Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Thailand’s EST Cola handed Creamline its first defeat, 17-25, 25-21, 25-22, 27-25, to force a tie at 3-1 atop the PVL Invitational Conference standings on Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

EST Cola turned to Patpachaya Phontham anew as she erupted for 27 points off 24 kills, two blocks, and an ace as they cruised to their third straight win.

The Thais have a chance to book a finals ticket against Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday at 4 p.m.

With EST Cola moving closer to victory with a 23-19 lead in the fourth set, Creamline tried to pull off a comeback with four straight points capped by Jaja Santiago-Minowa’s ace to tie the frame before missing her next serve

Bea De Leon saved a match point, followed by a four-touch violation by the Thais to take the set point, 25-24. Setter Natnicha Saelao nailed an equalizing drop, followed by a clutch kill from Phontham to regain match point. Saelao delivered a game-winning block on Tots Carlos.

Nannaphat Moonjakham led the charge with 16 points and 15 excellent receptions. Nirarach Srikuta had 12 points and 15 receptions. Setter Serah Ankomah, who also translates for the team in interviews, was a revelation from the bench with 13 excellent sets.

Creamline tries to book a championship berth against PLDT on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Minowa had 19 points to lead the Cool Smashers. Jema Galanza delivered 15 points, 16 excellent receptions, and 15 digs. Alyssa Valdez had 11 points and 11 receptions.

Authorities and court personnel at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) are awaiting further developments after Branch 98 issued on Friday a warrant of arrest against Vice President Sara Duterte over grave threats.

Duterte’s legal team confirmed that the arrest warrant was issued and stressed that the vice president has no intention of evading the law and will pursue available legal remedies, including questioning the court’s jurisdiction over the case.

The warrant stems from the NBI complaint accusing the Vice President allegedly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Baus Rufo assured fans that the future of the ‘Dogshow Divas’ podcast remains intact following Joy Barcoma’s decision to step away from guest-hosting the show.

Rufo addressed the podcast’s future during the media conference for his upcoming talk show ‘Kalurks!,’ which he will cohost with DJ Jhai Ho and Ashley Rivera.

‘It’s very much intact,’ Rufo said when asked about the podcast as he and co-host Macoy Dubs became busy with other commitments on top of Barcoma’s exit.

The comedian and host credited ‘Dogshow Divas’ for helping open opportunities for him, Macoy and their guest hosts.

‘For me, isa yun, if not isa, ‘yun ang pinaka-priority. Kasi doon for me, pinaka nakikita ng tao, ng networks, kung ano ‘yung what I have to offer,’ he said.

Rufo also pointed out that the podcast’s pre-recorded format gives its hosts flexibility in managing their episodes.

‘Hindi naman kami live, tulad nito. So, pwede kami magbangko ng episodes. So, we have that control naman,’ he said.

Earlier this week, Barcoma announced that she was stepping away from guest-hosting ‘Dogshow Divas.’

In a Facebook post, the Miss Earth Philippines 2025 titleholder said she was aware of comments regarding her guest appearances, although she did not provide further context.

‘I’ve always been grateful whenever I’m invited to join podcasts when my schedule allows, but how often I appear isn’t something I personally control,’ Barcoma said.

The beauty queen thanked those who supported the podcast and added, ‘For now, I’m choosing to protect my peace. All the best to Dogshow Divas!’

Following her announcement, ‘Dogshow Divas’ released a statement thanking Barcoma for being part of the podcast and expressing support for her decision.

‘We will never condone or tolerate hate in any form,’ the hosts said. ‘Your peace and well-being should always be protected.’.

Rufo said he and the ‘Dogshow Divas’ team fully support Barcoma’s decision, emphasizing the importance of mental health and kindness.

‘Well-being and mental health are very important,’ he said. ‘In true Joy Barcoma’s passion, she always teaches us a very important lesson. Number one, mental health is a priority. But also, I think, ang message, ‘yung naging statement niya is that we should choose kindness. So, I think that’s something na definitely, I’m very up for,’ he explained.

‘Dogshow Divas’ is a podcast hosted by Rufo and Macoy, where they discuss topics including Filipino culture, showbiz, fashion and social issues, among others.

Rufo is a comedian and host and co-founder of Bekenemen, a production company known for its drag watch parties.

Macoy, on the other hand, is a content creator known for his Auntie Julie character. He is set to appear in the Philippine adaption of the series ‘The Good Doctor.’

Barcoma, meanwhile, finished in the Top 8 of Miss Earth 2025.

It might be the right time to ask the Senate Impeachment Court to issue a subpoena against Vice President Sara Duterte to compel her to attend her trial and finally address the allegations against her.

This is what Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said in an online press briefing on Friday.

The lawmaker believes that, instead of calling for other non-impeachable officers to attend the impeachment trial, Duterte herself should be subpoenaed and explain what happened to the confidential funds (CF).

The non-impeachable officers Abante is referring to are former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) officials Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco

‘For me, they want us to call witnesses who are non-impeachable officers. Why not seek a subpoena for the impeachable officer herself?’ Abante asked.

‘Ask for a subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte so that she will face these issues,’ he continued.

‘That’s what I have been saying. If she does not deserve to be impeached, she should address all the allegations, and say whether she should be impeached or not,’ he added.

When asked to clarify whether a possible request for Duterte’s subpoena indicates that she will be called to the witness stand, Abante said it is his opinion that the vice president should be called to the court.

The lawmaker told the media that Duterte testifying in the trial will be a chance for her to defend herself.

A possible Duterte testimony will also be important, Abante said, because several witnesses close to the vice president have already said that they know nothing about the confidential expenditures made by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

‘For me, that is what it should be. This will also be good for her because she will be able to answer all the allegations against her,’ he said.

‘What did the witnesses say? Ms. Gina (Acosta) already did all that she can do. (Lemuel) Ortonio did the same. They explained their side. Atty. (Michael) Poa also explained. So who else should we invite?’ Abante asked.

‘We really have to subpoena the vice president. She herself should face it,’ said the legislator.

‘And if she is issued a subpoena, this does not mean she is guilty already. We’re not actually saying that she is guilty. We are not talking about her criminal liability here,’ he explained.

Prosecution spokesperson and impeachment advisor Robert Ace Barbers clarified later on that the panel is still considering what particular Article of Impeachment Duterte will be called for.

‘The prosecution panel is discussing this, because she is ably represented by her 16 lawyers,’ Barbers noted.

‘If her presence is really required and answers are not being given from questions that are left hanging, maybe that’s the time that we will ask for the court to subpoena her,’ he said.

Abante has been insistent about Duterte needing to attend the impeachment trial.

Last August 17, Abante said that, instead of letting her staff members explain how CFs were released and spent, Duterte herself should show up and address the issues hurled at her offices.

According to Abante, if Duterte is able to attend the proceedings for her perjury charge against ex-aide Ramil Madriaga, and the arraignment of brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte for his grave threats case, the vice president should also make time for the impeachment trial.

Abante thinks Duterte should not let her staffers alone be grilled.

Earlier, the prosecution panel for Duterte’s impeachment trial said it would no longer call to the witness stand three individuals believed to be capable of delivering key testimonies.

The team members believe they have already established a strong case.

In an online press briefing on Friday, Barbers said they will not call Lachica, Nolasco, as well as former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga, believing that the three requirements under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment have been met.

Article I deals with the alleged misuse of CF lodged within Duterte’s offices, P500 million with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from 2022 to 2023, and P112.5 million with the Department of Education for the first three quarters of 2023

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed qualified human trafficking complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras, and five others following its investigation into the alleged ‘honey trap’ plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

‘Kumpleto, nandirito na yung mga ebidensya, all the attachments, and we are filing a violation of the anti-human trafficking law. So qualified human trafficking ang ipa-file natin to seven individuals,’ NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in an ambush interview on Friday.

(It’s complete; the evidence is here, all the attachments, and we are filing a violation of the anti-human trafficking law. So, qualified human trafficking is what we are going to file against seven individuals.)

Qualified human trafficking is nonbailable.

Aside from Leviste and Paras, the NBI also filed the same charges against talent manager Alias Ken and the four lawyers from the Rondain and Mendiola Law Firm who are supposedly tasked to create fabricated statements against Recto.

The four lawyers are Ruy Rondain, Orlando Mendiola, Patrick Criaga, and Josemilio Manuel Apostol.

The NBI’s National Capital Region, led by regional director Emeterio Dongallo Jr., arrived at the DOJ headquarters in Ermita, Manila, this Friday afternoon to file the charges.

Dongallo told the INQUIRER in a Viber message that the charges were officially lodged around 3 p.m.

Matibag also said the bureau is considering filing an ethics complaint against Leviste at the House of Representatives and a disbarment case against the four lawyers next week.

Reacting to the filed complaints, Leviste, in a Facebook post on Friday, mocked the NBI’s name, saying its ‘I’ stands for ‘Imbento’ (invention).

‘Nag-iimbento ng kalokohan gamit ang buwis habang lubog ang bayan. Nakakaawa ang nangyayari sa ating bansa,’ Leviste said.

(They’re inventing nonsense using taxes while the country is drenched in floods. What’s happening in our country is pathetic.)

Paras, meanwhile, said in a phone interview with the INQUIRER that he is ready to face the complaints since these were only ‘fabricated.’

Mendiola, one of the four lawyers, said he may give a comment ‘after I have seen the criminal complaint.’

Rondain, however, has yet to respond to the query.

The investigation into the supposed ‘honey trap’ operation began following the arrest of Alias Ken last July 28 over a human trafficking case.

Ken earlier said he met Paras and the lawyers in a restaurant in July to supposedly plan the ‘character assassination’ scheme in which four of his female artists would issue fabricated statements claiming that Recto forced them to use illegal drugs and have sex with him.

The lawyers, who allegedly introduced themselves as Leviste’s representatives, were tasked with crafting the ‘script,’ or fabricated statements targeting Recto, the talent manager said.

Ken also claimed that Leviste was the financier of the supposed modus

All of the implicated individuals have since denied the allegations

The prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial would no longer call three who were expected to provide key testimony on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, saying it has established a strong case already.

In an online press briefing on Friday, prosecution spokesperson and advisor Robert Ace Barbers said that former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) officials Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco, as well as former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga, would no longer summoned to testify, as the prosecution believes it has already met the three requirements under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment.

Article I deals with the alleged misuse of confidential funds (CF) lodged within Duterte’s offices, P500 million with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from 2022 to 2023, and P112.5 million with the Department of Education for the first three quarters of 2023.

‘Hindi naman na necessary ‘yong statement ni Col. Lachica dahil nga all the previous witnesses na iniharap ng prosecution at ‘yong mga ebidensyang pinakita sa impeachment court already substantiates ‘yong ating allegations dito sa Article I – ‘yong misuse, ginamit sa mga bagay na hindi in accordance with the Joint Circular,’ Barbers told reporters.

(The statements of Col. Lachica are no longer necessary because all the previous witnesses presented by the prosecution and the evidence shown by the impeachment court already substantiates our allegations here in Article I – the misuse, that these funds were used for matters not in accordance with the Joint Circular.)

He said the prosecution panel believes it has established a strong case, although the final assessment rests with the senator-judges.

‘Nasa kamay na po ng ating mga Senators-judges kung ano ang kanilang titingan na mas matimbang dito sa mga iniharap natin,’ he added.

(It is now in the hands of our senator-judges how they will appreciate the evidence and testimonies we have presented.)

Lachica, former head of the VPSPG, was identified as the person who received the P500 million OVP CF from former special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta – who earlier testified that it was Duterte who ordered her to transfer the amount to the military official.

Acosta also admitted during the trial that she handed OVP’s CFs to Lachica even if she knew that the latter was not a bonded official – or someone who has issued a bond, in accordance with Item No. 6.1.2 of the Joint Circular No. 2015-01 of the Commission on Audit (COA) and other government offices using CFs.

Under the circular, cash advances for confidential and intelligence funds must be drawn by duly designated and bonded SDOs or the head of agency for programs, activities and projects chargeable to such funds.

Barbers argued that Lachica’s status as a security official and not an OVP employee further supports the prosecution’s allegations involving the release of the funds.

Nolasco was also linked to the handling of confidential funds from the DepEd.

Nolasco was also linked to the handling of confidential funds from the DepEd.

Former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa who previously testified that former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda released confidential funds to Nolasco upon Duterte’s orders.

Fajarda’s possible appearance before the impeachment court remains uncertain because of his health condition. He had previously told a House committee in 2024 that he transferred the confidential funds to Nolasco.

These statements and the fact that neither Lachica nor Nolasco are OVP and DepEd employees already show violations in the use and liquidation of CFs within Duterte’s office, Barbers claimed.

‘At sabi niya (Acosta), upon the orders of the Vice President ibinigay niya ‘yong pera kay Col Lachica who is not even an employee of the Office of the Vice President and is not in charge of disbursing all these funds kasi ang trabaho ni Col. Lachica, bantayan ang ating Pangalawang Pangulo, i-secure siya, ‘yon lamang ang kanyang role ‘di ba?’ Barbers said.

(And she (Acosta) said, she gave the funds to Col. Lachica upon the orders of the Vice President, even if he is not an employee of the Office of the Vice President and is not in charge of disbursing all these funds, because Col. Lachica’s actual job is to secure the Vice President, that’s his role, right?)

As for Madriaga, Barbers said the former’s statements during the House committee on justice hearing last April, regarding the two impeachment complaints against Duterte, delivered one of the highlights as it was the first time that any person provided a possible glimpse into how the CFs were allegedly misused and transferred.

Madriaga claimed during the April 14 hearing that Duterte ordered him in December 2022 to coordinate with Col. Dennis Nolasco, regarding the deliveries of cash to allies in San Pablo, Laguna; a comedy bar in Quezon City, and the Office of the Ombudsman parking lot as a way of ‘returning a favor.’

According to Madriaga, four large duffle bags were unloaded from the vehicles, three of them were dark and one was light-colored – containing around P30 million to P35 million each – corresponding to the P125 million CF issued to OVP in December 2022.

Madriaga claimed that he liquidated the P125 million CF in one day, and not the reported 11 days.

Some details in Madriaga’s account were later echoed by witnesses presented before the impeachment court.

Acosta testified that four oblong-shaped traveling bags were used to carry the OVP’s P125 million confidential fund from a LandBank branch in Shaw Boulevard.

In-form Yvon Bisera seeks a third Ladies PGT title this season, teeing off as the solid favorite when the ICTSI Summit Point Championship gets off the ground Tuesday in Lipa City in Batangas.

Bisera will not just be seeking to win another P1 million event, but also use this stint to sharpen her game for a first appearance in the lucrative yet tougher Korean LPGA later this month.

‘I want to play well at Summit Point and use it to prepare for Korea,’ said Bisera, who will play in the Hana Financial Group Championship from Sept. 17-20 in Gyeonggi Province, on Daebudo Island southwest of Seoul.

Bisera has been in impressive form on the LPGT this season, outlasting two rivals in a playoff to capture the Lakewood Championship in March. She then produced an emphatic seven-shot victory at the Pradera Verde Championship last July, and those victories have certainly established her as a favorite in Lipa.

With her Korean LPGA debut fast approaching, Bisera has used her time between tournaments to fine-tune the part of her game she believes could prove decisive at Summit Point: the short game.

While waiting for her Korean visa documents, the Davaoeña has devoted extra time to sharpening her touch around the greens, particularly with the possibility of strong winds adding another layer of difficulty at the Batangas layout.

‘You can’t lose focus at Summit Point, especially in the face of strong winds,’ Bisera continued in Filipino.

That focus will be particularly crucial in a 54-hole event, where a fast start can provide early advantage.

Bisera, however, is not expecting another runaway performance like the one she produced at Pradera Verde.

‘I really want to win, but everyone in the field has been preparing hard for this tournament,’ she said. ‘But I will try my best to perform well for my confidence going to Korea.’

She will have plenty of opposition in Batangas, with reigning Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa leading a compact but formidable field that also features former leg winners Mafy Singson, Tiffany Lee, Chihiro Ikeda and Princess Superal.

Korean challenger Kim Seoyun is likewise expected to figure prominently, along with title-hungry contenders Martina Miñoza, Pamela Mariano, Velinda Castil, Rev Alcantara, Angela Mangana and Gretchen Villacencio.

Gilas Pilipinas saw a familiar face in Korea during its preparation for the 2026 Asian Games.

In a Facebook post by Adrian Nocum, the Nationals were seen dining with Anyang JKJ’s Filipino import and former Gilas swingman Rhenz Abando.

‘Kain po tayo,’ wrote Nocum in a post that also featured Converge twin towers Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, Barangay Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos and San Miguel Beer’s Don Trollano.

Nocum’s post gained traction among netizens, with some even speculating that Abando could be a last-minute addition to Gilas to replace the questionable Justin Brownlee.

No such news, however, has been confirmed, as the meal was simply a reunion since Abando is staying in Korea for his stint in the KBL.

Abando last suited up for Gilas in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

Coincidentally, Nocum and Abando’s meeting was an NCAA reunion of sorts, as they faced each other in the Season 97 Finals between Mapua and Letran.

Since then, Abando joined the KBL, while Nocum declared for the PBA Draft before ultimately being selected by Rain or Shine.

Michelle Garcia, the eldest daughter of actor Patrick Garcia and his wife Nikka Garcia, has joined the K-pop training program at SM Universe Singapore, the training academy of South Korean talent label SM Entertainment.

This was revealed by the academy through a video on SM Universe’s Instagram page on Thursday, Sept. 3. The clip features Michelle dancing and singing as one of the academy’s ‘K-Pop Professional Training programme trainees.’

‘Hi, I’m Michelle Garcia. I’m from the Philippines and I’m 13 years old,’ she began.

Speaking about her journey, she continued, ‘Every Friday, I hop on a plane for four hours from the Philippines to Singapore. I think it’s pretty worth it to join this program because you learn a lot. You meet new people, you meet new coaches, and that teaches you a lot.’

Michelle noted that her coaches from South Korea teach her techniques that she applies to herself to improve her singing and dancing skills.

Sharing advice to those who also want to embark on a K-pop training journey, she encouraged, ‘Just do it. Just take a risk. You never know what you might find out about yourself, about your attitude, about your skills.’

‘You never know what might come, and this is all for your growth. This is all for you,’ she added.

SM Entertainment is one of the major talent agencies in South Korea, managing K-pop groups such as EXO, Red Velvet, Super Junior, NCT and aespa, among others.

In 2024, Michelle was among the young girls chosen to serve as backup dancers for South Korean singer-actress IU during her ‘H.E.R.E.H’ concert in Bulacan.

Almost a month after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint for grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued an arrest warrant over the offense she allegedly committed in 2024.

The case stemmed from statements Duterte made during an online press conference on Nov. 23, 2024, when she cursed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, who was then House speaker.

Duterte said she had contracted a hit man to kill the Marcos couple and Romualdez should an alleged plot to kill her succeed.

‘Don’t worry about my safety,’ she said during the online press conference.

Duterte made the threat from a room at the House of Representatives, where her chief of staff, lawyer Zuleika Lopez, was detained after she was cited for contempt over her evasive answers during the investigation into Duterte’s alleged fund misuse.

‘This country is going to hell because we are led by a person who doesn’t know how to be a president and who is a liar,’ she said.

‘I have talked to a person and I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM (Bongbong Marcos), Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez,’ Duterte said in Filipino.

‘No joke. No joke,’ she said.

Duterte added: ‘I said, do not stop until you kill them and he said yes.’

The case, for violation of Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code on grave threats in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, was filed before the Quezon City RTC on Aug. 11.

The crime of grave threats penalizes statements that create real and imminent danger to specific persons, regardless of whether actual harm will take place. Bail is set at P120,000.

A National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) official earlier told the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, that Duterte’s threats against the first couple and Romualdez were ‘serious, real, and actual.’

‘To me, as the chief investigator at that time, the utterances made by the vice president was serious, and the threat was real and actual,’ Lotoc said, referring to the report he wrote when the NBI investigated Duterte’s press conference.

He said: ‘We considered the content of context of the utterances made by the Vice President in Nov. 23, 2024, as well as the utterances made by the vice president on Oct. 18, 2024, and the reactions from the recipients as well as reactions from several government agencies.’

Duterte is also facing an impeachment trial before the Senate over several allegations, including grave threats against the first family and Romualdez.