Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Jacob Cortez couldn’t help but lament La Salle’s recent woes even after getting back on the winning track in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

The Green Archers ended a two-game skid following a 112-87 romp of the University of the East Red Warriors. Billed as one of the favorites to win, defending champion La Salle has gotten off to a shaky start, splitting its first four games.

‘We didn’t play like ourselves in the past games,’ said Cortez. ‘Given the situation of the UAAP, everyone is almost tied, so every game is crucial from now on.’

Cortez dropped 15 points on a blistering 60 percent shooting clip as the Archers improved to 2-2 and kept the Red Warriors winless after five games.

Before rolling past UE, La Salle lost to University of Santo Tomas and surprise leader Far Eastern University.

Cortez and La Salle will have a tough one coming up with fierce rival and pacesetter Ateneo next on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

‘Ateneo is at the top of the standings, so we have to stay focused. How we play is how we practice. We need to do better.’

Education Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed the approval by a House of Representatives panel of P1.952 billion in budget additions for the Department of Education (DepEd) under the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 national budget.

The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) of the House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing, approved the funding boost to restore vital support to priority programs that were unfunded or reduced under the P975.96 billion allocated to DepEd in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The budget restorations and additions include P952 million for the Basic Education Facilities Fund to construct classrooms, P500 million for the School Safety and Security Program, and P350 million for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

Lawmakers also restored funding for inclusive education: P75 million for Special Needs Education, P50 million for Madrasah Education, and P25 million for Indigenous Peoples Education.

‘We are immensely grateful to our colleagues in the House of Representatives, led by Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing, for stepping up to bridge these vital funding gaps,’ Angara said.

‘Every peso added here goes directly to making our public schools safer, our classrooms less congested, and our children better equipped to learn.’

The P350 million boost for the ARAL Program will sustain tutoring and remediation for targeted learners nationwide.

During School Year 2025-2026, targeted recovery interventions helped reduce the number of struggling readers nationwide from 6.7 million to 2.2 million.

‘Learning recovery is not a one-year project; it requires continuous, steady momentum,’ Angara said.

‘Giving the ARAL Program a dedicated allocation ensures that our tutors and teachers have the resources they need to keep pulling our learners forward.’

Secretary Angara also underscored the urgency of securing P500 million for campus safety following recent security incidents.

Angara stressed that a whole-of-community approach, combining safer facilities, security measures, preventive mechanisms, and coordination with parents, local government units, law enforcement, and other partners, is critical to creating safe learning spaces.

‘Our schools must remain safe havens for both our teachers and learners,’ Angara said.

‘This funding allows us to deploy proper security personnel and protective measures on the ground, giving parents peace of mind whenever they send their kids off to school each morning.’

Regarding the PHP952 million restoration for classroom construction, Angara said that DepEd will work closely with legislative oversight to guarantee swift and transparent project execution.

‘We hear the House loud and clear on the need for accountability and timely implementation. DepEd will make sure that every classroom funded under this budget is constructed on time and built to last,’ Angara added.

As the nation observes World Teachers’ Day 2026 on Monday, an education reform group called on the government to address teachers’ concerns over salaries, workloads, staffing, benefits and the full implementation of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

‘Quality education begins with teachers who are respected, protected, adequately compensated, supported, and empowered,’ said the Civil Society Network for Education Reforms (E-Net Philippines) in a statement on Sunday.

E-Net Philippines noted that teacher organizations and advocates have pushed for various salary increases, including a P15,000 across-the-board increase and an entry-level salary of about P50,000.

The group also raised unfilled positions amid a continuing shortage of teachers needed to address rising enrollment and overcrowded classes.

‘These gaps increase teachers’ workloads and reduce the time they can devote to lesson preparation, learner support, assessment, professional development, and their own well-being,’ the group aded.

The group said salary increases, allowances, career progression and other benefits should form part of broader reforms aimed at providing teachers with adequate compensation and ensuring the rights provided under the Magna Carta.

It also highlighted the challenges faced by teachers working in last mile schools, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, Indigenous communities, conflict and disaster-affected areas and other underserved communities.

‘Sixty years after the enactment of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, teachers should no longer have to repeatedly demand rights already guaranteed by law,’ said the group.

‘Recognition must translate into resources, commitments into budgets, and the Magna Carta into real improvements in teachers’ lives and working conditions,’ the group added.

E-Net also called for a Magna Carta for Private School Teachers to ensure decent pay, benefits, job security and working conditions.

A fisherman was allegedly stabbed to death by his drinking companion while he was asleep following a heated argument in San Policarpo town, Eastern Samar, on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3, police said.

The victim, identified only as ‘Rod,’ a widower and resident of San Policarpo, was stabbed at about 4 p.m. in Barangay Binogawan, according to the San Policarpo Municipal Police Station.

Police identified the suspect as ‘Lito,’ 61, also a widower and a farmer from the same town. He was arrested at his residence shortly after the incident.

Initial police investigation showed that the victim and the suspect had been drinking with two other individuals when they got into a heated argument.

The situation later subsided, but the suspect allegedly approached the victim while he was asleep and stabbed him in the chest, police said.

Responding police officers arrested the suspect at his residence after a witness positively identified him.

The victim was rushed to the San Policarpo Rural Health Unit, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered the bladed weapon allegedly used in the stabbing and brought it, along with the suspect, to the San Policarpo police station for proper disposition.

Authorities are preparing the appropriate charges against the suspect, while the victim’s remains are subject to a post-mortem examination.

The full amount of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth has yet to emerge as prosecutors continue to piece together evidence on properties, firearms and financial transactions against what she declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), a House prosecutor said over the weekend.

House prosecutor Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list declined to give an overall figure, citing the Senate impeachment court’s sub judice rule, but said prosecutors have already presented evidence involving assets worth millions of pesos.

‘Meron pong mga lote, ‘yun pong mga baril. Siyempre nasa milyon na po ‘yung pinag-uusapan po natin doon,’ Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

‘So kailangan po kasi magbangga itong lahat ng ito doon sa mga deklarado pong mga assets sa kanyang SALN,’ he added.

Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, declared a combined net worth of P98.656 million in their 2025 joint SALN, up from P88.512 million in 2024.

The prosecution has presented land registration records involving a P6-million property in Matina, Davao City, acquired by Duterte in 2024 and a P3-million property in Samal Island registered to Carpio, both of which prosecutors said were not reflected in the couple’s SALNs.

Police Maj. Joerickson Sangalang, Records Division chief of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, also testified that Duterte had 22 registered firearms while Carpio had 29.

The prosecution said the firearms had a combined value of more than P7 million and questioned how they were reflected in the couple’s SALNs.

Ridon said those form only part of the prosecution’s presentation under Article II, with key financial evidence still to come.

‘So siyempre unang bahagi pa lang po ito, pero siyempre ‘yung AMLC isasalang po sa Lunes, ‘yung bank accounts isasalang po sa susunod pong araw, kasama po ‘yung mga insurance companies,’ he said.

The Senate impeachment court has ordered officials from seven banks and seven financial firms to testify and produce records involving Duterte and Carpio.

AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura is also expected to take the witness stand Monday.

Article II accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, failing to fully and truthfully disclose her and her spouse’s assets, liabilities and net worth, and continuing business interests while serving as vice president.

Ridon said different witnesses are intended to establish separate aspects of the unexplained wealth charge, including assets prosecutors allege should have been disclosed in Duterte’s SALNs.

‘So ‘yung hindi maipaliwanag na yaman, ‘yun pong mga pag-aari na dapat nakalagay sa SALN pero hindi nakalagay sa SALN. So iba’t ibang aspeto po ‘yung nais patunayan kada testigo,’ Ridon said.

He said the prosecution would wait for the remaining evidence before discussing an overall amount.

‘So antayin na lang natin siguro ‘yung kabuuang figures, kasi parang ayaw naming magbayad ng 30,000 fine para sabihin po ‘yung mga nakahanda na mga babanggitin po na testimonya,’ Ridon said.

Ridon was referring to the Senate impeachment court’s sub judice rule, which stipulates a fine of up to P30,000 for violations involving public statements that could affect the merits of the pending trial.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has prepared around P35 million in government cash incentives for Filipino medalists and their coaches at the 20th Asian Games, according to Chair Patrick Gregorio.

Gregorio said the computation could increase as the Philippine campaign winds down at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, an individual Asian Games gold medalist receives P2 million from the government. A silver is worth P1 million and a bronze P400,000.

That means gymnast Carlos Yulo is entitled to P4 million for his two gold medals, while pole vaulter EJ Obiena and virtual taekwondo champion Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape are due P2 million each for their golds.

Gregorio said the incentive total also covers coaches and linked the growing payout to the breadth of the Philippine medal campaign.

‘We are very happy that we won so many medals in so many sports. If I’m not mistaken, it is 18 or 19 sports,’ Gregorio said. ‘In China at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, we won in 11 sports. That is the big change, and that is what is important in the development of Philippine sports and our grassroots program.’

The PSC chief also joined the clamor to ease up on criticisms of athletes who failed to win gold, using 18-year-old taekwondo athlete Tachiana Keizha Mangin’s silver-medal run to argue against judging Filipino athletes solely by the color of their medal.

Mangin defeated Japan’s Ruka Okamoto, 2-1, in the women’s -49-kilogram semifinals before losing to China’s Ma Jingyue in the gold-medal bout.

Gregorio said Mangin had been three points behind Okamoto with one second remaining before forcing her way into the final.

‘She was down by three points against her Japanese opponent with one second left,’ Gregorio said in Filipino. ‘She was still able to land a roundhouse kick and advance to the final.’

Against Ma, both rounds ended without a scoring point, with the Chinese athlete taking each round on superiority.

Gregorio said Mangin’s reaction after both the semifinal victory and the loss in the final showed how narrow the margins can be at the Asian Games.

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.