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The police in Maguindanao del Norte and Sultan Kudarat impounded a total of P11.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate law enforcement operations on Thursday.

The first operation was in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, where the police, led by Lt. Colonel Esmael Madin, flagged down a closed-van cargo truck at about 4 a.m.

Responding to a tip that a cargo truck from Lebak, Sultan Kudarat was to pass through Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Madin alerted his men manning several checkpoints in the town’s capital.

A cargo truck was intercepted and upon inspection, police found 266 cases of imported cigarettes from Malaysia.

‘It was estimated to cost about P9.5 million,’ Madin told reporters, adding that the contraband was supposed to be delivered to an unidentified consignee in Tacurong City.

The suspects are now detained at the Datu Odin police detention facility while appropriate charges are being prepared against them.

A few hours earlier, members of the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Mobile Force Company and Lebak municipal police station confiscated about P1.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at a checkpoint in Barangay Christianuevo, Lebak, at about 11:30 a.m.

Two men, the driver and the helper, were arrested and are now detained at the Lebak police detention facility.

Brig. Gen Arnold Ardiente, regional director for Police Regional Office 12, said smuggling will never prosper in the Soccsksargen region because the public has been helping the police foil all illegal activities in the region

Not only does Phoenix await the Aces in the WNBA Finals, but so does history.

Las Vegas has the opportunity to become champions for the third time in four years, a feat surpassed only by the Houston Comets, who won the league’s first four titles in 1997-2000 The second-seeded Aces, who won championships in 2022 and 2023, open the best-of-seven Finals by hosting the No. 4 Mercury on Friday.

But minutes after getting past No. 6 Indiana 107-98 in overtime on Tuesday night, coach Becky Hammon wasn’t ready to think about the potential history the Aces can make.

‘I haven’t thought about it,’ Hammon said. ‘We’re just trying to make it through a quarter at a time. Look, we have a special group here. I’m not surprised that they’re here because I know who they are. I know how they’re built.’

The Aces beat the Mercury in three of their four meetings this season, including both in August when Las Vegas was in the midst of compiling its 16-game winning streak to close the regular season. It’s tied with the second-longest streak in league history with the 2014 Mercury. The Aces are making their fourth Finals appearance in six years. They lost to Seattle in the COVID-19 bubble Finals of 2020, but then defeated Connecticut in 2022 and New York in 2023, securing both clinching victories on the road.

In defeating the Liberty, the Aces became the first team since Los Angeles in 2001-02 to win back-to-back titles.

Then this year, A’ja Wilson became the first four-time MVP. She was key to lifting the Aces out of a rut with that late charge in the regular season.

‘When you’ve been in the trenches and you really don’t know what is the problem or you don’t know what’s wrong, you’re trying to figure out answers,’ Wilson said. ‘At the beginning of every season, we write out our goals and our goals are always to win a championship. That’s everybody. But to get there, the road, we weren’t expecting it to look like it is.

Social Security System (SSS) members hit by the powerful earthquake in Cebu can now apply for a calamity loan effective Oct. 2.

In a statement on Thursday, SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro said the new guidelines allowed the pension fund to respond sooner than before, as the activation process of its calamity loan program had been significantly shortened. Members and pensioners affected by the earthquake may borrow up to P20,000 at an interest rate of 7 percent per annum. Loan applications can be filed using members’ My.SSS account.

In addition to Cebu, De Claro said the SSS calamity loans also covers members affected by the recent tropical cyclones-Mirasol, Nando and Opong-and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

A state of calamity was declared over 85 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Masbate, Aklan,and Maguindanao del Sur as a result of the weather disturbances. /dda

It’s been an eventful past few months on the hardcourt for Jericho Cruz-winning Finals Most Valuable Player honors during San Miguel Beer’s run to the PBA Philippine Cup crown and helping Guam notch its first-ever victory in the Fiba Asia Cup.

But for Cruz, those milestones pale in comparison to a far greater blessing off the court. ‘Winning Finals MVP and making history for Guam isn’t the most important,’ Cruz said. ‘The important thing that happened to me was welcoming our baby.’

Cruz and his wife Mosh welcomed their third child during the offseason, giving the veteran guard a deeper sense of purpose heading into the new PBA campaign.

Season 50 opens this weekend with the Philippine Cup, leaving the Beermen little time to savor the title they clinched in late July as they look to extend their dominance in a conference they’ve won seven times in the last 10 stagings. ‘Like what our coaches are saying, we have to take it one game at a time and not think too much about trying to repeat,’ Cruz said.

Turning 35 soon, Cruz is expected to play a vital role for the Beermen-especially after earning Finals MVP honors from the PBA Press Corps and helping Guam reach the Asia Cup quarterfinal qualification stage.

He missed Guam’s final two games due to a hamstring injury but has since fully recovered and even saw action in San Miguel’s recent tuneup games.

‘Of course, my confidence will always be there,’ said Cruz, now entering his 11th PBA season.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) trimmed its growth forecasts on the Philippines, joining other multilateral lenders in tempering expectations for the economy as higher US tariffs threaten to bite exports and investments.

Following its annual staff visit, the Washington-based institution said it now projects the Philippine economy to expand 5.4 percent this year, slightly below its earlier estimate of 5.5 percent.

Growth next year is expected at 5.7 percent, compared with the previous forecast of 5.9 percent.

The IMF’s downgrade makes it the latest to temper expectations for the Philippines. Earlier this week, the Asian Development Bank held its 2025 forecast at 5.6 percent but trimmed its 2026 projection to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent. In June, the World Bank projected growth of 5.3 percent this year, 5.4 percent in 2026 and 5.5 percent in 2027, and is expected to release updated estimates soon.

Gov’t target

Taken together, the forecasts cluster near the low end of the Marcos administration’s targets of 5.5- to 6.5-percent growth for 2024 and 6 to 7 percent by 2026.

‘The revision reflects factors related to the first half performance, which was weaker than expected,’ Elif Arbatli Saxegaard, who headed a visiting IMF team, said in a press conference in Manila on Wednesday.

The local economy grew by 5.4 percent in the first six months. ‘The important drivers of growth would be the higher tariffs which are imposed on Philippine exports to the US. It will weigh on exports and investment. While the envisioned decline in government expenditure to meet the deficit target is expected to more than offset an increase in private consumption,’ Saxegaard added.

But still ‘resilient’

Looking ahead, the IMF said it expected the Philippines to remain resilient despite losing some momentum amid external headwinds. The Fund suggested implementing ‘concrete and durable tax measures’ to limit the need for restraint in priority spending and help the government make a bigger contribution to growth.

It added that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas still had room ‘for a slightly more accommodative stance’ to ‘reduce economic slack.’

The original image, taken Monday at Saint Laurent’s spring-summer 2026 fashion show, featured Rose alongside singer Charli XCX, model Hailey Bieber and actor Zoe Kravitz. However, in Elle UK’s version, the Korean singer, who is also a global brand ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent, was left missing. The edit was noticed after W Magazine shared the full photo. Elle UK’s comment section quickly filled with accusations of racism, with users asking, ‘Why did you cut her out?’

The controversy deepened when Charli XCX also posted a picture where Rose was barely visible, obscured in a shadow.

A picture shows a less visible Rose (right), posted by Charli XCX. (Charli XCX’s Instagram)

Following the backlash, the Elle UK account uploaded individual photos of Rose on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rose and Bruno Mars won for song of the year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for her breakout solo single ‘Apt.,’ making her the first Korean artist to win the award. This achievement marked a historic moment for K-pop, surpassing even BTS, which has never scored a victory in the category despite its global success.

A network of business process outsourcing (BPO) employees has filed a formal complaint against 30 call center firms based in Cebu province for violating labor and occupational safety laws during the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Sept. 30.

BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) – Cebu lodged the complaint with the Department of Labor and Employment – Region 7 (DOLE – RO7) on Thursday.

‘BIEN-Cebu rejects this ‘business-as-usual’ approach of BPO companies and government neglect during this time of crisis. We call on all BPO workers to unite and fight back against this blatant disregard of workers’ rights,’ the group’s spokesperson John Kyle Enero said in a statement.

According to the group, they had received more than a hundred reports of agents being forced to report to work, despite their pleas to focus on their safety and their families in just two days.

Among these were agents who were allegedly forced back onto the production floor, and emergency exits were blocked in one company.

Another reported that they were offered double pay to continue working after the earthquake, disregarding safety concerns.

In another company, employees were ordered to resume work immediately after the quake, with some returning as early as 30 minutes post-event, without any safety memorandum or clearance. The group received multiple incidents of employees insisting on not reporting to work were met with notices to explain, administrative sanctions, loss of attendance incentives and benefits, among many retaliatory actions.

There were also reports of verbal threats, and concerns were downplayed, treating the crisis as ‘business as usual.’

Employees who went home after the Sept. 30 earthquake were marked as unpaid, lost attendance bonuses, and were suspended from work. Workers who did not return the following day were marked as unauthorized absences.

Some employees were even forced to sign memos prohibiting them from speaking about the situation on social media.

The group urged DOLE to investigate the allegations and hold negligent employers accountable under Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards law, and related labor issuances. When sought for comment, Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told the Inquirer that the agency is already investigating the case.

He said that the filing of complaint ‘is very welcome to enable the DOLE to establish the guilt and liability of employers being complained of.’

He added that, without preempting the outcome of the investigation, employers must not force their workers to report to work if the latter feel that their workplace is unsafe.

‘The company cannot just impose disciplinary action if the refusal or non- reporting is based on justifiable ground, i.e fear for their safety or health concerns,’ Laguesma said in a Viber message.

BIEN-Cebu also criticized the government for not declaring imminent danger in workplaces in the province, and instead passed the decision of how to handle the emergency situation to private companies.

‘This decision not only affects BPO workers at large, but the thousands of families and loved ones,’ Enero said.

‘If the government can suspend classes due to the need to inspect school buildings, they should also rightfully require BPO companies and their building administrators to provide a detailed inspection and safety report to ensure that resumption of work does not threaten worker safety,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña also urged employees who experienced the same workplace abuse to submit a report to him, by texting him at 09173299999 and providing all the details of the incident.

He assured complainants they should not fear retribution from their employers, as he would be the only one to read their text messages.

‘I need to be sure that this is true, but if this is true, we will do more than just file a complaint at DOLE,’ he said in his official Facebook account.

Brooke Van Sickle welcomes the rare chance to be coached by her parents as Petro Gazz gears up for redemption in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference.

Gary Van Sickle has been appointed as head coach, replacing interim mentor Brian Esquibel, while Brooke’s mother Lisa will serve as assistant coach. ‘It’s amazing to have them here, to be close to family. It’s really hard being overseas, making sacrifices and being away from them. I’m just grateful they’re able to be here to watch me grow as a player and as a person,’ said the PVL season MVP.

The former Oregon player is thrilled to share with her teammates all the things she learned from Gary and Lisa, who have been her coaches for her entire life. But she vows to act as their player, not daughter, inside the court.

‘We already have an understanding where once we step into the gym, they’re not my parents. They’re very educated with volleyball. Their IQ is really great,’ said Van Sickle. ‘They can make that adjustment, that separation. Outside of volleyball, we’re a loving family but when we step on the court, it’s all business and we want to win it’s all professional, all business.’

Gary, who played for the University of Hawai’i from 1988 to 1990, said Petro Gazz valued their volleyball credentials and sought their services weeks ago.

‘They kind of mentioned to us the last time we kind of talked a little bit about volleyball and they kind of wanted our background in it. And I guess about three or four weeks ago, they started reaching out to more and we started talking and seeing if we were interested,’ said the new Petro Gazz head coach.

‘We’ve seen them last year when we were watching and I think we’ll settle in because we kind of know the girls. We’re looking forward to it and excited.’

Lisa, who suited up for Hawaii Pacific University, is happy to join their daughter on the same team, but stressed their focus is helping the Angels reclaim the Reinforced crown after last year’s quarterfinal exit. ‘It was an easy decision to be with Brooke, to be able to coach her again. We’ve been watching the team ever since she’s been here. So we’re very familiar with the style of play that all the girls, other teammates have and all that,’ she said.

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Camera elegance, seamlessly integrated

At the back, the Exquisite Transparent Camera Module showcases a minimalist vertical lens layout that blends seamlessly into the panel. The subtle sparkle of the transparent material adds a premium touch while staying compact, so you can capture content in portrait or landscape without any awkward grip.

Colors that match every mood

The vivo V60 Lite has three colors that mirrors your mood and style: Pop Pink – Playful yet empowering, this cheerful shade features a subtle iridescent shift that feels like pure ‘pink magic.’ Perfect for mirror selfies and OOTDs, it channels the trendy girl-group vibe and brings a splash of joy to everyday life.

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More than just a phone, the vivo V60 Lite 5G is a personal accessory that complements every outfit and moment. From the lecture hall to late-night hangouts, it keeps up with a dynamic lifestyle while showcasing a look that’s uniquely you.

The vivo V60 Lite will launch on October 19 in Pop Pink, Titanium Blue, and Elegant Black. Celebrate your individuality and capture every memory in style with the phone that’s slim, powerful, and undeniably chic.

Stay tuned on vivoglobal.ph or vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to get updated on V60 Lite’s launch.

Sisters Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao are heartbroken after seeing the extent of the damage caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck their hometown, Bogo City, Cebu.

Vina reposted photos of the damaged structures in the city – which was the epicenter of the earthquake – along with a call for prayers through her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

‘Lord, we lift up Cebu, especially my hometown Bogo, in this difficult time. Protect and comfort everyone affected by the earthquake. May healing, strength and safety cover all,’ she said in the caption.

Vina said another prayer for those affected by the calamity through a separate post.

‘Lord, we pray for everyone affected by the earthquake in Cebu. Cover them with Your protection and embrace them with Your love. Strengthen their hearts in this time of trial and grant them courage, resilience and hope. I lift up my hometown , keep everyone safe and surround them with Your comfort and peace. Amen,’ she wrote.

Shaina shared photos of the widespread destruction as well via her Instagram Stories, writing, ‘My dad’s hometown, Bogo,’ adding a crying face and folded hands emoji.

The powerful earthquake struck Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. As of Thursday morning, Oct. 2, the death toll has exceeded 60, while almost 300 people were reported injured and dozens feared missing. The province has been placed under a state of calamity.

Other celebrities also earlier called for prayers for the victims, among them Cebuanos Slater Young, Manilyn Reynes and Ellen Adarna. /ra