Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A sustained downpour and blustery gusts that made for demanding conditions in the second round failed to stop Antonio Lascuña and Robert Pactolerin from putting vice grips on their respective divisions as the Stronghold Insurance Senior Open winds down on Wednesday at Hallow Ridge Filipinas Golf here.

Lascuña drained three of his five birdies in his final six holes, turning what was a disaster coming out into a brilliant display of resiliency for a 140 aggregate and a six-shot lead over Mars Pucay, who was the only one to crack par over the tree-lined, up-and-down lay-out after firing a 71 to be one shot ahead of Rico Depilo, and Rey Pagunsan.

The 54-year-old Lascuña signed for a double bogey 6 to open his round after failing to find his ball after an approach that just missed the green. His ball apparently found a hole in a drainage, and since he couldn’t identify it, lost stroke and distance that got his round off on the wrong foot.

But Lascuña is not the only five-time Order of Merit winner of the PGT for nothing, as he gathered himself coming home with a flawless 33.

‘Good that happened early,’ Lascuña, with a slight smile, told the Inquirer in Filipino. ‘I had a lot of holes left to regroup and it wasn’t easy because a lot of contenders were applying the pressure.’

Playing in the flight ahead, Pucay was one of those, with Pagunsan, who shot a 73 and Depilo, shooting a 75, gaining a lot of ground before Lascuña came in with that birdie barrage that would definitely make him hard to catch in the final round.

‘Nothing is sure in a course like this,’ Lascuña said, even as Pactolerin, the 1990 Philippine Open champion, opened up a seven-shot lead over Doming Umadhay after carding a 74 for 149, with Japan’s Tanaka Kosuke now running third.

‘It was really tough out there,’ the 63-year-old Pactolerin said in Filipino after a 37-37 round that was littered with four bogeys that resulted from winds and rain that made distance control to very small greens difficult. ‘I’m glad to have scored the way I did.’

Umadhay shot a 79 and Kosuke 78 to dislodge another former PH Open champion, Mario Manubay, from third spot. The Japanese is three behind Umadhay, making the fight for second a very interesting one on Wednesday. INQ

Finance Secretary Frederick Go has backed the House of Representatives’ proposal to extend the estate tax amnesty for another three years.

Go’s approval comes after the House of Representatives committee on ways and means on Nov. 26 approved a consolidated proposal to extend the amnesty tax deadline to Dec. 31, 2028 from the initial Dec. 31, 2024.

Earlier, Go signaled support only for an extension until June 30, 2028.

The committee had been waiting for the official Department of Finance (DOF) position paper, as discussions were delayed due to a recent cabinet shakeup.

In a statement, Go said the extension would give Filipino families more time to settle obligations on inherited properties.

Under the new deadline, applicants must complete the required documentary submissions and pay the amnesty tax by Dec. 31, 2028.

‘This will maximize the use of idle assets and boost productivity,’ Go said.

The proposal will also provide an installment payment of the tax spread over one year, which the DOF said would help ease the financial burden on families formalizing inheritance. It covers estates of descendants who died on or before May 31, 2022.

Safeguards were also put in place to curb potential misuse of the measure.

The estate tax, which is imposed under the National Internal Revenue Code, is a one-time payment for the legal transfer of ownership of a deceased person’s assets to the lawful heirs and beneficiaries.

In August 2023, a bill that would move the estate tax amnesty deadline to June 14, 2025 lapsed into law. It amended Republic Act No. 11569, which had previously extended the deadline from June 15, 2021 to June 24, 2023. – INQ

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) again deferred releasing its decision in the administrative cases against 12 police officers allegedly involved in the reported kidnapping and killing of cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).

‘The administrative cases are finished,’ Napolcom Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan told reporters in Filipino in an interview at their Quezon City office on Wednesday.

But, pressed on the resolution of the administrative case, Calinisan only said, ‘That’s all for now. We will make the proper announcement.’

Last October, the Napolcom executive officer said they already had a draft of the administrative cases’ resolution up for deliberation by the commission en banc, but they were waiting for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to first resolve the charges forwarded by state prosecutors.

Then, on Tuesday, the DOJ indicted gaming tycoon Ang and 21 others – including 14 police officers – for multiple counts of kidnapping.

Asked to react, Calinisan only said, ‘We’re happy that the criminal cases are now moving forward. As far as the National Police Commission is concerned, I only have one comment: we’re ready.’

‘We will just announce it at the proper time,’ he reiterated.

Last June, whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known as Dondon or Totoy, claimed that Ang hired the police officers to kidnap and kill the sabungeros for allegedly cheating in the games.

Patidongan and several family members of the missing sabungeros filed an administrative complaint before Napolcom against the 12 officers last July 14, and the agency formally filed the charges against the cops last July 29.

Ang denied allegations last July, calling them ‘entirely false and without basis,’ and accusing Patidongan of attempting to extort P300 million from him, supposedly in exchange for not implicating the gaming tycoon in the case. /atm

Davao City Rep. Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte has asked House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III for permission to visit, for the second time this year, at least 16 countries, according to a letter from the lawmaker.

Duterte’s office confirmed to reporters on Tuesday the veracity of his letter in which he requested a travel authority from Dy. But he insisted it was supposed to be a confidential document that was leaked to the media by someone in the House of Representatives.

‘This is to request for a travel clearance for my upcoming travel to Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore from the 15th of December 2025 to the 20th of February, 2026,’ Duterte said in his letter.

The Davao congressman also requested that he be allowed to attend House sessions and hearings virtually for the duration of his trips abroad.

No public funds

‘Rest assured that the expenses that will be incurred from this trip are from my personal funds alone. In addition, this is also to seek your kind indulgence in allowing this Representation to attend the scheduled plenary sessions and meetings virtually from the aforementioned dates. It is with esteemed appreciation if this will merit your preferential action and approval,’ Duterte added.

In March, the House leadership approved his request to visit the same set of countries, plus Northern Ireland. Sources told reporters that former House Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued the travel authority for Duterte’s trip from Mar. 20 to May 10.

It is unclear why Duterte is making the trip, but his previous multicountry travel was made after his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on Mar. 11 and taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The older Duterte is facing charges for crimes against humanity before the ICC over the drug war he waged as Davao City mayor and as the chief executive.

His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has also gone abroad multiple times this year. She has gone to The Hague five times to visit her father, as well as to Hong Kong, Kuwait, South Korea, Australia, Japan, Qatar and Malaysia, among others. She said, however, that her visits to Japan and Australia were personal in nature. /cb

As a solution to the yearly problem of heavy traffic during the Christmas season, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Don Artes said he would ask mall owners in Metro Manila not to hold mall-wide sales.

He made the remarks during a Palace briefing on Wednesday, when asked what solutions the MMDA has in response to the traffic problem, particularly after motorists driving through Marikina, Pasig, Cainta, and Antipolo were caught in gridlock along Marcos Highway on Saturday.

‘We also spoke with the LGUs [local government units] regarding mall-wide sales. Perhaps they should be temporarily prohibited because, coincidentally, when the mall closed, everyone came out at the same time, which really caused extremely heavy traffic flow.,’ he said.

He cited mall-wide sales in shopping centers outside the National Capital Region as a factor contributing to the traffic jam on Marcos Highway last weekend.

But Artes emphasized that he is not blaming mall owners for the traffic congestion; however, he noted that stopping mall-wide sales would help ease road congestion.

‘We are not blaming the mall owners. What we are saying is that we are politely asking them, if possible, not to hold mall-wide sales because they really do cause extremely heavy traffic, like what we experienced last Saturday,’ he said.

‘We are not prohibiting sales per se in individual stores. What we are only prohibiting are mall-wide sales, where all the stores in the mall have sales at the same time. So, this does not restrain trade,’ he also said.

The Christmas season always brings traffic chaos, especially in Metro Manila and nearby areas, as thousands of people shop, party, and travel to celebrate the holidays.

Adjusted mall hours took effect on November 17 to ease expected congestion ahead of Christmas Day.

Malls in the National Capital Region are now open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. until December 25, except on weekends and holidays. Meanwhile, mall-wide sales will be limited to weekends only. /mr

South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday it was considering a US stock market listing using its treasury shares as part of efforts to boost shareholder value.

SK hynix is one of the world’s leading memory chip makers – along with Samsung Electronics – manufacturing chips essential for artificial intelligence products and the data centers that the fast-evolving industry relies on.

In a regulatory filing, SK hynix said it was ‘considering various measures to enhance shareholder value, including listing on the US stock market using treasury shares, but no decisions have been finalized yet’.

The company said it was considering listing its treasury shares as American Depositary Receipts, instruments representing a foreign stock that is traded on a US exchange.

‘We will make a further announcement once the specific details are finalized, or within one month,’ it added.

AI spending

South Korea’s government has said it will triple spending on artificial intelligence (AI) next year as it hopes to propel the country into the ranks of the world’s top three AI powers alongside the United States and China.

Analysts say SK hynix’s US listing could unlock pent-up valuation in the South Korean market by drawing in global investors. In October the firm reported record profit in the third quarter, boosted by strong demand for artificial intelligence.

The strong performance followed signed partnerships with AI giants including OpenAI and Broadcom to supply advanced memory chips.

A group of ‘concerned citizens’ has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remove Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa over the alleged anomalies that were filed as cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.

At the same time, the group, which calls itself ‘Concerned Citizens and Taxpayers,’ also urged the president to request Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to expedite the investigation and the eventual resolution of cases against Herbosa.

In their Dec. 9 letter, a copy of which was also sent to the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, the group expressed ‘public worry’ on Herbosa’s supposed ‘penchant for peddling influence’ amid the cases filed against him at the ombudsman.

A copy of the letter was sent to the President through the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.

They cited the cases filed against Herbosa at the ombudsman, including the most recent one wherein a group of ‘concerned’ DOH employees charged him with graft and possible violation of government procurement laws over his alleged close times with health contractor Zuellig Pharma Corporation.

Another case cited was when an anonymous group asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Herbosa over an alleged P1.29 billion unliquidated cash transfer to the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (Unicef) for the procurement of vaccines and essential drugs.

The group also pointed out Herbosa’s ‘excessive reshuffling and demotion’ of several high-ranking officials of the DOH, leading to administrative charges also filed at the ombudsman, as well as his alleged unauthorized release of P44.6 million worth of psychiatric drugs to the Rotary Club of Quezon City that also resulted in separate criminal and administrative charges.

‘In a time when public health is critical, the last thing our people need is a health leadership mired in scandal, red tape and self-serving deals,’ the group said in its letter addressed to President Marcos, Recto and Remulla.

They said Mr. Marcos and Remulla should also consider the ‘litany of corruption cases’ filed against Herbosa and lamented that there was an ‘appalling lack of swift and decisive action’ from the ombudsman.

‘This continued inaction in the face of such egregious abuses is nothing less than an insult to public trust and a blatant abandonment of accountability,’ the group said.

The cases lodged against Herbosa would then show the latter’s ‘unfitness’ as health secretary, calling for his removal from the Cabinet.

‘The longer he remains in power, the [worse] the health of people and this nation suffer,’ the group said. ‘Now is the time to prioritize the health needs of Filipinos over personal ties, politics or institutional protectionism.’

‘The people need health programs, not health leadership compromised by vested interests,’ they stressed in their letter.

The Inquirer tried to reach out to Herbosa for his side of the matter but has yet to respond as of press time.

Several negative developments, including tough economic forecasts, a rise in jobless rate and a weaker peso, led to a decline in the capital index on Wednesday.

By the end of the trading session, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) fell by 0.28 percent, or 16.70 points, to finish at 5,959.94.

The broader All Shares Index also ended in the red, although just a dip by 0.1 percent, or 3.51 points, to 3,462.70.

Mining and oil, property, and industrial counters still booked gains. Conglomerates, meanwhile, dropped 0.54 percent.

Trading was also tepid with net value turnover at P5.81 billion.

‘The index pulled back after a two-day rally as the peso hit a record low and investors stayed cautious ahead of rate cut decisions from the Fed (US Federal Reserve) and BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) on Thursday,’ AB Capital Securities said.

Weakening peso

The Philippine peso plunged to its weakest level in history on Tuesday, reaching 59.22 against the US dollar.

Based on the ‘Asia Strategy Outlook 2026’ released earlier this month, Deutsche Bank said there was a possibility that the local currency could even crash to the 60 level against the greenback due to ‘worsening sentiment.’

Aside from the depressing movement of the peso, Philstocks financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco also cited other factors influencing trading: weak Philippine economic growth projections, the decline in September foreign investments, as well as the increase in unemployment rate.

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company was the top index gainer, jumping 2.8 percent to P66 per share.Converge ICT Solutions Inc. recorded the worst performance, sliding 3.23 percent to P14.36.

Losers continued to dominate winners at 100 to 93, while 63 names were unchanged.

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses showed why they’re the No. 1 team in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.

UST delivered a statement win in Game 2, dominating National University, 95-70, to force a winner-take-all Finals showdown on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The thrilling trilogy between the league’s storied women’s programs will go to a Game 3 for the third straight time.

The Growling Tigresses will aim to reclaim the crown they lost last year, while the Lady Bulldogs will seek to defend it and capture a ninth title in 10 seasons on Sunday at the same venue. Tip-off for the title decider is at 1 p.m.

‘We shied away from our identity in Game 1. We did not run, we did not play our defense. Now, it’s a total team effort. The first group set the tone, we have relentless defense from the start until the end of the game, I think that sets the tone for us,’ said UST head coach Haydee Ong after the wire-to-wire triumph that saw them lead by as much as 31 points, 87-56.

Coming off a stunning 79-84 loss in Game 1-their first defeat of the season after sweeping the elimination round and earning an outright Finals berth, the Growling Tigresses came out blazing, cruising to a 20-5 start behind Rachelle Ambos and Coi Danganan.

The Lady Bulldogs managed to keep within striking distance, trailing by just eight at halftime, 40-48.

But UST unleashed a decisive blow in the third period as Brigette Santos, Kent Pastrana, Danganan, and Onianwa led a 27-13 quarter to extend their advantage to 75-53 heading into the final frame.

‘We enjoyed throughout the game. We lost that enjoyment in Game 1. Today, we executed really well, we followed the game plan to a T. I hope we play the same way in Game 3,’ said Sierba, who scored 17 points on a blistering 6-of-7 shooting from the field along with five rebounds.

Santos, who was UST’s Game 2 hero last season with 27 points, was spectacular again with 15 points, seven assists, and four steals, while Ambos finished with 13 points and four rebounds.

Danganan added 11 points and three steals, while CJ Maglupay stepped up with five points and 15 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end.

Graduating guard and Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano, though contained at times, delivered eight assists and four rebounds while posting a plus-18 in her 22 minutes and 17 seconds on the floor.

The fastest-paced team in the eliminations returned to form, making the Lady Bulldogs pay for their 23 turnovers, which UST converted into 26 points, while also dominating the fastbreak, 17-4.

Tin Cayabyab led NU in the loss with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Marga Villanueva contributed 12 points.

Newly-crowned MVP Ann Pingol had eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks but was a minus-31 in her 25 minutes and 21 seconds on the court.

Angel Surada was limited to seven points, three rebounds, and two assists while committing four turnovers.

The Scores:

UST (95) – Sierba 17, Santos 15, Ambos 13, C. Danganan 11, Pastrana 8, Onianwa 8, Relliquette 6, Pineda 6, Bron 5, Maglupay 5, Soriano 1, Dajao 0, K. Danganan 0, Pescador 0.

NU (70) – Cayabyab 22, Villanueva 12, Pingol 8, Surada 7, Pring 6, Betanio 5, Solis 4, D. Medina 3, Alterado 3, Garcia 0, Canindo 0, S. Medina 0.

Quarterscores: 26-17, 48-40, 75-53, 95-70.

The Senate will fight a possible move to slash the P1.38-trillion budget for education next year.

This consensus was reached among senators during a caucus held on Tuesday, according to Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate committee on basic education.

During the caucus, Aquino said he brought up the possibility that funding for education would be slashed in the bicameral conference committee, which is set to convene on Dec. 12 to 14 to deliberate on the P6.793-trillion national budget.

‘I said, you know, I’ve been hearing things like this. Other people even confirmed it: ‘Yes, there was word going around.’ I said we should stand firm that the education budget must not be reduced. In a way, this is our offering. This is the response to all the scandals that are happening,’ Aquino, speaking Filipino, said in an interview in the Senate on Wednesday.

‘It’s not like I asked them one by one. But yesterday, I think the consensus was that we will hold firm on the education budget, and even the health budget, if I’m not mistaken,’ he later added.

According to him, they have been hearing reports that the education budget would be reduced to fund other programs instead. But he did not say if this move would come from the House.

‘Basta. Basta [That’s it],’ Aquino simply said when pressed for an answer.

He nevertheless called on the public to be vigilant and strictly monitor the bicam meetings to ensure that the education budget remains intact.

‘If we want good governance, we need to monitor the bicam. If there’s a move or a motion to slash the education budget, we should immediately protest and make it clear that reducing the education budget is unacceptable,’ Aquino said.

Aquino pointed out that the Senate has allocated more than P65 billion for the construction of around 27,000 to 30,000 classrooms in 2026; a total of P37 billion for the implementation of the Free College Law; and another P30 billion for allowances of 1.5 million underprivileged but deserving students from public or private universities, including 490,000 learners from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

‘Over 27 million students in K-12 and tertiary education will receive assistance,’ said Aquino, principal sponsor of the Free College Law.

The budget for the school-based feeding program was likewise raised to P27 billion, the senator also said. /jpv