Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

National University overcame an early 18-point deficit to beat University of the East, 83-74, and clinch the first twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs climbed to 11-2 for their fifth straight win, securing the program’s first semifinals edge since Season 76 (2013) after finishing just 5-9 last year.

Head coach Jeff Napa acknowledged NU’s flat opening half, where the Bulldogs trailed 53-35 before flipping the game late in the third quarter.

‘Our first half showing was unusual. We were too relaxed, maybe the players through UE won’t come out and play,’ Napa said.

‘In the dugout, I only had a simple thing to say: ‘Is this the level you want to play in now that we’re headed to the Final Four? If you want to succeed in the next level, you need to show your best.”

UE, now 0-13, controlled the first two quarters behind Tope Lagat, Precious Momowei, Wello Lingolingo, and Jhon Jimenez, taking a 42-31 halftime lead and pushing the margin to 18 early in the third. But NU responded with a 20-4 surge sparked by Jolo Manansala, Omar John, and Mark Parks, trimming the deficit to 57-55. The Red Warriors still led 61-56 entering the fourth, but the Bulldogs unleashed a decisive 19-2 run behind PJ Palacielo, Jake Figueroa, John, and Manansala to seize a 75-63 advantage with under three minutes left.

UE went without a field goal for most of the fourth until Lagat scored with 1:16 remaining.

‘I guess I’m peaking somehow,’ said Manansala, who fired 17 of his 21 points in the second half. ‘I’m thankful to my teammates and coaches that their trust is still there. I won’t be able to put up those stats if it weren’t for them.’

John posted 14 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Figueroa added 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Francisco added 12 and Palacielo chipped in 11.

NU faces University of Santo Tomas on November 23 at Mall of Asia Arena to close out the eliminations.

Lagat led UE with 17 points, including 11 in the first half. Momowei added 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Dylan Despi had 11 points, seven assists, and five steals, while Jimenez finished with 10.

The Red Warriors-now on a 19-game skid dating back to last season-will try to avoid a winless year when they meet Far Eastern University next Saturday.

By now, the public has heard the sweeping allegations made by former DPWH Undersecretary Robert Bernardo against several lawmakers. These claims have sparked headlines, fueled speculation, and introduced yet another cloud of controversy into an already heated political atmosphere.

But when it comes to Senator Grace Poe, the accusations fall apart under even the slightest scrutiny. In fact, they reveal more gaps than substance-more insinuations than proof.

Ping Lacson’s skepticism speaks volumes

When Senator Ping Lacson-one of the country’s most uncompromising watchdogs of public funds-raises an eyebrow, people should listen.

‘That is what I’ve been telling him (Bernardo), it is hard to trace those without direct dealings or supporting documents,’ Lacson said. This wasn’t a gentle observation; it was a blunt assessment of a testimony that simply does not meet the standards of credible evidence.

Bernardo’s own affidavit underscores this point. He admits he dealt only with staff, never with Senator Poe. And more tellingly, he concedes that the alleged ‘kickback scheme’ has no paper trail. No receipts. No emails. No signatures. No corroboration.

In other words, he is making claims he openly acknowledges he cannot prove.

A timeline that breaks the budget rules

Even more troubling is the procedural impossibility embedded in Bernardo’s narrative.

He claims that an insertion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) happened in the third quarter of 2024-long after the NEP would have already been finalized by the DBM and submitted to Congress. Budget professionals know this. Legislators know this. Anyone who follows the national budget cycle knows this.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman reaffirmed this during her Malacañang briefing: the NEP is the President’s budget, completed before Congress even begins its work.

So how could a DPWH undersecretary insert anything into a document he does not control, at a time when insertions are no longer possible?

It simply does not add up.

And if Bernardo truly enjoyed some kind of access to Senate staff, as he implies, why not use the actual arena where senators have influence-the Senate budget debates, the amendment period, or the bicameral conference committee?

Why invent an impossible timeline instead?

No evidence, no logic, no case

At this point, the allegations against Poe rest on four shaky pillars: No direct communication with Bernardo No paper trail No witnesses or documentation A timeline that contradicts government procedure

This is not the foundation of a scandal. It is the scaffolding of speculation.

Poe has done what others have not

To her credit, Senator Grace Poe has not run from the accusation. She has not dodged hearings, avoided reporters, or retreated behind lawyers. Instead, she was the first to submit herself to the ICI for questioning.

Her statement is direct and unequivocal:

‘I have NEVER been involved in corruption. I support the investigations.’

If anything, this willingness to face scrutiny sets her apart from the usual script of political defensiveness.

The myth of ‘budget power’

Even the narrative that Poe used her position as Senate Finance Chair to engineer insertions is contradicted by those who actually handled the 2025 budget.

Congressman Ronnie Puno-who was key to budget deliberations-publicly noted that Poe was not part of the small committee that finalized the General Appropriations Act. She was present, yes. But she was not in the room where the final decisions were made.

This is inconvenient for those who want a simple villain. But it is consistent with how the budget process actually unfolded.

Accountability requires evidence, not assumptions

The public has every right to demand accountability. Every peso of taxpayer money deserves protection. But accountability is not achieved by amplifying unproven claims. It is achieved by demanding evidence-real, documentary, verifiable evidence.

Bernardo has not produced any.He has not shown documents.He has not provided corroborating witnesses.He has not established a direct link to Senator Poe.

Until he does, these are not findings. They are allegations-and weak ones at that.

The accusation does not equal guilt

There is a dangerous trend in public discourse: the idea that accusation alone is enough to convict someone in the court of public opinion. But fairness demands more. Justice demands more. Democracy demands more.

We cannot normalize a culture where reputations are destroyed on the basis of unproven claims.

If Bernardo’s allegations are true, he must prove them.If they are false or exaggerated, they must be exposed for what they are.

Either way, the burden of evidence lies squarely with the accuser-not the accused.

And in the case of Senator Grace Poe, that evidence has yet to appear.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is still keen on letting go of up to 30 percent of its interest in its tollways business. This is meant to help slash mounting debt that has already ballooned to P200 billion.

When asked about updates on its merger talks with another giant, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), MPIC chair Manuel V. Pangilinan said that it was put off the table given Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.’s (MPTC) rising debt stock.

He reiterated that business discussions with the Ramon Ang-led group would only become ‘serious’ once they fix the tollways’ financial health.

‘For now, the main focus is managing the tollways better and strengthening the balance sheet,’ Pangilinan told reporters.

‘There’s nothing on the IPO (initial public offering) scenario because it’s not ideal for MPTC these days. We have to look at either a strategic partner, one who has invested in tollways, or a financial partner. So, coupled with the bond issuance, there will be an equity raising exercise, a private placement,’ he said.

The conglomerate’s plan to sell shares in the toll road operator was first floated earlier this year. But Pangilinan dialed down on this as the group hoped to explore new options to cut debt.

Private placement

Sought for more details, Chaye Cabal-Revilla, MPIC chief financial, risk and sustainability officer, said the group was eyeing two levels of private placement. These involve its units in Indonesia and the Philippines.

According to Revilla, potential partners can purchase a 20 percent to 30 percent stake in each of the units.

However, she said this would still ‘depend on the valuation,’ as well as the requirement to team up with ‘like-minded organizations in terms of ‘fit-and-click’ to the group.’

Revilla also said a previous transaction did not push through due to ‘geopolitical issues.’

Addressing its debt issue is not only crucial to pursuing a partnership with SMC, as wiping them out will also allow the group to go public.

‘Watch this space. I think we will fix the problem and, once we’ve done that, then we should do an IPO,’ said MPTC president and chief executive officer Gilbert Santa Maria. INQ

Coach LA Tenorio said Magnolia can’t afford to start off slow and think that it can come back with just a flip of the switch.

‘Most of our games, we start really flat,’ Tenorio said after the Hotshots recovered from a bum start before defeating the skidding Blackwater Bossing, 90-75, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win put Magnolia in a logjam at 5-2, as the Hotshots bounced back from a close defeat at the hands of San Miguel Beer exactly a week ago in faraway Rodriguez, Rizal.

And like the meeting with the Beermen, when they had to buck a big deficit in the first half before falling short, the Hotshots had to respond from a 12-point deficit that came in the second period against a side that came into the match inches short of scoring an upset over the Converge FiberXers.

Magnolia got major contributions from Javi Gomez de Liaño, who broke out of a slump to fire 17 points, before Raffy Verano, a free agent pickup in the offseason after being let go by the Phoenix Fuel Masters, came through with some key shots plus his usual contribution on defense.

Verano finished with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting for his best game since joining the Hotshots.

Tenorio knows Magnolia can still perform at an even higher level, which he will try to sort out during the league’s three-week break necessitated by the first window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

When action resumes, Magnolia has an acid test on hand in Converge and Gomez de Liaño’s brother, Juan, on Dec. 5 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

‘I always tell the players that we should not expect anything, especially on offense,’ Tenorio said, putting emphasis on Magnolia’s defense-first mindset. ‘What we expect going into the game is to get stops from start to finish, and we have to win every quarter.

‘For us to win every quarter, we have to start better,’ he went on. ‘We can’t have slow starts on offense and slow starts on defense. We cannot be like that.

‘But I’d rather have a score of 2-2, 4-2, 8-2, 10-8 than a bit of a high-scoring first quarter and then we’re down. That’s not our game,’ he added.

Ian Sangalang was also key for Magnolia with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Zavier Lucero put up 13 points and 10 rebounds while Jerom Lastimosa added 10 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Blackwater fell in a tie at the bottom with Terrafirma at 1-6, as it has yet to win since blowing out the Dyip to open their campaign last month.

Sedrick Barefield had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists for the losing side.

The National Food Authority’s (NFA) rice stockpile grew despite the recent typhoons as well as the government’s expanded rollout of the P20-per-kilo rice program.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the ‘surprising’ increase has brought the stock to 460,000 metric tons (MT).

‘Despite the calamities and releases of rice under the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron na,’ we are still buying more rice than we are releasing. That is why we have a healthy buffer stock,’ Lacson said.

The NFA’s current buffer stock is enough to last 12 days, more than the minimum nine-day buffer required under the Rice Tariffication Law, according to Lacson. The grain agency plans to raise this to 15 days in 2026.

Lacson said the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, a pet project of President Marcos under the Department of Agriculture (DA), is now available in all 82 provinces nationwide.

This was after the DA expanded the program on Thursday to Sulu, where 3,000 beneficiaries availed of the P20 per kilo rice.

Typhoons’ impact

Lacson said two NFA warehouses in Nueva Vizcaya were affected by recent calamities while an office in the Ilocos Region was also severely impacted by the series of typhoons.

Lacson said 101,000 bags of rice had been released across six typhoon-hit regions- Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

A big chunk of that stock was released in Central Visayas and Camarines Sur.

The NFA chief said a potential purchase of storm-damaged rice from farmers depends on the availability of funding. He noted that the agency’s current budget is allocated for the purchase of regular rice.

Latest DA figures peg Typhoon ‘Tino’ and ‘Uwan”s combined agricultural damage at P743.83 million.

Tino affected 20,362 farmers and damaged 21,971 MT of rice, corn, high-value crops, cassava, livestock and poultry, while Uwan affected 6,580 farmers and damaged 10,839 MT of the same agricultural products. INQ

Oyo Sotto opened up about how his faith changed his ‘corrupt’ ways, admitting he came to a point where he spent almost all his savings to fund his vices including drugs and alcohol.

Oyo spoke about this during a conversation about integrity with his mom Dina Bonnevie, wife Kristine Hermosa, sister Danica Sotto, and brother-in-law Marc Pingris, as seen in an episode of their online show ‘House of D’ last Friday, Nov. 7.

The actor recalled his past as they touched on the topic of politicians and corruption in the government.

‘Corrupt din ako dati. I was corrupted – nagsisinungaling ako, nambababae, nagda-drugs, umiinom, nagsisigarilyo, kung anu-ano,’ he said. ‘Pero when I met Jesus, noong nagkaroon ako ng relasyon sa Kanya, do’n naayos yung buhay ko. Repentance.’

(I was also corrupt before – I told lies, womanized, used drugs, drank alcohol and smoked. But when I met Jesus and had a relationship with Him, my life was changed for the better. Repentance.)

When his mom asked what triggered his decision to repent, Oyo said, ”Yun ‘yung time na I was doing drugs.’ (It was the time when I was doing drugs.)

‘Naubos na ‘yung pera ko, naubos na ‘yung savings ko,’ he added, saying he even had to borrow a car from Danica because he had already sold all of his five cars. (I spent all my money and emptied my savings.)

Oyo admitted he isolated himself during those times because he knew what he was doing was wrong.

Danica then turned emotional as she also recounted how their dad, TV host Vic Sotto, had to intervene and discipline Oyo at the time.

‘Tiningnan ko yung ATM ko, P2,000 [lang ang laman] sa kakainom, kakabili ng droga, mga gano’n,’ Oyo narrated. ‘Do’n ako natuto.’

(When I checked my ATM account, I only had P2,000 due to spending on alcohol, drugs and other things. That’s when I learned.)

‘Parang kailangan kong madapa nang sobra-sobra; kailangang humampas ‘yung mukha ko sa putik bago ko ma-realize na, ‘Hindi ko pala kaya to,” he continued.

(It was as if I had to suffer from a severe stumble, with my face on the ground before I came to the realization that I cannot bear this.)

After that moment, Oyo said he surrendered himself to God and repented which, he suggested, is what politicians should also do.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday called on former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to submit his statements formally instead of bypassing proper channels in dropping bombshell information about high-ranking officials, including President Marcos, being involved with the anomalous flood control projects.

The graftbuster guaranteed the safety of Co should he decide to reveal everything to the Office of the Ombudsman, but said all information will be evaluated, including witnesses and its credibility.

Co, in a five-minute video clip sent to reporters and uploaded on social media, accused the President and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of making ‘insertions’ worth P100 billion for public works in the 2025 annual budget.

He also claimed that the Marcos administration was using its resources to ‘silence me.’

For the ombudsman, Co should have submitted himself to the formal processes of institutions which would undergo deliberate work, careful work and even ‘painfully slow work,’ to ensure justice will be served.

‘We say this without prejudice, without hostility-but with deep frustration,’ the ombudsman said in a public statement. ‘Every time a witness chooses the stage instead of the sworn desk, the investigation is forced to pause, to verify, to sift through what is said and what is left unsaid.’

The ombudsman stressed that it already extended the opportunity for Co to cooperate, insisting that he come home and finally submit his evidence.

‘Instead, we are forced to piece together fragments from videos-fragments that carry weight, yes, but cannot stand alone in a court of law,’ the office said. ‘The path to the truth is here. It has always been here.’

The ombudsman then reiterated its calls to Co to submit his statements under oath and through proper channels, ‘so they may be examined with the seriousness they deserve.’

‘If the intention is to help uncover the truth, then let us pursue it in the manner that leads to real and enforceable accountability-not through spectacle, but through the rules that govern us all,’ it also said.

A yellow rainfall warning was raised over areas in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Quezon on Saturday afternoon due to the effect of a shear line, according to the state weather bureau. Based on the 2 p.m. advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), a yellow warning level (be alert), which indicates a rainfall between 7.5 millimeters (mm) and 15 mm, is expected over the following areas in the three provinces:

Nueva Ecija (Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur, Pantabangan, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan, Llanera, San Jose, Talavera, Science City of Munoz, Cabanatuan, Santa Rosa, General Tinio, Penaranda, Santo Domingo, Gapan, San Leonardo, Jaen, Aliaga, Quezon)

Bulacan (Dona Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel)

Quezon (General Nakar).

Under the yellow rainfall warning level, flooding in flood-prone areas is possible.

Meanwhile, the shear line is also expected to bring light to moderate with occasional heavy rains over Metro Manila and other provinces within the next three hours:

Metro Manila (Caloocan, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon)

Pampanga

Tarlac

Bataan

Zambales

Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Talugtug, Cuyapo, Guimba, Nampicuan, Licab, Zaragoza, San Antonio, Cabiao, San Isidro)

Bulacan (San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat, Norzagaray, Baliuag, Bustos, Santa Maria, Pandi, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, Malolos, Bulakan, Guiguinto, Bocaue, Balagtas, San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan, Marilao, Obando)

Quezon (Panukulan, Burdeos, Polillo, Patnanungan, Jomalig)

Rizal (Rodriguez)

A shear line, as Pagasa defines, occurs when the northeast monsoon (amihan) converges with easterlies or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

How do you envision the ideal life?

For some, it means time well spent with loved ones. For others, it’s about finding balance between work and what they love. Whatever your version of the ideal life is, the right environment can help you achieve it.

That’s why the spaces we choose matter. The right environment can help shape how we live-catering to our comfort, passions, and zest for life, while remaining easily accessible yet exclusive to the community it nurtures.

While finding this kind of environment is becoming harder in Metro Manila, there is one just at the edge of the city. If you’re seeking the ideal life and the right environment, the answer may just be in Cavite.

Discover Vermosa, an Ayala Land community designed to help you achieve the ideal life.

A suburban community that enriches

The Vermosa estate is situated along Daang Hari Road, easily accessible from the cities of Imus and Dasmariñas. From Metro Manila, it is easily reachable via major road networks such as Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, South Luzon Expressway and Manila-Cavite Expressway, with potential future linkages to Cavite-Laguna Expressway and the Skyway.

The estate also hosts its own transport terminal, offering direct routes to Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Alabang, Pasay and other destinations

Vermosa, as an estate, brings balance to modern living with its thoughtful mix of residential, institutional, commercial, and retail spaces, all seamlessly integrated with open areas and lush green parks. It’s a community designed for active, purposeful living, home to one of the country’s largest wellness and sports facilities just steps away from your neighborhood.

A place to pursue play

The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub is the crowning jewel of the estate. It is an 8-hectare sports and lifestyle complex catering to both community needs and national athlete requirements. Spread out on a vast parcel of land, the complex is composed of the Sports Hub, Athletics Center, Aquatic Center and the Recreation Center.

Featuring an excellent track oval, football field, fitness lab and several swimming pools, the venue is capable of hosting large-scale sports events. It even offers domestic quarters and lounges to athletes. Offering uncompromised quality in training and equipment, the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub is the place where you can pursue the best version of yourself alongside the country’s best athletes in training.

A home set in nature’s best

Similar to other Ayala Land estates, Vermosa offers residential lots surrounded by lush surroundings and wide green spaces.

Sixty percent of the estate is allotted for homes flanked by wide pedestrian lanes and 2-meter wide bike lanes. User-friendly features ensure that residents are free to pursue a healthy lifestyle everyday by encouraging walkability and active mobility.

Interested clients can choose to live in a variety of neighborhoods. Ayala Land Premier’s Crescent Grove has prime lots on which residents can design dream homes with thoughtfully designed spaces and lush surroundings.

Alveo’s Caleia serves as a great alternative, featuring lots surrounded by a green environment. Over 3-hectares of Caleia’ 28-hectare land area is dedicated for amenities and parks. The Avida Sentria Storeys, meanwhile, is a pre-selling project that will feature studio and one-bedroom units complemented with exclusive amenities.

If you’re looking for ready-to-live homes, you can choose from a house-and-lot offering or a condominium unit. The Avida Vera Settings in Vermosa features almost 400 units of house and lots, with approximately 185 already built as of this writing.

The future Vermosa Central Park will unite all these neighborhoods as it provides an outdoor venue where people can rest and reconnect. A playground, jogging paths and picnic grounds serve as the ideal place to enjoy nature at its finest.

Home and beyond

Residents of Vermosa have easy access to commercial, institutional and retail establishments.

The future San Sebastian Parish Church is within the area serving the religious, while the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School can provide exceptional educational needs. For retail therapy, you can head out to Ayala Malls Vermosa, Landers Vermosa or explore the Shops at Vermosa, where various dining options are made available for those on the move.

Best partner

Beyond serving as a place to sleep, your home should be your best partner in pursuing the ideal life.

Set in the right environment, it can help you find the perfect balance between work and play, between nature and modernity. By seeking an environment such as Ayala Land’s Vermosa Estate, you can kick back in your home while pushing forward with your personal pursuits.

The lone thief who staged a robbery in a convenience store here last November 9 was caught by authorities on Friday and asked to be forgiven for his action.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Glenn Ipong, Digos City acting police chief, identified the suspect as a certain ‘Ace,’ a resident of Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur, and currently renting a house at Central Plain Subdivision in Barangay Tres de Mayo here.

Wearing a black jacket, the suspect had barged into a convenience store along Lim Street at about 2:55 a.m. on November 9, poked a handgun on its attendants while declaring a holdup.

Police investigation revealed that ‘Ace’ carted away some P10,000 before fleeing aboard a green sedan.

Footage from the CCTV camera led police to identify him as responsible for the crime.

On Friday, with the assistance of his legal counsel, ‘Ace’ issued an extrajudicial confession before Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas and local journalists who witnessed the event inside the police office.

The suspect claimed he was desperate to raise funds after he was allegedly scammed through his credit card.

He asked for forgiveness from the mayor and the people of Digos for disturbing the peace and tranquility of the city.

Even then, the police filed charges against him on Friday afternoon