Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Philippine delegation to the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was commended by farmers’ groups and sectoral advocates for upholding the country’s sovereign right to evaluate proposed measures based on national priorities and capacities, especially those with potential impacts on rural economies and tobacco-growing communities.

In his opening statement, Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation, stressed the need for responsible transitions for communities that remain dependent on tobacco, noting that the crop continues to support livelihoods across various regions in the country.

‘We must ensure transitions are socially and economically responsible as we work to diversify livelihoods and sustain investments, consistent with our laws and the Convention,’ he said.

He added that the Philippines places importance on ‘sovereignty and different national contexts in the implementation of guidance.’

The delegation’s position emphasized that new proposals under the FCTC are voluntary in nature and should only be adopted after due review and alignment with existing national laws.

This position drew praise from local groups who argued that several of the more stringent proposals under discussion could carry significant socio-economic consequences if applied without consideration of local conditions.

The Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA), a congressional bloc representing tobacco-growing provinces, said the Philippine stance helped prevent the imposition of policies that do not match agricultural realities.

‘We applaud the Philippine delegation for standing up for the welfare of farmers, consumers, and communities in tobacco-growing provinces and not agreeing to proposals to end government support for growers, impose quotas, and phase out tobacco sales are unrealistic, overly punitive, and incompatible with the country’s agricultural and economic realities,’ the group said.

‘Had these proposals been accepted, it would have amounted to an economic death sentence for entire agricultural provinces and the industries linked to them. Such measures would severely harm rural livelihoods, disrupt lawful industries, and jeopardize revenues that fund essential public services,’ they added.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) also highlighted the crop’s enduring role in rural life. ‘Tobacco remains a primary source of livelihood across nearly 20 provinces.More importantly, this is the only source of decent income many families have known for generations.’

The group said the delegation’s approach reflected an understanding of these realities.

‘In protecting our farmers and the communities reliant on this crop, the Philippine delegation has done an act of compassion and fairness. They chose to listen to the people who would have suffered first and most. For that, we are deeply grateful. They protected not just our crops, but our dignity and our future.’

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday urged young lawyers to work for the investigative body as corruption cases pile up.

Remulla made the call as his office conducted an investigation on more personalities linked to the flood control scandal.

‘We’re encouraging young lawyers to apply with us, those who have the energy to do all of this,’ Remulla said on the sidelines of the Pilipinas Conference forum of think tank Stratbase Institute.

‘The pay is good. When you work for the government before, it was usually a sacrifice, now I think it is at par with big law offices,’ he added.

The Office of the Ombudsman needs more hands on deck as it started to file cases related to the flood control corruption scandal to antigraft court Sandiganbayan, but Remulla said this is just the start.

Additional divisions may be needed

‘More cases are coming. And we are working with the court for continuous trials-no delays, no unnecessary resets,’ he noted.

Remulla even noted that, with the influx of cases, there might be a need to further increase the seven divisions currently existing in Sandiganbayan.

‘If you do the math with all of these cases right now, we may run out of Sandiganbayan divisions by the time all of this is over, we may legislate new divisions,’ Remulla said.

‘But the problem is, most of the accused are legislators. Would they want to make more divisions to make the result faster?’ he continued.

The Ombudsman on Tuesday has filed the first batch of cases against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co and several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday announced that arrest warrants against Co and 17 others, including DPWH officials, are now out.

More personalities under probe

Remulla also confirmed that more personalities tagged on alleged anomalies are also under investigation.

This includes Construction Workers Solidarity partylist Rep. Edwin Gardiola, as well as former cabinet officials Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management Amenah Pangandaman.

Gardiola was accused by Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste of being ‘biggest’ proponent of (DPWH) projects while noting that the agency’s 2025 budget contains numerous project insertions allegedly linked to the party-list representative.

Last September, former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects, claimed he met with Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar in 2024 to discuss unprogrammed appropriations supposedly intended for the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Bernardo claimed that Olaivar requested a 15-percent cut from the P2.85-billion infrastructure projects for Bersamin’s office, which he vehemently denied.

Co, in his video statement, said Pangandaman had asked him to confirm the president’s order regarding the alleged insertions with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin. Pangandaman denied Co’s accusations.

Former titleholder Natalie Glebova declared that she ‘will never be participating as a judge again’ at Miss Universe, saying there was no auditor who came onstage with the results in this year’s edition of the global tilt.

Glebova, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2005, said on Instagram on Friday, Nov. 21, that she wanted to see an ‘auditor who came on stage with sealed results’ before the winners were announced.

‘This must be said. when I competed in 2005 and years prior, I recall there was always an auditor who came on stage with sealed results from an accounting firm. I’d like to bring that back please,’ she said.

‘Until then I don’t think I will be participating as a judge again,’ she continued.

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Glebova also showed her support for Thailand’s Praveenar Singh (who finished as first runner-up) while describing the latter as her ‘winner.’

‘My winner! #missuniverse. As a judge this year I can only speak for myself when I cast my votes. Please remember that each person has their own opinion and not one single person can influence the result,’ she said.

Meanwhile, a clip from one @pageantphilippines3 noticed that Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza didn’t give reigning titleholder Fatima Bosch a standing ovation when she was announced as the winner.

Carl Corpus slowed down with three bogeys in his last seven holes on Thursday, settling in keeping a four-stroke lead over a new pursuer after a two-under-par 70 heading into the final round of the P2 million ICTSI Valley Golf Championship at the Antipolo complex’s tough South course.

The 24-year-old looked headed to running away with his maiden PGT victory early, only to drop shots on the 12th, 13th and 17th holes for a 54-hole 204 over a layout he calls home, which allowed Aidric Chan, who fired a 66, back in the fight.

‘There wasn’t any pressure,’ Corpus said when asked what went wrong in that birdie-less stretch. ‘I just hit my approaches far from my targets. I just need to make better decisions (in the final round) to be honest.’

Angelo Que crept closer to a first-ever Order of Merit (OOM) title after rebounding with a 70 to be six shots behind like Dutchman Guido van der Valk, who returned a 69, even as Fidel Concepcion, the only man with a shot at toppling Que for the season-ending crown, shot himself in the foot with a 76 on moving day to be seven behind Que.

Chan also had an eagle-spiked round that also featured six birdies. And he didn’t hide the fact that he will cherish his final round grouping with his cousin Corpus a lot on Friday.

‘I’m excited to play with Carl,’ said Chan. ‘It’s something we’ve both dreamed of since we were young-to compete at the top level together. I’ll just play my game and let God’s plan work. I do better when I focus on my process and enjoy the round.’

Antonio Lascuña finally got into a groove, shooting a week-best 64 that had the five-time OOM champ zooming from the bottom of the pack to ninth with a 213, tied with Jhonnel Ababa and Ira Alido, who matched 69s.

Despite his wobbly finish, Corpus exuded confidence because he believed that he could survive the South course’s most brutal tests.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects onion prices to stabilize by December as the bulk of red onion imports begin to arrive. Of the 59,594 metric tons (MTs) expected red onion imports this year, only 11,371 MTs have arrived as of Nov. 13.

The price of red onion has climbed to P280 per kilo, with some imported varieties reaching P300 per kilo due to tightening preharvest supply and a temporary import ban that was enforced until August.

DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the incoming shipments should bring prices down to P120 to P150 per kilo, roughly the same levels back in September.

‘The volume of expected imports until the end of the year is enough to cover our requirements, especially during the upcoming holiday season. The prices we are seeing now will go down gradually to P120 to P150 per kilo,’ De Mesa said on Wednesday.

No shortage

For November alone, the DA had anticipated the arrival of 18,660 MTs, but only 1,480 MTs have arrived so far.

De Mesa, however, said the current supply situation would not lead to a repeat of the 2022 onion crisis, when retail prices soared to P700 per kilo.

At the time, he noted that the government had failed to clear imports on schedule, contributing to the price surge.

The time, the DA is better prepared with more cold storage facilities to help regulate the release of onions into the market, De Mesa said.

‘When the crisis started then, we didn’t have enough cold storage facilities. That is why when the onions were harvested, they were immediately sold to traders who had a lot of control over the supply,’ he added.

Despite the thinning local supply, De Mesa insisted there was no actual shortage.

The supply crunch is expected to ease further as the harvest season begins in December and continues through March 2026.

The country’s national athletes who will see action at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next month will be among the first to use the newly refurbished equipment at PhilSports Complex, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chief Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino said during the unveiling ceremony attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘We will be sending the biggest delegation so far, 1,600 athletes,’ Tolentino said on Wednesday. ‘And we are going to be using these pieces of equipment now to train before going to Bangkok.’

Tolentino has said the Philippines faces an uphill battle against its regional rivals, with Thailand, as host, limiting several of the Filipinos’ gold medal chances.

But the POC president has also said the delegation will put up a good fight.

The renovated training center and the National Museum for Sports were unveiled on Wednesday, with President Marcos admitting he was impressed with the improvements.

‘We’ve had something like this in the past, but nothing as good,’ the president said.

The chief executive added that the training center will play a vital role in ensuring that national athletes will always be prepared when competing for international glory.

‘When athletes are training for a specific match, a specific tournament, a specific fight, . everything about their preparation has to be complete,’ President Marcos said. ‘They have to be able to rest well. They have to be able to eat the proper food. They have to be trained properly.

‘So I congratulate all those who have been part of this rebirth, shall we say, of these facilities. And I congratulate you all, and I know that this kind of facility will be so important and will help our athletes do better . in all their competitions.’

The SEA Games will kick off on Dec. 9 in Thailand.

Tolentino, meanwhile, hopes that the next sports infrastructure that will be unveiled will be the POC building, something the Olympic chief feels is long overdue.

‘After 100 years of our country competing in the Olympics, we won gold in Tokyo, followed by the Paris Olympics, where we won two,’ Tolentino said. ‘After 100 years, we really need a stand-alone building for the Philippine Olympic Committee. All nations in the world have one. We are the only ones left with none.’

Tolentino said he is optimistic that with the help of Philippine Ambassador for Sports Vinny Marcos, that dream will be a reality.

Each strand finds its place, a name at the heart of the weave, threads crossing and folding in. Stories gather here, memories settling slowly and deliberately, each piece seeking its home until a new story of empowerment quietly emerges.

In Caloocan, the Persons with Disability (PWD) Affairs Office has begun breathing life back into the old art of bayong-making. Here, artisans gather-not just to earn, but to remember what it feels like to shape something with their own hands, to find confidence again in the gentle rhythm of weaving. The program empowers PWDs through craft and business training, enabling sustainable livelihoods and personal transformation.

It began when Mayor Along Malapitan launched livelihood programs at a center in one of Caloocan’s barangays. Officers have since trained there, learning to weave bayong bags. In fact, Doris Solomon, president of Circle of Hope, even observed that this craft suits PWDs’ skills and strengths.

What began as a simple fundraiser has grown into clear proof: learning this craft empowers individuals, opening doors to livelihood and dignity, thus turning the program into what is now known as ‘Fashionable Bayong.’

Reviving and redefining tradition

From pre-colonial times, bayong bags have carried not just goods but also everyday stories of indigenous communities. As the years passed, these woven pieces grew into quiet symbols of Filipino identity and craftsmanship, shaped by skilled hands and tradition. Today, the craft continues to evolve-contemporary designs blend style with sustainability. The bayong has become both a reflection of personal flair and a celebration of cultural heritage, reaffirming the value of reusable, eco-friendly materials.

This initiative quietly reveals how environmental awareness and social inclusion can coexist within a single livelihood project. Buying a locally woven bayong is both eco-friendly and a direct endorsement of PWD artisans’ empowerment. Their work now offers creative expression, income, and dignity.

And yes, each piece is woven with purpose.

Toward a future of visibility

People are becoming more aware of these pieces. What started as simple walk-ins to check on the products has now turned into bulk orders, with bayongs being bought as giveaway bags and gifts. As the holidays approach, orders continue to line up, and the artisans behind the crafts find themselves busier than ever.

Each design is created with care and intention by those who share their stories through their hands. What used to be plain bags now carry meaning, culture, and resilience-woven together to hold not just items, but also the spirit of their makers. Stories carrying stories of those who hold the piece, functioning as a home for them.

Looking ahead to the new year, the organization envisions a broad training program and hopes to guide more hands into the gentle cycle of weaving-offering not just new bayongs, but new beginnings.

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he is maintaining a ‘clear conscience’ as he denied any link to alleged irregularities flagged in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) fact-finding probe.

He said he voluntarily faced investigators and is now leaving the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Romualdez’s lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, read the lawmaker’s statement during a press conference on Friday.

‘I willingly submitted myself to the ICI fact-finding process, appeared voluntarily, and remained in the country,’ Fajardo said, quoting the Leyte representative.

‘Throughout all these proceedings, no sworn or credible evidence has ever linked me to any irregularity, and again, my conscience remains clear,’ he added.

Romualdez hopes that the anti-graft office will conduct an impartial and thorough review of the referrals.

‘I do so with confidence that a fair and complete assessment of the record will reflect the truth,’ the lawmaker said.

Asked about Romualdez’s whereabouts, Fajardo said the lawmaker is in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region.

The lawyer added that Romualdez will continue to attend the succeeding sessions of the House of Representatives.

The lawmaker issued the statement after the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways recommended filing plunder, graft and direct bribery charges against him and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

The Magnolia Hotshots congratulated Ahtisa Manalo on finishing as the third runner-up in the Miss Universe beauty pageant held Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.

Magnolia posted a photo of Manalo along with team governor Jason Webb during the opening ceremony of the PBA’s 50th season shortly after the event won by Fatima Bosch of Mexico.

‘Congratulations @ahtisa – our gorgeous Magnolia muse – on finishing as 3rd runner-up at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant! Your entire Magnolia family is incredibly proud of you!’ the Hotshots said.

WATCH: The Magnolia Hotshots, in a post on their social media page, congratulate Ahtisa Manalo on being third runner-up in the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Thailand.

Manalo was tapped to serve the role during the opener on Oct. 5 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, joining other muses from different backgrounds.

Last year’s Miss Universe representative Chelsea Manalo walked for Meralco. Manalo (not related) made it to the top 30 of the 2024 edition held in Mexico, though she won the Best National Costume category.

Actress Sue Ramirez also took part in the ceremony as muse of crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra while PLDT volleyball stars Savi Davidson, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Kianna Dy and Jessey de Leon represented TNT.

Magnolia also played that night and defeated Barangay Ginebra, 80-73, in LA Tenorio’s coaching debut.

Disasters often expose the cracks in the system, and those in our mental health system have been obvious. The availability of mental health services cannot keep up with the increasing demand for these services after disasters. Our clinics can only be afforded by a few, and even those who can afford have to queue for miles. Efforts in providing post-disaster mental health support are scarce. Most of the affected communities usually are only able to avail of mental health services offered by nongovernment organizations, which are often available only in the short-term.

To improve post-disaster mental health services, we need to put the disaster context in mind. Disasters are characterized by the scarcity of community resources, including mental health services. In response to this limitation, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which is the highest humanitarian coordination body of the United Nations, proposed the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) pyramid, which presents the hierarchy of interventions after disasters, and suggests how resources should be prioritized.

Published in 2007, the MHPSS pyramid follows a public health approach and prescribes prioritizing safety and security needs; followed by the strengthening of family and community supports; nonspecialized supports, such as psychological first aid (PFA); and finally, specialized services, which include clinical psychological and psychiatric care.

This order of prioritization suggests that by addressing the basic needs first, by making our social services robust, and by strengthening the natural support systems of disaster survivors, we will be able to prevent the escalation of most forms of psychological distress into psychiatric conditions and will reduce the number of people who will be needing specialist care.

Disasters are also characterized by chaos. Therefore, MHPSS should not contribute to this social disorder. Interventions should stay within the framework of the official disaster response system. On the one hand, mental health teams should avoid entering communities without proper coordination with the authorities. On the other hand, the government should find ways to successfully coordinate with various groups providing mental health services. Coordination is necessary to avoid confusion, fatigue, and disillusionment for both the survivor and the responder.

Furthermore, mental health interventions should be evidence-based. Evidence points to stress debriefing as not only ineffective, but even harmful, especially in the hands of the inexperienced, and in single-session contexts. Yet, many mental health providers are still doing it after disasters and doing it in single sessions.

In contrast, the World Health Organization recommends PFA. Unlike stress debriefing, PFA is an evidence-based practical way of providing immediate aid, comfort, safety, and support needs without prematurely unearthing traumatic experiences. PFA is simple and practical and may be provided not only by psychologists, but by any disaster responder. This could address the shortage of mental health professionals during these crises.

Disasters are not equalizers. They may even widen the gap between socioeconomic groups. Those with power and resources have good chances of coping. They also have access to quality mental health care and other resources needed for post-disaster recovery. In our current system, resilience is for those who can afford it. The rest will just have to endure. Therefore, we need to have a post-disaster mental health system that serves the poor and the marginalized, to reduce their vulnerability and to increase their coping capacity. Effective MHPSS answers the needs of the most vulnerable. MHPSS should be equitable.

In addition, MHPSS should be anchored in human rights and dignity. Provision of post-disaster support should always preserve the survivor’s dignity and should not curtail basic human rights such as the right to privacy and freedom of speech. MHPSS should be empowering and should build on individual and community capacities. It should not be used to take advantage of survivors. MHPSS always stays on the side of justice. It does not oppress, coerce, or operate through discrimination or systemic exclusion. It should not further victimize the survivors.

Lastly, disasters are not natural and are preventable. They occur when our hazard exposure interacts with our vulnerabilities, coupled with our poor coping capacity. As it goes, prevention is better than cure, and hazards do not have to become disasters. The best way to avoid post-disaster mental health problems is to prevent disasters from happening. That is real resilience, and not ‘resilience’ as an excuse for incompetence.