Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The four remaining luxury cars of contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, which were recently seized by the government, will be auctioned on Friday, December 5, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Saturday.

The luxury cars to be placed under sealed bidding on Friday are the black Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2023), blue Bentley Bentayga (2022), orange Toyota Sequoia (2023), and red Toyota Tundra (2022).

In a Facebook post, the BOC bared the floor prices of the four luxury cars, with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan at P36.2 million, the Bentley Bentayga at P13.8 million, the Toyota Sequoia at P4.6 million, and the Toyota Tundra at P3.4 million.

The bidding will start at 10:00 a.m. at the BOC building in Port Area, Manila, the bureau said.

These vehicles were four of the seven luxury cars of the Discayas that were not sold in the public auction conducted by the BOC last November 20.

During the recent public bidding, the BOC was able to sell three luxury cars of the Discayas-the Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019), Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022), and Lincoln Navigator (2021).

The auction generated a total of P38,211,710 in revenue, which was remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Recently, the Discayas-who were tagged as among the contractors involved in anomalous flood-control projects-filed for voluntary forfeiture and did not oppose the government’s seizure of the seven luxury vehicles.

The latest draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) held on November 29, 2025, ended without a jackpot winner.

The draw results for the major and digit games are as follows:

Grand Lotto 6/55 – 17-15-41-27-25-10; Jackpot: ?158.85 million; Winner(s): 0

Lotto 6/42 – 32-14-29-26-38-27; Jackpot: ?19.23 million; Winner(s): 0

Minor (digit) games:

6D Lotto – 4-2-1-7-9-4; Jackpot: ?4,807,861.24; Winner(s): 0

3D Lotto 2PM – 3-4-7; Prize: ?4,500.00; Winners: 192

3D Lotto 5PM – 2-6-2; Prize: ?4,500.00; Winners: 132

3D Lotto 9PM – 5-9-0; Prize: ?4,500.00; Winners: 287

2D Lotto 2PM – 03-11; Prize: ?4,000.00; Winners: 501

2D Lotto 5PM – 09-08; Prize: ?4,000.00; Winners: 266

2D Lotto 9PM – 20-04; Prize: ?4,000.00; Winners: 138

Draw schedule Grand Lotto 6/55 draws are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Lotto 6/42 draws take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Digit games (2D, 3D, 6D) are drawn daily at 2 PM, 5 PM and 9 PM

The Philippine National Police will be suspending permits to carry firearms outside of residence in Metro Manila, from Saturday until Monday, for the second ‘Trillion Peso March.’

This was announced by acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a memorandum dated Nov. 27.

‘In view of the Trillion Peso March . permits to carry firearms outside of residence are hereby suspended in Metro Manila from 12:01 a.m. of Nov. 29, 2025 to 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 1, 2025,’ the memo read.

‘Only members of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms are allowed to carry firearms,’ it added.

The PNP earlier said it was expecting about 300,000 people to attend the Trillion Peso March in Metro Manila on Nov. 30.

The high command said it had not detected any serious or credible security threat related to the event, the second that will be mounted by religious and civil society groups to demand accountability in the public works corruption scandal. The first march was held on Sept. 21.

‘Not about intimidation’

Still, the PNP said more than 15,000 officers would be deployed across the capital as a precautionary measure.

‘The deployment is not about intimidation, it’s about readiness. We expect large number of crowds in multiple activity areas so our personnel on the ground should be quick in responding to emergencies and even any violation of the law,’ Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

‘Law enforcement presence does not mean aggressive action. The order for maximum tolerance still remains,’ he added.

The police contingents are expected to be deployed at Rizal Park, the People Power Monument, the Edsa Shrine and sites near Malacañang, the Senate and the House of Representatives

At The Country Club (TCC) on Friday, two rising stars seized the moment and engraved their names on trophies-and into Philippine golf lore.

Keanu Jahns opened the day by overpowering veteran Guido van der Valk, 3and2, to rule the men’s ICTSI Match Play Invitational-a victory that capped his late-season surge after wins in Caliraya Springs and Bacolod.

Even a watery miscue on the first hole couldn’t slow the Filipino German, who quickly squared the match with a 12-foot birdie on No. 2 and inched ahead on the sixth.

Once settled, his power game and a sharper putting stroke carried him through the back nine. He won two of the first five holes after the turn to build a three-up cushion-enough to hold off the steady Dutchman on TCC’s exacting layout.

‘Everything clicked today,’ Jahns said. ‘My putting was better, I drove it great and after that first hole, everything was okay.’

The win earned him P280,000 and cemented a breakout year-three victories that brought him just short of the Order of Merit crown. ‘I’m happy to finish the year with a win. Hopefully I can keep this going.’

Hours later, Mafy Singson delivered an even more emphatic finish.

Bracing for a tight duel, she instead dismantled Martina Miñoza, 6and5, finally finding the putting rhythm that had eluded her all week.

She set the tone with a birdie on her very first hole and then went on to lead, 5-up, at the turn.

‘I didn’t expect to win by this margin,’ Singson said. ‘My putts just kept going in.’

The victory, worth P280,000, carried a deeper weight-her grandfather passed on 40 days earlier.

‘As soon as I won, it rained,’ she said through tears. ‘I think it was him . showering me.’

Singson’s triumph followed her Eagle Ridge playoff win earlier this season and marked a personal breakthrough at the notoriously demanding TCC, a course she had long struggled to solve.

Miñoza settled for P200,000, while Harmie Constantino claimed third place with a 4and3 win over Daniella Uy.

Former public works official Henry Alcantara handed over P110 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ), part of the P300 million in kickbacks he admitted taking from flood control projects in Bulacan, the first time restitution in the unraveling multibillion-peso corruption scandal has been made in cash.

Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida told reporters at a press conference that the total restitution amount from Alcantara, the former chief of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), was based on the transactions the ex-official had declared in his sworn statement.

‘This is recovery of the people’s money,’ Vida said.

Was that all?

This is ‘money unlawfully obtained by Engr. Henry Alcantra,’ he said.

The remaining P190 million will be returned also in cash to the government but Vida did not say when.

He said a DOJ panel was evaluating the amounts in kickbacks that Alcantara declared he had received, which he claimed were a percentage of larger payoffs. Vida did not specify to whom the money went and in what criminal cases these were included.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said some of the cases mentioned in Alcantara’s sworn statement were criminal complaints pertaining to malversation, graft and perjury in flood control projects in Balagtas and Pandi, Bulacan.

Asked whether the P300 million that Alcantara disclosed was all that he had received as kickback, Vida indicated that it was still uncertain.

First to return cash

‘We can’t say that’s it,’ he said. ‘But he is not the DOJ’s only source of information. If there is an informant, you know, with verifiable information that he was involved in, or got some money elsewhere, then we will confront him on that information.’

The cash was loaded in one of three armored trucks.

The money-bundled in plastic, each containing P1 million in P1,000 denominations-was displayed on a table in one of the offices in the DOJ building.

Luxury vehicles

The money was later turned over to the Bureau of the Treasury, where representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines will help count and validate the bills to determine that they are not counterfeit.

The treasury will then issue a certification and an official receipt that they received this particular amount from Alcantara through the DOJ, Vida said.

Alcantara is the first person linked to the flood control scandal to return kickbacks in cash to the government.

‘Returning the money is a sign of good faith, proof of their desire to help the government,’ Vida said.

Previously, engineer Brice Hernandez, Alcantara’s former deputy, and the wealthy Discaya contractor couple turned over their luxury vehicles to the government.

Alcantara is currently provisionally admitted to the Witness Protection Program (WPP), meaning that he only receives government protection. Once fully admitted, he will be immune from suit, but only in connection with the cases he would testify on.

Vida said, however, that restitution was only one factor in determining whether a person can become a state witness.

Under Republic Act No. 6981, or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, it is the court that has the final say on whether a person will be admitted as a state witness.

The law states that the DOJ shall issue a certification that a certain person is admitted to the WPP. The prosecutor shall then file a petition asking the court to discharge the person from the case.

Vida said the successful admission of a state witness hinges on their honesty and commitment to testify truthfully.

During a hearing in September called by the infrastructure committee of the House of Representatives, Alcantara admitted that he certified the completion of ghost flood control projects based only on reports made by his staff, saying there was ‘presumed regularity’ in the documents they submitted.

Bulacan projects

During the hearing Manila Rep. Joel Chua pointed to a P94.6-million substandard river protection structure in Calumpit, Bulacan, awarded to St. Timothy Construction Co. owned by the Discayas approved by Alcantara.

Alcantara also approved a P74.6-million flood mitigation structure in Calumpit, which was awarded to Wawao Builders.

He green-lighted a P55-million reinforced concrete river wall in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, Bulacan, which was awarded to SYMS Construction Trading.

During his inspection of this project on Aug. 20, President Marcos described it as nonexistent, or a ‘ghost project.’

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan later removed Alcantara from his post as officer in charge assistant regional director of Region 4A, where he had been transferred prior to the exposure of the anomalies in flood control projects

What planet is she on? That’s the question members of the House of Representatives asked on Friday as they denounced Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque’s claim that a Filipino family can prepare a ‘noche buena’ meal for only P500.

The remarks, they said, were unrealistic and insensitive amid high food prices and persistent economic strain.

In separate statements, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kamanggagawa Rep. Eli San Fernando all agreed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimate was detached from reality, and urged the agency to instead ensure that holiday staples were affordable in time for Christmas.

‘[Even] with a simple spread of only spaghetti and cheese, P500 will already not be enough,’ Ridon said.

Echoed Tinio: ‘What kind of Christmas would that even be? A few noodles, eggs, water? This is a slap on the face of every Filipino struggling to make ends meet.’

Cendaña added that the government should certify as urgent pending bills seeking a P200 wage hike ‘so that workers can actually afford this Christmas season.’

Elago echoed this sentiment and urged the government to also consider scrapping the 12-percent value-added tax on basic goods and raise wages for immediate relief.

San Fernando, for his part, said that such statements that minimize the difficulties of families dealing with high prices and stagnant wages-all while the government is roiled in a massive corruption scandal-‘only erodes public trust’ in government.

Sonny Africa, executive director of economic watchdog Ibon Foundation, believes that even the agency knows it’s not realistic.

‘I think they are saying that on air even though they know it’s not true, to really cover up the worsening situation,’ he said in a phone interview with the Inquirer on Friday.

For labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, Aldeguer-Roque’s statement was an ‘insult’ to Filipino workers who ‘are forced to tighten their belts to make ends meet’ while the corrupt ‘are reveling in the people’s stolen taxes.’

Following criticisms from various quarters, Aldeguer-Roque insisted on her claim at a press conference on Friday.

‘It’s really possible for a family of four,’ she said, arguing that her estimate was based on the DTI noche buena price guide released in November.

Citing prices from the DTI guide, Aldeguer-Roque suggested three noche buena bundles that can be purchased for under or near P500 and can serve a family of four.

One bundle costs P374.50, with Christmas ham (P170 for 500 g), spaghetti sauce (P48.50), spaghetti noodles (P30 for 250 g), fruit cocktail (P61.75 for 432g), all-purpose cream (P36.50 for 110 ml), and ‘pan de sal’ (P27.75 for 10 pieces).

DTI price guide

Another option is priced at P428.70, with Christmas ham (P170), spaghetti (P78.50), macaroni salad (P152.45), and pan de sal (P27.75). Serving both macaroni salad and fruit salad would total P526.95.

Aldeguer-Roque said these options were based on typical Filipino holiday viands. Some items, she said, may even cost less when bought as part of bundled promotions.

Under the DTI’s noche buena price guide, the prices of ham range from P170 to P945; fruit cocktail, from P61.76 to P94.41; all-purpose cream, from P36.00 to P72; ‘nata de coco,’ from P52.50 to P62.50; ‘kaong,’ from P76.50 to P84; ‘queso de bola,’ from P210 to P470; cheese, from P16.50 to P310; and mayonnaise, from P20.40 to P245.85.

Compared with last year’s prices, a total of 95 noche buena food items saw an uptick in prices, while six are now cheaper following the DTI’s consultations with manufacturers. More than half of the 256 products covered by the guide, or 129 items, remained at their price levels in 2024.

Price changes for noche buena products, however, still depend on manufacturers. Unlike basic necessities, prices of these staple holiday food products are not regulated or approved by the DTI under the Price Act.

Asked to comment on Aldeguer-Roque’s claim, Palace press officer Claire Castro initially said she could not answer on behalf of the DTI.

But afterward, Castro said it could be possible depending on the buyer’s budgeting techniques.

‘It depends on what you’ll buy, what you’re planning to buy. Because there are those prepackaged items, like ‘chop suey.’ Those are cheap, then you buy rice noodles and soy sauce,’ she said.

According to Castro, some grocery stores also offer discounts especially as Christmas Day and New Year draw near.

‘That depends on your strategy, but I still won’t speak on behalf of DTI,’ she said.

Only four teams remain in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament and they all begin the semifinal round on equal footing.

Unlike the quarterfinals where the top two teams from Groups A and B held twice-to-beat advantages, the semis will have an even playing field with best-of-three series in tow.

On one side, Group A juggernaut Perpetual Help will take on Letran.

The Altas successfully put their twice-to-beat incentive to good use after defeating Jose Rizal University in the quarters, 81-74.

The Knights, meanwhile, had a much harder route, trouncing Arellano twice, Group A’s second seed, which also had a twice-to-beat advantage.

With Perpetual and Letran set to clash, coach Allen Ricardo is hellbent on knowing their enemy before they go on a race for two wins in the semis.

‘They have Patrick Sleat and (Mark) Gojo Cruz, who are the heart and soul of that team. We need to limit those two to have a good chance of closing the game and winning the series,’ he said after Letran’s 77-69 win over the Chiefs on Friday.

Both squads only faced off once in the elimination round due to them being in different groups with Letran winning their lone matchup in the classification, 63-56.

The other Final Four matchup will be a clash of Group B titans, College of St. Benilde and San Beda.

Unlike the Letran and Perpetual series, the Blazers and the Red Lions met twice in the previous round with San Beda victorious on both occasions.

Benilde coach Charles Tiu hopes to change that in hopes of returning to the Finals for the second straight year.

‘They’ve beaten us twice already so I hope this time, it’ll be our turn. We have to look forward to San Beda, they’re a great team,’ Tiu said.

The NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final Four tips off Tuesday at Araneta Coliseum.

Benjamin Alves appears enraged as he released a series of posts criticizing the P500 ‘noche buena’ budget suggested by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), regarding such as a ‘disrespect’ to the working class.

The actor was reacting to DTI Secretary Cristina Roque’s remark that P500 would suffice to prepare a basic Christmas meal for a Filipino family of four.

‘Kahit siguro ChatGPT di kakayanin i-render yung 500 pesos noche buena na yan, madame,’ Alves said via his Facebook page on Friday, Nov. 28.

He even pointed out how the government is urging the public to work around a P500 budget on Christmas, all while corrupt officials steal from public funds at any given day.

‘Magta-trabaho ka at makikipagsapalaran sa commute, mag bubudget ka buwan-buwan, linggo linggo, maiiyak ka na kaiisip paano mo ba pakakasyahin pera mo. Only for them to say: sapat na yung kita mo for noche buena,’ he added in a separate post.

‘Stop disrespecting the working class!’ he exclaimed.

Alves further stressed that the government should be working on lowering the cost of basic necessities instead of making such unrealistic suggestions.

‘I say NO TAXES until the government can figure out a very public, very transparent, method of distributing our money,’ he stated.

Celebrities Pokwang and Bianca Gonzalez shared the same sentiment on the matter, expressing their dismay through their respective social media pages.

‘Kung hindi ninanakawan ang bansa at naibibigay nang tama ang para sa mga tao-lalo na sa mga maliliit na manggagawa-malamang mayaman tayo, walang api, at malamang kasya nga ang P500 na pang noche buena,’ Pokwang wrote. Gonzalez, for her part, echoed the remark of an unnamed netizen who lamented, ‘Kapiranggot lang ba ang deserve ng pamilyang Pinoy?’

Despite criticisms, Roque has maintained that the P500 budget ‘is really possible,’ noting that this was based on the DTI’s recent noche buena price guide.

Travelers passing through the Laguindingan International Airport (LIA), the primary gateway to Northern Mindanao, can expect smoother operations following the completion of critical infrastructure improvements by its new private operator.

In an emailed advisory, Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) announced it has finished a series of maintenance and repair works at the LIA in Misamis Oriental, just months after officially taking over operations in mid-2025.

According to AIC, the upgrades at LIA include the repair of elevators to improve accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the servicing of baggage carousels to reduce waiting times at the arrival area.

To ensure operational resilience, the operator also conducted assessments of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems to sustain airport functions during power fluctuations – a crucial development for the region’s business and logistics hub.

‘These improvements are important infrastructure upkeep that reflect our shared commitment with the government to make every AIC Airports experience safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for our travelers,’ said Cosette V. Canilao, AIC President and Chief Executive Officer.

The improvements mark the first tangible results of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between AIC, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

LIA, ranked as the country’s sixth-busiest gateway, is being positioned as a ‘service hub’ to drive business and logistics access across Mindanao.

Canilao noted that these initial repairs are part of a broader modernization plan under the multi-year concession agreements awarded in 2024.

Starting this year and moving into the medium term, AIC plans to introduce larger infrastructure projects, including terminal restructuring and capacity expansion at both airports to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

The operator projects that its network of airports – including Mactan-Cebu International Airport – will collectively account for approximately 16 million passengers by the end of 2025, representing over 20% of the country’s total passenger traffic.

For 50 years, CDO Foodsphere, has been part of Filipino Christmas celebrations, from Noche Buena gatherings to holiday gifting with loved ones. This year, CDO marks its golden anniversary by spotlighting two enduring symbols of the Filipino holiday table: CDO Holiday Ham and Danes Queso de Bola.

At the media event ‘Unwrapping the Holiday’s Perfect Pair’ held at Manila House, CDO welcomed guests for an immersive holiday experience designed to spark creativity, connection, and celebration. The program showcased how the perfect pairing of CDO Holiday Ham and Danes Queso de Bola continues to make gatherings special, whether served during Noche Buena, shared at parties, or given as thoughtful gifts.

A Three-Part Program That Brought Christmas to Life

Food Flight: A Flavor Journey With the Perfect Pair

Guests enjoyed a guided tasting featuring three recipe applications using CDO Holiday Ham and Danes Queso de Bola, a playful but elevated showcase of how the duo can transform festive meals. The Manila House resident chef created especially for the event Holiday Ham and Pineapple Skewers with Honey Mustard Glaze, Danes Queso de Bola Truffle Croquettes, and Holiday Ham and Queso de Bola Breakfast Pandesal.

The segment highlighted the versatility of both products, familiar enough to feel nostalgic, yet dynamic enough to inspire new traditions.

Holiday Tablescaping: Style Meets Celebration

Next, Laureen Uy, recognized as a fashion blogger and a leading voice in lifestyle and entertaining, showed how holiday hosting can be elevated through thoughtful tablescaping. Known for her bold combinations, refined eye for detail, and innate sense of visual storytelling, she was the perfect fit for this workshop, demonstrating how styling a table can set the tone for a warm and memorable holiday celebration.

Her approach balanced modern aesthetics with personal warmth, layering textures and linens to instantly add depth, mixing warm neutrals with metallic accents for a festive palette, adding meaningful touches like handwritten cards and fresh herbs, and making her centerpieces the CDO Holiday Ham and Danes Queso de Bola.

Laureen reminded guests that preparing a table is an act of care, more than decoration, it’s a gesture that tells loved ones they’re welcome, even before the first bite is served.

Masterclass: Perfect Pairing Charcuterie Workshop

The most interactive segment of the afternoon was a hands-on masterclass facilitated by Chef Marvin Agustin, who guided attendees in building their own festive charcuterie boards. While many first met him on screen, he has since become one of the country’s most celebrated restaurateurs, with multiple beloved dining concepts under his belt, including his newest restaurant that recently earned the prestigious Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide. He emphasized that great charcuterie balances both taste and storytelling, contrasting textures, colors, and shapes arranged with intention.

What made this segment memorable was its experiential nature, every attendee created and took home a personalized holiday board, making the workshop not only instructional but personal and fun.

The Holiday’s Perfect Pair, More Than Traditions, A Shared Experience

Throughout the event, CDO’s message was clear: the holiday season is about coming home, to flavors, to milestones, and to the people who matter.

‘As CDO celebrates its 50th anniversary, this moment reminds us of what matters most, Filipino families brought together by food that feels like home,’ said Dr. Charmaine Ong-Castro, Senior Vice President for Purchasing, Treasury and Corporate Governance. ‘Every home that welcomes CDO into their celebrations becomes part of our story, and we are grateful to be part of theirs.’

‘What we appreciate most about gatherings like today is seeing how people bring our products to life, not just through recipes, but through stories,’ shared Jason Ong, Vice President for Emerging Businesses. ‘If these stories reach more families and inspire moments around the table this Christmas, then we know we’re creating moments that truly matter.’

The true essence of Christmas is the joy of giving, choosing gifts that carry warmth and meaning. For many Filipino families, that joy is often expressed through food that feels personal and thoughtful. Whether it’s prepared at home or shared with others, the right pairing can instantly make the season special.

For that special regalo, it’s the two that counts, CDO Holiday Ham, made from 100% premium whole meat of tender pork hind leg, the best cut for hams, perfectly paired with Danes Queso de Bola, with its bright red ball and creamy, indulgent flavor that brings festivity and nostalgia to every holiday table, the kind of rich, familiar taste that instantly reminds you that Christmas has arrived.

‘We invite everyone to rediscover why this holiday pairing continues to hold its place at the center of Filipino celebrations. Every family celebrates Christmas differently, but this simple Holiday pairing remains constant, one that brings comfort, familiarity, and connection,’ said Marketing Manager Janna Ong-Santos.

A Christmas Celebration Through and Through

Beyond the three signature segments, guests enjoyed a full Christmas table and grazing spread, complete with CDO Holiday Ham and Danes Queso de Bola, a visual and flavorful reminder of why these products remain must-haves on every Filipino holiday table.

CDO executives Jao Ong, Senior Customer Development Manager, Bernice Jalgalado, Vice President for Marketing, and Sammy Sih, Executive Vice President, also graced the celebration, reinforcing the company’s collective commitment to shaping the next 50 years of meaningful mealtimes. The afternoon ended with a delicious lunch, more festive moments, and guests taking home their handcrafted charcuterie boards. Long after the season ends, what stays with us are not the presents we opened, but the moments we shared, and the people who made us feel at home.