Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Jared Bahay is well aware of the many big shoes that he has to fill as far as crack guards ever to have come out of Ateneo under the revered Tab Baldwin go.

From the likes of Tyler Tio, Gian Mamuyac, SJ Belangel and Thirdy Ravena, Baldwin has given his Midas Touch on them that they not only led the Blue Eagles to glorious UAAP paths but have become established professional players here or elsewhere.

All four were in the undefeated Season 82 team that won the championship. And Bahay remembers seeing clips of that squad while he was still in high school.

‘It gives me motivation,’ Bahay told the Inquirer recently. ‘I believe in our saying that ‘in Tab we trust.’ I feel motivated that I’m under him. He can not only make me a great basketball player, but a good person in general.’

Jared has happy home

Fast forward to six years and Bahay has found a home in Katipunan.

‘I love coach Tab. He has a history and reputation of winning,’ Bahay said. ‘I remember watching them go 16-0 and I got so inspired. I worked so hard and told myself I want to be a part of [a] team [like that].

‘Dreams do come true,’ he said. ‘I’m here now and I’m so happy.’

Baldwin, meanwhile, knows that he has another rough talent he can whip into a gem along with Kymani Ladi, a dynamic 6-foot-8 forward who is also a big reason why the Blue Eagles are leading the pack with a 3-0 record.

‘He has a lot of information that he’s willing to share and we’re willing to take them,’ Ladi said. ‘He has a lot of knowledge that we definitely use.

Baldwin has so far won 101 games in his UAAP career, fourth on the all-time list where only La Salle’s Franz Pumaren, late Santo Tomas mentor Aric del Rosario and ex-Ateneo tactician Norman Black have more victories.

He is on track to unseat Black at No. 3 if his streak continues for the rest of the year.

But knowing Baldwin, he doesn’t really give a care on personal accomplishments. He is a team-first guy and rarely takes the credit. And the biggest thing about him is he wants his charges to become better men after being under him. INQ

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. was himself taken aback by the magnitude of corruption involving flood control projects, which have further blackened the already tarnished reputation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

‘The sight of piles of cash on a table, that’s kind of shocking,’ Remolona said in a One News interview last week, ‘I didn’t know this was all done in cash, in such amounts. That is shocking.’

What is more alarming, however, is that government financial institutions may have become conduits for the staggering amounts of kickbacks that have found their way into the pockets of a network of public officials and contractors who have allegedly made milking cows out of flood control projects.

Valid concerns have thus been raised that banking and finance regulators have been sleeping on their crucial jobs, enabling these questionable transactions to push through, not just once but several times this year alone, as revealed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson revealed last week that, based on ledgers acquired from the implicated flood control project contractor SYMS Construction Trading, contractor Sally Santos was able to withdraw P457 million in cash from the Malolos Highway branch of Land Bank of the Philippines over two days, with the money allegedly delivered as kickbacks to the office of former Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez.

‘There are many here, including withdrawals of P180 million, P141 million, P299 million, and P65 million-all made in a single day,’ added Lacson.

This begs the question: How was this allowed to happen?

Red flags

As Sen. Francis Pangilinan asked Landbank Malolos Highway branch manager Ma. Lilibeth Lim, ‘Is it normal practice for a bank to release P457 million in cash? Isn’t that a red flag, and shouldn’t it be reported?’ Because as it stands, there are fears that the banking system has been ‘complicit in this type of corruption.’

But apparently, for Landbank, there was no reason to suspect any wrongdoing. The legitimacy of the source as well as the purpose of the funds were ‘fully established and documented,’ and that as a matter of policy, all funds above P500,000 are automatically reported as covered transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for its review and assessment.

That said, in light of the revelations that the money allegedly went to anomalous flood control projects, Landbank said that policies and measures will be updated ‘to ensure we remain robust and responsive to issues and the call of the times.’

Cash withdrawal limit

The BSP has also issued a circular limiting daily over-the-counter cash withdrawals to P500,000 so that transactions above this threshold are carried out through checks, fund transfers, or other digital channels to create an audit trail.

Sanctions will be imposed on banks and financial institutions found complicit in the web of corruption that has ensnared the DPWH.

BSP Deputy Governor Lyn Havier, who heads the BSP unit overseeing banks, added that the central bank was ‘closely scrutinizing’ possible weaknesses in banks’ antimoney laundering systems, particularly in transaction monitoring, customer due diligence, and compliance with reporting obligations and that ‘any deficiencies will be addressed decisively.’

The BSP has also already kicked off an inquiry into the bank accounts of individuals linked to corruption in government-funded flood control projects, at the request of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

This is the first test of the newly enacted Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, which is meant to crack down on money muling activities or the use of financial accounts to move or hide criminal proceeds.

Questionable accounts

Under this law, bank secrecy and data privacy protections can be set aside to allow regulators to scrutinize questionable accounts and use any findings in criminal prosecutions.

The AMLC also assured the public that it remains ‘committed to upholding the integrity of the financial system and ensuring that all covered entities adhere to their legal obligations in the fight against money laundering.’

The AMLC has so far issued more than 700 freeze orders covering bank accounts, insurance policies, and other assets of individuals linked to the alleged scheme, and it is just getting started.

That the regulatory bodies are just now stepping up their actions seems too little, too late, as billions have already exchanged hands, the extent of which is still yet to be fully uncovered. But they can make up for lost time and work double time on their investigations that should end with people being brought to justice. At the same time, given the extent of the ‘shocking’ corruption, regulators should pursue their mandate with renewed vigor to finally cure the Philippines of this festering disease.

The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) now has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

According to Pagasa, the LPA was estimated at 1,080 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon as of 2 a.m.

While it does not yet have a direct effect on land, Pagasa said that it is likely to develop into a severe tropical depression within the next 24 to 48 hours.

‘And if this develops into a tropical cyclone, we will name it Typhoon Paulo,’ said Pagasa’s Weather Specialist Loriedin de la Cruz in a video weather report.

The LPA entered PAR at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30.

Meanwhile, the easterlies will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms across the country. It will affect the Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Aurora, and Quezon.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.

Residents in these areas are advised to remain vigilant for potential flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.

Light to moderate winds will prevail across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III attended the first full meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the 20th Congress held at Malacañan Palace, presided over by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., together with House Speaker Faustino ‘Bodjie’ Dy III and other officials.

The meeting tackled the alignment of priority bills of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Executive branch, alongside the adoption of the Common Legislative Agenda presented by Secretary Arsenio Balicasan, PhD of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDEV) and Head of the LEDAC Secretariat.

Discussions focused on improving healthcare and education, promoting inclusive agriculture and livelihood, strengthening the energy sector, and pursuing governance, digital, and financial reforms to spur economic growth and deliver efficient public service.

‘These priorities reflect our collective effort to ensure that policies are both responsive to the immediate needs of the people and consistent with our long-term development goals,’ Sotto said.

Other members of the Senate who were present included Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The LEDAC serves as the highest consultative and advisory body to the President on socio-economic development, strengthening coordination between the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

The specific bill ni SP included in the Common Legislative Agenda is the Freedom of Information Bill.

This bill provides for full public disclosure of all government records involving public interest, and upholds the constitutional right of people to information on matters of public concern.

Lee Dong-gun, a 45-year-old South Korean actor, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a rare ailment, during his appearance on the latest episode of a popular TV show.

The Sunday episode of ‘My Little Old Boy,’ an SBS show following single celebrities who are past the age conventionally considered a prime marriage age, featured Lee visiting the hospital for severe symptoms in his eye.

He told the doctor that he had had repeated onset of the inflammation of the uveitis, a form of eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of eye tissues, for over a year, which the doctor said was odd.

The doctor suggested that the actor is possibly suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease characterized by the spine being less flexible and possibly causing some of the bones in the spine to fuse. The diagnosis was backed by severe inflammation in the sacroiliac joint, which showed up in the X-ray images.

Ankylosing spondylitis does not have a known cure, but the symptoms can be managed to improve physical functions and slow its progress. Treatment includes a combination of physical therapy, exercise, and medication, and the actor was told to manage his diet and refrain from alcohol and tobacco.

Varying data suggest that around 0.1 percent to 1.4 percent of the global population may have AS. As of 2023, 55,375people in South Korea were suffering from the disease, which accounted for a little more than 0.1 percent of the 51.7 million population in the country at the time.

About 28.2 percent of the AS patients were in their 40s, followed by 22 percent in their 30s, and 12.9 percent in their 20s. It was a lot more common among men (40,208) compared to women (15,167).

Lee, who blossomed as an actor after a failed singing career, shot to stardom via his role in the 2004 drama ‘Lovers in Paris.’ His career spans across film, TV, and musicals.

Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson said that while the Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, was still awaiting some developments in the case before scheduling the next hearing, it would already send invitations to Romualdez and his colleagues.

He stressed that this should debunk the perception of some sectors that the Blue Ribbon Committee is targeting, favoring or even ‘protecting’ some personalities.

‘We are not covering up for anyone here,’ the senator said.

In the case of Romualdez, the invitation will be coursed through House Speaker Faustino Dy III, ‘in observation of the time-honored inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two houses of Congress.’

In Co’s case, Lacson said the invitation letter will be sent to his address.

‘Now we know he is abroad and will not show up. If that is the case, we will issue a subpoena, and then a show-cause order,’ Lacson said in an interview on NET25. ‘If the show-cause order is not satisfactory, we will cite him in contempt of the committee and issue a warrant for his arrest,’ he added.

There is something almost sacred about the way we care for ourselves when no one is watching. These moments are unfiltered and unperformed, rituals that ask for no applause and require no audience.

For me, the heart of it has always been the shower. When I say naked, I do not just mean without clothes. I mean stripped of the day’s weight. In the shower I am free. I am not performing beauty. I am experiencing it. A shower after heartbreak, a long night out, or even after a good cry is one of the quickest ways to feel like me again. It is therapy disguised as hygiene. Science agrees with what instinct already knows. Hot water soothes tense muscles, opens pores, and softens the skin so products are absorbed more effectively. It also releases endorphins, which explains why long showers can feel meditative.

Cold water tells a different story. Dermatologists say it tightens pores, reduces inflammation, and boosts circulation. Researchers have even found that it can trigger a natural dopamine rush. Whether I linger in heat or finish with an icy rinse, I step out, feeling changed.

Gestures of care

Then there are the products, which become their own quiet language. I have always preferred body wash. While bar soaps are timeless, they can strip natural oils and may harbor bacteria when left in humid spaces. Liquid cleansers tend to be more hygienic and hydrating, and for my dry skin, that makes a difference. But beyond utility, there is something indulgent about body wash. The creamy texture, the fragrance, the lather. It transforms a basic task into something almost luxurious. I also keep Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Scrub in my shower for when I want something more transformative, a polish that leaves me feeling renewed.

Lately, skincare has become an even deeper act of presence. What used to be a simple two-step routine has grown into something more layered. I now alternate between nine thoughtfully chosen products: hydrating serums, exfoliants, nourishing oils. I have grown especially fond of Good Molecules, but I also reach for the elegance of Clé de Peau. Occasionally, I borrow a little La Mer from my mother’s vanity.

Lately, skincare has become an even deeper act of presence. What used to be a simple two-step routine has grown into something more layered. I now alternate between nine thoughtfully chosen products: hydrating serums, exfoliants, nourishing oils.

It is not about luxury for the sake of it. It is about how it all feels. My skin, once perpetually dry, now feels cared for. Every step is a gesture of respect toward the body I live in.

I never go through these rituals in silence. Music fills the room as I take my time, giving each step its own rhythm. I even dance a little. A ‘dancey dance’ between serums and oils. It makes me smile. It reminds me that beauty does not always require a mirror. Sometimes it is just about feeling good where you are.

Well-being without tension

A few days ago, I stayed at The Westin Manila. I arrived open but exhausted, hoping for a pause I had not made time for. The experience was serene in the best way. It centered rest and invited reflection without demanding it.

On my first afternoon, I was welcomed at the Heavenly Spa, where a full-body massage unraveled the tension I have been holding for months. That massage, followed by sunset yoga on the top floor with the city glowing in streaks of gold, grounded me more than I expected. I embraced my body’s full range of motion, each stretch peeling back a deeper layer I had not realized I was holding. The next morning, I stayed in and gave my body what it asked for: rest. I eventually made my way to their Wellness Market, where I tried a scoop of King Kim’s sugar-free ice cream, which surprised me with its richness. I also picked up a pack of Earth Desserts’ tablea crisps, a healthy treat that I will be repurchasing. The entire space was designed to support well-being without overwhelming the senses, allowing me to be fully immersed in my own rhythm.

The privilege of inner peace

What I love about these rituals is how ordinary they are. They are not reserved for the wealthy or glamorous. They are available to anyone with water, a little soap, and a willingness to be present. Of course, I know not everyone has that access. A long shower, a massage, even stillness. These are all privileges. That awareness makes the rituals more meaningful. Whenever I enter the water or press serum into my skin, I try to treat it as a blessing.

It was my grandfather who taught me to think this way. He swore by his routine, long before I understood why. His skin carried proof of that. Even now, when I smooth on oil or layer something hydrating, I think of him. There is something beautiful in the idea that private acts of care can leave such visible legacies.

Sometimes, these rituals are what prepare us to meet the world with more intention. The way I oil my legs, brush my hair, or dry off with a fresh towel is not about vanity. It is about acknowledgement. I was here. I am still here. And I am worthy of care.

That weekend stay reminded me of that. It showed me that slowing down is not an indulgence. It is a form of listening. And what my body said back was simple: ‘Thank you.’

Because in the end, these small acts accumulate. They are not wasted minutes. They are not vanity. They are checkpoints. Tiny reminders that I am alive. That I am worth showing up for, even when no one else is watching.

Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier has once again elevated Filipino leadership on the global stage after personally earning three of the 2025 Globee® Awards for Innovation – Golden Bridge Awards®’ most prestigious honors: Executive Achievement of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Maverick of the Year.

These accolades celebrate outstanding leadership, a career defined by sustained innovation, and fearless, unconventional thinking that drives transformative results. They underscore Lhuillier’s visionary approach, the international impact of his work, and his ability to develop innovative products, including the groundbreaking Cebuana Lhuillier Gold Bar, which has redefined financial accessibility for millions.

‘Winning these Globee awards is not just a personal honor but also a recognition of the power of innovation to transform industries and communities,’ said Lhuillier. ‘It reaffirms my belief that we must always move forward, embrace change, and continue building solutions that create meaningful impact for people.’

In addition to his Globee® triumph, Jean Henri Lhuillier also emerged as a multi-awardee at the 2025 Stevie® Awards, where he was honored with Executive of the Year – Diversified Services, Achievement in Growth, Achievement in Management – Financial Services, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

These recognitions from two of the world’s most prestigious award-giving bodies stand as a testament to Lhuillier’s visionary leadership and relentless push for innovation. Many of Cebuana Lhuillier’s groundbreaking initiatives are his own brainchild-including the KaNegosyo Center, a suite of inclusive insurance products, the Cebuana Lhuillier Gold Bar, and the Money Guro financial literacy program. Each of these has redefined financial accessibility, empowered communities, and set new benchmarks for inclusive growth in the Philippines.

Beyond business and financial inclusion, Jean Henri Lhuillier’s numerous achievements extend to advocacies in sports and education, reflecting a broader commitment to nation-building and community empowerment. He is also known as the longtime president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) and Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP), where, under his two decades of leadership, the sport has been elevated to new heights-marked by historic international victories, strengthened grassroots programs, and the development of a solid infrastructure that nurtures athletes from beginner to elite levels. His consistent recognition across prestigious global award-giving bodies further affirms his place as one of the most dynamic and influential Filipino leaders of his generation.

With a rare combination of vision, innovation, and social purpose, Jean Henri Lhuillier continues to redefine leadership-not only driving success for Cebuana Lhuillier but also inspiring progress that resonates far beyond business, shaping industries, communities, and future generations.

‘True leadership is not only about results-it is about building a legacy, empowering others, and creating opportunities that will outlast us. Innovation and forward-thinking are at the heart of this vision. We must continue to push boundaries, explore new possibilities, and develop solutions that will shape the future for the next generation,’ Jean Henri Lhuillier concluded.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved 3,770 public works projects worth P214.4 billion from unprogrammed funds in 2023 and 2024, with majority going to ‘favored regions’ now being flagged for anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

This according to ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, who said these findings directly contradicted Malacañang’s claims that the President had no role in infrastructure corruption issues.

‘To be able to fund nearly 4,000 projects from unprogrammed appropriations, the president would have had to approve them,’ he said during the plenary deliberations for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed P881.3-billion budget for 2026.

He challenged Malacañang to explain the basis for the releases and to ‘stop washing its hands off the corruption allegations.’

Citing official data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during the plenary deliberations for the Department of Public Highways’ (DPWH) 2026 budget, Tinio disclosed that the DPWH received P61.4 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2023 for 1,889 projects, and P153 billion in 2024 for 1,811 projects.

In 2023, the top regions that got the largest share in unprogrammed funds were: Central Luzon, with 283 projects worth P11.7 billion in total; Bicol with 138 projects worth P7.6 billion, and Central Visayas with 170 projects worth P7.2 billion. In 2024, Mimaropa got the lion’s share of unprogrammed funds with P29.4 billion for 201 projects, followed by Central Luzon again with P25 billion for 285 projects. Majority of the projects approved for these regions, Tinio added, were flood control projects.

‘These are interesting top three regions, as these are the ‘usual suspect’ regions now being mentioned in the flood control scandal now,’ Tinio noted, alluding to Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro provinces, which are now under scrutiny after officials discovered numerous ghost flood control projects there.

Several past and current lawmakers, particularly Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Nancy Binay; and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, are accused of receiving billions in kickbacks from projects in Bulacan.

Co, meanwhile, was founder of Sunwest Inc., the firm that implemented an anomalous P289.5 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He is now facing graft, malversation and falsification charges over the project.

Tinio, however, emphasized that the President could not separate himself from the issue as unprogrammed funds-or standby authorizations that can only be tapped when new revenue or loans materialize-were within the discretion of the executive.

He cited Section 35, Chapter 5, Book 6 of Executive Order No. 292, which states that expenditures from lump sum appropriations ‘shall be made in accordance with a special budget to be approved by the President.’

This is not the first time that Tinio or other lawmakers have criticized the ballooning amount of unprogrammed appropriations under the Marcos administration, especially since these are lump-sum allocations that have no line items in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

This, Tinio stressed, has made them essentially invisible to public scrutiny-as demonstrated by the fact that no flood control project funded by unprogrammed funds were included in Malacañang’s Sumbong sa Pangulo transparency website for flood control projects.

To be able to fund infrastructure projects in this budget line, the DPWH regional and district engineering offices would have to submit requests for funding, which would be vetted by the agency’s planning services office.

The DPWH then submits a special budget request for release of funds to the DBM, which is the delegated authority by the Office of the President.

The DPWH’s sponsoring lawmaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. said that the DPWH would soon release its own transparency server that would include these projects and possibly include the proponents of the project. /cb

The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on Tuesday expressed alarm over what it described as a troubling use of media access as a form of censorship, following the temporary revocation of Spin.ph’s credentials by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

In a strongly worded statement, the PSA condemned the September 23, 2025 decision of PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara to pull Spin.ph’s accreditation. Though the credentials were later restored, the group said the act itself should not have taken place.

‘The very fact that the press is barred, however briefly and inconsequentially-and for no justifiable reason-is unacceptable,’ the PSA said.

The association, which counts the country’s leading sports journalists among its members, announced a new policy in response. Moving forward, any sports official or organization that withholds or forfeits access to PSA members without due process and prior notice will be declared persona non grata.

‘Censorship does not always arrive as a law or an organizational rule. Sometimes it comes as a locked gate, a revoked pass, or an admonished question,’ the PSA said, warning that such actions amount to prior restraint and strike at the heart of press freedom.

To prevent abuse of the new rule, the PSA said it will provide continuous guidance to its members on fair and impartial reporting and form a committee to facilitate dialogue between journalists and sports officials in disputes over accreditation.

The group also noted the broader implications of the PNVF’s move, saying that even after Spin.ph’s credentials were reinstated, a ‘chilling effect lingers’ as journalists may now fear repercussions for critical reporting.

Quoting the 1987 Constitution’s guarantee of press freedom, the PSA emphasized that ‘no sports official or organization’ can override that protection.

‘We don’t ask for favors; we ask for fairness. We don’t seek permission to speak; we seek protection for our speech,’ the group said.

The statement closed with a vow that the PSA will continue covering sports ‘with the same vigor and fairness, respect and responsibility, commitment and passion’ but will not stand idle when press freedom is threatened.