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Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena came to the defense of Alex Eala, who’s been facing criticism over her recent string of early exits.

In a lengthy post on social media, Obiena spoke broadly about the nature of competing in professional sports and how ‘failure is not synonymous with losing.’

‘So asking if Alex’s string of losses suggests she has failed is the wrong question (or for any national athlete for that matter, yours truly included),’ the two-time Olympian wrote on Monday.

‘There is no such thing as failure in attempting, and in sports, there are good days and bad days, and some days you win and some days you lose, which is what gives sports its beauty and toughness.’

The 21-year-old Eala has hit a rough patch recently, losing to unseeded Russian Tatiana Prozorova in the Singapore Open round of 16 and Chinese qualifier Shi Han at the Wuhan Open round of 64 on Tuesday.

She also crashed out of the semifinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which led to a bronze medal finish despite being the tournament top seed.

Eala’s recent struggles, however, don’t diminish the banner season she’s having.

The Filipino tennis sensation started the year at No. 49 in the WTA rankings and climbed to a career-high 18th in August just a few weeks after capturing her maiden WTA crown by beating then-World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the Washington Open final.

It was also during this season that Eala made more Grand Slam history after reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon.

‘Pulling out knives on social media I can tell you won’t help. If you want to help Alex, me, or any of our athletes, pick them up when they are down. Kicking someone when they are having a bad day is poor recipe for getting the desired result you seek,’ said the 30-year-old Obiena, who successfully defended his Asian Games title last month after a record-breaking performance.

‘Ask yourself: ‘How do I want to be supported when I have a bad day?’ Then act accordingly. Some days we win. Some days we lose.’

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is preparing to partner with the private sector to give Baguio’s iconic Camp John Hay a multibillion-peso makeover, upgrading the former American recreational base.

Less than two years after taking over the estate, the state-run corporation has already begun a sweeping makeover under a refreshed master plan, with improvements ranging from hotel upgrades to fixing ‘spaghetti wires.’

Among the projects lined up for bidding in the fourth quarter is a long-term operations and maintenance (OandM) contract for The John Hay Hotels, formerly known as The Manor and Forest Lodge.

The hotels are currently under the interim management of Landco Pacific Corp., part of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., led by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan.

BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang said the winning operator would need to invest at least P1 billion to refurbish the hotels and expand their room capacity to meet growing tourist demand in Baguio.

The BCDA and its subsidiary, John Hay Management Corp., also plan to bid out a separate OandM contract for the 18-hole John Hay Golf course within the quarter.

Prospective operators must invest at least P500 million to improve the golf course and its facilities.

According to Bingcang, the golf course contract would run for 25 years, with an option to extend for another 25 years.

Beyond its tourism and recreational facilities, the BCDA’s master plan also covers upgrades to Camp John Hay’s utilities.

Bingcang said inadequate water pressure remains a concern within the estate, prompting plans for a P80-million investment to increase water supply capacity by 700 cubic meters per day.

On electricity, the BCDA, also led by Pangilinan, is negotiating with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) over an unsolicited P1.5-billion proposal to take over power distribution within Camp John Hay and address its network of overhead wires.

Should Meralco secure the contract, it would take over electricity distribution within the estate from Benguet Electric Cooperative.

But as an unsolicited proposal, the project would still have to undergo a Swiss challenge, allowing other interested parties to submit competing offers.

Bingcang said the planned investments form part of the BCDA’s efforts to redevelop Camp John Hay following the government’s takeover of the property from CJH Development Corp. in 2025, after a Supreme Court ruling brought a long-running lease dispute to a close.

As Regine Velasquez capped her career milestone with her ‘Finale’ concert, Ogie Alcasid on Sunday night heaped praises on his wife, calling her the ‘greatest singer of this beloved country.’

On the second night of her concert series at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Alcasid was again a special guest where he performed with Velasquez their popular duet, ‘Ikaw Lamang (Hanggang Ngayon).’

The song was written by Alcasid for Velasquez and became the official soundtrack of Velasquez’s 2002 movie with Richard Gomez.

After their performance, the singer-songwriter told the Asia’s Songbird that he forgot to tell her something during his appearance on the first night of her three-night concert series.

‘Gusto ko itong sabihin kagabi e, nakalimutan ko lang. I just wanted to say that aside from the fact that I am very proud of you, I want you to know that you are the greatest singer… in our house,’ he said in jest, sending Velasquez and the audience to fits of laughter.

‘You are the greatest singer of this beloved country of ours,’ he then stated.

Alcasid said that while Velasquez has mentioned that this show was her finale, the love of her fans would not end there.

‘It’s because of that love that you give them, you give them everything,’ he said before giving her a buss, and repeated what he said earlier. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest singer of the Philippines, Regine Velasquez!’

In an emotional pre-taped interview with Velasquez which was flashed on the big screen, she explained why she said that she will no longer mount big-ticket shows like this and will retire some of the songs she popularized over the years because of the changes in her voice.

‘Unfortunately I can no longer give justice to these songs. My voice has changed. I need to move on from these songs. I’m ready to let them go. It’s funny that when I decided that this was going to be my last big concert, parang di sya naging mahirap na desisyon,’ she said.

She said her sister Cacai Velasquez, who also served as her talent manager and business partner, told her to push through with the concert series for her 40th year in the industry.

‘But when the poster came out, I cried. Na-hit ako ng reality na, yeah, I forgot I was the one who decided this. I just didn’t realize that this was going to be this difficult. I think in a lot of ways, it is an ending, but this can also be the beginning of something. I’m not the type of person who would say things like I have a good voice, my career was good, even though I worked so hard, kasi nahihiya ako na sabihin, ‘Ang galing ko.’ Nahihiya talaga ako. But you know what, I think it’s okay to say that. I think magaling talaga ako, that I did a really good job,’ she said.

Indeed it was an emotional show, as Velasquez couldn’t help but cry as she was just about to start singing her second song for the night, ‘You Are My Song,’ one of her most beloved hits. As if on cue, the crowd sang prodded her on and sang along with her until she was able to compose herself onstage.

Another highlight of D2 was when veteran singer Jose Mari Chan made a surprise appearance and performed ‘Please Be Careful with My Heart,’ with Velasquez. She said that this song was very special to her as this opened a lot of doors for her and her music career.

‘This song has always been a special song for me. It became a hit song as soon as it came out. I’m very thankful for this man for choosing me. I want to sing this song, it is my privilege to introduce to you this wonderful, beautiful man,’ she said of Chan.

The rest of the night was filled with nostalgia as Velasquez sang some of her most popular classics, while her close friends Donna Cruz and Mikee Cojuangco made another appearance to sing their song, ‘I Can,’ from their movie ‘Do-Re-Mi.’ She said that even though the distance and their busy schedules have made it difficult to see each other, they always made it a point to always touch base with one another on their group chat.

Her son Nate also performed with his cousins from the Velasquez side as part of the group Meet Me at the Elevator. Rising P-pop group DNA also made a remake of Velasquez’s ‘Urong-Sulong,’ which was one of her earliest hits.

For her finale song, she chose ‘What Kind of Fool I Am,’ as she thanked her fans once more with a deep bow, earning her a standing ovation from the audience.

Velasquez, however, came back for an encore as she sang a medley of her karaoke staples which she said she would like to retire, among them, ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,’ ‘Dancing Queen,’ ‘Crazy for You,’ and ‘If Ever You’re In My Arms Again.’

There is an obvious, almost frustrating divide happening in the music industry today. I have noticed this shift over the years, and it is something that many music fans can relate to. On one hand, we have a growing list of modern artists who look at the concert stage not as a place to perform their songs, but as a literal lecture hall. They treat paying ticket-buyers as a captive audience that needs to be schooled on what to believe and how to think.

On the other hand, we have legendary bands like Metallica who remind us why we fell in love with rock and roll in the first place. In a global music landscape that is heavily bogged down by virtue-signaling and performative wokeness, the legendary heavy metal band continues to hold the line for pure entertainment.

A historic night at The Sphere

I am certain that many fans would agree that a ticket to a concert is meant for escape, not an indoctrination seminar. Metallica proved this exact point during their massive, highly successful ‘Life Burns Faster’ residency at the state-of-the-art Sphere in Las Vegas. During their performance on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the band gave the world a reality check.

Right in the middle of a sonically punishing, visually spectacular set that utilized the venue’s cutting-edge haptic technology, frontman James Hetfield paused the music to deliver a statement that resonated deeply with the crowd. He looked out at the thousands of fans who spent their hard-earned money to travel and buy premium tickets, and he kept it absolutely real:

‘And I just gotta say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bullshit, OK? We are here… no bullshit… we’re here to forget about all the outside shit, OK? Metallica’s agenda is love, energy and heavy music, baby!’

This was a classic, unfiltered ‘Papa Het’ moment. Without even mentioning names, his words immediately cut through the toxic hubris that has ruined so many modern music festivals and stadium shows. It was a beautiful, rare reminder that a musician’s actual job is to deliver great art and give the fans their money’s worth-not to read from an ideological playbook before the encore. Hahaha!

The paying fan should always come first

Metallica. Photo by Blackened Recordings and Q Prime

Let us look at this from a logical perspective. When a regular music lover saves up for months to secure a high-priced ticket or a festival pass, they are paying for a temporary escape from the stresses of daily life. They want a sanctuary where they can forget the world for a couple of hours.

Unfortunately, too many contemporary artists now pause their sets to deliver scolding, socio-political manifestos. It has become an exhausting trend that does nothing but alienate massive portions of the audience. It completely breaks the magic of a live performance.

What Metallica understands perfectly, which their woke contemporaries fail to see, is that music is the ultimate unifier. When you look at their iconic tracks like ‘…And Justice for All’ or ‘Moth Into Flame’, they have always explored heavy, systemic themes in their lyrics. But they trust the intelligence of their listeners to figure things out on their own. They do not treat their fans like undisciplined children who need a lecture from a rock star.

The undeniable power of true showmanship

By leaving the outside world at the venue door, Metallica creates a uniquely democratic space where people from different backgrounds can stand shoulder-to-shoulder and scream the lyrics to ‘Master of Puppets’ in unison. That is what true live music is all about.

While other modern artists find their tours getting wrapped up in controversies or cancelled entirely due to political backlash, Metallica’s legacy remains completely bulletproof. Their standard-setting 24-date Sphere run, their massive ‘No Repeat Weekend’ concert formulas, and their continuous chart success prove that the global music-buying public is absolutely starved for authentic showmanship.

At the end of the day, Metallica proved that the ultimate form of rebellion in today’s pop culture landscape is not jumping on the latest trend of the month. The real rock revolution is simple: play hard, respect the paying fans, and keep the focus completely on the music.

Converge and TNT provided a preview of what to expect when the PBA Governors’ Cup enters the playoffs next week as the FiberXers and the Tropang 5G played a thriller that was a relief after the tournament saw blowout results recently.

It was the FiberXers who emerged victorious at Ynares Center here after edging past the Tropang 5G in overtime, 114-112, a result that secured them third spot in Group A while giving them a much-needed preparation for the grueling stage of the season-ending conference.

‘We all know that TNT is one of the big boys in the league,’ coach Delta Pineda said in Filipino. ‘It was a big challenge for us, but we just told them not to give up.’

Alec Stockton played the hero’s role with a game-tying basket that forced a five-minute extension, before draining the go-ahead layup that broke the ice in Converge’s favor after the FiberXers had played catch up for most of regulation.

In winding up with an 8-4 record, Converge made the stop in the final seconds as TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson missed a shot that would have extended the game into a second overtime.

That gave the FiberXers a best-of-five date with the No. 2 team from Group B, which will be determined over the next two playdates of the group stage depending on how the Magnolia Hotshots, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Fuel Masters fare in their remaining games.

TNT, meanwhile, dropped to 7-5 for fourth place in the group, and will take on the No. 1 team from Group B, which will also come from either Magnolia, Rain or Shine or Phoenix.

Coach Chot Reyes is taking the Tropang 5G’s fate in stride, knowing that his side will be in for a tough series regardless.

Reyes seemed cool, calm and collected when he emerged from the dugout, with his focus now on TNT’s next phase in its bid to make the Finals for a sixth consecutive time.

‘We really treated this as a playoff game,’ Reyes said. ‘At least we were able to put up a good game against a very good team. But it’s just a shame that we couldn’t get the win.’

The FiberXers won an excruciating battle despite being down by 15, with Stockton being one of the top contributors with 19 points after an on-and-off campaign.

Import Cam Clark topscored for Converge by hitting 27 even as rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño connected for 22 points while dishing out eight assists.

Caring for pets goes beyond providing food and shelter. It also means understanding their needs, supporting their well-being, and making time for meaningful moments with them. For Amico Innovations Inc., responsible pet ownership should be both rewarding and enjoyable.

This philosophy took center stage at The Amico and Veravit Pet Carenival: Where Better Pet Care Takes Centerstage, a lively celebration that brought together pet owners, content creators, and their furry companions to discover a fresh approach to pet care.

The event transformed the venue into two interactive destinations, Amicotown and Veraville, each showcasing the distinct offerings of Amico Innovations Inc.’s pet care brands. Through engaging activities, product showcases, and educational experiences, guests were introduced to the company’s growing commitment to supporting healthier, happier pets.

Veravit is built around science-backed nutrition formulated for all breeds and life stages with extensive benefits that support everyday health. Complementing this, Amico launched in April 2026 and offers more tailored nutrition developed around specific needs, including their Amico Dry Cat Food with Urinary Care, Amico Medium-Large Breed Adult Dog Food with Joint Support, Amico Wet Food with Blood Support, and other life-stage-specific dry food for Puppies, Small Breed Dogs, Kittens and Mother Cats. Together, the two brands provide Filipino fur parents with a broader range of accessible and purposeful pet care options.

At the Pet Carenival, their products are proudly on display, with attendees going from booth to booth, exploring the attractions that the brands have to offer. In Veraville, attendees are encouraged to use the benefits of their products as target practice- aiming for ‘Shiny Skin and Coat’ rather than ‘Tummy Troubles’- and decorate a tote bag with custom patches.

Amicotown gives attendees a chance to shoot and score- balls stand-in for kibble when guests toss them into the right bowl. A booth is also set-up for pet influencers to get their photos taken: Amico’s mini-zine, Tattle Tail, is looking for pawdels.

At around 4pm, Kharl Yeung, COO of Amico Innovations Inc. and recognized this year as one of Forbes’ Asia 2026 30 Under 30, took the Carenival Grand Stage in front of the gathered crowd to discuss the journey of the company, and just how far they’ve come.

‘Amico is built for our friends, our companions,’ Yeung shared, explaining that Amico is an Italian word meaning ‘friend,’ reflecting the brand’s commitment to caring for pets as cherished companions. He also highlighted the company’s partnership with Monde Nissin Corporation, stating, ‘Monde Nissin is the partner who believes in the vision that we have.’ Yeung further shared how Monde Nissin’s Better Food Forward campaign aligns with Amico’s own vision of providing better, more purposeful nutrition. ‘What we’re putting out here is not just pet food, it’s functional pet food,’ he emphasized, reinforcing the company’s commitment to raising the standard of pet care in the Philippines.

Following that, he welcomed onto the stage Amico and Veravit’s new celebrity brand ambassador: actress, yoga and meditation teacher, and proud cat mom Maxene Magalona.

Magalona shared how her two cats, Yoyo and Snow, unexpectedly came into her life. ‘These two cats, hindi ko sila hinanap. They were given to me, I believe, as gifts, as blessings.’ She recalled how Yoyo originally belonged to her brother, Frank Magalona, and was only supposed to stay with her temporarily before she eventually adopted him as her own. ‘Yoyo came into my life during one of the hardest challenges in my life,’ she revealed. ‘I’m 39 years old and I don’t have any children, kaya my cats, they really give me so much joy.’ Snow, on the other hand, was a gift from the brother of her partner, Geoff Gonzalez, to Geoff’s son, Liam.

From left: Amico Innovations Inc. CEO and Co-Founder Francis Simisim, COO and Co-Founder Kharl Yeung, Amico and Veravit Celebrity Ambassador Maxene Magalona, and event host Issa Santos.

Speaking about her decision to partner with Amico and Veravit, Magalona shared how deeply she connected with the brands’ vision of treating pets as family. ‘I’m a firm believer that what you give out to the universe, you get back in return. So I treat my pets as my family, and I know Veravit and Amico, that’s how they think of pets when they’re making the food. You make sure that you give them the best nutrition and everything that can help them become healthy and happy.’

When asked what better pet care means to her, Magalona concluded, ‘Better pet care means to be present with our pets, to connect with them, and not just to treat them like objects.’ Her message echoed the heart of Amico and Veravit’s mission: to build a future where better pet care goes beyond nutrition and fosters deeper, more meaningful connections between pets and the people who love them.

However, that wasn’t all that they had in store for attendees. Their resident vets Doc Arah Virtucio and Doc Julia Capistrano were welcomed to centerstage to help demonstrate proper pet care to the attending furparents. They made clear that Amico’s goal is not simply to get attention: it is to bring informed pet care into the spotlight.

The event ended with happy guests holding their personalized tote bags full of Amico and Veravit goodies.

With its growing product portfolio and expanding retail presence, Amico Innovations Inc. is preparing to reach even more Filipino pet owners.

The company is looking to introduce additional pet treat flavors and cat litter products, further broadening its offerings beyond its existing pet food selection.

Amico and Veravit are also set to become available in more retail locations, including Robinsons, Puregold, 7-Eleven, and other retail partners.

These developments support the company’s goal of making quality pet care products more convenient and accessible to households nationwide.

Currently, Amico and Veravit products are available online through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, as well as through retail partners including Landers, Shopwise, South Supermarket, Ever, Heyday, Gaisano Malls, and participating pet specialty stores.

For product announcements, updates, and more information, follow @lifewithamico and @veravitpets on social media.

Nine years after the liberation of Marawi from the clutches of Islamic State-aligned militants, the minority Catholic community remains flourishing despite the destruction of their cathedral and Sunday Mass becoming less accessible.

Catholic devotees continue to worship wherever they can, holding on to the memories of the destroyed St. Mary’s Cathedral they once called home and hoping for a future in which their Christian community can become as vibrant as before.

Among them is Fransbert Tokong, 30, a former presiding officer of the Catholic Student Organization at the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi.

‘I miss attending Mass at Marawi Cathedral [since it was destroyed by war]. But my faith in God remains unshaken,’ he said.

For Tokong, the loss of St. Mary’s Cathedral represents more than the destruction of a building. It is the loss of a place where Catholics gathered to celebrate their faith, strengthen relationships and find a sense of belonging.

The destruction of St. Mary’s Cathedral was among the painful consequences of the five-month Marawi siege, which began on May 23, 2017, following a military operation to capture Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf leader who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Before the siege, Catholic devotees at MSU-Marawi found creative ways to celebrate Mass despite limited facilities.

Diovelene Francisco, 29, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Biology student when the fighting erupted, recalled that Sunday Mass was either held at the gymnasium or the golf course, as the chapel would be too small for the flock.

Limited Mass

The fighting disrupted the routine that had brought their community together. Nearly a decade later, the ruined St. Mary’s Cathedral brings back painful memories.

‘[But] I’m not only saddened by the situation of the Catholic community in Marawi,’ she said. ‘I also feel sad and a bit disappointed that many Marawi residents have yet to return to their homes.’

Army Private First Class Mary Jean Navalta, who was assigned to Marawi in 2024, found a Catholic community adjusting to the scarcity of priests and places to celebrate Mass.

A chapel inside the Army headquarters at Camp Ranao holds Mass only once a month, depending on a priest’s availability.

‘This has become the new normal for us Catholics after the Marawi siege,’ Navalta said.

Even without regular Mass, Catholics continue to nurture their faith through prayer, devotion and the preservation of religious images that carry memories of their former places of worship.

New home

With St. Mary’s Cathedral in ruins, the Prelature of Marawi has relocated to Maria Cristina in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, where construction of a new church and the bishop’s residence is underway with assistance from Aid to the Church in Need.

Tokong noted the prelature’s mission is not simply to rebuild a place of worship but to offer a reconciling presence to their Muslim brothers and sisters.

The Catholic community’s devotion is also reflected in the journey of María Auxiliadora, or Mary Help of Christians, the patroness of the prelature. According to Tokong, the image was decapitated during the siege but was later restored by devotees.

Now being brought to dioceses across the Philippines, the image serves as a reminder of the Christian community’s endurance.

The prelature is marking its 50th anniversary on Nov. 20, with the celebration set to take place at the new church in Maria Cristina, Balo-i.

For Francisco, rebuilding St. Mary’s Cathedral in its former location in Marawi is a ‘complicated issue,’ as many displaced Maranao residents have yet to return.

‘If the cathedral is rebuilt while many of our Muslim brothers and sisters who once called the area home have yet to return, I still wouldn’t feel at ease,’ she said.

Francisco said restoring the cathedral must be considered alongside restoring the lives of the people who once filled the surrounding neighborhoods.

Since my college days, the Supreme Court has stood as an impenetrable fortress insulated from the noise of public discourse. It was held in almost absolute, almost mystical veneration. Today, however, the digital revolution has breached the fortress and entangled it in the ‘marketplace of ideas’ that the Court recently lamented as, too often, ‘corrupted or premised on falsities.’ Despite these entanglements, the Court still stands as the mighty and enduring bulwark of free speech and expression.

IN THIS CONTEXT, LET US VIEW the recent decision in ‘Luna v. Senator Sotto’ (Oct. 7, 2026, per Senior Associate Justice [SAJ] Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, en banc) that dismissed the petition for indirect contempt against Sen. Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, arising from his public criticism of the unanimous ruling in ‘Duterte v. House of Representatives’ (July 25, 2025, per SAJ Leonen also, en banc).

In various media interviews and social media posts, the outspoken senator claimed that the ponente-SAJ Leonen-was ‘unfamiliar’ with congressional rules. Thereby, the Court and he effectively amended the Constitution. The petitioners, led by Manuelito Luna, vehemently argued that the senator’s public remarks were ‘grossly disrespectful’ and undermined public confidence in the judiciary.

All in all, however, I believe the Luna decision is a masterpiece in navigating the nuances of political expression in the digital age, distilled into three core principles:

First, the restrictions on free speech arising from contempt depend on the nature of the words involved, such as ‘the nature and content of the speech, the speaker’s identity, the medium used, the likely effect of the message, and [its] actual effect.’

Parenthetically, the Court acknowledged that during these modern times, ‘speech, expression, and other communications are largely conveyed via the internet’ and social media. With these digital vulnerabilities, the Court shifted to an ‘egalitarian approach in evaluating the limitations on free speech.’

Obviously, Sotto’s criticisms of the impeachment decision and its writer (SAJ Leonen) relate to an issue of national importance. Hence, they qualify as ‘political speech’ in judicial lingo. Consequently, they represent his participation in such public discourse, as a member of the impeachment court that was trying the charges against Vice President Sara Duterte last year.

Second, the Court reaffirmed that ‘political speech is accorded the greatest degree of protection.’ It may be restricted only if it intentionally incites the public to ‘lose trust in the independence of the [j]udiciary or to obstruct the administration of justice.’

NOTICEABLY, THE COURT ADOPTED THE ‘INCITEMENT TEST’ from American jurisprudence in considering whether there is a likelihood and imminence that Sotto’s statements would produce such effects as losing trust in the judiciary and of obstructing justice.

Applying this test, the Court objectively found that Sotto’s remarks posed no imminent threat. Absent any showing of malice, bad faith, or intent to rally the public toward lawlessness, his statements-a direct exercise of the people’s sovereignty-remained fully protected under the Constitution.

Third, the Court firmly declined to use its contempt powers to shield itself from reasonable criticisms. Invoking the doctrine of fair comment, the Court emphasized that statements concerning public officials are not punishable simply because they are ‘false, harsh, or offensive’ but because they are fair, honest and truthful.

Punishing critics for disagreeing with a judicial ruling on a matter of paramount public interest, like an impeachment, would amount to ‘an undue stifling of the ordinary exercise of free expression.’ Such discussions must remain free, robust, and unrestricted by fear of subsequent punishment.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I MUST CONFESS I WAS RELIEVED by the Court’s dismissal of this petition. Having once been sued for libel despite carefully quoting a Supreme Court decision verbatim, I am intimately familiar with the legal hazards that plague courageous opinion-molders. That harrowing experience left me with a deep empathy for the risks they take to keep public discourse alive.

Indeed, the Court gracefully accepted that disagreements with its rulings are inevitable and acknowledged that its decisions are fair game for public scrutiny. Thus, ‘Courts must be receptive to all forms of criticism.’

Despite this seemingly all-embracing quote, the Court also offered a gentle but necessary admonition. While the justices will not punish harsh criticism, they appeal for mutual respect among the branches of government. Criticism should be expressed ‘with sobriety and respect, mindful that no person’s humanity can be reduced to the actions we question.’

As we celebrate this triumph of free expression, let us remember the Court’s concluding wisdom. The bastions of justice are now open to the digital age, but democracy still rests on respect. Only by accepting fair criticism, while deliberately elevating the dignity of our discourse above a corrupted marketplace, can our democratic institutions truly endure.

It bears repeating that impeachment was created by the Americans, borrowing and adapting from British traditions, in Madison’s words, as an ‘inquest into the conduct of public men,’ an instrument of last resort when a republic is confronted by its highest officials becoming tyrannical or scofflaws. Up to that time, the only alternative to an abusive magistrate was, as Benjamin Franklin bluntly put it, assassination. To that end, impeachment was strictly meant to resolve a political question: whether there still existed fitness for office. In other words, whether an official still enjoyed public trust. To that end, only moral certainty, and not proof beyond reasonable doubt, was required to render a guilty verdict; the Senate acted as a jury of peers of the impeached official.

As for criminal penalties, if any, they only become possible at the end of a purely judicial trial. This is because public opinion and politics have no relevance when life, liberty, or property can be lost, but they have a necessary role to play when fitness for public office is concerned.

The framers of our Constitution, frustrated by the interminable rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., decided impeachment shouldn’t be an instrument of last resort, an extraordinary ‘break glass in case of emergency’ measure. Rather, impeachment should almost become routine, because it would serve as a perpetual threat against unworthy officials. Perhaps they felt this institutionalized turmoil was the better alternative to rallying in the streets at the drop of a hat. But there is a fundamental difference between these two approaches. The traditional approach made impeachment very difficult because only a truly calamitous situation would be able to muster the supermajorities required to overturn a national electoral mandate. The 1987 approach made it easy to impeach, but fairly difficult to convict; it wouldn’t be easy but not difficult enough.

Needless to say, officials facing the practical realities of this constitutional tinkering responded creatively.

The very first post-1987 impeachment was classic in its motivation: the country was being ruled-actually, not ruled, that was the problem-by a homegrown Nero. Impeachment had remained such a theoretical procedure that during former President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial, he was given a full-court defense, literally. A former chief justice and a former solicitor-general led his defense but forgot they were being judged before two tribunals, the Senate and the public. The result was precisely what impeachment was meant to forestall: a revolt in the streets.

It should have marked the end of the Fifth Republic; instead, the Church, Army, civil society, Congress, and the courts combined to start mutating the republic into a regime opposite to what its founders intended, where one by one, and systematically, every innovation meant to foster popular participation and accountability was either neutralized or turned into a means to prevent the very things intended. If Estelito Mendoza demonstrably proved his legal genius only worked out of the public eye and only in the dark, moist recesses of the legal system, his spirit imbued what followed.

If impeachment were an easy procedure, so too would be its antidote: the promiscuous filing of cases by allies-‘self-impeachment’-to inoculate the incumbent from real threats. If impeachment dared menace the Supreme Court or its members to account, the court could provoke a constitutional crisis which, coming on the heels of the upheaval of Edsa Dos and Tres, no one wanted: so then Speaker Jose de Venecia folded rather than impeach Hilario Davide, and when Chief Justice Renato Corona was, indeed, impeached, the Supreme Court would leave no good deed unpaid and give its blessing to an Estelito-style creative use of past precedent, the quo warranto. Essentially a means to convict without needing to impeach. Was it an eye for an eye? We have gone very far away indeed from the era of the first magistrates of the land: the Supreme Court, after all, literally portrays the Ten Commandments on its official seal; the kind of sectarian creed that says it all: Old Testament in its brutality.

Putting its own egotism ahead of discernment, because its membership is increasingly at variance with traditional expectations of seriousness and competence among its members, the Senate has been easily intimidated by the Supreme Court; here, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, and Robinhood Padilla are all aspects of the same combination of shortcomings: Gatchalian lacked the nerve to preside, and thus failed to lead; Escudero lacked the imagination to be more than the mere legal equivalent of a bean counter, and so neither has a judge’s wisdom nor a juryman’s common sense, much less dignified independence; Padilla can play, as every senator does, to the gallery, with the difference that since he glories in his ignorance and is heedless of the need to uphold either the institution of the Senate or the republic, he is worse than a bad actor; he is a boring clown.

The defense’s mistake was essentially the same as Estrada’s and Corona’s: it was smug. It never realized that perhaps the only group of people despised by our society more than politicians are lawyers, and if the veil of legalese is lifted, then the public knows an official who’s betrayed public trust when they see it. It’s the Watergate principle: follow the money.

Five fishermen were arrested during a joint law enforcement operation for alleged blast fishing in the municipal waters of Looc, Occidental Mindoro, on Sunday afternoon.

Personnel from the Looc Municipal Police Station and the local Bantay Dagat intercepted the group at around 5:30 p.m., roughly 800 meters off the coast of Barangay Bulakan, after they were reportedly spotted using suspected explosives while fishing.

Authorities seized about 100 kilograms of assorted fish, a compressor and related equipment, fishing gear, two boat engines, and an unregistered navy blue motorized banca.

The occupants were also unable to present the required vessel and fisherfolk registration documents. Investigators also recovered two containers with substances believed to be ammonium nitrate, along with a glass bottle fitted with a blasting cap and wrapped in electrical tape – suspected components of an improvised explosive device.

The total estimated value of recovered items reached at least P126,000.

Charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10654, the amended Philippine Fisheries Code, are being prepared for filing with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Occidental Mindoro.