Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

More anti-corruption rallies from October 31, leading up to the mass action on November 30, in observance of Bonifacio Day, are being prepared and set, the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK) announced on Wednesday in a press briefing.

Alongside KBKK, were groups from the youth, religious, labor, healthcare, senior, art, and environment sectors also denouncing the alleged misuse of public funds.

Listed below are these anti-corruption protests:

October 31

‘Ghostbuster Protest’ at Mendiola Bridge

The KBKK will hold a halloween-themed anti-corruption protest on the eve of All Saints’ Day.

November 7

Lakbayan ng Mamamayan, march to Liwasang Bonifacio at 1 p.m.

Bishop Kiko Herrera from the United People Against Corruption said that it will organize a march to Liwasang Bonifacio to denounce corruption as well as to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

November 8

Yolanda Anniversary Mass Action

Environmentalists are set to decry corruption related to flood-control projects, while remembering the effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda, according to Panatang Luntian Coordinator Niña Fegi

November 9

Anti-corruption protest in Valenzuela

November 14

Anti-corruption march to Liceo de San Pablo

November 17

International Students’ Day Protest

University of the Philippines (UP) Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor shared that state universities and other tertiary institutions are staging a protest in their respective campuses in celebration of International Students’ Day.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Student Council Chairperson Tiffany Brilllante added that a convergence of the protests may be arranged.

November 21

Health Workers Day of Action

Dr. Delen de la Paz from the Health Alliance for Democracy invited other healthcare workers to engage in silent protests at their workplaces, taking inspiration from the senior citizens who held a mall walk against corruption, wearing shirts with their calls.

November 22

Bike for the Environment for Environmental Awareness Month

November 30

Anti-corruption rally in Calamba, Laguna

Bonifacio Day, National Day of Protest

A mass action will be organized by KBKK in Manila, to commemorate Bonifacio Day. The group said it is expecting more than 100,000 attendees, bigger than the turnout during the September 21, Baha sa Luneta rally.

For its part, One Faith. One Nation. One Voice. is arranging banner drops with calls against corruption in November in several churches and parishes nationwide, as per Rev. Irma Balaba.

Meanwhile, UP College of Media and Communication Professor Danilo Arao anticipated that there would be protests on November 3 and November 23.

November 3 marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, while November 23 will fall on the anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre where 58 individuals were killed, including 32 journalists.

Bunyog Pagkakaisa is also planning a mobilization at the Senate before November 30.

The protests against corruption are prompted by the ongoing investigation of the flood-control project anomalies, where government officials, including senators and congressmen, have been implicated after allegedly receiving kickbacks from projects.

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San Sebastian pulled off a major upset in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, edging Letran, 82-81, on Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

The Golden Stags not only snapped their five-game losing streak but also ended the Knights’ five-game winning run.

‘It’s a sigh of relief because we proved that we can compete in the NCAA, and I truly believe in these kids,’ said coach Rob Labagala. ‘We really struggled, so this win feels great.’

San Sebastian led by as many as 15 points before Letran rallied in the fourth to set up a tense finish.

The Knights grabbed a 77-73 lead midway through the final period, but the Stags responded with seven unanswered points to go ahead, 80-77, with 2:46 left.

Deo Cuajao tied the game with a three-pointer with 1:02 remaining, and Kevin Santos put Letran back in front, 81-80, after splitting his free throws with 10 seconds to go.

That only set the stage for Jhuniel Dela Rama’s heroics. Dela Rama hit the game-winning basket with three seconds left, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Oneil Castor led the Stags with 22 points as San Sebastian improved to 2-7 in Group A.

Jonathan Manalili notched another double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep Letran from dropping to 5-4 in Group B.

A helper or pahinante of a truck died following a multiple vehicle collision involving a wing van truck, a taxi, and a sedan on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

The MMDA reported that the crash occurred at 3:38 a.m. Wednesday on the northbound side of the intersection, causing traffic congestion in the area.

The Quezon City Police District said the truck lost control and struck a stationary sedan, pushing it into a taxi.

The truck continued moving forward and collided with a traffic light post.

One of the helpers of truck, who reportedly jumped away from the moving vehicle, sustained fatal injuries, according to the QCPD.

This helper was rushed to Quezon City General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival at 4:27 a.m.

Another helper and the wing van truck driver sustained physical injuries and received medical treatment.

Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) companies earned multiple recognitions at the 2024 Golden Arrow Awards organized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), with property giant Megaworld leading the group with its highest number of Golden Arrows to date.

AGI earned two Golden Arrows, reinforcing its commitment to sound corporate governance across its diversified portfolio and expanding global operations. Megaworld led the conglomerate with three Golden Arrows-the highest number of distinctions it has received to date-marking its steady rise over the years. This also represents the fourth time the Kevin Tan-led property firm has been recognized, increasing its tally from one Golden Arrow in 2022 and two in 2023, underscoring its consistent excellence in corporate governance.

MREIT, Inc., Megaworld’s real estate investment trust arm, received its highest tally yet with two Golden Arrows, up from the lone recognition it garnered last year, while Empire East Land Holdings, another Megaworld subsidiary, secured two Golden Arrows.

‘These recognitions reflect the integrity, discipline, and accountability that guide Megaworld. Good governance is not just a standard we meet, it is a principle we live by in creating value for our stakeholders and communities. This honor belongs to every member of our organization who shares our commitment to excellence and trust,’ says Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, President and CEO of Megaworld.

Emperador Inc., the Philippines’ largest liquor company and the world’s top brandy producer, also earned two Golden Arrows, rounding out AGI’s recognitions.

The Golden Arrow Awards honor companies that excel under the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and the Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS), which assess transparency, board effectiveness, and stakeholder relations.

Seven members of Parliament (MPs) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have filed a new redistricting bill to beat the deadline set by the Supreme Court to come up with a new law creating parliamentary districts in the region.

The move came in the wake of the September 30 ruling of the Supreme Court that declared Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77, as well as its predecessor law, BAA 58, unconstitutional and gave the BARMM Parliament until October 30 to come up with a new law, which will become the basis for electing 32 of 80 members of the regional legislature.

The Supreme Court ruling has prompted the postponement of the first parliamentary elections in BARMM, set for October 13. The Supreme Court gave BARMM and the Commission on Elections until March 2026 to hold the elections.

Parliamentary Bill No. 403-authored by MPs Suharto Ambolodto, Baintan Ampatuan, Amenodin Sumagayan, Ishak Mastura, Ameer Zaakaria Rakim, Rashdi Adiong, and Alirakim Munder-introduced Monday the proposed Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districting Act of 2025 that would define the boundaries of parliamentary districts across the region.

PB 403 introduced 32 single-member parliamentary districts, apportioned among the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur, as well as Cotabato City and the BARMM Special Geographic Area, based on population and land area

‘Moon River,’ an upcoming historical and fantasy K-drama starring Kim Se-jeong and Kang Tae-oh, is set to premiere on Viu on Oct. 31.

The streaming service announced the K-drama’s premiere date in a press statement where Kim and Kang will take on the lead roles.

While the series will be released on Viu on Oct. 31, it will premiere on South Korean TV network MBC TV on a later date on Nov. 7.

‘Moon River’ tells the story of Crown Prince Lee Kang (Kang), a mischievous royal who ends up losing his smile and a merchant woman named Park Dal-i (Kim). Destiny will play tricks on them as they end up switching souls after a mysterious event.

Also part of the cast are Lee Shin-young, Hong Su-zu, Jin Goo, and Kim Nam-hee.

Kim started her entertainment career as a contestant on the survival show ‘Produce 101’ in 2016 where she finished second. This led her to debut in the project girl group I.O.I with 10 other bandmates in May of the same year.

She also debuted in the K-pop girl group Gugudan in June 2016, and its sub-unit SeMiNa two years later.

She then made her acting debut in the 2017 K-drama ‘School 2017,’ but it was the romantic comedy ‘Business Proposal’ that propelled her to widespread recognition.

Meanwhile, Kang was a member of the actor group 5urprise which lasted from 2013 to 2020. He then went on to establish himself as an actor in the hit K-dramas ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo,’ ‘My First First Love,’ and ‘The Tale of Nokdu.’

The three aircraft linked to resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co have departed the country, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) confirmed Wednesday.

‘Two AgustaWestland helicopters are currently in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, having flown there on August 20 and September 11, respectively,’ Caap said in a statement.

‘Meanwhile, the Gulfstream aircraft has been in Singapore since August 16,’ it added.

The aviation authority said, ‘It continues to closely monitor all registered air assets in accordance with the law.’

The departure follows a September revelation by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon that Co had P4.7-billion worth of air assets registered under the names of various companies.

Co is currently being tracked by the government after being tagged as allegedly involved in massive corruption in flood control projects, which have implicated several lawmakers and public works officials.

A series of mild tectonic earthquakes rattled parts of Aurora province early Wednesday, with the strongest registering a magnitude 4, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The strongest tremor, at 12:54 a.m., was located 9 km. northwest of San Luis, Aurora, at a depth of 6 km. Phivolcs reported Instrumental Intensity II in San Luis, Aurora, and Maddela, Quirino.

The tremor was preceded by a magnitude 3 quake at 12:24 a.m., located 41 km. southeast of Baler at a depth of 3 km, which registered Instrumental Intensity I in Dingalan, Aurora.

Three subsequent tremors were recorded:

A magnitude 3.2 quake at 2:13 a.m., 36 km. southeast of Baler.

A magnitude 3.0 quake at 2:15 a.m., 41 km. southeast of San Luis.

A magnitude 1.7 quake at 5:27 a.m., 44 km. southeast of Baler.

Phivolcs said the quakes were tectonic in origin and caused no damage. No casualties or significant incidents have been reported.

Local authorities are monitoring the situation and have urged residents to stay alert and follow official advisories

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian, who have advocated for the termination of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) activities, have praised the enactment of the Anti-Pogo Act.

They said the law ensures sustained government action against Pogo-like entities that persisted despite the ban.

‘I am overjoyed by the Anti-Pogo Act’s passage into law. Finally, the mistakes of the previous administration in allowing the Pogo industry into the country can now be corrected,’ Hontiveros said.

‘I am elated by the enactment of this measure, as Pogos have brought nothing but a surge in criminalities, including kidnapping, human trafficking, and prostitution, among others. This isn’t just an economic issue but a moral imperative,’ Gatchalian said.

They have consistently called for a permanent ban on all Pogo operations, citing the rise in criminal activities linked to the industry.

They stressed that any economic benefits derived from Pogos were far outweighed by the social costs of their operations.

The enactment of Anti-Pogo Act, or Republic Act 12312, repeals RA 11590, which had previously legalized offshore gaming in the country.

‘We can achieve real progress if we prioritize the welfare of our countrymen and peace and order in the country. This law will finally stop the plague caused by Pogos,’ Gatchalian added.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros said she has long called for the abolition of Pogos, having witnessed and exposed how the industry exploited not just individuals but institutions as well.

‘My heartfelt gratitude goes to all government agencies, to the foreign women trafficked here, and to the whistleblowers who partnered with us in our thorough investigation of Pogos. I am also very grateful to my fellow Pogo buster, Sen. Win Gatchalian, for pushing this measure,’ she said.

‘From minors forced into prostitution to serve Chinese Pogo workers, to the mysterious cases involving Mayor Alice Guo’s scam hubs, Pogos have harmed our country in more ways than we can imagine,’ she noted.

‘With this law, the government now has a clear duty: to ensure that no Pogo will ever turn the Philippines into their criminal playground again,’ she added