Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Moderate to heavy rain showers are being experienced over parts of Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon on Tuesday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

In a thunderstorm advisory released at 1:50 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the following areas are experiencing moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds, which may persist within two hours and may affect nearby areas:

Metro Manila (Valenzuela, Malabon, Caloocan, Navotas)

Quezon (Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan, Jomalig, Tagkawayan)

Bulacan (Meycauayan, Marilao, Obando, Bulakan, Malolos, Paombong, Hagonoy)

Bataan (Samal, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa, Balanga, Pilar)

Batangas (San Luis, Bauan, San Pascual, Alitagtag, Santa Teresita, Batangas City) which may persist within 2 hours and may affect nearby areas.

The weather condition is likewise expected to drench the following areas within the next two to three hours:

Rizal

Laguna

Cavite

Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

‘All are advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards which include flash floods and landslides,’ the weather bureau said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pagasa reported that Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon may experience cloudy skies with rain showers due to easterlies, or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, a new low-pressure area was formed outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday morning and currently has a ‘medium’ chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.

On September 5, the 2025 Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA 2025) kicked off grandly in Berlin, Germany, where TCL Air Conditioner appeared with a series of core products such as the TCL FreshIN C7 and FreshIN 3.0 fresh air conditioners, TCL VoxIN voice controlled air conditioner, TCL SaveIN AI energy-saving air conditioner, Free Match multi-split systems, and Unitary air conditioners, drawing the attention of worldwide consumers for frontier technologies and leading product experiences.

TCL is committed to meeting users’ demand for ‘healthy air’ by focusing on the fresh air segment

TCL Air Conditioner has always been focusing on the fresh air segment, defining new-generation air conditioners, and leading their development through three major product lines – AI health, AI voice control and AI energy-saving – based on the ‘FreshIN smart health technology engine’.

At IFA 2025, TCL Air Conditioner exhibited its leading technologies in this segment to worldwide visitors. Of particular note is that the TCL FreshIN 3.0 fresh air conditioner drew extensive attention as a typical product. TCL FreshIN 3.0 bagged the ‘AI Energy-saving Technology Gold Award’ in the IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards for its outstanding innovations in AI energy-saving technology.

As people increasingly pursue a healthy lifestyle, conventional air conditioners that focus on air conditioning only while neglecting air quality can no longer meet all consumer needs.

The TCL FreshIN 3.0 fresh air conditioner responds precisely to this trend by meeting users’ demand for comfortable and healthy indoor air by eliminating odor, mouth dryness and dizziness when one wakes up with the aid of the quadruple purification filter system and TVOC gas sensors. It also achieves 16 dB(A) quiet fresh air by applying the quadruple noise reduction technology, so that consumers can enjoy a quiet, comfortable experience while enjoying healthy fresh air.

In addition, the offline voice control function enables free conversation, the continuous recognition of user commands, and instant response to all needs, and creates the convenient experience of supplying air to the sound source and freeing up both hands.

In terms of AI voice control, the TCL VoxIN air conditioner enables fast, accurate, and hands-free offline voice control, without relying on an internet connection. It can continuously recognize commands and even locate the sound source to direct airflow toward or away from the user.

Add to that, VoxIN introduces another breakthrough designed to elevate everyday living. Equipped with advanced T-AI smart energy-saving technology, it goes beyond basic cooling by adapting to real-life needs, ensuring homes stay comfortable, fresh, and efficient throughout the year. Sleek, powerful, and practical, the VoxIN positions itself as a premium alternative that delivers high-level performance without the expensive markup.

Meanwhile, the upcoming new TCL SaveIN air conditioner feature advanced AI energy-saving functions. Powered by an upgraded chip and advanced big data algorithms, TCL air conditioners deliver up to 35% additional energy savings compared with non-T-AI inverter models-providing smarter, greener comfort.

Together, these innovations create a true ‘comfort zone’ for match watching and gatherings, and present global consumers with a smarter and healthier way of living.

TCL Air Conditioner defines new-generation air conditioners with AI health technology, and creates a smart health breathing experience

TCL Air Conditioner has always been committed to technological innovation and product RandD, and defining new-generation air conditioners with AI health technology. It has created three major product lines – AI health, AI voice control and AI energy-saving, and launched innovative products in the FreshIN series constantly, providing users with an ultimate smart health breathing experience.

In terms of production capacity and global layout, TCL Air Conditioner has established 11 production bases in Zhongshan in Guangdong, Wuhan in Hubei, Jiujiang in Jiangxi, Nansha in Guangzhou, Indonesia, and Brazil, with an annual production capacity of over 38 million air conditioners. It ranks among the top two in the industry in terms of export volume, with its products selling to over 160 countries and regions.

In 2024, TCL Air Conditioner’s production and sales volume exceeded 20 million air conditioners, and its fresh air conditioners ranked first in terms of global sales volume, showing strong market competitiveness.

This February, TCL formally became an Olympic global partner. In August, TCL announced that freestyle skier Eileen Gu was appointed as TCL’s global brand endorser, who would also serve as an ‘Inspire Greatness’ athlete of Team TCL, opening up a new chapter of ‘Inspire Greatness’ together with TCL in preparation for upcoming Olympic events including the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

As an important business unit of TCL, TCL Air Conditioner will further strengthen its emotional connections with consumers and enhance the brand’s influence among worldwide consumers through this partnership.

In the future, TCL Air Conditioner will adhere to the value proposition of ‘smart health’, drive product and technology upgrading constantly closely around user needs, and make the healthy green lifestyle brought by air easily available to more people.

The 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant heats up with the public encouraged to support their favorite delegates through online voting.

With the release of the official glam shots of the 43 delegates on the pageant’s social media pages, the voting for Miss Photogenic has also started, with the eventual winner taking home $500 in cash.

A like or a reaction on the photo of a delegate will earn for her a point, while a ‘meaningful comment’ will merit two points. Three points will be counted for the lady if her photo is shared publicly on Facebook or Instagram.

This comes as more delegates from other countries arrive in Cebu, where the finale of the pageant will be held. Among those who have arrived are delegates from Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Spain and Israel.

Voting for Miss Photogenic will run until Oct. 3, at 12 noon. ‘The final results will be determined by 100% social media engagements from both platforms,’ the international pageant said.

Online voting for the ‘People’s Choice’ has also started, and the winner gets a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals. To vote, fans may visit the SQORS platform, whose link is shared on the pageant’s social media pages.

To vote, visit the SQORS link, select the chosen delegate, choose the preferred voting package, and pay using a debit or credit card, PayPal, or QR payment.

Voting ends on Oct. 8 at 4 P.M., and the winner will be revealed in the actual coronation ceremonies on the same day. The 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant will hold its final competition in Cebu.

Anita Rose Gomez is hoping to post the Philippines’ sixth victory, following Maria del Carmen Inez Zaragoza (1982), Gloria Dimayacyac (1983), Lorna Legaspi (1989), Michelle Aldana (1993), and Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel (2018). /edv

Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday pointed a finger at former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez for supposedly orchestrating allegations linking him and other senators to anomalous flood control projects.

‘There’s only one person behind this script and ‘sarswela (local theater and opera show),” Escudero said in a manifestation before the plenary session on Monday. ‘Why is it that in the House of Representatives, also right here in the Senate, and in some media outlets, they are unable to blurt his name? Then, I will say it: Martin Romualdez.’

The senator questioned the absence of Romualdez and other congressmen from ongoing investigations, despite being named in affidavits and testimonies.

He also alleged that House lawmakers wield direct control over the budget in hundreds of districts across the country, including funds intended for infrastructure and flood control projects.

‘Is this how powerful Martin Romualdez is? That despite no longer being speaker, it appears that he remains ‘the name that cannot be mentioned,’ and he can still do what he wants in terms of selective justice,’ he said.

Deflection

Escudero and Romualdez previously led the two chambers in the 19th Congress and briefly in the 20th Congress. Escudero was ousted as Senate President on Sept. 8 while Romualdez stepped down from the speakership nine days later.

In a statement on Monday, Romualdez said Escudero’s speech was merely recycled accusations. He also noted that the senator chose to deflect instead of answering allegations against him. (See related story on this page.)

‘With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a [Duterte Diehard Supporters] script-the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Nothing new and no truth to them either,’ he said in a statement.

Escudero, on the other hand, said Romualdez could not escape accountability following the testimony of retired Sgt. Orly Guteza, a former VIP security for Rep. Elizaldy Co, that he had delivered 37 pieces of luggage containing cash amounting to P1.7 billion to the Makati residence of the Leyte congressman. Co resigned as Ako Bicol party list representative on Monday.

‘Let all those who were name-dropped answer and be investigated – all congressmen, senators, and other officials mentioned. And they should include Martin Romualdez,’ he said.

Bigger fish?

He lamented that Romualdez was neither included in the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation for possible graft and bribery charges nor in the asset freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

He said witnesses kept on name-dropping senators despite the lack of direct evidence implicating them.

‘Why? Is it because the senators are the bigger fish, their positions are higher, and they are more well known than congressmen, and they are hoping that the anger of the people over the anomalous flood control projects would subside, and they would be able to escape their accountability?’ Escudero said.

He also vowed to defend himself against malicious accusations. ‘In fact, I will be filing the necessary and appropriate charges against my accuser [.] I am confident that I will be vindicated and declared innocent,’ he said.

‘Mob justice’

He warned against political machinations aimed at weakening the Senate as an institution, misleading the public and shielding the real masterminds from accountability.

‘For that is what is happening now – selective justice and mob justice. Members of the Senate have been thrown off a cliff and before the court of public opinion in an attempt to mollify the people’s rage, thereby covering up the real perpetrators and giving them a chance to get away,’ Escudero said.

‘Are we truly for transparency and accountability? Or are we merely offering a politically convenient sacrificial lamb?’ he asked.

He ended his speech by reiterating his opposition to Romualdez’s alleged efforts to deflect scrutiny and destabilize institutions.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson made a cryptic remark on Tuesday about an ‘overly vocal, boastful or aggressive’ person.

Lacson did not name names, but he used the pronoun ‘he,’ suggesting he was referring to a male individual.

‘There is a saying: ‘The loudest one in the room is the weakest’,’ Lacson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

‘He is overly vocal, boastful, or aggressive so he can create an image of strength through noise,’ he also said.

The best way to deal with such a personality is ‘to ignore and make him stand on an empty platform,’ according to the senator.

Lacson chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, which saw him locking horns with former panel chair Rodante Marcoleta. He also listened to bombshell revelations implicating current and former senators in the flood control anomalies.

Lacson admitted the revelations made during the hearings pained him – a sentiment he expressed when asked to react on Sen. Francis Escudero’s Monday manifestation that senators are being made a ‘fall guy’ in flood control anomalies.

‘I would like to reiterate my previous and oft-repeated statement that we will go where the evidence leads us,’ the senator told reporters in a text message, adding that no senator is being ‘targeted’ and neither will anyone be ‘shielded or spared’ by the probe.

‘No matter how unpopular, even painful for me, to hear the names of my colleagues being implicated by resource persons, I will not be deterred,’ Lacson said.

During the Blue Ribbon committee hearing, Escudero and former Senators Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay were alleged by former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Robert Bernardo to be involved in a purported scheme involving anomalous flood control projects.

All of them denied the allegations.

Aside from them, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were also the subject of a damning testimony by Brice Hernandez, a former assistant district engineer of DPWH-Bulacan, during a House infrastructure committee hearing.

Estrada and Villanueva refuted the allegations.

Hernandez alleged that Villanueva and Estrada maneuvered to allocate P600 million and P355 million for funding in Bulacan’s first district in exchange for an alleged 30-percent cut.

Over the weekend, Lacson disclosed that ‘almost all’ senators in the 19th Congress inserted at least P100 billion worth of items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Estrada, in thinly veiled allusion to Lacson’s revelation, on Monday said: ‘Since a senator has already mentioned that we have significant insertions, let’s allocate them to the Office of the Vice President so she can be a working vice president.’ /apl /atm