Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) urged residents living along the shores of Laguna de Bay to remain vigilant after the lake’s water level rose above its critical high-water mark on Saturday afternoon amid persistent rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or ‘habagat.’

‘Due to persistent torrential rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and a Low Pressure Area (LPA), the water level of Laguna de Bay has exceeded its critical high mark of 12.50 meters, reaching 12.58 meters,’ the LLDA said in an advisory issued shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

The agency said the 12.58-meter water level was recorded at 3 p.m. The LLDA considers 10.50 meters the lake’s critical low-water level and 12.50 meters its critical high-water level.

‘Residents living along the shores of Laguna de Bay are strongly advised to remain vigilant and closely monitor official public announcements,’ the agency said.

It also advised lakeshore residents to prepare for possible flooding and strictly follow local evacuation protocols if heavy rainfall persists.

The state weather bureau had earlier raised a red rainfall warning over Metro Manila and eight areas in Luzon due to heavy rains associated with the southwest monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of potentially dangerous flooding in areas under the red warning.

According to the LLDA, Laguna de Bay had reached its critical high-water level of 12.50 meters in the past week before rising further to 12.58 meters on Saturday.

The agency noted that Laguna de Bay serves as a natural catch basin for water from watersheds in Laguna and Rizal provinces, as well as parts of Metro Manila. Rising lake levels therefore increase the risk of flooding in low-lying communities along its shores.

The LLDA urged local government units (LGUs) and residents in vulnerable areas to remain prepared and closely monitor developments.

Authorities were also advised to keep drainage systems and tributary rivers leading to the lake clear of obstructions to help minimize flood risks.

Located between Laguna province to the south and Rizal province to the north, Laguna de Bay is the Philippines’ largest lake and one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lakes by surface area, covering approximately 911 to 949 square kilometers.

For one day, doing business at Security Bank Corp. meant more than ringing up sales.

Employees behind small businesses sold their products at the Frederick Dy-led bank’s annual People’s Fair Marketplace, knowing that every booth also carried a chance to help someone stay in school.

The marketplace formed part of Security Bank’s 75th anniversary celebration, turning employee entrepreneurship into support for the Security Bank Foundation’s ‘Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) Scholarship Program.’

Held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the fair gathered businesses run by Security Bank employees.

Participation fees paid by exhibitors were donated to the foundation to help fund the education of deserving but underprivileged students.

For the employees who joined, it gave an ordinary marketplace a different purpose.

Kimberly Malka Soner, a relationship manager from the corporate banking group, says learning where the booth fees will go made participating even more worthwhile.

‘It’s a great opportunity to sell while giving back,’ Soner says.

That support goes to a scholarship program that is now running in its 16th year.

RMKK provides educational assistance to Security Bank’s agency-hired personnel, including janitors, security guards, messengers, drivers and other support staff, as well as their children.

For the academic year 2026 to 2027, the program is supporting 87 scholars, extending educational opportunities to families with limited financial means.

For Jan Jethro Puzon, another relationship manager from the corporate banking group, the fair also brought something personal to the table.

‘I have always believed in giving back-whether through my personal life, our church, or simply helping others when I can,’ says Puzon. ‘Joining the People’s Fair was a chance to support a cause I care about while also cheering on my wife’s baking business.’

That combination-employees becoming entrepreneurs while helping students-has made the annual marketplace an expression of generosity within the bank’s community.

Along with the Security Bank Foundation’s ‘Adopt a Scholar’ campaign, proceeds from the initiative help finance scholarships.

‘The People’s Fair gave us the chance to showcase our products, connect with the Security Bank community, and at the same time support initiatives that help students achieve their educational goals,’ shares Jose Gil Puey IV, an information technology officer.

For the scholars themselves, business banking segment officer Tristan Joseph Legaspi had a simple message: remain persistent, keep pursuing education and trust that the determination to finish their studies will eventually pay off.

‘Keep your persistence and drive for continuous education, and remain hopeful that your determination to finish your studies will eventually be rewarded,’ Legaspi enthuses.

The public can also contribute to RMKK through the foundation’s Adopt a Scholar campaign.

Established in 1951, Security Bank is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The universal bank operates across retail, corporate, commercial and business banking, among other financial services.

But at its anniversary marketplace, the currency was not limited to money changing hands.

For employees, every booth fee became something that could last beyond the fair itself-a little more help toward keeping a student in school and, perhaps, opening the door to a brighter future.

The Oriental Mindoro power grid had a 29.34-megawatt (MW) power reserve as of 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, according to the latest dispatch report from the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo)-Mindoro Control Center.

The grid had a total dependable capacity of 71.41 MW against the province’s electricity demand of 42.07 MW, leaving a reserve margin of 29.34 MW.

An additional 3.04 MW of spinning and regulating reserve was available to help maintain grid balance and stability.

The total contracted capacity from new power providers (NPPs) in Oriental Mindoro was listed at 100.50 MW, indicating sufficient contracted supply to meet the province’s long-term requirements.

Power plants with active generation included DPC at 8.31 MW, DPC Lot 1 at 5 MW, IMHPP at 10 MW and OPI at 7.43 MW, among others.

Several facilities, however, recorded low or zero output during the monitoring period, including Topteam Calapan, SPC Socorro, TPI Calapan and Regulus Puerto Galera.

The POC CDPP plant reported no generation due to fuel supply constraints, while some generating units were being used for voltage support and to prevent overloading of the transformer at the Socorro Substation.

TransCo’s dispatch report showed that the Oriental Mindoro grid had sufficient reserve capacity to meet current demand, with no immediate indication of a need for rotational brownouts due to a supply shortfall.

Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) General Manager Engr. Humphrey Dolor attributed the available reserve partly to lower electricity demand among member-consumers and increased generation from hydroelectric plants.

‘The low production of some IPPs (independent power producers) is due to the delay in the release of the UCME (Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification) from the National Power Corp. (NPC), which is allocated for fuel purchases,’ Dolor said in a message Sunday.

Dolor said the reserve situation should be viewed alongside the operating conditions of individual power producers, particularly those affected by fuel availability.

The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has a ‘high chance’ of developing into a tropical depression on Sunday, state meteorologists said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the LPA was last spotted 1,340 kilometers (km) east of extreme northern Luzon, as of 3 a.m.

‘Based on our latest data, this low-pressure area is likely to become a tropical cyclone within the day and we will call it Pilandok,’ Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said.

Badrina then warned that as the LPA moves westward toward the landmass, it is likely to strengthen the southwest monsoon.

Apart from the LPA, Pagasa is monitoring two other weather systems inside the PAR.

Among them is the southwest monsoon, which has been affecting most of Luzon over the past few weeks.

Tropical Depression Saudel is also being observed within the PAR, but has no direct effect on the country, Pagasa noted.

Saudel, formerly Obet, was last spotted 1,105 kilometers west-northwest of extreme northern Luzon, moving southwestward at 25 km per hour (kph).

Pagasa said Saudel has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 75 kph.

Alex Eala has helped drive ticket prices to all-time high levels as the US Open gets off the ground at the Flushing Meadows in New York on Friday (Saturday in Manila), with the Filipino superstar taking the court against a yet-to-be-named qualifier on Sunday morning.

‘Price increases for the US Open this year reflect big names like Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz and Alex Eala, setting records in anticipation of getting to see these huge stars perform,’ Yahoo Sports’ contributing writer Shlomo Sprung quoted Michael Stock, GameTime’s director of pricing and business strategy, as saying in a report published Friday.

According to Sprung’s report, average ticket prices this year ballooned from $196 in 2022 to $346 (around P21,100) this year, where the average Armstrong ticket price is up 52 percent year-over-year.

The 21-year-old Eala, a former US Open girls’ champion, is seeded 17th in New York and belongs to the quarterfinal draw of Coco Gauff, who won the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open event, 6-2, 6-4, over Jessica Pegula last week in Ohio.

Her breakout tournament in Miami in the previous year signaled the start of a new form of madness in how live matches are being attended, as Filipino communities, wherever Eala plays, come out in droves to show support, a following that earned the name ‘Eala-mania.’

Even other WTA stars welcomed this development as something good for the sport.

Should Eala, who broke through at the WTA level by ruling the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, also against Pegula, advance to the second round anew, she will face the winner of the Oleksandra Oliynykova-Reese Brantmeier match. Brantmeier made the main draw as a wildcard.

Also on her side of the draw are No. 14 seed Iva Jovic, who takes on Magdalena Frech, and Magda Linette, who also faces a qualifier in the first round.

In the previous year, the Filipino tennis ace reached the Round of 64 after beating Clara Tauson in a breakthrough Grand Slam win.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, will be making his first tournament appearance in singles play since April. He played in the mixed doubles and was forced out of the first round with his team-up with the legendary Serena Williams.

Alcaraz is the No. 2 seed and will face Roman Safiullin. The two-time US Open champion was forced to miss the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury.

The Spaniard looked rusty in the mixed doubles tournament. He may have to be sharper against Safiullin, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, upsetting Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca along the way before falling to 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic in four sets.

Safiullin also upset Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 at the time, in the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris in 2023. Alcaraz avenged that loss the following year at the Paris Olympics in their lone other meeting

The James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH) in Olongapo City has reached full bed capacity amid a continuing increase in patients, including suspected and confirmed cases of leptospirosis.

In a public advisory on Friday, Aug. 28, the hospital said that despite the situation, its emergency room remains open and patients will continue to undergo proper triage and medical assessment.

However, with all inpatient beds occupied, patients who require admission may experience delays.

When necessary, the hospital will coordinate referrals to other appropriate health facilities based on the patient’s condition and the level of care required.

JLGMH also said pediatric patients who may require dialysis, particularly children weighing less than 30 kilograms, will be carefully assessed by doctors on a case-by-case basis.

Patients who require a higher or more specialized level of care will be referred to an appropriate facility to ensure their safety and proper management.

‘We ask for the public’s understanding and cooperation as our doctors, nurses, and hospital staff continue to do everything they can to provide safe and proper care to every patient amid the current surge,’ the hospital’s statement said in Filipino.

For non-emergency conditions, the public was encouraged to seek appropriate outpatient or primary care services to help ease congestion in the emergency room

Since his call-up to Gilas Pilipinas, Justin Brownlee has always played the role of ‘Mr. Clutch’ for the Philippines.

When the Philippines found itself in overtime against Jordan in the second round of the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, it needed someone to take on the mantle of savior with Brownlee out.

Enter CJ Perez.

‘My coaches just trusted me. They kept telling me to attack the basket and drive to the paint,’ he told reporters after their gritty 82-81 overtime win over Jordan at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

‘When I drive, sometimes others are open and sometimes, I can shoot it.’

FOURTH QUARTER CJ

CJ Perez talks about taking over Gilas Pilipinas in the clutch vs. Jordan. | @MeloFuertesINQ

Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/UxbZM5DE3E pic.twitter.com/zKv2cesq7e

– INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 28, 2026

After Jordan took a 66-64 lead with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter, Perez took matters into his own hands and scored the Philippines’ final six points to send the game into overtime tied at 72-all.

He also went on to sink four of Gilas’ 10 points in the extra period.

‘When you’re in situations like those, sometimes you don’t even think about things,’ he said. ‘But, I have my confidence given by my teammates because I was shooting well. I’m proud that my teammates are proud of me.’

The San Miguel Beer star knew when to attack but also when to make the timely plays.

With the score tied at 79, Perez drove the paint once more but this time, kicked it out for a wide-open Kevin Quiambao, who sank the dagger for the Philippines with 11.7 left in the game.

‘Luckily, KQ was there, I saw him and he made the shot. He has so much confidence and I’m proud of him,’ Perez said proudly.

In the end, the four-time PBA champion recorded 16 points, four rebounds and one very important assist.

Philippine travelers must brace for more expensive airfares in early September as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has again raised the allowable fuel surcharge, which airlines charge on top of base fares to account for volatility in jet fuel prices.

In an advisory dated Aug. 27, the regulator said the fuel surcharge would revert to Level 13 from Sept. 1 to 15 after retreating to Level 12 from Aug. 16 to 31, as prices in the global jet fuel market drifted higher.

Under Level 13, airlines may collect an additional P423 to P1,237 for domestic trips, up from the P389 to P1,137 in allowable surcharges under Level 12.

That same increase will apply to international flights, with allowable fuel surcharges rising to between P1,396.74 to P10,385.42 from P1,284.40 and P9,550.13 in the previous cycle.

CAB said airlines would add these charges on top of base fares and apply a conversion rate of P61.39 per US dollar.

The increase comes amid continued volatility in the global jet fuel market as the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes, remains largely closed in the absence of a firm peace agreement between the warring United States and Iran.

Based on monitoring by the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel prices recorded two straight weekly increases-to $163.87 per barrel as of Aug. 21 from $158.91 per barrel the previous week-after declining in early August and late July.

Such volatility in fuel prices has pronounced effects on airlines, as jet fuel typically account for about 25 percent to 30 percent of their costs.

Two of the largest airlines in the Philippines-Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific and Lucio Tan-led Philippine Airlines (PAL)-ended the first half in the red as higher fuel costs weighed on their finances, while elevated airfares also pressured travel demand.

PAL ended the first semester with a net loss of $25.1 million as fuel expenses surged to $674.5 million. Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, incurred a P5.9-billion net loss as expenses ballooned to P68.28 billion.

In a celebration honoring visionaries who shape the modern Philippine landscape, Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, was named one of 10 distinguished honorees at The Business Manual’s annual CEO Awards. The recognition highlights a selective group of business leaders who go beyond traditional commerce to define the future of retail, culture, and community living across the nation.

The CEO Awards celebrates leaders through a lens of purposeful excellence, evaluating nominees for transformational leadership, resilience, and a commitment to sustainable development. As one of this year’s 10 awardees, Tan was selected for his capacity to redefine the shopping center experience, continuously elevating everyday life for millions of Filipinos while cultivating a thriving ecosystem for local entrepreneurs.

For over two decades, Tan has guided SM Supermalls in evolving far beyond traditional retail spaces into vibrant lifestyle destinations-the heart of neighborhood culture, family gatherings, and community connection. The accolade reflects his passion for creating spaces where life happens, business grows, and communities flourish together.

In an intimate acceptance speech, Tan shared a deeply felt message of gratitude:

‘If this journey has taught me anything, it is that nothing truly meaningful is ever built alone,’ Tan reflected. ‘This honor belongs to our extraordinary SM Supermalls team, the Sy family for their unwavering trust and mentorship, our partner tenants who bring our spaces to life, and every single Filipino family who lets us be part of their lives. On a personal note, everything I know about hard work, kindness, and serving others comes directly from my mother-Mom, this one is for you. And to my life partner, Dos, thank you for being my constant inspiration every single day.’

Looking ahead, Tan reaffirmed a vision centered on people, lifestyle, and shared growth: ‘Our purpose remains simple and clear: to serve our communities, uplift homegrown talent, and build a brighter foundation for the next generation.’

The spokesperson for the Office of the Ombudsman continued to express doubt over the official reason given by Sen. Loren Legarda for her continued medical leave, which had been extended for almost a month now.

This was despite an earlier statement from Senate President Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian attesting to Legarda having a ‘serious illness.’

‘Well, if [Legarda] really has a serious illness, then she should have requested just one medical leave, rather than getting repeated extensions,’ Clavano said at a press conference on Friday.

Legarda and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, are under investigation over the projects that the latter’s solar power company committed but allegedly failed to accomplish under the franchise awarded by the government.

Legarda first filed a medical leave on Aug. 3, days after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that both mother and son, as well as former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, were being investigated for plunder and graft.

‘Increases suspicion’

Legarda filed the fourth extension of her medical leave until Sept. 2. Leviste also sought a two-month travel authority from the House, from July 26 to Sept. 24, Clavano earlier said.

‘The fact that both the mother and son are out of the country adds to the speculation, or increases the suspicion, of the Office of the Ombudsman,’ he said, noting that there’s a standing order for the two to submit their counteraffidavit.

Preliminary probe

‘We hope that you (Legarda and Leviste) will remain in the country for now so that we can shed some light on what happened and allow the public to know the truth,’ Clavano said, adding:

‘That’s why we are flagging their travel at this point. .. it is really very suspicious that they are there [abroad], while they have a case here that requires them to answer and appear, and that they chose to leave the country at precisely this time.’

Investigators alleged that Legarda, Leviste and Cusi ‘conspired to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions.’

Despite the awards, they said, ‘many of the projects were never developed as promised.’

The antigraft body said the terminated contracts of Leviste’s Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI) resulted in more than P10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government.

Leviste, who founded SPPPHI in 2013 when he was just 20 years old, won more than 30 service contracts with the government.

Remulla said Leviste would not have won the contracts-awarded during the Duterte administration-without his senator mother.

‘Baseless allegation’

In an earlier statement, Legarda, the former chair of the powerful Senate committee on finance, described the allegations as ‘utterly false and baseless.’

‘No public funds were involved. We are prepared to bring out the truth,’ she said. ‘This baseless allegation is a smear on my person that is totally undeserved.’

‘We remain confident that once the facts are laid bare, we will be vindicated and our names cleared,’ Legarda said.