Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized nearly P35 billion worth of smuggled goods from January to August, underscoring the agency’s intensified border control operations and continuing efforts to curb illicit trade and protect government revenues.

Carrying out 653 seizure operations, the border patrol bureau said it has confiscated P34.73 billion worth of smuggled goods during the eight-month period.

The collection on seized items is only 41 percent of last year’s full year record of P85.16 billion.

BOC Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla explained that last year’s figures were largely driven by letters of authority, which have now been suspended, noting that many of the operations involved were conducted outside the bureau.

‘Now we look at the complaints, when that is back, we are not keen on catching up. I think whatever the figure is, what’s important for us is the industry feels we’re doing something and there’s a reduction of the effect of smuggling in their fields,’ Maronilla said.

Letters of authority are official BOC directives that empower customs officers to carry out specific enforcement actions, such as requesting proof of duty and tax payments on imported merchandise.

In July, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno halted the execution of all previously approved letters of authority that had not yet been served.

Maronilla said they are reviewing and streamlining safety measures for the issuance of letters of authority to prevent potential abuse based on intelligence reports.

‘Especially in the intellectual property, most particularly agriculture and the tobacco and vape industry,’ he said, referring to stronger patrols in several industries.

According to the report, the top five highest-valued seized commodities were various goods worth P20.16 billion and wildlife and natural resources at P4.78 billion.

Also among the most confiscated smuggled goods were illegal drugs valued at P4.6 billion, cigarettes, tobacco, and vape products worth P2.1 billion, along with counterfeit items amounting to P1.4 billion, according to the BOC.

Still in the eight-month period, the BOC has revoked the accreditation of 40 erring importers and customs brokers as part of its crackdown on trade law violators.

American basketball pros Sam Vincent and Taj McWilliams-Franklin are visiting the Philippines to participate in a series of engagements that will showcase American excellence in basketball and empower young Filipino athletes and leaders as part of the US Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program.

The initiative strengthens people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Americans through their shared love for sports, while inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Vincent is an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1986 while McWilliams-Franklin is a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011. Both players transitioned to coaching following their successful professional careers as players.

During their visit, Vincent and McWilliams-Franklin will lead basketball clinics and leadership seminars in Alaminos City in Pangasinan, organized in partnership with the local government.

The visiting US sports envoys bring their professional and collegiate coaching experiences to train young athletes in basketball fundamentals while fostering the values of leadership, dedication, and teamwork that will help participants succeed in their professional lives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Cebu citizens to remain alert as rescue and relief efforts continue following the killer quake.

A 6.9 quake last Tuesday night killed at least 26 people in the province, injuring dozens more and destroying vital infrastructure.

‘Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan. Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan,’ Marcos said.

(I urge all to remain alert and to listen to the local government. Together, we will get through this and uplift the affected communities.)

Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways has been tasked with inspecting road and bridge quality, while the Department of Energy is working to restore power to affected regions.

The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are also on the ground providing aid, Marcos said.

Both the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police are assisting in rescue and recovery efforts, the president said.

The death toll from the earthquake is still rising, with reports on the ground saying at least 50 have been reported dead.

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with World Trade Organization (WTO) members in ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement on fisheries subsidies.

The landmark agreement represents a historic step forward in curbing harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and the depletion of marine resources.

Recalling the deposit of its instrument of acceptance at the sidelines of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 27, 2024, the Philippines recently joined fellow WTO members in celebrating the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

As an archipelagic nation of more than 115 million people, with millions depending on fisheries for their food and livelihood, the Philippines attaches great importance to this milestone. The agreement strengthens global efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity, ensure food security and protect the livelihoods of fisherfolk, particularly those in small coastal communities.

To support implementation, the WTO has established a Fisheries Subsidies Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing members such as the Philippines. This includes Category 1 Grant Projects of up to $50,000 and Category 2 Grant Projects of up to $300,000. Through this mechanism, the Philippines will be better equipped to implement the agreement effectively, enhance sustainable coastal management, and deliver tangible benefits to rural fishing communities across the archipelago.

The Philippines said the effective implementation of the Agreement will strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its ocean resources sustainably, secure the future of coastal communities, and uphold its responsibility as steward of one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.

Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement.

‘The entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks a collective victory for global sustainability and for millions of fisherfolk whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans,’ Teehankee said.

As the WTO’s first sustainability-focused agreement, it demonstrates that trade rules can serve as powerful tools for environmental protection and development.

‘For the Philippines, this Agreement is not only about protecting our marine biodiversity, but also about ensuring food security and building resilient coastal communities,’ he added.

The Philippines also welcomed the establishment of the Fisheries Fund, which will help developing countries translate commitments into concrete action.

‘The Philippines stands ready to work with WTO members and partners to ensure that this Agreement delivers real and lasting benefits for our people and our planet,’ he said.

In recent weeks, Filipinos have been introduced to Gen Z Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Austria Barzaga of Dasmariñas, Cavite. Formerly part of the majority, he resigned from the ruling Partido Federal Party and established himself as an independent lawmaker. He’s been the subject of many talks and insinuations, from his unusual and eccentric personality to whispers about his mental health. But it does not change the fact that this rather unusual young representative is saying the right things, stuff that ordinary Filipinos want to hear; that the corruption in flood control projects leads to former speaker Martin Romualdez.

As speaker during the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budget deliberations, Romualdez should at least have been cognizant of these anomalies. As Barzaga puts it, either Romualdez is corrupt and part of the flood control mafia, or at the very least was inept and incompetent for allowing these billions of pesos to be stolen left and right. For many lawmakers, Kiko Bargaza has indeed been a thorn in their side and sycophants of the ruling party have filed ethics complaints against the neophyte congressman.

The family name Barzaga is of Spanish origin, derived from barza (‘bramble’) + -aga (‘place of/abundance of’), meaning ‘place with brambles.’ The name is a relatively uncommon surname and is found in the Catalogo Alfabetico de Apellidos. Because of their thorns, brambles are often associated with wildness, difficulty, or obstacles. A very apt description of Rep. Barzaga, indeed.

The Barzagas are a political dynasty in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The modern Barzaga clan’s began with Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Frani Barzaga Jr., who served as Dasmariñas mayor and as congressman for the old 2nd and the 4th Districts. However, the family’s story goes older than Pidi. In the early 1800s, Domingo was born in Imus, Cavite. Prior to the Claveria surname decree of 1849, his family had been using ‘Bautista’ as a family name. The modern Barzaga family simply adopted the surname in accordance with the Claveria decree. Domingo Bautista would later marry Eusebia de los Reyes, and by 1850 had become Domingo Barsaga Bautista, until his family would later use Barsaga (and much later the more Spanish-sounding Barzaga) exclusively. Domingo and Eusebia had several children, including Hermogenes Barzaga, who married Manuela Enano. One of their children was Francisco Barzaga, the namesake of the current Kiko Barzaga who served as municipal president of Dasmariñas, Cavite in 1900 and then from 1922 to 1924. His son, Elpidio Barzaga, was the father of Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

A Barzaga legacy is converting Dasmariñas from a municipality into a component city, who was sponsored by then-Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. Pidi’s wife Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Austria Barzaga, was mayor (2007-2016; 2019-present) and congresswoman (2016-2019), the first city mayor after cityhood in 2009 and has repeatedly won reelection. Their son Francisco ‘Kiko’ A. Barzaga served as city councilor (2019-2025) and became representative of Cavite’s 4th District in 2025; his brother Elpidio ‘Third’ Barzaga III became vice mayor in 2025.

Centuries ago, the first of Kiko Barzaga’s ancestors settled in what is now modern-day Cavite, first in Imus and then in Dasmariñas. The city’s name itself holds many symbolisms. Dasmariñas refers to ‘of the marinas or coasts.’ In Castilian and Galician contexts, marina didn’t just mean ‘harbor’ –it referred broadly to fertile coastal plains and maritime regions, often wealthy and strategic and connoted a sense of being tied to exploration, conquest, and commerce. In Catholic Spain, the sea was a biblical and spiritual metaphor and represented the vastness of God’s creation and the trials of life’s journey.

Whatever the deal is with Rep. Kiko Barzaga, it cannot be denied that in genealogical terms, he symbolizes defiance, strength and, as his own last name suggests, being a (very welcome) thorn to the powers that be that continue to rule the Philippines like it is their playground.

A low pressure area east of Philippine waters could develop into a tropical cyclone within the next two days, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday, September 30.

In its 5 p.m. forecast, PAGASA said the system has a medium chance of strengthening into a tropical depression and is likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday evening.

The low pressure area was last spotted 1,070 kilometers east-northeast of Eastern Visayas at 3 p.m.

PAGASA’s tropical cyclone-threat potential report also indicated a high chance of a storm crossing Luzon this week, from September 29 to October 5.

Weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said Northern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Legazpi City can expect overcast skies and rain from Thursday, October 2, lasting until Saturday, October 4, before conditions improve.

A second tropical cyclone-like vortex (TCLV) may form by the second week of October. By October 6 to 12, the first storm is expected to exit PAR toward the Vietnam-Hainan area, while the second storm may enter the northeastern boundary of PAR.

The report further forecasts that tropical cyclones forming in October could make landfall in provinces across Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Visayas.

Some systems developing in the western Pacific may enter PAR but are expected to recurve northward, moving toward Japan or Korea.

More rain

Although the low pressure area has not yet directly impacted the Philippines, warm easterly winds are expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, October 1, in the following areas:

Metro Manila

CALABARZON

MIMAROPA

Bicol Region

Aurora

Pampanga

Bulacan

Zambales

Bataan

Northern Samar

The rest of the country is forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The Philippines is still reeling from the aftermath of severe flooding caused by the combined effects of tropical cyclones ‘Mirasol,’ ‘Nando’ and ‘Opong,’ along with the southwest monsoon.

Several provinces and cities have declared a state of calamity to prioritize rehabilitation efforts as thousands remain displaced.

PetMarra is proud to announce its participation in the annual World Animal Day and Pet Blessing event, organized by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), happening on October 5 at the SM North Edsa Skydome.

The celebration will be a special day of love and gratitude, bringing together furparents and animal lovers. The venue will be open to the public at 10 a.m., inviting everyone in a program of fun activities and surprises.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as seating for the main event is on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduled at 5 p.m., the much-anticipated annual pet blessing will commence.

During the one-of-a-kind mass dedicated for pets, each animal will be individually blessed. This symbolizes the importance of every pet in our lives and our responsibility to protect and cherish them.

This exceptional ceremony offers pet owners and their beloved companions a unique experience to be part of a community that understands the deepness of their bond. It is a truly memorable occasion that reaffirms the commitment to responsible pet ownership.

As one of the major sponsors, PetMarra will be at the forefront of the event with exciting activities and free products for furparents.

It will showcase its range of high-quality products, each crafted to help pet parents provide their furry companions with the best nutrition for a lifetime.

PetMarra’s commitment to quality is evident as its products exceed the rigorous nutritional guidelines of the Association of American Feed Control Officials and are registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry, ensuring the highest standards of safety and excellence.

In a further show of support for the animal community, PetMarra will be giving a special donation to PAWS during the event.

The funds were raised through a special live stream collaboration with Shopee in response to the series of typhoons and floods that have impacted local communities. The donation will match Shopee’s contribution, ensuring a substantial aid to animal welfare efforts.

PetMarra’s collaboration with PAWS on World Animal Day is more than a sponsorship; it is a partnership built on a shared mission to advocate for responsible pet ownership and elevate animal welfare standards.

The San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City has been upgraded to a Level 2 general hospital with modern facilities and expanded services to cater to more residents.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval on Monday led the inauguration of the six-story, 200-bed hospital along Panghulo Road.

The hospital features operating rooms, a labor room, an intensive care unit, a surgery consultation room, an emergency room and a spacious lobby.

‘Through the support of our partners and the initiative of former congressman Ricky Sandoval, we now have a more modern hospital that can provide comprehensive services for more Malabueños. This assures our people of better health care alongside the city’s other programs,’ Sandoval said.

The medical facility will offer departmentalized services in medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and anesthesiology.

It is equipped with MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, 2D echo, colposcopy machines, therapy services and a clinical laboratory.

The local government said it would acquire a digital fluoroscopy machine, a digital C-arm machine and hystero-laparoscopy equipment.

The former congressman filed House Bill 5791 in the 17th Congress that paved the way for the expansion of the hospital.

‘It is a milestone for Malabon. From a small women’s hospital, it is now a Level 2 general hospital ready to provide quality medical services to our people,’ he said.

Founded in 1990 as the San Lorenzo Ruiz Municipal Hospital, the facility evolved into the San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital in 1998 before being converted into a general hospital under Republic Act 11289 in 2019.

As Tropical Depression ‘Paolo’ strengthens and approaches the Philippine land, PAGASA raised Wind Signal No. 1 over four areas in Catanduanes on Wednesday, October 1.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau last located Paolo about 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression is moving west-northwest at 25 kph and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday, October 3.

PAGASA hoisted Wind Signal No. 1 over Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga in Catanduanes, signaling winds of 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains anticipated within the next 36 hours.

Under the lowest wind signal, little to no infrastructure damage is expected. However, the state weather bureau urged residents to immediately inspect their homes for necessary repairs and clean up drainage systems to prevent possible flooding.

In its latest weather advisory, PAGASA also said that the tropical cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rain across several provinces in Northern Luzon from October 2 to October 3.

Rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters:

Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Aurora

Apayao

Abra

Benguet

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

Bataan

Paolo is expected to gain strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea, potentially intensifying into a severe tropical storm by early Friday, with Wind Signal No. 3 as the highest possible alert.

The Archdiocese of Cebu has formally installed Archbishop Alberto ‘Abet’ Uy as its new shepherd during a Solemn Canonical Possession and Installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Tuesday, September 30.

Led into the cathedral by Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda, Vicar General and Cathedral Rector, Archbishop Uy took his place at the ‘cathedra’, the bishop’s throne symbolizing his authority as the 25th Bishop and fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu. He succeeds Archbishop Jose Palma, who retired after nearly 15 years as the province’s chief pastor.

In his Words of Thanks, Archbishop Uy declared: ‘My good people in Cebu, I am here, reporting for duty. The Archdiocese of Cebu is so big and my capacity is so little. Please be good to me. I promise to give you my best, so we can walk closer to Christ, our true shepherd.’

The new prelate expressed gratitude to his family, clergy, religious, lay faithful, and those who joined the celebration both onsite and online. He described his family as his ‘first home, first teachers, first good friends, and constant source of support.’

‘I come to you as your unworthy servant, fully aware that I cannot complete this mission alone. I will always need God’s unfailing help and yours as well,’ he said, vowing to work with priests, consecrated men and women, lay faithful, government officials, and other faith leaders in building ‘bridges, not walls, for the good of every Cebuano.’

Archbishop Uy also acknowledged the people’s yearning for authentic leadership.

‘In our country today, people long for leaders who are transparent, accountable, and faithful to their mission. I want to embrace that call as your shepherd, and I ask my brother priests to walk with me in this same spirit of integrity,’ he said.

Reflecting on his new responsibility, he quoted an Irish sailor’s prayer: ‘Lord, the ocean is so big, and my boat is so small. Have mercy on me.’

He ended with a humble promise: ‘I do not dream of being a great Archbishop. I may not be the best Archbishop. But I promise you this, I will give you my very best, so that together we may walk closer to Christ, our true Shepherd.’

Messages of support

Palma, Archbishop-Emeritus, urged the faithful to welcome Uy with openness and unity.

‘With the installation of our new Archbishop of Cebu, His Excellency, Most Rev. Alberto Uy, I invite all of you to embrace this moment of synodality, this wonderful opportunity for unity and growth within our community,’ Palma said.

He assured his successor of continued support: ‘To Archbishop Abet, I assure you, in my own little way, I am just a text away. Expect our love and support in any way possible.’

Papal Nuncio Most Rev. Charles John Brown also called on Cebuanos to ‘love, pray, respect, and help’ the new shepherd, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle reminded the faithful that ministry must be rooted in service, not worldly recognition.

‘Jesus was not seeking celebrity status, nor marching bands, nor millions of likes and views. He was seeking to do God’s will no matter what the cost,’ Tagle stressed.

CIVIC Welcome

A day prior to his formal installation, a civic reception was held at the Cebu Capitol in honor of the new archbishop. Among those present were Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Vice Governor Glenn Soco, Cebu mayors, church leaders, and civic figures including former Chief Justice Hilario Davide III.

Baricuatro hailed Cebu as ‘the cradle of faith and birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines,’ noting that Uy’s appointment by Pope Francis last July marked ‘another chapter in the faith journey of the Cebuanos.’

‘We are deeply grateful for Archbishop Palma’s years of faithful service and spiritual guidance,’ she said.

‘We are filled with hope as we welcome Archbishop Uy, who has been known for his simplicity, compassion, and genuine love for the poor,’ the governor added.

Uy, in his Capitol address, highlighted that Cebu now has ‘four new leaders’ – a new archbishop, a new governor, a new vice governor, and a new Cebu City mayor.

‘Four new leaders mean four new beginnings, four fresh opportunities to dream together, to build together, and to hope together,’ he said, emphasizing that true leadership is about service, not power.

The Cebu Provincial Board also passed a resolution formally welcoming Uy and extending the felicitations of the August Body and the people of the province.