Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Public prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has appealed to Vice President Sara Duterte to return the P73 million confidential funds (CF) allocated to her office in 2022.

His call comes as the Commission on Audit (COA) affirmed an initial decision to disallow it.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ridon even mimicked Duterte’s often-used closing statement-‘Shukran,’ an Arabic word that means ‘thank you.’

COA earlier stated that it ‘affirmed with finality’ the notice of disallowance (ND) issued against the P73 million of the P125 million CF provided to the Office of the Vice President for the fourth quarter of 2022.

The final ruling is in response to the motion for reconsideration filed by Duterte and her OVP staff.

‘On the confidential funds MR denial. Madam Vice President, please return the funds,’ Ridon said in a message to reporters.

‘Shukran,’ he noted.

COA’s resolution dated October 5 rejected the OVP’s MR against COA’s ND issued last August 8, 2024, concerning the office’s P73.287 million confidential expenses for December 21 to 31, 2022.

‘The Motion for Reconsideration of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte; Ms. Gina F. Acosta, Special Disbursing Officer; and Ms. Julieta L. Villadelrey, Chief Accountant; all of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), are hereby DENIED,’ the 15-page resolution said.

‘Accordingly, Commission on Audit (COA) Decision No. 2026-171 dated April 10, 2026, which affirmed COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office Notice of Disallowance No. 2024-002-100 (2022) dated August 8, 2024, on the confidential expenses of the OVP, for the period from December 21 to 31, 2022, in the amount of P73,287,000.00, is AFFIRMED with FINALITY,’ it ruled.

Ridon first said Duterte and other OVP staff members’ liabilities may reach P448 million if COA affirms with finality the ND on the P73 million CF under OVP and another ND on the P375 million CF in 2023.

Last April, Ridon said that the COA’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (ICFAO) has emphasized in its report that the funds must be ‘used strictly for legitimate intelligence activities.’

The commission also said the funds ‘must be supported by adequate documentation, even when certain details remain confidential.’

During the impeachment trial against Duterte, the prosecution panel presented state auditors for Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which delves on allegations of CF misuse within Duterte’s office.

At one point, COA auditor Xylene Mae del Campo said that several activities cited by Duterte’s office as the reason behind confidential expenses are not allowed.

Del Campo cited Joint Circular No. 2015-01 which set guidelines on how CFs must be used.

The activities that are not covered include tree-planting, provision of wheelchairs, and even Christmas parties.

Aside from this, state auditor Roderick Wamil also said that part of the OVP’s CF was used to buy medicines for rewards to confidential informants – a matter not allowed under the circular.

Some of the biggest names on the Asian Tour-and the brightest talents the Philippines can offer-set out to win Asia’s oldest national golf championship when Manila Southwoods, which is being spruced up to perfect championship shape, hosts the 108th playing of the PH Open in just over a month.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has stepped in to make sure that the event will be one to remember, putting up a $1 million (around P63 million) kitty for the 72-hole championship beginning Nov. 12 at the world-class Masters course of the SW complex in Carmona, Cavite.

‘It is a tradition that the PSC certainly wants to continue with,’ Chair Pato Gregorio said after making the pledge to make the tournament a big Asian Tour leg. ‘We wouldn’t want such a big event be put on the shelf.

‘It’s the Philippine Open, it’s the pride of the country.’

The Open first came to being in 1913 and has been held yearly save for seven times, the first being in 2003 because of a name dispute, the next two in 2013 and 2016 because of super typhoons that battered the country, and then four years from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frenchman Julien Sale won the revival last year also at the Masters, and he is expected to banner the foreign challenge that will try to prevent a Filipino from again winning since Miguel Tabuena triumphed in the 100th staging at Luisita.

Tabuena, who played in the final season of the now-defunct LIV 1.0 Golf League, and fellow PH Asian Games team members Justin delos Santos and Carl Corpus will be on the starting roster, with Tabuena having innate knowledge of one of the local courses he calls home.

That win was the second Open title for Tabuena, who at 32 has become the face of local pro golf, even as another past champion in Angelo Que is also given an equal chance at 47 years old since he is enjoying one of the finest two-year stretches of his career.

Meanwhile, the management of Manila Southwoods has not stopped conditioning the Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters since being awarded the rights to host the event for the second straight year.

It will be one of the narrowest versions of the Masters the field will see come the second week of November as the roughs are now being allowed to grow and the fairways reduced in width to punish errant tee shots.

The Asian Tour also did its part in making sure the event goes on as scheduled even after the withdrawal of BingoPlus as the title sponsor.

Thirty former rebels, now referred to by the government as ‘friends rescued’ from ‘former rebels,’ have begun an 11-day deradicalization and capacity-building program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Misamis Oriental.

The program, which started last week, aims to help former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels return to their communities and rebuild their lives through livelihood and other support programs.

The initiative is being implemented through the coordinated efforts of the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Army.

Several national government agencies, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity are also providing assistance and opportunities for the beneficiaries’ reintegration.

E-CLIP is a whole-of-government approach to obtain just and lasting peace, social transformation, and inclusive development. The program targets former NPA rebels and other armed groups, who are provided with cash for surrendered firearms and livelihood assistance for their reintegration to society.

The 11-day program includes training and capacity-building activities designed to provide the former rebels with new skills and livelihood opportunities.

One of the activities is ‘Uma sa Balay,’ which promotes farming and urban agriculture as potential sources of income.

In her message, Misamis Oriental Gov. Juliette Uy said the provincial government remains committed to helping former NPA rebels who need support and opportunities to start anew.

‘We welcome them as members of our community and recognize their important role in strengthening peace and development,’ Uy said.

The provincial government said the program underscores the importance of cooperation among government agencies, various sectors, and communities in strengthening peace, security, reintegration, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries.

Sylvia Sanchez and Nour Hooshmand raised the Philippine flag anew as they walked the red carpet of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea for their film ‘Ria.’

Nathan Studios took to social media on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to share photos of Sanchez, who donned a black dress with a black cape, and Hooshmand, who wore a strapless orange dress with a patterned texture, at the festival.

‘Ria,’ directed by Filipino filmmaker Arvin Belarmino, is making its world premiere at BIFF under the Vision Asia section. The 95-minute film is a Philippines-Netherlands-Norway-Saudi Arabia-Japan co-production.

The film follows Ria (Hooshmand), a folk-punk musician living in a slum facing eviction within five days. Ria and the punk community struggle against poverty, displacement and state violence.

Sanchez plays Olga, the community leader who took in Ria as an infant and raised her. Now suffering from diabetes, Olga is cared for by Ria as their community faces the threat of demolition.

‘Ria’ also stars Iana Bernardez, Veronica Reyes, Anastasia Bartolome, Kevin Regalado, Soliman Cruz, Paolo O’Hara, RS Magtaan and Andre Miguel, among others.

Hooshmand is fresh from her Best Supporting Actress win at the CinePanalo Film Festival 2026. She also appears in Rafael Manuel’s ‘Filipiñana.’ The film is the Philippines’ official entry at the 99th Academy Awards.

Sanchez, meanwhile, previously appeared in ‘I’mPerfect,’ in which she played Norma and also served as producer. The film became the Best Picture winner at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival and featured actors with Down syndrome in its lead roles.

‘Ria’ is one of four Filipino films in the official selection of BIFF 2026. The other three are ‘Filipiñana’ by Rafael Manuel, ’58th’ by Carl Joseph E. Papa and ‘Let Us through, Dear Ancestors’ (‘Makikiraan Po’) by Lav Diaz.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from Oct. 6 to 15 across Busan. The festival is presenting 316 films from 59 countries, including 247 official selections and 69 Community BIFF titles.

The festival opened with Kim Jong-kwan’s ‘The Table: Day and Night.’ Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh was named the 2026 Asian Filmmaker of the Year.

The Makati City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste for allegedly violating the Public Service Act.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the arrest warrant to reporters on Wednesday morning and provided a copy of the document.

Based on the document, the Makati RTC Branch 235 issued the warrant on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. It was signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo Moldez II.

The warrant set Leviste’s bail at P72,000.

Leviste’s case stemmed from the Department of Energy’s complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in May against him and five Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSBC) officials for supposedly failing to deliver electricity to remote and underserved areas, despite securing a legislative franchise.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, in a Viber message to reporters, confirmed that an information was filed before the Makati RTC last Sept. 29 against Leviste and SPSBC incorporators and corporate officers Hazel Iris Lafuente Buencamino and Irma Flaminiano.

‘The filing of the informations stemmed from a finding of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction that SPSBC willfully neglected and intentionally failed to comply with its obligations under its legislative franchise,’ Martinez said.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in an interview with reporters that Leviste’s two co-accused went to the Makati RTC this Wednesday to post the required P72,000 bail, adding that their arraignment was set for October 26.

Matibag likewise said Leviste must also personally go to the court to post bail.

‘Just a small thing’

Following the announcement of the arrest warrant, Leviste addressed his supporters on social media.

‘Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta. Huwag niyo akong alalahanin, maliit na bagay lang ito kumpara sa ibang nangyayari. Kayo ang inaalala ko,’ Leviste said.

(Thank you to everyone showing support. Don’t worry about me; this is a small matter compared to other things happening. It is you I am concerned about.)

Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Anisha Hassan confirmed to the INQUIRER that Leviste is still out of the country.

Leviste was last reported to be in France with his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, after they traveled abroad on Aug. 2.

The TECNO CAMON Slim 5G is now available for offline pre-order in the Philippines from October 2 to October 15, 2026, at an SRP of ?27,999.

During the pre-order period, customers can receive a free TECNO MagBadge worth ?5,999, together with additional premium benefits, a special cash discount of up to ?3,000, and a chance to win from a ?2 million cash prize pool, including one ?1 million Grand Prize.

Designed around TECNO’s ‘Make It Lighter’ philosophy, CAMON Slim 5G combines a 6.39mm ultra-slim design with a 6000mAh battery and a 50MP Sony LYTIAS 700C main camera with Super-Zoom FlashSnap – making it lighter to carry and ready to capture everyday moments as they happen.

CAMON Slim 5G Price and Pre-Order Dates in the Philippines

The TECNO CAMON Slim 5G is priced at ?27,999 in the Philippines for the 256GB ROM + 24GB RAM configuration, combining 8GB physical RAM with up to 16GB extended RAM.

Pre-orders are open nationwide from October 2 to October 15, with official sales beginning October 16. Customers can pre-order through participating TECNO stores nationwide. The pre-order period includes Burgundy Red, Matisse Black and Rebel Pink. Gossamer White, featuring an advanced 3D butterfly-inspired back design, will become available toward the end of October and is not included in the pre-order offer. The four colorways are part of CAMON Slim 5G’s emphasis on design and personal expression.

Free TECNO MagBadge Worth ?5,999 with Every Eligible Pre-Order

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For selfies and group shots, for example, users can preview the rear camera through the MagBadge and trigger the shutter remotely, helping make it easier to frame photos while using the phone’s main camera.

The TECNO MagBadge has an SRP of ?5,999 when purchased separately, making it one of the most valuable additions to the CAMON Slim 5G pre-order package.

Premium Pre-Order Benefits Worth ?10,000

In addition to the free MagBadge, eligible CAMON Slim 5G pre-orders come with a package of premium benefits worth ?10,000, including:

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Together, these benefits are designed to extend the CAMON Slim 5G experience beyond the device itself, from photography and personalization to storage and after-sales support.

Pre-Order Early and Get Up to ?3,000 Special Cash Discount

Customers who pre-order the CAMON Slim 5G can also receive a special cash discount of up to ?3,000, depending on when they claim their device.

Claim Date Special Cash Discount

October 16-17 ?3,000

October 18 ?2,500

October 19-23 ?2,000

The earlier customers claim their pre-ordered CAMON Slim 5G, the bigger the available special cash discount. Applicable promotional terms and redemption mechanics apply.

Light to Hold. Fast to Catch.

Beyond the pre-order offers, CAMON Slim 5G is built around two things people experience every day: carrying their phone and capturing the moment.

At only 6.39mm thin, CAMON Slim 5G is designed to feel noticeably slimmer and easier to carry throughout a busy day, while still fitting a 6000mAh battery inside its lightweight form.

Photography is equally central to the CAMON Slim 5G experience. Its 50MP Sony LYTIAS 700C Ultra-Night Main Camera provides a strong imaging foundation, while Super-Zoom FlashSnap is designed for moments that happen quickly and may not wait for the camera. Supporting up to 2x telephoto snap shooting, FlashSnap uses AI-assisted capture to help freeze spontaneous movement – from a child performing or a pet jumping, to sports, concerts or friends laughing together.

Burgundy Red Leads CAMON Slim 5G’s Fashion-Forward Design

CAMON Slim 5G also puts greater emphasis on design than a conventional specification-led smartphone.

Its hero Burgundy Red colorway combines fiberglass and a matte texture, balancing deep red and brown tones with a velvet-like finish that gives the device a warmer, more refined character. Together with the ultra-slim body, the finish makes CAMON Slim 5G feel less like a conventional piece of consumer electronics and more like something designed to fit naturally into personal style.

Other options include Matisse Black and Rebel Pink, followed by Gossamer White later in October.

Chance to Win ?1 Million from a ?2 Million Cash Prize Pool

Customers who participate in the CAMON Slim 5G pre-order campaign will also have the opportunity to win from a total ?2 million cash prize pool.

The campaign offers 101 winning chances:

1 Grand Prize winner – ?1,000,000

100 winners – ?10,000 each

Each valid CAMON Slim 5G pre-order during the promotional period qualifies for an entry, subject to the official campaign mechanics.

While the free MagBadge gives every eligible pre-order customer an immediate added benefit, the cash prize campaign gives buyers another chance to make something bigger in life a little lighter.

Up to 24-Month Installment Options

TECNO is also working with a wide range of official financing partners in the Philippines to make CAMON Slim 5G more accessible.

Participating partners include Home Credit, Skyro, Salmon, PayJoy, BillEase and Kredivo, as well as participating credit card installment providers.

Depending on the partner and applicable promotion, customers can enjoy installment plans of up to 24 months, together with benefits such as up to ?1,000 discount or cashback.

Selected fintech partners may also offer special raffle promotions, giving eligible customers a chance to have loan balances of up to ?84,000 waived.

Terms, eligibility, installment periods and promotional mechanics may vary by partner.

Free Globe Prepaid SIM with One Year of Unlimited 5G Data

TECNO has also partnered with Globe for the CAMON Slim 5G launch. Eligible customers who purchase CAMON Slim 5G can receive a free Globe Prepaid SIM with one year of unlimited 5G data, giving users an additional connectivity benefit as they experience the new 5G smartphone.

Pre-Order CAMON Slim 5G Until October 15

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The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the northeasterly wind flow will continue to bring rains over several areas in the country until Thursday, Oct. 8, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported in its 4 p.m. weather advisory that the ITCZ, or the convergence of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres, will affect Mindanao, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Palawan, and Southern Leyte.

Affected areas may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the northeasterly wind flow may bring cloudy skies with rains over Batanes, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.

The weather bureau warned that flash floods or landslides may occur due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

Pagasa also said that Metro Manila and the rest of the country may continue to see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

It added that flooding and landslides may also occur during severe thunderstorms.

The reward of a military service exemption for gold medal-winning South Korean athletes could be abolished or reduced in future after public backlash to some controversial comments from winners at the Asian Games.

Three players from the men’s soccer team came under fire for comments following South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final last weekend in Japan.

All three apologized but a broader debate had already reignited over whether athletes should receive special treatment for sporting achievements, particularly as ordinary citizens – and even members of BTS, the globally famous K-pop group – had to complete their mandatory service.

Criticism intensified on Tuesday and, on Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young told the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee that the alternative military service exemption system for artists and athletes ‘will inevitably have to be scaled back.’

‘It is true that the system has contributed to helping outstanding artists and athletes maintain and develop their abilities,’ Cho said. ‘However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed. I agree that the system should be comprehensively reviewed once again.’

Military service

Most South Korean men must start 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28. Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.

What they said

Three of the soccer players, including Yang Min-hyuk, who assisted the winning goal against Japan, made comments that were viewed as insensitive.

‘The medal and winning the championship weren’t important. I played the game with only one thing in mind – the reward of a military-service exemption,’ Yang, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2025 and is currently on loan at Belgian club Westerlo, said.

Newcastle United midfielder Park Seung-soo posted a photo on social media showing him wearing a cap associated with soldiers who have completed their service. In a post-match interview, captain Lee Gi-hyuk held up his gold medal and said, ‘I’m not going to the military.’

A number of politicians, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said it was time to change.

‘Some players’ remarks after the match were outrageous,’ Ahn posted on social media. ‘Even the captain bragged about not having to serve in the military. Are all the young people who enlist every year fools?’

Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min said the flippant comments had provoked resentment and asked: ‘Is it really fair that BTS has to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists are exempt?’

In a Korea Herald editorial Tuesday, the newspaper declared that the practice was outdated.

‘South Korea now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading nations,’ the newspaper said. ‘The days when finishing first in Asia could meaningfully enhance the country’s national prestige are long gone. It is time to reconsider.’

That was the message from Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna during a press briefing in Seoul.

‘Ultimately, we have plans to cut back or scrap the supplementary service, including one designed for artists and athletes,’ Chung said. The soccer players were among many winners from the Asian Games who qualified for the military exemption.

Golfer Tom Kim won the men’s singles on Saturday after flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended so he could compete in Japan. Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach.

‘I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,’ he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday accused now-dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. of weaponizing his anger against former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to tear down her political reputation.

In a press conference here, Duterte read from a prepared statement to refute the allegations contained in a Sept. 14 affidavit of Gracioso, a former security aide of Velasco, who claimed to have delivered cash payoffs to her at least 10 times from 2018 to 2020.

Duterte showed screenshots of her conversation with Velasco, who is still out of the country with his wife, Rowena, about what could have motivated Gracioso to spin the serious accusations.

Clearly, Velasco and Gracioso ‘had a misunderstanding over money,’ Duterte said. She cited the account of Velasco about Gracioso asking for money from them to defray supposed hospitalization expenses.

The request for assistance did not happen, as the Velasco couple supposedly preferred to pay for the bills themselves, but Gracioso preferred to receive cash.

‘Ano man ang problema o hindi pagkakaunawaan nila Lord at Gracioso, hindi dapat ako idadamay sa kanilang personal na alitan sa pera. Hindi dapat gamitin ang aking pangalan sa paghihiganti, sa mga kasinungalingan at pagpapalakas ng walang ebidensyang impeachment complaint, at sa paninira sa pulitika,’ Duterte appealed.

She accused Gracioso of being aided by ‘script writers’ who are able to spin tales from every information that they get to hold, if only to bolster their smear campaign against her.

She said they have information about efforts to pay off people willing to testify to the supposed truthfulness of Gracioso’s claims.

‘Kumpirmado ko na may mga negosasyon sa pera para sa mga posibleng tumestigo sa mga imbentong kwento sa mga maleta ng pera na umano’y ibinigay sa akin,’ Duterte said.

She said among those offered was her former aide, Jefry Tupas, who was allegedly enticed with money and a chance for her family to live in Forbes Park.

Duterte lamented that Tupas appeared vulnerable because she is not currently employed and is ill. Tupas reportedly left the Office of the Vice President, where she heads the media and public relations section, in October last year.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will request an Interpol Red Notice against Batangas 1st. District Rep. Leandro Leviste, who is reportedly in Germany, after an arrest warrant was issued against him.

‘Apply-an na namin sa Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes para makakuha ng Red Notice,’ Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

(We will apply through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes to obtain a Red Notice.)

Remulla also said that Leviste may be in Germany.

Earlier, the Makati City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against Leviste over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also confirmed the warrant on Wednesday morning and released a copy of the document to reporters.