Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

An alleged bomb threat was reported at National University-Mall of Asia (NU-MOA) in Pasay City, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday.

In a spot report, the NCRPO said it received the report at around 7:50 a.m. Thursday, while the alleged bomb threat was posted on NU-MOA’s Facebook page at around 11:26 p.m. Wednesday.

The police noted that a personnel of the Safety Office of NU MOA received information through Facebook Messenger regarding an alleged bomb threat posted on NU MOA’s Facebook page. It was then relayed to a customer relations representative of MAAX Building in MOA who reported the alleged threat to the Police Sub-Station 10 on Wednesday morning.

Police officers then went to the university to verify the alleged threat.

‘The Pasay EOD/K9 Unit, BFP [Bureau of Fire Protection] Pasay, and the Investigation Section of the Pasay City Police Station were immediately notified and coordinated for appropriate response and assessment. Likewise, investigators from the Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS) of this police station were also informed and immediately conducted the necessary investigation,’ the NCRPO said.

Meanwhile, the NU MOA announced that its morning classes on Thursday will be held through its remote learning modes instead of onsite while on-site classes and examinations ‘are expected to resume’ starting 1 p.m.

The university has not issued a statement regarding the alleged incident as of this posting time

The water level at Laguna de Bay remained at 12.65 meters, still above its critical-high mark, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) reported on Thursday.

In its 9:15 a.m. advisory, the LLDA said the lake’s water level exceeded its critical-high level of 12.50 meters ‘due to persistent torrential rains brought by the southwest monsoon and a Low Pressure Area.’

The latest reading was unchanged from Wednesday’s 12.65-meter level.

However, it remained 2 centimeters lower than the 12.67-meter level recorded at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The LLDA considers 10.50 meters as the lake’s critical-low water level and 12.50 meters as its critical-high level.

The agency urged lakeshore residents to remain vigilant and closely monitor official announcements.

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

Meanwhile, the fisherfolk’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) reported on Tuesday that more than 20,000 kilograms of tilapia and bighead carp have died in another fish kill episode at Laguna de Bay.

The group said the incident affected more than 30 fish cages covering over seven hectares in Jala-jala town, Rizal, with initial losses estimated at P700,000.

Fishers and operators suspect chemical waste may have contributed to the fish kill.

The LLDA has yet to issue a report on the incident.

In an Aug. 21 advisory, however, the LLDA said prevailing cloudy conditions and elevated lake levels were generally less favorable for immediate algal growth, which typically thrives in warm, sunny, and stagnant conditionsThe agency said warming waters can accelerate algal growth, which decomposes and consume dissolved oxygen in the water. The agency said dissolved oxygen levels below 5 milligrams per liter can already stress fish, while further depletion may result in fish kills.

Despite the recantation of some potential witnesses, cases related to the flood control anomaly will be filed against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday.

‘Yes, why not? It’s already there anyway,’ Remulla said in Filipino on the sidelines of a Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed budget for the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘[The looming cases] are just there. We’re not stopping, and we have not stopped. We have been working hard, and it will come out very soon. You just relax, we’re almost there,’ he told reporters.

He said the recantation by some of the former security aides of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, including former Marine Orly Guteza, who withdrew his testimony before the Senate that he had delivered suitcases containing millions of pesos in cash to Romualdez’s residence, was merely a ‘smokescreen’ tactic to divert attention from the former House speaker.

‘That’s nothing. … That’s only a small part of the case. Of course, that’s being played up by his lawyer,’ he said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman is taking a careful approach to ensure it can build and file a strong case against Romualdez, who, he said, has vast resources to manipulate people, including the media, and shield himself from accountability.

‘There’s just a lot that really needs to be finished so we can file a strong case… weak cases cannot be filed here. He has a lot of money… a lot of lawyers,’ Remulla said.

‘As you can see, everyone is on the payroll. There are a lot of lawyers talking, you know that. I will not be surprised if they also attempt to… offer you whatever. I will not be surprised. He has too much money; it’s the people’s money,’ he added.

Ade Fajardo, Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson, earlier lashed out at the Office of the Ombudsman anew, questioning why the anti-graft body appears to be fixated on his client when there is supposedly no evidence against him

Philippine stocks edged higher on Thursday as the peso paused from its record slide, with investors awaiting August inflation data.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) rose 0.27 percent, or 16.19 points, to close at 6,069.42.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the market drew support from the slight respite in the peso and optimism ahead of Friday’s consumer price index (CPI) report.

Still, uncertainty surrounding developments between the United States and Iran capped the gains.

‘Overall, sentiment remained cautiously positive as investors awaited fresh inflation data for further direction,’ Limlingan said.

AB Capital Securities Inc. likewise said the PSEi traded within a tight range during a quiet session.

Additionally, investors are expecting August inflation at 6.1 percent, slightly slower than the 6.2 percent recorded in July.

The brokerage said the next key test for the PSEi’s 6,000 support level would be the inflation print.

Meanwhile, the peso stood at P62.52 against the US dollar, up 0.06 percent, after a string of record lows. Oil prices, meanwhile, remained around $95 per barrel.

Market turnover was thin at P4.26 billion, net of extraordinary block sales.

On one hand, foreign investors remained on the selling side, with net outflows of P342 million.

Most sectoral gauges advanced. Mining and oil led with a 5.61-percent jump, followed by property at 0.77 percent and industrial at 0.75 percent.

Holding firms gained 0.43 percent, while financials added 0.14 percent. Services was the lone decliner, slipping 0.12 percent.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. was the top index gainer, surging 5.56 percent to P17.10.

Universal Robina Corp. was the biggest index laggard, falling 2.32 percent to P59.

The broader market was positive, with 119 gainers beating 85 decliners.

With an incomplete roster of senator-judges participating in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, some senators looking at the possibility of lowering the 16-vote threshold to either convict or acquit the vice president, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Thursday.

When Duterte’s impeachment trial commenced on July 6, three senator-judges were already unable to participate, but the Senate impeachment court ruled that the two-thirds vote required to make a final ruling on the vice president’s case would be maintained.

Twenty-one trial days have lapsed since the ruling was made, and Zubiri admitted that some of his colleagues are concerned about the voting threshold.

‘There were some colleagues who would like to revisit the threshold… dahil kasi may mga nasa kulungan at isa pugante-at-large,’ Zubiri told the media.

(There were some colleagues who would like to revisit the threshold… because there are some in prison and one is a fugitive-at-large.)

‘I think some of them have concerns about the threshold. So the best way to do that is to debate about it and seek a ruling from the presiding officer,’ Zubiri added.

Moreover, Zubiri did not dismiss the possibility that senators may take up the matter to the Supreme Court.

When presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero announced the court’s ruling on the voting threshold, he also reminded that those who disagree with the 16-vote rule may seek judicial relief through the high court

Asked whether some senators hoped that there would be a ruling on lowering the voting threshold, Zubiri answered in the affirmative.

Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa has been on the run since May 14 from his arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity issued by the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was placed on a 90-day preventive suspension on June 16 by the Sandiganbayan after his arrest on June 1 for plunder.

Likewise, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested for plunder on July 6.

In August, Sen. Loren Legarda failed to attend the impeachment proceedings after taking consecutive medical leaves. Zubiri, and previously Sen. Panfilo Lacson, said that Legarda is facing a ‘serious’ medical condition.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday defended his agency’s proposed P51.4-million confidential funds for 2027, saying the office is now ‘more aggressive’ in its investigations.

‘I think we’re more aggressive in pursuing investigations, Your Honor, and purchasing information and other things needed that requires confidential funds to be utilized,’ Remulla responded when asked by Senate finance committee chair JV Ejercito why the need for such an amount.

Ejercito led the budget deliberation for the Office of the Ombudsman, which has a proposed budget of P7.23 billion for next year.

The lawmaker noted that the OMB, during the time of Remulla’s predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, had only P1 million in confidential funds.

The Office of the Ombudsman was originally seeking around P148 million for its confidential expenses under its budget for 2027. But the Department of Budget and Management only recommended P51.4 million for its confidential expenses.

Senators expressed support for the proposed P51.4-million being requested by the OMB, with Senate Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III saying the amount is ‘a drop in the bucket,’ given the agency’s mandate.

‘That should be a drop in the bucket, if you think about it, for what the work the Ombudsman is doing. As a matter of fact, there was one office, one office of government that had P125 million – five times – for confidential funds,’ said Sotto.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian agreed that the [P51 million] is ‘minuscule compared to the gravity of the corruption cases that we are embroiled in, and the Ombudsman is tasked to resolve all of those corruption issues.’

‘Admittedly, legitimate purchase of information is needed to establish the evidence, make the cases stronger, and be able to file cases and win the cases,’ he said.

‘We can’t just file cases. We must win the cases. So I think the P51 million is well justified so that we can strengthen the cases that we will file,’ he pointed out.

Ejercito said they will ensure that confidential funds will be confined only to law enforcement agencies, investigative agencies, and offices connected with national security.

‘And, of course, the Office of the Ombudsman, in its drive against corruption, will be one of them,’ the senator noted. ‘And I think [P51] million will be very much justified. That’s actually low compared to P1 million before. That’s why I said, I don’t know if [the agency] was working. With only P1 million, what can you purchase with that?’ he wondered.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. asked urged country’s inventors and innovators to work with the government in addressing food insecurity, flooding, energy shortages, and other challenges facing the country.

In his speech at the 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards National Competition Awarding Ceremony on Thursday, Marcos said his administration would continue to support them in turning their ideas and inspirations into usable breakthroughs.

‘To every innovator across the country: I know that you have come a long way to reach this point. I also know that there is still much to do to turn your ideas into solutions that can improve the lives of our people, our communities, and our nation,’ he said in his speech at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City.

‘I call on each of you to work with the government in addressing modern challenges-from food insecurity, flooding, soil erosion and energy shortages,’ the President added.

Marcos also expressed his commitment to creating an environment where more inventors and innovators can pursue their ideas.

‘This administration appreciates your efforts in helping building a safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable life for every Filipino,’ he said.

Citing a famous quote from Thomas Edison, the President commended the inventors and innovators for their curiosity and discipline in creating and pursuing new ideas, as well as their determination to make a difference in the lives of others.

‘After all, whenever I read phrases like that, I am reminded of Thomas Edison’s answer when he was asked to define his genius. And his answer was rather simple and he said, ‘my genius consist of one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration’,’ he said.

‘So, that sticktoitiveness, that persistence, that commitment to it is a critical part of everything that we have achieved here,’ Marcos said.

The five winners out of 16 finalists of this year’s Presidential Filipinnovation Awards National Competition are as follows:

– Compact Easy to Operate and Economical Biodiesel Reactor for Benteng Diesel, Capistrano Research and Development on Biotechnology

– Philippine Native Chicken helping Industry through Scientific Innovations, Golden Sprout Corporation

– Saltric Marissa Turbine: Turning Rivers into 24/7 Power for Off-Grid Filipino Communities, PDG Engineering Services

– Gasification Process for Waste Disposal: Advance Waste Solution, Vic Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services, Inc.

– OstreaVent2 A Prototype Ventilator for Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients, Breath of Life Foundation, Inc.

The awardees received P3.5 million worth of cash grants and post-competition support which includes training and mentoring, participation in local and international platforms, and opportunities to connect with potential investors, clients, and business partners.

Tropical Storm Pilandok (international name: Krovanh) exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Thursday morning and is not expected to directly affect the country, according to the state weather bureau.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), weather specialist Leanne Loreto said that Pilandok exited the PAR as of 4:30 a.m.

It was last estimated 1,030 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 4 a.m. It maintained its strength as it was still carrying a maximum wind speed of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

‘Less likely na papasok ito sa PAR ulit at hindi na rin makakaapekto sa panahon,’ Loreto said.

(It is less likely to re-enter the PAR and this will not affect the weather conditions.)

Meanwhile, Loreto said that the southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to prevail in parts of Luzon on Thursday.

She noted that habagat will bring significant rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.

She added that Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, and Oriental Mindoro will experience scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to habagat.

On the other hand, Visayas and Mindanao will see hot and humid weather conditions with low chances of rainshowers.

Gale warning was also raised in Batanes and Western Babuyan Islands.

Face-to-face classes from preschool to Grade 12 in Baguio City and Benguet province have been suspended on Thursday, as heavy rains and strong wind pound their communities.

Acting Baguio City Mayor Faustino Olowan announced the suspension in anticipation of poor weather conditions that have affected the mountain city for weeks.

Olowan said authorities would issue further announcements on early Thursday morning depending on the prevailing weather and local conditions.

In Benguet, Governor Melchor Diclas ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes from preschool to senior high school, including classes for Alternative Learning System (ALS) enrollees, in both public and private schools across the province through Executive Order No. 2026-68.

Schools were encouraged to implement appropriate learning continuity measures to make up for the disruption.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed Baguio City and Benguet under a yellow rainfall warning until the afternoon of Sept. 3.

No ticket holder won the jackpots in the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws Thursday, Sept. 3, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Super Lotto 6/49 winning combination was 15-45-13-18-08-02 for a jackpot of ?25.24 million. No ticket matched all six numbers.

The Lotto 6/42 winning combination was 13-14-39-30-28-32 for a jackpot of ?25.01 million. The jackpot also had no winner.

Minor games

PCSO also released the results of the day’s other lotto draws:

6D Lotto: 4-3-7-4-3-2 – ?1.78 million – no winner

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 2-2-4 – ?4,500 – 459 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 6-2-2 – ?4,500 – 172 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 1-0-6 – ?4,500 – 600 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 12-16 – ?4,000 – 195 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 15-22 – ?4,000 – 142 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 05-21 – ?4,000 – 337 winners

Draw schedule

Super Lotto 6/49 draws are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, while Lotto 6/42 draws take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.