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Despite the halt on rice imports to the country, the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s revenue collection remained unfazed, earning over P80 billion for the month of September.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said that preliminary revenue data from the BOC indicated an increase of nearly eight percent in collections compared to the same month last year.

‘Our September was very challenging, and we are shocked by the decline in volume. Well, for the last day we are up by 7.73 percent,’ he told reporters. ‘The highest margin year-over-year for the entire 2025.’

In September 2024, the BOC collected P76.28 billion. This means that the BOC collected P82.18 billion for the month of September this year, reflecting an increase in revenue despite challenges brought by the importation halt.

‘We’re struggling because the volume has been down since late last week. And really, we’re a little bit struggling in that particular area. But the rate of assessment is up, and collections year over year are up. So, maybe we’re looking at just certain adjustments,’ Maronilla said.

For the nine-month period, the BOC has collected around P703.57 billion. This is still higher by nearly two percent from January to September last year, which only stood at P690.68 billion in revenue collection.

In terms of revenue leakage due to smuggling, Maronilla said it is hard to estimate because they cannot tell how many are being smuggled out of the country.

‘But given the relative closeness of our collection and our target despite the really substantial reduction in volume, I think it’s not that high. (It) could be, in terms of certain items in the southern part of the Philippines,’ he said.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee reduced the BOC’s revenue target for this year to P990 billion from P1.06 trillion, citing lower tariffs and anticipated sluggish import growth.

Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier mentioned that the BOC is expected to fall short of its 2025 revenue target by around P100 billion.

Kirk Bondad, the Philippines’ second Mister International, had a rousing victory presscon at the Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Pasay on September 29.

Kirk’s win follows Kenneth Cabangcal placing fifth at Mister Supranational in Poland on June 28, and Kenneth Marcelino’s first runner-up finish at Mister Cosmopolitan in Thailand on September 7. Jether Palomo is currently campaigning in Bangkok to snatch a back-to-back victory at Mister Global 2025.

The two Kenneths were at Kirk’s homecoming event. However, it was made even more memorable with the presence of ‘Gwapulis’ Neil Perez, who won the Philippines’ first Mister International title in 2014.

One of the first questions on everyone’s mind, though, was Kirk’s reaction to being followed on social media by Latin pop superstar Ricky Martin.

‘I know that he started following me a little bit over a year ago and we chatted a little bit. It’s only now that people have been getting notice of that. And honestly, I’m very surprised that the skeleton just popped up out of nowhere,’ said the Superman-like Filipino-German supermodel, wellness director and entrepreneur.

‘But, yeah, I guess I just started following him back actually. I was in the airport and I realized that I don’t follow him but I checked him out and he’s like super into fitness and all that,’ an excited Kirk, 28, said.

‘So, who knows maybe one day we will have a workout or something. Yeah, it’s funny. It’s definitely something that I did not expect to get out of this competition,’ he added.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is among the companies expressing interest in acquiring Villar-owned PrimeWater.

Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said the company is open to considering PrimeWater, should a potential sale by the Villar Group happens.

‘It is still part of the water industry. We are a company in the water sector. PrimeWater is also into water so it’s unlikely that we won’t take a look,’ Fernandez said.

Former senator Cynthia Villar earlier said that her husband, tycoon Manuel Villar Jr., wants to dispose of PrimeWater since it is only being used against them in politics.

PrimeWater, a subsidiary of Prime Asset Ventures Inc., has earlier faced complaints from consumers about its water services.

The company serves over 1.7 million households and treats more than 500 million liters of water daily.

Its service coverage spans from Tuguegarao in Cagayan Province, through Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the Visayas and extends all the way to Davao City in Mindanao.

Maynilad, meanwhile, is the concessionaire of the government in providing water services in the West Zone of Metro Manila.

The company, which is slated to conduct an initial public offering next month, is jointly owned by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), DMCI Holdings of the Consunji family and Marubeni Corp. of Japan.

MPIC owns about 53 percent of the water utility firm, while DMCI and Marubeni hold 25 percent and 20 percent , respectively.

‘There is interest (in PrimeWater) because they are really a dominant player. They have a lot of different buckets because they are very extensive outside Metro Manila,’BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco said.

‘So they’re a good asset. I guess the question there is the valuation,’ he said.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) maintained its leadership in the truck segment, accounting for over 40 percent of the country’s total truck sales from January to August.

In a statement yesterday, IPC said it remained the overall truck market leader, holding 42.7 percent of the market in the eight-month period with 3,200 truck units sold. This marked a 10 percent increase from the 2,912 units sold in the same period last year.

Light-duty trucks emerged as the top-performing segment for IPC, with 1,934 units sold, representing 42.9 percent of the market during the period.

IPC attributed the performance in the light-duty truck segment to its Isuzu N-Series trucks, which are being used for logistics and distribution businesses nationwide.

The automotive firm also posted strong performance in the medium-duty truck segment with 998 units sold, capturing 43 percent of the market as of end-August. This marked a four percent increase in sales compared to the same period last year.

IPC said the Isuzu F-Series remains a top choice for businesses that require dependable medium-duty solutions for long-distance transport and industrial use.

Meanwhile, IPC sold 278 units and accounted for 40.3 percent of the heavy-duty truck segment.

The performance was supported by the Isuzu S and E series trucks, which are used for government infrastructure projects and large-scale logistics operations.

Through its aftersales support, IPC is helping clients maintain their vehicles, while minimizing operational costs and downtime.

‘We at Isuzu Philippines are honored by the support of Filipino businesses and individuals, which reflects the trust we’ve built through our dedication to delivering the best customer experience – from sales to aftersales. The growth for each segment, from light-duty, medium-duty to heavy-duty trucks, demonstrates our mission to provide reliable mobility solutions tailored to the diverse needs of our customers,’ IPC president Mikio Tsukui said.

Given the latest performance, IPC is confident that it would end the year on a strong note.

‘Our continued mission to offer product excellence and customer service is our key to retaining our leadership as the country’s most trusted truck brand,’ Tsukui said.

The first thing that greets travelers heading into Bogo City are not just the trucks filled with aid, but the handwritten signs on cardboard: ‘We need help. Foods and water.’

They hang on gates, stand propped against debris, or are held up by weary residents, a sobering reminder of how desperate the situation remains in northern Cebu after the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

Alongside these pleas is the steady movement of trucks –big and small–making their way toward ground zero.

Loaded with sacks of rice, bottled water, and relief packs, they represent more than just cargo. Each vehicle is a lifeline for families who have been displaced and now rely on outside assistance for survival.

On the main street of Bogo, a long queue formed for the 600 food packs being distributed by the First Community Cooperative (FICCO).

People waited patiently under the heat.

‘With the collaboration of everyone, we hope more will extend help sincerely from the heart, so recovery will be faster for our fellow Filipinos,’ FICCO’s general manager emphasized.

Capitol public information officer Ainjeliz Dela Torre Orong echoed the call.

‘We still need more to be given to the towns. We truly appreciate the volunteers, especially the youth. Their energy and commitment are invaluable right now,’ she said.

During his visit to Cebu, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the groundswell of volunteerism.

‘I noticed noong umiikot ako gaano karami ang volunteer na nandito,’ he said.

He noted how hospitals were filled with doctors, nurses, and medical technologists tirelessly attending to the injured, but emphasized that what struck him most were the ordinary citizens who chose to step in and help.

“Yung volunteers hindi nila kailangan pumunta dito, kagandahan lang ng loob nila kaya kailangan nating pasalamat natin silang lahat,” he stressed.

He added that the response once again demonstrated the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan.

Volunteers

Two days after the earthquake hit Bogo City and neighboring towns, the Capitol-led relief mission for northern Cebu continues, with students taking the lead.

According to the Capitol Command Center, a total of 5,590 volunteers have already registered.

On the first day of the relief mission, 2,090 volunteers joined. As of yesterday, October 2, 2025, at least 3,500 more signed up for tasks such as carrying goods, repacking relief packs, and delivering them to the Cebu Provincial warehouse for deployment.

The volunteers –composed mostly of students– are helping sustain the relief efforts for earthquake-affected communities in northern Cebu.

Among those who joined the bayanihan efforts are students from the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, University of the Visayas (UV), University of Cebu (UC), Southwestern University PHINMA (SWU), Asian College of Technology (ACT), Cebu Normal University (CNU), Cebu Technological University (CTU), University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), Cebu Institute of Technology University (CITU), University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR), University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU), among others.

One of them is Frenches Luzette Ymbong, a first-year Nursing student from UV, who shared that she learned about the Capitol’s relief drive through a social media post by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

She added that organizations in their school also helped spread the word, noting that many students from across Cebu responded to the call to volunteer at the Capitol.

‘That’s why me and my classmates decided to help out as well,’ said Ymbong.

She said it was a personal decision for students to help fellow Cebuanos affected by the earthquake.

Ymbong added that volunteering for those in need is her way of giving back to the community.

‘It is an overwhelming feeling kay kita baya tanan ang affected sa linog and now it’s so good to see that people from different universities are coming all together to help our fellow Cebuanos,’ she said.

The freshman Nursing student said that if she were already a trained responder, she would have gone to Bogo City, the epicenter of the 6.9-magnitude quake. However, she added that in the future, once she becomes a nurse, she is determined to serve the people with utmost care, especially in times of crisis.

For now, she said her way of helping is by volunteering in the relief efforts and giving in-kind donations. She even shared that she donated some of her own clothes.

‘I am very happy that at least, even if this seems so little, I am able to help out,’ she said.

On the other hand, Niño Lagapa, an Education student from Cebu Normal University (CNU), shared that after seeing social media posts about the devastation caused by the earthquake, he felt the need to step up and volunteer.

‘Masakitan ko magtan-aw ba. Mora’g akong konsensya ang mopatay nako kung unsay akong mabuhat,’ said Lagapa, recalling the struggles faced by residents in northern Cebu.

Lagapa’s group of fellow volunteers started as early as 9 A.M., and for him, volunteering is the best way he can help his fellow Cebuanos affected by the earthquake. He said it is also his way of supporting the victims.

Lagapa admitted that volunteering can be tiring, especially since the weather was hot yesterday morning, but he said it was fulfilling and that he and his classmates still enjoyed the experience.

‘Bisan init, we find joy in everything that we do,’ he said.

Lagapa said that their decision to volunteer was their own initiative, a way of helping however they could. He added that although they had asynchronous classes, they managed to balance it with joining the relief drive.

‘Although kita tanan ang naapektohan sa linog, pero naa pa may mga nanginahanglan. But, (we must) prioritize those who really need help g’yud,’ said Lagapa.

Student volunteers also found ways to protect themselves from the scorching sun while repacking goods.

Some used their own umbrellas, while others gathered under the shade of trees, forming small circles and taking their own spots just to get the work done.

‘Amoa nalang g’yud ‘ning initiative para naa mi malihok ba, lisod kaayo mo-ari mi pero wa mi mabuhat. That’s why nangita mi og space (diri),’ said Lagapa.

The bayanihan spirit at the Capitol began on October 1, a day after the earthquake struck northern Cebu.

Among the first volunteers was Kevin Garcia, who shared his belief that the youth are indeed the hope of the nation. He said that when young people unite, they bring fresh perspectives and play a vital role in strengthening communities and taking action in times of crisis.

For now, the Cebu Provincial Command Center has temporarily suspended the acceptance of volunteers due to the overwhelming number already assisting in the Capitol’s relief operations.

‘It is a good problem, but at the same time, we cannot risk safety,’ said Command Center head Restituto Arnaiz.

He, however, clarified that donations –whether in kind or in cash– are still being accepted.

He reported that at least two volunteers fainted at the Capitol Heritage Park yesterday due to heat exhaustion, which prompted the directive to temporarily pause volunteer intake.

The Command Center will announce once the acceptance of volunteers resumes.

Despite the pause, Arnaiz said the Capitol is deeply overwhelmed by the support of the Cebuanos, especially the students who readily extended their help in this time of crisis.

‘Nakita g’yud nato ang spirit of bayanihan,’ said Arnaiz.

Arnaiz likewise shared that since October 1, donations have continued to pour in –reaching nearly P1 million worth of in-kind goods and more than P100,000 in cash.

Arnaiz also assured that there are no problems with the delivery of relief goods, as sufficient trucks from both the Capitol and the private sector are available to transport aid to earthquake-affected areas in northern Cebu.

Many health advocates for pushing for increased awareness of and battling misinformation against sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in the Philippines.

This as the country sees a rise in adolescent pregnancies, based on data from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS).

The 2024 Census of Population by the Philippine Statistics Office showed the annual population growth dropped from 1.63% (2015-2020) to 0.80% (2020-2024, the pandemic).

However, the CRVS reported an increase in adolescent pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14 years old, from 2,411 births in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023.

The Philippine divisions of the pharmaceutical company Bayer Philippines and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are teaming up to encourage young Filipinos to be more open to discussions about SRHR, contraception, pregnancy and other sexual education topics.

“We are putting young people at the center ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and support to make informed choices and to advocate for themselves and their communities,” UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Neus Bernabeus said during a World Contraception Day conference last September 26 in Bayer Philippines’ Taguig office.

Bernabeus stressed that reproductive health is a human right, contraception saves lives, and everyone deserves accurate information on both.

“Access to reliable, unbiased knowledge about contraception is essential,” Bernabeus continued. “We must work together to combat misinformation that puts lives at risk.”

A representative from the Commission on Population and Development, on behalf of executive director Lisa Grace Bersales, shared data that over nine million Filipinos are undergoing family planning as the country’s fertility rate dropped to 1.9.

The figures show a societal shift toward planned parenthood and enable the country to harness its demographic divide, as well as enable women and couples to recognize their reproductive rights without stigma or barriers.

This is 42% of sexually active unmarried women lack access to their preferred method and there is still a low engagement of men, thus the need to redouble efforts to ensure equitable access to modern contraceptives, especially to marginalized groups.

“[We envision] a world where every pregnancy is wanted [and to] normalize discussions on reproductive health,” Bayer Philippines’ Managing Director Angel-Michael Evangelista said.

Also present at the conference was THE FORUM For Family Planning and Development through its president, Dr. Corazon Raymundo, who emphasized the non-government organization’s commitment to advancing SRHR for all.

Raymundo noted that while the Reproductive Health Law of 2012 affirms SRHR as a universal right, there were still many young Filipinos and marginalized groups like the queer community, persons with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples who remain excluded and denied their SRHR needs.

This exclusion makes the Philippines one of the Southeast Asian countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and gender-based violence.

“We must recognize that this is not just a health issue, it intersects with societal challenges that affect people’s daily lives,” ended Raymundo. “Building an inclusive future requires acknowledging the meaningful participation, representation, and empowerment of people and communities.”

With his medical condition in question, pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) may tap qualified experts to conduct an independent assessment on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s fitness to participate in court proceedings.

The ICC Registry, which is in charge of administration and operations of the court, formally informed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 that the medical officer of the tribunal’s detention facility ‘does not possess the requisite expertise of judicial knowledge to provide such an assessment regarding a detained person’s fitness to stand trial.’

Following the defense’s claim that Duterte is unfit to stand trial, the pre-trial chamber directed the ICC Detention Center’s medical officer to submit a report on the former president’s medical condition.

The Registry, however, told judges that the medical officer’s mandate is only limited to the oversight of the physical and mental health of the detained persons.

While the medical officer can provide limited observations on the health of a detainee, matters related to ‘long-term adjustments to hearing arrangements’ and other issues already fall outside its mandate, the Registry said.

But it said that the Registry maintains a roster of qualified experts who may provide services to the court.

‘The Registry stands ready to provide the Chamber with a shortlisted curriculum vitae of suitable experts from this list in line with the Chamber’s requirements, for its consideration, should the Chamber so decide,’ it added.

Duterte’s defense team has moved to adjourn the trial on the basis of supposed cognitive decline of the former president.

The prosecution has disputed this claim and pushed for the resumption of the proceedings.

Groups slam Senate pro-Duterte resolution

Meanwhile, lawyer’s group Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) decried senators who adopted Senate Resolution 144 urging the ICC to place Duterte under house arrest, asking if those who voted in favor also have compassion and mercy for the thousands of Filipinos who were killed in the war on drugs.

‘Calling for his house arrest is not an act of mercy. It is an act of betrayal,’ the IDEALS said in a statement.

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives denounced the move, saying ‘this is not a humanitarian gesture, but a brazen attempt to obstruct justice and protect a mass murderer responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings.’

‘The senators resolution is not about pity or rights, but a clear cover-up on the crimes of Duterte. This is an example of oppression of justice for the families of the victims of drug war,’ said Act Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co described the measure as ‘nothing more than a political maneuver designed to protect Duterte and his cohorts from facing the full weight of international justice.’

‘The Senators’ resolution is an insult to the families who lost their loved ones due to the endless battering of Duterte’s fake drug war,’ Gabriela women’s party Rep. Sarah Elago said.

No effect

Kristina Conti, a lawyer representing some drug war victims, said the Senate resolution would have no effect on the ongoing proceedings at the international tribunal.

Conti described the passage of the resolution as counterproductive ‘as the Senate is not in any way involved in the ICC process.’

‘It is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court. Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,’ she said.

According to Conti, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 would only consider matters of fact and law as it evaluates various requests filed by Duterte’s lawyers, including the plea for his interim release.

She described Senate Resolution 144 as mere ‘political noise’ that could even ‘backfire’ on efforts to secure Duterte’s release from detention.

The move, she said, can be viewed as political intrusion and a form of undermining the ICC’s independence.

‘The court may also see this as conclusive proof that the Dutertes still exercise significant political clout nationwide. Duterte family members are in positions in Davao, which is why he cannot simply go home there,’ Conti said.

Fifteen senators voted in favor of the resolution calling for the house arrest of Duterte on the basis of humanitarian considerations. At least three opposed it, two abstained and four did not participate in the voting.

For Conti, given that one of the sponsors ‘is probably among the co-perpetrators of crimes against humanity being investigated by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor,’ passing the resolution was ‘patently self-serving.’

Among those who supported the measure was Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is also reportedly being investigated by the ICC for his role as Duterte’s first police chief.

The activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the senators who adopted the resolution are ‘political opportunists.’

Meanwhile, acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte is seeking the disbarment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon before the Supreme Court.

The mayor’s lawyer Israelito Torreon refused to divulge details of the complaint but said it was related to the former president’s arrest and transfer to The Hague in March, which they described as ‘illegal’ kidnapping and expulsion. – Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Daphne Galvez

The Marcos administration is considering launching a dedicated auction for nuclear energy projects as the country gears up for its first operational power plant.

The government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), is also open to seeking funding from multilateral agencies to mitigate project risks, according to an energy official.

‘We are studying the possibility of having its (nuclear energy) own auction, but we are looking into the legal framework,’ DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino said yesterday on the sidelines of the 2025 Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF).

Aquino said the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) intends to transition from preparatory activities to implementation-ready frameworks in a bid to achieve the country’s targets.

Under the existing nuclear roadmap, the Philippines wants to have at least 1,200 megawatts of commercially operational power plants by 2032 and to scale this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

Aquino, who serves as NEP-IAC technical secretariat head, said it is also a ‘very good idea’ to tap the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank to help minimize financial risk exposure for nuclear proponents.

‘We’re hopeful that with the push of the United States, multilateral agencies like the World Bank and ADB will revisit their investment direction and instruction when it comes to nuclear because right now, they’re not actively investing in nuclear power projects,’ he said.

With the recent passage of the nuclear safety law and the implementation of energy reforms, Aquino is optimistic that the Philippines’ nuclear ambitions could attract more foreign investments.

The 2025 PINSCF, for instance, drew nuclear technology leaders, policymakers, regulators, industrial partners and development agencies from the US, South Korea, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Argentina.

These participating countries, he noted, are all interested in supporting the Philippines’ nuclear journey.

‘It was a privilege to learn from these different countries successfully operating resilient nuclear plants and reaping benefits from their safe use,’ Aquino said.

‘We will continue to strengthen the ties we have forged in the two forums as we work toward achieving a clean, reliable and secure energy future for the country,’ he said.

President Marcos recently signed a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

Republic Act 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act provides the legal and institutional groundwork for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power.

According to Aquino, the law’s implementing rules and regulations are targeted to be issued within this year.

At least 168,000 students have been denied admission to state universities and colleges amid SUC capacity issues.

Data submitted by 62 of 115 SUCs showed that 32 of the SUCs or 52 percent have exceeded their capacities. Meanwhile, 11 SUCs or 18 percent have reached 100 percent capacity.

As a result, 168,493 students were denied enrollment despite qualifying for admission.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said SUCs should focus on increasing academic capacities.

He also asked the SUCs to submit their capital outlay requirements focused on classrooms and other academics-related needs.

‘The goal here is no more displaced students,’ Gatchalian added.

He noted that the SUCs’ capital outlay decreased from P31 billion in 2024 to P17 billion in 2025.

Ghost beneficiaries

Catholic schools were not involved in the voucher anomaly involving ghost beneficiaries under the Senior High School Voucher Program, the Catholic Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said.

‘They (ghost beneficiaries) do not come from Catholic schools. In fact, the ghost students were discovered by a mechanism we call the Private Education Assistance Committee, PEAC,’ CEAP president Fr. Karel San Juan said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has said that the voucher anomaly involving ghost beneficiaries has reached more than P100 million.

‘PEAC assures that government funding is distributed professionally to the rightful recipients. It certifies that schools really exist,’ San Juan added.

San Juan also welcomed initiatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate to expand the voucher program to be able to cover Kindergarten to Grade six.

‘Not only that, we’re pushing for an increase of amount because now, the amount ranges from P9,000 to P13,000 and that is not adequate to fully support the cost of education and they are open to that, especially now, with this controversy of flood control budget, our congressmen are very supportive of all this. We are pushing for the transfer of funds to education,’ San Juan said.

San Juan noted a huge drop in the enrollment in Catholic schools, amid the exodus of learners to public schools.

In three years alone, or from 2019 to 2022, the enrollment went down from 4.3 million to 1.4 million, he said.

He added that because of the difficult economic situation, students would gravitate towards free tuition fees in public schools.

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his sympathies to the survivors of the Cebu earthquake, and offered prayers for those who died.

In an interview yesterday over Radyo Veritas, newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy said Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown called him to relay Leo’s message.

Leo visited Cebu three times when he was the prior general of the Augustinian Order.

As Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, the pontiff visited Cebu in 2004 to bless the Augustinian friary at the Santo Niño de Cebu Parish in Talisay City. He returned in 2008 to lead the blessing of the Santo Niño Spirituality Center. The following year, 2009, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Radyo Veritas also reported that five churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu were damaged by the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, meanwhile, relayed his condolences to the families of earthquake victims.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also conveyed his condolences in a message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

The United Nations conveyed its sympathies and lauded authorities for their ‘swift response’ to the disaster.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot said he is ‘deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake in Cebu.’

Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, said his country stands ready to support the Philippine government address urgent humanitarian needs.

The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished swift recovery to those hurt.

The Chinese embassy relayed its ‘deepest condolences to the victims, and our hearts go out to the families affected by the earthquake in Cebu.’

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed his sympathies to the families of earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, through its embassy, ‘conveys the sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government and people of the friendly Republic of the Philippines over the devastation caused by Typhoon Opong, which has resulted in casualties and missing persons.’