Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Andi Eigenmann is one proud mom as she cheered for her six-year-old daughter Lilo who competed for the first time in a national surfing competition held in Siargao.

The celebrity mom documented the 2nd Pacifico National Surfing Competition in which Lilo competed in the junior girls category, as seen in a vlog on the family’s YouTube channel Happy Islanders on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Andi’s fiancé and Lilo’s dad, celebrity surfer Philmar Alipayo, was also part of the contest.

‘We entered Lilo in this competition just for the experience. She just turned six years old, and she is really the one who wanted to be part of the competition so why not make her try,’ Andi said. ‘All that matters to us is that she enjoys.’

Lilo made it to the semifinals and finished third overall.

While this is Lilo’s first national competition, she had already joined a local competition in 2024 where she was given the youngest surfer award. She was only 5 at the time.

Aside from Lilo, Andi and Philmar has a son named Koa, 4, who also surfs. Lilo and Koa have an older sister named Ellie, Andi’s daughter with actor Jake Ejercito.

The Philippines cannot achieve food security, climate resilience, or inclusive development without radically rethinking how it treats its farmers.

For decades, agricultural policy has been fragmented, underfunded, and misaligned with the constitutional mandate to protect subsistence producers.

The devolution of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the 1991 Local Government Code was intended to empower local governments. Instead, it hollowed out technical capacity, created fiscal disparities, and left farmers exposed to climate shocks, market failures, and institutional neglect.

Across rural barangays, the technical vacuum is staggering. In Northern Mindanao, there is only one Agricultural Extension Technician (AET) for every 150 barangays-far below the international standard of one technician per 1-2 barangays.

This gap undermines climate-resilient farming, pest management, and market access. Local governments, constrained by limited Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA), rely on Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) who receive a mere ?4,000/month-hardly a substitute for a professionalized extension corps.

Global models offer a way forward. Vietnam and Ethiopia have re-centralized agricultural extension under national agencies while preserving local coordination.

These hybrid systems-where the national government provides personnel and training, and LGUs offer logistical support-have improved service quality and accountability.

The Philippines must learn from these successes and re-establish a centralized Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DAFW) to ensure real-time deployment of technicians, centralized data systems, and integrated disaster response.

But this is not just a technical issue-it is a constitutional imperative. Article XIII, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to ‘protect the rights of subsistence farmers and fisherfolk.’

Yet current arrangements focus narrowly on production, neglecting social protection, grievance redress, and income security.

Farmers face rising input costs, climate shocks, and market volatility without adequate safety nets. Fragmented systems failed to respond effectively to African Swine Fever and recurring typhoons. A re-nationalized DAFW would enable coordinated crisis response and uphold farmers’ rights.

The proposed DAFW bill introduces structural reforms that re-center farmer dignity, technical support, and agroecological transition.

It establishes Regional Agricultural Extension and Technical Support Units (RAETSU) and a National Agricultural Extension Corps (NAEC) to restore centralized, science-based extension services.

A Farmers’ Welfare Bureau (FWB) institutionalizes social protection-including insurance, pensions, and health coverage-while Farmers’ Councils at barangay to national levels embed participatory governance and budget oversight.

These reforms are not symbolic-they are systemic corrections to decades of exclusion.

Budgetary neglect compounds these structural failures. From 1985 to 2020, the DA’s share of the national budget declined from 3.57% to just 1.58%.

Even in 2020, amid food insecurity and climate shocks, agriculture received less than 2% of the national budget. In contrast, Malaysia and Thailand allocate nearly 3% or more, while Vietnam exceeds 4%. Bhutan (9.5%), India (6.9%), and Mali (7.8%) approximate the FAO-recommended 10% benchmark for agrarian economies.

South Korea, though allocating only 1.75%, compensates with high per capita spending-nearly $85-due to its smaller farming population and advanced agri-biotech investments.

Filipino farmers receive just ~$13.50 per capita-far less than their regional counterparts. Malaysia ($38.20), Thailand ($45.00), and Vietnam ($49.50) all outpace the Philippines, despite its greater vulnerability to climate shocks and land degradation.

This fiscal injustice undermines food sovereignty, climate adaptation, and rural justice.

To match Thailand’s and Vietnam’s per capita funding, the Philippines must raise its agricultural budget to ?296 billion and ?324 billion respectively-about double the 2026 proposal of ?176.7 billion.

This recalibration is not just about numbers-it is about justice. It means halting land use conversion of prime irrigated ricelands, tripling investments in irrigation and post-harvest infrastructure, expanding access to credit and insurance, and embedding parity funding in national development planning.

The DAFW also proposes a National Agroecology Transition Framework (NATF) and Agroecology Incentive Program (AIP) to shift farming systems toward climate resilience and biodiversity-based production.

Agroecology Transition Zones (ATZs) will be established in priority provinces, supported by decentralized grain silos, composting hubs, and farmer-led seed systems. These zones will serve as living laboratories for participatory research and convergence of support services from LGUs, SUCs, and civil society.

Palay farmgate prices-currently at ?8 -?13/kg-fall far below production costs of ?20-?22/kg, pushing farmers into chronic indebtedness.

The Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203) dismantled the National Food Authority’s buffer stocking mandate, leaving farmers vulnerable to price shocks

We have proposed that RTL must be replaced also . The DAFW proposes restoring market stabilization mechanisms, including a ?100 billion annual procurement fund to buy 20% of national palay output and ?100 billion in warehouse infrastructure to anchor calibrated release and regional price floors.

These reforms are not abstract-they are rooted in constitutional mandates and SDG targets. They advance SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

They position agriculture not as a relic of the past but as a driver of inclusive recovery and intergenerational renewal and food sovereignty.

Conclusion

Feeding the nation begins with restoring dignity, equity, and institutional support for the farmers who grow our food. The current system-fragmented, underfunded, and misaligned with constitutional mandates-must be overhauled..

The proposed Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DAFW) offers a blueprint for structural reform: re-centralized extension, participatory governance, agroecological transition, and fiscal justice. These are not optional reforms-they are moral and strategic imperatives.

Recommendations

1. Establish the DAFW to centralize extension services, disaster response, and farmer protection.

2. Create RAETSU and NAEC to restore technical capacity and deploy trained personnel nationwide.

3. Institutionalize the Farmers’ Welfare Bureau (FWB) to deliver insurance, pensions, health coverage, and grievance redress.

4. Recalibrate the DA budget to ?296-?324 billion by 2026 to match regional peers and meet FAO benchmarks.

5. Launch the Agroecology Incentive Program (AIP) and designate ATZs to support climate-resilient farming and biodiversity-based production.

6. Restore market stabilization mechanisms by procuring 20% of palay output and investing in decentralized grain infrastructure.

7. Establish Farmers’ Councils at all levels to embed participatory governance and budget oversight.

8. Create a Special Fund for Agricultural Extension and Welfare (SFAEW) to ensure predictable, welfare-oriented financing.

9. Halt land use conversion of prime irrigated ricelands to protect food sovereignty and rural livelihoods.

10. Expand farmer access to credit, insurance, and digitaltools to build resilience and market inclusion.

(Teodoro ‘Ted’ C. Mendoza PhD is a retired professor and UP scientist of the Institute of Crop Sciences at the University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte wants to disbar the justice secretary and other high-ranking officials for their role in the arrest and turnover of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March.

In a complaint filed on Thursday, the younger Duterte, through his lawyer Israelito Torreon, sought the disbarment of Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, and Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty.

Torreon declined to discuss the details of the case, citing the confidentiality provision of the Rules of Court. He only said that the complaint was related to the ‘kidnapping’ and ‘expulsion’ of the former president to The Hague, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity over his bloody war on drugs before the ICC.

Torre explained that Mayor Duterte’s complaint pertained to a ‘different subject matter’ compared to the criminal and administrative cases the latter filed last month before the Office of the Ombudsman against Remulla and the other government officials, including some police officers.

Lawyers only

‘This case for disbarment is concentrated only against lawyers because, as you know, we also have Canons of Professional Responsibility that we have to comply with and observe,’ he said.

When asked if the disbarment case was meant to block Remulla’s application to become the next Ombudsman, Torreon repeatedly said: ‘Hopefully,’ before adding, ‘I do not have any qualms on the matter nor would I hide that that is one of [the reasons why] Mayor Duterte filed this case.’

But when asked to further clarify his answer, Torreon took back his initial statement, saying they aimed to make Remulla ‘principally . liable for the violations that he committed under the code of professional responsibility.’

‘And on the side, if that would cause the blocking of his appointment, then that is one of the consequences of his actions,’ he added.

Speaking to reporters at the Department of Justice, Remulla brushed aside the latest filing from the Duterte camp, again dismissing it as forum shopping.

‘That’s already expected . They can’t hide their displeasure with what we’ve done or what we have sought to do for the ends of justice,’ he said.

Those applying to become the next Ombudsman should have no pending cases before the agency. Remulla, however, said he has already been issued a clearance from the Office of the Ombudsman, making him qualified for the post.

The controversy over Mo Tautuaa’s nullified dunk in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals has triggered significant rule changes ahead of the league’s 50th season.

Starting on Sunday, goaltending or basket interference calls will only be reviewable if a referee makes a call in real-time. The league is doing away with retroactive reviews like the one in Game 1 of last July’s finals between San Miguel and TNT, when Tautuaa’s go-ahead dunk was overturned by the technical committee after no whistle was initially blown.

‘If the referees do not make any call, the decision is final. The referees will be held accountable after the game,’ PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said during Wednesday’s press conference at Shangri-La The Fort.

Tautuaa’s dunk, which came off a bounce from the rim, gave San Miguel a 97-96 lead with under a minute left. With no infraction called on the play, the basket stood-until the technical committee reviewed it during a dead ball with five seconds remaining. The play was ruled basket interference, shifting the lead back to TNT and drawing heavy criticism from the Beermen’s camp.

Though San Miguel eventually won the series and the championship, the fallout led to changes, including Eric Castro’s move from the technical committee to head of operations.

Among the other rule changes:

Corrections to two-, three-, or four-point shots cannot be made after the game.

Teams will no longer retain possession after a technical foul for excessive timeouts.

Penalty situations now apply after two fouls in the final two minutes of any period, not just the fourth.

Teams can huddle during challenges.

Players can recover their own airballs without being called for a violation.

Offensive fouls now count toward team fouls, but no free throws will be awarded if the team is already in penalty.

Technical fouls will be called for excessive elbows and for throwing the ball in plain sight of an official.

‘These rules were finalized by the competition committee composed of coaches,’ Marcial said, citing members like Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao, Meralco’s Luigi Trillo, and Converge’s Franco Atienza.

Lawyers of the victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte agreed on Thursday that the Senate resolution seeking house arrest for the former leader actually has ‘no bearing’ on a pending request for his temporary release and may even work against his favor in the end.

‘This is really for domestic political purposes . because the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not consider all of these political statements,’ lawyer Gilbert Andres said in a vlog of human rights advocate Carlos Conde.

‘A house arrest is not even contemplated in the ICC Rome Statute. You won’t find it in the (articles in the Rome Statute) and it is also not in the [ICC] Rules of Procedure and Evidence,’ said Andres, Center for International Law executive director.

The lawyer said that ‘house arrest’ is just a concept in Philippine politics, saying that it is meant to give ‘special treatment to politicians’ and may belie claims that Duterte has ‘failing cognitive abilities’ because he still has the acumen to muster a deliberative body’s majority from more than 10,000 kilometers away.

For lawyer Kristina Conti of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, it still shows political power even if it is also seen as ‘self-serving,’ particularly to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has been named as a potential coperpetrator of Duterte in a preconfirmation brief.

With 15 in favor, 3 opposed, and two abstaining, the Senate on Wednesday adopted Senate Resolution No. 144, asking the ICC to place Duterte under house arrest.

The others voting in favor were Dela Rosa, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher Go, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, and Mark Villar.

Opposing the resolution were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Francis Pangilinan, while Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Raffy Tulfo abstained from voting.

For Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan, the Senate resolution only proved that the upper chamber is ‘packed with Duterte lackeys and apologists,’ with no less than Dela Rosa leading the pack. ‘This is a Senate bereft of integrity,’ she said.

Conti noted that the Senate ‘is not in any way involved in the ICC process,’ and the Senate resolution undermines the independence of the international tribunal and bolsters the assertions of both the prosecutors and the victims that Duterte and his family members still wield ‘significant political clout.’

Aby Maraño is looking forward to the much-anticipated comeback of Mylene Paat, the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference MVP, who is set to bolster the revamped Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers.

The Crossovers, led by Maraño, impressed in the preseason with a runner-up finish in the PVL on Tour and fourth place in the Invitational.

But what excites the Chery Tiggo captain most is the return of her best friend and fellow former national team standout.

‘She’s coming back. But that’s not really my story to tell. I’m just proud of her. Seeing the results of her recovery journey is amazing,’ Maraño told the reporters in Filipino. ‘It’s so fulfilling to see her back, not just because she’s my best friend, but also because her presence on the court is something else. She brings a different energy.’

Paat’s return, along with Cuban import Yunieska Batista, gives Maraño confidence that the Crossovers can sustain their momentum.

‘I’m really hoping we can bring all the learnings from the PVL on Tour into this conference,’ she said. ‘And with the chemistry we’ve built with Yunieska, I hope it becomes a real strength for us as we compete. We want to be able to go toe-to-toe with the strong teams this conference.’

‘We’re a hardworking team. It’s the same feeling we had during the PVL on Tour that we’re not expecting much, just focusing on what we could do together as a team. And for me, I’m really excited to see how our current chemistry will hold up against other teams, especially there are foreign players and some of the Alas players have returned to their teams. This conference will definitely be more competitive and challenging,’ she added. Maraño describes the chemistry with Cuban import Yunieska Batista as ‘chef’s kiss’ as she joins forces with Ara Galang, Ren Peñafiel, Jasmine Nabor, Imee Hernandez, and Jen Nierva.

‘She’s a very mature player, really easy to get along with on and off the court. She’s not picky, she adjusts well, and she doesn’t give off that ‘VIP import vibe’ that you sometimes see. She’s super humble and a really good follower,’ she said. ‘I can really feel that she respects us local players, especially me. We’re actually the same age, which makes our dynamic even better. Now I feel like I have more support when it comes to leadership, especially with her, Ara, and Mylene all contributing.’

Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers,through its family-focused insurance program PamilyaCare Plus, recently extended a ?2 million benefit to Elsie, a freelance businesswoman who is navigating a time of personal loss.

The awarding was held at the CLH Malibay 1 branch as part of the company’s Kumustahan Initiative, which ensures that beneficiaries are personally assisted and supported during the claims process. For Elsie, the financial support meant more than just numbers on a check-it was a lifeline that would help secure her child’s education and her family’s future after the untimely passing of her husband in a work-related accident.

Grateful for the assistance, Elsie encouraged others to see insurance as a vital part of family preparedness. Her own experience, she said, proved how having the right protection in place can ease the weight of tragedy by providing both financial relief and peace of mind.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, emphasized the company’s commitment to standing with clients in moments like this. ‘This moment reflects the very purpose of PamilyaCare Plus-to be there when our clients need us most. We provide not just financial support, but compassion and the reassurance that they are not alone,’ he said.

PamilyaCare Plus is Cebuana Lhuillier insurance Broker’s flagship insurance product, created to give Filipino families a safety net during emergencies, accidents, or unexpected loss. It provides comprehensive coverage and a client-centered claims process designed to deliver timely financial assistance. Complementing this is the Kumustahan Initiative, a program that goes beyond a standard payout by offering personalized care, empathy, and guidance to beneficiaries as they navigate difficult times.

By extending meaningful assistance in moments like Elsie’s, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers reaffirms its mission of empowering Filipino families through accessible, reliable, and compassionate financial services.

If you’re wondering whether Ayala will give up more car dealerships after Volkswagen and Honda, don’t brace for any more tearful goodbyes-at least for now.

Reliable industry sources told Biz Buzz that Honda is the last vehicle brand that the mobility unit of the country’s oldest conglomerate wants to let go of.

Earlier, Globe-led 917Ventures likewise pulled the plug on scooter maker Gogoro while Integrated Micro-Electronics gave up KTM bikes.

BYD is undoubtedly the hottest brand of AC Mobility at this time, and its best bet in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. We see more and more BYD cars on the road, which means that this bet is paying off.

But for some people who don’t want to drive cars from China (including those who silently protest the Middle Kingdom’s actions in the West Philippine Sea by avoiding their brands), AC Mobility still has Isuzu and Kia to offer.

Meanwhile, Ayala’s Isuzu dealership, from what we hear, is doing well, while Kia is expected to benefit from an earlier management shakeup. Thus, these two brands are likely to stay in their basket for now.

‘Never say never, but for now, that’s it,’ our source said.

And now that it has shed its excess fat, AC Mobility is in a much better shape to race. -Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

No long lines for our teachers at Naia 2

A dedicated lane for dedicated mentors? Yes!

Teachers flying with AirAsia Philippines can enjoy smoother boarding with a special check-in lane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 2.

The low-cost carrier said this would be in place from Oct. 1 to Oct. 10, in honor of National Teachers’ Month.

Teachers traveling on Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day, will also get exclusive AirAsia Santan merchandise.

‘At AirAsia Philippines, we deeply value our educators. Behind their hard work and perseverance, we recognize their need for well-deserved breaks-whether for a visit to loved ones, relaxation at leisure destinations, or simply a mental health break,’ AirAsia Philippines president and CEO Suresh Bangah said.

For the first six months, AirAsia flew more than 3 million passengers. Its strongest domestic routes during the period were Caticlan, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. It also logged strong demand for Japan, South Korea and Taipei. -Lisbet K. Esmael

High-level agri meeting

The government is anticipating a bountiful harvest from the 47th Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (Amaf) Meeting in Pasay this week.

Ahead of the meeting, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. laid out what the government wants from high-level discussions or bilateral talks.

For one, the government will do everything possible to promote Philippine agricultural products in global markets.

In recent days, Tiu Laurel has been very busy meeting representatives from neighboring countries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the US-Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Council.

On a wider scale, the Asean meeting hopes to boost agri production and trade across the region. The bloc aspires to become one of the world’s largest food producers by 2045.

Led by Tiu Laurel, the Philippines will chair the Amaf meeting for a year, succeeding Myanmar. One of the highlights this year is the mechanization forum scheduled in November.

The agriculture chief may be dealing with a lot of challenges-from declining palay (unmilled rice) prices and ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road projects to severe weather conditions that ravaged some of the country’s farm lands.

Still, let’s hope the Philippines will reap the benefits of its efforts in this Asean meeting. -Jordeene B. Lagare

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement among various government agencies and the local government units in Pampanga in a bid to fight illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

He said this in his speech during the distribution of Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) fund assistance in San Fernando, Pampanga.

‘A Memorandum of Agreement was recently signed between the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Labor and Employment, TESDA [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority], and OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration], along with local government units and the Provincial Government of Pampanga,’ Marcos said.

‘And under this agreement, the member agencies, in partnership with the local government of Pampanga, will implement programs against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,’ he continued.

The President also commended the OFWs for their sacrifices as well as for representing the Philippines globally.

‘No words can express our gratitude for your sacrifice, for your love for your families, for your countrymen, and for your beloved Republic of the Philippines,’ he said.

During the event. 3,000 OFWs and individuals who have OFW relatives from 22 calamity-stricken towns in the province received P5,000 through the DMW’s AKSYON Fund Assistance.

They will also receive an additional P5,000 from the Office of the President. These will aid them get back on their feet after the recent typhoons that struck the province.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Friday that it will be implementing a ‘major reshuffle’ of chiefs of district offices across the country, citing that their data revealed ‘underperformance.’

LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement that the ‘underperformance’ aspect among district officers is specifically for plate distribution and apprehension of motor vehicles with expired registration.

Mendoza noted that he had already issued a memorandum to inform all regional directors of the need to conduct reorganization at the district office level.

The regional directors were given until 5 p.m. this Friday to submit their proposed reassignments of district officers.

‘Complacent district officers’

According to Mendoza, the reshuffling aims ‘to ensure efficient and effective government services to the Filipino people.’

He said the impending reorganization came after they reviewed the monthly accomplishment reports, which showed that the plate distribution of license plates had slowed down, the apprehensions of unregistered vehicles and other violations had significantly dropped, and that outreach licensing and registration activities had almost stopped.

Aside from this, the rollout of the LTO’s key programs, such as the fast distribution of license plates and the release of official receipts/certificates of registration within three days after newly purchased motor vehicles are released, was not conducted well.

‘While most of the district offices are doing well, a number of district officers are becoming complacent in their positions, especially those who have been holding the same office since the beginning of this administration,’ the LTO chief pointed out.

‘There is a pressing need to wake up our frontline offices,’ he said.