Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Looks like Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is not exactly safe with the Sandiganbayan on the alleged misuse of his discretionary public funds or pork barrel after the court rejected his plea to dismiss his remaining graft charges for lack of merit.

In a 22-page resolution dated Oct. 1, the anti-graft court’s Special Fifth Division said there was ‘no cogent reason’ to reverse its earlier resolution that denied Estrada’s plea for a demurrer to evidence, which would ultimately dismiss his remaining graft charges involving the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amounting to more than P200 million.

The funds were allegedly diverted to fictitious livelihood projects that were endorsed to non-government organizations allegedly owned by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, who has had numerous convictions over the supposed misuse of the pork barrel funds.

Estrada, in his motion for reconsideration cited by the court, argued that there should not be any prosecution for graft since there was already a prosecution against him for plunder from the ‘same set of facts and the same set of transactions.’

His motion also took note of the ‘similarity’ between the two sets of indictments wherein the prosecution in both cases ‘presented essentially the same set of exhibits and the same set of witness testimonies to prove the same theory, albeit to prosecute separate sets of crimes.’

But the court rejected his argument, saying there was nothing in the Rules of Court or the laws allegedly violated that there was a directive to dismiss a separate case for graft ‘on account of the charge being a predicate act in a prior case for plunder.’

‘The only reason to sustain such an argument would be if the same places the accused in double jeopardy, which is not the case herein, as shall be discussed by the court later,’ read the resolution signed by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, the division chair; and Associate Justices Maryann Corpus-Mañalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega.

Defense evidence

The court then set the presentation of defense evidence on Thursday at 8:30 a.m., with Estrada being given a period of five days from receipt of the resolution to file a manifestation if he prefers to cross-examine the defense’s witnesses or adopt his co-accused’s testimony or evidence.

The court also rejected Estrada’s argument that the prosecution failed to prove the element of scienter, wherein an accused acted with the illegality of the acts or with reckless disregard for truth.

Estrada said in his motion that he never knew of the supposed criminal scheme of Napoles with her NGOs, that he met and conferred with any of the other accused regarding the PDAF projects or that he dealt with any of the whistleblowers.

‘While it would be premature at this stage to delve into the probative value of the evidence adduced by the prosecution, the court notes that the prosecution has formally offered, and the record contains, the explicit testimony of witness Ruby Tuason,’ the court said.

According to the Sandiganbayan, Tuason had testified that she met with Estrada and informed him of Napoles’ scheme as early as 2004 and that she personally ‘delivered amounts to him on various occasions’ at the Senate and his residence.

‘Estrada’s insistence on the innocuousness of his endorsements is belied by its repetition and deviation from the established procedure,’ the court pointed out. ‘Estrada’s endorsement letters directly implicate him for the crimes charged and there is no basis for his argument that his letters were merely recommendatory.’

Authorities have ended search and rescue operations in northern Cebu after confirming that no residents remain missing following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City and nearby towns on Tuesday night.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Junie Castillo said Thursday that local governments reported no unaccounted residents during a morning briefing at the Incident Command Post.

‘As of today, there are no reported missing, even from the LGUs. The assumption is all are accounted for,’ Castillo said in a phone interview.

‘Some private rescue teams have already been told they may demobilize unless they want to continue helping with relief or debris clearing,’ he added.

PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano said search-and-retrieval operations were officially terminated on Wednesday night after authorities accounted for all missing persons.

He added that deployed officers’ concentration is now on ‘relief and rehabilitation operations.’

The OCD said the official death toll has risen to 72, up from 69 the previous night. At least 30 of the fatalities were in Bogo City, the hardest-hit area.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the development in a press briefing in Quezon City on Thursday.

Aftershocks

Castillo said aftershocks remain a major concern, preventing many residents from returning indoors, even if their homes are found to be structurally safe.

‘Even if their houses were not damaged, people are still afraid to go back inside because of the frequent tremors,’ he said.

‘It is traumatic for survivors who already experienced the quake,’ he added.

Instead of staying in evacuation centers, thousands have sought refuge in open areas away from falling debris.

The OCD reported 4,000 families, or about 20,000 people, remain displaced as of Thursday morning.

Clearing operations continue

Castillo said that road-clearing efforts have made most major routes in northern Cebu passable, although some local roads and damaged structures will take more time to clear.

‘Vehicles can now reach Bogo from Cebu City. The priority now is debris clearing in critical facilities and relief for affected families,’ he said.

Government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Public Works and Highways, are coordinating with local governments for continued relief distribution and shelter support.

‘The focus has now shifted fully to relief, rehabilitation, and supporting displaced communities,’ Castillo said.

As it is located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire,’ the Philippines is at risk from earthquakes, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) saying that 100 to 150 earthquakes hit the country every year.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 30, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Cebu, leaving 69 people dead, 147 individuals wounded, and P2 billion worth of damage.

RELATED STORY: ‘Big One’ scenario in Metro: 52,000 dead, 500,000 injured

Rafael Alejandro IV, assistant secretary of the Office of the Civil Defense, said most of the deaths were in Bogo City-the epicenter of the earthquake-at 30, followed by 22 in San Remigio; 10 in Medellin; five in Tabogon; and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan.

The province is already in a state of calamity, with officials saying they do not know the extent of the damage because a lot of areas, specifically remote villages, have yet to be accessed.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City with a shallow depth of five kilometers, which was felt as far as Camarines Sur in Luzon and Davao del Sur in Mindanao.

An earthquake, Phivolcs said, is ‘a weak to violent shaking of the ground produced by sudden movement of rock materials below the earth’s surface.’ It said earthquakes originated in the tectonic plate boundary.

There are two ways by which we can measure the strength of an earthquake: magnitude and intensity. Magnitude is proportional to the energy released by an earthquake where its strength was most felt, while intensity is generally higher near the epicenter.

Back in 2022, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake (earlier measured at 7.3) hit Tayum, Abra, prompting President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to order the immediate deployment of rescue and relief teams to Northern Luzon.

The earthquake, which was strongly felt in Luzon, killed 11 people and left P1.4 billion worth of damage.

Heritage structures in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur were also reported damaged by the earthquake, which struck at 8:43 a.m., and felt at different levels of intensities mainly in Northern Luzon and as far as Metro Manila.

An earthquake, Phivolcs said, is ‘a weak to violent shaking of the ground produced by sudden movement of rock materials below the earth’s surface.’ It said earthquakes originated in the tectonic plate boundary.

RELATED STORY: Earthquake damages structures, bridges in Abra town – initial reports

There are two ways by which we can measure the strength of an earthquake: magnitude and intensity. Magnitude is proportional to the energy released by an earthquake where its strength was most felt, while intensity is generally higher near the epicenter.

INQUIRER.net lists down some of the killer earthquakes that hit the Philippines, which is surrounded by active faults, like the West Valley Fault, which is 100 kilometers in length.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan

Casiguran earthquake

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake with an intensity of 8 struck Casiguran, Aurora at 4:19 a.m. on Aug. 2, 1968, the most severe and destructive experienced in the Philippines then, leaving ‘several millions of pesos worth of damage.’

Phivolcs said 270 people were killed and 261 were injured as a result of the earthquake. A six-story building in Binondo, Manila collapsed instantly while some buildings near Binondo and Escolta in Manila sustained varying levels of structural damage.

‘The cost of property damage was several million dollars. Extensive landslides and large fissures were observed in the mountainous part of the epicentral area. Tsunami was also observed and recorded as far as observations in tide gauge stations in Japan.’

Moro Gulf earthquake

Phivolcs said that a few minutes after the stroke of midnight on Aug. 17, 1976, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake hit the island of Mindanao, triggering a tsunami that devastated more than 700 kilometers of the coastline bordering Moro Gulf in Celebes Sea. Damage was estimated at P6.7 billion.

It was an earthquake that resulted in massive destruction of properties and great loss of lives-8,000. Phivolcs said the tsunami was responsible for 85 percent of deaths, 65 percent of the injuries, and 95 percent of those missing.

‘After the sea spent its fury and rolled back to its natural flow, thousands of people were left dead, others homeless or missing and millions of pesos lost with the damages of properties.’

Some of the structures damaged by the earthquake were the Notre Dame University, Dawns Hotel, Imperial Hotel, Melbourne Hotel, New Society Hotel, Cotabato Cinema, and the Immaculate Conception Church.

Laoag earthquake

On Aug. 17, 1983, 8:18 p.m., a magnitude 6.5 earthquake with an intensity of 7 hit the province of Ilocos Norte, with a tremor that was perceptible over a distance of 400 kilometers from the epicenter.

Phivolcs said this was the most severe earthquake in northwestern Luzon in 52 years and probably the second strongest earthquake to hit Laoag City and its immediate vicinity.

This earthquake, which destroyed buildings in the province, left 16 people dead and 47 people wounded. The most heavily damaged structures in Laoag City are those near the Laoag River flood plain and along reclaimed stream channels.

‘Several earthquake-induced landslides were observed in places where the slopes along road cuts were steep to very steep. This condition had been aggravated by prolonged rainy days, absence of vegetation to hold the soil, and moderately weathered rocks.’

Panay earthquake

Panay Island was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on June 14, 1990, leaving eight people dead and 41 people wounded. Its epicenter was tagged in the vicinity of Culasi, Antique province.

The earthquake’s depth, Phivolcs said, was computed to be 15 kilometers and was generated by fault movement in the collisional zone off western Panay Island. An intensity of 7 was felt in Culasi, Antique and Libacao, Aklan.

Because of the earthquake, 15 percent of residential houses collapsed while the rest were damaged. Several commercial buildings, a school, a church, and bridges collapsed. Damage was estimated at P30 million.

Luzon Earthquake

The International Code Council said the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the island of Luzon on July 16, 1990, wreaked havoc across a sizeable portion of the island, the country’s largest, with Baguio City suffering the most devastating effects.

The epicenter of the earthquake, which struck at 4:26 p.m., was located in Rizal, Nueva Ecija. The shaking went on for nearly a full minute and collapsing buildings were the main cause of damage and death.

The earthquake resulted in a number of collapsed buildings, left an estimated $369 million worth of damage, and 2,412 people dead. It produced a 125-kilometer long ground rupture that stretches from Dingalan, Aurora to Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya.

Mindoro earthquake

According to the International Tsunami Information Center, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Mindoro province on Nov. 15, 1994, leaving damage worth P67. 2 million. The earthquake generated a local destructive tsunami.

In Oriental Mindoro, the combined effects of the earthquake and the tsunami killed a total of 78 people, injured 430, damaged or destroyed 7, 566 houses in 13 out of 15 municipalities, damaged roads, destroyed or damaged 24 bridges, and sunk numerous fishing boats.

It said there was no time to issue a warning. Approximately five minutes after the tremor, tsunami waves struck along a 40-kilometer stretch of the northern and eastern shoreline of Mindoro island, from Puerto Galera up to Pinamalayan.

Negros Oriental earthquake

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the provinces of Negros and Cebu, and nearby islands of Western Visayas region at 11:49 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2012.

The earthquake was generated by a thrust fault movement with the epicenter located in Tayasan, Negros Oriental. An intensity of 8 was felt in Tayasan, Vallehermoso, Jimalalud, La Libertad, and Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure was P383 million. The earthquake left 51 dead and 112 injured, while 62 went missing from the landslide in Solongon, La Libertad and Planas, Guihulngan

Tsunami waves as high as five meters likewise struck Barangays Martilo, Pisong, and Magtalisay in La Libertad, Negros Oriental. Coastal areas of Negros Oriental from San Jose to Vallehermoso, and Cebu from Badian to Barili were also affected by the tsunami.

Bohol earthquake

It was on Oct. 15, 2013 when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Visayas. The epicenter was located in Bohol in Central Visayas, but the shaking was felt as far as Southern Mindanao.

The earthquake affected over 1.2 million people, 222 people died, 976 were injured and eight people were missing. Over 79,000 structures including homes, roads, churches, schools and public buildings were damaged, according to a World Health Organization report. At least 14,500 of these structures were destroyed, the WHO report said.

The earthquake, which hit a month before Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck the Visayas, left damage worth P2.25 billion.

Central Luzon earthquake

Zambales, Pampanga, and nearby provinces were hit by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake at 5:11 p.m. on April 22, 2019, leaving damage to infrastructure worth P539 million.

The epicenter was located 18 kilometers east of Castillejos, Zambales, on a mountainous area, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Small-magnitude earthquakes followed afterwards, and as of 8:00 a.m. of 23 April 2019, 421 aftershocks have been recorded.

The earthquake left 18 people dead, 256 people injured, while three people went missing.

Davao del Sur earthquake

At 2:11 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2019, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook the province of Davao del Sur and its vicinity. The earthquake’s epicenter was located nine kilometers northwest of Matanao, Davao del Sur, at a depth of three kilometers.

This earthquake followed the recent earthquake events on July 9, 2019 and Oct. 16 2019. After this, a total of 530 small to moderate magnitude earthquakes have been recorded.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the earthquake left nine dead and injured hundreds of people. Damage was estimated at P4.55 million.

Instead of deliberating and adopting a resolution seeking house arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Senate should have tackled proposals for the country to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said on Thursday.

In a statement, De Lima said it seems that the country is still thinking backwards, as the Senate Resolution (SR) No. 144-a resolution signed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano calling for Duterte’s interim release from ICC detention-was adopted on Wednesday.

The resolution was adopted after 15 senators voted in favor, with three opposing and two abstaining.

‘They should have discussed and voted on proposals to bring back the Philippines as an ICC member. But we are still backwards,’ de Lima said, referring to Duterte’s order in March 2018 to withdraw from the Rome Statute, which some government officials are discussing.

Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), meanwhile, said the Senate resolution is a mere ‘display of political opportunism.’ According to the group, the ‘resolution invokes humanitarian concern for the unrepentant Duterte while ignoring the families of victims of extrajudicial killings who continue to demand justice.’

‘The senators who voted in favor of the resolution are complicit in the malicious attempts of the Duterte camp to spread disinformation about the case in order to delay and undermine the ICC trial,’ Bayan said.

‘As a sweeping probe into infrastructure corruption unfolds, many dating back to the Duterte presidency, senators entangled in the scandal and the architects of the ‘tokhang’ carnage are cynically using Duterte’s ICC detention to pander to the pro-Duterte crowd. Their goal is clear: to muddy the waters of public opinion, silence the clamor for truth and justice, and escape accountability,’ it added.

Bayan also said that the resolution might backfire as the ICC may treat the Senate’s move as proof of Duterte’s still strong influence in the country.

‘The ICC will likely consider the Senate resolution as glaring proof of the remaining influence of the former president in the country with his family and subordinates holding powerful positions in government. Thus, allowing Duterte to be placed under house arrest poses real danger to victims and witnesses of Tokhang and extrajudicial killings,’ Bayan noted.

Under SR No. 144, the Senate called on the ICC to allow the placing of Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian reasons, emphasizing that due to the former president’s advanced age and deteriorating health, a physician or medical doctor should be assigned to examine his health and ascertain if he is fit to withstand regular detention.

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.’

Duterte has been under ICC custody since March 2025. Last March 11, after coming home from Hong Kong, the ex-leader was stopped from leaving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 as local authorities assisted the International Criminal Police Organization in enforcing the ICC’s arrest order.

The warrant was issued due to complaints for the crime against humanity of mass murder, due to his role in his administration’s drug war.

There have been concerns about Duterte’s health, with legal counsel Nicholas Kaufman telling the ICC that the former president is suffering from cognitive deficiencies and is unable to recall events, places and even members of his close family, and even the defense team.

In a 13-page document dated September 11, Kaufman explained that the Duterte camp is seeking the adjournment of all legal proceedings due to his deteriorating health.

However, there is also some confusion regarding the real state of Duterte’s health. Last September 16, netizens pointed out that Vice President Sara Duterte, Duterte’s daughter, said her father is doing well.

The younger Duterte said she and her father discussed politics and the recent flood control mess in their conversation, along with his ‘love life.’ Netizens and observers claimed that this is proof that Duterte is well and is able to think properly.

While Duterte was praised for addressing the country’s drug problem, there were concerns from human rights advocates early on that there were rights disregarded in the implementation of the drug war.

After his administration, different bodies have initiated different investigations of the drug war, particularly allegations of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the conduct of the police operations, like Oplan Tokhang-a portmanteau of Visayan words ‘toktok’ or to knock, and ‘hangyo’ or to plead.

Despite Tokhang being just about knocking on doors, there were incidents where innocent individuals were killed during drug busts. In August 2017, 17-year-old Kian delos Santos was killed despite not being the original target of the anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. He was shot point-blank even if camera footage showed him pleading for his life.

Hundreds of people got a taste of 16 pasta dishes during a massive ‘pasta party’ that opened this year’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism (HRT) Month, showcasing the culinary flair of the summer capital.

Crowds flocked to SM City Baguio on Thursday, where top chefs and culinary students served portions from 2,400 kilos of pasta prepared in 16 oversized triangular trays – each measuring 12 feet by 4 feet and six inches deep.

The recipes drew from a variety of local and international flavors, featuring ingredients such as hamonado, longganiza, spicy sardines, tuna, pesto, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs.

Curated by local culinary figures, including Baguio Country Club chef Arthur Nucada, the pasta feast aimed to highlight Baguio and Cordillera-inspired tastes. Organizers said the servings were designed to feed up to 15,000 people.

Last year’s HRT Month opened with a similar showcase, featuring a collection of rice recipes presented as a giant fried rice festival at the same venue.

HRT Month started as the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio’s (HRAB) annual HRT Weekend, organized to promote the city as a culinary and tourism hub while also highlighting the skills of its food industry and culinary schools.

This year’s event was made possible through the support of Baguio Country Club, sausage maker MV Alabanza, Hill Station, and eight local hotels, including El Cielito Hotel, Lafayette Suites, and Soto Grande Hotel.

For decades, HRAB has also been behind the city’s biggest tourism draw – the annual Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Festival.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it confiscated P245.10 million worth of illegal drugs in September this year.

The PNP, in a statement on Thursday said it conducted 4,624 anti-drug operations and arrested 4,246 suspects last month.

It detailed that authorities seized 121,740 pieces of marijuana plants; 31,416.64 grams of shabu (crystal meth); 15,676.42 grams of dried marijuana leaves; 3,448.98 grams of kush; and 40.02 grams of ecstasy.

The PNP further said it arrested 7,660 most wanted persons in September 2025.

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