Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Sen. Imee Marcos questioned the appointment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman while Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa criticized his priorities.

‘Bonget, is it really Boying? Are you sure? Are you still OK? I’ve been saying since last year that plan A, which is People’s Initiative, is a failure, as well as plan B, which is impeachment. The Ombudsman is the plan C,’ Sen. Marcos said.

‘Right now, all I can think about is the safety of VP Sara. I think what we need is a People’s Ombudsman-one who is credible, trustworthy, and one who is not an accomplice of anybody,’ she added.

Remulla’s Ombudsman bid has been hounded by controversy after reports in August claimed he had been disqualified due to pending criminal and administrative complaints filed by Senator Marcos in connection with the March 11 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos also claimed on Facebook that Remulla would be appointed despite the Supreme Court’s clarification that there was no shortlist yet.

She said it was a ‘forced appointment of a person who is unqualified, has pending cases, and is tainted with injustice.’

Dela Rosa, meantime, said he has no problem with Remulla taking over the Office of the Ombudsman since it is the prerogative of the President. He, however, he said he finds it strange for Remulla to announce he will prioritize investigations into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.

‘With so many problems facing the country today, especially the problem on ghost flood control projects, why is his first order of the day already focused on VP Sara Duterte?’ Why not focus on the anomalous flood-control projects?,’ Dela Rosa said in an interview on True FM.

Malacañang expressed confidence on Wednesday that outgoing Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will fulfill his mandate as ombudsman for the interest of the entire country, and not for just a select few – not even the Marcos administration’s political agenda.

‘His appointment as Ombudsman must be marked by transparency and accountability – that those who should be held accountable must indeed be held accountable. Ombudsman Remulla works for the entire nation, and not for any single sector or group of Filipinos,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

She brushed aside allegations that among the focuses of Remulla’s work as the new ombudsman was to investigate the alleged misuse of the confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Critics claimed this could lead to her incarceration, or worse, her dismissal from public office, which would bar her from seeking the presidency in the 2028 elections.

‘Whatever needs to be investigated must be investigated – nothing should be ignored or brushed aside. Whatever the public has the right to know must be properly looked into by the ombudsman,’ Castro noted.

Malacañang maintained that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), and not the Office of the Ombudsman, should take the lead in investigating alleged anomalies in flood control projects and related infrastructure.

Castro dismissed calls to abolish the ICI just because Remulla was appointed as the next ombudsman. While Remulla was familiar with the flood control projects under scrutiny, Castro rejected the idea that the Ombudsman should single-handedly conduct the investigation, raising concerns about possible delays.

‘The ombudsman does not focus only on flood control projects. There are many cases that the Ombudsman needs to pay attention to. So, we do not see this as a reason to abolish or end the work of the ICI,’ she said.

Castro told critics: ‘Would they really want the ombudsman alone to handle all of this? How long would it take for a single case to be resolved that way? That’s why there truly needs to be an independent commission that will focus on the issue.’

She added that the work of the ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be expedited once the ICI completed its document gathering and preliminary investigations into the anomalous flood control projects.

As the new ombudsman, Remulla yields considerable power. He is set to lead the constitutional body empowered by the 1987 Constitution to prosecute, suspend, fire, and even file criminal cases against erring government officials.

‘The administration remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists. As ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently,’ Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez earlier said in a press briefing announcing his appointment.

‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions, and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ he added.

Malacañang defended the President’s decision to pick Remulla despite concerns from critics of the administration – including presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos – that he was too beholden to the President and would erode the credibility of the Office of the Ombudsman. ‘Secretary Remulla went through a very stringent process required under our Constitution. He was vetted by the JBC, and appointed by the President. I don’t believe that there is a basis to that concern,’ Gomez told reporters.

Tab Baldwin talked about the choice between discussing the first three quarters of basketball that Ateneo displayed against La Salle or that one quarter when everything went south.

‘We’ll do both in the confines of our dugout and in our next practice [and] in the video session,’ he said last Sunday after an 81-74 victory over La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

‘I think that the contrast between the first three [quarters] and the fourth is so stark that coaches often talk about opportunities to learn for their team and I don’t think anybody in our organization has gotten any doubts that we have a lot to learn from what happened in the fourth quarter.’

The Blue Eagles looked like they would cruise to a fourth straight victory in as many games but eventually had to gut out the victory.

‘That phrase just sticks in my throat to even say [after] you’re up . 33 or something like that, to say we pulled it out,’ Baldwin said. ‘I won’t sleep well Monday night, I’m sure, as we really start to reflect on this and prepare for UP.’

Ateneo plays University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

For the season, Ateneo has consistently started out strong, only to falter in the second half.

Even with the wild turnaround against La Salle in the final two periods and the strong finish in the Eagles’ victory over the Adamson Falcons, Ateneo’s plus-minus in each half goes from +9.2 in the first two quarters to -2.2 in the last two.

That might be the case for most teams, as efficiency reasonably always goes down as the game progresses because fatigue starts to creep in, but it might be doubly troubling for a squad that has relied heavily on its perimeter game this season.

Ateneo averages 76.5 points per game this season, No. 2 behind University of Santo Tomas, according to stats provided by Piong Ducanes and the UAAP Stats Group. The Eagles are drawing 38.5 points (50.3 percent) of that from the perimeter, anchored on a league-best makes (36) and percentage (34.6) from beyond the arc.

Poor paint job

Ateneo has struggled inside, ranking seventh in points in the paint at 23 in the game, which the Eagles try to make up at the stripe, where they are No. 2 at 15 made free throws per game.

So when the Eagles face the Maroons on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena after the 2 p.m. duel between the NU Bulldogs and the Adamson Falcons, the question will be if Baldwin’s squad can sustain their strong starts.

It’s a question made urgent by the fact that UP is one of the more physical defenses in the league, something that Baldwin made sure to point out.

‘We know that you piece is gonna it’s gonna be a rugged game,’ Baldwin said. But UP isn’t the only one playing solid defense. Ateneo is best at field goals allowed, yielding just 36.96 percent this season-No. 1 in the league. That’s a big turnaround from last season, where the Katipunan squad ranked last, allowing 41.4 percent. INQ

Mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. has moved closer to exiting the Philippine bourse after concluding the tender offer of its shares.

The shares were transferred to its subsidiary on Tuesday.

In a notice, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said the indefinite suspension on trading of 8990’s shares was implemented at 9:02 a.m. on Tuesday. The firm had already gone below the 20-percent minimum public ownership requirement.

The tender offer of 8990 shares was conducted from Sept. 2 to Sept. 30. It involved 580.57 million common shares at P10.42 each.

The shares were transferred from the minority shareholders to subsidiary 8990 Housing Development Corp.

This paves the way for 8990’s P6-billion delisting scheduled on Oct. 29. It would be the third company to go private again this year.

Keppel Philippines Holdings Inc. went private on July 8. Philab Holdings Corp. was forced to exit on July 11.

Challenging times

Analysts said 8990, which currently develops affordable and mid-market residential projects, may have been having a hard time navigating the challenging property market. Its projects include medium-rise condominiums under the Urban Deca Homes brand and high-rise projects under Urban Deca Towers.

The exit of 8990 reflects the challenging environment in the local stock market. It has been struggling to climb and sustain its gains because of recent political developments.

PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon earlier told the Inquirer they had reduced their capital raising target to as low as P170 billion. The goal used to be P185 billion. This was due to deferred initial public offerings, including that of casino developer Hann Holdings Inc.

At the same time, Monzon said mounting corruption allegations against high-ranking government officials allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects had dampened investor sentiment.

Monzon is one of the top business personalities that joined the Sept. 21 protests. He said the billions of pesos lost to corruption could have been reinvested in the market.

‘Our index has gone down since all these [corruption] investigations . Can you imagine if all those amounts that disappeared were invested in the market?’ he said in an earlier interview. INQ

Many know Tarzeer Pictures as that one gallery pushing the boundaries of photography in the country. But now, they are expanding their repertoire to support not just still images, but moving ones, too.

Running from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15, 2025, the Tarzeer Grant for Short Films opens applications to Filipino directors and producers with original narratives and experimental films. Each grantee will receive P500,000 in funding to help their vision come to light.

Who can qualify?

If you have an idea still waiting to be shot, here’s what you need to know before sending in your application. Applicants must also be Filipino and at least 18 years old. Even if you’re based abroad, you’re still eligible, so long as production happens in the Philippines.

For eligible films, the grant covers original narrative and experimental films only. That means no adaptations or documentaries are allowed for this round

Regarding who can apply, the grant is designed for a director and producer team. Either one can apply on behalf of the project, but only one entry per director will be accepted. Directors should have made at least one short film in the past, but not more than one feature film. This keeps the focus on emerging voices ready to take their next big step. Producers, however, are welcome to apply with multiple projects.

For eligible films, the grant covers original narrative and experimental films only. That means no adaptations or documentaries are allowed for this round. Projects must still be in the development stage, too, meaning shooting should not have started yet. ‘Nothing Happens Twice’ at Orange Project, Bacolod | Photo courtesy of Tarzeer Pictures

Your film should run no longer than 20 minutes (including credits), and it can be in English or any Philippine dialect, but with English subtitles.

Collaborative but transparent

Tarzeer also strongly supports collaboration with fellow creatives. Using original music or licensing tracks from independent Filipino musicians is highly encouraged. But most importantly, the applicant must have full ownership of the project’s intellectual property rights, ensuring that the vision remains firmly in the hands of the filmmaker.

And of course, Tarzeer has always been a champion of the artists themselves, so full ownership of the film remains with the recipient of the short film grant

Application requirements are online, on Tarzeer Pictures’ website, with the link to the application portal. These include the application form and the film project dossier, such as loglines, synopsis, visual treatment, biographies, cast and crew, budget, breakdown, financing plan, and production timeline. Statements from the director, writer, and producer must outline the vision and artistic intent, too.

Narrative films must be submitted with scripts in screenwriting format, with translations to Filipino or English if in another language. For experimental films, write-ups on the treatment and approach are required. Recipients of the grant must also complete the project one year after the signing of the contract, while consistent, transparent updates to Tarzeer Pictures are expected. All completed films are required to credit Tarzeer Pictures as the executive producer, as well.

And of course, Tarzeer has always been a champion of the artists themselves, so full ownership of the film remains with the recipient of the short film grant.

Ongoing projections at Tarzeer Picture The announcement of Tarzeer Pictures’ film grant arrives amid a packed season for the gallery.

As they develop image-based work into support for moving images through these grants, they are also currently exhibiting work that exemplifies their commitment to experimenting and expanding video-based mediums.

From Sep. 11 to Oct. 30, Derek Tumala exhibits ‘Phantom Limb’ in their Chino Roces. Ave. gallery, through a network of 11 video objects that ‘create a mystic setting for loss and regeneration,’ and composes ‘a deconstructed film of one-act tales in perfect loops,’ according to the gallery newsletter.

Meanwhile, at the sprawling property of Orange Project in Bacolod, ‘Nothing Happens Twice’ runs from Sep. 13 to Oct. 29, with six works by Timothy Axibal, Nice Buenaventura, Lesley-Anne Cao, Jed Gregorio, and JT Trinidad. The selection of short films and video works will be spread across the projection rooms of Orange Project from Tarzeer Pictures’ collection and archive.

A natural evolution

For Tarzeer Pictures, which has built a reputation for curating bold exhibitions and supporting cross-disciplinary artists, this marks a natural evolution. Their programming has long blurred the lines between media through unconventional photography exhibitions and now, video installations, all of which open up new ways of seeing.

The grant signals a larger investment in the future of Philippine cinema at a time when independent filmmaking often struggles for resources, facing dual challenges of limited funding and scarce institutional support

The grant signals a larger investment in the future of Philippine cinema at a time when independent filmmaking often struggles for resources, facing dual challenges of limited funding and scarce institutional support. By backing both narrative and experimental projects, Tarzeer opens the door not only for filmmakers aiming for festival circuits but also for those pushing the boundaries of what a short film can be.

With applications set to close in just a few weeks, Filipino directors and producers with bold visions are invited to step forward.

And as they extend their ethos of the avant-garde, Tarzeer Pictures is helping build momentum for the next wave of cinematic voices in the country, waiting for the chance to be seen and heard through cinematic forms.

The deadline for the Tarzeer Pictures short film grant is on Nov. 15, 11:59 p.m., Philippine standard time, while shortlisted projects will be pitched live to a selection committee in January 2026. Grant awardees will be announced by February.

Lifting the rice import ban while retaining the 15-percent tariff rate on imported rice is crucial to protect consumers from rising food prices and keeping inflation in check.

This is according to advocacy group Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), which called on the government to ‘immediately’ lift the rice import freeze and reconsider the plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to raise the import tax to 35 percent from the current 15 percent.

‘These measures represent a significant setback to economic liberalization, consumer welfare and overall national competitiveness,’ said the FEF, whose members include some of the country’s most prominent economists and sociopolitical thinkers.

‘FEF believes that a liberalized trade, guided by market signals, is the most effective way to ensure food security and affordable prices for Filipino consumers,’ it said.

‘Scourge of the poor’

The group warned that raising the import tax on rice could drive inflation higher, noting that rice accounted for about 20 percent of food inflation.

‘Inflation is a scourge of the poorest of the poor (bottom 30 percent of the income quintile) Filipinos as an increase in food prices will hurt them most due to limited and alternative income sources,’ it added.

The FEF said any plans to hike the import duty on rice would only penalize 95 percent of Filipino rice consumers, adding that higher rice prices would jack up food and overall inflation.

‘Dismal’ precedent

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said last month the moratorium would be extended for at least 30 days, hinting it could remain in place until the end of this year.

Tiu Laurel earlier said Cabinet members were discussing the possibility of raising the rice tariff to help shore up ‘palay’ or unmilled rice prices.

However, the FEF said the two-month import ban was a ‘failure’ as farm-gate prices of palay were still ranging between P8 and P10 per kilogram, way below the production cost of P14.53 per kg recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2024.

The last time that the government intervened in the rice market likewise had the same ‘dismal’ result when retail prices almost tripled after President Marcos had imposed a rice price cap in September 2023.

The FEF said rice prices significantly declined after Mr. Marcos had lifted the price ceiling on the food staple.

Alternatives

Instead of implementing such measures, the FEF proposed improving the productivity and competitiveness of the local rice industry. It called for investments in public goods services, such as research and development, irrigation, infrastructure and extension services.

Such interventions will ultimately protect the local industry against the influx of rice imports, according to the group.

It also recommended providing cash assistance to farmers instead of defending a floor price for their palay, which the FEF warned would be costlier and more inefficient.

‘Providing direct assistance to farmers will plug in fund flow leakages and directly benefit the affected farmers,’ the FEF said.

Buffer stocks

The group also proposed assigning rice buffer stocking to the proper institutions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, with the National Food Authority’s support, should ensure access to affordable rice for the poorest of the poor, the group added.

The group also suggested that the private sector should take the lead in stabilizing rice supply, with the government intervening only when necessary. INQ

The Pureblends Titan Ultra Giant Risers have officially designated Victoria Sports Club (VSC) as their training hub for the upcoming PBA 50th Season, following a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held at the VS Hotel Convention Center.

The agreement solidifies a strategic partnership between Pureblends Titan Ultra Giant Risers and Victoria Sports Club, ensuring the team’s athletes have access to world-class training facilities and amenities for this highly competitive 2025 Philippine Basketball Association season.

Present at the signing were Pureblends President and CEO Mr. Bryann Calantoc, Team Manager Mr. Aldriane Anglim, VS Hotel Corporation Group General Manager Dr. Mario Glenn A. Isic, VS Hotel Operations Manager Ms. Euna Capitle, Victoria Sports Club Operations Manager Mr. Kristoffer Hart Ocampo, and Group Sales Manager Mr. Alex Labastilla.

Players who also graced the event included crowd-favorite Calvin Abueva, along with teammates Fran Yu, Joshua Munzon, Cade Flores, and Chris Koon, adding star power to the occasion.

Dr. Mario Glenn Isic highlighted the alignment between the two organizations: ‘Victoria Sports Club is proud to become the training ground of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to supporting Philippine basketball by providing athletes with professional, world-class facilities.’

As the PBA enters its golden season, the Pureblends Titan Ultra Giant Risers are determined to make their mark. With a talented roster, a dedicated management team, and strong support of partners like Victoria Sports Club, the team is setting its sights on delivering a memorable campaign for fans.

The partnership highlights a shared commitment to sports excellence and community engagement, strengthening the Titan Ultra Giant Risers as they aim for success in the league’s milestone season.

Philippine stock market investors lost P1.7 trillion in just three weeks because of corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Francis Lim, chair of the SEC, recently told financial executives the billion-peso flood control project scandal had already shaken public confidence, impacting the country’s overall growth prospects.

‘It’s a stark reminder that corruption is a weapon of mass wealth destruction,’ the official said during his speech at the annual conference of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex).

‘When trust breaks down, capital dries up, and everyone-government, business and the public-pays the price,’ he added.

The chief of the corporate watchdog also said the ‘laggard’ market reflected a ‘crisis of confidence’ and that public servants needed to rebuild trust to ensure economic growth.

SEC, a member of the Anti-Money Laundering Council through Lim, recently voiced its support for the lifting of the bank secrecy law to aid in the government investigation into the flood control projects.

Lim clarified, however, that Congress would need to determine whether a full lift would be beneficial, or if there should be certain exemptions.

Far Eastern University avoided another collapse and fended off Adamson, 25-13, 25-22, 15-25, 25-23, to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at Dasmariñas Arena here.

The Lady Tamaraws lost steam after taking the first two sets, losing the third by 10 points and blowing a 23-20 lead in the fourth after Frances Mordi’s clutch hits.

They reached match point with a lucky break after Red Bascon missed her serve. Jaz Ellarina drilled the game-winning block on Mordi to equalize the finals series.

FEU, which bounced back from a Game 1 collapse, and Adamson clash for the 2025 crown in Game 3 on Friday at FilOil EcoOil Arena.

Gerz Petallo and Kyle Pendon led the charge for 15 points each as the Lady Tamaraws get another shot at a championship after settling for runner-up in the past two V-League finals.

‘We really pushed ourselves because we really wanted to win. We wanted this game for us, so even before it started, we made sure our mindset was in the right place. It was all about having a strong, winning mentality,’ said Petallo, who tallied 11 kills and four blocks to go with 14 receptions and 12 digs.

‘We really prepared hard. We focused on having the right mindset, believing that we’re fully capable. We knew we could fix the lapses we had before. We truly came into this game well-prepared.’

Ellarina chipped in 11 points for FEU. Alyzza Devosora had 10 points, while setter Tin Ubaldo tossed 23 excellent sets.

Tournament MVP Shaina Nitura had 20 points for Adamson but only converted 18 kills of her 70 attack attempts. Mordi had 13, while Lhouriz Tuddao added 12.

In an era when technology buzzwords dominate policymaking, entrepreneur and digital technology advocate Ann Cuisia is taking a different route. Instead of pushing for more hype, she’s pushing for design – system design, to be precise.

Her latest proposal, called the National Budget in Action (NBA) Framework, isn’t just a policy blueprint. It’s a business story about how data transparency, when built with the discipline of digital infrastructure, can become an engine for trust, innovation, and even economic growth.

‘The goal of transparency is not achieved by naming a tool,’ Cuisia said in her new essay. ‘It is achieved by designing a system that guarantees access, accountability, and auditability regardless of the technology behind it.’

The business case for transparency Cuisia, who has spent years building fintech and blockchain projects in the Philippines, knows how data flows shape economic behavior. She argues that when public finance data becomes open, searchable, and verifiable, the private sector also benefits – from better risk assessments to cleaner supply chains and improved investor confidence.

Under the National Budget in Action Act, all government budget documents would be published through a single, unified online portal. From appropriations to disbursements, every transaction would be visualized, searchable, and downloadable. The system’s design is simple but powerful: transparency that can be audited, cross-referenced, and reused by anyone, from journalists to startups.

‘It’s transparency you can click, track, and trust,’ Cuisia explained. ‘When public data is structured well, it becomes fuel for innovation.’

Indeed, analysts have long noted that open data ecosystems – from Estonia’s e-Government model to Singapore’s Smart Nation portal – have led to thriving technology sectors and stronger investor sentiment. Cuisia believes the Philippines can achieve the same by building its own public-facing data infrastructure.

A multi-stakeholder safeguard What makes her framework stand out is redundancy. Instead of leaving all budget data in one government-controlled server, the NBA design allows for mirror websites hosted by NGOs, media outlets, and universities.

‘When transparency has redundancy, it becomes irreversible,’ she said. The idea borrows from cybersecurity principles: backup systems are not a luxury but a necessity. In this model, redundancy isn’t waste – it’s resilience.

Incentivizing accountability The framework also includes market-like incentives. A Transparency Rewards Fund would compensate journalists, civic data scientists, and whistleblowers who uncover verifiable misuse of funds. For Cuisia, this turns fiscal oversight into a participatory economy where integrity has measurable value.

‘This shifts transparency from passive disclosure to active participation,’ she said. ‘We’re not creating gatekeepers – we’re empowering watchdogs.’

Meanwhile, a National Budget Watch Council composed of civil society, government, and citizen representatives would oversee implementation and maintain data integrity.

Tech-neutral, innovation-friendly Despite her background in blockchain, Cuisia stresses that her proposal is technology-neutral. She believes laws should define outcomes, not platforms. ‘Let technology serve those goals, not define them,’ she noted.

That flexibility keeps the framework adaptive – allowing blockchain, AI, or any future tool to be layered into the system without legislative bottlenecks. For tech companies and startups, this means a fertile environment for solutions that enhance public-sector efficiency without the risk of being legislated out of relevance.

From criticism to construction Cuisia’s call to action goes beyond advocacy. It’s a design-thinking exercise applied to governance: if transparency is an asset, how do you build its infrastructure?

‘The first step was to reject prescriptive policymaking,’ she said. ‘The second step is to replace it with something better. Transparency as infrastructure – not as a slogan.’

By reframing transparency as both a governance principle and an innovation platform, Cuisia’s National Budget in Action vision sits at the intersection of public accountability and private-sector opportunity.

Her message to policymakers – and investors – is clear: when citizens can see where every peso goes, confidence grows. And in business, confidence is the currency that keeps economies moving.

‘Fiscal transparency isn’t just a moral imperative,’ Cuisia said. ‘It’s a market advantage.’