Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Despite the quarterfinals exit in her first PVL Reinforced Conference, Bella Belen still relished her experience leading the young Capital1 Solar Spikers against the top club teams in the country as she shifts her focus to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next month.

Belen had nine points and 19 excellent receptions as Capital1 was knocked out by the No.2 ZUS Coffee, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, on Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University shed tears after her first PVL tournament reached an end, but she exited with a lot of learnings that she can use on a possible SEA Games debut with Alas Pilipinas.

‘For me, this conference helped a lot. It’s a different system, but it really prepares me for the SEA Games because I already know what I need to work on and what role I need to play,’ Belen told the reporters in Filipino. ‘I’m also very happy that we reached the quarterfinals. There are so many lessons I can take with me to the next games.’

Belen, who was juggling PVL with some Alas practices, is ready to do whatever it takes for the flag when she gets a chance to play for the national team in Thailand.

‘As of now, my mindset is still to show up and be ready. For the SEA Games, whoever makes the lineup, everyone deserves it. It’s not guaranteed that I’ll always be playing, but whenever I do get the chance to step in, I’ll make sure I give my best for the national team and for the Philippine flag,’ Belen said.

‘Alas has been practicing continuously, leading up to the SEA Games. For us at Capital1, we’re also starting training little by little. When we don’t have team training with Capital1, we train for the national team. Right now, I’m hoping everyone can start training together soon because it’s really hard to prepare in just a few days, especially since our opponents for the SEA Games have been preparing for a long time.’

‘I really hope we can make it to the podium. We’ll work for it. It’s tough, but tougher things can also be more fulfilling,’ she added.

Her first PVL conference was a roller coaster ride, but she was pleased with the team’s progress-and also her own-after going up against imports and playing with Ukrainian hitter Sasha Bytsenko.

‘It was very challenging. The PVL is on a different level compared to the UAAP. The level of competition is much higher, and you have to know how to handle your emotions and excitement every game. Every team adjusts really fast, so we also have to be like that in Capital1. We have to know when and how to make things work for us,’ said Belen.

‘We improved a lot as a team. But of course, we’re still hoping and I’m still hoping that we can continue to grow because all the teams are on an upward trend. I’m really looking forward to what more we can do in the next conference.’

When the seawall that was supposed to protect four coastal villages in this town crumbled at the height of Supertyphoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) on Nov. 9, hundreds of residents feared not only for their lives but also felt disappointed that the multimillion-peso structure gave way in just three years since it was built.

Felipe Mercado, 70, who lost his home to the storm surge, said the concrete barrier that once stood between his house and the sea seemed no stronger than paper.

‘It (seawall) was torn into pieces like paper,’ he said, as he cleared the broken slabs scattered along the shoreline of Barangay 3.

Cesar Valencia, another resident, said the seawall’s failure must be checked and investigated, especially since it was meant to withstand strong typhoons.

With the structure giving way and endangering the lives of residents, the communities are demanding clear answers.

‘The lives of the people are more important. There should be an investigation into why the seawall gave way. However, we can clearly see it was [not] properly done since there were no sheet piles and not properly done,’ said Valencia.

If the seawall needs to be rebuilt, he said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should ensure it is done correctly.

The 2022 contract

Documents obtained by the Inquirer and posted on the Isumbong sa Pangulo page showed that the DPWH awarded a ?46,986,300.29 contract on March 23, 2022, for the construction of a flood mitigation structure (seawall) along the same stretch that collapsed during Uwan.

The contract was issued to Partido Construction and Supply, based in Goa, Camarines Sur, under the DPWH Camarines Sur 4th District Engineering Office.

The project covered the coastline from Barangays 1 to 4 and was scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2024. The Notice of Award required the contractor to submit performance security, construction schedules, safety plans, and other compliance documents before signing the contract.

It remains unclear whether the project underwent a post-construction inspection or audit.

Rep. Arnie Buquid Fuentebella, in his Facebook Live video on Friday, said he was saddened by the destruction of the seawall during Uwan’s onslaught but also pointed out that the structure had protected the coastal communities during the typhoon.

‘If no seawall had been constructed from Barangays 1 to 4, for sure, massive damage might have happened. All I wanted was to protect the residents in the coastal area, and that’s my obligation,’ he said.

He added that the structure is covered by a five-year warranty, meaning the contractor is required to reconstruct it-especially since it appeared the seawall lacked sheet piles, which are crucial for stability.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund ‘LRay’ Villafuerte Jr. said the provincial government would investigate the collapse, noting that the seawall’s failure placed hundreds of households at risk during the typhoon.

‘We in the provincial government have a solution to protect the villagers in Garchitorena. We have a green embankment program that would serve as a natural barrier, and we will relocate the residents to a safer place with the help of the national government,’ he said

Packages seized during a Quezon City buy-bust operation that killed three suspects tested negative for drugs in a laboratory exam, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP DEG) said on Monday.

PNP DEG Director Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay previously told reporters that 10 bricks of suspected shabu (crystal meth), each weighing a kilogram, were being tested for drugs.

Asked for an update on the test results during a press briefing in Camp Crame, Ragay said, ‘It turned out negative [the drug test].’

So, what did the bricks contain? The PNP DEG director answered in Filipino, ‘It appeared to be what would look like noodles. Some contained pebbles. So, the intention really was to fool or double-cross their buyers in the transaction and not to deal in drugs.’

Ragay maintained that the operation was based on a target intelligence packet, which detailed that two of the suspects were ‘high-value individuals.’

The operation took place in Barangay Socorro, Quezon City, on Nov. 18.

It aimed to catch four suspects, but one of them opened fire on operatives, prompting them to fire back. Three suspects were killed during the shootout, while police are still pursuing the remaining suspect.

The PNP DEG did not identify any of the suspects.

Ragay reiterated that the operating team will undergo an Internal Affairs Service investigation to look into the legality of the operation. /jpv

For the first time in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball, coach Pido Jarencio sat on the podium for the customary postgame press conference to reflect on University of Santo Tomas’ entry to the Final Four berth.

Jarencio had designated his assistants to do the required media rounds this season. But on Sunday, there he was in his usual jolly mood, even belting a few lines from the songs ‘My Way’ and ‘Till I Met You’ while savoring the Growling Tigers’ 80-71 victory over the National University Bulldogs on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Jarencio has every reason to be happy-and finally present for a chat with reporters.

UST is through to the Final Four, where it will join NU and UP, avoiding what would have been a predicament of going through a complex race to the Final Four.

‘We got a nice record to start the first round, then we had four straight losses,’ Jarencio said. ‘During our struggles, there were doubts about the team, saying, ‘Is this UST team a joke?’ No, we’re here and we’re coming.’

The Growling Tigers, who pulled away in the fourth quarter behind four three-pointers behind Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido, improved to 8-5, enough to book their place in the semifinal phase, where they will face the Maroons, burdened by the need to defeat the defending champions twice in a row.

That meant La Salle, archrival Ateneo and Far Eastern University are the last teams standing in the race for the lone remaining Final Four spot.

And the last playdate of the elimination round on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum could sort that three-way race out.

Ateneo stayed alive with a 72-61 win that eliminated Adamson from semifinal contention in the first game. The Blue Eagles improved to 6-7, tying the win-loss record of the Tamaraws.

La Salle has an inside track at getting to the semis with a 7-6 record and a win over Ateneo on Wednesday will complete the Final Four cast.

FEU battles UST in the other game of that doubleheader, needing a win against the Tigers, who have no stake in the match.

What happens if La Salle, Ateneo and FEU end up at 7-7? They will figure in a stepladder to determine the remaining Final Four contender.

‘I would imagine it would be a tough, closely-fought, competitive game,’ Baldwin said ahead of the showdown with the Green Archers, originally set for Nov. 9 but postponed due to Typhoon Uwan.

Ateneo won the first-round duel between the two teams, but the Eagles led by 30 entering the fourth quarter and needed to thwart a late rally by La Salle before holding on to an 81-74 victory.

Right after a challenging month of back-to-back typhoons that left livelihoods splintered, residents of Calayan, Cagayan now find themselves bracing for a different kind of storm-one stirred not by winds and waves but by possible extraction of minerals from the island.

One of the 29 towns of the province, Calayan is only accessible by air or sea, with its Municipal Information Office (MIO) saying that at present, Calayan is only using gravel and sand from the mainland for road and other infrastructure projects of the government.

This, as Mayor Jong Llopis prohibited ‘all mining and quarrying activities’ in Calayan, cancelling the permit for the ‘quarrying of pebbles’ at Sibang Cove, which is a pristine destination on the island that prides itself for its white sand beaches and clear blue waters.

But just recently, a threat emerged as the mining company, identified by the MIO as Ludgoron Mining Corporation, sent a letter to the chairman of Barangay Babuyan Claro regarding its Application for Exploration Permit before the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

Fr. Ruben Irece, parish priest of the St. Bartholomew Parish, told INQUIRER.net that the company is seeking to determine the possible presence of iron ore and other mineral deposits on the island and if these are ‘viable’ for ‘commercial exploitation and extraction.’

As stated by the provincial government of Cagayan, large deposits of both metallic and non-metallic mineral resources such as gold, copper, iron, magnetite sand, manganese, perlite, limestone, sulphur, gypsum, black sand, pebbles, sand and gravel are in the province.

However, only a few of these mineral reserves are being mined, and are yet to be developed on commercial scales, it said, pointing out that to date, mining companies are active in Claveria, Peñablanca, Gonzaga, Sta. Teresita, and Lal-lo.

Based on the map released by the MIO, the area covered by the application encloses almost the entire island of Babuyan Claro, which is home to the Ibatans, an indigenous community that arrived from Camiguin and Calayan in 1869.

This was why residents of Babuyan Claro initiated a signature campaign opposing the application, with Llopis saying that ‘we stand firm in protecting our island and our livelihood [.] we will not allow any form of mining activity that will destroy our environment and our culture.’

Likewise, a resolution was passed by the Sangguniang Bayan to express its ‘vehement opposition’ to the ‘application for exploration permit [.] and to all forms of mining and quarrying activities’ in Calayan ‘in defense of its ecological integrity, cultural heritage and sustainable development.’

As Irece pointed out to INQUIRER.net, ‘I have never seen [mining] bring any long-term good,’ explaining that ‘the places that have been mined suffer more harm than benefit, so for me, there is no compromise-that is truly my stand.’

For Llopis, ‘we stand in solidarity with the residents of Barangay Babuyan Claro,’ asserting that ‘their island is their life and must not be treated as something to be exploited.’

The Order of Franciscans Minor, which oversees the local church in Calayan, as well as the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, which covers the province of Cagayan, and the St. Joseph College of Baggao have released statements against the mining exploration, too.

‘Surrender now.’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this to the suspects still at large – including former House of Representatives appropriations committee chairperson and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co – in the case of an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

In a video posted on his social media on Monday morning, Marcos announced that authorities already have custody of some of the 16 suspects in the case filed before the Sandiganbayan.

‘To all the accused still at large, I advise you to surrender now. Don’t wait to be chased after. It’s better for your situation to surrender now so that you can answer to the allegations against you,’ Marcos stressed.

‘To those who plan on helping them hide, remember that you will also be held accountable somehow,’ he added.

In a joint press conference later on Monday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed mugshots identifying the suspects in custody as:

OIC-Chief, DPWH 4B Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division; Regular Member, Bidding and Awards Committee (now OIC-Chief, Planning and Design Division) Dennis Pelo Abagon

Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa (DPWH 4B) Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan

Assistant Regional Director (now Director of DPWH Bureau of Maintenance) Gene Ryan Alurin Altea

Assistant Regional Director Ruben delos Santos Santos Jr.

Chief, DPWH 4B Construction Division Dominic Gregorio Serrano

Chief, DPWH 4B Maintenance Division Juliet Cabungan Calvo

Project Engineer III Felisardo Sevare Casuno

DPWH 4B Bidding and Awards Committee Account IV Lerma Dotado Cayco

8 remaining suspects

As for Co, authorities only said he was still at large.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said the former lawmaker’s last known location was in Japan ‘a few days’ before the issuance of the arrest warrant.

At the press briefing, however, Remulla detailed that three more suspects were known to be abroad:

Sunwest president and board of directors chairperson Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar – Last known location in New Zealand

Sunwest treasurer and board of directors member Cesar X. Buenaventura – Last known location in New York, United States

DPWH 4B OIC-Chief Planning and Design Montrexis T. Tamayo – Last known location in Jordan

‘Save for Zaldy Co, the other members believed to be abroad have made contact with our law enforcement agencies and are expected to show up at the embassy and begin immediate repatriation towards the Philippines,’ Remulla said.

‘They have done so voluntarily, informing us of their whereabouts and we informed them of their right to proceed immediately to the embassy as soon as possible,’ he added.

The other suspects still at large are:

DPWH 4B Material Engineer Timojen Adiong Sacar

Sunwest board of directors member Conseulo Dayto Aldon

Sunwest board of directors member Engr. Noel Yap Cao

Sunwest board of directors member Anthony L. Ngo

Remulla addressed the suspects still at large, ‘Surrender to the nearest authorities, surrender to the nearest police station. For the sake of your families, for the sake of the country, surrender immediately.’

‘No matter where you are in the world, we will find you. If you are at large, we will find you. If you are hiding in the Philippines, we will find you,’ he stressed.

Tropical Depression Verbena may reach a severe tropical storm at its peak, but only once when its center goes out of the country’s landmass, state meteorologists said on Monday.

‘Verbena may peak at severe tropical storm category while in the middle of the West Philippine Sea, north of Kalayaan Islands,’ said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). in its 11:00 p.m. report.

Verbena is also likely to cross Visayas only as a tropical depression, before it could reach tropical storm category, either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea.

But to date, Verbena remains a tropical depression packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gustiness of up to 75 km/h.

The tropical depression was last spotted over the coastal waters of Anda, Bohol, and made its first landfall at Bayabas town in Surigao del Sur.

Also, Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (winds of 39 to 61 km/h with minimal to minor threat to life and property) across parts of Luzon, the entire Visayas, and parts of Mindanao:

Luzon: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, the northern and central portions of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, and mainland Masbate Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno)

Visayas: Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte

Mindanao: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Bukidnon (Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasug-Ong, City of Malaybalay, Malitbog, Cabanglasan), the northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Baliangao, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Aloran, Panaon, Jimenez, Concepcion), and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Sibutad, Rizal, Mutia).

Makabayan bloc lawmakers have called on concerned authorities to conduct an urgent investigation following the recent video statement of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, where he gave a more detailed account of how he allegedly transferred kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a statement on Monday evening, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Atty. Renee Louise Co, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago expressed alarm over Co’s video, noting that it now includes specific names, addresses, and detailed descriptions of the alleged kickback scheme involving government projects.

‘This is no longer just an allegation – there are names, there are details, there are places. Particularly alarming is Co’s naming of Department of Justice Undersecretary Jose ‘Jojo’ Cadiz Jr., who formerly served as Senate staff to then Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This connection directly implicates the President’s inner circle in the alleged corruption scheme,’ the lawmakers said.

They also pointed out Cadiz’s direct connection to Marcos, noting that he had been a member of Marcos’ Senate staff when the latter was still a senator.

‘Co alleges corruption spanning three years involving P56 billion in payoffs through DPWH projects and budget insertions. He claims systematic transactions with fixed percentages, regular monthly deliveries of P2 billion, and coordination among House leadership and executive undersecretaries,’ the lawmakers said.

‘Three years of alleged systematic theft – money that should have gone to roads, bridges, and flood control for the people,’ they added.

Among the claims that Congress, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure must probe are the DPWH budget insertions from 2022 to 2025; the monthly fund deliveries of P2 billion; the role of Cadiz in the alleged scheme; the involvement of Usec. Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara; alleged 2024 bicameral conference and budget insertions; and standard operating procedures for DPWH project implementation.

‘These allegations emerge while millions struggle with high prices, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. If P56 billion was stolen from DPWH projects, these are funds that should have built roads, bridges, and flood control systems,’ the lawmakers stressed.

‘Full transparency and accountability – fearless, impartial, no one exempted,’ they added.

Calling for public officials to resign is not among the messages of the Trillion Peso March against corruption on Nov. 30, Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo confirmed.

‘Our advocacy here at the Trillion Peso March is not to overthrow our current elected officials. We are not calling for the resignations of our leaders of our country. What we are fighting for is to imprison, expose, and return those who stole from corruption,’ Bagaforo said at a press conference on Monday.

The rally was arranged amid the probe on flood-control projects where government officials, including elected public officials, were linked to massive misuse of government funds.

Such instances have triggered several rallies from different groups since, with some calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after he was named by former Ako-Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, who was also implicated in the scandal.

Talks of destabilization have also been a concern, most recently with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson claiming he was offered by retired military officers to be part of a ‘civilian military junta.’

Bagaforo, however, denies that the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPMM) is in support of any efforts to topple the government, saying they want to honor the Constitution.

‘We do not support the forces that will establish a military junta or revolutionary government or anything else that will replace our current government. In other words, we adhere to the call of the Constitution- democratic precipice is what we will follow,’ the bishop added.

Bagaforo also wished that the situation doesn’t come to a point where there is a need for a ‘regime change,’ adding that there are still ‘legal and constitutional remedies’ that may be explored to fight corruption.

During the protest, should there be calls for any public official to resign, Tindig Pilipinas Convenor Francis ‘Kiko’ Dee says, the organizers will also exercise ‘maximum tolerance’ within itself to respect the freedom of expression.

However, Dee warned that marshals during the event will intervene if they observe a group of people ‘insisting on that position,’ adding that the organizers and Quezon City police have separate roles in terms of security during the event.

‘We hope it won’t escalate to the point that we will have to ask the help of the QC police, as much as possible, because the deal is the marshals will keep order within the rally premises and the QC police will secure the perimeter,’ Dee explained.

The group’s anti-corruption rally will be held at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) People Power Monument in Quezon City, simultaneous with several other demonstrations across the country commemorating Bonifacio Day.

It was an emotional homecoming for Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao who was given a heartfelt welcome by her pageant sisters, executives of the national tilt, and fans.

Tiglao, who scored a back-to-back victory at the Miss Grand International 2025 tilt, met her fans at a homecoming parade along Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati on Monday, November 24.

She was also joined by Miss Grand International (MGI) founder Nawat Itsaragrisil and first runner-up Gotchabell Suranrat Puagpipat.

The reigning titleholder, who looked spectacular in a fiery orange gown with an off-shoulder neckline resembling flames, was emotional throughout the parade. She was perched on a motorcade with a black crown with orange accents and shrubs lined with orange flowers.

Riding on a separate vehicle are Puagpipat and Itsaragrisil, while queens under the ALV pageant franchise such as Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Mate and Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez rode on a white motorcade with a crown perched on top.

Before Puagpipat and Itsaragrisil rode on their vehicle, they were seemingly overwhelmed by the support of the fans. They were also spotted entertaining photo requests, giving warm smiles to the fans, and even gamely joining in their interactions. Despite the unpredictable weather – as it rained at some point during the parade – the energy among Tiglao, the MGI team, and her fans never wavered all throughout.

A homecoming media con followed afterward, where Tiglao changed into a sultry green gown showing off her curves.

‘Grabe, ‘yun ang una kong masasabi. Grabe ang inyong pinakita. Mainit ang inyong pinakitang suporta sa akin. I missed you all so much. I’ve stayed in Thailand for a month and now, we’re here. We’re bringing a back-to-back win,’ she said in her opening speech.

After messages from Puagpipat and her pageant sisters, Tiglao couldn’t help but tear up again after receiving a heartfelt lookback from her predecessor CJ Opiaza.

‘I’ve seen you for how many years and I’ve seen how you put your heart, your dedication, and perseverance into your goal to get the crown and represent the country,’ Opiaza said. ‘You represented our country for the second time and I think that everything happens for a reason. I already know how dedicated [you are] as a person, I know how [you put your heart into things] and I want to acknowledge that.’