Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Akbayan Partylist Representative Chel Diokno on Sunday questioned the timing of the Department of Health’s (DOH) inspection of health facilities amid controversy surrounding its non-operational Super Health Centers (SHCs).

Diokno made the pronouncement as Herbosa recently conducted inspection rounds on SHCs in various parts of the country. ‘Why was the inspection only done now, after the issue of ghost health facilities came to light? This should have been done long ago as a form of due diligence, especially since billions of pesos of public money were spent on these projects! ‘ Diokno said.

Around 300 SHCs under the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program were recently classified as ‘incomplete’ and have not operated since being turned over to their respective local governments.

It should also be noted that a total of P170 billion has been allocated to HFEP infrastructure and equipment in the past decade, rising to about P400 billion if commodities and human resources are included.

Herbosa has since been invited to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which was formed to investigate the alleged corruption in government infrastructure projects in the past 10 years.

Herbosa is currently facing multiple corruption cases before the Office of the Ombudsman involving P44.6 million worth of mental health drugs.

Ambassador-at-Large and the Philippines’ Special Envoy for Trade Jose E.B. Antonio said the Philippines should focus on attracting investments from the world, particularly to grow the country’ IT-BPM (Information Technology- Business Process Management) industry, given its position as one of the country’s strongest growth sectors.

‘We should not center it towards America. We should center it to the whole world,’ Antonio said, stressing that ‘we should address our communications to the whole world who want to establish businesses.’

Antonio’s call for market diversification follows recent news on looming United States legislation that seeks to keep call centers in their territory. Antonio said his strategy is to promote the Philippines to diverse international markets beyond the US. Regional investment opportunities.

‘The Philippines has proven itself as a global leader in BPO and IT-BPM. With a highly skilled, adaptable, and service-oriented workforce, this industry represents one of our greatest advantages and assures investors of sustainable growth,’ Antonio said.

Ambassador Antonio’s focus is on the promotion of the Philippines as a premier investment destination to the global business community.

Beyond call centers: A diverse and evolving industry

Antonio highlighted that the IT-BPM sector has evolved far beyond its early image of contact centers. ‘Today, our IT-BPM professionals are not just handling customer service, they are engineers, illustrators, animators, game developers, financial analysts, and healthcare information specialists. This diversity reflects the depth of Filipino talent and the industry’s ability to move up the value chain,’ he said.

Guided by IBPAP’s Accelerate PH Roadmap 2028, the industry is now expanding into higher-value services such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, software and web development, animation and game design, healthcare information management, as well as financial and HR solutions. This broad spectrum of expertise demonstrates the Philippines’ ability to move with global digital trends and reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner for enterprises worldwide.

A pillar of the Philippine economy

For over 20 years, the IT-BPM industry has been a cornerstone of the Philippine economy. According to the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the sector contributes around 7.5% of the country’s GDP and employs over 1.7 million professionals nationwide. Industry projections show the sector reaching $42 billion in revenues and employing 1.97 million Filipinos by 2026.

In 2023 alone, the industry generated more than $35 billion in revenues, making it one of the top sources of foreign exchange for the country.

According to the Oxford Business Group, the Philippines has been the global leader in voice and call center services since 2010, surpassing other countries in this sector with leading global firms choosing to establish large-scale operations in cities such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.

The rise of global capability centers

Antonio points to the rapid growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) as a testament to the Philippines’ evolving role in the global services landscape. Global Capability Centers are strategic offshore hubs established by multinational corporations to handle core business operations, advanced analytics, research and development, and specialized services beyond traditional outsourcing.

‘The establishment and expansion of GCCs in our country demonstrates that multinational corporations see the Philippines not just as an outsourcing destination, but as a strategic hub for their core business operations,’ Antonio emphasized.

The numbers support this optimism. The Philippines currently hosts approximately 170 GCCs or offshore hubs of multinational corporations, up from 150 less than two years ago. These centers are attracting continued interest from markets including the United States, Australia, and Europe, particularly from banks and the healthcare sector.

‘What’s particularly encouraging is how these GCCs are expanding beyond Metro Manila, recognizing the exceptional talent we have throughout the country,’ Antonio noted. This geographic expansion reflects the depth of skilled professionals available across the Philippines, with GCCs now exploring provincial locations for their operations.

With the global GCC market projected to reach $155 billion by 2027, Antonio sees immense potential for the Philippines. Major firms like JPMorgan Chase exemplify this growth trajectory, increasing their workforce by thousands annually with another 10% increase projected for 2026.

Preparing for the future: Upskilling and innovation

As technology rapidly evolves and artificial intelligence continues to transform the global business landscape, the Philippine IT-BPM industry is positioning itself for the future through strategic upskilling and talent development. IBPAP, together with universities, training centers, and government agencies, is shaping educational programs to meet the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring a steady pipeline of highly skilled, globally competitive professionals ready to drive innovation and deliver world-class services.

‘The strength of the Filipino workforce lies not only in its skills but also in its adaptability,’ Antonio noted. ‘Our IT-BPM professionals are continuously upgrading their capabilities, which gives global investors confidence in the resilience and sustainability of this sector.’

Antonio emphasized that sustaining this momentum requires continued collaboration among industry, academe, and government, along with the establishment of regional hubs and equipping the workforce with digital fluency.

A clear advantage for investors

The IT-BPM industry embodies the qualities that make the Philippines an attractive investment destination: resilience, innovation, a young and educated workforce, and a strong partnership between government and industry stakeholders.

‘Investing in the Philippines means tapping into a sector that continues to expand, diversify, and deliver value to the world. We can be both: a world-class outsourcing hub and a GCC hub powering enterprise transformation,’ Antonio stated. ‘The IT-BPM industry is a backbone of our economy and a foundation for future growth.’

Antonio concluded with a vision for the sector: ‘The future of IT-BPM is not just an industry agenda, it is a national priority. Together, we can keep the Philippines at the heart of global services and continue attracting the world’s leading companies to invest in our remarkable talent and capabilities.’

An ongoing investigation by the Senate into the smuggling of agricultural products has exposed an alleged collusion among Chinese syndicates, local businessmen, and government officials similar to that of Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogos).

At the resumption of the Senate committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform’s probe on Monday, its Chairman, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, noted the similarities between the smuggling of agricultural products and Pogos, which were already banned in the country since 2024.

‘The big picture is coming together: just like in the Pogos, one of the key leaders of the powerful agricultural smuggling syndicate is from China,’ Pangilinan, speaking in Filipino, said in his opening statement.

‘Just like in the case of POGOs, there are Filipino accomplices. And most likely, the imported frozen fish was originally caught in our own waters – in the West Philippine Sea. Our fish are being stolen and sold back to us,’ he added.

He cited as an example the P68 million worth of smuggled frozen mackerel from China, which was initially declared as P40 million worth of chicken poppers.

Similar to Pogos, the bureaucracy is also being corrupted by exporters of agricultural products who all appeared to be coming from China, Pangilinan lamented.

‘Those who were caught, and the companies whose goods were seized, involved Chinese nationals,’ he pointed out.

Pangilinan then later said there is now ‘sufficient circumstantial evidence’ to believe that ‘Chinese smuggling syndicates’ have been conniving not only with local businessmen but even with erring employees and officials in the Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Department of Agriculture, and even in the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration.

With the help of erring government officials, he said, Chinese smugglers and their local partners were able to operate freely as law enforcers, ‘occasionally raiding and seizing smuggled agri products to show a semblance of law enforcement.’

Up to now, however, the senator noted that no big-time smuggler has been charged with the non-bailable offense of economic sabotage.

LE SSERAFIM has been confirmed to collaborate with BTS’ J-Hope for their upcoming single, ‘Spaghetti,’ set for an Oct. 24 release.

The K-pop girl group’s label Source Music announced the collaboration in a teaser clip for the quintet’s comeback single on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Dubbed as ‘The Kick,’ the teaser showed silhouettes of J-Hope before transitioning to the BTS member – while donning a leather jacket and massive sunglasses – in a series of dance-like poses.

‘The kick,’ the video’s description read.

J-Hope and LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin previously collaborated in the single ‘i don’t know,’ which is part of the BTS member album’s ‘Hope on the Street.’ The girl group had previously done a number of TikTok collabs with the K-pop powerhouse on multiple occasions.

LE SSERAFIM and J-Hope are part of Source Music and BigHit Music, music labels that are under the umbrella of K-pop giant HYBE.

‘Spaghetti’ is the title track of the quintet’s upcoming single album of the same name. While teasers have been showing Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae in concept photos with the themes ‘Cheeky Neon Pepper,’ ‘Knocking Basil,’ ‘Knocking Basil,’ and ‘Weird Garlic,’ further details have yet to be revealed.

The single album will be released seven months after their mini-album ‘Hot.’

LE SSERAFIM debuted as a six-piece act in May 2022. Forging ahead as a quintet in the same year, the girl group is composed of Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae.

Calls for the removal of embattled Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso to step down from his post have already reached the table of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

But Malacañang on Monday said the President was still studying the allegations of Veloso’s gross mismanagement of the state-run pension fund of 2.6 million members and repeated violations of its policies before he could give his judgment.

‘What we know is that the President wants people who fulfill their responsibilities. He expects proper leadership and good governance in every agency,’ Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in a briefing.

‘The President does not make hasty decisions. If there are complaints, these must be carefully studied. And if there is sufficient basis, then we will see what the President’s decision will be,’ she added.

Not even a month after Veloso returned to his post after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his preventive suspension, former and current officials of the GSIS called for his ‘immediate and irrevocable’ resignation accusing him of ‘poor investment decisions’ that resulted in losses amounting to P8.8 billion.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Veloso dated Oct. 14, past and present members of the GSIS’s board of trustees alleged that the fund’s top executive had pursued risky investments ‘marked by a disturbing lack of transparency.’ They also raised red flags over the proposed P456-million Figaro Culinary Group investment, and the planned acquisition of The Centrum.

The letter was signed by four of the nine current members of the GSIS board of trustees – Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, chair of the legal oversight committee; Emmanuel de Leon Samson, chair of the risk oversight committee; Rita Riddle, chair of the audit committee; board member Evelina Escudero.

Former GSIS board members Jocelyn de Guzman Cabreza and Alan Luga were also signatories.

They accused Veloso of ‘fabricating issues and weaponizing administrative procedures to retaliate against [board] members exercising their fiduciary duty of oversight.’

You will not believe this, but a ‘Lupin’ episode just unfolded in real life, and the setting couldn’t have been more dramatic.

On the morning of Oct. 19, thieves broke into the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon, the glittering hall of gold and grandeur where France keeps its crown jewels and its pride.

French officials reported that several robbers entered through a window shortly after the museum opened, using a lift typically meant for moving furniture. In just four minutes, they grabbed priceless pieces dating back to the Napoleonic era.

Now, many are questioning how such a daring theft could happen in one of the most important art institutions in the world. After all, this is the Galerie d’Apollon-a place built to celebrate light, not to be robbed in the shadows. History of the gallery

The gallery that once housed the jewels stolen today is named for King Louis XIV, who saw himself in Apollo, the god of the sun.

The story began in disaster. In February 1661, a fire tore through the Petite Galerie, a jewel of Henri IV’s Louvre. His grandson, 23-year-old Louis XIV, seized the chance to rebuild bigger and brighter, dedicating the space to Apollo, god of the sun.

To bring his vision to life, he enlisted architect Louis Le Vau and painter Charles Le Brun. The Galerie d’Apollon became their playground for grandeur, a place where myth met monarchy.

Above, Le Brun’s masterpiece unfolds: Apollo driving his chariot across the sky. Along the central axis, the sun god’s journey from dawn to night is depicted, surrounded by images of hours, seasons, zodiac signs, and continents, symbolizing the reach of the Sun King’s power.

The gallery remained incomplete for almost two centuries until architect Félix Duban revived it in 1850. Eugène Delacroix was commissioned to paint the 12-meter-wide ‘Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python’, a vivid display of French Romanticism. The walls were finished with portrait tapestries of 28 monarchs and artists who built the Louvre. Treasures inside

Since the Louvre became a museum, the Galerie d’Apollon has displayed the collection of hardstone vessels of the kings of France. These pieces, carved from agate, amethyst, lapis lazuli, jade, and rock crystal, are often mounted with gilt and enamel. Louis XIV had a particular passion for hardstones, amassing around 800 items.

Among the most notable pieces is Neptune’s Ship, a lapis lazuli creation. Known for its intricate design and refined Parisian metalwork, it portrays the vessel of the Roman sea god Neptune, decorated with delicate flower garlands.

The gallery also holds the French Crown Jewels, including the Côte de Bretagne spinel, once owned by Anne de Bretagne, and three historic diamonds-the Regent, Sancy, and Hortensia.

The Regent is a 140-carat diamond brought to France from India. It’s known as one of the most valuable diamonds in the world, admired for its size, weight, and crystal-clear purity-often described as ‘of the first water.’ What was stolen

Yet amid the splendor of the Galerie d’Apollon, no one imagined its brilliance would be dimmed in the blink of an eye.

Thieves managed to steal eight items from two display cases. The missing treasures include pieces once owned by Empress Marie-Louise, wife of French Emperor Napoleon I, and Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.

According to officials, the stolen trove comprises tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and brooches. And just like a scene from a film, the thieves sped off on motorcycles, dropping a ninth item in their escape-a small but telling remnant of a heist that shook the world’s greatest museum.

The gallery, having weathered war, revolution, and countless restorations, now faces a different kind of loss-not of jewels alone, but of the illusion that its treasures were ever beyond reach.

Leyte Gov.Carlos Jericho Petilla used the 81st anniversary of the Leyte Gulf landings on Monday to denounce the ongoing flood control controversy, describing it as a ‘different kind of war’ that has placed the country in an embarrassing state.

In his message delivered during the anniversary program, Petilla said the issue, which has implicated several contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel, and even elected officials, has severely eroded public trust and tarnished the reputation of government institutions.

‘The reputation of the government is tarnished and the confidence of the people in the government has been significantly eroded,’ Petilla said before foreign diplomats, war veterans, and local officials gathered at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo.

He added that even members of the diplomatic community have been asking about the progress of the investigation and whether those found guilty will be held accountable.

‘Just like any war, this should not happen again. If they go unpunished, our forefathers who fought and died 81 years ago in this land where we are standing right now will probably rise from their graves and tell us, ‘Are you worth dying for?” Petilla declared.

The 81st Leyte Gulf Landings Commemoration, themed ‘Freedom’s Price: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future,’ marked the historic return of Allied Forces led by General Douglas MacArthur to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.

This year’s event was graced by Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown, Japan Embassy Charge d’Affaires Minister Ono Sho, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, who served as guest speaker.

Six of the 12 remaining living World War II veterans also graced the ceremony.

In his message, Minister Sho paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the war, highlighting how the Philippines and Japan have since built strong ties of friendship and development cooperation – including projects such as the San Juanico Bridge and the planned second bridge linking Leyte and Samar.

Ambassador Innes-Brown reaffirmed Australia’s enduring alliance with the Philippines, noting that their partnership extends beyond wartime camaraderie to modern challenges, including the humanitarian response and recovery efforts following Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ that pummeled Leyte and the region on Nov. 8, 2013.

The country’s most awaited band competition is back! Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban 2025 is once again giving local musicians the stage to showcase their talent, prove their skills, and stake their claim as the next great Filipino band.

For over two decades, Pambansang Muziklaban has been a launchpad for aspiring artists, providing a platform for original Filipino music, and helping shape some of the most recognized names in the industry including Mayonnaise, who was crowned Pambansang Muziklaban Grand Champion in 2004. This year, the search continues as new groups bring their unique sound and energy to the spotlight. Recruitment is now officially open through online registration at

Participants will not only gain exposure and experience but also the chance to play in front of passionate crowds and alongside established artists who once stood where they are now, fueled by the same dream, driven by the same fire. Red Horse Beer, the No.1 Extra Strong Beer in the World, through Pambansang Muziklaban, celebrates the spirit of winners: bold and unstoppable. Every performance is a test of courage and talent, and only the most driven will rise to the top.

The competition will unfold across several stages, from online screening to live eliminations, and semi-finals, and culminating in the Grand Finals, where the best of the best will battle it out for the ultimate title of Pambansang Muziklaban 2025 Champion. Winners will take home prizes, performance opportunities, and a place in Pambansang Muziklaban’s legendary roster of champions.

For more details, updates, and announcements, check out the official Red Horse Beer Muziklaban Facebook page www.facebook.com/redhorsebeermuziklaban.

The stage is waiting. Will your band be the next Pambansang Muziklaban 2025 champion?

While Maymay Entrata and Joaquin Enriquez have yet to confirm if they are indeed in a relationship, the attention of eagle-eyed netizens was piqued after Enriquez shared a clip of them getting cozy during a beach getaway.

The Filipino-American actor-model seemingly hard-launched his relationship with Entrata in an Instagram post on Sunday, Oct. 19, sharing a video of themselves hugging while enjoying the waves.

The clip showed Enriquez smiling at the camera before Entrata ran toward him, sharing a sweet embrace right after. The ‘Madame Hula’ star also planted a kiss on the latter’s temple.

‘I finally found my Iris,’ he captioned his post.

Entrata responded to his post in the comments section, saying, ‘My lover.’ The ‘Amakabogera’ singer was previously in a relationship with a non-showbiz Canadian guy named Aaron Haskell. It remains unknown when exactly they parted ways, but she unfollowed Haskell in May 2024.

Entrata made headlines last May after revealing that her mom died after a two-year battle with cancer.

The Spikers’ Turf tournament, long existing in the shadows of its women’s counterpart, now has a lot riding on its shoulders.

And it will need the support of the same fans that backed Alas Pilipinas in the recent FIVB Men’s World Championship if it wants to build on the national squad’s momentum.

Spikers’ Turf returns on Monday with the Invitational Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, aiming to ride the wave of national pride stirred by Alas Pilipinas’ breakout performance in the Manila-hosted world meet. The team finished 19th out of 32 nations and notched a historic win over Egypt-a result that captivated fans and reignited interest in men’s volleyball.

‘We really want this momentum to carry over,’ said league president Alyssa Valdez at the launch in Ortigas. ‘I’m super excited to see more talent emerge from Spikers’ Turf and maybe even future national team players.’

This conference features 10 teams, including collegiate squads from Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas, plus guest teams from Japan (Kindai University) and Australia (ProVolley Academy). Powerhouses Cignal and Criss Cross, finalists in the last three conferences, are expected to lead the title chase once again.

After a single round-robin elimination, the top four local teams will advance to the semifinals where they will be joined by the international squads. The top two from that round will contest the winner-take-all final.

While showcasing local talent remains a core goal, the league has also made room to support the national team’s Southeast Asian Games buildup. Teams with players in the national pool-including Cignal’s Owa Retamar and Louie Ramirez, and Criss Cross’ Marck Espejo-have agreed to release them for training as early as mid-November.

‘We’re fully supporting the national team,’ said tournament director Mozzy Ravena. ‘We’ve spoken to the clubs, and they understand the importance. They can bring in replacements to fill the gaps.’

The ultimate dream, Ravena said, is for each club team to have a national player-a reflection of just how much Spikers’ Turf now matters to the national program.

And no one understands that pressure more than Espejo, a linchpin of both Criss Cross and Alas Pilipinas.

‘Whatever I can give before I leave for national duty, I’ll give,’ he said. ‘We’ve been silver medalists too many times. We’re hungry for gold.’

With the men’s game finally breaking through the mainstream, Spikers’ Turf sees this as its defining moment-a chance to prove it’s more than just a feeder league, but a foundation of the sport’s future.

‘I hope fans keep supporting,’ Ravena said. ‘Because who knows? The next Marck Espejo might be playing in this tournament right now.’