Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Tropical Depression Verbena intensified on Monday as it continued to move westward toward the Visayas, prompting widespread alerts for flooding and rain-induced landslides, and placing thousands of schools at risk.

This was based on new advisories from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

As of 3 a.m. on Monday, Pagasa said that the center of Verbena was located 345 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The system was moving westward at 30 kph, while a shear line continued to affect the eastern section of Luzon, and the northeast monsoon prevailed over Northern and Central Luzon.

DepEd-DRRMS’ hazard mapping revealed that 7,939 schools across 93 divisions are at risk of flooding, with Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) registering the highest number at 1,811, followed by Region 5 (1,518) and Region 13 (1,237).

Another 5,354 schools in 89 divisions were identified at risk of rain-induced landslides, with Region 5 topping the list at 1,242 schools, followed by Region 7 (969) and Region 10 (724). The maps indicated widespread susceptibility across the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.

Pagasa’s 12-hour to 120-hour forecast placed Verbena crossing the central Philippines, passing near or over the coastal waters of Liloan, Cebu, by early Tuesday and Tibião, Antique, by Tuesday afternoon.

The cyclone is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm within 48 hours as it moves over the waters surrounding Palawan. By November 29, Verbena is projected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), west-northwest of the Kalayaan Island Group, with winds of up to 65 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over wide portions of the Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and portions of Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Palawan.

The Himawari-8 infrared satellite image at 5:10 a.m. Monday showed a large convective mass over the Visayas and Mindanao, indicating persistent heavy rainfall that may worsen flooding in susceptible areas.

The DepEd urged School Division Offices to coordinate with local governments, activate their School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management teams, protect learning equipment, pre-position emergency supplies, and report incidents through its Incident Management Reporting System.

The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of learners and staff as Verbena brings days of unsettled weather across the country

Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo waxed sentimental as she capped her long and colorful pageant journey as the Philippines’ ‘pambansang manika’ (nation’s doll).

Manalo is set to fly back home on Monday evening, Nov. 24, from Thailand after almost a month-long preparation for the pageant, and is expected to be welcomed by the Filipino people following her spectacular performance.

The 28-year-old entrepreneur from Quezon Province has become one of the most well-loved and extremely popular beauty queens that the country has ever produced.

And with her extensive pageant resumé that lists three international competitions, Manalo’s fan base expanded beyond the Philippines.

‘Capping off my pageant journey with a quick look-back from where it all began. It was an honor representing you, PHILIPPINES! [Philippine flag emoji],’ Manalo wrote when she shared a video on social media on Sunday evening, Nov. 23.

The video captured her growth in pageantry, first as a 20-year-old college graduate from Quezon Province, to an accomplished businesswoman with footprints across the country.

Although Manalo’s break on the national stage was at the 2017 Reyna ng Aliwan contest, a competition of different festivals, her first big pageant was Binibining Pilipinas.

She joined the national pageant in 2018, the same edition as Catriona Gray who eventually became Miss Universe. Manalo was sent to the Miss International pageant where she finished as first runner-up.

So young and with full of promise, Manalo’s return to the national stage was eagerly awaited by many pageant fans, some of whom pitched the Miss World Philippines to be her next stop.

But she took her sweet time before throwing her hat again in pageantry. She attempted to enlist for the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines pageant in 2020 but did not pursue it. In 2024, she finally gave in to the lure of pageantry and finally staged a comeback via the Miss Universe Philippines pageant. But she only finished third overall.

Presented with the opportunity to compete in another international pageant, Manalo agreed to represent the country in the inaugural staging of Miss Cosmo. She landed a Top 10 spot.

She surprised the pageant world when she returned to the Miss Universe Philippines pageant the next year, in a field that already had a slew of seasoned aspirants with international experience.

And finally, after three attempts, Manalo found herself carrying the Philippines at Miss Universe, for the pageant’s 74th edition in Thailand. She delivered strong performances during the national costume presentation and preliminary competition, and even amped up her game at the finals.

Her hard work was rewarded with a third runner-up finish, though the crown eventually landed on Mexican bet Fatima Bosch’s head.

Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co said former House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly instructed him to deliver P2 billion monthly from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

The directive reportedly came following Co’s appointment as chair of the House Appropriations Committee in 2022.

In a video statement posted Monday afternoon, Co detailed his alleged coordination with DPWH officials, including former DPWH-Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, regarding the fund transfers and reported splitting of proceeds or kickbacks.

He did not, however, specify where the monthly P2 billion fund was delivered.

‘In 2022, when I had just assumed my position as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, Speaker Romualdez immediately told me that I needed to deliver P2 billion every month,’ Co said.

‘A few days later, Usec. (Roberto) Bernardo called me and said that Bulacan needed help with their flood problems. He sent DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara to my office,’ he recalled.

‘In our meeting with Alcantara, he himself offered how the proceeds from the DPWH projects would be divided: 22 percent for the Speaker, 2 percent for Usec Bernardo, and 1 percent for himself,’ Co further revealed.

Last week, Co also posted a video on social media detailing alleged cash deliveries tied to the 2025 national budget.

In the video, Co claimed that he and his staff were instructed to deliver suitcases of money to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s residences and to Malacañang.

He described these deliveries as linked to P100 billion in projects that he was allegedly told to insert during the 2024 bicameral conference on the national budget.

Co said that the amounts were determined as a fixed percentage and that he repeatedly sought clearance from Romualdez on the amounts and the transfers.

He also mentioned that Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin provided him with a list of projects worth P100 billion, which he understood would be tied to the cash deliveries.

The former lawmaker also revealed that there were ‘receipts, evidence and names’ associated with the transactions, and that multiple meetings were held to lay out the list of projects and corresponding amounts.

La Salle swingman EJ Gollena will miss the Green Archers’ crucial game against longtime rival Ateneo on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

The 6-foot-3 Gollena won’t be available after being slapped with a one-game suspension following his disqualifying foul during La Salle’s 87-82 win over University of the Philippines on Saturday.

‘Gollena will serve his suspension on Wednesday, November 26, when the Green Archers face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles at the Smart Araneta Coliseum,’ the UAAP said in a statement on Monday.

‘With 6.6 seconds left in the first quarter, just before UP’s throw-in, Gollena, using his closed right fist, punched UP’s #9 Francis Nnoruka in the upper right stomach after Nnoruka forcefully used his forearms to remove Gollena’s hands from his midsection,’ the statement added. ‘De La Salle University may file a motion for reconsideration regarding the suspension.’

The Green Archers are among the three teams fighting for the last Final Four spot. They’re currently holding onto the fourth seed at 7-6 with Far Eastern University (6-7) and Ateneo (6-7) trailing by just a game in the standings.

Despite being in a precarious situation, La Salle remains in control of its fate. A win over Ateneo earns the Archers the last semifinals spot and a date with top seed National University.

A three-way tie at 7-7 will pave the way for a stepladder. The team with the superior quotient gets a bye while the other two figure in a first do-or-die duel. The winner of that playoff takes on the squad that drew a bye for the last Final Four seat.

Since retiring from the bench, I have witnessed how tech wonderfully reshapes the pursuit of knowledge and justice. Recently, at a seminar on ‘Decision Intelligence and Supercreativity Leading in the Age of AI’ sponsored by PLDT and other MVP companies, I heard that AI chatbots dive far beyond the simple search engines I knew. They converse, synthesize, and delve deeply.

OUT OF CURIOSITY, I posed a whimsical query from one of the two guest speakers, the beautiful Cassie Kozyrkov, who encouraged the audience to ask ANY silly question: ‘Will you marry me?’ Her response was an instant ‘Yes’ to the guffaws of the audience. I privately repeated the same question to a chatbot. The answer was a courteous yet firm ‘I can’t.’ As a virtual assistant, it forms no romantic ties but is ever ready to chat at any time.

The freedom to ask is real. With artificial intelligence, there is no such thing as a stupid question. It may not give us all the answers, but it is not designed to humiliate anyone. It allows us to ask without judgment, no death stare, no rebuke, no awkwardness. This readiness to reply to any inquiry represents something genuinely new in how we access knowledge.

Yet does the question itself matter? Consider the marriage proposal. Normally, such questions take months or years of building trust and sensibility. Asking risks one’s credibility. AI cannot be a romantic partner (for now), so my question was admittedly futile. But as an assistant, it can offer guidance on how to build good relationships, including love relationships.

The liberty to ask, however, raises broader questions about how we guide AI’s integration into society. Today, I ponder two: How does AI reshape what matters to us? And what does AI governance mean for leaders?

AI CHANNELS OUR NATURALLY CURIOUS MINDS. Historically, seeking knowledge was limited by access and the social fear of judgment. The internet lowered these barriers, and AI has removed them almost entirely. Unlike humans, AI tirelessly answers queries on anything, including the essentials, even relationships.

Amid this convenience, we must ask: Does constant digital connectivity add more value than it takes away? As Cal Newport argues in ‘Digital Minimalism,’ we must adopt intentionality; ask which tools add real value, cut low-value noise, and optimize for meaning. It is not about banning tech but curating it wisely.

Here lies the essential tension: The freedom to ask drives curiosity; unchecked, it risks shallow engagement. AI translation offers immediate utility for tourists navigating foreign streets, yet it should not ignore the cognitive benefits and cultural empathy that come from actually learning a language.

AI GOVERNANCE IS AKIN TO MUSEUM CURATION. I previously highlighted the role of leaders as choice architects: they design cultures that subtly influence people’s behaviors. As a business adage reminds us, ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast,’ thereby stressing that even the smartest strategies fail without a supportive culture, and both depend on leaders who ask the right questions and know what truly matters.

In AI’s fast-evolving landscape, clear governance and sound judgment are essential. Envision it as museum curation: curators are not overwhelmed by countless artifacts. Instead, they optimize space with creativity and precision, designing exhibits that align with institutional goals while prioritizing visitor experience. They ask: Which pieces tell our story?

Similarly, AI leaders must curate tools, data, and processes. Which algorithms deliver value without ethical pitfalls? What safeguards ensure privacy? How do features enhance decision-making? Just as the Louvre Museum in Paris employs AI tools, in collaboration with Google, to analyze visitor engagement and create personalized virtual tours, leaders must balance technological capability with human values.

Yet we must also acknowledge the risks. While some use AI to enhance experience, others may have deployed biased algorithms that misrepresent or misinform. Effective governance is not restriction but intentional selection and thoughtful integration. Leaders must ask: What ‘exhibits’ in the AI ecosystem truly serve our mission and solve real problems? By curating wisely, we transform complexity into clarity.

AI grants not just the freedom to pose questions but opens myriad channels to exercise it. As a retired jurist, I see parallels to the courtroom: having access to evidence is meaningless without the wisdom to weigh it properly. Justice requires not just information but discernment about what truly matters.

What truly matters, then, is not just what we can ask, but why and how we integrate the answers into meaningful action. AI reshapes our relationship with knowledge by making it abundant; our challenge is ensuring this abundance leads to wisdom rather than distraction.

AI will definitely not marry me. Some questions still require human wisdom and sensitivity. As these innovations unfold, leaders must evolve in tandem, not just in knowledge and creativity but also in judgment.

Mayor Frederick W. Siao suspended all classes at all levels both in private and public schools effective 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, as Tropical Depression Verbena spawned heavy rains here and in other parts of Lanao del Norte.

Abeliza Manzano, chief of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said that the entire Lanao del Norte, including this city, had been placed under yellow alert status from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, because of the heavy rainfall, based on the advisory of the state weather bureau Pagasa.

Siao said the suspension of classes would ensure that students, teachers and the people of Iligan would be safe amid the inclement weather.

In Esperanza village, Bacolod town, more than four families were rescued when floodwaters abruptly rose. Later, it was found out that an old drainage canal in the area had been covered after a road widening project, stopping the flow of water, resulting in the flooding.

In Poona Piagapo town of the province, water overflowed from the river, affecting the Cabusaran – Pinid bridge.

Among the coastal towns of Lanao del Norte that also declared suspension of classes are Linamon, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy and Lala.

Mazano urged all municipal disaster risk reduction officers in the province to closely monitor and report the situation in their respective areas for quick response in times of emergency.

Armien Alloro, chief of of the Iligan City Risk Reduction Management Council (ICDRRM) Office, also directed all barangay DRRMOs to monitor the situation of 44 barangays, particularly the flood prone areas, possible landslides and rapid rise of floodwaters in rivers.

Petro Gazz import Lindsey Vander Weide didn’t think she would still be able to return from an early ankle injury during their PVL quarterfinals game against Creamline on Monday.

Vander Weide hurt her right ankle in the first set after a bad landing and was grimacing in pain while she was being wheeled off the court. ‘Initially, when it happened, I didn’t think that I was going to be able to come back because it swelled up so much,’ said the American reinforcement.

Somehow, she felt better and came back in the fourth set, helping the Angels restore order and close out the Cool Smashers, 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14.

‘I don’t feel amazing at this moment. But of course, for this team, when they needed me, I was ready to go,’ said the former Best Import and Finals MVP.

‘But once I started moving it again, and I was able to put my full weight on it and at least jump maybe half my vertical, I knew that I could at least go into play a little bit,’ she added.

When she went down, she knew that her teammates would step up, especially Myla Pablo, who unleashed a game-high 26 points.

‘I knew the team could do it without me. I had complete faith in them. But I said, if the girls need me, I’m ready to go in at any point,’ she said.

Petro Gazz coach Gary Van Sickle was all praise for Vander Weide’s resiliency.

‘Lindsey is a strong-minded person, so when she told me she could go, I kept asking her if she’s sure, she’s good, and said she said she’s there if we need her,’ said Van Sickle.

‘She told me she could do it so I felt confident by putting her in there. I think that gave us the extra lift and she puts up a big block on that right side so I think that made their hitters think a little bit more.’

Vander Weide hopes to fully recover from the injury in time for Petro Gazz’s knockout semifinal game against No. 8 Akari, which stunned top seed Farm Fresh earlier.

‘We just have to attack the game how we’ve attacked the last three games. I feel like we’re in a really good way right now. Our mentality is really strong. Akari gave us a fight last time we played them. I think it was five sets, five hard sets,’ she said. ‘And I know it’s going to be a similar match. So, we just have to go in strong-minded and keep playing how we’ve been.’

Seaoil Philippines announced a fresh round of fuel price adjustments set to take effect Tuesday, Nov. 25, reflecting another week of mixed movements in the global oil market.

In an advisory on Monday, the company said it would trim pump prices of gasoline by 20 centavos per liter, while diesel prices will climb by 60 centavos per liter. Kerosene, meanwhile, will see the steepest increase at P1.30 per liter.

The adjustments will take effect at 12:01 a.m. for stations implementing early price changes and 6 a.m. for the rest of Seaoil’s network.

Jetti petroleum president Leo Bellas earlier said gasoline prices were likely to soften amid slower regional demand and a notable buildup in US inventories, signaling weaker consumption in the world’s largest oil market.

He cited as key drivers of the upward pressure were reduced exports from Northeast Asian refiners facing maintenance and unplanned shutdowns, limited Chinese outflows and lingering disruptions in Russian supply.

Eight individuals linked to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro have been taken into custody, authorities announced on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that authorities already held several suspects in custody in connection with the case.

‘To all the accused still at large, I advise you to surrender now. Don’t wait to be chased. It’s better for your situation to surrender now so that you can properly respond to the allegations against you,’ Marcos said in Filipino in a video on social media.

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

In a joint press conference, 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

At the press conference, NBI Officer-in-Charge Atty. Angelito Magno said Abagon was arrested on Sunday.

Meanwhile, also at the briefing, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Pacanan surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), leading to the arrest of his six other co-accused.

Nartatez did not say when Pacanan surrendered and when the others were arrested.

Marcos announced the issuance of the arrest warrants against former House of Representatives appropriations committee chair and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 15 of his co-accused for the Sandiganbayan cases last Friday.

Co and the 15 others are accused of violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents in connection with a P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

The 15 others accused are DPWH 4B officials and executives of Sunwest Corporation, a construction firm linked to Co.

Co’s whereabouts

At the briefing, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co was still at large. He previously said the former lawmaker’s last known location was Japan.

‘We believe he is traveling with another passport. We do not know if he is using another name, so vine-verify pa namin,’ the DILG chief said.

‘The [International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)] blue notice is out. Now that we have the arrest warrant, the red notice can be out and we will further determine kung nasaan talaga siya (we will further determine where he actually is),’ he added.

An Interpol blue notice aims to ‘collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation,’ while an Interpol red notice aims to ‘seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.’

3 expected to return to PH

Meanwhile, according to Remulla, three more were known to be overseas:

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 individuals 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

Security personnel said Sacar ‘could not be located’ and authorities found he had ‘vacated’ his residence in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City last August, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, according to the QCPD, Ngo’s caretaker said he ‘no longer resides’ at the registered address in Quezon City and that his family said they had ‘no communication’ with him since the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Further, in a statement last Saturday, Albay police said they tried to serve Cao the arrest warrant in Guinobatan town, but locals said he was ‘not a resident’ and he was ‘unknown to them.’

Authorities have yet to detail information on Aldon’s whereabouts.

‘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,’ Remulla told the at-large individuals.

Abagon arrest

Magno further detailed that Abagon was arrested at a house in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City after police failed to serve him the warrant at his last known address in Cavite.

The NBI officer-in-charge added that a couple, who were stay-in helpers at the Quezon City house, was also arrested for supposedly assisting Abagon.

‘Reports were made that the house where he was arrested is allegedly owned by the vice mayor of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. We are still verifying the authenticity of this information,’ Magno said.

Remulla, however, said ‘We have determined that he is the owner of the property. Ang dine-determine lang namin kung ano ang nature ng kanyang stay sa lugar na yan (We are trying to determine the nature of his stay there).’

‘So, until we determine kung he was renting or he was being hidden, wala pa kaming definite statement kung ano ang status ng kanyang investigation (we have no definite statement yet on the status of the investigation),’ he added.

Asked about videos showing that NBI operatives barged into the house to arrest Abagon, Remulla defended the move, saying: ‘Standard operating procedure talaga yan. If they refuse to open the door, then the arrest warrant gives them the power to forcibly break open the door.’

(That’s just standard operating procedure. If they refuse to open the door, then the arrest warrant gives them the power to forcibly break open the door.)

A resolution asking the Senate blue ribbon panel to investigate the alleged misuse and weaponization of letters of authority (LOA) by the personnel of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a money-making scheme has been filed in the Senate.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, in a press conference on Monday, said numerous complaints have reached his office regarding the alleged corruption in the bureau.

‘While we are busy with flood control, there’s corruption happening in the BIR. That’s why I said, it’s the second-most corrupt agency, next to the DPWH,’ said Tulfo.

‘They are doing too much. Even if the businessman paid his taxes, they will stil inspect it. What I understand is that LOA is meant for a search warrant. They will give you a LOA if they are suspecting the tax you paid,’ he added.

LOAs refer to the official document that grants revenue officers permission to conduct a tax audit on a business or taxpayer.

Tulfo, meanwhile, said his objective in filing the resolution is for the Senate blue ribbon panel to be able to look into the reports of corruption immediately.

As for the personalities involved in the supposed money-making scheme, Tulfo said in the reports he received, those involved are likely ‘examiners.’

But he said they would also invite former BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., considering that the ‘corruption’ in the agency reportedly worsened in 2024 or during his tenure.