Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

More parts of Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as Tino developed into a typhoon on Monday morning, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared Signal No. 3 in the following areas:

VISAYAS

southern portion of Eastern Samar

southern portion of Samar

central and southern portions of Leyte

Southern Leyte

Camotes Islands

eastern portion of Bohol

MINDANAO

Dinagat Islands

northern portion of Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands

Pagasa warned of ‘widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services’ as well as ‘heavy damage to high-risk structures,’ caused by winds of greater than 89 kilometers per hour up to 117 kph forecast in at least 18 hours.

Meanwhile, affected by winds of more than 62 kph to 88 kph, or under Signal No. 2, are as follows:

LUZON

southern portion of Masbate

VISAYAS

central portion of Eastern Samar

central portion of Samar

the rest of Leyte

Biliran

rest of Bohol

rest of Cebu

northern and central portions of Negros Oriental

northern and central portions of Negros Occidental

Guimaras

eastern portion of Capiz

northern and eastern portions of Iloilo

MINDANAO

rest of Surigao del Norte

northern portion of Surigao del Sur

northeastern portion of Agusan del Norte

northern portion of Camiguin

Pagasa also issued Signal No. 1 in the areas listed below:

LUZON

Albay

Sorsogon

rest of Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Island

southern portion of Quezon

southern portion of Marinduque

Romblon

central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro

central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro

northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, and Cagayancillo Islands

VISAYAS

Northern Samar

rest of Eastern Samar

rest of Samar, Siquijor

rest of Negros Oriental

rest of Negros Occidental

rest of Iloilo

rest of Capiz

Aklan

Antique, including Caluya Islands

MINDANAO

rest of Surigao del Sur

northern and central portions of Agusan del Sur

rest of Agusan del Norte

rest of Camiguin

Misamis Oriental

northern portion of Bukidnon

northern portion of Misamis Occidental

northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte

Pagasa last spotted Tino around 285 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Typhoon Tino continues to move west-southwestward at 25 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph, Pagasa said.

Tino was forecast to make an initial landfall at near peak intensity with winds around 150 to 165 kph on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning in the vicinity of the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, or Dinagat Islands, Pagasa added.

Sen. Robin Padilla added his voice of support for Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s impending return as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, the panel tasked with investigating irregularities in flood-control projects.

Padilla conceded that the nine-man minority bloc lacks the authority to reinstate Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to his previous chairmanship of the committee.

‘While I know that our fellow countrymen in the Minority bloc favor Senator Rodante Marcoleta, we cannot insist on our preference because the minority does not have the authority to appoint the chairperson of the committee,’ he said in a Facebook post.

‘We in the minority bloc do not have the ability to reinstate Senator Rodante Marcoleta as chair of the blue ribbon committee because we lack the numbers. There are only nine of us in the minority,’ he stressed.

The nine are Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano, Padilla, Marcoleta, and Sens. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos, Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, and Christopher ‘Bong’ Go.

Escudero, Villanueva, and Estrada were subjects of the investigation for allegedly receiving commissions from ghost or substandard ghost projects. They repeatedly denied the allegations.

In the meantime, Padilla called for calm, saying it would not help the Senate if the members persisted in the dispute over the chairmanship of the blue ribbon panel.

‘The Blue Ribbon Committee has practically turned into a Red Ribbon, as no one wanted to lead it anymore,’ he quipped. ‘It’s good that Senator Panfilo Lacson has now returned to take the helm.’

He also urged the public to trust Lacson’s renewed leadership in the committee.

‘Let us also be thankful that he, from the Majority bloc, is once again the chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee-rather than other senators whose political colors are openly displayed, which could lead to even fiercer exchanges of mudslinging that would only drag the Senate deeper into the quicksand,’ Padilla said.

Lacson quit his post early this month, citing his colleagues’ disappointment with the direction of the committee.

But just more than a week after resigning from his post, Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III claimed in various media interviews that most of their peers in the majority bloc still would want Lacson to come back as head of the blue ribbon panel.

Lacson is expected to be reelected when the Senate resumes its session on Monday, Nov. 10.

Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) further intensified as it moved closer to the Philippine landmass on Monday evening, the state weather bureau said.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 remains raised over several areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Tino was last spotted 95 kilometers (km) east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar while moving westward at 15 km per hour (kph).

The typhoon now carries maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

Pagasa continues to forecast Tino’s initial landfall to occur in Homohnhon Island or Dinagat Islands by Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

Tino is then expected to make landfall over Leyte or Southern Leyte on Tuesday morning, before crossing over Visayas and Northern Palawan and then exiting the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning.

‘Tino is forecast to make its initial landfall at or near peak intensity (currently forecasted around 140 to 155 kph maximum winds with higher gustiness),’ Pagasa said.

‘Rapid intensification before landfall remains likely,’ it added.

With this, Signal No. 4-or winds greater than 118 kph up to 184 kph expected in at least 12 hours-is raised in the following areas:

Visayas

The extreme southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Mercedes)

The western and southern portion of Leyte (Mahaplag, Abuyog, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hilongos, Hindang, Bato, Matalom, Javier, Macarthur, La Paz, Mayorga, Burauen, Isabel, Merida, Albuera, Dulag, Julita, Palompon)

Southern Leyte

The northern portion of Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Balamban, Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Borbon, Carmen, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio, City of Bogo) including Camotes Islands

The northeastern portion of Bohol (Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Getafe, Trinidad, Ubay, Bien Unido, Talibon)

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands

Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands

Signal No. 3-winds of greater than 89 kph up to 117 kph in at least 18 hours-is up in the following areas:

Visayas

The southern portion of Eastern Samar (Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Salcedo)

The southern portion of Samar (Marabut)

The central portion of Leyte (Tanauan, Palo, Tabontabon, Ormoc City, Dagami, Pastrana, Tolosa, Matag-Ob, Villaba, Kananga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe)

The extreme northern and central portions of Cebu (City of Talisay, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sibonga, City of Carcar, San Fernando, City of Naga, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Barili, Dumanjug, Argao, Alcantara, Moalboal, Ronda) including Bantayan Islands

The central and eastern portions of Bohol (San Miguel, Mabini, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy, Guindulman, Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Anda, Jagna, Duero, Sierra Bullones, Carmen, Sagbayan, Clarin, Tubigon, Batuan, Catigbian, San Isidro, Calape, Loon)

The northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud) The northern portion of Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Enrique, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Enrique B. Magalona, Toboso, Valladolid, Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, Bacolod City, Murcia, City of Escalante, Calatrava, San Carlos City, Silay City, Pulupandan, City of Victorias, City of Talisay, Manapla, Binalbagan)

Guimaras

Iloilo

The southern portion of Capiz (Tapaz, Mambusao, Jamindan, Dumalag, Dumarao, Cuartero, Dao, Panitan, Pontevedra, Sigma, President Roxas, Ma-Ayon, Pilar)

The central and southern portions of Antique ( Tobias Fornier, Anini-Y, Hamtic, San Jose, Sibalom, Belison, Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, Bugasong, Tibiao, Laua-An, Barbaza)

Mindanao

The rest of Surigao del Norte

On the other hand, Signal No. 2 or winds greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph in at least 24 hours is hoisted in:

Luzon

The southern portion of Masbate (Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, Balud, Cawayan)

The southern portion of Romblon (San Jose, Santa Fe, Alcantara, Looc)

Cuyo Islands

Visayas

The central portion of Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, City of Borongan, Taft, Llorente, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian, General Macarthur, Hernani)

The central portion of Samar (San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Talalora, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Motiong, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan, Santo Niño, Almagro, Tarangnan)

The rest of Leyte

Biliran

The rest of Bohol

The rest of Cebu

The central portion of Negros Oriental (Tayasan, Manjuyod, City of Tanjay, Bais City, Mabinay, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, City of Bayawan, Basay, Valencia, Dumaguete City, Bacong)

The rest of Negros Occidental

Siquijor

The rest of Capiz

Aklan

The rest of Antique including Caluya Islands

Mindanao

The northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, Tago, San Miguel, Marihatag, Cagwait, Bayabas, City of Tandag)

The northern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat)

The northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes)

Camiguin

Signal No. 1, with winds 39 to 61 kph to be expected in at least 36 hours and intermittent rains:

Luzon

Albay

Sorsogon

The rest of Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

The southern portion of Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres)

The southern portion of Marinduque (Torrijos, Buenavista, Gasan, Boac)

The rest of Romblon

Oriental Mindoro

Occidental Mindoro

The northern and central portions of Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, San Vicente, Roxas, Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan) including Calamian Islands and Cagayancillo Islands

Visayas

Northern Samar

The rest of Eastern Samar

The rest of Samar

The rest of Negros Oriental

Mindanao

The rest of Surigao del Sur

The central portion of Agusan del Sur (City of Bayugan, Prosperidad, Esperanza, San Luis, Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario)

The rest of Agusan del Norte

Misamis Oriental

The northern portion of Bukidnon (Baungon, Malitbog, Impasug-Ong, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao)

The northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Baliangao, Plaridel, Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Lopez Jaena, Concepcion, Oroquieta City, Aloran)

The northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Sibutad, Rizal, Dipolog City, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Polanco, Dapitan City, Piñan, La Libertad, Mutia, Jose Dalman)

Two men were arrested by police in Cavite for allegedly sexually abusing four teen boys and taking videos of the supposed abuse, the Philippine National Police Women and Children’s Protection Center (PNP WCPC) said on Monday.

In a statement, the PNP WCPC did not name the suspects, only saying they were aged 26 and 27. The youngest of the victims was 15, while the eldest was 19.

Police caught the suspects at their home in General Mariano Alvarez following a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data after a case referral by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

‘The suspects invited the minor victims to the residence of one of the suspects, where they sexually abused the victims while the other suspect recorded the acts on video and stored them online,’ the WCPC said.

‘The victims were reportedly paid between P500 and P600 in exchange for engaging in these acts,’ it added.

The PNP WCPC did not mention how the suspects and the victims met.

The victims were taken into the protective custody of the municipal social welfare and development office for psychosocial interventions. In contrast, the arrested suspects were taken into the custody of the WCPC Luzon Field Unit.

The suspects now face complaints for violation of Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act; and RA No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before the Department of Justice.

The complaints were in relation to RA No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

To prevent abuse and misuse of government funds, Sen. Francis Escudero is pushing for the institutionalization of budget transparency and accountability safeguards for all infrastructure projects introduced in the national budget.

In his proposed Senate Bill No. 1461, otherwise known as the Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act, Escudero said there is a need to ensure that only government infrastructure projects that are technically and financially viable are included in the national budget.

Under the measure, he proposed that all infrastructure projects will have to incorporate mechanisms such as station numbers, geotagging, geodetic coordinates, and other technology-based methodologies that will allow anyone to locate these at any time.

‘Geotagging is one of the most important mechanisms for us to see the actual status of a project-whether something is really being done or if it’s just idle while the government continues to release funds,’ Escudero said in Filipino.

The bill also states that no government infrastructure project should be included in the national budget and implemented unless it has gone through a thorough feasibility study.

‘This documentation is a requirement and condition sine qua non for inclusion of any infrastructure project in the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act. All proposed projects must be vetted; otherwise, [they] should not receive a single centavo in public funds,’ Escudero said.

Apart from these two, Escudero’s measure likewise indicated that budget splitting or the division of the appropriations for infrastructure projects in phases, will also be prohibited.

Escudero is one of the government officials implicated in the anomalous flood control scandal.

In September, resigned Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified before the Senate blue ribbon panel that he is close to businessman Maynard Ngu, a campaign contributor of Escudero.

He said Ngu once asked him to submit a list of projects for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act. Bernardo said they agreed on a 20 percent cut.

‘After inclusion of the projects in the General Appropriations Act, I delivered 20 percent of approximately P800 million, or about P160 million, which was meant for Senator Escudero,’ Bernardo said.

Escudero denied Bernardo’s allegation and said it is part of a ‘well-orchestrated’ attempt to discredit the Senate.

Fast fashion has long drawn criticism for its cultural and environmental impact. Now, fast deco is transforming Filipino homes, and in doing so, threatening the tradition of ‘pamana.’

What is fast deco?

Fast deco refers to low-cost, mass-produced furniture and décor that follow the latest trends and are easily replaced once a new look becomes popular. These days, it’s hard not to notice homes filled with ‘fast’ furniture and décor.

Fast deco refers to low-cost, mass-produced furniture and décor that follow the latest trends and are easily replaced once a new look becomes popular

That said, many brands have reshaped how Filipinos approach home décor, introducing not only a wide range of stylish, affordable furniture but also the idea that homes could be constantly updated to reflect the latest trends. Many Filipinos have embraced this mindset, buying pieces that look modern and trendy without worrying about long-term durability.

As a result, the home décor market in the Philippines is booming. This year, it’s expected to generate around US$179.10 million in revenue.

More Filipinos are drawn to minimalist styles that fit urban lifestyles-a shift influenced by social media, online shopping, and the convenience of fast décor. However, this constant cycle of buying and replacing comes with a hidden cost. Every piece discarded for the next new look leaves behind more than just clutter-it adds to a mounting environmental problem. Metro Manila’s waste output has steadily increased over the years. In 2020, the region produced over 3.3 million metric tons of waste, rising to 3.36 million in 2021. The trend continued in 2022, reaching 3.39 million metric tons, and by 2023, waste generation had exceeded 3.4 million metric tons. In 2024, the numbers climbed even further, putting additional strain on the region’s already burdened waste management system.

A threat to pamana culture

From the root word ‘mana,’ pamana is a Filipino term that means heritage, inheritance, or hand-me-down. In Filipino culture, it symbolizes the connection between generations, showing how older family members continue to look after the younger ones even after they are gone.

But pamana is more than just a hand-me-down-it’s memory, history, and identity

But pamana is more than just a hand-me-down-it’s memory, history, and identity. The wooden cabinet from my grandmother’s house wasn’t just a place for photo albums and my lolo’s CDs; it was a quiet witness to decades of family life. The handwoven lamp that once lit my mom’s room now glows softly in mine, carrying the same warmth through time. Our old living set, a little worn and scratched, has heard every laugh, story, and argument that made us who we are.

Even a simple vintage vase seems to hold not just flowers but also fragments of the past. Every piece of furniture was a storyteller and a keeper of memories that shaped our home.

Fast deco threatens this tradition. Modern, mass-produced furniture may look sleek and trendy, but it cannot hold these memories. Particleboard crumbles, laminates peel, and fabrics tear-too cheap and fragile to carry family legacies or heritage.

Pamana has to adapt-finding its place in modern homes by supporting local artisans who keep tradition alive and showing that value doesn’t always come from what’s new

It also puts local craftsmanship at risk. Traditional furniture and décor made from solid wood or natural fibers take time, skill, and patience, qualities that mass-produced pieces simply can’t match. As fast deco takes over, artisan livelihoods are threatened, and the culture of pamana slowly fades, along with the family stories these pieces once carried.

Can pamana culture survive? Maybe, but it’s getting harder. Pamana has to adapt-finding its place in modern homes by supporting local artisans who keep tradition alive and showing that value doesn’t always come from what’s new.

Several local government units in the Bicol region ordered pre-emptive evacuation and suspension of classes on Monday due to the effects of Typhoon Tino.

Masbate Gov. Richard Kho said all the local officials were advised to implement forced evacuation in low-lying and coastal areas on Monday afternoon.

Classes at all levels were suspended on Monday morning, while work in government offices was suspended at 1 p.m., except for those involved in the disaster response.

In Albay province, classes were also suspended in 14 towns and cities.

Gov. Noel Rosal also ordered all officials to prepare for the possible evacuation of residents in the high-risk areas.

He advised the public to avoid sailing and crossing swollen rivers.

Earlier, the Sorsogon province suspended classes at all levels due to the threat of storm surge and heavy rains.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. also ordered pre-emptive evacuation of residents in hazard-prone areas and forced evacuation in areas facing imminent threats.

He also advised on localized suspension of classes and work in local government offices when necessary.

In Catanduanes, classes were also suspended in the towns of Viga, Bagamanoc, Gigmoto, and Panganiban.

In the 2 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tino maintains its strength as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea, with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Pagasa raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 in Dinagat Islands, and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands and TCWS No. 3 in The southern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Mercedes, Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Salcedo), the southern portion of Samar (Marabut), the central and southern portions of Leyte (Tanauan, Palo, Tabontabon, Isabel, Merida, Palompon, Ormoc City, Dagami, Pastrana, Burauen, Albuera, Macarthur, La Paz, Mayorga, Dulag, Julita, Tolosa, Abuyog, Javier, City of Baybay, Mahaplag, Inopacan, Hilongos, Hindang, Bato, Matalom), Southern Leyte, the central portions of Cebu (Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Asturias, Balamban, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Tabogon, City of Talisay) including Camotes Islands, and the eastern portion of Bohol (Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido, Ubay, Trinidad, Talibon, San Miguel, Mabini, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy, Guindulman, Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Anda, Jagna, Duero, Sierra Bullones, Carmen, Sagbayan, Clarin, and the rest of Surigao del Norte.

The TCWS No. 2 was also hoisted in the southern portion of Masbate (Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer),the central portion of Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, City of Borongan, Taft, Llorente, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian, General Macarthur, Hernani), the central portion of Samar (San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Talalora, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Motiong, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan, Santo Niño, Almagro, Tarangnan), the rest of Leyte, Biliran, the rest of Bohol, the rest of Cebu including Bantayan Islands, and the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (Tayasan, Manjuyod, City of Tanjay, Bais City, Mabinay, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, City of Bayawan, Basay, Valencia, Dumaguete City, Bacong), Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Guimaras, Capiz, Iloilo, the southern portion of Aklan (Madalag, Libacao, Balete, Altavas, Batan, Banga, New Washington), and the southern portion of Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Barbaza, Valderrama, Hamtic, San Jose, Bugasong, Culasi, Tibiao, Anini-Y, San Remigio, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Laua-An) and he northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, Tago, San Miguel, Marihatag, Cagwait, Bayabas, City of Tandag), the northern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat), the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes), and Camiguin.

The TCWS No. 1 was also raised in Albay, Sorsogon, the rest of Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, the southern portion of Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres), the southern portion of Marinduque (Torrijos, Buenavista, Gasan, Boac), Romblon, the central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro (Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Socorro, Pola, Victoria), the central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro (San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Magsaysay, Sablayan, Santa Cruz), and the northern portion of Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, San Vicente, Roxas) including Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, and Cagayancillo Islands, Northern Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, the rest of Negros Oriental, the rest of Aklan, and the rest of Antique including Caluya Islands.

While the rest of Surigao del Sur, the central portion of Agusan del Sur (City of Bayugan, Prosperidad, Esperanza, San Luis, Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario), the rest of Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and the northern portion of Bukidnon (Baungon, Malitbog, Impasug-Ong, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao), the northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Baliangao, Plaridel, Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Lopez Jaena, Concepcion, Oroquieta City, Aloran), and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Sibutad, Rizal, Dipolog City, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Polanco, Dapitan City, Piñan, La Libertad, Mutia, Jose Dalman) were also under TCWS No. 1

Xyz Rayco showed what she’s capable of as the leader of the Alas Pilipinas girls’ team in the 2nd AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship.

Rayco, bannering a squad composed of players from different provinces, took matters into her own hands in the clutch moments of the second and third sets, finishing with 13 points in their 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 sweep of Iran to advance to the quarterfinal early Monday (Manila time) at Princess Sumaya Hall here. When the Philippines needed a closer, the 14-year-old spiker stepped up and denied the late runs of Iran in the last two sets.

‘I just kept telling myself to fight and be brave because I knew the ball would eventually come to me. Even when I struggled in the first set, I told myself I’d bounce back,’ Rayco told the Inquirer in Filipino. ‘And in the end, I gave it everything I had.’

For Rayco, it was challenging at first to keep a team together with players coming from Manila, Leyte, Batangas, Talisay, Bukidnon, and Negros Occidental.

But having one goal in fighting for flag and country, all of them were able to form a strong connection despite the short preparation.

‘This is such a big achievement for all of us because we’re already part of the national team. We all came from different schools, and to win a match we didn’t expect meant a lot to us,’ said the Saint Michael College of Caraga stalwart from Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte.

Alas dedicated the win to the Overseas Filipino Workers watching their games live, and their families and fans back home. The stunning victory also served as payback after the Alas U18 squad lost to Iran in the semifinals in the Asian Youth Games recently.

Now that they are in the quarterfinals, Rayco is determined to reach greater heights with her fellow first-timers on the international stage.

‘You can expect us to improve. We’ll correct the mistakes we made in this game and play even better in the next one,’ she said.

Most of the new employees of the Office of the Ombudsman who were asked to file courtesy resignations have already complied, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano.

This comes after the anti-graft body asked its newly hired personnel last July to submit their courtesy resignations – a move that, according to Clavano, aims to show their loyalty to the institution rather than to any individual.

‘We’re very happy to announce that almost all of the employees who were asked to file a courtesy resignation actually filed courtesy resignations with our HR department here in the Office of the Ombudsman. We see this as a show of good faith from everybody and a sign of trust in the new Ombudsman and his administration,’ he said in a press briefing on Monday.

‘So what we will do now is evaluate all the courtesy resignations. We will also review the process each hiree or employee went through to receive the promotion, ensuring it followed the proper procedure. That will be the basis of the Ombudsman’s decision,’ he added.

Asked how long the evaluation process will take, Clavano said, ‘as soon as possible.’

‘This is something that we feel is very important to get the institution running at full force. We really want to make sure this will be resolved quickly. Those who tendered their courtesy resignations can expect an answer very soon,’ he added.

Last October 21, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would ask the 204 new employees hired last July – appointments made by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires shortly before his retirement – to reapply so they would not be considered ‘midnight appointees.’

A day later, Remulla revealed that 99 of the 204 new hires were ‘questionable,’ as they held high-ranking positions with salary grades of 25 and above. Government employees with a salary grade of 25 earn around P111,000 a month.

Clavano earlier pointed out that if the appointees have nothing to hide and were hired based on merit, they should not be afraid to reapply.

Martires, who retired on July 27, was appointed as the head of the anti-graft body in 2018 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Remulla, on the other hand, was a former justice secretary. He was appointed by President Marcos as his successor on October 7.

A Halloween partygoer who dressed up as a police officer appeared at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to apologize on Monday.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan identified the partygoer as Daryll Isidro.

‘It was not my intention to disrespect the police force’s uniform. I have high respect for you,’ Isidro said in Filipino in a press conference at the Napolcom office in Quezon City.

Why did Isidro use a police officer’s uniform as a costume for Halloween?

He answered, ‘ The first thing that came to my mind was characters who defend society. I had no idea during that time, so sorry.’

Pressed on the source of the uniform, Isidro said he got the clothes from a tailor at a shopping center in Quiapo, Manila. He was unable to bring the uniform to his meeting with Calinisan, saying he wasn’t sure whether to surrender it.

The Napolcom executive officer identified the uniform as a Philippine National Police (PNP) general office attire type C uniform with the sleeves cut off.

‘That is very bothersome. The IMIS is here (Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service). I’m directing the IMIS right now to inspect,’ Calinisan said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Asked why he appeared before Napolcom, Isidro said, ‘A lot of people were bashing me already. It wasn’t okay for my mental health.’

Calinisan said he had already instructed the commission’s lawyers to file a case, but he withdrew the directive after Isidro visited him earlier on Monday morning, prompting the Napolcom executive officer to rip up the show-cause order for the partygoer in front of the media.

PNP to investigate

For its part, the PNP said it would look into the matter.

‘It will be investigated. He has a right to give his side. It will be investigated by the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],’ acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a press briefing in Camp Crame earlier on Monday.

Nartatez said Isidro could be held liable for violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to illegal use of uniforms or insignia, with a prescribed penalty of arresto mayor, or imprisonment from one month and one day to six months.

However, Calinisan appealed to the PNP not to pursue a case.

‘If the PNP wants to investigate, I won’t stop them. But I’m urging you, we have a remorseful person here. We can allocate our resources somewhere else,’ Calinisan said.

In either case, Isidro said he would be willing to cooperate with the CIDG’s investigation.