Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A day before World Teachers’ Day, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines on Sunday staged a protest outside Malacañang, demanding a P50,000 entry-level salary.

The teachers’ group also called for a P5,000 Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), and higher government spending on education.

ACT also urged the government to allocate 6% of the country’s gross domestic product to education, saying additional funding was needed to address shortages, deteriorating school conditions and the country’s learning crisis.

The protesters likewise called for greater accountability over corruption, saying inadequate funding for education and other social services remained a concern.

‘Hamon namin sa Pangulo na patunayan ang kaniyang pagkilala hindi lamang sa mga talumpati at pahayag, kundi agarang iangat ang kalagayan ng mga guro, kawani at ng buong sektor ng edukasyon,’ said Raymond Basilio, ACT Secretary-General.

(We challenge the President to prove that his recognition goes beyond speeches and statements by taking immediate steps to improve the conditions of teachers, education workers and the entire education sector.)

Basilio said teachers and the public should be able to benefit from government revenues through better salaries, benefits and social services, rather than see public funds wasted through corruption.

‘Kung hindi matitinag ang administrasyong ito, tuloy-tuloy ding kikilos at makikibaka ang mga guro upang panagutin ang lahat ng pahirap at kurakot at baguhin ang bulok na sistema,’ Basilio said.

(If this administration remains unmoved, teachers will continue to organize and fight to hold accountable those responsible for worsening people’s hardships and corruption, and to change the rotten system.)

ACT said thousands of teachers and education workers, along with government employees and other sectors, would join a larger mobilization and march to Mendiola on Monday, Oct. 5, in observance of World Teachers’ Day.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition will hold a Mass for teachers at Quiapo Church at 3 p.m. on Oct. 4 as part of its observance of World Teachers’ Day.

Six drug suspects were arrested after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera (PDEA-CAR) operatives and other law enforcement units dismantled a suspected drug den in Barangay Fairview, Baguio City, on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Authorities seized 16 heat-sealed transparent sachets containing suspected shabu (crystal meth), weighing around 11 grams and with an estimated street value of P74,800, along with assorted drug paraphernalia.

The operation was conducted in Purok 7, Sunny Side, Barangay Fairview, by PDEA-CAR Regional Special Enforcement Teams Alpha and Bravo, the Baguio City Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit, and Baguio City Police Station 1.

PDEA-CAR Regional Director Edgar Jubay identified the suspects by their aliases as ‘Carding,’ 45, of Baguio City; ‘Mark,’ 30, of La Union; ‘Jeff,’ 34, of Cagayan; ‘Mary,’ 33, and ‘Julie,’ 31, both of Baguio City; and ‘Mila,’ 52, of Pangasinan.

Jubay commended the participating units for their coordination, which he said contributed to the successful operation.

The suspects are in PDEA-CAR custody and are set to face charges for alleged violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 15, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Mary Jane Veloso wants to use her newfound freedom to venture into farming in her hometown in Nueva Ecija to give her family a better life.

‘My real priority is simply to lift my family out of poverty,’ Veloso said in a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Oct. 1, adding that she held on to that dream even during her imprisonment in Indonesia following her arrest there in 2010.

Veloso, whom President Marcos granted absolute pardon on Sept. 24 following her repatriation to the Philippines in 2024, wants to pursue human trafficking, estafa and illegal recruitment charges against her recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, in connection with the heroin found in her suitcase upon her arrest in Yogyakarta.

She was sentenced to death in October 2010 for drug trafficking, but then Indonesian President Joko Widodo granted a last minute stay of her execution in 2015 after her recruiters surrendered to Philippine authorities.

Moving on

Veloso, however, also wants to move on and help her family any way she can. She said she plans to continue her studies as a junior high school student at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), where she was detained upon her return to the Philippines.

‘They said they would help me finish [my studies at CIW],’ Veloso, 41, told reporters.

‘I don’t want to rise out of poverty alone. I want to rise together with my family,’ she said, adding that the outpouring of support for her is a ‘blessing.’

‘I really want a piece of land to cultivate. If you just plant vegetables there, you can sustain yourself. If you plant rice, you will have your (own supply) … If I were to sell clothes or something similar, I lack training for that, and … there is no guarantee of success either,’ she said.

‘State’s duty’

For her parents, Cesar and Celia, being with their daughter is the most important thing.

‘We won’t allow her to leave us again,’ Cesar told the Inquirer in a recent interview after the Velosos were reunited with their daughter in their hometown of General Mamerto Natividad in Nueva Ecija.

He said he would support his daughter should she decide to put up a business, while Celia said she hoped Mary Jane would just enjoy her time with her family.

‘I hope she starts working on her plans next year,’ Celia said with a grin.

Lawyer Edre Olalia acknowledged the government’s role in its assistance to Veloso, but also said it is the state’s duty to protect overseas Filipino workers who fall prey to unscrupulous recruiters.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has intensified anti-drug operations across Metro Manila following the killing of two alleged drug personalities inside a suspected drug den in Tondo, Manila.

The two victims were shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside a house in Barangay 194 early Friday. Barangay officials said the house was allegedly being used as a drug den.

The Manila Police District is conducting a follow-up investigation to identify and arrest the gunmen.

‘We cannot allow illegal drugs to continue destroying our communities,’ NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said.

Abrahano said he had directed police units to step up operations, strengthen intelligence gathering and go after those involved in the illegal drug trade.

The NCRPO said its units conducted 28 anti-drug operations in the past 24 hours, resulting in the arrest of 32 people and the seizure of more than P750,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Abrahano said the Tondo killings underscored the need to detect drug activities early, disrupt supply networks and hold those responsible accountable.

‘I expect every police unit to be proactive. Do not wait for illegal drug activities to become bigger problems before we act,’ he said.

He also ordered police units to strengthen intelligence gathering, coordinate with partner agencies and take action against suspected drug personalities, suppliers and others involved in the illegal drug trade.

Adamson remained a puzzle that University of Santo Tomas still couldn’t quite solve.

On Saturday at Philsports Arena, the Soaring Falcons put the clamps on the Growling Tigers for an 85-57 victory in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, extending their mastery of a team they swept in last season’s elimination round.

The Falcons defeated the Tigers twice in Season 88, 69-59 and 97-96, and even after a full offseason of preparations, UST still couldn’t quite crack coach Nash Racela’s code.

Adamson’s greatest weapon against the Tigers was hardly a secret.

It was defense.

‘The players did their part. We gave them a game plan, and they followed it accordingly,’ Racela said. ‘I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP, if we really follow it and defend those other teams.

‘If we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100. That’s a really talented team. We just needed to work on our defense.’

Adamson did just about everything right on that end of the floor, forcing UST into 20 turnovers that the Falcons converted into 21 points.

The Falcons also made life miserable for the Tigers from the field, holding the España-based squad to 31.7 percent shooting.

Even worse for UST, the Tigers made just two of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc. Adamson, by comparison, knocked down 11 of 33 three-pointers.

And while the Falcons frustrated UST on one end, Mathew Montebon made sure they had more than enough firepower on the other.

Montebon bounced back from a four-point outing against Ateneo by exploding for 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in just over 23 minutes.

‘I just tried to tell my teammates to play confident and be decisive,’ Montebon said. ‘I just told them, if you think you have it, take it with confidence. If you don’t, get to the next play.’

Matty Erolon added 17 points, while Earl Medina scored 11 on 3-of-4 shooting from deep as Adamson improved to 2-1.

Collins Akowe’s double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds went for naught for UST, which slipped to 2-2. Amiel Acido added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Ace activated

Earlier, Kieffer Alas showed his offensive prowess anew as Ateneo erased a 17-point deficit to turn back NU, 87-76.

Alas scored seven points during a decisive fourth-quarter run and finished with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Blue Eagles improved to 3-1.

The Bulldogs came out firing, opening the game with a 9-0 run before taking a 24-15 lead after the first quarter. Their advantage grew to 36-19 in the second period before Ateneo gradually worked its way back.

After the teams traded big runs, they found themselves locked at 70 with five minutes remaining in the fourth.

That was when Alas took over.

Ateneo unleashed a 12-4 run to build an 82-74 advantage with 1:07 remaining, with Alas accounting for seven of those 12 points.

‘He really has a lot of guts,’ coach Louie Alas said in Filipino, joking about his son. ‘Kidding aside, I told him that as long as they’re not bad shots, as long as you’re open, go. That’s his role, to score.’

Andrew Bongo added 16 points, while Shawn Tuano and Travis Roberts chipped in 14 apiece for the Blue Eagles.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has mobilized its regional offices, line bureaus and field units to strengthen nationwide preparedness and mitigation measures against the ongoing El Niño, as DOST-PAGASA warns that this climate pattern may intensify into a very strong event before the end of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.

The DENR’s heightened preparations include building additional water sources, promoting water conservation, protecting watersheds and forests, preventing forest fires, safeguarding vulnerable ecosystems, and protecting personnel from extreme heat.

El Niño is expected to bring increased risks of prolonged dry conditions, reduced water availability and extreme heat in parts of the country.

‘With the critical action window now upon us, every DENR unit must proactively execute climate adaptation and risk reduction protocols,’ DENR Secretary Juan Miguel ‘Mitch’ Cuna said.

‘By closely coordinating with local government units, monitoring our vital water systems, and promoting strict conservation practices, we are taking decisive steps to protect our communities, ecosystems, and natural resources from the severe impacts of this climate phenomenon,’ he added.

The DENR has constructed small water impounding structures and rainwater harvesting systems to provide additional water supply during periods of limited rainfall.

Its regional offices and attached agencies are also strengthening water conservation, watershed monitoring, forest-fire prevention, ecosystem protection and heat-safety measures in coordination with local governments and other stakeholders.

In Central Luzon, PENRO-Pampanga and regional field units are conducting information campaigns in barangays and community colleges in Guagua and Lubao, to promote simple water-saving practices such as using buckets instead of hoses, reusing greywater, repairing leaks and harvesting rainwater.

DENR Region 3 is also monitoring possible coral bleaching linked to elevated sea surface temperatures in coastal areas, including Aurora.

In the Caraga region in Mindanao, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has advised mining companies and processing plants to manage water demand, check for leaks, harvest rainwater, and establish cooling stations and early warning systems for extreme heat.

Advisories have also been sent to provincial governors in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands to strengthen local DRRMCs and monitor critical watersheds.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 11 has strengthened health and safety measures for field personnel, including limiting high-exposure outdoor work from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing personal protective equipment and ensuring continuous hydration.

These measures help conserve water for communities during dry periods, protect forests and watersheds, and safeguard people and livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.

Water impounding structures and rainwater harvesting systems provide additional sources of water when rainfall is limited, while conservation efforts help make available supplies last longer. Protecting forests and watersheds also helps maintain the natural systems that collect, store and regulate water.

The DENR’s proactive measures support the government’s broader preparations for El Niño and the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for government agencies to prepare early for the expected dry spell.

vivo has officially launched the vivo V80 Lite in the Philippines, bringing its 10000mAh BlueVolt Battery, IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, and high-brightness display to consumers looking for a smartphone that can keep up with demanding workdays and everything that comes after. The V80 Lite starts at Php 24,999 and will be available for pre-order from October 4 to 16, 2026.

The Guinness World Record holder vivo V80 Lite is designed for young Filipino professionals whose days do not end when the workday does. From meetings, calls, and commutes to side hustles, fitness, social activities, and staying connected with family and friends, the smartphone is built around the idea of staying fully charged and fully free to move from one part of the day to the next.

Pre-order the V80 Lite and get more

Customers who pre-order the vivo V80 Lite from October 4 to 16 will receive a package of exclusive offers and freebies, including:

Limited-edition vivo Buds Air3, worth Php 1,799

vivo Silver Membership exclusive privileges via the vivo Store app

Php 1,000 pre-order discount

Four-year battery warranty, worth Php 1,510

100GB of Google One cloud storage for six months, which can be claimed until October 2, 2027

Customers can also get an additional Php 500 discount when purchasing through Home Credit at 0% interest until October 31, 2026. To claim the offer, use voucher code HCV80LITE.

The vivo V80 Lite will be available in the following configurations:

8GB + 126GB – Php 24,999

8GB + 256 GB – Php 27,999

Built for a day that goes beyond work

The vivo V80 Lite is designed for people whose smartphone use extends well beyond office hours, with three key features addressing different parts of an always-moving day.

For professionals who need their phones to keep going: The 10000mAh BlueVolt battery gives users more room to move through long workdays, commutes, and after-hours activities without constantly planning around their next charge. It is vivo’s largest battery capacity globally and is designed for users who rely on their phones from the first task of the day to everything that follows.

For people who take their phones everywhere: The V80 Lite’s IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance gives added protection for users who move between different environments throughout the day. Whether heading out for a commute, working outdoors, exercising, or meeting friends after work, the phone is built to handle exposure to dust and water under rated testing conditions.

For those who stay on the go: The V80 Lite’s 1.5k OLED high-brightness display helps keep content visible when users are navigating busy commutes, checking messages outdoors, or moving between indoor and outdoor settings. Its display is designed to support the same kind of flexibility expected from a phone that needs to follow users throughout the day.

‘Today’s professionals are not defined by a strict 9-to-5 schedule, and their smartphones need to keep up with that reality,’ said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director of vivo Philippines. ‘The V80 Lite was created for those moments when work ends but the day doesn’t – whether that means pursuing a side hustle, meeting friends, working out, or simply staying connected. We want users to have the freedom to keep going without constantly thinking about their battery or their environment.’

Stay fully charged, stay fully free

With its combination of a 10000mAh BlueVolt battery, IP68 and IP69 protection, and high-brightness display, the vivo V80 Lite is built around a simple idea: a smartphone should support the whole day, not just the working hours.

The Quezon City government has advised motorists to expect heavy traffic in some areas on Sunday due to the procession of the image of La Naval de Manila.

In an advisory, the city government said the ‘Recorrido,’ or route of the La Naval de Manila image procession, will run from Sto. Domingo Church to the Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño Parish.

‘Motorists are advised to take alternative routes,’ it added.

According to the QC government, heavy traffic is expected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following blessing stations:

Station 1. Brgy. Talayan Hall

Station 2. Masambong Brgy. Hall

Station 3. Brgy. Del Monte Multi-Purpose Hall

Station 4. San Pedro Bautista Church (Damayan)

Station 5. Brgy. Mariblo Hall

Station 6. Brgy. Paraiso Hall w/ Sta. Cruz

Station 7. Brgy. Paltok Hall

Station 8. Brgy. Nayong Kanluran Hall

Station 9. Heart of Jesus and Mary Parish (West Triangle)

Station 10. Sto. Rita de Casia Parish (Philam)

Station 11. Sto. Cristo de Bungad Parish

Station 12. District 1 Action Center (San Antonio)

Station 13. Christ the King Parish (Veterans Village)

The local government said personnel from the Traffic and Transport Management Department, Department of Public Order and Safety, Task Force Disiplina, and Quezon City Police District are on standby to manage traffic along the procession routes.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said it revoked the authority to operate and the renewal of application of two transport network companies (TNCs) over failure to meet certain requirements.

According to the LTFRB, the Leggo Information Technology and Aztech Solutions International Corp. were not able to abide by the conditions set in providing a platform for transport network vehicle service.

The agency noted that investigations conducted proved reports that the two TNCs were no longer operating.

‘The granting of the Certificate of Accreditation comes with a responsibility, an obligation and a commitment to provide the best services to the commuting public. That’s one of the conditions that must be strictly followed,’ LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua said.

‘When rules are violated, that’s when accountability begins like in the case of these two TNCs,’ he added.

The LTFRB also said that the two TNCs were penalized with cancellation and revocation of their Certificate of Accreditation after they failed to provide valid reasons over the administrative issues raised by the agency.

The application for the renewal of their Certificate of Accreditation was also revoked for failure to comply with the agency’s requirements.

With this, Pua reminded public utility vehicles (PUV) to comply with the standards and guidelines set by the agency.

‘PUV operation is a tough competition. There are operators who are more responsible and are ready to provide the kind of public transportation services that the Filipino people deserve,’ Pua said.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged economic managers to suspend, even temporarily, the excise tax on gasoline and diesel amid the continuous increase in petroleum products.

‘The economic managers should reconsider suspending the excise tax on gasoline and diesel, even if only temporarily, because oil prices have reached over $80 a barrel again and it continues to increase. There is now sufficient reason to suspend it,’ he said in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday.

‘The [excise tax] should already be suspended because diesel and gasoline are also used by logistics companies, and the cost is passed on to food prices,’ he added.

According to Gatchalian, he earlier made the same suggestion of suspending the excise tax on gasoline to help bring down the cost of goods and prevent the it from being passed on to other basic commodities.

‘It need not be for long period of time, but at least while the gasoline prices are high,’ he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier issued Executive Order No. 125, which suspended the excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene.