Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mourned the passing of his chief presidential legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, describing him ‘one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known.’

Enrile’s death was announced by his daughter, Katrina, in a Facebook post Thursday evening. He was 101 years old.

‘We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known. For over 50 years, Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments,’ the president said in a social media post.

Marcos noted that Enrile’s passing marks an end to a chapter in the country’s history.

‘But the mark he leaves behind in law, in governance, and in the hearts of those he served will never be forgotten,’ he said.’Thank you so much, Tito Johnny. Goodbye and thank you for a life you wholeheartedly offered to the nation,’ Marcos remarked.

Enrile died at 4:21 p.m. on Nov. 13. Details for public viewing are yet to be shared by his family.

This association enables InnovationOne to directly offer ad inventory and branded content integrations within VIU Philippines’ growing library of premium Asian content-ranging from top Korean dramas and variety shows to VIU Originals and regionally produced titles. With a strong footprint in the Philippines, Viu provides advertisers access to an engaged audience that is young, digital-first, and highly receptive to storytelling-led campaigns.

‘Filipinos are among the world’s biggest consumers of Korean and Asian entertainment, and VIU has become a staple platform for that audience,’ said Raphael Layosa, Managing Director of InnovationOne. ‘This engagement gives brands an unmatched opportunity: to appear alongside content that audiences are emotionally invested in-just as they’re streaming, binge-watching, and talking about it online.’

Benjamin Lim, Deputy COO of United Neon Media Group, the umbrella organization of InnovationOne, emphasized the value of the arrangement, saying: ‘This arrangement with VIU aligns with our mission to push the boundaries of modern advertising. Streaming has become the new primetime, and brands need to show up where culture is being shaped in real time. Through InnovationOne, we’re giving advertisers not just media space, but cultural access-powered by data, content, and a deep understanding of what audiences love.’

The collaboration comes at a time when Philippine viewers are rapidly shifting from traditional TV to streaming platforms. VIU’s dual model-consisting of an ad-supported free tier and a premium subscription layer-further expands advertiser reach and audience diversity.

The delegates of the 74th Miss Universe pageant continued their journey in Thailand in the coastal city of Pattaya, but the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo was missing in the welcome event.

The city hosted a special dinner dubbed ‘Memorable Night of Thainess’ at Baan Suan Thai on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, with most of the candidates going onstage.

Eagle-eyed pageant fans who followed the event via a live video on social media, however, noted the absence of the Philippines’ Miss Universe bet from the entire streaming.

Inquirer Entertainment reached out to the Miss Universe Philippines Organization to clarify the matter, and it was confirmed that Manalo had indeed missed the event.

An insider from the national organization privy to the goings-on in Thailand shared that Manalo and several other delegates arrived late in Pattaya, including their luggage.

‘When they checked in at their hotel in Pattaya, their luggage still had not arrived, and they no longer had the time to glam up for the occasion, where the ladies were expected to be in formal finery.

The ladies had just come from Phuket, another coastal destination in Thailand, when they headed to Pattaya for the next leg of Miss Universe activities.

Several delegates have reportedy suffered from food poisoning, and Iceland’s Helena O’Conner had already withdrawn from the competition after falling ill for several days.

A swimsuit fashion show is set to take place at Columbia Pictures Aquaverse in Pattaya on Friday, Nov. 14. The day after, the ladies will go through a round of closed-door interviews, still in the coastal city.

The delegates will return to Bangkok for the final leg of activities, including the highly anticipated preliminary competition and national costume presentation on Nov. 19.

Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig will crown her successor at the conclusion of the competition at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi on Nov. 21.

Authorities intercepted P21-million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes in waters off Zamboanga City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

This was the result of a police maritime patrol operation late Wednesday afternoon, according to the PNP in a statement.

‘The team spotted two motorized boats locally known as ‘Jungkung’ navigating suspiciously near Santa Cruz Island,’ the police explained.

‘Upon inspection, they discovered the vessels were loaded with 300 master cases of smuggled cigarettes. with a combined value of approximately P21,000,000.00,’ it added.

The PNP noted that it arrested seven adult male individuals aboard the boats. It did not identify them nor give details about their background.

The suspects and the confiscated cigarettes were taken to the Zamboanga City Police Station.

Mugshots shared by the PNP showed the suspects were awaiting a case for violation of Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway proved that the heels still fit and fashion never goes out of style as they officially reprised their roles as Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs, respectively, in the first teaser for the anticipated ‘Devil Wears Prada 2.’

Hathaway, who just celebrated her 43nd birthday, dropped a fashionable surprise on Instagram on Thursday, Nov. 13, showing her and Streep in the iconic halls of the Runway magazine office.

The 51-second teaser opens with a close-up of red stilettos walking down a hallway interspersed with clips of a glamorous red carpet, cameras flashing, and stylish outfits.

The woman walking in the ruby-red heels is revealed to be none other than the exacting Miranda Priestly as the camera pans to a wide shot of an opening elevator, showing her in a black blouse paired with a houndstooth skirt, red belt, black sunglasses, and her iconic white pixie cut.

Just as the elevator door is about to close, a more polished Andy (Hathaway) steps in to join her former boss, donning a tailored pinstripe vest and pearl necklace set. ‘Took you long enough,’ Miranda tells Andy, who then shot her a smile as she puts her big sunglasses on.

While the exact plot details are kept under wraps, early reports suggest the sequel will explore how fashion and media have transformed in the digital age, and how Miranda grapples with the decline of print media and finds her path intertwined with Andy once again.

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is set for a May 1, 2026, theatrical release. Aside from Streep and Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci will also reprise their iconic roles, with director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna also returning.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) again defended Thursday the criminal complaints it filed over violent incidents during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies, saying the police unit was ‘not into curtailing freedom of expression.’

‘If there is a crime committed, whatever and whoever the personalities involved, big or small, whether you are a politician or just a farmer or a laborer, the CIDG will act on it,’ Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said mostly in English during a chance interview at Camp Crame on Thursday.

‘We have to respect laws, especially if we are key figures. The CIDG is not really into curtailing freedom of expression, but, you know, we have to exercise this right in accordance with the rule of law,’ he added.

Morico previously announced that the CIDG filed cases for conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection, sedition, and inciting to sedition against at least 97 people in connection with the riots.

The CIDG director confirmed Thursday that among the 97 people sued was Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga for both the violent incidents during the Sept. 21 protests and the Oct. 12 rally the lawmaker led outside the Forbes Park subdivision in Makati City.

The violence during the widespread Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies erupted at the Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch.

Police arrested over 200 individuals, and at least two were reportedly killed during the riots, prompting human rights groups to condemn law enforcers and allege that they failed to exercise ‘maximum tolerance.’

Meanwhile, police said there were no ‘untoward incidents’ during the Oct. 12 rally at Forbes Park, which Barzaga led to call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step down.

The protests stemmed from alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga is facing a criminal complaint over a rally he led outside Forbes Park in Makati City last Oct. 12, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The CIDG earlier confirmed that it lodged a case before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against Barzaga for inciting sedition over violence during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies.

‘Actually, we have another one. It’s also the one in Makati [City], Forbes [Park],’ CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said in a chance interview in Camp Crame on Thursday.

‘I will not comment because it is already with the [National] Prosecution Service.’

‘This is nothing personal. There was a crime committed. It was a violent one. There are police officers [who] were injured. There were government properties that were destroyed. That is the reason that we filed cases,’ Morico added.

The CIDG, however, declined to specify Barzaga’s role in the alleged sedition in both the Sept. 21 and the Oct. 12 rallies, citing that the cases are already with the prosecutor’s office.

Morico previously announced that the CIDG had filed criminal cases before the Department of Justice against at least 97 individuals over the violence during the Sept. 21 rallies.

Asked whether Barzaga was among the 97 individuals initially sued, at the chance interview, Morico answered in the affirmative.

Commenting on the case against him, in a social media post on Wednesday, Barzaga said, ‘This will not stop us. This will only make our revolution stronger!’

The violence during the widespread Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies erupted at the foot of Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch.

Police arrested over 200 individuals, and at least two were reportedly killed during the riots, prompting human rights groups to condemn law enforcers and allege that they failed to exercise ‘maximum tolerance.’

Meanwhile, police said there were no ‘untoward incidents’ during the Oct. 12 rally at Forbes Park, which Barzaga led to call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to step down.

The protests stemmed from alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is still evaluating the procedures for livestreaming its hearings on the flood control anomalies probe.

‘We’re still studying that,’ ICI chair Andres Reyes said in a press briefing on Thursday.

‘We might have something for you on that matter maybe next week,’ he added.

The ICI is scheduled to resume its hearing on November 17 after former Public Works Usec. Roberto Bernardo’s supposed appearance on November 12 was rescheduled at the request of his counsel.

When asked if the ICI would be ready for livestreaming on November 17, Reyes said, ‘We’ll be ready.’

‘But I think we might ask the person if he wants a livestream,’ he added.

When further asked if livestreaming would then depend on the resource person, the ICI chair said, ‘We’re studying that matter.’

‘Because these are potential witnesses, and if they feel harm or threat to their safety, we might ask for that. But there is no yes or no right now on that. We are still evaluating everything,’ Reyes added.

Recently, Reyes said it ‘will take some time’ for the commission to establish rules and procedures for livestreaming its hearings because they are ‘undermanned’ with lawyers to process it.

The ICI is currently conducting an investigation into massive infrastructure anomalies across the country.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday announced an increase in the minimum wage of workers in the Ilocos Region and Western Visayas.

According to DOLE in a statement, the increases reflect the Wage Orders issued by both regions’ Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, which are expected to cover 389,505 minimum wage earners.

In Ilocos, a P45 daily wage increase will be implemented for the non-agricultural sector employing fewer than 10 employees and the agricultural sector, increasing their daily minimum wage to P480 or P12,520 per month.

Meanwhile, workers in the non-agricultural sector with employees of 10 or more will receive a P37 wage hike, bringing their daily minimum pay to P505, or approximately P13,172 per month.

The approved daily wage increase in Western Visayas, on the other hand, is P37 for the non-agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors employing more than 10 workers, bringing their daily minimum wage to P587 daily or P17,826 per month.

For those in the same sector but employing ten workers or fewer, the increase is P40, which brings their daily minimum wage to P525 daily or P13,694 per month.

Meanwhile, the agricultural sector will also receive a P40 increase, bringing the daily minimum wage to P560 daily or P13,560 per month.

Domestic workers in both regions will also receive monthly increases of P700 and P500, raising the minimum monthly wage rates in the Ilocos Region to P6,700 and in Western Visayas to P6,500.

‘About 758,733 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments at the enterprise level in the said regions, arising from the correction of wage distortions,’ said DOLE in a statement.

However, the agency said that retail and service establishments with no more than 10 regular employees, as well as enterprises affected by natural or human-induced disasters, may apply for an exemption from the wage increase until January 17, 2026.

Meanwhile, Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with valid Certificates of Authority from the Department of Trade and Industry are not covered by the minimum wage law.

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that no violations of the right to free speech were committed during a House of Representatives inquiry on the spread of fake news, which invited several vloggers as resource persons.

The decision stemmed from a petition filed by several online content creators seeking to prohibit the House from requiring them to attend legislative inquiries involving their social media posts.

The vloggers in their petition argued that the inquiries violated their right to free speech and claimed that the proceedings aimed to silence and regulate their social media content, creating a ‘chilling effect’ on free expression.

However, the SC in a 31-page decision dismissed this, stating that their invitation ‘had no relation at all to their exercise of free speech.’

‘The mere act of inviting Abines et al. as resource persons to an inquiry in aid of legislation did not violate their freedom of expression, as it had no relation at all to their exercise of free speech,’ the decision read.

‘It did not, at the very least, regulate the content of their speech or its incidents,’ it further stated.

The High Court also noted that being invited as resource persons simply meant that they were to aid the House in crafting legislation.

‘In other words, the issuance of summons is a matter of procedure to effectively exercise the power of Congress to conduct its legislative inquiry. It was neither a punitive measure in relation to free speech nor an attempt to suppress it,’ the SC said.

Due to this, the SC ruled that the perceived ‘chilling effect’ by the petitioners had ‘no leg to stand on’ as there was no restraint to freedom of expression made.

Despite this, the High Court acknowledged that there were some instances where the inquisition by some lawmakers appeared ‘unduly harsh and derogatory.’

‘Albeit it is not the province of the Court to chastise or in any way discipline Members of Congress, we find it apropos, in line with our mandate as guardians of people’s rights, to remind that resource speakers are not only guaranteed their constitutional rights during inquiries in aid of legislation,’ the SC said.

‘They also deserve a reasonable expectation that the legislators conducting the inquiries will accord them courtesy and respect befitting that of any dignified human being,’ it added.