Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Two men sustained shoulder injuries after being hacked by an intoxicated neighbor in Purok 5, Barangay Mahayahay, late Saturday night.

According to the Don Carlos Municipal Police Station (MPS), led by Maj. Al-Nico Haman, the incident occurred at around 11:45 p.m. while the victims were having a drinking session with family members outside their residence.

Initial investigations revealed that a male suspect arrived under the influence of liquor.

Although the victims invited him to eat, the suspect declined and left, but later returned armed with a bolo.

He suddenly attacked both men, inflicting wounds on their upper and lower shoulders.

Responding police personnel rushed to the scene after receiving the report but learned that the victims had already been transported to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital (BPH) in Maramag for treatment.

Duty investigators confirmed that both victims were in stable condition and required sutures for their wounds.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, immediately report suspicious behavior, and cooperate with law enforcement to maintain peace and safety in the province.

An Asian Olympic chief said Sunday that more than 50 world records at the Games in Japan proved the event was a success, despite numerous complaints from disgruntled teams.

The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya saw a catalogue of mishaps, from athletes bussed to the wrong venues to the North Korean national anthem played for the South Korean hockey team.

There were not enough beds for the over 17,000 athletes and officials, a bigger number than the Olympics.

Countries also complained of being stranded for up to six hours at the airport on arrival.

The Games produced some elite performances, although sometimes in front of rows of empty seats.

World records were broken in sports including swimming, shooting and weightlifting.

Olympic Council of Asia director general Husain Al-Musallam said ‘numbers are facts’ as he launched an impassioned defense of the Games ahead of the closing ceremony.

‘This achievement does not come without the best environment that the organizing committee created for the athletes,’ he said.

‘The athletes cannot perform if they don’t sleep good, the athletes cannot perform if they don’t have good transportation.

‘We are here to present to you the evidence,’ he added.

To save money, there was no athletes’ village at the Games, organizers instead putting competitors in hotels, temporary wooden huts and on a cruise ship.

Some teams complained about the quality of the accommodation, including that the beds were too short in the huts.

Al-Musallam said the accommodation was ‘very well received by the athletes’ and provided a sustainable model for future Games.

Basilan State College has reached a historic milestone, having been elevated to university status.

It was formally declared the Basilan State University (BasSU) during a ceremony held at the institution’s gymnasium in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City, Basilan, on Friday.

Dr. Shirley Agrupis, Commission on Higher Education (Ched) chairperson, announced the conversion during the ceremony, which was attended by university officials, local leaders, and students.

The transition was confirmed through Ched Commission en Banc (CEB) Resolution No. 553-2026, dated Aug. 17, which affirmed that the institution had fully complied with all statutory requirements for university status under Republic Act No. 11554.

In a statement posted on its social media account, BasSU said the conferment reflects years of sustained institutional strengthening across academic programs, governance structures, quality assurance systems, research output, and physical capacity.

With its elevated status, BasSU assumes a broader educational mandate aimed at enhancing academic excellence, innovation, knowledge creation, and public service across the island province.

The legislative foundation for the university’s creation was set in motion through House Bill No. 1581, principally authored by now Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman during his tenure as representative of the province’s lone district.

The measure subsequently gained traction in the Senate through Senate Bill No. 1936, authored by then-Senator and current Education Secretary Sonny Angara. Sen. Joel Villanueva sponsored a similar measure, leading to the enactment of RA 11554, which laid the legal groundwork for the college’s transformation.

BasSU acknowledged the provincial leaders who also played a critical role in the compliance process, including Basilan Vice Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman and Lone District Rep. Yusop Alano.

As BasSU begins its new operational chapter, the university administration expressed appreciation to its academic community, government agencies, and local leaders whose long-term contributions helped the province establish its first state university.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said that it was the consensus of the senator-judges not to have former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV subpoenaed, clarifying that he was not barred from appearing before the court to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

He also said the decision not to subpoena Trillanes did not rest solely with impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.

‘No,’ Gatchalian answered when asked if Escudero prevented Trillanes from testifying, adding that it was discussed among the senators.

‘There was a consultation and there were a lot of opinions so it was not solely [Sen. Escudero’s] decision. In fact, there were several matters decided by the presiding officer that were consulted with the senator-judges first before he issued a decision or ruling,’ Gatchalian said in an interview with radio dzBB.

‘That has become a part of the impeachment process. If there are important decisions, the presiding officer consults first with the senator judges, and that included Sen. Trillanes being a possible witness,’ he added.

In a press briefing last Friday, Trillanes lashed out against Escudero for not issuing a subpoena for him – being the only witness listed by the prosecution in its manifestation for Article II of the Articles of Impeachment who did not get an order.

Article II accused Duterte of possessing unexplained wealth.

Trillanes also said he felt unwelcome before the Senate impeachment court after Escudero did not issue him a subpoena.

But Gatchalian said the prosecution panel has the right to summon Trillanes as a witness even without issuance of a subpoena by the impeachment court.

‘In fact, he was there already. It’s the prosecution panel’s decision how Sen. Trillanes’ testimony can help strengthen their case in the articles of impeachment,’ the Senate leader said.

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.