Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

World, meet Jonas Magpantay. Champion.

From obscurity, the 31-year-old Pinoy burst into global stardom as he produced an unparalleled underdog triumph at the Qatar 10-Ball World Cup in Doha Sunday night.

Nicknamed ‘The Silent Killer,’ Magpantay gunned down giants and other famous rivals that stood between him and the diadem, which he ultimately claimed with a masterful 13-9 victory over Polish Szymon Kural in the finale.

As he pocketed the final ball, Magpantay lifted his cue stick, shook the hands of Kural and the referee, went up the table for the traditional celebration, pumped his arms in the air, clapped and bowed on all four corners to acknowledge the cheering crowd.

It was a culmination of long years of hard work and a bit of a break in Qatar.

After dropping four matches in the qualifiers, Magpantay still got his spot in the main draw via points, reportedly after one qualifier backed out.

And he made the most of this opportunity.

Opening his bid with victories over Abdullatif Alfawal and Naoyuki Oi, the pride of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro went on a killing spree in the KO rounds.

First to fall was 2025 World Games 10-Ball titlist Oliver Szolnoki of Hungary, 11-8, then compatriot Carlo Biado, the reigning world 9-ball kingpin and former world 10-ball ruler, by a score of 11-8, then Wojciech Szewczyk of Poland, 11-7, multi-titled Niels Fiejen of the Netherlands, 11-7, and Moritz Neuhausenof Germany, 11-6, before the clincher against Kural.

Magpantay earned $100,000 for this feat – one he patiently waited decades for.

‘It means a lot to me because it’s the first time I joined here in Qatar and nobody knew me so I feel great and I want to just play my game,’ said in an interview by the Qatar Billiards Sports Federation prior to the finals.

While Asia-Pacific is viewed as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for air travel, it is falling behind in terms of airport buildup, hindering airlines from adding flights and expanding their networks.

In an analysis, the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) said airline capacity in Asia-Pacific has so far fallen flat this year in spite of the surge in travel demand.

CAPA said Asia-Pacific has recovered 100 percent of its capacity prior to the pandemic, but this is far from what other regions are achieving, such as Europe, which is 113 percent above 2019 levels.

Primarily, CAPA said airlines are finding it difficult to mount more flights in the absence of new airports. Fortunately, governments around the region are building new airports to enable carriers to expand capacity.

‘A big question is obviously whether there will be enough concrete for all of the new aircraft to land on. So the major airport developments underway in various parts of Asia and the Pacific are very important,’ CAPA said.

‘New airports are coming online in Delhi, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, with further projects in the pipeline in Manila,’ it added.

CAPA is referring to the P735.63-billion development of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, the first phase of which can handle 35 million passengers annually.

Moreover, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is undergoing a P170.6-billion rehabilitation that seeks to raise its passenger capacity to 62 million per annum and aircraft movement to 48 an hour.

CAPA also warned that airlines have yet to recover all of their aircraft grounded by the shortage in aviation parts. There is an emerging concern, too, on supply constraint in workers, from pilots and flight attendants, to engineers and ground handlers.

Still, CAPA is confident that Asia-Pacific would hold out to maintain its growth. For one, aerospace giant Airbus forecasts Philippine air travel to go up by seven percent over the next 20 years, beating the global average of three percent.

‘In the shorter term, the main headache is still the supply chain crisis and the related issues in the engine heavy maintenance backlogs,’ CAPA said.

‘And then of course there are economic headwinds, such as cost of living increases, supplier cost rises and geopolitical trade tensions, but in the longer term, the vast potential for the Asia-Pacific region remains intact,’ it said.

Seven Filipinos – including a priest tortured and slain by the Abu Sayyaf and four worshippers killed in the 2023 Marawi bombing – have been recognized by the Catholic Church as the country’s ‘new martyrs’ of the 21st century for their unwavering faith and sacrifices.

A special commemoration for these new martyrs will be held on Nov. 9, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

Among those to be honored is Fr. Rhoel Gallardo of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan who, along with several teachers and students of the Claret School of Tumahubong, was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf extremists, held captive for 44 days and killed on May 3, 2000.

From the Prelature of Marawi, the names of Junrey Taub Barbante, Janine Orcia Arenas, Evangeline Salces Aromin and Riza Ramos Daniel were also submitted. They were killed when an improvised explosive device planted by extremists detonated during mass at the Mindanao State University main campus in Marawi City on Dec. 3, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, nominated Fr. Marcelito Paez for his strong advocacy for social justice, human rights and the welfare of farmers. He was ambushed and killed by motorcycle-riding assailants on Dec. 4, 2017, shortly after helping secure the release of political prisoners.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro identified Alberto Pinagawa, a eucharistic minister and lay leader who campaigned against illegal logging and mining in Gingoog City and Claveria, and championed the rights of Lumad indigenous peoples. He was shot dead on Dec. 24, 2009.

‘Starting this Jubilee 2025, particular churches will remember and honor these figures of holiness every year on Nov. 9, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica,’ the Archdiocese of Manila announced.

Alas Pilipinas girls team stood its ground to stave off the taller Iran, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, and move on to the next round of the 2nd Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship yesterday at the Princess Sumaya Hall in Amman, Jordan.

Xyz Rayco took matters into her own hands, drilling the finishing touches in the last two sets to send the young Filipinos – composed of high school players from different provinces – to the quarterfinals in their first international tournament together.

Rayco, a 14-year-old spiker from Saint Michael College of Caraga, topscored with 13 points off nine kills, three blocks, and an ace as Alas bounced back from a four-set defeat to defending champion Japan.

Besides Rayco, Madele Gale rose to the occasion with nine points including the game-winning play. Nadeth Herbon and Merish Beltran contributed seven and six points, respectively.

Resty Jane Olaguir held Alas U16 together with her brilliant plays.

Stunned by the numerous archeological and cultural sites in Gyeongju, South Korea, President Marcos hopes to return there as a civilian to further explore the city’s breathtaking views.

Marcos described Gyeongju as ‘so beautiful’ during a press conference on Saturday.

‘It is actually – were you able to walk around Gyeongju? It’s so beautiful here. I’ve never been here before. I didn’t know it was that beautiful,’ the President told the Philippine media delegation who covered his participation in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

‘Kaya kami mga leader, kailangan natin bumalik dito as civilians para we can look around (That’s why we the leaders, need to come back here as civilians so we can look around),’ the President added.

Gyeongju (Kyongju) is known as ‘the museum without walls’ because of the vast number of cultural properties and archaeological sites in the city, according to the UNESCO website.

The city’s name ‘Gyeongju’ was established around 935 AD by King Taejo, meaning ‘Congratulatory district,’ UNESCO said.

The city holds some of the first UNESCO designated heritage sites in the country, including Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.

In 2000, the Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Marcos was among the leaders from 21 APEC member-economies who gathered in Gyeongju to discuss pathways toward shared prosperity under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.’

State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) recorded a 49-percent jump in earnings from January to September, reflecting improved performance and stronger revenue generation.

In a statement yesterday, the gaming regulator reported a net income of P14.32 billion during the nine-month period from P9.63 billion in the same period last year.

‘Our financial performance is a clear reflection of PAGCOR’s renewed focus on governance, digital transformation, as well as sustainable and responsible gaming,’ PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said.

Total revenue from January to September reached P84.1 billion, marking a 5.9-percent increase from P79.43 billion in the same timeframe last year.

Gaming operations of Pagcor contributed P75.93 billion to the total revenue, while other related services and other income accounted for P8.16 billion.

Tengco said the strong revenue performance highlights the positive impact of the agency’s governance and modernization initiatives.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR paid P3.79 billion in franchise taxes and P609.87 million in corporate income taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue as part of its obligations.

The agency’s overall contributions to nation-building grew by 11 percent, amounting to P54.26 billion, up from the P48.88 billion.

Divided into segments, two-thirds of the total or P36 billion went to the national government, in accordance with the provisions under the Presidential Decree 1869.

‘Our focus is to sustain this momentum while ensuring that the gaming industry continues to operate responsibly and contribute to national development,’ Tengco said.

The remitted share, equivalent to 50 percent of PAGCOR’s gaming revenues after deducting a five percent franchise tax, also includes allocations for the Dangerous Drug Board and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

PAGCOR also earmarked P11 billion for various socio-civic initiatives, which include remittances to the President’s social fund.

Likewise, the Philippine Sports Commission received its mandated five percent share amounting to P1.8 billion, an increase of 8.7 percent from the previous year, while athletes and coaches who won in international competitions were granted a total of P26.54 million under the Sports Incentives and Benefits Act.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Pagsanjan Mayor Emilio Ramon ‘ER’ Ejercito and a businesswoman after their conviction for graft in connection with an insurance deal for tourists and boatmen in Laguna became final and executory

The arrest warrants were issued after the Supreme Court First Division denied ‘with finality’ the motions for reconsideration filed by Ejercito and co-accused Marilyn Bruel, with the SC saying the two failed to raise any substantial argument that would warrant the reversal of the court’s Feb. 5, 2025 decision.

‘No further pleadings or motions shall be entertained herein… Let an entry of judgment in this case be issue immediately,’ a part of the SC ruling read.

In a phone interview with The STAR, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division Office of the Clerk of Court confirmed that a minute resolution ordering the arrest of Ejercito and Bruel, proprietor of First Rapids Care Ventures (FRCV), was issued on Oct. 20.

The Office of the Clerk of Court said the arrest order was issued after the Fourth Division was furnished an entry of judgment and a copy of the SC decision upholding the conviction of Ejercito and Bruel.

The Fourth Division’s resolution had not yet been uploaded on the Sandiganbayan website as of yesterday afternoon.

‘The judgment of conviction rendered in the case against accused Jeorge Ejercito Estregan and Marilyn Bruel having already become final and executory, let the corresponding warrant of arrest be issued against them for service of their sentence,’ the Fourth Division’s resolution stated, as read by the United Boatmen Association of Pagsanjan (UBAP) during a press conference in Calamba, Laguna last week.

The UBAP first filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in 2016, which filed the case before the Sandiganbayan.

Ejercito, Bruel and five former councilors of Pagsanjan were found guilty in April 2019 for violation of Section 3 (e) Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Sandiganbayan sentenced them to six to eight years of imprisonment, with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

In August 2019, the Fourth Division denied Ejercito and Bruel’s motions for reconsideration. The case was then elevated to the high court.

The SC First Division sustained the conviction of Ejercito and Bruel, but acquitted former councilors Arlyn Torres, Terryl Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti and Gener Dimaranan for ‘lack of evidence.’

The case stemmed from a contract the Pagsanjan government entered with FRCV in October 2008 for ‘accident protection and financial assistance’ coverage of tourists and boatmen plying the route to and from the Pagsanjan Gorge Tourist Zone.

The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the case in 2016, said the insurance contract was entered into without public bidding, in violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. FRCV was also reportedly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry and Bureau of Internal Revenue just five days before the deal was offered to Ejercito.

Ombudsman prosecutors said the deal was awarded to FRCV even when the firm has no license or certificate of authority to engage in insurance business from the Insurance Commission.

UBAP chairperson Jose Rivera lauded the SC ruling as a boon for accountability and integrity in government service.

Ejercito, whose screen name is Jorge Estregan, is a nephew of former president Joseph Estrada and a son of the late actor George Estregan.

The 26 Filipino medalists in the recent 3rd Asian Youth Games got an early Christmas gift from both the government and the Philippine Olympic Committee for their feats in Manama, Bahrain.

As mandated by law, Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio yesterday announced that gold winners in the quadrennial meet will receive P500,000 while those who copped silver and bronze will get P300,000 and P100,000, respectively.

‘Win or lose, sports is good,’ said Gregorio during the lunch hosted by the POC at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Parañaque.

POC president Abraham Tolentino, for his part, said they would give half of what the PSC will give the athletes plus an iPhone 17 each.

The country, which fielded 140 athletes, raked in a total of seven golds, seven silvers and 10 bronzes, which was good for 12th place overall.

Muay’s Jan Brix Ramiscal will take home the biggest bounty after snaring a gold in the mixed team Mai Muay with Tyron Jamborillo and the silver in the boys’ Wai Kru 16-17.

The Gokongwei Group’s Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) is poised to capitalize on what it expects to be a stronger growth for the country’s tourism industry in the coming years, fueled by measures implemented by the government.

RHR senior vice president and business unit general manager Barun Jolly said the country’s tourism industry is expected to further build momentum with the help of the government’s pro-tourism initiatives.

‘The Philippines has still not recovered from 2019 to now, in terms of net arrivals. However, net tourism receipts have increased. For us, as a hotel, we’ve always been leading the market. So we are well above 2019 numbers,’ Jolly said.

‘And we have seen that pretty much starting quarter two last year. The growth has been quite good, particularly in terms of high spending on food and beverages. People are willing to pay more for rooms. So it’s been very strong,’ he said.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that the Philippines has recorded 3.96 million foreign arrivals from January to August.

‘And I think right now, it’s not about sustaining. I think the momentum will only get bigger and better in the times to come because the government has taken a couple of very pro-tourism measures, which, as you know, will take time to show results. But once they show results, the momentum gets even higher,’ Jolly said.

Jolly cited visa-free entry for Indian tourists and value-added tax (VAT) refund as among these major pro-tourism measures.

‘India, which is one of the largest outbound markets globally, is going visa-free for the first time for the Philippines. Starting the third quarter this year, it’s visa-free. Starting October this year, we have five weekly flights from Delhi to Manila,’ Jolly said.

‘These two things did not exist until last year. And you’re talking about a market that’s 1.4 billion, out of which, easily, at least a couple of hundred million travel every year. So it’s really big. It’s a huge win. I’m quite thankful the government has taken a step in that direction,’ he said.

Jolly said that RHR, for its part, is ready to welcome Indian tourists and cater to their unique food requirements, noting that the company’s big hotels already offer Indian food items as an option.

‘Just like the travelers from the Middle East, Indian tourists’ food requirements are very specific. Our teams are already trained. A couple of our major flagship hotels have Indian chefs on staff. Our menus have that offering. So we are quite attuned to it,’ he said.

Jolly said that the VAT refund is also a positive boost to the country’s tourism industry.

The Philippines became VAT-free for foreign tourists earlier this year with the signing of the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 12079, or the VAT Refund for non-resident tourists.

‘You see, for an upper-up segment and for a luxury segment, VAT refund can be a big saving. And it drives a lot of tourism in markets like Japan. So as time moves on, you will see a lot of people also travel to the Philippines, not just for wonderful beach destinations, but also for shopping,’ Jolly said.

‘And I see especially India, Indonesia and Vietnam, these three markets choosing the Philippines because of VAT refund as a shopping option,’ he said.

RHR is a diversified hotel group with six homegrown brands and four international brands in its portfolio. It has 31 hotels in 20 locations, with 5,100 room keys.

To capitalize on the industry’s momentum, RHR is aggressively expanding its portfolio with the addition of 1,300 room keys over the next three to four years. The company plans to introduce its homegrown luxury and ultra-luxury brands to more locations across the country.

The Office of the Ombudsman will begin keeping digital copies of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of government officials to ensure perpetual public access and improve monitoring of officials’ wealth.

At a press briefing yesterday, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said both existing and future SALNs on file will be scanned and uploaded into the ombudsman’s system, in line with Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2025, issued last month by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.

‘This is an attempt of the ombudsman’s office to advocate for transparency as a general policy,’ Clavano said.

He explained that while hard copies of the SALNs will be retained for 20 years, the digital versions will remain accessible indefinitely.

‘Once filed, we will keep it physically for 20 years. But after that, as long as we have digital record, that will be there virtually forever,’ he said.

The measure will allow comparisons of a public official’s declared wealth over decades.

Under Section 3(c) of MC No. 3, ‘the existing inventories of SALNs on file with the Office of the Ombudsman shall not be destroyed and shall be digitally stored.’

Clavano noted that the 20-year retention period for physical SALNs aligns with the prescriptive period for filing cases under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

After that period, the documents may no longer be used as evidence in court but will remain publicly accessible for reference.

‘If it is evidence for a crime, then it can no longer be used. It’s accessible but can no longer be used in evidence. However, if it is only for purposes of comparison, then you can use SALNs even above and beyond the 20 years that is provided for in the rules,’ said Clavano.

Remulla’s MC No. 3 overturns former ombudsman Samuel Martires’ MC No. 1, series of 2020, which limited the release of SALNs unless authorized by the filer or ordered by a court. It also repeals a provision allowing the destruction of physical SALNs after 10 years without digital preservation.

Public access to SALNs will begin on Nov. 15, when MC No. 3 takes effect following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation on Oct. 31.

Requests must be filed with the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office at the ombudsman’s central office or with any Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Bureau at area or sectoral offices.

MC No. 3 applies only to SALNs filed with the ombudsman’s central and regional offices.

Under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, SALNs are filed with different agencies depending on the officials’ positions.

SALNs of constitutional and national elective officials – including the president and vice president – are transmitted to the ombudsman’s central office.

Those of senators and congressmen go to the secretaries of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively; justices to the Supreme Court clerk of court; trial judges to the court administrator and national executive officials to the Office of the President.

Regional and local officials must file their SALNs with the deputy ombudsman in their regions; military officers with the rank of colonel or naval captain to the OP and those below such ranks to the deputy ombudsman.

All other public officials and employees covered by Republic Act 3019 must submit their SALNs to the Civil Service Commission.