Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Social Security System (SSS) members hit by the powerful earthquake in Cebu can now apply for a calamity loan effective Oct. 2.

In a statement on Thursday, SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro said the new guidelines allowed the pension fund to respond sooner than before, as the activation process of its calamity loan program had been significantly shortened. Members and pensioners affected by the earthquake may borrow up to P20,000 at an interest rate of 7 percent per annum. Loan applications can be filed using members’ My.SSS account.

In addition to Cebu, De Claro said the SSS calamity loans also covers members affected by the recent tropical cyclones-Mirasol, Nando and Opong-and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

A state of calamity was declared over 85 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Masbate, Aklan,and Maguindanao del Sur as a result of the weather disturbances. /dda

Lights, camera, action. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ arrives Oct. 3. Are you ready for it?

Swift announced her latest era back in August, when she began teasing the release.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of its drop date: how to stream, which variants exist, and of course, how the album came together. Enjoy the show!

How to listen to Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

‘The Life of a Showgirl’ will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Fans can pre-save the album ahead of its release on Oct. 3. Pre-saving ensures the new music automatically appears in a fan’s library the moment it is available. It is also a way for an artist to promote streams ahead of the drop date.

On Monday, Sept. 29, Spotify announced that Swift’s album surpassed five million pre-saves on their platform to become the most pre-saved album in its history. The previous title holder? Her 2024 album ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’

In addition to the many streaming options, there will also be a digital-download variant of ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ available via iTunes, featuring a new cover image and a nearly three-minute ‘exclusive video from Taylor herself detailing inspirations behind the album’ labeled ‘A Look Behind the Curtain.’

What physical variants are there?

Target is once again a major partner with Swift. Their stores will carry three CD variants, titled as ‘It’s Frightening,’ ‘It’s Rapturous’ and ‘It’s Beautiful’ editions. There is also an exclusive vinyl release, ‘The Crowd Is Your King’ edition in ‘summertime spritz pink shimmer vinyl.’ Many Target locations will remain open past midnight on the day of release for superfans to pick up in real time.

There are a number of other vinyl variants as well: ‘The Tiny Bubble in Champagne Collection,’ which features two vinyl variants described as ‘under bright lights pearlescent vinyl’ and ‘red lipstick and lace transparent vinyl.’

There is also ‘The Baby That’s Show Business Collection,’ in two colorways: ‘lovely bouquet golden vinyl’ and ‘lakeside beach blue sparkle vinyl.’

Then there’s ‘The Shiny Bug Collection’ in ‘violet shimmer marbled vinyl’ and ‘wintergreen and onyx marbled vinyl.’

And of course, there is the standard LP and cassette, in ‘sweat and vanilla perfume Portofino orange vinyl.’

Artwork varies throughout.

What do we know about the album so far?

Swift partially announced her 12-track new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ on the ‘New Heights’ podcast hosted by Travis Kelce – Swift’s fiance and Kansas City Chiefs tight end – and his brother, Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center.

In the full episode, Swift revealed she worked on the album in Sweden while she was on the ‘Eras Tour’ – flying between dates to record, truly embodying the album’s title, ‘The Life of a Showgirl.’ The entire album was completed with producers Max Martin and Shellback, who Swift previously collaborated with on 2012’s ‘Red,’ 2014’s ‘1989’ and 2017’s ‘Reputation.’ Her frequent producing partner Jack Antonoff was not mentioned.

She described the release as full of ‘bangers.’ ‘I care about this record more than I can even overstate,’ she said, agreeing with Travis Kelce when he described the release as ‘a lot more upbeat’ than 2024’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’

Manny Pacquiao wasn’t even alive when Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled nearly to the death in the original ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975. But half a century later, it’s Pacquiao himself leading the 50th anniversary celebration of that iconic heavyweight clash-this time as a promoter.

‘To think I wasn’t even born during the original staging of ‘Thrilla in Manila,” Pacquiao said with a smile during the launch of the fight card. ‘I feel blessed to be the one to bring the 50th celebration to life.’

Presented by Pacquiao and the International Boxing Association, the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ anniversary event happens on Oct. 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum-the same venue where Ali and Frazier made boxing history.

The card is headlined by the WBC strawweight championship bout between Philippines’ Melvin Jerusalem and South Africa’s Ayanda Kuse. It also features Olympic silver medalist Eumir Marcial against undefeated American Eddy Colmenares in a 10-round middleweight bout.

Pacquiao sees this event not only as a celebration but as a platform to elevate local talent.

‘It’s a big help for our boxers that they get this kind of break in these kinds of international promotions,’ he said.

The fight night also showcases Filipino rising stars, including Marlon Tapales, Carl Jammes Martin and Arvin Magramo in undercard bouts.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it has been meeting the cash requirements of banks operating in Masbate, after the province was battered by Severe Tropical Storm Ompong.

In a statement on Thursday, the central bank said its Legazpi branch has been coordinating with local financial institutions to ensure the availability of banking services. It also informed banks that it can accommodate emergency withdrawals if necessary.

While some bank branches have yet to reopen, residents can still access funds through alternative channels, including money service businesses offering cash-out services.

‘The BSP will continue to closely monitor the situation to meet the cash and banking needs of the people,’ the central bank said.

Ompong (international name: Bualoi) carved a deadly path through the Bicol and Visayas regions last week, forcing thousands of storm-weary families to flee homes and huddle on school floors. The storm left at least 14 people dead, as it triggered widespread flooding, landslides and power outages. /dda

With 15 voting in favor, 3 opposing it, and 2 abstaining, the Senate adopted on Wednesday a resolution requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian reasons.

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144, which was signed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, emphasized that because of the advanced age and deteriorating health of Duterte, the ICC should designate a physician or medical doctor to examine the former president and ascertain if he is fit to withstand regular detention.

But should the medical findings prove that detention will further worsen his medical condition, the court should allow the former president to be placed under house arrest.

According to the resolution, ‘such house arrest, or a similar appropriate arrangement, will be subject to conditions restricting liberty to be imposed by the ICC, presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial.’

Subject to conditions

The senators also argued in the resolution that under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.

‘The Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the ICC allows persons being tried there in interim release, subject to conditions restricting liberty, including staying at a particular address, not contacting directly or indirectly victims or witnesses, and responding when summoned by an authority or qualified person designated by the ICC,’ they said.

In his sponsorship speech, Cayetano said the wheels of justice were already moving, whether it be in the country or in The Hague, where the ICC is based.

‘It is not against the tenet of human rights to allow any person, especially a former president, to be under house arrest or to be under a country supervised under ICC, especially in the condition of President Duterte, who is 80 years old,’ he added.

Duterte faces three counts of murder before the ICC for the thousands killed in his drug war.

Not about politics

Zubiri, for his part, said his personal stand on the issue does not have anything to do with politics. He said it is only based on his point of view as a son to a father who is now 85 years old and ailing.

‘For me, this is not politics. This is not DDS (term used for Duterte supporters) or Marcos. I am speaking as a son to a father who has the same illnesses as the [former] president right now. Mine is more of a humanitarian, compassionate request,’ said Zubiri.

‘That’s why we toned down the resolution-just in view of his deteriorating health . we’re just appealing to the ICC to allow it within the rules,’ he added.

Aside from Zubiri and Cayetano, the other senators who voted in favor were Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, and Mark Villar.

Those who opposed the resolution were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Francis Pangilinan.

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III and Sen. Raffy Tulfo abstained from voting.

At least 17 people were injured when a public utility jeepney plunged into a six-meter ravine in Calauag town, Quezon province, on Wednesday.

Police said the driver, identified only as ‘Luisito,’ 45, lost control of the steering wheel after the jeepney’s brakes failed while negotiating a descending and curved section of the road in Barangay Pinagsakayan at around 2 p.m.

The jeepney, carrying 16 passengers – three of them elderly – veered off the road and fell into the ravine.

The driver and all passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

Authorities said an investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong ‘has only himself to blame’ for his short-lived tenure as special advisor to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), a lawmaker said Thursday, after it was revealed that the controversy-dogged Discayas built a project in his city.

In a statement, House infrastructure committee chair Terry Ridon said Magalong’s failure to disclose that St. Gerrard Construction Company – owned by big-time contractor Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya – had undertaken a ?110-million Baguio tennis court project ‘does not speak well of his actual commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.’

Curlee and his wife Cezarah are accused of enriching themselves through ghost and substandard projects implemented by their nine-company empire and of colluding with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to secure lucrative contracts.

‘It is the height of hypocrisy for a public official who styles himself as a champion of transparency, accountability, and good governance to reject public scrutiny of projects within his own local government,’ Ridon said.

This, after Magalong claimed in a Senate hearing on Thursday that he might have ‘struck a nerve or several nerves’ during his stint at the ICI, which is tasked with investigating anomalous infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

Tennis court project

This, he said, might be the reason for the ‘sudden below-the-belt accusation’ tagging the tennis court project as anomalous.

Magalong maintained that the tennis court project followed proper procurement and denied any irregularities, and that it was unfair to suggest he was corrupt ‘just because the Discayas have a project (in Baguio).’

The anti-corruption group Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) likewise rallied behind Magalong, whom it said ‘cannot be bought, bullied, or swayed by favors or threats.’

Magalong resigned from the ICI last week after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a review of his role in light of the controversy. He was then replaced by former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin.

Ridon, however, argued that the scrutiny was justified given the Discayas’ track record of poor infrastructure projects.

At the same time, the Bicol Saro lawmaker said, this would have ‘directly test(ed) Mayor Magalong’s integrity and commitment to transparency, as he himself, as the city’s Head of Procuring Entity, has engaged a contractor linked to ghost and substandard projects.’

He noted that Magalong had more than a month – from Marcos’ Aug. 11 disclosure of the Discayas’ role in anomalous projects to the family’s Sept. 2 admission that they controlled multiple firms, including St. Gerrard – to reveal the Baguio project, but kept silent until a news report surfaced on Sept. 20.

‘To be clear, there is no allegation at this point that the ?110-million Baguio City tennis court project is tainted with corruption, or that city officials received kickbacks from the Discayas. There is, however, a legitimate allegation that the project may be substandard-giving the public every reason to ask questions,’ Ridon said.

‘And more importantly, even the loudest champions of good governance should never reject scrutiny of their own projects,’ he added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has not received any reports of violence or looting in Central Visayas following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the region.

The tremor hit 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province on Tuesday night.

‘Fortunately, there have been no reports of gender-based violence or looting incidents in the aftermath of the earthquake,’ PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr. said during a briefing at Camp Crame on Thursday.

Marallag also said that the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) increased its deployment from 1,356 officers on Wednesday to 2,250 officers on Thursday to support recovery efforts.

He added that the PNP’s Reserve Standby Support Force also deployed 312 personnel from PRO 7, 116 from PRO Eastern Visayas, and 112 from PRO Negros Island Region to strengthen the police response.

According to the latest situational report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday morning, at least 72 people have died and 294 were injured.

The NDRRMC said these casualty figures are yet to be validated.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P150 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for the province of Cebu, in addition to P74 million allocated for the municipalities of San Remigio, Medellin, and Bogo City, which were severely affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30.

The President stated that the funds are part of an ‘initial release,’ noting that a full assessment is still being conducted to determine the additional financial support needed in the province’s recovery.

On top of the DBM allocation, the Office of the President will provide P50 million in direct aid. Of this amount, P20 million each will go to Bogo City, San Remigio, and Sogod, while Daanbantayan, Madridejos, and Tabuelan will receive P10 million each.

Marcos visited Bogo City on Thursday to inspect the extent of the destruction and to assure quake-hit communities of immediate government support.

The September 30 earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 6.9, left at least 72 people dead and injured dozens more. The tremor also caused widespread damage to homes, schools, churches, and public infrastructure across northern Cebu.

It was strongly felt in neighboring provinces, including Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Leyte, and prompted thousands of residents to rush out of homes and establishments.

Authorities continue to conduct rescue and relief operations while structural assessments are being carried out to ensure public safety.

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, once again brought disaster preparedness to the forefront through the Disaster Resilience Forum (DRF) 2025. With the theme ‘#ResilientPilipinas, #LahatHandaAtLigtas: A Vision Forged by Action, Fueled by Collaboration,’ this year’s forum served as a national platform to elevate awareness, shape policy dialogue, and mobilize collective action for a more resilient Philippines. The introduction of the ‘Big Wave’ framework is CLFI’s bold move to spotlight emerging threats such as storm surges, sea-level rise, and Manila Trench tsunamis. These hazards, often overshadowed by the ‘Big One,’ now demand equal urgency and coordinated response. Through this initiative, CLFI reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities and driving proactive preparedness.

At the helm of this advocacy is Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, emphasized the critical role of barangays in disaster resilience. ‘Resilience begins in every barangay. To truly build a Resilient Pilipinas, we must empower local communities with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships they need to withstand the Big One, the Big Wave, and every challenge in between. Our vision is simple but urgent: lahat ligtas at handa,’ Lhuillier said.

The forum unfolded in three dynamic sessions:

Vision: Shaping a Resilient Future – Led by DOST, PHIVOLCS, DILG, and ARISE, this session called for stronger leadership and barangay-level capacity building.

Action: Empowering Local Champions – Featuring MMDA, OCD-NDRRMC, DSWD, and grassroots leaders, it showcased scalable, life-saving community solutions.

Collaboration: Strengthening Solidarity for Impact – A convergence of voices from the government, academe, NGOs, and the private sector, reinforcing the need for unified efforts.

CLFI Executive Director Jonathan Batangan highlighted the forum’s purpose: ‘More than just heightening awareness and networking among stakeholder-participants, the DRF2025 is a call to action. By placing the ‘Big Wave’ on the agenda, we challenge communities and leaders to look beyond immediate risks and prepare for the realities ahead. True resilience happens when vision, action, and collaboration come together.’

To translate advocacy into impact, CLFI launched a nationwide donation campaign under its Tulong sa Pagbangon program, enabling Filipinos to contribute via digital wallets, QR codes, and coin canisters. CLFI also donated E2G food bars to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reinforcing its commitment to humanitarian aid. The donation was made possible through Lhuillier’s role as Philippine Ambassador of E2G, a global partner known for its ready-to-eat, nutrient-packed food bars for crisis response.

By sparking dialogue and delivering tangible support, the Disaster Resilience Forum 2025 advanced one shared goal: a #ResilientPilipinasand#LahatHandaAtLigtas.