Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

For Elizabeth Mortera – or Nanay Beth, as visitors of her modest roadside diner in Quezon City call her – the Michelin Guide citation is not merely a prestigious recognition. For her, it is a lifelong mark that adds more flavor to the dishes they serve their customers.

Nanay Beth said that since her Morning Sun Eatery received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in November for serving honest, soulful, and affordable Filipino fare, their income has doubled as customers have begun lining up for their Ilokano dishes.

‘Just from the line of customers, in less than two or three hours, our first dish is already sold out,’ Nanay Beth said in Filipino, as cited in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) press release.

‘We increased the kilos and quantity of our dishes; from 15 kilos, we doubled it. Dinakdakan, dinuguan, barbecue, and pinakbet. this is our culture. So it’s heartwarming to accept that this is what people are looking for,’ she added in Filipino.

On Friday, the DOT held the Resto-Run Caravan, which made stops at 15 Michelin-recognized restaurants and food establishments in Metro Manila, including Gallery by Chele in Taguig City; Kasa Palma, Ramen Ron, Pilya’s Kitchen, Hapag, Aya, and Taupe Dining in Makati City; as well as Inato, Metiz, and Automat in Chino Roces. This followed the turnover of Michelin plaques to 53 awardees during a ceremony at Novotel Manila in Quezon City.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met with the Michelin awardees, many of whom shared how the recognition has impacted their lives.

According to Chef Josh Boutwood, owner of Helm, which received the first two-star Michelin rating, the recognition made them ‘super hyped’ and excited to keep evolving as much as they can.

Meanwhile, Offbeat Bistro chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano, who received the Michelin Young Chef Award, said their Makati-based restaurant has begun drawing more foreign and local diners after the recognition.

For Underbelly co-owners and head chefs Jackson Chua and Noel Mauricio, the Michelin award boosted their business across their various establishments.

Manam operations manager Jen Manangan said the Michelin distinction was an honor for a Filipino restaurant like theirs, especially since it is their first time receiving the recognition.

Chef Jordy Navarra, owner and head chef of the one-star Toyo, expressed appreciation to the DOT for its support in ‘putting a life in what all of us do and also in a way how it ties in with the agriculture and hospitality.’

Frasco said the Michelin Guide’s arrival comes ‘at a moment when Filipino cuisine is gaining global attention.’

‘We continue with the celebration of the culinary excellence that pervades our nation, with the handing out of the Michelin Guide plaques that will be prominently displayed in each and every one of your establishments as a reminder and as a symbol of the sacrifice it has taken to be here – the work that all of you have done collectively to advance culinary tourism and gastronomy in the Philippines, as well as the hope of all that is to come,’ Frasco said. /jpv

The petitioners who challenged the transfer of the P60 billion funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury welcomed the Supreme Court (SC)’s decision to return the funds to state health insurer, emphasizing that the ruling is a ‘win’ for Filipinos who rely on the agency’s healthcare services.

The petitioners, former Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, various labor and medical groups, Bayan Muna leaders, and the 1Sambayan Coalition with members of the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 1975 and healthcare workers, challenged the Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Department of Finance Circular No. 003-2024 and the attempt to transfer PhilHealth’s P60 billion funds.

In a statement released by former Supreme Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the petitioners said that the SC ruling ‘ensures that PhilHealth funds remain exclusively for healthcare services and are protected from diversion.’

Carpio was one of the petitioners who asked the SC to block the transfer of funds to the National Treasury.

‘This ruling is a win for every Filipino who relies on an adequately funded and functioning PhilHealth,’ the petitioners stressed.

The petitioners also expressed gratitude to the high court for affirming that public health funds ‘must be safeguarded, transparent, and used solely for the people’s benefit.’

The SC declared void the Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the Department of Finance Circular 003-2024. The Special Provision 1(d) of the 2024 GAA authorized the return of ‘fund balance’ or excess reserve funds of government-owned or controlled corporations to the National Treasury.

The P60 billion funds of PhilHealth is part of the state health insurer’s P89.9 billion in unused funds.

PhilHealth remitted P60 billion to the National Treasury in compliance with the 2024 GAA provision and the DOF circular which directed the agency to transfer P89.9 billion to the National Treasury. However, the SC found that the special provision in the GAA is ambiguous for its concept of ‘fund balance,’ which is not defined in the 2024 GAA. /mr

No jackpot was won in Saturday’s Grand Lotto 6/55 and Lotto 6/42 draws, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Grand Lotto 6/55 winning combination was 52-08-35-37-42-32, with a jackpot of ?180.68 million. PCSO said no ticket matched all six numbers.

The Lotto 6/42 draw produced the combination 37-33-36-38-14-39 for a jackpot of ?31.46 million. No bettor won the top prize.

Minor games

6D Lotto: 2-6-7-6-2-0; ?596,528.56; no winner

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 7-3-0; ?4,500; 314 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 6-1-7; ?4,500; 333 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 8-2-7; ?4,500; 445 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 12-03; ?4,000; 583 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 08-22; ?4,000; 481 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 09-28; ?4,000; 695 winners

Draw schedule

Grand Lotto 6/55 draws are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.Lotto 6/42 is drawn every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The local government here lighted an 88-foot Christmas tree on Friday night, officially opening its month-long Paskuhan Festival, bringing vibrant colors and vibes to this city known as Mindanao’s ‘Little Hong Kong’ that ignites local tourism.

Along with the Christmas tree lighting was the opening of the dancing fountain and a pyromusical show in a multi-venue synchronized fireworks display, and the first drone show in the city.

Councilor Lance Co said that they upgraded the event this year from ‘plain celebration to a festival since festivals are ways of attracting investors, and it’s a part of the marketing strategy in creating bigger opportunities in the city.’ On December 1, the city unveiled its ‘Food STreat’ fair, where food stalls lined up along the city’s Pajares Avenue, highlighting different delicacies prepared by 68 Pagadian-based micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

The city government closed a portion of Pajares Avenue, beside the city plaza, to provide an area for these stalls and spaces for tables and chairs where locals and visitors could enjoy the food offerings.

‘We have required these stall owners and their workers undergo food safety and food handling seminars, to ensure that the food they serve are safe for all,’ Co said.

Apart from Christmas merrymaking, the festival will also feature activities for the New Year’s countdown. Its tailend will connect to the city’s 2026 Pasalamat Festival in January.

Hazel Lu, president of the Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (PZCCIFI) told the Inquirer that the Paskuhan Festival in is expected to draw more visitors this year, ‘and this will translate to an increase in economic activity which will benefit the community.’ /jpv

Four justices of the Supreme Court (SC) have asserted that there is no criminal liability that can attach to then Finance Secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who ordered the remittance of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) P60 billion worth of unused funds to the National Treasury.

This came after SC recently ruled unanimously in favor of returning the P60 billion excess funds to PhilHealth.

The SC said in its press release on Saturday that four Justices who submitted their respective separate opinions noted that Recto solely ‘acted in good faith in implementing Special Provision 1(d).’

Special Provision 1(d) permitted the return of fund balances or excess reserve funds from government-owned or -controlled corporations to the National Treasury to fund unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

‘Simply doing his job’

According to Associate Justice Raul Villanueva, to hold the former chief of the Department of Finance (DOF) liable in any way ‘is like punishing him for simply doing his job.’

‘If he did not comply with the valid dictates of Special Provision 1(d), then he may possibly become culpable of violating the law, which would have made his situation even worse,’ Villanueva said, as cited in the SC’s press release.

Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario said no liability for technical malversation may attach to Recto, adding that the former Finance chief ‘carried out the statutory commands in good faith, pursuant to a law then presumed valid, and without any intention to divert funds contrary to legislative will.’

‘The constitutional infirmity of Special Provision No. 1(d) renders the provision void-but it does not render criminal those who were duty-bound to follow it,’ said Rosario.

As for Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, the actions of Recto were ‘strictly ministerial’ and were carried out in accordance with the explicit and mandatory terms of the 2024 GAA.

‘As discussed above, they were characterized by institutional good faith and due diligence, as they relied on formal clearances from agencies like the OGCC (Office of the Government Corporate Counsel), the COA (Commission on Audit), and the GCG (Governance Commission for Government-Owned or-Controlled Corporations),’ Zalameda said.

Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, meanwhile, said the court’s decision ‘does not negate Secretary Recto’s good faith, nor does it automatically create a basis for his liability.’

‘A public officer shall not be civilly liable for acts done in the performance of his or her official duties, unless there is a clear showing of bad faith, malice or gross negligence,’ Gaerlan said.

On Friday, SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said the country’s highest court declared void Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 GAA, and the DOF Circular 003-2024, directing the return of the P60 billion in PhilHealth funds.

The P60 billion forms part of the P89.9 billion in unused funds of PhilHealth.

After the SC decision, the Department of Budget and Management committed to the timely and transparent release of the PhilHealth funds. /mr

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Saturday ordered the dismissal of a police officer for posting sexually suggestive and indecent content on social media.

Police Staff Sergeant Alexis Karil O. Sabater, who used the online handle ‘Semi Pogi,’ uploaded videos between April and June 2025 showing acts described by Napolcom as degrading to women, including slapping a woman, forcing her to eat food, simulating sexual acts, and appearing in police uniform without authorization. Some clips also depicted children drinking milk while he consumed alcohol.

Napolcom Vice Chair Rafael Calinisan said in a statement that the videos were ‘a clear insult to the dignity of women’ and ordered a motu propio investigation.

He warned other content creators to ‘use your influence with prudence and be responsible when posting on social media.’

Sabater, however, defended his posts as personal expression and a source of supplemental income, insisting he had deleted the videos once concerns were raised.

After reviewing the case, Napolcom found him guilty of conduct unbecoming of a police officer and ordered his dismissal, citing both the explicit nature of the content and his identification as a member of the Philippine National Police.

The commission noted that public perception, rather than claimed intent, is the controlling standard in evaluating such misconduct.

The decision follows Napolcom’s zero-backlog policy, which mandates resolving new administrative cases within 60 days. /mr

Antonio Lascuña is embracing the challenge of a foreign contingent coming in to join the chase for the Stronghold Insurance Senior Open’s centerpiece title.

‘Good competition won’t hurt a tournament,’ Lascuña said in Filipino even as he downplayed his status as the favorite in the 50-59 Senior class where Orlan Sumcad, Elmer Salvador and Mars Pucay are also entered together with five foreign bets. ‘We welcome them to the event.

‘It would be an honor for us Filipinos to be sharing the course with them.’

For the first time, a senior pro event that will be played in multiple rounds will tee off on Monday, with the field playing for the biggest champion’s purse yet of P150,000 as Stronghold president Jun delos Reyes gives back to the senior pros who have a special place in his heart.

Meanwhile, former PH Open and Masters champion Robert Pactolerin headlines the 60-69 (Super Senior) field, where Chuan Campbell, the president of the Asian Senior Tour, will be campaigning. This division is also set for 54 holes with a 36-hole cut like the Senior class.

Matt Blundell and Karl Russell of Australia and Nik Banchoff of the United States are three of the five foreigners playing in the premier division, even as a bracket for those who are 70-and-above, to be known as the Legends, will have a lean field battling it out for a P50,000 winner’s check.

‘It obviously adds a good flavor to the tournament,’ Pactolerin, now 63 and still one of the most successful pros the country has produced, also in Filipino. ‘And make no mistake about it, we’re up to the challenge of competing against them.’

Benjie Magada and Arnold Villacencio are also playing as they enter a new realm after relatively impressive regular men’s careers in the Philippine Golf Tour circuit.

‘We are very appreciative of the efforts of Mr. Delos Reyes,’ Lascuna added. ‘This gives us something to look forward to and work hard for. We are all looking for the thrill of the competition.’

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake jolted an Ilocos Norte town on early Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its updated earthquake bulletin, Phivolcs said that the earthquake occured at 3:37 a.m. and its epicenter was located west of Marcos, Ilocos Norte.

The tremor was tectonic in origin and had a depth of four kilometers.

It was initially recorded at magnitude 4.5 magnitude, with a depth of 10 kilometers.

Phivolcs also said that Intensity IV was recorded over Pinili and Marcos, Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, instrumental intensities were logged in the following places:

Intensity IV: Batac City, Ilocos Norte

Intensity III: Laoag City, San Nicolas and Solsona, Ilocos Norte

Intensity II: Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Phivolcs noted that no aftershocks and damage to property were expected from the earthquake. /apl

The recent claim by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque that a family of four can prepare a noche buena meal for only P500 was immediately attacked as detached from reality, unrealistic, and insensitive. ‘What planet is she on?’ asked several party-list representatives. Not enough for even a simple spaghetti and cheese, said economic watchdog Ibon Foundation. Insulting to Filipino workers, said labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Roque fought back, saying, based on a DTI price guide released in November, a total budget of P374.50 would buy the following: Christmas ham, P170 for 500g; spaghetti sauce, P48.50; spaghetti noodles, P30 for 250g; fruit cocktail, P61.75 for 432g; all-purpose cream, P36.50 for 110ml; and pandesal, P27.75 for 10 pieces, leaving P125.50 of the P500 DTI budget for other items (‘DTI stands pat on ‘insulting’ P500 noche buena budget,’ News, 11/29/25).

The P500 would provide 10 sandwiches with 50g (half a ‘guhit’) of ham per pandesal bun. The spaghetti and fruit cocktail are half-size, just enough for one meal for a small family. There is no queso de bola, which costs from P210 to P470, according to DTI, and would already break its budget.

P500 to feed four persons computes to P125 apiece for a holiday meal. Is that supposed to bolster the economic planning agency’s claim, last October, that P64 is just enough for three meals for one person for a whole day? (See ‘The 64 peso spark,’ 10/18/25).

Why can’t the people have a variety of food at Christmastime? What I find most un-Christmasy in the DTI noche buena menu is that it has no allowance for fruits, beverages, and desserts. It’s a cultural cousin of the stingy official minimum-cost daily menu applied for an entire year, which has one banana per person, no viands aside from boiled fish and boiled vegetables, only a little milk for whitening the coffee of adults and not for children to drink, and with no soft drinks, no alcoholic drinks (horrors!) of any kind, and no ice cream or halo-halo or any kakanin.

It’s as though being allowed to eat ham at one meal at the end of the year should make up for never having any pork, beef, chicken, or shellfish during the year. It’s as though cooking noodles with tomato sauce once a year should make up for never having adobo during the year (because adobo requires cooking oil and condiments that add cost to the menu).

(See my ‘The lowering of the official poverty line,’ 2/12/2011 and ‘The poor don’t live by bread alone,’ 3/5/2011. The contents of the menu have not been changed since 2011; its cost is adjusted only by applying a general price index, rather than by checking on price movements of individual items. By the way, the official poverty line for one year is obtained by multiplying the daily line by 365, instead of by 365.25-as though eating on Feb. 29 during a leap year is unnecessary).

Proposing a cheap noche buena is intrinsically anti-labor and pro-capital. To me, the DTI’s P500-menu is only an effort to justify low wages and put it in the good graces of the business sector. My guess is that, when adjusted for inflation, the value of wages in real terms has been stagnant; that is embarrassing, given the constant growth of the gross national product (GNP) per capita. I wish the government would release its data on wages, to dispute this.

The real problem is that GNP-growth does not trickle down to the lower classes (‘Economic growth unshared,’ 6/28/25). Currently, the number of people getting better off merely balances the number getting worse off (‘The lurching economy,’ 11/29/25).

Meanwhile, half of Filipino families, as of last September, consider themselves mahirap/poor, and one out of five say they went hungry at least once in the previous quarter. These proportions of the deprived had been gradually dropping, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – during which they exploded-but have not (yet?) resumed their downtrend.

The good news for the holidays is a recent significant rise in those saying they are Not Poor, together with a fall in those saying they are on the Borderline. Let’s hope this trend continues.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recognized the joy that the children bring in the Christmas season, emphasizing that they are ‘the biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines.’

Marcos said this as he, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, led this Saturday’s gift-giving program at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang.

According to Marcos, the ‘smiles’ of the 3,000 children from Department of Social Welfare and Development Centers and nearby barangays who joined them in the gift-giving made him experience the feeling of Christmas, even amid the issues currently surrounding the country.

‘We are grateful that even though the challenges ahead of us are heavy, we still have a little time, especially at Christmas, when we need to remember, our good fortune in life, our blessings in the past year,’ Marcos said.

‘And the biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines are these, our children, the future of our country,’ he added.

It was in 2022 when the Office of the President initiated the Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Nationwide Gift-Giving, aiming ‘to create meaningful Christmas experiences for Filipino children.’ /mr