Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A little over a month after the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began, what currently dominates online conversations is not facts from the case, but memes mocking a female prosecution lawyer. Her offense, according to her critics, was appearing too flirtatious. They called her style of questioning ‘malandi’ and said she intentionally made the word ‘baril’ sound like a double entendre. Some went so far as to say that her ‘bedroom voice’ was more fitting for a sex worker than a lawyer or political leader.

A lawyer’s courtroom conduct, especially in an important trial like this, is open to scrutiny. But that is not what many of these memes do. Legitimate criticism asks whether she was effective. Sexual shaming, by contrast, uses perceptions of her femininity or sexuality to question her character and credibility.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental democracy organization, identifies sexualization and objectification as recurring forms of gendered disinformation used to humiliate women and undermine perceptions of their professional capacity. The implicit argument behind sexual shaming as a tactic is that if a woman can be made to appear morally questionable, then her trustworthiness and professional legitimacy become questionable too-overshadowing the merits of her education, experience, and overall performance.

This is not just a Philippine problem, but a regional issue that cannot be ignored. A 2025 study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), conducted in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, found that 60 percent of women lawmakers surveyed across the Asia-Pacific had been targeted online by hate speech, disinformation, image-based abuse, or doxxing. That is the highest rate for this type of abuse in any of the IPU’s regional studies, and an important reminder that making political spaces safer for women needs to be an urgent priority.

Advances in deepfake technology have also compounded the problem and made this tactic easier to weaponize. Female leaders are targets for fabricated, nonconsensual sexual imagery designed to discredit them. The result is a hostile environment that makes it harder for women in leadership, and for those in the pipeline, to thrive.

Repetition alone can also do significant damage. Hear a sexual rumor or joke often enough and it can become attached to a woman’s name in the public mind, whether or not it is true. That is why I have deliberately withheld the lawyer’s name. I want to discuss the issue without contributing further to that association.

What makes the issue even more insidious is that no version of womanhood is safe. A woman can be attacked for appearing too sexual, labeled promiscuous and immoral. She can be attacked for being insufficiently feminine, deemed bossy, abrasive, and unsympathetic. And then she can also be attacked for being overly feminine, too soft and emotional, and therefore unfit to lead. Research shows that women leaders often feel pressured to shift between masculine and feminine styles to satisfy these conflicting expectations and maintain both credibility and likeability.

Ultimately, women are often judged not just on their performance as leaders, but on whether they conform to society’s expectations of how a woman should act. And whereas men are often afforded a wider margin for error-where scandals involving sexual misconduct or personal failings do not immediately compromise perceptions of their credibility-women leaders are easily judged as unfit to lead after a slight misstep or deviation from the ideal.

Sexual shaming and other forms of sexism against women in politics threaten both democratic participation and inclusive governance. Unfortunately, too often, our lawmakers are part of the problem. Last week, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said the prosecution should be careful not to bring in ‘pa-cute’ lawyers. He could have used his platform to condemn the vicious online comments and steer the discussion back to the merits of the prosecution’s case. Instead, his remarks inadvertently reinforced the sexist framing behind the attacks. I applaud House prosecution counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan for immediately calling him out and reminding him that it was the Senate that passed the safe spaces law and should model those standards in political discourse.

The rest of us have a role too. For every sexist meme or demeaning comment, we can push back by centering the substance of a woman’s argument and body of work. We can remind lawmakers that criticism should never cross the line into misogyny and hold to account those who do.

Because while the public argues about a lawyer’s tone, almost no one is discussing the merits of the case. The memes have effectively crowded out the very thing the public is supposed to be watching: an accountability process involving the second-highest official in the land.

Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman led an emergency coordination meeting with representatives from the military, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and local government units following Monday’s ambush that left 11 government troops wounded.

The security meeting was convened at the Taguime Conference Room inside the People’s Capitol at the Basilan Government Center in Barangay Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, as part of joint efforts to bolster coordination and safeguard peace, order, and community security across the province.

Key security officials and local chief executives attended the emergency talks, including provincial chief peace negotiator Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul, Basilan Police Provincial Office chief Col. Edison Dumangas, and military leaders headed by Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales of the 1101st Infantry Brigade.

Also joining the discussion were senior MILF field commanders, Al-Barka Vice Mayor Mar Tokong, and Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul, whose municipality was directly affected by the security incident.

During the executive session, stakeholders discussed critical steps and strategic measures to synchronize actions among concerned security groups and local government units to maintain stability and ensure peace in the affected areas.

The provincial government also reaffirmed its commitment to proactive coordination among all peace stakeholders to protect security gains and maintain law and order across Basilan’s communities.

Officials at the meeting also assured the public of an immediate pursuit operation to track down and hold accountable those responsible for the attack on government troops.

Andrea Brillantes’ upcoming psychological thriller ‘Laya’ is set to hit cinemas nationwide on Nov. 25, with a new poster released ahead of its theatrical run.

Rein Entertainment announced the release date alongside the film’s poster on Saturday, Oct. 4.

‘Hold your breath as the truth waits in the deepest waters,’ the production company said. ‘Rein Entertainment presents LAYA starring Andrea Brillantes, JC Santos, and Anthony Jennings. Showing in cinemas nationwide this November 25.’

Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, ‘Laya’ follows a woman who drifts from place to place before crossing paths with a lonely ex-criminal who is suspected of having something to do with her past.

The film’s first teaser, released in May, opened with Brillantes’ character swimming underwater before a gunshot is heard. She later crosses paths with Santos’ character, who reveals that he had been charged with murder.

The teaser also showed Brillantes’ character discussing her revenge plans with Jennings, as well as other intense scenes between Brillantes and Santos.

‘Laya’ was filmed in Oslob, Cebu and marks another major film project for Brillantes, who is known for her roles in ‘Kadenang Ginto,’ ‘Senior High,’ ‘High Street,’ and most recently, ‘A Secret in Prague.’

The film, meanwhile, reunites Santos with Bernardo, who previously directed him in the 2018 romance-drama ‘Mr. and Mrs. Cruz.’

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended four student activists who faced disciplinary complaints following a confrontation with military personnel at a Philippine Air Force (PAF) exhibit on campus last April 21.

The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, reported on Monday, Oct. 5, that the university’s Office of Student Affairs had issued separate resolutions addressing two complaints-one filed by the PAF and another by an alumnus who expressed concern over the incident.

The resolutions said the students-Sean Capalar, Dex Frogoso, Ralph Manuel, and Raven Racelis-violated UST’s Code of Conduct by failing to uphold the university’s principles and ideals.

According to The Varsitarian, the university will also withhold certificates of good moral character from the four students. This resulted in Capalar’s removal as public relations officer of the UST Central Student Council (CSC) due to her ‘effective lack of a certificate of good moral character.’

Capalar was suspended for five days, while Racelis received a 10-day suspension. Manuel and Frogoso were suspended for eight and four days, respectively.

The complaints stemmed from the confrontation at the PAF exhibit, which was held as part of UST’s 415th-anniversary celebration.

The student activists questioned Air Force personnel about military equipment and operations, as well as alleged human rights abuses, two days after an armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, that left 19 people dead.

CSC Secretary Clarence Mindo criticized the university’s decision, saying the suspensions amounted to the ‘weaponization of the student handbook’ and would prevent the practice of dissent and academic freedom among students.

‘This is unacceptable against genuine student representation,’ Mindo said. ‘I cannot, within my conscience and individuality, stay silent regarding this matter, especially knowing the context of these cases filed against our own.’

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) has called on youth-serving organizations to participate in a consultation that seeks to bring young Filipinos’ experiences and insights directly into the country’s education reform process.

The initiative seeks to gather youth perspectives through an arts-based module that participating organizations can conduct with the young people they serve.

The module, developed through a partnership with the AHA Learning Center, the Philippine Educational Theater Association, Save the Children Philippines, and the University of the Philippines Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, covers key concerns such as literacy, school safety and bullying, socio-emotional and life skills, and gadget and social media use.

Edcom 2 pointed out that recent findings reveal significant gaps in learning and learner well-being, with the Department of Education’s latest Senior High School Literacy Assessment indicating that only about 13% of the 1.4 million Grade 11 learners assessed were able to read independently.

Meanwhile, data from the Programme for International Student Assessment showed that bullying among Filipino students was substantially higher than the average among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, with 43% of girls and 53% of boys reporting that they had experienced bullying.

‘We have the numbers, and we have consulted many experts, but this will be incomplete without hearing directly from the youth,’ the commission’s executive director, Karol Mark Yee, said.

‘Youth organizations are often among those closest to the realities young people experience in their communities. This consultation provides a way to document those insights, lived experiences, and proposed solutions and bring them into the policy process,’ he stressed.

As Edcom 2 explained, instead of relying solely on surveys, the consultation uses creative and arts-based activities to explore how young people experience issues affecting their education. The module was piloted last month with young learners from the AHA Learning Center.

The sessions seek to answer questions that statistics alone may not capture, including what young people fear and aspire to, what prevents them from achieving their goals, what they consider most urgent, and which solutions they believe could work.

Edcom 2 said community-based referral mechanisms will also be incorporated into the sessions because some of the topics may be sensitive. Participants who require psychosocial support may be connected with appropriate services.

Participating organizations are expected to benefit from the consultation by gaining authentic insights from the young people they serve, using ground-level information to strengthen their local programs and interventions, and contributing to national education policy.

A Catholic priest has called for a stronger culture of care for elderly Filipinos, urging families, communities and institutions to ensure that older people are not left behind amid migration, urbanization and changing family structures.

Father Andy Peter Lubi, director of Hapag Aruga Foundation Inc., made the call Sunday, Oct. 4, during the foundation’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration at its home for abandoned and vulnerable senior citizens in Barangay Managpi.

Lubi said older people deserve dignity and care for their role in passing on faith, values and life experiences to younger generations.

‘We need to care for our brothers and sisters, especially those who are weak and those who need our help,’ Lubi said.

Drawing from the biblical image of a vineyard in the Book of Isaiah, Lubi likened caring for the elderly to tending a grapevine. He also compared senior citizens to vintage wine, saying life can become more meaningful with age when they receive proper care, companionship and attention.

‘Habang tumatanda, mas lalong sumasarap ang kanilang pamumuhay,’ he said.

Lubi said migration, urbanization and changing social conditions have left many elderly people vulnerable to neglect. He urged communities to help them live what he called a ‘vintage life’ marked by dignity, companionship and care.

Hapag Aruga currently cares for 13 elderly residents, some of whom had previously relied on neighbors for food or had been left to fend for themselves, according to organizers.

The home provides residential care, food, medical assistance, hygiene supplies and other basic needs. It also conducts livelihood and formation activities for its residents and works with government agencies, private donors and community groups.

For elderly people who worry about who will care for them as they grow older, Lubi said faith and prayer can help ease anxiety and strengthen their sense of peace.

Elderly Filipino Week is observed annually from Oct. 1 to 7 under Presidential Proclamation No. 470.

As he walked toward the Rizal Ceremonial Hall at Malacañang Palace, each footfall seemed to echo the rivers he had crossed, the steep mountain trails he had climbed, and the long roads he had walked as a teacher to reach children in far-flung barangays.

Then came his name.

‘Daryl B. Arguelles, School Principal 2, Bagtasan Elementary School, Department of Education Antique, for his dedication in bringing educational opportunities to the farthest barangays in Bugasong, Antique.’

The words marked the moment he became a Dangal ng Bayan awardee of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on September 18, 2024, carrying national recognition for the very journey his feet had known so well. The award honors government workers whose extraordinary acts of public service are matched by consistent ethical conduct.

The memories gave way to the moment. The medal was resting on his neck, the trophy in his hands, and the journey that once demanded his every step had, for a moment, brought him to the center of it all.

Since January 28, 2023, Arguelles has served as the Public Schools District Supervisor of Bugasong and Valderrama, where his work takes him beyond school gates and into communities tucked in the mountains.

Beyond the town centers of Bugasong and Valderrama, Antique, are remote, mountainous communities located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), where distance remains a barrier to education. Bugasong lies about 43 kilometers from the provincial capital of San Jose de Buenavista, while Valderrama is about 53 km away.

In Valderrama, home to approximately five Iraynon-Bukidnon communities considered indigenous people (IP), he saw children roaming around the plaza instead of sitting in classrooms. Some Iraynon-Bukidnon parents believed their children should help on the farm, questioning the value of schooling when they themselves had not finished their education.

For Arguelles, the problem was not simply getting children into school. It was helping families believe that education could change the course of their lives.

Struggling learners

‘They show eagerness to go to school every day. They do not get absent, and their reading and numeracy skills improved because complete elementary and high school education became accessible to them,’ he said.

The problem became more troubling when Arguelles examined the records of Bakiang Primary School, a community in Valderrama. From those records, he found that only about 50 of the approximately 100 pupils could read properly, while many others struggled with basic literacy.

Looking further into the records, he found that some struggling learners came from families with close blood relationships. The situation raised concerns that extended beyond access to schooling and prompted conversations about family, health, and the importance of education.

From there, he began working with parents, encouraging them to value education and recognize their role in helping their children learn and stay in school. Teachers also integrated discussions about the health risks associated with marriage between close relatives into their lessons and raised the topic during barangay assemblies. As parents became more aware, some began advising their children against marrying close relatives.

‘Value education,’ he would tell them.

And he could speak from experience.

‘I am a living testament to the fact that I came from a poor family living in one of the farthest barangays, but because of education, the quality of my life improved,’ said Arguelles, who earned his Bachelor of Elementary Education and PhD in Philosophy, major in Educational Management, from the University of Antique.

As a young boy, Arguelles would walk to school while living in Barangay Yapu, Bugasong, also a GIDA community.

Accessible education

His message was simple: if education had opened a different path for him, then the children in these communities deserved the same chance. But for that chance to be real, education had to be within their reach.

That meant bringing schools closer to IP communities and families living in remote areas. Arguelles worked with school heads and stakeholders to establish and expand schools in communities where distance became a barrier to children’s education.

He provided technical assistance that led to the conversion of Lublub and Tigmamale Elementary Schools in Valderrama into integrated schools, opening opportunities for high school students, out-of-school youth, and Balik-Aral learners in isolated communities.

He also worked to convert 10 primary schools across Bugasong and Valderrama into complete elementary schools. He also supported Bugnay Elementary School in establishing an extension school in Sitio Bunga, Valderrama, which now serves Kinder to Grade III learners.

What once required hours of walking, dangerous river crossings, or leaving home for board and lodging could now be avoided with classrooms closer to where the children lived.

His presence in these communities was not limited to planning from behind a desk.Joebeth Tatoy, teacher-in-charge of Babangan Elementary School, recalled accompanying Arguelles during school monitoring visits to some of the farthest schools in Valderrama.

‘He is never afraid of taking the risk to visit even the farthest schools like Culyat and Busog Elementary Schools in Valderrama district, which can be reached by crossing rivers and climbing mountains for five to six hours,’ said Tatoy.

Noble intentions

‘As we journey together to these schools, I can feel his noble intentions for the deprived, depressed and underserved learners because once, he felt all of these difficulties during his elementary and secondary days wherein he needed to cross a river and walk for hours just to reach school,’ Tatoy added.

But for those in the schools, his presence means more than simply making the journey. It means having a supervisor who listens, understands, and supports them once he arrives.

For Cherry Camacho Arnaiz, a Grade 3 teacher at Paliwan Elementary School in the Bugasong District, Arguelles is more than a supervisor who monitors schools from afar.

‘He is in the field, in the schools, understanding the real situation. Teachers and school heads perform better because he is supportive, not threatening,’ said Arnaiz.

For Arguelles, however, building a school was never the finish line. The classrooms were matched with families who understood why their children needed to be there.

That is why he continued visiting communities, speaking with parents and reminding them that the opportunity they once had to seek was now at their doorstep. With schools now close by, he wanted families to see there was no barrier to their children’s education.

His advocacy became most personal in the story of a 17-year-old Grade 6 learner who once asked him for help learning to read because he wanted to continue to high school.

The learner had a record of frequent absences because he was working to help his family. Arguelles spoke with his parents about their child’s eagerness to study and spent extra time tutoring him alongside other struggling readers.

By the end of the school year, the learner could read independently and had gained the self-esteem to continue his studies. He eventually pursued work as a seaman, carrying with him the education he had once struggled to reach.

Even as a supervisor, Arguelles has not let go of the learners he once taught. He stays connected by looking at their performance in school, using what he sees to provide enrichment programs for those doing well and remediation for those who continue to struggle.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy Tab S12 series – Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ – delivering Samsung’s most capable and versatile tablet experience yet. Packing breakthrough performance, long-lasting battery life, and the latest Galaxy AI into Galaxy Tab’s signature ultra-thin design, the new lineup turns complex workflows into effortless, everyday achievements whether it’s mastering skills, pursuing career goals or exploring creative passions.

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ feature immersive displays and come bundled with the ergonomically designed S Pen for effortless note-taking and precise editing. With easy access to professional-grade apps and versatile accessories, users can pursue their passions and progress toward their goals with ease. Combining portability with professional-grade power, the Galaxy Tab S12 series gives users instant access to powerful capabilities whenever inspiration strikes.

‘The Galaxy Tab S12 series is designed for people who are constantly exploring new ideas, developing new skills and bringing their ambitions to life,’ said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. ‘Built with industry-leading hardware, the Galaxy Tab S12 series pairs an expansive screen with the power of Galaxy AI – removing friction from complex tasks so users can stay focused on achieving impactful results.’

Peak Performance in an Ultra-Thin Design

The Galaxy Tab S12 series combines powerful performance and long-lasting battery life into a thin and light design, making it easy for users to achieve more, wherever ambition takes them. At a remarkably slim 5.1mm, Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab, while delivering the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date, supporting productive use throughout the day. For example, users taking an online course alongside a full-time job can catch up on a lesson during the commute, then work through course exercises on the large screen at a café or library later in the day.

Both models are built to go the distance, allowing users to keep going without losing momentum. On a single charge, the all-day battery lasts up to 23 hours on Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and up to 21 hours on Galaxy Tab S12+, supporting long stretches of productivity anywhere. When it is time to recharge, the battery goes from 0% to 100% in about 95 minutes with the 45W adapter – minimizing downtime so users can get back to what they were doing.

Beyond long-lasting battery life, the Galaxy Tab S12 series delivers the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date, keeping pace with even intensive tasks. The cutting-edge 3nm processor delivers up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% improved GPU power compared to Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. In everyday use, that means users can take on more demanding tasks with increased speed and responsiveness. Whether rendering complex creative projects or watching a lecture while taking notes and asking AI for clarification – the experience stays responsive and fast with fewer interruptions to break their focus.

A newly designed 3D Vapor Chamber efficiently dissipates heat to support more reliable performance during demanding tasks, whether users are editing video or designing graphics for hours. Engineered for resilience and durability to withstand the elements and give users peace of mind, the Galaxy Tab S12 series also comes with IP68-rated water and dust resistance.

The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes with an expansive screen designed to help users think bigger and give ideas more room to unfold. Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a large 14.6-inch display, making it easy to explore complex topics and keep multiple perspectives in view. The Galaxy Tab S12+ features a larger 12.6-inch display and slimmer bezels than its predecessor, offering more screen space without sacrificing portability. Both models feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays reaching up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness – delivering clear, vivid visuals indoors or out. The upgraded seamless Vision Booster now adjusts brightness in real time based on lighting conditions for comfortable viewing.

Sound gets a major upgrade as well, with 4-channel spatial audio – twice as many channels as the previous generation – delivering a richer, more immersive experience whether users are streaming content, following a tutorial or editing.

Making Everyday Tasks More Intuitive and Effortless

Building on an industry-leading hardware foundation, the Galaxy Tab S12 series turns its large screen into a flexible workspace that makes it easy to keep up with different tasks without missing a beat. Running Android 17 with One UI 9 and the latest Galaxy AI, it brings research, note-taking, creation and AI assistance into one place, giving users more freedom to explore new ideas, capture what matters and put what they learn into practice.

Thanks to the Galaxy Tab S12 series’ immersive screen, users can split the screen into up to three sections in Multi Window layout. For example, users can take notes in Samsung Notes on one side while playing a lecture and opening an AI assistant on the other. As key takeaways or questions come up, users can capture them with the S Pen directly in Samsung Notes, while Note Assist summarizes their notes – all without pausing the lecture.

Both models come bundled with an ergonomic S Pen, offering precise, intuitive input for note-taking, annotating materials, and sketching concepts. For a more structured, professional workstation, the Pro Keyboard elevates productivity with a premium aluminum finish and a Galaxy AI Key that enables instant access to AI assistants, while the Book Cover Keyboard Slim delivers flexibility with comfortable viewing angles and an effortless typing experience.

The Galaxy Tab S12 series helps users bring information together and get real-time support the moment curiosity strikes. The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes equipped with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, providing expanded access to Google’s most capable AI models from day one. Users can ask Gemini about anything unclear or dive deeper into subjects they want to explore the moment a question comes up. With Gemini Notebook, users can bring together notes, images, recordings, and files in one workspace and create summaries, podcasts, and even quizzes to make key information easier to understand.

A Complete Ecosystem Designed to Take Skills and Creativity Further

The Galaxy Tab S12 series gives users the ideal place to put knowledge into practice, bringing together professional-grade apps alongside benefits worth approximately $600 to help them take their skills further.

Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 series – a first for Android tablets – bringing pro-grade image editing and design to the tablet. The interface is optimized for tablets, and S Pen support makes it more intuitive to move ideas from hand to screen. Photoshop includes AI-powered features including AI Assistant and generative AI features powered by Adobe Firefly like Generative Fill and Image to Video, helping creatives edit faster and effortlessly. Exclusively for the Galaxy Tab S12 series, users receive four months of free access to the Photoshop mobile plan.

Notability, newly pre-loaded on Galaxy Tab, helps users capture their ideas, organize notes and build knowledge more efficiently with S Pen optimization and AI-driven study tools with a six-month free trial, plus 20% off the first subscription.

Goodnotes delivers clean note-taking and organization with one year of free access and LumaFusion enables professional-grade video editing, offered at a 66% discount. And Notion supports flexible writing, planning and organization with one month of its Plus plan free. Clip Studio Paint brings precision drawing and painting tools for digital art with a six-month trial and 20% off the first subscription.

In addition to these apps, users can explore a broader range of options that support different needs. MyScript Math instantly solves handwritten equations and shows the steps behind each one, while MyScript Notes summarizes handwritten notes into study materials with built-in AI tools to explain concepts or generate quizzes. Noteshelf 3 offers customizable layouts for capturing and organizing ideas, while ArcSite converts rough field sketches into precise CAD drawings.

Availability

The Galaxy Tab S12 serieswill be available for pre-order exclusively on Shopee from October 9 to 20, before officially launching online on Samsung.com, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Shopee, MemoX.com, and Abenson.com on October 21, and in Samsung Experience and Authorized stores starting October 28, 2026.

As part of its exclusive launch offer, every purchase of the Galaxy Tab S12 series comes with a free productivity bundle-including a Book Cover Keyboard Slim, S Pen, and a 45W travel adapter valued up to ?18,279-along with 3rd party app benefits like a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, 6 months of Google AI Pro, 4 months of Adobe Photoshop subscription, and more worth up to ?24,161.

Customers can also trade in their old devices for instant savings of up to ?12,000, and enjoy 0% credit card installment plans for up to 36 months with an extra 15% off discount for select banks. Students also get additional savings with 10% off at Samsung Experience and Authorized stores or additional ?5,000 off through the Samsung Education Store online.

Built for lasting and confident use, Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ support up to seven times of OS upgrades and security updates.

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage tailored to users’ device needs, including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad. Additionally, Galaxy mobile phone users running One UI 9 can easily check the Samsung Care+ status of their Galaxy Tab and enroll through the Warranty and care menu in the Settings. It provides quick access to warranty information, self-diagnostics, repair requests, and remote support for connected devices-all directly from the mobile phone.

Presiding Office Francis Escudero reminds the prosecution and defense teams on Day 33 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to focus on presenting their respective cases based on evidence, justice and fairness, while maintaining respect for one another as the impeachment trial continues.

‘Our duty is not to conquer one another in these proceedings but to illuminate the truth and serve the cause of justice,’ Escudero said.

The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) returns to five Metro Manila cities on Monday, Oct. 5, restoring camera-based traffic enforcement months after the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order against the system.

The policy will be implemented in Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City and San Juan.

Valenzuela, which had also announced plans to resume NCAP, deferred its implementation due to ongoing roadworks and changing traffic conditions.

Under NCAP, closed-circuit television, digital cameras and other technology are used to record vehicles suspected of violating traffic rules without requiring traffic enforcers to stop motorists on the road. Violations are reviewed before notices are issued to registered vehicle owners.

Motorists will face standardized fines under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023. They may check their violation records and pay fines through the online portals of participating local government units, while those who believe they were wrongly apprehended may contest the violations through designated online channels.

The Philippine National Police said it was ready to assist local governments in enforcing the policy.