Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Miguel Tabuena has talked a lot about LIV Golf being his target ever since the start of the year.

LIV Golf has harped about ‘growing the game’ ever since it saw birth in a loud way a few years back by recruiting big stars out of the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

With what the 31-year-old Filipino accomplished last Sunday as far as growing the game is concerned, it seems Tabuena and LIV are meant for each other.

Would it be fair to say that Tabuena grew the game in the week that just passed? Yes. After all, it was easily the most watched pro golf event the country has ever hosted with people from different walks of life-and golfing abilities-coming out to show their support.

But the champ is not really sure. He only knows he started the right trend.

‘I hope this (win) inspires not only (Filipino) golf fans but sports fans in general in the Philippines,’ Tabuena had told a packed press conference at Sta. Elena, where he ruled the first stop of the International Series in the country, to gain a solid shot at making the LIV Golf circuit outright.

‘[I hope] they become more aware that golf is where Filipinos can excel,’ Tabuena added. ‘I hope more people (in the Philippines) pick up the game and that they play as families. Because you saw how important family is for me.’

Tabuena is now in Hong Kong with his team to take part in the next IS event starting on Thursday and he needs a strong showing there and in the next two-Singapore and Saudi Arabia-to have a chance at the automatic LIV circuit slot given to the IS rankings leader at the end of the year.

Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent occupies the No. 1 ranking with Tabuena now less than 100 behind in second place.

After playing the first 14 holes at level par, Tabuena gunned down an ace, four eagles and 16 birdies against two bogeys for the week, a fantastic stat line coming from someone who was forced to withdraw from a Macau event because of neck spasms.

But he held his own amid the pressure of playing at home by reaching for someone extraordinary to forge a win of that magnitude against a field that had four major champions and the best of the Asian Tour.

‘It wasn’t,’ was Tabuena’s lightning-quick reply when a foreign reporter said that he made it easy on the final round. ‘I fell on my knees (after the last putt) because it was hard to keep it together-with the expectations of the people, myself, it’s just such a great relief.’

It was also a relief that he won, especially for a country mired in allegations of corruption and senseless spending.

This country will be pulling for another win like that. Be it in Hong Kong, Singapore or Saudi Arabia, because for now, Miguel Tabuena is its latest sports toast who has grown the game the right way. INQ

Akari bounced back with a 25-11, 25-23, 25-23 sweep of the winless Galeries Tower to keep its target of a top-three finish in Pool B on track in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

After absorbing their first defeat at the hands of the Petro Gazz Angels in five sets last week, the Chargers came out firing against the hapless HighRisers, winning by 14 points in the opening set.

However, Galeries put up a gallant stand in the last two sets before Akari eked out its third win in four games to rise to tied second place with Petro Gazz as of posting time.

The Chargers crawled back from a 19-23 deficit in the third, unleashing six unanswered points ignited by Grethcel Soltones’ service to tie the set at 23. Annie Mitchem sent Akari to match point after a big block on Jean Asis before the game-clinching quick attack of Ced Domingo amid the broken play.

‘That’s really our goal, to sweep all our remaining games. But we still have to work on our attitude toward the game and also with each other as teammates,’ said Akari coach Tina Salak in Filipino. ‘It’s been a bit hard to get everyone aligned right now because we’re still adjusting to some changes in our system.’

Salak lauded setter Mars Alba for making the adjustments easier for her teammates after tallying 20 excellent sets on top of four points.

Mitchem topscored with 14 points off 10 kills and four kill blocks. Eli Soyud backstopped the American with 12 points built on eight spikes, three aces, and a block, as Soltones fired four aces for nine points.

‘I’m just really grateful for everyone. especially my coaches and teammates, because we’ve all been putting in the work, especially coming from a loss,’ Alba said. ‘When we got back to training, we really focused on fixing our lapses so that in this game, we could perform better and make the right adjustments.’

Akari wraps up its Pool B stint against ZUS Coffee on November 4 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Galeries finished winless in five games in the first round, facing the top three teams of Pool A in another round starting on Nov.6 at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Jelena Cvijovic led the HighRisers with 10 points. Asis and Roselle Baliton had nine points each in Julia Coronel’s return, as the Alas Pilipinas setter dished out 14 excellent sets.

A Utility Vehicle (UV) Express operator and its drivers plying the Binangonan-Megamall route have been summoned for alleged overcharging of fares, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Tuesday.

In a show-cause order issued by the LTFRB on October 23, Binganon Transport Cooperative and some of its drivers were directed to explain the alleged overcharging of passengers; otherwise, their certificate of public convenience will be suspended.

Based on surveillance by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the cooperative was found to have been charging a fixed rate of P60 regardless of passengers’ destination.

Meanwhile, passengers who board at Shangri-La along Shaw Blvd. and get off the UV Express at Tikling, Taytay, Rizal are charged P35.

This was confirmed by drivers, fare collectors, and some passengers, according to the DOTr.

One of the drivers explained that the fixed fare was supposedly used by the operator to pay for their loading area at Megamall, the DOTr added.

According to the LTFRB, if the individuals involved fail to appear at the hearing, they will be fined P5,000.

Acting Transport Chief Giovanni Lopez denounced the overcharging and warned that the agency will continue to pursue violators.

‘It is not right that our passengers are being overcharged. They should follow the LTFRB fare matrix. We will not stop cracking down on those who overcharge fares,’ Lopez said in a statement.

A lawmaker has called on his colleagues in the House of Representatives to push for stronger implementation of the school-based feeding program to ensure learners can study properly.

In a statement on Monday, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said that he has filed House Bill No. 5681 to strengthen and update Republic Act No. 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino (nutritious food for the Filipino child) Act.

Vargas said he filed this bill following the recent observance of School Health Week, noting that malnutrition hinders the development of Filipino learners.

‘Children who want to learn should not be hungry. If their stomachs are full, their minds would be more prepared to learn,’ he said.

‘Healthy learners are better learners. Students would learn more if their stomachs are not grumbling due to hunger,’ he added.

Under the bill, there would be a provision for hot meals and milk-based supplements, while enabling the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) to create centralized school kitchens and allow local food sourcing.

Several issues regarding the school-based feeding program have been raised in past hearings in the House.

In September 2024, former BHW party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co pointed out that Commission on Audit (COA) reports on DepEd expenditures, when it was under Vice President Sara Duterte, indicated that 10 out of 17 regions received spoiled food, like milk and bread.

For 2026, the House is pushing for the allocation of over P12 billion under the DepEd’s school-based feeding program – the highest-ever allocation.

During the hearing of the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) last October 8, House committee on appropriations chairperson and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing informed members of the panel that the proposed P1.88 billion increment to the school-based feeding program has been changed to P1.83 billion.

The P50 million cut, Suansing said, would go to the Palarong Pambansa – which means that the proposed allocation will still be under the DepEd budget.

However, even with the cut, the allocation for the school-based feeding program will still be the highest ever in history.

The peso slid to 59.20 against the US dollar, its lowest intra-day trading level in history, due to concerns on the country’s growth prospects amid the ongoing crackdown on anomalies in government infrastructure spending.

But the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured on Tuesday it would continue to allow the exchange rate to be determined by market forces.

‘We continue to maintain robust reserves. When we do participate in the market, it is largely to dampen inflationary swings in the exchange rate over time rather than to prevent day-to-day volatility,’ the BSP said in a press statement.

As of Tuesday morning, the peso’s weighted average stood at 59.098 against the greenback, based on data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The intra-day bottom of 59.20 set a new record low for the local currency.

On Monday, the peso sharply depreciated to 58.90 from Friday’s 58.625 finish against the US dollar.

‘The recent peso depreciation may reflect market concerns over a potential moderation in economic growth due in part to the infra spending controversy, as well as expectations of additional monetary policy easing by the BSP,’ the central bank said.

However, the central bank noted that the peso continued to be supported by ‘resilient remittance inflows, still relatively fast economic growth, low inflation, and ongoing structural reforms.’

It added that foreign exchange inflows from business process outsourcing, tourism and overseas Filipino workers continue to buffer external shocks.

National University’s Gelo Santiago will be out of action for five games as he serves out his suspension in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Santiago was slapped with the stiff sanction after his ejection for a disqualifying foul on Sunday in NU’s 66-50 win over Ateneo.

‘Santiago struck Espina on the back of the head with his right forearm while Espina was in a prone position, which resulted in his disqualification,’ the league wrote in a statement.

‘After a review, the UAAP Season 88 Basketball Commissioner’s Office deemed Santiago’s conduct unsportsmanlike and considered the act dangerous.’

At the 8:50 mark of the third period, Santiago figured in a scramble with Blue Eagles guard Wacky Espina.

On their way down, though, the NU swingman was seen swinging his elbow to Espina’s nape.

With the length of the suspension, Santiago would be missing the rest of the elimination’s second round.

Currently, National U remains at the top of the league ladder with a 7-2 record. The Bulldogs take on La Salle on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena without Santiago.

Civil society organizations faced the Senate panel on finance on Tuesday to discuss transparency and accountability measures aimed at strengthening the country’s budget process.

During the hearing, which was presided over by panel head Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Roundtable For Inclusive Development co-convenor Adolfo Jose Montesa said that based on their analysis, the house-approved General Appropriations Bill has three ‘malignant cancer growths.’

He particularly identified these growths as various types of pork: Soft pork, hard pork and the shadow budget.

‘The first tumor that we wanted to discuss – the first cancerous tumor – is what we call ‘soft pork,’ which hides behind programs we refer to as ayuda or assistance,’ said Montesa.

‘These are considered pork because instead of guaranteeing people’s rights, these programs have turned citizens into clients, and politicians into gatekeepers,’ he noted.

He then explained that based on their analysis, the indignities of soft pork allocations have persisted through P156 billion-worth of insertions across the past four budgets since 2022.

‘Combined funds allocated to these programs account for almost P70 billion worth of increase or insertions from the NEP to the House version of the GAB in 2026,’ said Montesa.

‘Although these programs are seemingly designed for assistance and relief, they actually push Filipinos to beg for their rights to health, education and public aid – and often, these come with a price,’ he added.

These ayuda programs are not only ‘entrenched patronage politics,’ Montesa said. ‘These programs have also come at the expense of the rules-based and rights-based social protection programs such as PhilHealth and 4Ps.’

‘The second tumor is what we call ‘hard pork.’ These are the economic and political rents captured in infrastructure programs by political and contractor networks,’ he identified.

‘So the problem with infrastructure insertions is not necessarily in the roads, the buildings or irrigation projects per se, but that these allocations have become detached from the more transparent science-based and people-centered planning that we should expect,’ he told lawmakers.

Lastly, the last ‘cancerous tumor’ in the budget is the shadow budget, Montesa said.

He explained that these are the unprogrammed appropriations which used to be on standby authorization utilized only when revenues exceed targets.

‘Before 2022, the value of the UA (unprogrammed appropriations) did not reach P250 billion, and there were even zero insertions in it. But since 2022, we have observed that the UA has ballooned into billions of pesos – and so have the insertions into it,’ observed Montesa.

‘Over the last four budgets, congressional insertions into the UA alone have totaled P1.1 trillion, which is why we called it a shadow budget,’ he explained.

With this, he proposed the following actions:

Remove the P256 billion in port and patronage programs in the House version of the budget.

Remove the whole P243 billion unprogrammed appropriations.

Hold all those involved accountable to regain the public’s trust.

Open bicam and meet with civil society groups to create an Open Budget Transparency server.

‘The evidence is clear – our country, or rather our budget, has cancer. And with each day that the illness is not directly confronted, the stages of our cancer only worsen,’ laments Montesa.

His recommendations were backed by People’s Budget Coalition co-convenor Kenneth Isaiah Abante, who noted the need for a science-based and multi-sectoral representation in the budget preparation stage.

But when it comes to budget legislation, Abante said that one of the most important reforms is to stop the abusive practice of secret insertions, especially in the bicam.

‘The public needs to know how much was inserted into the budget and who made those insertions,’ he said.

‘We would like to commend the Senate for passing a concurrent resolution that opens up this process. However, it is equally important to have an open budget transparency server where the media and civil society can easily report these insertions,’ he emphasized.

Mayor Raffy Alipio Andaya has temporarily suspended visits to the Manjuyod White Sandbar after the collapse of the Lagoon dike at the URC-SURE Bais Distillery caused water discoloration in the coastal area.

The mayor issued an executive order on Monday, stating the Lagoon Dike at URC-SURE Bais Distillery failed due to earthquake-induced cracks and continuous heavy rainfall.

The collapse released wastewater effluent into nearby waterways, causing water discoloration that affects the coastal waters and marine environment of Manjuyod, including the vicinity of the White Sandbar, he said in his order.

Andaya emphasized that the contamination poses potential health and environmental hazards, necessitating immediate preventive action to ensure the safety of visitors, residents, and stakeholders.

The Municipal Government of Manjuyod deemed it necessary to halt tourism activities at the sandbar until competent authorities can properly assess and clear the situation, he said.

The mayor’s order includes: Temporary Suspension of Visitor Acceptance Effective immediately, the acceptance of visitors and all tourism-related activities at the Manjuyod White Sandbar are temporarily suspended until further notice. Coordination With Relevant Agencies The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Municipal Tourism Office, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) are directed to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned agencies for immediate water quality testing, assessment, and monitoring. Public Information and Enforcement

The Municipal Tourism Office, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, Barangay Alangilanan, and concerned coastal barangays, will ensure the public and tour operators are properly informed and that access to the affected area is restricted during the closure.

Tourism operations at the Manjuyod White Sandbar will resume only upon clearance and recommendation from the concerned regulatory and environmental agencies, confirming the area is safe and free from contamination, the mayor said

A reward of P500,000 is being offered for information that will lead to the arrest of three suspects who allegedly shot a police officer dead, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced on Tuesday.

Police Capt. Joel Deiparine and Executive Master Sgt. Artchel Tero of the CIDG were trailing the suspects in Sitio Balaw, Barangay Sudlon 2 in Cebu City as part of an investigation into loose firearms when the shootout occurred.

Deiparine was killed, while Tero was wounded on his upper lip, CIDG public information chief Maj. Helen dela Cruz said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

‘A total of P500,000 monetary reward will be given for individuals who can give information leading to the location and capture of the at-large suspects,’ dela Cruz said.

‘The reward was given by the local government unit of Cebu City, regional director of Police Regional Office 7, and an anonymous person,’ she added.

Dela Cruz also said Deiparine was posthumously awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Philippine National Police Heroism Medal) and his family was given financial assistance through the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc.

The CIDG public information chief only identified the three suspects as members of an alleged gun-for-hire group, and said the police have yet to determine how big the group was and for how long it was operating.

With the resignation of telecommunications veteran Anastacio ‘Boy’ Martirez from Smart Communications effective Oct. 21, of course, the next question is who will replace him as chief operating officer?

Biz Buzz has it on good authority that Jane Jimenez-Basas, current MediaQuest and Cignal TV president and CEO, is all set to make the move to the wireless arm of the PLDT Group.

Initially, she had expressed her intention to accept the Smart post only if she could also remain as head of MediaQuest, which is home to traditional and digital media brands including Cignal, TV5, The Philippine Star and Businessworld.

But considering that she will definitely have too much on her plate if she keeps both pressure-cooker jobs, she had to make a choice and Smart won, apparently much to the relief of PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan.

However, Biz Buzz sources said she agreed only after being given carte blanche authority to pick her successor.

So who’s stepping into her shoes? It’s most likely MediaQuest first vice president Sienna Olaso, sources said. -Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Naia ready for ‘Undas’ 2025

It’s expected to be a busy season, but San Miguel Corp.-led New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) is ready to meet the All Saint’s Day traffic surge.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) operator aims to employ extra safety measures and provide passenger assistance amid one of the busiest travel seasons. Its ‘Operation Undas’ will run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3 this year.

‘Undas is one of the busiest travel periods for the airport, and we are fully prepared to manage the expected surge. We have deployed additional personnel, strengthened coordination with partner agencies, and activated passenger assistance counters to make travel smoother and safer for everyone,’ said NNIC president Ramon S. Ang.

For added security, Philippine National Police Special Operations and K-9 units are positioned at airport terminals. Passengers may also visit Oplan Assistance Counters for queries about directions, general inquires and lost-and-found concerns.

Naia is currently in its second year of private management by NNIC.

Under its wings, NNIC reported that Naia’s on-time performance has reached a record-high 92.29 percent since its first year of operations. Consequently, Naia saw an increase of 4 percent in the number of passengers from the previous management.

NNIC also reported paying P57 billion and upfront payment of P30 billion to the government under the 82.16-percent revenue sharing deal.

To date, NNIC has spent P3.25 billion for the airport upgrades, as part of the P72-billion, five year capital expenditure plan. -Nami D. Padilla INQ