Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Mary Jane Veloso wants to use her newfound freedom to venture into farming in her hometown in Nueva Ecija to give her family a better life.

‘My real priority is simply to lift my family out of poverty,’ Veloso said in a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Oct. 1, adding that she held on to that dream even during her imprisonment in Indonesia following her arrest there in 2010.

Veloso, whom President Marcos granted absolute pardon on Sept. 24 following her repatriation to the Philippines in 2024, wants to pursue human trafficking, estafa and illegal recruitment charges against her recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, in connection with the heroin found in her suitcase upon her arrest in Yogyakarta.

She was sentenced to death in October 2010 for drug trafficking, but then Indonesian President Joko Widodo granted a last minute stay of her execution in 2015 after her recruiters surrendered to Philippine authorities.

Moving on

Veloso, however, also wants to move on and help her family any way she can. She said she plans to continue her studies as a junior high school student at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), where she was detained upon her return to the Philippines.

‘They said they would help me finish [my studies at CIW],’ Veloso, 41, told reporters.

‘I don’t want to rise out of poverty alone. I want to rise together with my family,’ she said, adding that the outpouring of support for her is a ‘blessing.’

‘I really want a piece of land to cultivate. If you just plant vegetables there, you can sustain yourself. If you plant rice, you will have your (own supply) … If I were to sell clothes or something similar, I lack training for that, and … there is no guarantee of success either,’ she said.

‘State’s duty’

For her parents, Cesar and Celia, being with their daughter is the most important thing.

‘We won’t allow her to leave us again,’ Cesar told the Inquirer in a recent interview after the Velosos were reunited with their daughter in their hometown of General Mamerto Natividad in Nueva Ecija.

He said he would support his daughter should she decide to put up a business, while Celia said she hoped Mary Jane would just enjoy her time with her family.

‘I hope she starts working on her plans next year,’ Celia said with a grin.

Lawyer Edre Olalia acknowledged the government’s role in its assistance to Veloso, but also said it is the state’s duty to protect overseas Filipino workers who fall prey to unscrupulous recruiters.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has intensified anti-drug operations across Metro Manila following the killing of two alleged drug personalities inside a suspected drug den in Tondo, Manila.

The two victims were shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside a house in Barangay 194 early Friday. Barangay officials said the house was allegedly being used as a drug den.

The Manila Police District is conducting a follow-up investigation to identify and arrest the gunmen.

‘We cannot allow illegal drugs to continue destroying our communities,’ NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said.

Abrahano said he had directed police units to step up operations, strengthen intelligence gathering and go after those involved in the illegal drug trade.

The NCRPO said its units conducted 28 anti-drug operations in the past 24 hours, resulting in the arrest of 32 people and the seizure of more than P750,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Abrahano said the Tondo killings underscored the need to detect drug activities early, disrupt supply networks and hold those responsible accountable.

‘I expect every police unit to be proactive. Do not wait for illegal drug activities to become bigger problems before we act,’ he said.

He also ordered police units to strengthen intelligence gathering, coordinate with partner agencies and take action against suspected drug personalities, suppliers and others involved in the illegal drug trade.

Adamson remained a puzzle that University of Santo Tomas still couldn’t quite solve.

On Saturday at Philsports Arena, the Soaring Falcons put the clamps on the Growling Tigers for an 85-57 victory in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, extending their mastery of a team they swept in last season’s elimination round.

The Falcons defeated the Tigers twice in Season 88, 69-59 and 97-96, and even after a full offseason of preparations, UST still couldn’t quite crack coach Nash Racela’s code.

Adamson’s greatest weapon against the Tigers was hardly a secret.

It was defense.

‘The players did their part. We gave them a game plan, and they followed it accordingly,’ Racela said. ‘I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP, if we really follow it and defend those other teams.

‘If we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100. That’s a really talented team. We just needed to work on our defense.’

Adamson did just about everything right on that end of the floor, forcing UST into 20 turnovers that the Falcons converted into 21 points.

The Falcons also made life miserable for the Tigers from the field, holding the España-based squad to 31.7 percent shooting.

Even worse for UST, the Tigers made just two of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc. Adamson, by comparison, knocked down 11 of 33 three-pointers.

And while the Falcons frustrated UST on one end, Mathew Montebon made sure they had more than enough firepower on the other.

Montebon bounced back from a four-point outing against Ateneo by exploding for 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in just over 23 minutes.

‘I just tried to tell my teammates to play confident and be decisive,’ Montebon said. ‘I just told them, if you think you have it, take it with confidence. If you don’t, get to the next play.’

Matty Erolon added 17 points, while Earl Medina scored 11 on 3-of-4 shooting from deep as Adamson improved to 2-1.

Collins Akowe’s double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds went for naught for UST, which slipped to 2-2. Amiel Acido added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Ace activated

Earlier, Kieffer Alas showed his offensive prowess anew as Ateneo erased a 17-point deficit to turn back NU, 87-76.

Alas scored seven points during a decisive fourth-quarter run and finished with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Blue Eagles improved to 3-1.

The Bulldogs came out firing, opening the game with a 9-0 run before taking a 24-15 lead after the first quarter. Their advantage grew to 36-19 in the second period before Ateneo gradually worked its way back.

After the teams traded big runs, they found themselves locked at 70 with five minutes remaining in the fourth.

That was when Alas took over.

Ateneo unleashed a 12-4 run to build an 82-74 advantage with 1:07 remaining, with Alas accounting for seven of those 12 points.

‘He really has a lot of guts,’ coach Louie Alas said in Filipino, joking about his son. ‘Kidding aside, I told him that as long as they’re not bad shots, as long as you’re open, go. That’s his role, to score.’

Andrew Bongo added 16 points, while Shawn Tuano and Travis Roberts chipped in 14 apiece for the Blue Eagles.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has mobilized its regional offices, line bureaus and field units to strengthen nationwide preparedness and mitigation measures against the ongoing El Niño, as DOST-PAGASA warns that this climate pattern may intensify into a very strong event before the end of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.

The DENR’s heightened preparations include building additional water sources, promoting water conservation, protecting watersheds and forests, preventing forest fires, safeguarding vulnerable ecosystems, and protecting personnel from extreme heat.

El Niño is expected to bring increased risks of prolonged dry conditions, reduced water availability and extreme heat in parts of the country.

‘With the critical action window now upon us, every DENR unit must proactively execute climate adaptation and risk reduction protocols,’ DENR Secretary Juan Miguel ‘Mitch’ Cuna said.

‘By closely coordinating with local government units, monitoring our vital water systems, and promoting strict conservation practices, we are taking decisive steps to protect our communities, ecosystems, and natural resources from the severe impacts of this climate phenomenon,’ he added.

The DENR has constructed small water impounding structures and rainwater harvesting systems to provide additional water supply during periods of limited rainfall.

Its regional offices and attached agencies are also strengthening water conservation, watershed monitoring, forest-fire prevention, ecosystem protection and heat-safety measures in coordination with local governments and other stakeholders.

In Central Luzon, PENRO-Pampanga and regional field units are conducting information campaigns in barangays and community colleges in Guagua and Lubao, to promote simple water-saving practices such as using buckets instead of hoses, reusing greywater, repairing leaks and harvesting rainwater.

DENR Region 3 is also monitoring possible coral bleaching linked to elevated sea surface temperatures in coastal areas, including Aurora.

In the Caraga region in Mindanao, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has advised mining companies and processing plants to manage water demand, check for leaks, harvest rainwater, and establish cooling stations and early warning systems for extreme heat.

Advisories have also been sent to provincial governors in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands to strengthen local DRRMCs and monitor critical watersheds.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 11 has strengthened health and safety measures for field personnel, including limiting high-exposure outdoor work from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing personal protective equipment and ensuring continuous hydration.

These measures help conserve water for communities during dry periods, protect forests and watersheds, and safeguard people and livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.

Water impounding structures and rainwater harvesting systems provide additional sources of water when rainfall is limited, while conservation efforts help make available supplies last longer. Protecting forests and watersheds also helps maintain the natural systems that collect, store and regulate water.

The DENR’s proactive measures support the government’s broader preparations for El Niño and the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for government agencies to prepare early for the expected dry spell.

vivo has officially launched the vivo V80 Lite in the Philippines, bringing its 10000mAh BlueVolt Battery, IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, and high-brightness display to consumers looking for a smartphone that can keep up with demanding workdays and everything that comes after. The V80 Lite starts at Php 24,999 and will be available for pre-order from October 4 to 16, 2026.

The Guinness World Record holder vivo V80 Lite is designed for young Filipino professionals whose days do not end when the workday does. From meetings, calls, and commutes to side hustles, fitness, social activities, and staying connected with family and friends, the smartphone is built around the idea of staying fully charged and fully free to move from one part of the day to the next.

Pre-order the V80 Lite and get more

Customers who pre-order the vivo V80 Lite from October 4 to 16 will receive a package of exclusive offers and freebies, including:

Limited-edition vivo Buds Air3, worth Php 1,799

vivo Silver Membership exclusive privileges via the vivo Store app

Php 1,000 pre-order discount

Four-year battery warranty, worth Php 1,510

100GB of Google One cloud storage for six months, which can be claimed until October 2, 2027

Customers can also get an additional Php 500 discount when purchasing through Home Credit at 0% interest until October 31, 2026. To claim the offer, use voucher code HCV80LITE.

The vivo V80 Lite will be available in the following configurations:

8GB + 126GB – Php 24,999

8GB + 256 GB – Php 27,999

Built for a day that goes beyond work

The vivo V80 Lite is designed for people whose smartphone use extends well beyond office hours, with three key features addressing different parts of an always-moving day.

For professionals who need their phones to keep going: The 10000mAh BlueVolt battery gives users more room to move through long workdays, commutes, and after-hours activities without constantly planning around their next charge. It is vivo’s largest battery capacity globally and is designed for users who rely on their phones from the first task of the day to everything that follows.

For people who take their phones everywhere: The V80 Lite’s IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance gives added protection for users who move between different environments throughout the day. Whether heading out for a commute, working outdoors, exercising, or meeting friends after work, the phone is built to handle exposure to dust and water under rated testing conditions.

For those who stay on the go: The V80 Lite’s 1.5k OLED high-brightness display helps keep content visible when users are navigating busy commutes, checking messages outdoors, or moving between indoor and outdoor settings. Its display is designed to support the same kind of flexibility expected from a phone that needs to follow users throughout the day.

‘Today’s professionals are not defined by a strict 9-to-5 schedule, and their smartphones need to keep up with that reality,’ said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director of vivo Philippines. ‘The V80 Lite was created for those moments when work ends but the day doesn’t – whether that means pursuing a side hustle, meeting friends, working out, or simply staying connected. We want users to have the freedom to keep going without constantly thinking about their battery or their environment.’

Stay fully charged, stay fully free

With its combination of a 10000mAh BlueVolt battery, IP68 and IP69 protection, and high-brightness display, the vivo V80 Lite is built around a simple idea: a smartphone should support the whole day, not just the working hours.

The Quezon City government has advised motorists to expect heavy traffic in some areas on Sunday due to the procession of the image of La Naval de Manila.

In an advisory, the city government said the ‘Recorrido,’ or route of the La Naval de Manila image procession, will run from Sto. Domingo Church to the Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño Parish.

‘Motorists are advised to take alternative routes,’ it added.

According to the QC government, heavy traffic is expected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following blessing stations:

Station 1. Brgy. Talayan Hall

Station 2. Masambong Brgy. Hall

Station 3. Brgy. Del Monte Multi-Purpose Hall

Station 4. San Pedro Bautista Church (Damayan)

Station 5. Brgy. Mariblo Hall

Station 6. Brgy. Paraiso Hall w/ Sta. Cruz

Station 7. Brgy. Paltok Hall

Station 8. Brgy. Nayong Kanluran Hall

Station 9. Heart of Jesus and Mary Parish (West Triangle)

Station 10. Sto. Rita de Casia Parish (Philam)

Station 11. Sto. Cristo de Bungad Parish

Station 12. District 1 Action Center (San Antonio)

Station 13. Christ the King Parish (Veterans Village)

The local government said personnel from the Traffic and Transport Management Department, Department of Public Order and Safety, Task Force Disiplina, and Quezon City Police District are on standby to manage traffic along the procession routes.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said it revoked the authority to operate and the renewal of application of two transport network companies (TNCs) over failure to meet certain requirements.

According to the LTFRB, the Leggo Information Technology and Aztech Solutions International Corp. were not able to abide by the conditions set in providing a platform for transport network vehicle service.

The agency noted that investigations conducted proved reports that the two TNCs were no longer operating.

‘The granting of the Certificate of Accreditation comes with a responsibility, an obligation and a commitment to provide the best services to the commuting public. That’s one of the conditions that must be strictly followed,’ LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua said.

‘When rules are violated, that’s when accountability begins like in the case of these two TNCs,’ he added.

The LTFRB also said that the two TNCs were penalized with cancellation and revocation of their Certificate of Accreditation after they failed to provide valid reasons over the administrative issues raised by the agency.

The application for the renewal of their Certificate of Accreditation was also revoked for failure to comply with the agency’s requirements.

With this, Pua reminded public utility vehicles (PUV) to comply with the standards and guidelines set by the agency.

‘PUV operation is a tough competition. There are operators who are more responsible and are ready to provide the kind of public transportation services that the Filipino people deserve,’ Pua said.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged economic managers to suspend, even temporarily, the excise tax on gasoline and diesel amid the continuous increase in petroleum products.

‘The economic managers should reconsider suspending the excise tax on gasoline and diesel, even if only temporarily, because oil prices have reached over $80 a barrel again and it continues to increase. There is now sufficient reason to suspend it,’ he said in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday.

‘The [excise tax] should already be suspended because diesel and gasoline are also used by logistics companies, and the cost is passed on to food prices,’ he added.

According to Gatchalian, he earlier made the same suggestion of suspending the excise tax on gasoline to help bring down the cost of goods and prevent the it from being passed on to other basic commodities.

‘It need not be for long period of time, but at least while the gasoline prices are high,’ he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier issued Executive Order No. 125, which suspended the excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene.

Bank and tax records that are set to be presented next week before the Senate impeachment court could help determine whether allegations made by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against Vice President Sara Duterte have factual basis, the prosecution team said Saturday.

The team was referring to Trillanes’ claims that Duterte had time deposits in local currency and in US dollars in 2007 and 2008 which she supposedly did not declare in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

‘[…] Let us wait and see, based on the testimonies of upcoming witnesses and the records we examine, whether these financial transactions align with what we heard from former Senator Trillanes,’ private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said at the Saturday News Forum.

What Trillanes presented, however, has ‘no probative value’ at this point, according to Senator-judge Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson.

‘First of all, that was a press conference. Secondly, it isn’t even part of the court record. So how could it possibly have probative value?’ Lacson said in a dwIZ interview. ‘Now, it is up to the prosecution to present a witness who holds the documents presented by Senator Trillanes.’

‘The source of the official records should be the one to testify-not by relying on a third party, so to speak, who lacks personal knowledge,’ he added.

The prosecution is set to present representatives from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, banks and financial institutions, and Bureau of Internal Revenue next week as witnesses.

Trillanes was initially included on the list of witnesses the House prosecution was supposed to present, but the former senator decided to withdraw from the trial and held a press conference on Friday instead where he revealed the contents of his testimony.

Legal scrutiny

Duterte’s lawyers on Saturday dismissed Trillanes’ recent allegations as just ‘malicious fabrications’ and ‘black propaganda,’ noting that his refusal to appear before the impeachment court shows that the claims cannot survive legal scrutiny.

‘The moment he was faced with the very first opportunity to test his wild claims against actual facts, verified records, and law through cross-examination by the Vice President’s defense team, Trillanes folded. Instead of defending his claims under oath, he chose the comfort of a safe and scripted press conference where his lies could once again go unchallenged,’ said lawyer Paolo Panelo Jr. in a statement.

‘This sudden retreat is absolute proof that his claims cannot survive real legal scrutiny, and are nothing but black propaganda, which is par for the course for a professional character assassin,’ he added.

Panelo, who serves as Duterte’s spokesperson, said the Vice President would not be taking legal action against the former lawmaker, citing the protection he supposedly enjoys from the Marcos administration.

‘Pawns’

‘The Vice President would gladly sue him for these endless fabrications, but we have already witnessed how those who actively peddle malicious lies against her and her family are openly protected and propped up by this administration,’ he said.

Asked for clarification, Panelo said: ‘I wouldn’t rule out (suing Trillanes), but we are aware of how futile it will be in terms of getting a just result under this current administration.’

He said Trillanes is one of the many ‘pawns’ the administration is using to smear Dutertes. The others, he said, are Ramil Madriaga, the alleged former aide of the Vice President; Peter Advincula, known as ‘Bikoy,’ who linked the Duterte family to the illegal drug trade; and dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who supposedly served as security detail for former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Panelo also likened Trillanes’ accusations to previous claims that held no water, including that of the late lawyer Jude Sabio’s, who ended up withdrawing his communication from the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte; and Arturo Lascañas, a self-proclaimed member of the Davao Death Squad who accused the Vice President of being one of the architects of ‘Oplan Tokhang.’

Trillanes’ decision not to appear before the Senate impeachment court right when Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth was being tackled further put into question the veracity of his accusations, he said.

‘Confident that the law, the facts, and the evidence are squarely on her side, the Vice President will let the evidence before the Senate impeachment court speak for itself,’ Panelo said.

Likening soil testing to a diagnostic blood test before prescribing medicine, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza has urged national agencies and local governments to abandon agricultural guesswork and base farm support on scientific soil data.

In a video statement released Saturday from his address to the Society for the Advancement of Philippine Soil Science Inc., Plaza warned that decades of farm programs have poured funds into seeds, fertilizer, machinery, and roads while overlooking the most critical asset: the ground beneath

‘A doctor does not prescribe medicine without first understanding the condition of the patient,’ said Plaza, who serves as vice chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food. ‘Agriculture should be the same. Before telling a farmer how much fertilizer to apply or what crop to plant, we should first understand the actual condition of the soil. Test first, understand the soil, then prescribe.’

Plaza warned that blanket fertilizer recommendations drain farmers’ resources at a time when commercial farm inputs remain expensive.

‘Every unnecessary application is money lost by the farmer,’ he pointed out, advocating for a shift toward site-specific, data-driven farming.

In Agusan del Sur, soil health has been integrated as the centerpiece of the provincial agricultural roadmap. The province established its own Provincial Research, Development, and Innovation Office alongside a state-of-the-art soils laboratory.

The objective, Plaza noted, is not merely running high-tech diagnostic equipment, but translating laboratory findings into practical guidelines that smallholders can easily execute on their farms-from determining optimal crop suitability to precise nutrient dosing.

Initial trials under the province’s science-driven programs have recorded up to a 50-percent increase in crop yield and a 25-percent reduction in fertilizer expenses over four cropping cycles.

The province’s soil initiatives have attracted partnerships with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

These agencies have selected Agusan del Sur to pilot various research projects, including rubber-based cropping systems and cost-effective fertilization protocols for rice.

Plaza called on other agricultural provinces to mirror the initiative by investing in localized laboratory capacity, partnering with state universities and colleges (SUCs), and training field technicians who can bring soil science directly to farming communities.

He also commended soil scientists Prof. Vic Asio and Prof. Ian Navarrete, urging researchers to step outside academic institutions and work directly alongside LGUs, extension workers, and farmers.

‘What we are doing in Agusan del Sur should not remain exclusive to our province,’ Plaza said. ‘If the model works, let us study it, improve it, and replicate it. Ultimately, the value of soil science will be measured by what happens on the farm-whether our farmers can produce more, spend less, protect their land, and keep it productive for the next generation.’