Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Carlos Alcaraz won his first title since returning from a four-month injury layoff after beating the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in Tuesday’s Japan Open final.

Top seed and defending champion Alcaraz was made to work hard by world number 19 Lehecka in Tokyo before going on to lift his first trophy since the Qatar Open in February.

It was Alcaraz’s third tournament since coming back from a wrist injury, following a run to the US Open quarterfinals and an appearance at the Laver Cup.

‘A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind, if you’re going to come back healthy, if you’re going to be the same as I was before,’ said Alcaraz.

‘A lot of thoughts came to my mind but I tried to put those thoughts away all the time.

‘My team and I knew that when I came back I was going to be healthy 100 percent and if I feel something, it’s not going to be anything at all.’

This was the world number three’s third title of the year, including the Australian Open, and the 27th of his career.

It came hours after world number one Jannik Sinner announced that he had brought a premature end to his season due to an ongoing knee injury.

Alcaraz went into the final with a 3-1 career head-to-head record against Lehecka, who was looking to win his first title of the year.

Alcaraz had his service broken immediately by a confident-looking Lehecka, who gave his top-seeded opponent no time to settle.

The Spaniard broke back in a long tussle midway through the first set and followed that up with a brutal display of power tennis in the next game.

Lehecka proved a tough nut to crack though, and Alcaraz needed to pull out a pair of spectacular drop shots to clinch the first set in a tiebreaker.

Lehecka continued to give Alcaraz problems but the defending champion went a break up midway through the second set and made no mistakes to close out the victory.

Alcaraz is scheduled to play in the Shanghai Masters starting Wednesday.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Tuesday said its records, particularly suspicious transaction reports (STRs), do not by themselves prove illegal activity, as they still require further analysis and investigation to establish whether any wrongdoing actually took place.

AMLC secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura clarified the matter during the 34th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial while being questioned by defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan.

In his cross-examination, Vinluan asked whether STRs alone can prove the veracity of Duterte’s suspicious transactions-revealed on Monday-particularly whether they were truly connected to the flood control scandal, drug trafficking, or malversation of public funds and property.

‘We have to conduct pa po (we still need to conduct) analysis and investigation, if warranted,’ responded Buenaventura.

‘Not alone, we have to conduct further investigation if needed or warranted,’ he added.

This, said Buenaventura, also applies to the covered transaction reports (CTRs) and STRs of corporations linked to the vice president and her husband, Maneses Carpio, and whether these meant they committed money laundering.

‘On the basis of the CTRs and STRs alone, not at that point,’ the AMLC executive said.

To recall, AMLC on Monday disclosed several transactions by Duterte and her spouse Maneses Carpio flagged for allegedly being related to the flood control scandal, as well as drug trafficking and other related offenses.

STRs refer to reports filed by covered institutions on transactions that exhibit specific red flags or irregularities under the Anti-Money Laundering Act-regardless of the amount involved.

Among the STRs revealed during the trial were premium payments made to The Mercantile Insurance Co. on July 4, 2019, and Nov. 15, 2019, which were reported due to alleged graft and corrupt practices amid its supposed connection to the flood control scandal.

Another STR, dated August 1, 2024, linked Duterte’s husband Carpio to drug trafficking, particularly PSBank accounts under him which were flagged following criminal complaints tied to a 2017 P6.4B shabu smuggling case.

An Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) official on Tuesday said he had no personal knowledge of whether Vice President Sara Duterte had amassed unexplained wealth, stressing that his testimony was limited to financial transactions reported to the agency.

AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, a prosecution witness, returned to the Senate impeachment court as the defense continued its cross-examination.

Defense lawyer Mark Vinluan initially asked Buenaventura about the tabular summary he presented Monday, which showed a P4.4-billion financial trail involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

‘Malaki po ‘yung mga aggregate amounts contained in your tabular summaries. Pero para lang po maliwanag, ‘yung tabular summaries and reports po ba na ‘yun ay conclusive proof of VP Sara and Atty. Mans’ cash on hand or cash in bank?’ Vinluan asked.

(The aggregate amounts contained in your tabular summaries are quite substantial. But just to be clear, are those tabular summaries and reports conclusive proof of Vice President Sara’s and Atty. Mans’ cash on hand or cash in bank?)

‘No, Your Honor. What the records would only show are the transactions, not the cash in hand or cash in bank,’ Buenaventura said.

Vinluan then asked whether the summary was conclusive proof of Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.

Buenaventura said the tabulation was based on covered transaction reports (CTRs) and suspicious transaction reports (STRs) submitted to the AMLC.

He gave the same response when Vinluan asked whether the tabulation was conclusive proof of Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.

‘For the same answer, I can only rely on what’s provided in the records,’ Buenaventura said.

Vinluan also asked whether the records were conclusive proof of Duterte’s actual wealth as declared in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Buenaventura said he had no knowledge of Duterte’s SALN and reiterated that the tabular summary was based on the CTRs and STRs reported to the AMLC.

‘So in other words, Atty. Buenaventura, as AMLC director, you simply do not have personal knowledge that will clearly establish that VP Sara amassed hundreds of millions or billions. Tama?’ Vinluan asked.

‘I have no personal knowledge, Your Honor, but what I’m testifying only is what are indicated in the records regarding transactions reported to us, Your Honor,’ Buenaventura said.

From 2007 to 2025, the AMLC recorded 666 covered transaction reports and 55 suspicious transaction reports involving Duterte and Carpio.

Public school teachers and education personnel may finally receive their 2024 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) between October and December as President Marcos on Monday ordered government agencies to speed up the release of the incentive.

‘The processing is ongoing, and I have instructed the concerned agencies to ensure that the process is carried out properly and expedited,’ Marcos said in his speech at the 2026 National Teachers’ Day celebration in Quezon City.

He added that the government was also improving benefits and incentives for them, including teaching and medical allowances and the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit.

‘And we will not stop there. We will continue to find ways to further improve the support, benefits and opportunities for our teachers,’ the President said.

His office in July approved the awarding of the 2024 PBB to qualified government agencies and employees. Distribution of the bonus may begin from this month until December, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

‘Top-up bonus’

The PBB is a ‘top-up bonus’ given to government employees-ranging from 45.5 percent to 65 percent of their monthly basic salary-based on their performance and contributions to the accomplishment of their department’s overall targets and commitments.

This is on top of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive distributed to employees across the board, as well as other incentives, such as midyear and yearend bonuses and a P5,000 annual cash gift.

The nearly one million public school teachers nationwide will also each receive a P1,000 incentive in connection with the double celebration of National and World Teachers’ Day.

World Teachers’ Day, celebrated every Oct. 5 since 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, honors their vital role in shaping societies.

In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 10743 declares Oct. 5 as National Teachers’ Day in honor of their dedication and compassion.

Marcos also highlighted government efforts to expand career opportunities for teachers, saying 82,105 teachers and school heads had been promoted as of September under the Expanded Career Progression System.

At the same time, he raised concerns over recent incidents of violence involving young people, saying the government was strengthening guidance and mental health support in schools.

The prosecution on Tuesday slammed the defense counsel of one of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co’s co-accused in a malversation case for what it deemed ‘trial and error’ regarding their final witness, a remark the lawyer took exception to.

Ultimately, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division allowed the presentation of Jose Sumangil from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Administrative Division in Region IV-B as a witness next week.

The court tackled the manifestation of project engineer Casuno, through his counsel Dustin Jay Condez, seeking to allow the presentation of Sumangil.

‘After due deliberation … we will allow the presentation of the witness,’ said Associate Justice Kevin Vivero.

Prior to this, prosecutor Peter Jedd Boco said the prosecution ‘vehemently objects’ to the presentation of Sumangil.

Boco stressed that the witness did not appear in the pretrial order or the list of substitute witnesses.

The prosecutor also noted that this is the third time Casuno has attempted to present a witness to testify on the unavailability of equipment needed to check if the steel sheet piles (SSP) are compliant with the requirement.

The P289-million project of Sunwest in Naujan town was supposed to have 12-meter SSPs, but an inspection by DPWH chief Vince Dizon revealed that it only had 3-meter SSPs.

‘It’s like trial and error on his part,’ Boco said of Casuno’s lawyer.

Condez, in response, said he ‘took exception’ to the prosecutor’s ‘trial and error’ remarks.

‘It is never the intention,’ Condez said. ‘It has been shown that we have been trying to find witnesses.’

‘One witness after the other would point us to another division and office regarding that,’ the defense counsel further stressed.

Sumangil issued a certification on Oct. 5, 2026, stating that no equipment was available for the undertaking as of March 2024.

Boco questioned the relevance of the certification.

‘Anyway, the prosecution can cross-examine the witness,’ Vivero said, while issuing a ‘stern warning’ that Sumangil should be Casuno’s last witness.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday branded dismissed policeman Rudolfo Gracioso as someone ‘paid’ to destroy her reputation.

During a press conference here, Duterte said Gracioso was only out to settle a score with former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, supposedly over money, and it was unfortunate that she was dragged into it.

Duterte denied Gracioso’s allegations, especially about receiving money stuffed in suitcases.

But the Vice President said Gracioso did not appear to have a personal grudge against her, only that he was motivated by the money he was supposedly offered.

A similar financial offer was supposedly made to her former aide Jefry Tupas.

Duterte had accused the administration of orchestrating the demolition job against her.

Ayala Corp. is considering spending up to P10 billion of its expected proceeds from the Mitsubishi Corp. deal to buy Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) shares, which it believes are deeply undervalued.

Cezar Consing, president and CEO of Ayala, told the Inquirer that ALI would be the top priority as the conglomerate weighs purchases of shares in its operating companies alongside debt repayment.

Asked how much of the approximately P20 billion Ayala expects to receive could go to ALI, Consing said: ‘Well, maybe up to half [of that amount].’

The purchases would involve existing ALI shares in the stock market rather than a subscription to newly issued shares.

‘We won’t be injecting it into primary shares of ALI,’ Consing said. ‘Just because we think it’s so beaten down. There’s no reason it should be trading like that.’

Consing declined to give a timetable, citing limited market liquidity that could affect how quickly Ayala could accumulate shares.

‘I think it’ll be gradual. But the message is that ALI is undervalued,’ he said.

‘We think the whole group’s undervalued. We think every major Philippine conglomerate is probably undervalued.’

Even before the Mitsubishi deal was announced, Ayala had already earmarked P5 billion for additional purchases of ALI common shares, including P2 billion from its approved capital expenditure budget for investments.

Deal with Mitsubishi

The planned purchases would form part of Ayala’s use of proceeds from the approximately P44.5-billion transaction announced with Mitsubishi last month.

Priced at P650 per common share, the deal combines primary and secondary shares, including a voluntary tender offer.

Upon completion, Mitsubishi’s economic ownership in Ayala would rise to 15 percent from 4.7 percent, while its voting stake would reach 20 percent.

With the proceeds, Ayala intends to reduce debt, purchase shares in itself and its listed subsidiaries, and support growth initiatives.

As part of the transaction, Ayala plans a voluntary tender offer on Mitsubishi’s behalf for up to approximately 30 million Ayala common shares at P650 each.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing to more than double corn imports under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) quota scheme to ensure adequate feed supplies for the country’s hog and poultry farms.

An impending El Niño threatens to reduce local corn production, potentially driving up prices of the staple grain and squeezing swine and chicken farmers already grappling with rising production costs, DA policy division assistant chief Kristine Mares said at a congressional briefing on Tuesday.

Raising the MAV to 500,000 metric tons from the current 220,000 metric tons would allow more foreign corn into the country and help sustain production in the pork and poultry industries, she explained.

‘The price of corn is really increasing. This is the farm-gate price, and… in June it reached P19. But based on our consultations with stakeholders, it is currently around P20 to P23 per kilo,’ Mares told lawmakers in Filipino.

‘What does that mean when the price of corn increases? Basically our feed costs will rise… and then hog and poultry product costs will go up too,’ she added.

Feeds account for 50 to 60 percent of the total cost to raise pigs and poultry, more than half of farmers’ total production expenses, according to Mares. With corn making up 50 to 65 percent of those feeds, any fluctuations in corn prices impact overall prices.

‘That is the importance of corn when it comes to the hog and poultry sector,’ she said.

Domestic corn production costs have escalated since the Middle East conflict broke out in February, driven by surging fertilizer prices and higher logistics expenses tied to rising diesel costs, Mares said.

She also said there are concerns that a record El Niño expected to sweep across the country until the first half of 2027 could discourage farmers from planting corn.

‘With the El Niño, we’d have drier conditions. So that is a significant risk when it comes to production and yields. It’s possible that corn production might go down,’ Mares explained. ‘And given the two major concerns right now, it’s possible that farmers might lower their planting intention.’

The proposal to hike the MAV, a scheme that provides lower tariff rates for products entering the country under a set limit, would ‘support the competitiveness of the livestock and poultry industry,’ according to Rory Jay Dacumos, a director at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.

The 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival begins its 10-day run Tuesday, Oct. 6, with the festival seeking to bolster its global presence with its first ‘A-list’ accreditation by a prominent global organization of filmmakers.

This year’s event will run through Oct. 15 in the southeastern South Korean city of Busan with 247 official selections from 59 nations, which marks the biggest slate since 2019, according to organizers. Of the total, 95 films will have their world premieres at BIFF.

It marks the first time the event is taking place after the International Federation of Film Producers Associations selected BIFF as one of its 17 A-list festivals, alongside prestigious film fests, such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also added BIFF to the list of six film festivals where the top winner of the Busan Award will be eligible for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.

A seven-member jury, led by Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou, will choose the winners for the Busan Award among 14 films shortlisted for the Competition section that was first introduced last year.

Films nominated include those from South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, Iran, Taiwan and Uzbekistan.

For Korean film buffs, director Kim Jong-kwan’s ‘The Table: Day and Night’ will open the festival. July Chung’s coming-of-age film ‘Dora’ and ‘Still Shining,’ which marks veteran actor Kim Hye-ja’s return to the big screen after nine years, are also films not to miss.

Korean filmmakers and actors will attend a range of events from open talks to ‘Actors’ House’ conversations with audiences, including director Lee Chang-dong and the cast of the Venice-winning ‘Possible Love,’ as well as Kim Go-eun, Kim Min-ha and Shin Min-a.

Also visiting Busan will be iconic filmmakers and actors from abroad, including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Isabelle Huppert, Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing. Renowned filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, known for his award-winning works ‘Gravity’ (2013) and ‘Roma’ (2018), will make his first-ever visit to the country.

As a film festival dedicated to highlighting Asian cinema, BIFF will present this year’s Asian Filmmaker of Year award to Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

The Camellia Award will go to Hong Kong director Ann Hui for her lifelong contributions to empowering women in the film industry. Both Yeoh and Hui will attend the event in person.

Alongside film screenings and events, the Asian Contents and Film Market for film investors and distributors will run from Saturday through Tuesday next week, according to organizers.

No player won the jackpots in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Ultra Lotto 6/58 winning combination was 26-18-44-43-49-57 for a jackpot of ?368.81 million. No ticket matched all six numbers.

The Super Lotto 6/49 draw produced the combination 38-10-03-39-07-13 for a jackpot of ?37.05 million. There was no jackpot winner.

For Lotto 6/42, the winning combination was 07-35-41-37-08-11, with a jackpot of ?80.32 million. No ticket holder won the top prize.

Minor games

6D Lotto: 4-8-5-6-1-0 – ?1.31 million; no winner

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 0-6-4 – ?4,500; 188 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 3-7-2 – ?4,500; 112 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 8-9-2 – ?4,500; 120 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 14-28 – ?4,000; 268 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 29-25 – ?4,000; 96 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 30-28 – ?4,000; 151 winners

Draw schedule

Ultra Lotto 6/58 draws are held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Super Lotto 6/49 draws take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, while Lotto 6/42 draws are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.