Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

These detours are not the happy kind.

Several netizens shared their experiences of driving for hours over the weekend due to heavy traffic along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), amid flooding brought by days of torrential rains.

Many towns in Pampanga province, which the NLEx runs through, were inundated as the southwest monsoon (‘habagat’) lashed parts of Luzon.

In a post shared with the Facebook group ‘Traffic Updates-NLEx / SCTEx / TPLEx,’ a social media user said she left La Union around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, and arrived in Taguig City only at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1-or 22 hours later.

The heavy traffic along portions of NLEx forced her to take detours through the towns of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan.

‘Parang nag-abroad lang e’ (It was as if we went abroad), she said.

SCTEx refers to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, while TPLEx refers to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

‘We managed to take a staycation in many different provinces and places… Imagine, we got around! We were even greeted by Jose Mari Chan on the road!,’ the user quipped in Filipino.

Chan is a beloved figure in Philippine music, best known for his Christmas carols that are often used to signal the start of the Yuletide season as early as September.

Another social media user said she and her family left their flooded home in Apalit town, Pampanga, at 9 a.m. on Monday, and managed to arrive at a relative’s home in Dau, in the same province, at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

Impassable roads

The netizen said roads going through Apalit, San Simon, and San Fernando were impassable due to waist-deep floods at the time. They had gone to Calumpit, Bulacan, in hopes of catching a big bus to pass through the flooded areas, but there was no bus.

However, a truck driver allowed them to board his vehicle until NLEx, where the vehicle could no longer bear the weight of the passengers.

‘IT WAS A TRUCK FOR COWS. Not a bus, not rescue trucks from the government. But, thank you to the driver who still tried to help us,’ the netizen said, adding, ‘I hope the government still has some mercy for us.’

Still another social media user said they left Dinalupihan, Bataan, at 4 p.m. on Monday and arrived in Santa Rosa, Laguna, at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

They were likewise forced to take detours through several towns in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan before finding their way to their destination.

Because of their ordeal, she said, one is forced to wonder where the people’s taxes go.

‘Deeply sorry’

In a statement on Monday, NLEx operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said it understood the public’s frustration and that it was ‘deeply sorry’ for the delays the motorists endured.

MPTC said concrete barriers will be deployed along the Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga, to serve as a temporary flood wall, as well as siphoning trucks to remove the floodwater.

In an advisory on Tuesday morning, NLEX Corp. said heavy traffic was still reported on both the northbound and southbound lanes of the expressway segment near San Simon, but that all types of vehicles could pass through the Lane 1 segment.

However, only Class 2 and 3 vehicles, or larger vehicles including buses and trucks, could use the Lane 2 segment.

‘Why still go there?’

Malacañang on Tuesday, meanwhile, advised motorists to avoid NLEx for now, following reports of motorists getting stranded on the expressway due to severe flooding.

At a briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro dismissed proposals to temporarily suspend NLEx toll fees, saying doing so could result in heavier traffic.

‘Why are you still going in if there’s already traffic? Don’t use it for now if you won’t be able to get through anyway,’ she said.

‘What’s the point of making it (toll-) free? If we make it free, more vehicles will enter. And the more vehicles that enter, the worse the traffic will get,’ Castro added.

Castro said there was no order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sanction NLEx operator MPTC, as the president was focused on finding ways to ease traffic congestion.

For years, the Brillo Awards have stood as Cebuana Lhuillier’s highest distinction, honoring the loyalty, achievements, and contributions of Ka Cebuanas who have helped shape the organization. This year, under the theme ‘Spotlight is Yours,’ the tradition takes on a renewed focus, putting the people behind the company’s success center stage and recognizing the journeys, accomplishments, and contributions that continue to move Cebuana Lhuillier forward.

‘What we’re celebrating goes beyond tenure or achievement. We honor the difference our KaCebuanas continue to make in the lives of others. No amount of setbacks have stopped them from showing up, because they understand that behind these transactions are millions of Filipinos who place their trust in us and rely on Cebuana Lhuillier every day,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Among the most meaningful tributes were the service milestones of KaCebuanas who have dedicated decades to the company, including this year’s 35-year awardees. Having witnessed Cebuana Lhuillier’s evolution firsthand, these long-serving employees embody the commitment, growth, and malasakit that have shaped the company over the years.

One of the awardees, Marietta Cabaron Baguio, reflected on the milestone: ‘Being with Cebuana Lhuillier is a deeply cherished achievement. I’m grateful for the years of growth, the people who have been part of the journey, and the opportunity to continue serving with passion and dedication.’

The Brillo Awards also applauded KaCebuanas and teams whose performance continues to raise the bar across the organization, with honors spanning key areas such as Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers Inc. (CLIB) Best in Overall Insurance Performance and Best in Customer Reach, Top Branch of the Year Cross-Sell Champions, Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB) Microsavings Top Performing Branch, Best Branch for Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium, CX Excellence Award, and Money Mover of the Year.

The evening’s top performance honors went to CLH Datu Saber-Marawi as Branch of the Year, Area 502 as Area of the Year, and Region 5B as Region of the Year. The awards highlighted the teams’ strong performance, commitment, and collective drive to deliver results for their customers and communities. Peter Cabauatan, Regional Manager of Region 5B, enthused, ‘We are grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to celebrate what our team has accomplished. More than an award, it reminds us of the impact we can make for our clients and communities and motivates us to keep moving forward with purpose.’

Beyond performance and service milestones, Brillo also honors individuals who embody Cebuana Lhuillier’s values and spirit through its special awards. The Edna Lhuillier Heart of Ka-Cebuana Award recognizes individuals whose compassion, generosity, and genuine care for others make a meaningful difference to their colleagues and communities. The Felix Contapay Award cites exceptional dedication and contributions that leave a lasting mark on the company. The Anselmo Hernandez Award acknowledges courage, determination, and the willingness to rise to challenges in service of others. Meanwhile, the Ambassador’s Cup Award salutes outstanding individuals who exemplify leadership, commitment, and the values that Cebuana Lhuillier stands for.

‘As we pay tribute to our team members through the Brillo platform, we reinforce the principles that make our company an exceptional home for talent,’ said Jo-Ann Tacorda, First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Services of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘These honors represent a powerful expression of our employer brand, one that nurtures advancement and inspires standard-setting performance across all divisions.’

With each Brillo celebration, Cebuana Lhuillier reinforces a culture where dedication is valued, initiative is encouraged, and people are empowered to make a difference. As the company looks ahead, the stories honored this year serve as a reminder that its strongest legacy is built by the KaCebuanas who continue to raise the standard, lead with purpose, and shape what comes next.

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) recommended the creation of a regulatory body for social media and gaming platforms.

‘It was one of our proposals at the top level [of government] to have this review and censorship board for all social media platforms and gaming platforms,’ PNP-ACG director Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta said at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel forum on Wednesday.

‘[A board] that will really censure, monitor and tell, ‘You need to stop. This is prohibited. This is violent content,” he added.

Asueta made this pronouncement in response to a question on whether Congress should pass a law or whether Malacañang can issue an executive order creating a body like the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for social media platforms.

The MTRCB was formed by Presidential Decree No. 1986 issued by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in 1985.

‘An amendment is very commendable,’ Asueta said.

‘And, for the meantime, an executive order, pwede i-ano ng ating SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) kasi immediate yun kaysa paggawa ng batas. But, [we’ve] proposed [a board] already in terms of legislation,’ he added.

(And, for the meantime, an executive order, our SILG can push for that because that’s more immediate than passing a law. But, we’ve proposed a board already in terms of legislation.)

Regulations on social media and gaming platforms regained public interest following the fatal school shooting incidents in Tacloban City last June 22 and Zamboanga City last August 18.

Both incidents were allegedly perpetrated by teenaged students who had supposedly been exposed to violent content on social media and gaming platforms.

The PNP previously said it was studying a recommendation discussed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nation Chiefs of Police (Aseanapol) last July to adopt a measure similar to Australia’s ban on social media for users aged 16 and younger

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has dropped the plunder and graft charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, removing him as an accused in two cases linked to an alleged P573-million kickback scheme.

‘He (Bonoan) is no longer an accused in the two cases before the Fifth [Division],’ a member of the prosecution team told the Inquirer on Tuesday.

Another source confirmed the development.

Also accused in those cases are Sen. Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineers Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales Jr., and assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna.

The source from the prosecution said the other accused may be expected to file a motion for reconsideration.

The latest Sandiganbayan action came after the Office of the Ombudsman pursued efforts beginning in July to turn Bonoan into a state witness for other cases stemming from alleged multibillion-peso corruption involving flood control projects.

Flood control probe

Bonoan resigned as DPWH secretary in September 2025, shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into the alleged anomalies.

In November 2025, the now-defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure found Bonoan administratively liable over flood control projects in Bulacan province that were supposedly never built.

The Department of Justice said in January that Bonoan would also face a criminal case for plunder.

Bonoan earlier testified before the anti-graft court in a separate case against former Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. over a P76.91-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, that prosecutors said proved ‘nonexistent.’

At one point in his testimony, Bonoan said ‘all senators’ who were incumbent in 2024 availed themselves of a ‘leadership fund’ allotted by the DPWH under the 2025 budget.

One of the three Sandiganbayan Fifth Division justices opposed the dropping of plunder and graft charges against former Department of Public Works (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan.

This was established after prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman filed on June 29 a Motion for Leave to File Amended Information to discharge Bonoan from the two cases.

The opposition became known as the anti-graft body accepted Bonoan’s offer to be a state witness to testify against several personalities implicated in the multibillion flood control corruption scandal.

Bonoan was a co-accused of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

The senator faces a plunder case stemming from alleged ‘intricate mechanism involving illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations’ within the DPWH infrastructure portfolio for fiscal year 2025 worth P573 million, according to prosecutors.

Only former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna and district engineers Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales Jr. remain as Estrada’s co-accused in his plunder case.

The justice’s opposition reflects the outcome of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s 2-1 vote granting the prosecution’s motion as explained in a 29-page resolution dated Sept. 1 published in its official website on Wednesday.

Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, the Fifth Division chairperson, and Associate Justice Maryann Corpuz-Mañalac voted to grant the prosecution’s motion, while Associate Justice Gener Gito was the lone dissenting vote.

In his 32-page dissenting opinion, Gito noted that the court ‘is kept in the dark’ as to how Bonoan would cooperate with the government, what information he would relay to the prosecution, what his testimony would be, and in which cases his testimony would be used.

‘What the prosecution wants the court to do is simply accept its justification for discharging Bonoan from the information hook, line and sinker,’ Gito observed.

The Fifth Division resolution, however, noted that ‘the decision to move for the discharge of an accused is part of the Ombudsman’s prosecutorial discretion in the determination of who should be used as a state witness to bolster the successful prosecution of criminal offenses.’

‘Unless made in clear violation of the Rules, this determination should be given great weight as courts do not, as a rule, have a vision of the true strength of the prosecution’s evidence until after the trial is over,’ the resolution said.

Gito, however, has a different position.

He stated: ‘Yes, the Office of the Ombudsman enjoys broad discretion in the investigation and prosecution of offenses within its authority, including the determination of whom to prosecute and whom to utilize as witnesses for the State. This discretion, however, is not absolute.’

‘Thus, while prosecutorial discretion remains entitled to appropriate respect, it does not displace the court’s authority and duty to determine whether the relief sought is legally and factually warranted, with due regard to the procedural posture of the case and the substantial rights of the accused,’ he explained.

Estrada, Cortuna, Bulusan and Gonzales opposed the motion, as they noted that Bonoan’s discharge would affect their defense.

The original case information stated that Estrada -and – Bonoan caused, facilitated or ensured the inclusion of the questioned projects in the national budget.

However, the amended case information now only alleges that accused Estrada acted ‘by himself and/or through’ Bonoan.

Still, the majority of the Fifth Division finds that the accused ‘are not deprived of their defense as they may still deny any conspiracy or agreement between themselves or as between accused Estrada and Bonoan.’

‘They shall also be fully afforded the opportunity to cross-examine accused Bonoan and impeach his testimony during trial,’ they noted.

In their oppositions, Cortuna, Bulusan and Gonzales noted that the allegations contained in the original information was already read to them during arraignment, of which they pleaded not guilty.

For his part, Gito said, with the court granting of motion, the three accused ‘would be compelled to reassess defenses and evidence prepared in response to the original accusations.’

‘Rather than merely stating with greater precision a fact already alleged, the amendment introduces an alternative theory of participation and requires the other arraigned accused to confront factual allegations materially different from those to which they originally pleaded,’ the justice pointed out.

Gito recognizes the prosecutors’ ‘laudable’ goal to prosecute more culprits through Bonoan’s cooperation, but he maintained that their move is still ‘procedurally flawed.’

‘While the undersigned recognizes the prosecution’s laudable desire to prosecute those responsible for what is perceived to be the greatest larceny in the government coffers, such prosecution must, nevertheless, be pursued in accordance with the Rules, with due regard for the rights of the accused, and without encroaching upon judicial prerogative,’ he explained.

Gito thinks the prosecution cannot demand Bonoan’s discharge as a matter of right, and, instead, should have asked for a motion for leave of court, and the ex-DPWH chief discharge from cases based on the court’s judgment.

The prosecutors said the accused are expected to file a motion for reconsideration on the court resolution.

Meanwhile, as for Bonoan’s discharge from hospital arrest, the office of Fifth Division Clerk of Court said the release order may be issued on Thursday.

Bonoan, 81, is detained at Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame as he is suffering from chronic renal disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gouty arthritis, spinal condition called spondylolisthesis, and prostate cancer.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano admitted that it was a ‘tough’ decision to drop Bonoan from the case.

However, Clavano said the anti-graft body considered his age and several illnesses before its prosecutors filed a motion to discharge him from cases, the gravest of which is plunder, whose punishment is reclusion perpetua or a prison sentence of up to 40 years.

‘If Bonoan was convicted of plunder for 40 years, do you think he would last until 120 years old inside prison?’ Clavano had asked in a press conference in late June.

SM Supermalls expects a stronger Christmas season this year as robust tenant demand and new entertainment offerings give the mall operator confidence that consumer activity will remain healthy through the final months of 2026.

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said in its mid-year business review on Tuesday that the company was ‘very optimistic’ about the holiday season, citing the positive performance of its malls during the first seven months of the year.

‘Yes, definitely. We’re very optimistic about it. It has always been positive,’ Tan said when asked whether SM expects a better Christmas season compared with last year.

The upbeat outlook follows a record first half for the mall operator. Revenues rose 8 percent to P41.8 billion from P38.6 billion a year earlier, supported by additional leasable space, more tenants and steady foot traffic.

Average daily foot traffic stood at 3.7 million, while gross leasable area increased by 3 percent to 5.1 million square meters.

The number of tenants likewise climbed by 4 percent to 23,174.

Tan said SM’s occupancy rate has reached a record 96 percent, up from 94 percent last year and 92 percent the year before.

He said the few remaining vacancies largely reflected tenant changes and relocations.

Dining has also emerged as a major growth driver, with Tan saying the segment had expanded by 30 percent.

Unlike some retail purchases, he said dining remains difficult to replicate through online channels because consumers continue to seek freshly prepared food and the restaurant experience.

SM is counting on entertainment and new technology to further draw shoppers during the crucial fourth quarter.

Tan pointed to a strong movie lineup and SM’s investments in cinema formats, including IMAX, ScreenX and LED screens. He said constant innovation was necessary as consumer preferences continued to evolve.

The mall operator plans to sustain that momentum by introducing new brands and expanding its cinema, entertainment and leisure offerings.

SM will also expand its footprint before the holiday rush with the opening of SM Nuvali on Nov. 27. The property will become its 91st mall in the Philippines and will serve as its newest flagship development in the South.

Tan said the upscale mall would mark the ‘next expression of the SM experience’ as the company taps the emerging growth corridor of South Luzon and Calabarzon.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel and former Department of Education (DepEd) chief of staff Michael Poa is set to take the witness stand on Wednesday, Sept. 2, as House prosecution panel continues presenting evidence in the impeachment trial

Consumers in the Visayas may face power interruptions on Wednesday as some large coal plants remain offline.

In an advisory, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said a red alert would be up over the Visayas from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The grid operator said the yellow alert will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mindanao, with portions of Visayas’ power supply also comes from this region, is also seeing a thin supply. The grid will be under a yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A yellow alert indicates that available power reserves are thinning, meaning any unexpected plant outage could trigger service interruptions. A red alert indicates that the supply cannot meet the demand, raising the risk of rotational brownouts unless we manage consumption effectively

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered increased police visibility in areas expected to draw larger crowds as the country enters the ‘ber’ months.

According to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., regional and city police offices are directed to strengthen police visibility, patrols and monitoring in commercial establishments, transport terminals, markets and other public places where people are expected to converge.

He also ordered PNP personnel to strengthen presence in crime-prone areas across the country.

The PNP chief said police units would coordinate closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to address emerging security concerns.

‘Our priority is to prevent crimes before they happen and ensure a safe and peaceful holiday season,’ Nartatez said in a press release on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nartatez urged the public to secure their belongings, avoid sharing real-time locations online and immediately report suspicious activities to authorities to prevent crimes, such as theft, robbery, and scams.

He pointed out that keeping communities safe during the holiday season would require cooperation between the police and the public. Rendell Ivan Manuel, INQUIRER.net trainee

There will always be a part of Alex Eala’s memory reserved for her US Open stint last year.

After all, she did win her first Grand Slam main draw match there.

‘I remember that I was down 5-1 in the third set and it was a very tough comeback for me,’ the 21-year-old tennis star said during a pre-tournament press conference for this year’s US Open, recalling her 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11) victory over then world No. 14 Carla Tauson in the first round.

‘I know she was dominating me for a lot of the match. And yeah, it was, I think, definitely one of my most memorable matches of that year,’ added Eala.

This year, she is scheduled to open her US Open stint against American Mary Stoiana at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, one of the bigger arenas of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City.

Between her first win last year and this year’s stint, a lot has happened to Eala.

‘I’ve gotten to compete against the best of the best a lot more frequently,’ said the world No. 18. ‘I think that I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many matches such as that one [at the] US Open last year where the court was packed and the atmosphere was amazing against a formidable opponent.’

So much has also happened around her.

She has grown to be arguably the most popular star on the WTA Tour nowadays, and she has bumped higher seeds off bigger courts, just as she will on Wednesday morning (Manila time) against the qualifier Stoiana.

Eala’s rise to fame has outpaced expectations-and ticket sales. Every tournament she shows up in sells out, with organizers forced to make sure she doesn’t play on small courts.

But she has handled her popularity superbly, and there has been no sign that Eala’s game-which is anchored on diligent returns and wearing down powerful opponents-has suffered from the constant attention and spotlight.

‘[E]verything that has been coming my way is continuously uncharted territory for me. So, I’m experiencing a lot of things for the first time,’ Eala admitted on a podcast hosted by legend Andy Roddick. ‘[I]t’s been a journey to learn my relationship with the fame, especially in the exposure.’

‘I think one thing is that my commitment to tennis and the work ethic that I’ve been having since I was young, it just keeps my feet on the ground,’ Eala said. ‘I think that I have so much further to go in terms of how to improve technically, tactically, physically, so the ceiling’s very high, and I feel like, yeah, I feel very, very small.’

No matter how small she feels though, she props herself up with an insane amount of confidence.

‘I think I have a pretty strong baseline of belief in myself. And of course, it can all, it’s very normal that it fluctuates,’ Eala said. ‘There are moments where it’s more difficult to believe in yourself. And there are moments where it’s much easier.

‘But I think my baseline has remained quite steady, and maybe on an incline, but a very, very, very slow incline. I think that’s what’s important is to have that foundation of, I know what I can do, I’m strong, who I am as a person, what my character is.’

The US Open will be the final Grand Slam of the year, and the odds aren’t exactly piled in Eala’s favor.

But at the very least, expect Eala to fight with her trademark grit, if only to repay the faith of the strong Filipino community that rallies behind her every match she plays.

‘I think a reason also why I have such a big following is because people see themselves in me,’ she said. ‘So, I’m representing those people, and it’s not really just me on the stage, if you know what I mean. So, that’s kind of how I approach it.’