budget for four line items under the DOTr, as per the request of Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez. The agency was given a budget of P300.960 billion under the NEP, which was a 52.52 percent increase from the 2026 NEP of P197.331 billion.

Among these programs are the service contracting program (SCP), fuel subsidy, and the Metro Manila busway project which received zero allocation under the 2027 National Expenditure Program.

Ongchuan proposed to give P500 million for the SCP and P1 billion for the fuel subsidy, as he noted the unstable fuel prices brought by the Middle East crisis and the Ukraine-Russia war.

House committee on appropriations chairperson Mikaela Suansing said that a lot of lawmakers were surprised when they found out that the fuel subsidy received no funding under the NEP despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The conflict has repeatedly caused oil price hikes, which affected the livelihood of many public utility vehicle drivers.

‘Nagulat tayong lahat na zero siya sa NEP given that the previous allocation was totally wiped out because of the Middle East crisis. I fully support the manifestation of Rep. Ongchuan to add P1 billion for the fuel transport subsidy,’ Suansing said during the deliberations.

(We were shocked that it was allotted zero funding under the NEP given that the previous allocation was totally wiped out because of the Middle East crisis. I fully support the manifestation of Rep. Ongchuan to add P1 billion for the fuel transport subsidy.)

Suansing pointed out that the funding for the fuel subsidy for the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Act remained untouched prior to the Middle East conflict that began in February 2026.

Ongchuan also introduced P75 million funding for the busway project to sustain its operations in providing more convenient public transportation experience to commuters.

During the budget briefing of the House panel on the proposed budget of the agency last September 3, several lawmakers pushed for the budget restoration of the busway project.

Lastly, Ongchuan proposed to allocate P774 million for various locally-funded projects of the agency.

All of his motions were approved without any objections.

Police and school authorities in the town of Bacarra in Ilocos Norte are investigating separate reports involving an alleged shooting threat at Bacarra National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) on Thursday, Oct. 1.

An individual was allegedly heard saying a shooting might occur inside the school.

The police immediately coordinated with school officials and implemented security measures.

BNCHS, meanwhile, said one concern involved a learner who allegedly posted threats against public safety on social media.

School personnel coordinated with the learner’s parents and authorities.

The school also reported receiving circulating reports about a possible shooting.

However, based on its initial assessment, ‘no credible shooting threat has been established at this time.’

According to BNCHS, classes and operations were scheduled to resume on Friday (Oct. 2), with safety measures in place.

Police and school officials urged the public to rely on verified information and refrain from spreading unverified reports, rumors or screenshots that could cause unnecessary alarm.

Alex Eala is already assured of another Asian Games medal. What remains is the prize she came here chasing: the women’s singles gold and the Olympic qualification path that comes with it.

Eala moved into the semifinals after beating Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei, 7-5, 6-0, on Sept. 30, leaving the Filipino top seed two victories from the title at the 20th Asian Games.

The Olympic stakes have been part of Eala’s campaign from the start. Under the Los Angeles 2028 qualification system, the Asian Games women’s singles champion can earn an International Tennis Federation (ITF) qualification place, subject to Olympic eligibility requirements.

That Olympic opportunity helps explain why the 21-year-old Eala chose to see action in the Asian Games despite the demands-and possible consequences-of stepping away from her regular Women’s Tennis Association schedule.

Eala skipped the China Open, a mandatory 1000 event on the women’s tour (WTA), so she could represent the country here. That decision opened her to loss of ranking points and a potential fine.

‘I mean, of course, it was a difficult decision, right? But, you know, representing the country and playing these types of games-SEA Games, Asian Games and hopefully the Olympics one day-they’re very close to my heart and a big part of my dreams,’ Eala said.

‘Olympic event’

Under the LA28 tennis qualification system, the men’s and women’s singles champions at the 2026 Asian Games can earn ITF places in the Olympic field.

The continental route is not an unconditional Olympic ticket.

The Asian Games champion must be ranked inside the world’s Top 500 at the June 12, 2028, cutoff and must satisfy the sport’s Olympic eligibility requirements. The qualification place also depends on the athlete’s country not having already filled its maximum quota through direct acceptance.

Eala has made no secret of what LA means to her.

‘You know this is an Olympic event also. It’s something I look forward to and prioritize clearly, so we’ll see,’ she said.

Eala arrived here from a much different position than she occupied at the previous Asian Games.

At 18, she reached the semifinals in Hangzhou before losing a three-set battle to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen of China and settling for bronze. That medal was the Philippines’ first in Asian Games tennis since 2006.

Target on her back

Three years later, she is the tournament’s top seed.

‘Circumstances have changed a lot in the past years. I’m older, a little bit more experienced,’ Eala said.

The change goes well beyond age.

Eala became the first Filipina to crack the WTA Top 100 in 2025 and has logged big wins against the world’s elite. In August, she became the first Filipino to capture a WTA Tour singles championship when she won the DC Open.

Instead of arriving mainly as the young player trying to upset an established favorite, Eala is increasingly the player with the target on her back.

‘I think it’s a good problem to have,’ Eala said after beating Garland. ‘It’s kind of cool because I’ve been on both sides, on the underdog side and then more recently, I’ve been on more of the seeded side.’

‘So I think each of those situations comes with its own set of adversities. Not to say that one is more difficult than the other. It’s just different types of difficulties.’

Eala also said she knows how to deal with all the buzz of expectations.

I mean, when I’m on court, it’s me and the ball and the court,’ she said

The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) of the House of Representatives on Thursday approved an additional P16 billion to the Department of Agriculture budget in amendments for next year.

The move aims to further support farmers, fisherfolk, and the agriculture sector and strengthen programs to prepare them for the looming super El Niño.

Under the P7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027, the budget allocated to DA was around P198.45 billion.

The subcommittee, composed of select lawmakers from major political parties and the minority bloc, began deliberations on the proposed amendments to the budget for next year.

Among the eight line items introduced by the subcommittee includes an additional P500 million to the expanded fertilizer assistance program, with a current budget of P14,443,499,000.

The chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, also moved to allocate funding to the Solar Pump Irrigation Project that was initially not included in the 2027 NEP budget, amounting to P125 million.

The chairperson also allotted P105,000,000 to the provision of hybrid solar-powered ice plants program, in a bid to support air-to-water technology for the coastal and remote fishing communities.

‘In fact, they are already piloting two areas for the solar ice plants, particularly using air-to-water technology. So these are highly potential opportunities for the fishery sector,’ Enverga explained when asked about the pilot program.

A budget request for the implementation of the Agri-Transport and Support Infrastructure Projects under DA amounting to P150,000,000 was also presented.

The chairperson said that the cable car systems would be cheaper for high-value crops being planted in the mountainous areas, compared to the high costs of farm-to-market roads.

‘So rather than building costly farm-to-market roads, these would be trams that would transport goods from one mountain to another, which would be much cheaper and more economical for our production system in high-value crops,’ he said.

An additional P4,960,224,000 was also proposed to be included in the P16 billion budget to farm-to-market road programs.

Meanwhile, an additional P500,000,000 under the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority was also introduced for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of fish ports. Under the 2027 NEP, it has an allocation of P2,100,000,000.

Enverga also proposed an additional P100,000,000 for high-value crops to the existing P1,700,308,000 budget.

House committee on appropriations chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing proposed P10,000,000,000 for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk to ensure the agriculture sector is prepared for the impact of the super El Niño.

‘Another measure we wish to take to ensure our 2027 budget is fully prepared for a ‘super El Niño’ -is to allocate funds for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk,’ she said.

Alas Pilipinas Men pushed Southeast Asian rival Indonesia to its limits but couldn’t secure its first Asian Games classification win, falling 23-25, 26-24, 22-25, 21-25 on Thursday at Park Arena Komaki.

Alas stayed within striking distance in each set, but former SEA Games champion held its nerve, with Boy Arnez Arabi leading the way with 20 points.

Fauzan Nibras chipped in 17 kills on 13 kills, three blocks, and an ace for Indonesia, which faces Vietnam on Friday.

Alas, which had a winless Pool D campaign, meanwhile, eyes to bounce back against Uzbekistan on Friday as the classification phase continues.

Leo Ordiales led Alas with 13 points off 11 kills and two aces, while Marck Espejo chipped in 11 points.

Buds Buddin made the most of his extended playing time with 11 points, while team captain and leading scorer Bryan Bagunas played sparingly as a service specialist.

Jude Garcia also played his best Asian Games outing yet with 10 points.

Indonesia was a point away from taking the second set at 24-23, but Joshua Magalaman saved a set point to force deuce before Owa Retamar blocked Arabi to give Alas the lead. Espejo then sealed the set with an ace to tie the match at one set apiece.

But Alas couldn’t seize the momentum, dropping the next two sets to remain winless in four games in Nagoya.

A subcommittee of ranking House lawmakers on late Thursday boosted funding for crucial social welfare programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) crisis intervention scheme to help vulnerable families cushion the economic impact of expected dry spells driven by El Nino.

The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) augmented funding for the DSWD’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis (AICS) by 25.8 billion, lifting its proposed budget to P58.8 billion from the P33 billion originally proposed in the executive’s spending plan.

The funding surge for AICS was part of a broader ‘wish list of budgetary items’ that Social Welfare Rex Gatchalian sought from lawmakers, according to Guimaras Rep. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava.

‘DSWD, in fact, is among the agencies that suffered a significant reduction in budget,’ Nava said. ‘And we want to emphasize that AICS… also served as a critical source of immediate relief initiatives that the government brought out of the table.’

He said that letting AICS’ funding remain at its current level might deprive at least four million families of aid, especially as the country prepares for a ‘Super El Nino.’

‘This may be a very good source again for this relief that the national government may provide, Nava said.

He said that the agency sought to increase AICS’ funding to P76 billion, ‘but with the limited fiscal space, the much lower amount may be doable.’

Other DSWD initiatives slated with funding increases included ProtecTEEN, a program assisting teenage mothers, which received an additional P25 million.Lawmakers also boosted Project ARUGA, which provides aid to families caring for children with disabilities, by P25 million, and allotted an extra P13.8 million to Project SAFE, an initiative combating online child sexual exploitation.

The BARSc also added an extra P870 million to the Sustainable Livelihood Program and P20 million to the DSWD’s special committee on LGBTQIA+ affairs.

The budget realignments approved by the sub-committee must still be endorsed by the full House Appropriations Committee before advancing to the floor for second reading, where lawmakers are expected to debate how the panel prioritized funding increases amid tight fiscal limits.

The House aims to pass the proposed 7.2-trillion budget bill on final reading by Oct. 9.

Inherited property that is passed on to another after heirs deliberately waive their rights may be considered a lawful donation as long as the requirements under the law are met, the Supreme Court has ruled.

In a Feb. 19 decision that was released only on Wednesday, the high tribunal upheld the earlier rulings of the Court of Appeals (CA) and Davao City Regional Trial Court over two parcels of land in Davao City. They were left by a single woman who died in 2004 without any children or a will.

The lower courts had dismissed the petitions filed by one of the deceased’s siblings who sought to nullify the waivers of rights executed by their parents.

Under the Civil Code of the Philippines, the deceased’s parents were the rightful heirs of the property by way of intestate succession. The parents, however, decided to waive their rights to the inherited lots and transfer these to only two out of their five remaining children.

In challenging the waivers executed by their parents, the petitioner, identified as ‘Felix,’ argued that the documents ‘did not validly transfer ownership and cannot be considered donations.’

‘Donations inter vivos’

Felix claimed that this invalidated the extrajudicial settlement executed by his two other siblings, identified as ‘Robin’ and ‘Oasis,’ to make them recipients of the inherited property.

The high tribunal, however, disagreed with his arguments and pointed out that the waivers of inheritance rights signed by their parents were deemed ‘donations inter vivos,’ or while alive.

‘The CA correctly found that these requisites were sufficiently complied. The donations were made during the lifetime of [the parents], resulting in the reduction of their properties as donors and an increase in the patrimonies of Robin and Osias as donees,’ the high court said in its 16-page decision written by Justice Jhosep Lopez.

The waivers signed by the parents also showed their intent and the voluntary renunciation of their rights and interests over the property in question, it added.

‘The CA further found that such acceptance was made known to the donors … who were the very parties who executed the notarized waivers expressly authorizing the transfer,’ it added.

Because of the proof of documents executed for the transfer of inherited property, the Supreme Court said that Felix ‘failed to establish a right superior to that of respondents over the subject properties,’ adding that it found ‘no reason to disturb these factual findings.’