Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The stories choose you,’ said Carlo Obispo as a way of explaining why his films focus on Filipino children, often the most vulnerable in the country.

‘There’s a crucial reconciliation between who you think you are and how these stories speak to you,’ Obispo told an audience at the Borneo Cultures Museum here on Friday, Nov. 14, during his talk, ‘From Local Roots to Global Screens: Crafting Stories Beyond Borders.’

Obispo was named Best Director at the 2023 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) for ‘The Baseball Player.’ The 2025 edition, which started on Nov. 12, ends today, Nov. 15.

Filmmaking is just for the rich

Obispo’s journey began in Purok Siete, a rural village in Tarlac, Philippines. ‘Not every home had a TV, not everybody even had electricity. We were content with playing on the streets, in the river, and catching fish. Filmmaking felt impossible. It was just for the rich.’

Even in high school, his closest dream was to be a writer. ‘Art was not really a priority in my school,’ he said. College theater sparked a passion for directing, but filmmaking remained out of reach, until digital technology opened the door.

Moving to Manila, he sought guidance from screenwriter Ricky Lee, now a National Artist for Film and Broadcast. ‘He opened the doors for not only me but for many other filmmakers,’ Obispo said. ‘It was there I realized my storytelling would start from observing life in the countryside.’

Confronting harsh realities

His films’ focus on children came after confronting harsh realities. ‘When I worked in Malate, some guys would offer kids to go out with you, for a price. At first, I shrugged it off. But seeing anti-child trafficking posters in Cebu made me realize how serious it was. That’s why my films explore Filipino children.’

‘Purok 7,’ his debut feature, looked at the lives of children whose parents work abroad. Subsequent works, including ‘1,2,3’ and ‘Gasping for Air,’ tackled trafficking and other social issues. ‘The Baseball Player’ continues this focus, highlighting child soldiers.

‘For me, filmmaking is a process of self-knowing,’ he said. ‘Children are always vulnerable. As a storyteller, you see the problems and feel obliged to do something about them. You can’t sleep. You can’t be at ease until you act. It haunts you until you do something.’

Despite financial struggles, Obispo pressed on. ”Purok 7′ was semi-autobiographical. Producing, writing, directing all at once was really hard. But if you really want something badly, you will get it.’

He sees filmmaking as service. ‘We serve the story, the people it represents, and the audience. It’s not just about yourself. These stories chose me, and I am here to serve them.’

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson spoiled Macau’s debut in the 2025-26 season of the East Asia Super League (EASL) after pushing the Bolts past the Black Bears, 92-74, at Cebu Coliseum here on Saturday night.

Hollis-Jefferson was everywhere on the court, finishing with a monster double-double to the tune of 34 points and 11 rebounds with five assists and two blocks to match.

In usual RHJ fashion, he never sat once in the entire 40 minutes of action in the Bolts’ second straight win.

‘Rondae is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever played against. He’s the same every time. He approaches the game in the same way,’ Chris Newsome said.

‘He motivates the guys around him, he makes his teammates go harder. Whenever you feel like you can’t anymore, RHJ is someone who will motivate you.’

After trailing by as much as 19 points, the Black Bears trimmed their deficit to six, 80-74, late in the fourth quarter. But in response, Hollis-Jefferson sank a heavily contested short stab and drew the foul to extend the lead to nine, 83-74, with 2:32 left in the game.

Fellow import Ismael Romero, who also had a double-double of his own, put the finishing touches after a bruising bucket in the paint to put Meralco up for good, 85-74, with 1:54 remaining in the game.

Romero powered his way to 25 points and 28 rebounds. Chris Banchero got his rhythm with 12 points while Sina Vahedi also helped the cause with 10 to his name to push the Bolts to a 2-2 record in Group B.

‘It was difficult for us because he didn’t know who we’d play so it’s nice to get this win,’ coach Nenad Vucinic said, reiterating they only found out the Black Bears’ lineup at 10:30 pm the night before.

Damian Chonqui topscored for Macau, finishing with 25 points and four assists in the season-opening loss. Omari Peek-Green and Jalon Miller also finished with 14 markers each.

Senator Mark Villar has denied allegations made by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo that he received kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the flood control mess on Friday, Bernardo implicated Villar, former Senator Grace Poe, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara in allegedly receiving commitments from DPWH projects.

Bernardo said that when he became an assistant secretary of the agency, former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral was already in service. He alleged that Villar supposedly received commitments from DPWH when he was still head of the agency.

‘The funding of all projects was cleared through Usec. Cabral for approval by Sec. Villar. From time to time, Usec. Cabral would ask me to submit a detailed list of projects regarding lump-sum fund allocations of DPWH, which she sometimes approves herself or forwards to Sec. Villar for approval,’ Bernardo said.

‘Among others, these include EDSA and other major road project applications, and maintenance of creeks and waterways. The commission from these approved projects was 10 percent and divided as follows: 50 percent to Carlo Aguilar, presumably for Sec. Mark Villar; 25 percent for Usec. Cabral; and 25 percent for myself,’ Bernardo added.

Villar said he stands by his ‘untarnished record’ as a former DPWH secretary, representative, and now a senator.

‘I vehemently and categorically deny the accusations made today in the Blue Ribbon Committee. Isa po itong malaking kasinungalingan (This is one big lie),’ Villar said in a statement on Friday.

Villar then asked the public ‘to be discerning and not to rush judgment based solely on a person’s affidavit, which may be manufactured or tailored to fit his or other people’s convenience.’

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is further strengthening its enforcement efforts against illegal acts. These include investment scams, predatory lending practices, money laundering, terrorist financing, market abuse, disclosure violations and others.

This is through a whistleblower protection program that safeguards individuals who report such anomalies.

The SEC last Nov. 12 issued for public comment the draft memorandum circular providing guidelines on whistleblower protection. This is as part of its contribution to corporate integrity and the country’s broader anti-corruption and transparency efforts under the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The move is also in coordination with initiatives of the Department of Finance.

‘Financial consumers, investors, and corporate insiders all play a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of our financial and corporate sectors. Their willingness to expose wrongdoings forms part of our defense against fraud, market abuse, failures in disclosure, and other illegal acts,’ SEC chair Francis Lim said in a statement.

‘Through the issuance of these whistleblower protection guidelines, we seek to empower victims, market participants, and concerned citizens to come forward without fear, report violations of corporate and securities laws, from scams to complex misconduct such as insider trading and failures to disclose beneficial ownership, and join us in our fight against illicit activities that harm financial consumers and erode confidence in our markets,’ Lim said.

The draft guidelines considers a whistleblower as any person who provides ‘truthful information’ relating to a reportable act or omission to the SEC.

Reportable acts or omissions cover any offense or violation under the Revised Corporation Code. These include the unauthorized use of corporate name; violation of the disqualification provision for directors; willful certification of incomplete, false, or misleading statements or reports; and fraudulent conduct of business, among others.

Whistleblower protection and filing of reports

Whistleblowers may also report on other laws and regulations implemented by the SEC. These include the Securities Regulation Code; Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act; and Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, among others.

This means whistleblowers can report not only obvious scams, but also highly sophisticated violations. Examples are insider trading, market manipulation and failure to disclose accurate beneficial ownership information.

The draft guidelines primarily ensure that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation while providing clear and accessible ways to file reports with the SEC.

A whistleblower may lodge a report through designated channels. These include the Whistleblowing Portal that will be created on the SEC website.

The SEC will process anonymous reports or complaints only if the information provided pertains to verifiable leads through other means. For example, by checking corporate records. In such a case, the subject of such reports or complaints may be required to provide a comment.

Anonymous reports should clearly identify the respondents by disclosing the corporation’s corporate name and address. Further, the alleged violations, actions, and/or omissions must be clearly identified, together with the law, rule, and regulations allegedly violated.

A whistleblower who files a report anonymously may choose to provide a manner by which he or she can be contacted. The SEC shall keep this confidential in accordance with the law.

Whistleblowing office

The draft guidelines provide the designation of a Whistleblowing Office. It shall take charge of receiving and managing whistleblowing reports and overseeing the implementation of whistleblower protection measures.

The SEC will also implement measures to protect whistleblowers from retaliation or adverse actions. This includes ensuring job security and providing support mechanisms.

Anti-retaliation measures may also include prohibitions on dismissal or demotion. The Commission could also provide counseling or legal assistance. INQ

Resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has dared Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over the former lawmaker’s allegations regarding the cousins’ involvement in the P100 billion insertions in the 2025 national budget.

Co issued the challenge in the second part of his video statement posted on Saturday.

The former lawmaker broke his months-long silence after being implicated in alleged corruption in flood control projects through a video statement initially posted on Friday.

In the first part of the video, Co alleged that Marcos and Romualdez were the alleged masterminds behind the P100 billion in the 2025 national budget. Co then published a list of proposed projects that Marcos, through Romualdez, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Adrian Bersamin, requested to be inserted into the bicameral conference committee level.

Co then claimed that after the approval of the budget, he asked the Department of Public Works and Highways how much of the P100 billion insertion should be given to the Office of the President.

‘What they told me is 25 percent. It means that 25 percent of the P100 billion is the SOP that should be given to BBM. In total, P25 billion went to President Bongbong Marcos,’ Co said in the second part of the video statement.

With this, Co said that Remulla must stick to his word that he would investigate Romualdez if the former provided evidence.

‘He should now prove his statement that he will investigate his fraternity brother and his friend, Speaker Martin Romualdez, if he truly intends to fulfill his duty,’ Co dared.

‘He must also investigate President Bongbong Marcos. Like what BBM said last Sona, ‘let’s do it right and have some shame,’ right?’ Co added.

Remulla recently said that among the high-ranking officials being subjected to ongoing investigations for directly facilitating or turning a blind eye to the corruption in government infrastructure works are Romualdez, Co, and former Senate President Francis Escudero.

Remulla noted that while examining cases involving Co, there was a pattern of the latter’s coordination with some senators in crafting the final version of the national budget. Meanwhile, Remulla said that Romualdez was ‘responsible’ for appointing Co as the chairperson of the House committee on appropriations in the 19th Congress from 2022 to 2025.

Co also called on the Senate to investigate the alleged P100-billion budget insertion directed by Marcos.

‘I know that Ombudsman Remulla will not heed my challenge, but the Senate is doing a great job in investigating, and I believe that because of them, the truth will come out,’ Co added.

A lawyer has filed graft and other criminal complaints against Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and several officials of Sorsogon province at the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged financial irregularities involving more than P352 million.

This ‘systematic corruption’ happened during Escudero’s term as provincial governor (2019 to 2022) and was also flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) in a 2021 report, according to the complaint filed on Friday by Eldrige Marvin Aceron.

Also named respondents in the complaint are members of the provincial government’s bids and awards committee: acting provincial accountant Rena Garcia; a general services officer named identified only as Rosalina; and the provincial treasurer who was not named in the document.

Questionable transactions

Aceron sued them for graft, technical malversation, fraud against the public treasury, falsification of public documents.

There was no immediate comment from Escudero regarding the complaint.

Aceron cited the following transactions or expenses earlier reported by COA involving public funds totaling P352,679,063:

Contracts for ‘overlapping’ and ‘physically impossible’ infrastructure projects that were awarded to contractors using the personnel and equipment, all worth P125.7 million.

Projects involving P15.47 million that went unimplemented for six years, including P10 million earmarked for typhoon relief

Janitorial and laundry contracts, worth P8.44 million, that were supported by falsified documents, conflicting notarizations, and fabricated client references

Tupad (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) disbursements found to have spurious signatures, missing authorizations, and improper implementation, amounting to P1.65 million

Development projects worth P5.65 million that were ‘improperly’ charged to the province’s development fund as they were not included in the approved procurement plan.

Property, plant, and equipment accounts, including ‘ghost assets’ and demolished structures that remained recorded in government books, totaling P195.74 million.

‘Deliberate acts’

‘These are not mere accounting errors. These are deliberate acts that robbed the children of Sorsogon of their future. While families struggled through the pandemic, public funds were diverted, mishandled, or left to rot in government accounts,’ Aceron said in a statement he issued during his filing.

‘Moreover, 2021 is not an isolated year of malfeasance. The COA reports for 2022 and 2023 reveal the same pattern-qualified opinions on the province’s financial statements that persist to this very day,’ he added.

The complaint was filed a month after Aceron lodged an ethics case against Escudero at the Senate over alleged illegal campaign donations.

In his statement on Friday, Aceron said he had not met Escudero personally and had no ax to grind against the senator.

‘It’s my personal fight, but I am not alone. I have at least 370 people with me, and we will do this. We will continue doing this until we get some justice. He’s the senator with many anomalies. So we are filing charges against him,’ he said.

As much as Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is frustrated with Converge’s garbage-time basket on Friday, he also made sure that Juan Gomez de Liano and his team would get their plaudits.

‘[Gomez de Liano] looked like he’s the best player in the league,’ Cone said after the Gin Kings had no answer for Gomez de Liano’s huge night in the 106-96 FiberXers triumph at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Gomez de Liano fired 32 points after missing just three of his 16 attempts in a performance that highlighted Converge’s mastery of the crowd favorites.

He also had six rebounds and six assists that enabled Converge to finally score a win against one of the perennial heavyweights in the league, a status the FiberXers hope to reach one day.

The FiberXers improved to 5-2 going into the three-week break due to the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers while the Gin Kings fell to 2-4.

But Cone also noted that Gomez de Liano wasn’t the sole reason for the Converge victory as Schonny Winston and twin towers Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar came through as well.

‘Gotta give credit to them. They are a really good young team. They put it all together tonight,’ said Cone. ‘They were greatly complimented by the two bigs as well. I thought they did a great job.’

For over 15 years, Nuvali has been a benchmark for integrated, eco-conscious development in Southern Luzon. Spanning more than 2,400 hectares, the estate continues to evolve as a thriving community where neighborhoods, green landscapes, and open spaces coexist with purposeful urban growth.

Now, Nuvali moves toward its new age-an exciting phase defined by greater connectivity, strategic infrastructure, and a stronger regional presence.

A connected future for the South

Southern Luzon’s infrastructure network is rapidly transforming, and Nuvali is positioned right at the heart of it.

Beyond existing links through SLEx and Calax, upcoming projects such as the Casile-Tagaytay Road and Carmona-Binan Link Road will further strengthen access between Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and Tagaytay.

These new connections will make travel smoother and faster, linking Nuvali to key destinations across Calabarzon Region and enhancing its role as a central point of convergence for business and leisure.

Expanding horizons

Across its expanse, Nuvali continues to grow around distinct lifestyle and business clusters that bring people together through work, recreation, and community life. Future developments are envisioned to deepen this integration, combining open spaces, commercial activity, and civic destinations that reflect Ayala Land’s commitment to balanced, sustainable growth.

A network of parks, walkways, and green corridors ensures connectivity within, while smart estate systems-including fiber connectivity and 24/7 management-lay the foundation for a modern and efficient environment.

Shaping the South’s next hub

With over 32 residential developments, 13,000 residents, and three major schools, Nuvali continues to anchor a growing community that drives Southern Luzon’s progress. Surrounded by expanding infrastructure and a dynamic economic landscape, the estate stands ready for its next evolution-a place where nature, enterprise, and community continue to thrive together.

The new age of Nuvali signals more than expansion-it marks a reimagined vision for the South, where every connection, every open space, and every new development moves toward a shared future of growth and balance.

With stronger connections and continuous growth, Nuvali is setting the stage for its next wave of destinations. The planned expansion of Ayala Malls Nuvali will soon bring an elevated retail and leisure experience to the estate, enhancing its role as the South’s center for commerce, lifestyle, and community.

Coming soon: the next chapter of Nuvali’s evolution.

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will inspect flood control projects in Cebu on Sunday, November 16, amid the commission’s ongoing investigation into anomalous infrastructure projects across the country.

In an advisory sent to reporters on Saturday evening, the ICI said the Cebu sites to be inspected are located in Mandaue City, the municipality of Liloan, Talisay City, and Cebu City.

The commission added that Azurin’s inspection will be conducted in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar.

On Thursday, Azurin and Bisnar inspected flood control projects at four sites in Ilocos Norte, where they noted that no ‘ghost’ projects were found.

However, the ICI and DPWH officials said they will investigate whether there are ‘substandard’ projects among the flood control sites.

Earlier, Azurin said the ICI is prioritizing its investigation of 80 projects involving the top 15 contractors earlier named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The 80 projects are part of the 421 flood control projects that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon recently tagged as ‘ghost’ projects.

Far Eastern University capped an undefeated run to the UAAP Season 88 women’s football crown with a 2-0 victory over La Salle on Saturday at UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The Lady Tamaraws secured their fourth straight championship and 14th overall title, cementing their status as the most successful program in the women’s division. FEU is the first team to accomplish a four-peat since La Salle’s run from Seasons 65-68.

‘It’s a good gift for the graduating players,’ said coach Let Dimzon. ‘Even before we went here, they were confident we could win.’

FEU struck early, with Judie Arevalo’s 15th-minute header off a corner kick. Regine Rebosura, a 2025 Fifa Futsal Women’s World Cup national team member, sealed the win in stoppage time with a second goal.

‘This is product of all our hardwork, it’s not about the game-it’s about the sacrifices during training,’ Dimzon said. ‘La Salle gave us a tough fight, but our winning mentality prevailed.’

The Lady Tamaraws finished the season unbeaten, conceding only three goals. Their winning streak now stands at 13 games dating back to Season 87.

This also marks FEU’s second collegiate title in Season 88, following its earlier triumph in women’s athletics.

Several players received individual honors. FEU captain Jonela Albino was named Most Valuable Player, while Rebosura and Jessa May Lehayan earned Best Midfielder and Best Goalkeeper. Arevalo took the Golden Boot with eight goals.

From La Salle, Elisha Lubiano and Jodie Banzon were named Best Defender and Rookie of the Year. Ateneo’s Jada Bicierro won Best Striker, while the Blue Eagles also received the Fair Play Award and claimed bronze, their first podium finish since Season 79.