Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

South Korea’s Asian Games football captain called it ‘disappointing’ after the country’s flag appeared to get stuck during the victory ceremony following their win over hosts Japan.

Eom Ji-sung scored the only goal as South Korea won a fourth straight title with a 1-0 victory over Japan in the final at Toyota Stadium near Nagoya on Saturday evening.

However, footage of the victory ceremony afterward showed ceremonial officials struggling to raise South Korea’s flag on the flagpole, sparking boos from Korean fans.

‘I believe an awards ceremony should be an occasion for celebration,’ said captain Lee Gi-hyuk, according to Yonhap News Agency.

‘We worked so hard to get here, so it was disappointing that they couldn’t even properly unfurl the flag.

‘I imagine the players, as well as the fans who came all this way to support us, must have been unhappy about it too.’

According to South Korean media, the flag was eventually raised properly, but only after the national anthem ended.

The Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which close later Sunday, have been dogged by organisational issues over accommodation and transport.

South Korea were also victims of a mix-up when the national anthem for North Korea was played for the South’s hockey team.

South Korean Olympic officials have been outspoken in their criticism of how the Games have been run.

Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, said during the first week: ‘If I were to give them a grade, it would be an F.’

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has backed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who defended the Philippines’ performance at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games amid criticisms.

In a statement issued by the Baguio Public Information Office on Sunday, Oct. 4, Magalong praised Gregorio for defending Filipino athletes and sports officials, describing the PSC chief’s message as ‘exceptional, passionate and strongly worded.’

The mayor said the public should ‘look beyond wins and losses’ and recognize the work, dedication and sacrifices of athletes regardless of their results.

‘Chairman Pato was right. This is the best output in so many decades,’ Magalong said, congratulating the athletes, coaches, trainers and sports officials.

According to Gregorio, the Philippines recorded its biggest overall Asian Games medal haul in 64 years, since the 1962 Jakarta Games, despite falling short of its target of eight gold medals.

He also noted that the country won medals in nearly 19 sports, compared with 11 in the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

Gregorio cited the silver-medal finish of 18-year-old taekwondo athlete Tachiana Keizha Mangin, who reached the final after defeating Japan before losing to China via superiority in a scoreless gold-medal match. He said the result should also be appreciated as part of the country’s overall performance.

The PSC chief also said sports officials attend competitions not only to celebrate victories but also to show athletes that they remain supported even when they fall short of winning medals.

Gregorio also announced plans to roll out a P100-million PSC National and Regional Youth Training Pool Program for athletes aged 16 and below across the top 40 national sports associations beginning in January.

Jhoanna Robles of P-pop girl group BINI turned her personal wardrobe into a fundraising effort as she held a closet sale for charity over the weekend.

Robles spearheaded the charity event on Oct. 3 in Mandaluyong City, where she met fans who registered for the sale. The attendees took to social media to give a glimpse of the closet sale.

The singer sold pieces from her personal collection, including brand-new clothes and pre-loved pieces. Each purchase also came with a photocard featuring the girl group member wearing the item.

The sale was part of The Cinder Project, a charitable initiative launched by the BINI leader under Burn Theory, her new passion project.

During the event, attendees were given drinks from the singer’s coffee shop business and samples of candle wax from Burn Theory ahead of its official launch.

Robles earlier said that 100% of the proceeds from the wardrobe sale would go to charity, particularly initiatives supporting local farmers.

A local perfume brand also partnered with the initiative, with 5% of its sales going to The Cinder Project. Local artists also showcased and sold their works at the event, with 15% of proceeds from sold artworks going to the project.

Monetary donations in any amount were also accepted from those who wanted to support the cause without purchasing anything.

The BINI member also received clothing donations from friends and colleagues. Among those who contributed were fellow BINI member Sheena Catacutan, the group’s stylist Ica Villanueva, and content creator couple Kath and Gene, among others.

Robles first floated the idea of selling some of the clothes she had received from fans in September, asking BINI fans, known as Blooms, for their support.

‘Would you guys be okay if I sell some of the clothes you’ve given me over the years, and 100% of the proceeds will go to charity?’ she said in a previous X post.

A 58-year-old dump truck driver died while two others were injured in a collision involving three dump trucks in Real, Quezon, on Saturday night, the police said. In a report on Sunday, the Quezon police said a dump truck driven by alias ‘Joel,’ 50, was forced to stop after another vehicle suddenly entered the highway in Barangay Tignoan at around 7 p.m. The said truck was rear-ended by another dump truck driven by alias ‘Celso,’ 48. Moments later, a third dump truck driven by alias ‘Encio,’ 58, reportedly traveling at high speed, failed to stop in time and slammed into the rear of the second truck.

The impact left Encio trapped inside his truck and critically injured. After being extricated by rescuers, he was rushed to a hospital in neighboring Infanta, Quezon, where he was declared dead on arrival. The other victims sustained injuries and were brought to a hospital for treatment. Police said the parties involved were working toward an amicable settlement.

A 58-year-old dump truck driver died while two others were injured in a collision involving three dump trucks in Real, Quezon, on Saturday night, the police said. In a report on Sunday, the Quezon police said a dump truck driven by alias ‘Joel,’ 50, was forced to stop after another vehicle suddenly entered the highway in Barangay Tignoan at around 7 p.m. The said truck was rear-ended by another dump truck driven by alias ‘Celso,’ 48. Moments later, a third dump truck driven by alias ‘Encio,’ 58, reportedly traveling at high speed, failed to stop in time and slammed into the rear of the second truck.

The impact left Encio trapped inside his truck and critically injured. After being extricated by rescuers, he was rushed to a hospital in neighboring Infanta, Quezon, where he was declared dead on arrival. The other victims sustained injuries and were brought to a hospital for treatment. Police said the parties involved were working toward an amicable settlement.

A 58-year-old dump truck driver died while two others were injured in a collision involving three dump trucks in Real, Quezon, on Saturday night, the police said. In a report on Sunday, the Quezon police said a dump truck driven by alias ‘Joel,’ 50, was forced to stop after another vehicle suddenly entered the highway in Barangay Tignoan at around 7 p.m. The said truck was rear-ended by another dump truck driven by alias ‘Celso,’ 48. Moments later, a third dump truck driven by alias ‘Encio,’ 58, reportedly traveling at high speed, failed to stop in time and slammed into the rear of the second truck.

The impact left Encio trapped inside his truck and critically injured. After being extricated by rescuers, he was rushed to a hospital in neighboring Infanta, Quezon, where he was declared dead on arrival. The other victims sustained injuries and were brought to a hospital for treatment. Police said the parties involved were working toward an amicable settlement.

The BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC), the regional political party in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that holds the ‘key’ for a party to dominate the first regular parliament said it has yet to coalesce with any group.

In a statement, the BGC said it has engaged in dialogues with the leadership of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), and most recently with officials of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

‘The BGC has yet to complete this process of dialogue and consultations. At this stage, the BGC has not entered into any coalition agreement with any political party or parties,’ it said.

The BGC said these engagements form part of their group’s continuing efforts to consult political parties and key stakeholders as the region moves toward the formation of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament.

‘We believe that any decision concerning government formation must be reached through careful consultation, meaningful dialogue, and consideration of what will best serve the interests of the Bangsamoro people,’ the BGC said.

It said it will formally announce its decision only after these consultations have been completed and the BGC leadership has reached a collective position, with consensus serving as a major factor in the decision-making process.

The BGC issued the statement after the BFP claimed on Friday that it had ‘secured the support of 46 of the 80 elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament.’

On October 30, the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Parliament will take place with the parliament members electing the chief minister and other parliament leaders.

Police seized an estimated P4.9 million worth of suspected marijuana products and arrested an 18-year-old suspect from Bacnotan, La Union.

This happened during a buy-bust operation in Urdaneta City on Friday, Oct. 2.

The suspect, who is jobless and temporarily residing in Urdaneta City, was also found in possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition, police said.

The operation yielded 27,730 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves, 511 grams of suspected marijuana kush and 240 milliliters of suspected liquid marijuana, with a combined standard drug price of P4,913,400.

Police also recovered a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, nine machine-copy P1,000 bills, and a machine-copy P500 bill used as boodle money, a .22-caliber revolver without a serial number loaded with six rounds of ammunition, and a black iPhone 15.

The suspect is in police custody.

He faces charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The operation was led by the Urdaneta City Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 1, and drug enforcement and intelligence units in the region and Pangasinan.

Police Col. Dennis de Leon, officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, noted the importance of sustained, intelligence-driven anti-drug operations and strengthened coordination among law enforcement agencies.

He said the Pangasinan police would continue to intensify operations against illegal drugs and other criminal activities to help ensure public safety and security in the province.

The provincial government of Biliran has secured some P13.846 million in educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that is set to be released this month to 3,490 students across the province, Gov. Rogelio Espina said.

Espina said the assistance was secured through requests he made to Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Rep. Gerry Boy Espina.

Of the total, 2,646 high school students will receive P3,000 each, or a combined P7.938 million, to help cover their transportation expenses.

Another 844 college students enrolled at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), including its Biliran campus and main campus, will receive P7,000 each, for a total of P5.908 million in educational assistance.

The combined assistance will amount to P13.846 million.

The program will benefit students from all eight municipalities of Biliran.

Based on the provincial government’s allocation, Naval has the largest number of beneficiaries, with 1,606 students, consisting of 1,315 high school and 291 college students. The municipality has a total allocation of P5.982 million.

Cabucgayan has 473 beneficiaries, including 394 high school and 79 college students, with an allocation of P1.735 million.

Kawayan has 334 beneficiaries who will receive a combined P1.366 million, while Maripipi has 322 beneficiaries with P1.014 million in assistance.

In Caibiran, 200 students will receive a combined P1.052 million, while Culaba has 291 beneficiaries who will receive P1.057 million.

Almeria has 145 beneficiaries with an allocation of P903,000, while Biliran municipality has 119 beneficiaries who will receive a combined P737,000.

After facing pushback from the telecommunications industry, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Friday stood its ground on the P100,000 daily fines imposed on three major operators over ‘poor’ mobile broadband service.

In a statement, the regulator maintained that both the issuance of show-cause orders and the setting of service standards for telco operators are within its mandate and being carried out in accordance with due process.

While acknowledging concerns raised by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO), the NTC insisted that it was well within its authority to impose penalties to enforce compliance with service standards.

‘The issuance of show-cause orders is part of the process,’ NTC Deputy Commissioner Andres Castelar Jr. said. ‘It gives the concerned operators the opportunity to explain [their] side, present supporting evidence and respond to the Commission’s findings, including its position on the daily penalties, its basis, reckoning point and duration.’

The NTC also maintained that the telcos had been repeatedly notified of their identified service deficiencies and given opportunities to address them.

In an earlier statement, the regulator said it had imposed the fines after its September revalidation found that poor mobile broadband signals in certain areas remained unchanged ‘despite the opportunity afforded mobile network operators to undertake urgent corrective measures.’

The daily fines-slapped on Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp.-began on Sept. 25 and will remain in place until the operators address the service deficiencies identified by the NTC.

All three telcos, however, said they received their respective show-cause orders only on Sept. 28.

Pointing this out, the PCTO said in a Sept. 30 statement that the three operators were not given ‘adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard, respond to, and contest the NTC’s findings.’

The chamber, which counts some of the Philippines’ largest telco players among its members, also questioned what it described as a lack of transparency surrounding the methodologies and parameters used by the NTC in its tests.

Joint security forces intercepted over P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a random checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay La Paz, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.

Personnel from the Naga municipal police station, with assistance from troops of the Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion and the La Paz temporary patrol base, intercepted a black Mitsubishi Montero Sport carrying the illegal cargo at around 3:55 p.m. at Purok Lubay.

Police Captain Russel Jan Parungao, information officer of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, said officers flagged down the vehicle after observing suspicious circumstances during the routine check.

A thorough inspection guided by the plain view doctrine revealed 18 master cases and 95 reams of contraband cigarettes hidden inside the SUV.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) appraised the seized smuggled cigarettes at P1,074,000.

The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the Naga municipal police station for documentation and custody before being turned over to the BOC for proper legal disposition.

A blind item has shed light on what allegedly happened behind the scenes of ‘Celeste Unscripted’ and the parts of former couple Celeste Cortesi and Jonathan Sterling’s relationship that did not make it to the show’s season finale.

According to the item, Sterling attempted to propose to Cortesi twice – first during their trip to the Maldives and later in Amanpulo.

The Maldives proposal was allegedly canceled following a physical incident that reportedly happened about a week before the trip. The account further claims that the alleged abuse was not an isolated incident and continued throughout their relationship.

The allegations offer a stark contrast to the romantic relationship presented on ‘Celeste Unscripted,’ particularly in the Maldives scenes, where the couple appeared affectionate and were shown sharing intimate moments.

The account also claims that Sterling eventually stepped away from the relationship after attempts to reconcile did not stop the alleged incidents.

It further points to three donations Sterling reportedly made to organizations supporting male victims of domestic violence and coercion, connecting his philanthropic work to the broader issue. Notably, Cortesi herself addressed her behavior during the finale while discussing the effects of medication and hormonal changes she experienced during her IVF and pregnancy journey.

The blind item, however, alleges that the behavior went beyond mood changes, claiming that Cortesi was physically abusive toward Sterling and that security had to intervene during some incidents.

It also claims that Cortesi pressured the production team to remove the proposal from the episode, while Sterling’s account of what allegedly happened was limited in the final edit.

The only comment Sterling was reportedly able to make about the situation in the finale was, ‘It was unsafe.’

‘Celeste Unscripted,’ produced by GOAT Creative Studios, documented the couple’s relationship, IVF journey, pregnancy, and plans for parenthood. The finale ultimately revealed that Cortesi and Sterling had separated.