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Malrondu means Malabuyoc, Ronda, and Dumanjug. They belong to the blessed second congressional district of Cebu, which has been favored by the gods of rains and floods with a bountiful load of flood-control projects and budgetary allocations. This is also the district where San Pedro Calungsod was born.

The members of Congress, the Calderons, husband and wife, who led this district for the longest time, must have been very blessed too, for bringing home to this district billions of bacon for the favored people. For this is the district of San Pedro Calungsod, the only saint from the whole province of Cebu, who was from the town of Ginatilan. But the blessings of billions worth of flood control projects were not poured by heaven into the town of the saint. They were determined by the gods perhaps by holy geographic coordinates into unknown sites in Malrondu.

These favored towns could appropriately exclaim then: When the blessing rains, it really floods. Malabuyoc, got no less than ?3.3 billion with supposed 38 projects. Ronda, my dear town of gentle people, the beautiful Rondahanons, got a whopping gift from Mount Olympus, an unprecedented amount perhaps ten times its annual budget, or even much more. Ronda got ?2.6 billion for alleged 34 projects. Thirty-four is a bounty because Ronda has only 14 barangays and a population of about 21,000. I do not know where in Ronda these flood control projects are being worked at. But what a blessing from Our Lady of Sorrows.

Dumanjug, the historic land of my late father’s birth, the town that prides itself as the home of the governors, also got an impressive ?2.18 billion. This is the only time when Dumanjug, with 37 barangays, was beaten by Ronda with only 14. But ?2.18 billion is not bad for the home of QM Builders, which, by accident of destiny, is also the very lucky contractor that won in an honest-to-goodness bidding and procurement process. It was also circumstantial that Dumanjug is likewise the home of the Quirante Construction Corp., another lucky start-up. Now Dumanjug is not only home to governors but also to heaven-sent contractors.

It was just a mere coincidence also that the former congressman, who was vice chairman of Zaldy Co’s appropriation committee, was one of the wedding sponsors of QM Builders owner’s son. The question is: who benefitted from such a bountiful load of blessings? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. And it blows my mind. That is what our good friend, the new DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, should look into. Perhaps he should know that the regional director used to be assigned in this district. That director was also allegedly another wedding sponsor in the same wedding. Too many strange coincidences, indeed. The stars are all aligning in the seventh heaven.

It is now of common knowledge that the whole province of Cebu, next only to the number one flood capital of the Philippines, Bulacan, has been favored by the gods in Congress, specifically Zaldy Co’s appropriation committee whose vice chair happened to be the honorable former congressman representing the 7th District of Cebu. Our province, which has admittedly some true and authentic flood problems in Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay, and some other cities and towns (but not in Malrondu), got ?25.521 billion for flood control. But why was one-half of the entire budget for flood control diverted to Malrondu? ?12.06 billion out of ?25.521 billion.

And is it true that most of the Malrondu and other Cebu flood control projects fell into the lap of QM Builders, a single proprietorship based in Dumanjug? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. I saw a movie once entitled: “The Gods Must Be Crazy” But since I am from Malrondu, I can say that, with such a large bounty, the gods have made some people and their families very, very happy.

Who are these lucky guys? That is for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to determine and say.

Home Credit Philippines proudly marked a new milestone ahead of its 12th anniversary: 12 million customers served with accessible financial solutions in August 2025.

Since entering the Philippine market in 2013, Home Credit has become a trusted leader in consumer finance-helping millions of Filipinos access essential goods and services through affordable installment plans, cash loans and digital solutions. This milestone reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to making its credit solutions more accessible, especially for everyday needs.

‘Reaching 12 million customers is more than just a number-it’s a reflection of the trust Filipinos have placed in us,’ said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

‘We’ve seen a significant increase in new customers compared to last year, driven by the growing demand for inclusive financing and the relevance and attractiveness of our oFers.

As of this writing, Home Credit has disbursed close to P500 billion in total sales across its different credit offerings. This reinforces its position as a leading player in the consumer finance industry and highlights the growing demand for inclusive and accessible financial solutions.

Now available in over 18,000 retail stores nationwide and a mobile app available on both Android and iOS, Home Credit oHers a seamless experience-from loan application to account management and payments. Its #ReadytoHelp sales force has grown to 9,000 strong, and its portfolio now includes motorcyles, expanding its reach into mobility financing.

Financing what matters

As it approaches its 12th year, Home Credit is focused on expanding its digital capabilities, launching customer-first products and deepening partnerships across industries. But beyond innovation, its mission remains clear: to finance what matters most to Filipinos-whether it’s a first phone, a new appliance for their home or business or a way to get to move around the metro.

Because for Home Credit, progress isn’t measured in pesos or percentages-it’s measured in the everyday wins of the people it serves.

Abra Solid North extended its winning streak to a record 26, while Caloocan clinched the last outright playoff berth on Tuesday at the close of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season round-robin elimination phase at the Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Gymnasium in Rosales, Pangasinan.

The Weavers battered undermanned Mindoro, 104-82, in the opener to surpass the 25 straight victories it shared with Nueva Ecija and rise to 28-1 – also an all-time league best – in the North Division of the 30-team tournament.

Caloocan banked on Jeff Manday to nip Pangasinan, 77-74, in the second game and improve to 21-8, good for the sixth spot in the North and a best-of-three playoff tussle with No. 3 San Juan.

Pangasinan skidded to 20-9 and the seventh spot, relegating the Heatwaves to a play-in encounter with No. 8 Ilagan Isabela at the same venue on Thursday.

Manday scored six of Caloocan’s last 8 points as the Batang Kankaloo overturned a 69-71 deficit following a triple by Pangasinan’s JP Maguliano.

The Batang Kankaloo got 12 points plus three rebounds from Rommel Calahat; 11 points, six rebounds and three assists from Cris Bitoon; and 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals from Manday.

The Pangasinan Heatwaves drew 11 points from Allyn Bulanadi, whose buzzer-beating triple attempt went short, and 10 points plus eight rebounds from Maguliano.

Encho Serrano, John Uduba and Dave Ildefonso delivered the most as the Weavers gifted their head coach, Yong Garcia, with another easy victory.

Serrano posted 29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists; Uduba 21 points and 10 rebounds; and Ildefonso 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals for the Weavers, who clustered 15 points to seal the outcome, 96-71.

The Tamaraws fell to 15-14, but kept the eighth spot in the South Division.

Mindoro got 17 points from RJ Ramirez; 15 from Ethan Galang; 14 from Marion Magat; and 12 from homegrown Hanz Philip Maycong.

Opting to conserve its strength for the play-in against Zamboanga Sikat on October 4., Mindoro did not field starters Ino Comboy, Bam Gamalinda and Joseph Sedurifa, role player Jeco Bancale and veteran Ken Bono.

The league returns to the Estrella Gymnasium on Thursday, October 2, with play-in games pitting Pasig against Bataan at 4 p.m. and Pangasinan against Ilagan, Isabela, at 6 p.m.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the British embassy in Manila yesterday signed an agreement aimed at enhancing regulatory quality and streamlining government processes in the country.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalized a partnership in which the British embassy will provide technical assistance for ARTA’s regulatory initiatives, including the adoption of innovative frameworks, conducting regulatory impact assessments and participating in relevant capacity-building activities.

‘This MOU serves as a testament to the continuation and the expansion of a mutually beneficial relationship that has already yielded substantial outcomes,’ ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez said in his speech during the signing ceremony yesterday.

‘It represents a shared commitment by the Philippines and the United Kingdom to move forward together in strengthening governance,’ Perez said.

Under the MOU, both parties will also collaborate on knowledge sharing through conferences, workshops and roundtable discussions, while ensuring alignment with national regulatory policies and international best practices.

The partnership also seeks to support regional initiatives such as the United Kingdom-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration Program.

This program aims to improve regulatory and standards systems in ASEAN member states, reduce red tape and create a more stable environment for business investment.

The MOU, effective upon notification by both parties that domestic requirements for its effectivity have been met, is set to remain in force until Oct. 31, 2026, with a possible extension of up to two years.

The agreement does not constitute a binding financial commitment but allows both sides to share costs for joint activities following government accounting rules.

Newly-installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has directed a structural assessment of all churches and rectories under his archdiocese following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu.

The newly-appointed prelate issued the instruction on Tuesday, September 30, after the earthquake, which damaged several churches in Cebu and left multiple deaths.

He also instructed parishes in the northern part of Cebu that were severely affected by the seismic activity to refrain from using their church buildings.

‘To the parishes in the North that have been gravely affected, you are asked to refrain from using your churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until the proper experts have carried out the assessment and declared the structures safe for use,’ Uy’s statement read.

‘We continue to pray to our Loving Father for calmness and strength in the midst of these trials. We entrust ourselves, our families, and our communities into His merciful hands. May the Lord shelter us under His wings, protect us from every harm, and guide us to safety and peace,’ he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.7 but later revised it to 6.9.

The quake occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located five kilometers deep, 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu.

Damaged churches. One of the damaged churches is the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan Island, the oldest church in Visayas and Mindanao. Its top portion had collapsed.

The church was first built in 1580, while the construction of the current structure began in 1839 and was completed in 1863.

St. Martin de Porres Parish in Ilihan, Cebu, also suffered damage to its walls and roof, while San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in San Remigio, Cebu, sustained a ruined altar following the tremors.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima also sustained substantial structural damage.

Casualties. According to a Facebook post by the Cebu People’s Action Center, 22 people have been confirmed dead after the earthquake.

However, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that at least 26 people were killed and 147 others injured.

Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong are getting a salary increase, the Department of Migrant Workers reported yesterday.

The DMW said domestic workers, including those who signed their employment contracts yesterday, would receive a 2.22-percent wage hike.

The monthly salary of domestic helpers increased from HK$4,990 to HK$5,100 or $655. The food allowance remains at HK$1,236 for those who are not provided meals by their employers.

Over 190,000 Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong will benefit from the wage adjustment, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.

The DMW reminded recruitment agencies, employers and Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong to ensure that contracts signed from today reflect the updated wage provisions.

The Palawan Group of Companies reached a new milestone with the successful staging of its inaugural Marketing Summit, ‘Palawan NEXTGEN: Marketing in the Age of AI, CX and Innovation’ at Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City.

The two-day summit united an elite roster of experts in finance, marketing, advertising, consumer research, technology and artificial intelligence. It featured leaders from global giants like Google and TikTok, industry pillars such as Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and key government institutions including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The event became a high-impact exchange of ideas designed to shape the future of Palawan Group’s marketing strategies and reinforce its position at the forefront of innovation.

Karlo Casto, president and CEO of Palawan Group of Companies, described the summit as a catalyst for growth, collaboration and innovation among marketing professionals: ‘This summit is a platform for dialogue-a space where we can exchange ideas, learn from each other and build stronger strategies together. In today’s fast-moving environment, open collaboration is the key to staying effective and competitive.’

‘In this Marketing Summit, our first ever, our focus is clear: how to better embrace technological advancements and maximize new tools and new ways of thinking to serve our customers better. We are particularly looking at the power of artificial intelligence, and how AI can help us design better marketing strategies, run smarter promotions and create a more personalized and meaningful customer experience. Ultimately, every step we take and every innovation we drive is dedicated to one purpose: creating more value for our Sukis,’ Castro shared.

On the first day, under the theme ‘Foundations of Growth: Finance Industry and Consumer Trends,’ Palawan Group set the stage with powerhouse discussions that deepened its grasp of macroeconomic forces, financial inclusion, consumer behavior and breakthrough opportunities for innovation across life stages.

The program went beyond surface insights, examining shifts in market dynamics, the fast-changing media habits of younger generations, and the rising expectations in financial services. These insights laid a bold and future-ready foundation for Palawan Group’s next-generation strategies as it continues to advance its innovative brick-tech model, seamlessly combining the strength of over 3,500 Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala branches with the digital reach of PalawanPay, now trusted by more than 21 million users.

On the second day, under the theme ‘AI: The Future of Palawan Marketing,’ highlighted how artificial intelligence is transforming the finance and marketing landscape.

Sessions covered AI’s role in enhancing customer experience, creative campaigns and product innovation, with discussions on emerging technologies from global platforms and solution providers. The talks showcased Palawan Group’s bold vision to harness AI as a game-changing force that will transform the way it connects with and serves millions of Sukis nationwide and even globally.

In his concluding speech, Palawan Group chief marketing officer Bernard Kaibigan urged the participants to pause and reflect on the summit’s key takeaways: ‘Over the past two days, we did not just talk about trends, AI and customer experience. We reimagined the future of financial services, and more importantly, the role that the Palawan Group of Companies will play in shaping that future for millions of Filipinos. With over 3,500 branches and more than 21 million users in our app, we are not just witnesses to change, we are the drivers of it.’

With finance insights and AI-driven innovation at its core, the Palawan Group of Companies Marketing Summit 2025 paved the way for bolder strategies, stronger consumer connections and a future-ready organization. Beyond keynotes and panel discussions, the event fostered collaboration across Palawan Group’s marketing, sales, operations, customer service and management teams-creating a dynamic space where fresh ideas could flourish.

By blending industry leaders’ expertise with the company’s commitment to innovation, the event became a defining milestone that reinforced the company’s vision of growth, innovation and customer-focused service. And at the heart of it all lies the company’s mission: maximizing technology and innovation not for their own sake, but to deliver greater financial inclusion, deeper value and more meaningful service to its Sukis.

In today’s hyper-transparent world, companies rise and fall not only on the strength of their balance sheets, but also on the credibility of their leaders. This truth was once again underscored with the release of the CARMA PH CEO Media Index Report 2025, which I had the privilege of unveiling during my plenary talk at the 32nd National PR Congress of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

The Index, developed by global media intelligence firm CARMA, provides a detailed analysis of how ten of the Philippines’ top CEOs are portrayed in traditional and digital media. It goes beyond counting clippings or mentions. Specifically, CARMA profiles CEOs based on five trust-building attributes:

Strong leadership: The ability to guide and influence others while effectively communicating vision and actions in ways that shape public perception and trust.

Strong communication skills: Delivering meaningful and favorable content for the brand.

Great foresight: Showing critical thinking when it comes to future planning and possibilities.

Openness and transparency: A readiness to communicate openly and share clear, honest and accessible information.

Ethical behavior: Acting with integrity and responsibility, ensuring decisions and actions align with moral values.

Who stood out

The 2025 results put Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) and Ramon S. Ang (RSA) at the top of the rankings.

MVP dominated coverage in infrastructure, telecommunications and sports, often framed as a leader with great foresight and strong leadership in industries crucial to national development. RSA, meanwhile, was highly visible in aviation, energy and philanthropy, frequently highlighted for his decisiveness and social responsibility.

But perhaps the most telling finding is that ethical leadership was largely absent from media narratives, even in coverage of CEOs’ sustainability initiatives and commitments. The exception was RSA, who was consistently portrayed as acting with integrity and responsibility, particularly when his companies’ community support and disaster relief programs were covered.

Another important insight is that while CEOs often appear in news stories, headline visibility was limited. Two executives stood out here: MVP, through his leadership of Meralco and RSA, through his stewardship of Petron Corp. and San Miguel Corp. Both registered the highest number of headlines directly carrying their names, highlighting their prominence not just in the body of stories, but in the most visible and influential parts of coverage.

The Index also captured how new leadership can draw immediate attention. Carl Raymond Cruz of Globe Telecom, who took the helm in April 2025, was featured in a significant number of headlines compared to other CEOs. His entry into a critical industry at a pivotal time was quickly reflected in heightened media visibility, underscoring how leadership transitions can shape reputational narratives.

Why this matters

The results of the Media Index matters because the CEO effect on reputation is enormous. Global studies suggest that as much as 45 percent to 50 percent of a company’s reputation is directly attributed to its chief executive.

When a CEO is consistently framed with trust attributes the halo effect extends to the entire organization. It enhances investor confidence, reassures regulators, builds customer loyalty and boosts employee morale. Conversely, when CEOs are portrayed as opaque, inconsistent or ethically questionable, the reputational damage cascades from the individual down to the enterprise.

In short, CEOs are no longer just managers. They are frontliners of reputation and their visibility and credibility can either stabilize or destabilize corporate trust.

A tool for PR professionals

What makes the CARMA CEO Media Index especially valuable is that it is not just a research report. It is a practical tool for communicators.

PR professionals can use it to:

Benchmark executive visibility and credibility against peers and competitors, showing boards how their CEO stacks up in the public arena.

Diagnose reputational strengths and gaps by analyzing which trust attributes are consistently associated with their CEO, and which are absent or underplayed in media coverage.

Guide content and engagement strategies, for example, if a CEO is seen as strong on leadership but weak on openness and transparency, communicators can design speaking opportunities, interviews and digital engagement to reinforce that missing attribute.

Defend budgets and strategies by presenting objective, third-party data to CEOs, CFOs and boards, proving that PR outcomes are measurable, comparable and actionable.

In essence, the Index transforms PR from reporting vanity metrics to presenting boardroom-ready insights. It equips communicators with the language and evidence that decision-makers respect.

Implications for reputation management

The implications are clear: reputation management today must include executive positioning as a strategic priority. It is no longer enough for companies to tell great brand stories or launch creative campaigns. The CEO’s narrative has become a core driver of stakeholder trust.

This means:

CEOs must embody strong leadership and foresight in ways that inspire stakeholders.

Communications teams must help leaders demonstrate openness and transparency, particularly in moments of scrutiny.

Ethical behavior must move from being absent in coverage to being central, and PR must help CEOs communicate these commitments credibly.

The bigger message is this: the plot twist in public relations is not about chasing more attention. It is about proving credibility and banking trust.

For communicators, the challenge is to stop measuring noise and start managing narratives. For CEOs, the challenge is to recognize that they are not just figureheads of companies, they are the currency of corporate trust.

And for organizations as a whole, the reminder is timely: in an economy where scrutiny is sharper and trust is fragile, reputation is built not only on what companies do, but on how their leaders are seen, heard and believed.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 has granted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the drug case against Rep. Leila De Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Partylist).

In a resolution dated September 30, the Muntinlupa RTC accepted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, filed on July 14, 2025, effectively closing and terminating one of De Lima’s drug cases, the one that led to her nearly seven-year imprisonment.

‘WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Motion to Withdraw (Motion for Reconsideration dated 14 July 2025) filed by the prosecution is GRANTED. With the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, this case is hereby deemed CLOSED and TERMINATED,’ the court’s ruling read.

The court explained that every acquittal becomes immediately final upon issuance and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment.

According to the court, granting a motion for reconsideration on the case would violate the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, as it would essentially subject the acquitted individual to a new prosecution.

‘Considering that this case already involves an acquittal, the Court shall exercise sound discretion and allow withdrawal of the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration,’ the court’s order read.

‘Indeed, the directive of the Honorable Prosecutor General upon the panel of prosecutors to withdraw the motion is impressed with merit,’ it added.

On July 23, the Department of Justice ordered the Muntinlupa prosecutors to withdraw the motion for reconsideration on the drug case of De Lima filed in RTC Branch 204.

Timeline of De Lima’s acquittals. February 2021: De Lima was acquitted in her first drug case by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205.

She was later acquitted in her second case by RTC Branch 204 in May 2023 due to lack of evidence.

Following this second acquittal, prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration with RTC Branch 204.

Following this second acquittal, prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration with Branch 204. However, the court denied the motion and upheld the acquittal, citing reasonable doubt and the recantation of key witness Rafael Ragos.

Her third and final drug case was dismissed in June 2024 after the court granted her demurrer to evidence, effectively clearing her of all charges.

On Sept. 4, 2024, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), then headed by Menardo Guevarra, filed a petition for certiorari – not an appeal – with the Court of Appeals, claiming RTC Branch 204 committed grave abuse of discretion in acquitting De Lima.

The appellate court’s eighth division granted the OSG’s petition and remanded the case to RTC Branch 204 for a new ruling consistent with Court of Appeals guidelines. The appellate court found that the RTC failed to clearly state the facts and legal basis for its decision.

Upon remand, RTC Branch 204 reaffirmed its original ruling and again acquitted De Lima, maintaining that the absence of Ragos’ testimony due to his recantation created reasonable doubt. This prompted the prosecutors to file a second motion for reconsideration, which the DOJ now plans to withdraw.

Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez is asking for a detailed clarification about the condition of the San Juanico Bridge as he hinted that there could be corruption in the rehabilitation of the structure.

The rehabilitation of the 52-year-old bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte, was first estimated to cost P800 million, but the amount reportedly increased to P7 billion recently.

‘There is something going on na hindi kanais-nais na corruption,’ said Romualdez, cousin of President Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez. ‘From P800 million to P7 billion? Magkano ba talaga?’

The mayor said there should be a public disclosure about the real state of the bridge. He questioned the imposition of the three-ton weight limit on the bridge, which he said was implemented without sufficient notice or explanation.

Romualdez said he wanted to know who conducted the feasibility study that recommended the weight limit and why the public was not informed about the matter.

‘That’s why I am calling for clarification of these issues. Is the bridge really defective? How long would the rehabilitation take? Who conducted the study? Why was everything seemingly so sudden and we were given 48 hours only to close the bridge?’ Romualdez asked.

He criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways for not providing a clear information about the condition of the bridge and the basis for the weight limitation.

Romualdez said the reported defects on the bridge were not new since 20 years ago, the structure also underwent repair and the public was given sufficient time to prepare.

He said experts should be tapped to look into the bridge to determine the real cost of the rehabilitation and how it would be done.