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Republic Act No. 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act-This law, signed by President Marcos on Sept. 12, 2025, establishes a competency-based promotion system for elementary and secondary teachers. It ensures their professional development and career growth by expanding the promotion tracks from Teacher I to Master Teacher I under a system that prioritizes qualifications and competence over seniority.

The Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act (Republic Act No. 11997)-Signed by President Marcos on June 3, 2024, the law takes its title from the Senate version of the measure (Senate Bill No. 1964), and sets an initial allowance of P5,000 per teacher for school year 2024 to 2025, followed by P10,000 starting school year 2025 to 2026 and every year thereafter.

Excellence in Teacher Education Act (Republic Act No. 11713)-This law, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in April 27, 2022, strengthens pre-service teacher education by broadening the mandate and functions of the Teacher Education Council (TEC) chaired by the Secretary of Education.

List of bills recently filed in Congress for teachers:

House Bill No. 4531-Filed on Sept. 11, 2025, by House Assistant Minority Leader and Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan, the bill seeks to triple the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) from P1,000 to P3,000 for every public school teacher.

House Bill No. 2801-Filed on Aug. 4, 2025, by Bohol District Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, this bill proposes to upgrade the basic salary of public school teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15.

Senate Bill No. 211-Filed on July 14, 2025 by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, it seeks to grant a P15,000 salary increase for all public school teachers and personnel.

Senate Bill No. 410-Filed on July 9, 2025 by Sen. Bong Go, the measure aims to provide an across-the-board monthly allowance for all teaching and non-teaching personnel engaged in basic education.

House Bill No. 203-Filed on June 30 by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise M. Co, this bill seeks to raise the minimum monthly salary of public school teachers to P50,000. -INQUIRER RESEARCH

MANILA, Philippines-LA Tenorio won his opening game as Magnolia coach after frustrating Barangay Ginebra, 80-73, in a low-scoring start to the PBA’s 50th season before a big crowd on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Zavier Lucero anchored the Hotshots’ big night with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, giving Tenorio an auspicious start to his new role calling the shots on the other side of the rivalry dubbed the ‘Manila Clasico.’ Jerom Lastimosa had 14 points and five assists while Javi Gomez scored 14 points in his first game for Magnolia.

Magnolia went up by 15 in the fourth, 63-48, even as it was able to foil Ginebra’s comeback bid in the final minutes. Stephen Holt posted 16 points, four rebounds and three assists but the Gin Kings dropped their opening assignment at the hands of their former backcourt general. Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos scored 11 with four assists while neophyte Sonny Estil tallied nine points and seven rebounds for Ginebra in the defeat.

Scottie Thompson uncharacteristically went scoreless in 31 minutes, missing all five attempts, while hauling down just five boards for Ginebra.

The game was highly-anticipated coming into the opener, given that Tenorio was facing his old team to begin the difficult task of trying to turn the fortunes of the Magnolia franchise.

Magnolia raced to a 10-0 lead, 13-2 and 19-5, though Ginebra was able to close in, trailing 26-24 in the second. But the Hotshots never relinquish their hold on the advantage the rest of the way.

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac, Mayor Alice Guo’s birth certificate was declared void on September 24 in a ruling of the Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) chief Claire Dennis Mapa revealed.

‘Recently, the certificate of live birth of Alice Guo was declared void by the RTC 3rd Judicial Region Branch 111 Tarlac City last September 24, 2025. This is good news for the Philippine government, the Philippine Statistics Authority,’ Mapa said during a hearing of the Senate committee on Finance on Friday.

A petition to cancel Guo’s registration was filed by the Office of the Solicitor General and the PSA on July 4, 2024 on the ground that the ex-mayor was ineligible for late registration.

In 2024, Guo was linked to a Philippine offshore gaming operation (Pogo) in Tarlac, alongside many others.

Her nationality and identity were also questioned, and documents from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Department of Foreign Affairs asserted that Guo was a Chinese national. The PSA welcomed the Tarlac court’s decision, stating that it set a good precedent for other attempts of identity fraud in the country. ‘The court’s ruling sends a strong message that falsifying or misrepresenting information in civil registry documents carries serious consequences. Such actions are an attack on our individual and collective identity, as they undermine the country’s civil registry system,’ Mapa said.

BI echoed this position, and recommitted to imposing strict measures against those faking identities.

‘The RTC ruling is not just about one individual-it sends a resounding message to all foreign nationals who attempt to illegally acquire Philippine documents. We will not allow the sanctity of our nation’s civil registry and identity system to be compromised,’ BI Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement on Sunday. Guo and her family are facing falsification and anti-dummy charges, and Guo in particular is facing money laundering charges, a qualified trafficking case, a graft case, and a material misrepresentation case before three different courts.

More than P2.1 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) were seized during a surprise inspection inside the Antipolo City jail in Rizal province on Saturday morning, October 4.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel were undertaking on Saturday morning a surprise inspection – dubbed as ‘Oplan Linis Piitan’ – inside all dormitories at the detention facility located in Barangay San Jose when searchers discovered several packs of shabu hidden inside the air exhaust duct in one of the cells occupied by male inmates at around 9:30 a.m., the police in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) said in a report Sunday.

The seized meth was placed in one knot-tied transparent rubber condom, 10 knot-tied transparent plastics, and 14 sealed plastic sachets, weighing a total of 320 grams, worth P2,176,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board valuation at P6,800 per gram.

The BJMP and police were still determining the identity of the inmates behind the drug contraband.

When Ateneo needed a momentum-stopper against a furious La Salle rally, Shawn Tuano rose to the occasion.

The Blue Eagles’ 81-74 win over the Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament may look comfortable on paper, but it was anything but. Ateneo had built a commanding 31-point lead at one point, only for La Salle to storm back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 11, 68-57, with 3:45 left.

That’s when Tuano delivered.

‘If I’m needed to be the energy guy, I’ll be the energy guy. If I need to score, I’ll try to score. If I need to play defense, I’ll play defense,’ Tuano said after the game at Mall of Asia Arena. ‘I just try to do my roles to the best of my abilities.’

Tuano finished with 15 points, including five crucial points down the stretch. He buried back-to-back baskets to fend off the Green Archers and extend Ateneo’s lead to 73-59 with 3:19 remaining.

The forward’s timely contributions helped Ateneo preserve its perfect 4-0 start to the season.

‘Whatever coach Tab says or needs me to do on the court, I have to accomplish those. This is a good win but there’s a lot to learn,’ Tuano added.

Inspired by a rare taste of success on the global stage with Alas Pilipinas, Dante Alinsunurin returns to club action with Choco Mucho in the PVL Reinforced Conference, armed with fresh lessons and renewed fire.

Alinsunurin, part of Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni’s staff during the Philippines’ historic 19th-place finish in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, still carries the emotional high of that campaign. The national team stunned African champion Egypt and pushed powerhouse Iran to five sets, falling just short of a round-of-16 berth.

‘It was an incredible experience,’ said Alinsunurin. ‘You could really see how much our team has improved. We showed we belong on the world stage.’

Seven of the 14 players on that team were his current or former athletes from National University-a source of pride for the coach who led the men’s national team to a silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

As he shifts his focus back to the PVL, Alinsunurin brings with him a key takeaway from the global stage: discipline.

‘That’s what stood out. Discipline in everything-not just training, but in how we eat, how we live daily. It has to come from the heart,’ he said. ‘That kind of consistency makes it easier to reach your goals.’

With Choco Mucho aiming to break through after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2023 and 2024 All-Filipino Conferences, Alinsunurin is buoyed by the return of key players. The only notable absence is Sisi Rondina, who is preparing for the SEA Games in Thailand with the beach volleyball squad.

‘I’m really happy a lot of our players are back,’ he said. ‘Some couldn’t play last conference, but now they’re ready. It feels great seeing more teammates at practice.’

Maddie Madayag returns from a stint in Japan, Kat Tolentino is back in training and top draft pick and Alas Pilipinas setter Tia Andaya is set to debut, working alongside Deanna Wong to set up hitters like Isa Molde, Des Cheng, Royse Tubino, Cherry Nunag and rookies Ayesha Juegos and Jen Villegas.

‘I’m thankful Kat and Maddie are both back, and Tia is showing promise,’ Alinsunurin said. ‘Every time I come to training now, I feel more confident about where we’re headed. Having more players gives us options and energy.’

He also praised American import Marlee Smith’s quick adjustment and team-first mindset. ‘She’s doing well-very coachable and even suggests ideas to help the team,’ he added.

Emma Tiglao was in her glamorous, polished and over-the-top best, as she shone at the welcome ceremony, press conference, and other pre-pageant activities ahead of the Miss Grand International 2025 tilt.

Tiglao, who is on a quest to score a back-to-back win for the Philippines, pulled all the stops to ensure that she is among the standout candidates in this year’s edition of the global tilt.

During the welcome ceremony, the pageant veteran was a stunner in an off-shoulder gown with cut-outs on the waist by Chico Estiva, decked in dripping gemstones from the neckline to the hem. She also delivered her signature melodious introduction, a switch from the usual high-pitched way of saying the country’s name. She then changed into a jewel-toned traditional Chut Thai with a gold wrap-like top, a lilac midi skirt, and a hot pink waist belt decorated with gems and traditional ornaments. The pièce de résistance was her golden Miss Grand Philippines crown, which glowed with every strut. Tiglao was also pretty in pink in an asymmetrical blush dress with a floor-length train by Kannah Designs and gold strappy heels after the welcome ceremony. Tiglao seems to have a love for the color pink, as she showed up in a jewel-toned pink hue to cap off her fifth day at the global tilt. The pink Anthony Ramirez number featured long sleeves, a low neckline, and a silk finish, with a long jeweled necklace bringing the look together. Tiglao showed off her curves in a bright red lace mini dress at the pageant’s talent competition, where she displayed her dance skills.

‘I am so happy I was able to show my love for dancing on the Miss Grand International stage during the Grand Talent Audition. Congratulations to us girls, we did it! And to my Grand sisters who made it to the Top 15 for Grand Talent, cheering for you all!’ she captioned her post. The Pampanga-based beauty queen is eyeing to win the Philippines’ second Miss Grand International crown from the reigning titleholder, CJ Opiaza.

The global tilt is scheduled to take place at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 18. /ra

As the nation prepares to honor its educators on World Teachers’ Day, Oct. 5, the government rolled out twin announcements that recognize the vital role of teachers in shaping the country’s future.

These are the release of the P1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) and the creation of over 65,000 new teaching and nonteaching positions under the proposed 2026 national budget.

In a memorandum dated Sept. 25, the Department of Education (DepEd) directed the immediate release of the WTDIB for fiscal year 2025.

The incentive, amounting to P1,000 each, will be distributed to all public school teachers with permanent and provisional appointments, including those in community learning centers, provided they are in service on or before Oct. 5 of the school year.

Education Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral stressed that implementing units with available funds may already begin processing payments to ensure that all eligible teaching personnel receive the incentive in time for the celebration.

Thousands of new jobs

The grant is anchored on Republic Act No. 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, which guarantees benefits to support and uplift educators.

Meanwhile, at the launch of Project Bukas at Parañaque National High School on Sept. 29, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced that the proposed 2026 national budget includes funding for more than 65,000 teaching and nonteaching positions.

The initiative, Pangandaman said, aims to ease the heavy administrative load that often pulls teachers away from their core task of classroom instruction.

‘This allocation will help relieve teachers of the burden of paperwork and allow them to focus on teaching,’ she said. The budget chief also paid tribute to the education community:

‘We give thanks to the teachers, administrators and everyone who help run our schools for your for your unwavering commitment and dedication to nurturing our future generations,’ Pangandaman said.

‘Nation’s Gratitude World Teachers’ Day,’ celebrated every Oct. 5, serves as a reminder of the indispensable role teachers play in nation-building. For educators across the Philippines, this year’s observance comes with both tangible support-cash incentives and new positions-and symbolic recognition of their enduring service.

With the Sept. 30 earthquake that rocked the province, derailing the activities of the 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, the organizers were able to squeeze in a quick tour for the delegates.

After four straight days of taking part in various relief missions to help those severely impacted by the tremor, the ladies were finally able to get a much-needed day to unwind.

On Sunday morning, Oct. 5, the ladies participated in a personality development workshop with Trainstation, then headed out to the city to let their hair down.

They went to Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City to have lunch at two dining outlets of famed British chef Gordon Ramsay that recently opened in Cebu.

After having their fill of Ramsay’s signature Fish and Chips, Classic Cheeseburger, and Gordon’s Fried Chicken, the ladies then stopped by the Lapu-Lapu Monument just a few meters away.

Next in their itinerary was Magellan’s Cross, one of the most popular tourist sites in Cebu City, located at the Plaza Sugbo adjacent to the Basilica del Santo Niño compound.

Before the magnitude-6.9 earthquake halted the pageant’s benefit gala night on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the ladies were really scheduled for a tour of the province in the succeeding days.

But the organizers realigned the pageant’s events to respond to the most pressing concern of the host province, and instead held relief missions and other activities. On Oct. 1 and 2, the ladies went to the Cebu Province Warehouse to help with the packing of goods for distribution to those hit hardest by the quake.

Also on Oct. 2, the delegates underwent a mental health workshop to help them process their emotions after the tremor, and to prepare them for a visit to the quake-hit towns in northern Cebu.

On Oct. 3, the pageant brought relief goods to Daanbantayan, Medellin and San Remigio, neighboring towns of Bogo City, where the earthquake’s epicenter was traced.

The following day, they kicked off the earthquake relief program of the pageant’s official shoe provider, dubbed ‘From Glamour to Giving.’

Giannis Antetokounmpo was with the Milwaukee Bucks in practice for the first time this season Saturday, after missing the first few days of training camp while he remained in his native Greece recovering from COVID-19.

Antetokounmpo participated in non-contact work only, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami on Friday. The Bucks held media day on Monday – Antetokounmpo took part remotely – and started camp in Milwaukee on Tuesday, then flew to Miami on Thursday for a few days of workouts at Florida International University in advance of their preseason opener against the Heat on Monday.

‘I think it took a toll on my body. I’m not feeling 100% yet physically,’ Antetokounmpo said of dealing with the illness. ‘Just taking it day by day, getting back in shape. I was able to do some 5-on-0, run up and down a little bit. Tomorrow I’ll be a little better. I’ve got like 18 days until the first game so I think I’ll be fine.’ Antetokounmpo, who turns 31 in December, is entering his 13th season, all with Milwaukee. He’s a nine-time All-Star, an NBA champion, a two-time MVP, an NBA Finals MVP and he’s one of only two players who have averaged at least 30 points a game in each of the last three seasons. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder is the other.

Not having Antetokounmpo for some camp might turn out to be advantageous in at least one capacity, Rivers said. The Bucks basically know what he brings to the table. Working out without him lets the Bucks see what might happen in the minutes where he isn’t in the lineup.

‘The key to our team every year is the minutes when Giannis is off the floor,’ Rivers said. ‘So, we’ve been working on that. And so maybe that’ll help us in the long run.’