Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A University of the Philippines (UP) legal analyst said the Supreme Court’s rules on extradition proceedings would not apply to the impending turnover of Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying that his case is not an extradition but a possible surrender or transfer of custody.

‘It’s an execution of a warrant of arrest issued by an international court, not a requesting state. It could be considered a possible surrender or some other concept of transfer of custody under international law,’ lawyer Michael Tiu, an assistant professor at the UP College of Law, told the Inquirer on Sunday.

Tiu said the Rome Statute would still apply, pointing to the Pre-Trial Chamber’s recent ruling on the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which settled the issue of the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that while the ICC may have issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, it has not yet been formally transmitted to the Philippines through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Merciless killings

The families of drug war victims, who have been ‘waiting for the day’ when Duterte’s co-perpetrators would also be detained, urged the government to surrender Dela Rosa to the ICC should a warrant of arrest be issued against him.

‘Bato deserves to be with Duterte in jail. Just like his master, Bato mercilessly ordered the killing of our loved ones,’ Llore Pasco, whose two sons were allegedly killed in an anti-drug operation, said in a statement on Saturday.

Pasco was speaking as a member of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, an organization composed of families of drug war victims and their supporters.

The group recalled that Dela Rosa, as head of the Philippine National Police under Duterte, ‘played a role in replicating and expanding the ‘Davao Death Squad’ model to the national level.’

But Duterte’s British-Israeli lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, on Sunday, questioned the statement of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who earlier said in a radio interview that the ICC has issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa.

The Department of Justice had said that it is working to verify the report, noting that it has not yet seen or received a copy of the warrant. The Department of the Interior and Local Government also said that it has not received any Interpol red notice against Dela Rosa.

According to Kaufman, Remulla ‘appears to have developed a passion for broadcasting ICC tidbits in unsolicited fashion and with scant regard to their veracity or their effect on the judicial process.’

‘The source for his latest piece of gossip relating to a supposed arrest warrant for Senator Dela Rosa would appear to be the type that reads tea leaves,’ he said in a message to the Inquirer.

They came from across the Philippines’ three major islands and had just two weeks to be together to train before being sent out for battle.

And after it was all said and done in the AVC U16 tournament here, these young Filipino belles became the first PH squad-and youngest volleyball team-to ever qualify for a World Championship without needing an automatic berth from hosting.

‘We had a hard time at first, because we all came from different places-Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao-and each of us had a different system,’ setter Resty Jane Olaguir told the Inquirer in the native tongue after the Filipinos qualified for the 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile, with a fifth place finish at the expense of regional power Thailand.

‘The first week was really about adjusting, but by the second week, we were able to adapt.’

This ragtag team sacrificed being away from their families for the All Souls’ Day weekend to fight for the three stars and the sun, and they capped off their international debut with a 25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22 win over the Thais on Saturday at Prince Hamzah Sports Hall for that berth.

The Philippines clinched the final Asian spot as China had already qualified as the defending world champion. Other qualified Asian teams include Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

Team captain Xyz Rayco, who dazzled all tournament long, capped her AVC debut with 30 points and was happy to find ways to keep the whole team on the same page despite coming from different programs and speaking different dialects.

‘I’m really happy because we found a way to communicate with each other and learned how to trust our teammates and coaches,’ said Rayco.

Rayco and Olaguir and the 10 other players, Nadeth Herbon from Leyte National High School, Madele Gale from Sagay, Negros Occidental, Jhenica Sadia from Gracel Christian College Foundation (GCFF), Taguig, Libero Frances Ramos from Saint Michael College of Caraga in Nasipit, Merish Beltran from GCCF, Kristel Mirasol from Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School in Talisay, Princess Sajulga from Kibawe, Bukidnon, Kim Peralta and Mischa Ysabel Ambrocio from University of Santo Tomas and Megan Hernandez from Canossa, Lipa, proved the importance of grassroots volleyball.

The Filipinos won a set against Japan, beat Iran, put up a gallant stand against silver medalist Chinese Taipei, before taking down Thailand in a match that was like for the title itself.

Longer prep time

After making a surprise entry to the Worlds, this team now gets a seven-month stretch to prepare, including an overseas training stint, before the powers that be add some names to plug whatever holes there are.

‘This time, hopefully, we can prepare better,’ coach Edwin Leyva said. ‘We’ll have more time to get ready, and the possibility of training abroad will enable us to learn and adapt to the systems used in Japan, Korea or Chinese Taipei.’

For Rayco and Olaguir, this is just the beginning.

‘I’m really inspired because I’m still young, yet we’ve already come this far,’ said Rayco. ‘And there’s still a higher level (of competition) ahead for us. I’m so happy that at my age, I was able to achieve this.’

‘We’ll work even harder and give our best because we still have a lot of lapses to improve on,’ Olaguir added. ‘When we return to the Philippines, we’ll train properly and keep giving our best

Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI), a manufacturing arm of the Ayala Group, bounced back to a net income of $16.4 million in the first nine months of 2025.

This was a reversal from the year-ago period’s $1.1-million loss, driven by operational restructuring initiatives.

In a stock exchange filing on Friday, IMI said its group revenues reached $749 million in the nine months ending Sept. 30.

Meanwhile, core Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ‘remains strong’ at $49.8 million. This represented a 7.3-percent margin.

Also, IMI chalked up a core net income of $16.4 million. This was ‘a significant turnaround’ from a net loss of $ 1.1 million reported in the same period a year ago.

‘The substantial improvement in financial performance is a result of decisive steps taken by the IMI leadership team to improve operational efficiency and rationalize,’ IMI said.

These efforts include the P635-million sale of IMI’s subsidiary in Czechia. The company said this contributed to lowering overhead expenses without sacrificing operational scale.

IMI said that in the third quarter alone, core revenues outpaced the first half’s average run-rate by 4.4 percent while core fixed overhead costs reduced by 8 percent.

Results for the September quarter were mainly due to an increase in utilization rates across the company’s facilities.

They were also driven by third-quarter gross margin reaching 9.8 percent, up from 8.7 percent in the first half of the year and 7.1 percent last year. INQ

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over several areas in Northern Luzon as Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) maintained its strength while moving northwestward over the West Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Sunday evening.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its latest bulletin as of 11 p.m., Uwan was last spotted 45 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, or 245 km west-northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

It was moving northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Pagasa said Uwan may intensify by Monday evening or Tuesday morning as it moves over the waters southwest of Taiwan, but will weaken again by Wednesday.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

‘It may re-enter PAR on Wednesday evening as it makes landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan, resulting in further weakening,’ Pagasa said.

‘It will then emerge over the waters near the Ryukyu Islands on Thursday (November 13), where it is expected to eventually weaken into a remnant low by Friday (November 14),’ it added.

Areas under Signal No. 2

(Winds greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph within 24 hours)

Luzon:

Batanes

Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands

Northwestern portion of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, Roxas, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Cabagan, San Manuel, Mallig)

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Northern and central portions of Benguet (Mangkayan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Sablan, Bakun, Buguias, Tublay)

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Northern and central portions of La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan)

Northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno)

Areas under Signal No. 1

(Winds 39-61 kph expected within 36 hours and intermittent rains)

Luzon:

Rest of Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Rest of Benguet

Rest of La Union

Rest of Pangasinan

Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Zambales

Bataan

Tarlac

Pampanga

Bulacan

Metro Manila

Cavite

Laguna

Batangas

Rizal

Quezon, including Polillo Islands

Northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Sablayan, Mamburao, Santa Cruz, Paluan), including Lubang Islands

Northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro (Socorro, Gloria, Naujan, Bansud, Puerto Galera, Victoria, San Teodoro, Baco, Pinamalayan, City of Calapan, Pola)

Marinduque

Camarines Norte

Northwestern portion of Camarines Sur (Sipocot, Libmanan, Lupi, Del Gallego, Ragay, Cabusao)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to immediately start rehabilitating damaged roads to allow the continuous delivery of aid to areas affected by Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong), according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

The directive came after Marcos held a situation briefing with government agencies on the impact of Uwan, which weakened from a super typhoon to a typhoon early Monday.

‘According to government data, 71 roads remain impassable due to the typhoon’s impact, including those in Central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region, particularly in Mountain Province, Benguet, and Apayao. Some roads in Aurora are also still closed,’ Castro said in Filipino.

On Monday, Dizon inspected the condition of drainages, waterways, and flood control projects in Navotas City-one of Metro Manila’s most flood-prone areas. He also visited the Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila.

Marcos also directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to sustain the distribution of aid to residents affected by the typhoon.

‘According to the DSWD, it continues to monitor evacuation operations and the status of evacuees. The Bicol Region recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 100,050 families affected,’ Castro said in Filipino.

In Camarines Sur and Quezon provinces, at least 44,000 and 20,000 families, respectively, were displaced by the storm.

‘Evacuees are expected to return to their homes soon as floodwaters continue to recede,’ Castro said.

Marcos also instructed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to ensure that sufficient medical teams are on standby at all evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, Marcos expressed his gratitude to first responders for their swift and dedicated service.

‘I want to thank our local governments, first responders, and volunteers for acting quickly and working together to keep our people safe. The preemptive evacuations you carried out made all the difference. Your prompt action is very significant,’ he said.

LA Tenorio admitted there’s still that urge for him to snap out of his usual coaching shirt and do the dual role of also being Magnolia’s floor general.

‘Of course, it’s different when you’re playing,’ Tenorio said. ‘Sometimes I just want to snatch the ball and say, ‘I’ll just do it myself.”

Tenorio isn’t just saying it as lip service or a metaphor, since the Hotshots have the rookie mentor on the injured or reserve list. In fact, a jersey bearing his name and the famous No. 5 had already been made, ready whenever he decides to make a return.

But like he has said in the past, his full focus remains on steering Magnolia to a better position to compete in the PBA Philippine Cup, even despite Friday’s 94-92 loss to San Miguel Beer at the Ynares Center II in Rodriguez, Rizal brought the Hotshots down to 4-2.

Magnolia fell out of a logjam atop the standings. Sitting there alone now is TNT, which the Hotshots were supposed to play Sunday in the town commonly known as Montalban, before the PBA decided to postpone the doubleheader due to Super Typhoon Uwan.

TNT is at 5-1 after its overtime escape over lowly Terrafirma on Friday and coach Chot Reyes didn’t hide the fact that his team can do better despite the result.

Tied for second with identical 5-2 win-loss slates are NLEx and Rain or Shine, after the Road Warriors blew out the Elasto Painters, 105-91, in Saturday’s nightcap at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Lulls addressed

The result enabled coach Jong Uichico, Robert Bolick, who sizzled for 28 points, and company to atone for the 30-point embarrassment handed to them by Barangay Ginebra.

Uichico addressed the lulls that hounded the Road Warriors for most of the campaign and it showed the hard way against the Gin Kings when they weren’t able to complete their comeback early in the third that led to the blowout.

‘We still had that lull in the second quarter [against Rain or Shine],’ said Uichico. ‘But at least we were able to make up for it.’

Rain or Shine wasted a chance to end the week with the solo lead as the absence of Keith Datu, who was ruled to miss the rest of the season due to a rupture of his right patellar tendon, was severely felt.

Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is also dealing with Stanley Pringle and Caelan Tiongson being in street clothes yet again, and their status for Saturday’s match against TNT in Cagayan de Oro will be known within the week.

‘Among the options is to sign from free agency or to sign our first round picks,’ said Guiao, who selected Christian Manaytay and Jun Roque in the September Draft.

Manaytay has already joined the team’s practice sessions after his MPBL stint with Nueva Ecija ended, while Roque is still playing for Letran in the NCAA. INQ

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said there was difficulty with evacuating residents in areas at risk of being affected by Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong).

Uwan whipped many parts of Luzon over the weekend, leaving at least two individuals dead, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Asked about the evacuation efforts ahead of the typhoon’s landfall, in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP community relations deputy director Brig. Gen. Vina Guzman said, ‘We had a bit of a problem with our citizens.’

‘Perhaps, they were not immediately convinced of the typhoon’s strength, so they had doubts about leaving their respective residences,’ she added.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the PNP may enforce mandatory evacuations for residents who refuse to leave high-risk areas ahead of the typhoon’s landfall.

For his part, in an interview over ANC’s Headstart earlier on Monday, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed Visayas and Mindanao residents were not as accustomed to evacuation orders as Luzon residents since fewer typhoons crossed there.

‘That’s why their state of readiness and mental preparation is not as accustomed as people in the north. Hopefully, Typhoon Tino became a learning lesson for Cebu residents that, when they’re told to evacuate, they should evacuate,’ Remulla said.

Before the onset of Uwan, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) devastated the central Philippines early last week.

Cebu was the province hit hardest by the cyclone, with 141 reported dead, 57 missing, and 123 injured as of Saturday, based on Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) data.

‘I hope our countrymen follow when their barangay captains tell them to evacuate because many are afraid to leave their properties and don’t leave,’ Remulla said.

Uwan made landfall as a super typhoon over Dinalungan, Aurora on Sunday night.

The cyclone weakened into a typhoon on Monday morning and was last spotted 135 kilometers (km) west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union at 10 a.m.

Uwan was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 130 km per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 160 kph while moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

Motorists will have no relief this week from rising fuel prices, as fuel retailers will implement another wave of price hikes.

In an advisory, Seaoil said gasoline and diesel would increase by 50 centavos and P1 a liter, respectively, starting Tuesday.

This marks the sixth consecutive price increase for gasoline, and the third for diesel.

Kerosene prices, meanwhile, will stay the same this week.

Malacañang on Monday said that Cebu officials who reportedly flew to Europe while Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) lashed the province should be investigated before any conclusions are drawn.

This was the response of Palace Press Officer Claire Castro when asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had issued any directive on the matter.

‘First of all, this needs to be assessed. What exactly is their purpose in going to another country, and did it really affect the prompt response for our fellow citizens who experienced the typhoon’s impact?’ she said at a briefing.

She also said, ‘We cannot immediately say that they are at fault; this needs to be studied first.’

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has already initiated a probe into the matter, which was also communicated to the Cebu Provincial Government.

‘[T]his morning, we just received an order from the national office of the DILG to submit all travel orders that were given to all local chief executives for an investigation and other purposes,’ said Aldwin Empaces, assistant provincial administrator, as quoted in a report from Cebu Daily News.

‘As to the next steps, it is up to the central office,’ Empaces said.

‘We will just comply with their instructions and orders,’ he added.

Local officials from Cebu’s fifth district, including representatives from the heavily affected towns of Compostela and Liloan, faced public criticism after reports emerged that they had traveled to London and France during Typhoon Tino’s rampage.

The Capitol previously confirmed that the governor permitted the following officials last September:

Catmon Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon

San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr.

Tudela Mayor Greman Solante

Poro Mayor Edgar G. Rama

Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago

Compostela Mayor Felijur Quiño

Liloan Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco

Most of the officials have yet to confirm or deny the reports.

The Miss Universe Philippines organization (MUPH) has called for ‘bayanihan’ to help those who were affected by the back-to-back typhoons ‘Tino’ and ‘Uwan’ in the country.

‘Our hearts go out to the communities, especially our partners, delegates, and their families, who are navigating the aftermath of this calamity. We stand in solidarity with all Filipinos facing this challenging time,’ MUPH said in a statement on Nov. 9.

The organization has a nationwide scope with the various ‘local directors’ found in the different cities, towns, and provinces across the Philippines.

‘In the true spirit of bayanihan we call on our fellow Filipinos to come together and support those who have been displaced or suffered losses. May hope, healing, and unity guide us all through this difficult period,’ MUPH continued.

Its sister brand The Miss Philippines also issued a statement amid Uwan’s onslaught. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with every Filipino who has endured loss and hardship during this challenging time,’ the message said.

‘May hope, resilience, and compassion continue to guide us as a nation as we uplift one another in the face of adversity,’ The Miss Philippines continued.

ALV Pageant Circle, organizer of the Miss World Philippines and Miss Grand International Philippines pageants, has called on its pool of titleholders for a relief drive.

‘Calling all ALV Talents, Beauty Queens, employees, and everyone. We’re reaching out to you with a humble call for help and solidarity for our kababayans in Cebu, who have recently suffered from consecutive calamities-first an earthquake, and now a typhoon,’ the organization said.

ALV Pageant Circle is accepting donations ‘such as used clothes, packed noodles, easy-open canned goods, and hygiene kits to help those who are struggling to recover.’

ALV talents, titleholders, staff members, and other interested individuals may bring their donations to Taipan Place, Emerald St., Ortigas Center, Pasig City until Nov. 13, from 12 noon to 4 P.M.

Visit the social media pages of ALV Pageant Circle, Miss World Philippines, Miss Grand Philippines, and Mister World Philippines for additional details