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The University of the Philippines-Mindanao and its student council are pushing for higher funding for the UP system as they expressed alarm over budgetary cuts in the education sector, particularly in UP-Mindanao.

In a joint statement, UP-Mindanao and the student council noted that for the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), only P25.82 billion was approved for the UP system.

The figure was way below the P46.85 billion proposed by the UP Board of Regents, they said.

‘This P21 billion deficit serves as a major threat to the development of the university and compromises basic student services as well as the welfare of constituents across UP campuses,’ UP-Mindanao and the student council said.

The budget allotted for UP-Mindanao is among the lowest in the UP system, they said, noting a long-standing struggle for adequate resources since the university was established.

For the 2025 budget in infrastructure development, the university was allocated a mere P25.9 million, a sharp drop from P140 million allotted last year.

Based on the 2026 NEP released by the Department of Budget and Management, only P16.18 million was approved for UP-Mindanao.

The state university and the student council said the drastic reduction in the proposed budget would hinder institutional development.

UP-Mindanao said the budget cuts have resulted in inadequate student services, insufficient campus amenities, and lack of personnel, classrooms and organization areas as well as constrained research capabilities.

‘While the university and the system’s Board of Regents remain committed to the ‘Road to 5,000 Students’ project and expanding access to quality education for more Mindanao youth, the sharp decline in funding poses a significant barrier to achieving such goals,’ the state university said. ‘The misprioritization of funding is a clear manifestation of the state’s neglect of the education sector.’

Sen. Chiz Escudero’s troubles continue to mount after being slapped with an ethics complaint over a P30-million campaign donation from government contractor Lawrence Lubiano in 2022.

Marvin Aceron, a private lawyer, filed the case before the Senate Committee on Ethics, which is chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito. In Aceron’s 21-page complaint, he said that Lubiano’s firm, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., had more contracts after Escudero’s win in the 2022 elections.

Aceron said that there were 112 contracts worth P16.67 billion under Sorsogon’s 1st and 2nd Districts from 2021 to 2025. Prior to Lubiano’s donation, the firm only had 12 contracts worth P720 million.

Lubiano’s contracts following his donation to Escudero amounted to around P15.9 billion.

‘The sheer number, aggregate value, and geographic concentration of these projects, coinciding with the P30-million donation, underscore the appearance of impropriety and raise serious doubts about the independence of public procurement from political influence,’ Aceron wrote in the complaint.

Lubiano also has a majority stake in Metroways Health Care and Medical System Inc., which is another firm that won government contracts in Bicol, Aceron said.

The complaint has six grounds:

Conduct unbecoming a member of the Senate (disorderly behavior)

Conflict of interest / improper influence

Election Law public policy and prohibited sources (Omnibus Election Code)

Integrity of public procurement

Financial opacity, serial restatements, and the alter ego doctrine

The full complaint can be read here.

Martin again?

Escudero has slammed the complaint filed against him, again blaming former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

‘This is just part of the harassment from his minions. This isn’t about ethics. This is political retribution. This complaint is still part of their script and a desperate smokescreen. I will expose it for the politically motivated sham that it is,’ Escudero said in a statement to the media, without directly addressing the contents of the complaint.

The former leaders of Congress have already traded verbal barbs. Escudero has accused Romualdez of corruption, while Romualdez said that the former Senate president is following a Diehard Duterte Supporter script.

Both lawmakers have been implicated in the flood control corruption mess, where billions of pesos are suspected to have been lost in kickback schemes.

The country’s exports of electronic products may hit $110 billion by 2030 amid growing demand from new technologies and products, according to the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI).

‘It’s possible (to reach $110 billion). There are a lot of external factors,’ SEIPI president Dan Lachica told reporters yesterday.

Of the $110 billion electronics exports projected by 2030, he said that semiconductors would account for $70 billion, while other electronic products would cover $40 billion.

These are also the 2030 targets set under the roadmap for the country’s semiconductor and electronics industry announced by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs earlier this year.

While the SEIPI’s official projection is a flat growth for the industry for this year, Lachica said electronics exports could post modest growth, citing encouraging developments.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the country’s electronics exports from January to August rose by seven percent to $29.48 billion from $27.45 billion in the same period last year.

‘If we are on track to continue with our pattern that we’re seeing, the year-to-date numbers, we may even reach if not exceed the 2023 numbers,’ Lachica said.

Last year, electronics exports declined by six percent to $42.74 billion from $45.65 billion in 2023.

Lachica said the growth in electronics exports would be driven by demand for electronics components from new technologies like artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0, as well as from vehicles and devices.

‘The overall demand in the world is increasing,’ Lachica said.

He said risks to the outlook include natural disasters, geopolitical uncertainties, as well as the United States’ plan to impose tariffs on its semiconductor imports.

Earlier, US president Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs of up to 300 percent on semiconductor imports, with exemptions for companies that commit to invest in manufacturing in the US.

At present, semiconductor exports are not covered by the 19-percent tariff imposed by the US on Philippine goods.

Despite risks, Lachica said SEIPI members are being advised to operate and produce based on existing demand.

He also said two firms engaged in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing in the country are planning to expand operations.

In line with efforts to promote the country’s semiconductor and electronics industry, the SEIPI is set to hold the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition 2025 from Oct. 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

Amid the driving rain and fierce winds of Typhoon Paolo, Team North stood tall – unyielding and unrelenting – as it powered its way to a wire-to-wire triumph to claim the crown in the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship here on Friday.

After dominating the Four-ball format with an emphatic 8-4 win and grinding out a hard-fought 6 1/2- 5 1/2 victory in Foursomes, North proved it could also excel when the pressure was squarely on individual shoulders. In the decisive Singles matches, they delivered yet again – claiming 11 of the 24 showdowns while halving two others – to power past the 24.5-point title threshold and seal a convincing 26 1/2-21 1/2 triumph at The Country Club.

North needed just 10 wins in the head-to-head battles to wrap up the title in this inaugural Ryder Cup-style finale, but added an extra for good measure – cementing its dominance and validating the months-long journey that began in the Luzon series, with standout talents emerging from seven grueling legs played across the region’s top championship courses.

South mounted a spirited comeback late, overcoming early setbacks to notch 11 victories and narrow the overall gap to 21-23 with several matches still to be played.

With the championship hanging in the balance, North’s Vito Sarines delivered a moment for the ages.

Locked in a tense, all-square battle with South’s Ralph Batican, Sarines pulled off a stunning 20-yard chip-in on the treacherous 18th hole – an audacious shot that cut through the rain and pressure like a knife. The ball rolled then dropped into the cup with clinical precision for birdie, triggering a thunderous eruption from the North camp and sealing a dramatic 2-up victory in the boys’ 11-14 division.

That electrifying finish handed North a crucial point, bringing their tally to 24 in what had been a nail-biting showdown.

But while the cheers echoed around the 18th green and outside of the TCC Pavilion, the true clincher unfolded quietly at the distant 15th.

There, Jakob Taruc calmly dismantled Eric Jeon with a dominant 4 and 3 victory in the boys’ 15-18 division. His steely composure and relentless play sealed the title for North – delivering the full point that pushed them past the finish line with a 25-point total.

Then came Rafa Anciano, who added flourish to North’s crowning moment. Down early against Precious Zaragosa, Anciano staged a gritty comeback and closed it out with a 3 and 2 win – lifting North’s total to 26. Zach Villaroman capped the effort with an all-square result against Alexis Nailga, nudging the final score to 26 1/2-21 1/2.

What began as a tightly fought, rain-soaked duel between two proud regions ended in celebration for the North. And at its heart was a daring chip, a quiet clincher, and a team that rose when it mattered most.

‘The lead in Day 1 was very, very important,’ said Team North captain’s representative Joey Anciano. ‘It’s like a step inside the door already. Day 2 was to maintain or increase the lead and we also won, leaving us with 10 matches and a draw to win the cup.’

And momentum they had in spades.

After two days of intense action – marked by drama, momentum swings and relentless pressure – Team North came into the final day poised, calm and battle-ready.

Even the threat of Typhoon Paolo couldn’t shake its players’ resolve.

As gray skies darkened and strong winds gusted over the drenched course, the players teed off in drizzle. But Team North was all business. They seized early control in nine of the first 15 pairings, while four matches remained all-square in the hotly contested 7-10 and 11-14 age groups.

The South squad, composed of the Visayas-Mindanao region’s finest junior talents, made a spirited stand. In the boys’ 11-14 division, four of their players surged ahead early. But Team North was quick to respond. Zianbeau Edoc and Sarines clawed back to force all-square results against Jared Saban and Batican, respectively- dampening South’s momentum just as it began to rise.

North’s dominance held strong in the boys’ and girls’ 7-10 and girls’ 11-14 categories, where they displayed unflinching composure amid challenging conditions. That resilience, forged over months of elite competition, shone through when it mattered most.

North even conceded an early match when 15-18 standout Patrick Tambalque was forced to withdraw while leading Armand Copok by two after five holes, citing a severe back injury.

But this hardly mattered for a team that continued to shine across multiple age-group divisions, undeterred by the windy, stormy conditions.

Anciano raised the determination and effort shown by his players throughout the tournament.

‘It was teamwork and team dynamics. And credit goes to the players definitely because they fought their hearts out,’ said Anciano.

‘Every match the players did their best and that’s what’s important. That’s why we have this kind of tournament. Golf is an individual sport, but we are blessed to have this event which is also all about teamwork,’ he added.

He also emphasized the individual talent of the team and how their game plan paid off.

‘All our players are gifted – they’re talented, strong hitters, and strong in their individual games,’ Anciano said.

‘Actually, it can go both ways, but again we had a strategy through all three days and it worked. So we’re happy to win this one,’ he added.

Halo Pangilinan delivered the opening blow for North with a dominant 6 and 5 rout of James Rolida in the boys’ 7-10 division, setting the tone early in the singles matches. Mavis Espedido quickly followed suit with a 5 and 3 triumph over Soleil Molde, answering South’s first win of the day – Kvan Alburo’s 6 and 5 demolition of Asher Abad.

Ronee Dungca continued North’s charge in the youngest division, dismantling Claren Quiño with a commanding 7 and 6 victory. Zach Guico then overpowered Ethan Lago, 6 and 4, while Jacob Casuga cruised to a 6 and 5 win over Ken Guillermo in the boys’ 11-14 bracket. In the girls’ 7-10, Winter Serapio rolled past Francesca Geroy, 4 and 3, and twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines delivered back-to-back wins in the girls’ 11-14 – an 8 and 6 rout of Brittany Tamayo and a 3 and 2 decision over Kimberly Baroquillo, respectively.

Despite the rains and North’s early surge, South staged a spirited comeback.

Lucas Revilleza edged Zoji Edoc, 2 and 1, in boys’ 7-10, while Denise Mendoza blasted past Tyra Garingalao, 5 and 3, in girls’ 7-10. In girls’ 11-14, Zuri Bagaloyos downed Alexie Gabi, 3 and 2, and Rafella Batican eked out a 1-up victory over Kendra Garingalao. In the girls’ 15-18 division, Crista Miñoza and Tashanah Balangauan scored emphatic wins – 7 and 5 over Levonne Talion and 5 and 4 against Chloe Rada, respectively.

South’s late rally leveled the singles matches at 8 wins apiece, and it even surged ahead as Marcus Dueñas and Saban outlasted Ryuji Suzuki and Edoc via the same 3 and 1 results in boys’ 11-14, and Mhark Fernando essayed a 4 and 3 victory over Kristoffer Nadales in boys’ 15-18.

But it wasn’t enough to erase North’s five-point cushion from the first two days of team play. In the end, the Luzon aces proved just as tough and dominant in individual matches as they had been in team competition, securing a well-deserved overall victory in the rain-soaked championship.

North’s Tiffany Bernardino earlier blew a four-hole lead late, enabling Mikela Guillermo to salvage an all-square match, stalling the team’s impending march to the championship.

By day’s end, the storm in the skies mirrored the storm unleashed by Team North on the course – calculated, fierce and unstoppable.

The victory capped a season-long, cross-regional showcase of emerging Filipino golf talent – a tournament built not only on skill, but on heart, grit and camaraderie.

And as the North players hoisted the championship trophy, they didn’t just celebrate a tournament win. They celebrated the spirit of a team that weathered every challenge – from championship pressure to the edge of a typhoon – and emerged as the brightest stars of Philippine junior golf.

Emerging as standout performers for Team North were Espedido, Dungca, Casuga, Serapio, and the Sarines twins, who swept all their matches in Fourballs, Foursomes and Singles. On the other hand, Balangauan and Miñoza were the only unbeaten players from Team South, with Balangauan winning all her matches, including the only three tournaments she had participated in during the Vis-Min series.

A. Soriano Corp. (Anscor) is exiting The Bistro Group nearly a year after investing in the operator of full-service restaurants Italianni’s, TGI Fridays and Texas Roadhouse.

Anscor has sold its entire 22 percent stake in TBG Food Holdings Inc. to Inoza Business Holdings Inc. for P1.91 billion.

The listed holding company said the transaction represents value realization of its investment in TBG, getting gross annualized returns greater than 25 percent on its investment through a combination of distributions and capital gains.

Anscor in November last year acquired a minority stake in TBG for P1.61 billion, expanding its portfolio in the consumer sector.

‘Anscor extends its best wishes to the Bistro and Inoza teams. We are confident they will continue delighting Filipino consumers with their quality dining experiences for many years to come, and we look forward to seeing their continued success,’ the company said.

TBG, also known as The Bistro Group, is a premium casual restaurant operator in the Philippines, owning and operating over 200 full-service restaurants across 23 brands, including iconic names such as Italianni’s, TGI Friday’s and Texas Roadhouse.

Inoza recently took a majority stake in TBG, securing the Philippine Competition Commission’s approval in August.

Inoza is a newly formed holding company affiliated with Progeny Global Holdings Inc., which is engaged in agribusiness, food manufacturing and limited-service restaurants.

Progeny operates the Bounty Fresh brand, as well as limited service restaurants Chooks-to-Go and Uling Roasters.

A construction worker from Tondo, Manila died from a gunshot during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protests in Mendiola, according to forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun.

Fortun, in a medical certificate issued yesterday, confirmed that Eric Saber died due to a ‘perforating gunshot to the neck.’

The 35-year-old victim also suffered from a spinal cord injury, Fortun said.

Saber was allegedly shot by police during a violent dispersal of protesters, according to militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

However, Philippine National Police public information officer Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said there was no shooting during the unrest.

Tuaño said police recorded one fatality, a 15-year-old student who died from a stab wound.

‘There was no shooting connected to the protest. Based on the report, it was a stabbing incident, not a case of police firing,’ he said.

The KMU vowed justice for Saber, who was buried yesterday at the Manila North Cemetery.

Heartbreak for Alex Eala.

The Filipina tennis ace clawed out of a late deficit in the third set but faltered in the tiebreak to yield to Viktorija Golubic, 2-6, 6-2, 6(0)-7, in the Suzhou WTA 125 quarterfinals in China Friday.

After Eala tied the third set at 3-all, the 32-year-old Swiss won the next two games to grab a 5-3 lead.

Golubic, the World No. 70, even took the advantage in the sixth game, but the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate showcased her resiliency as she clawed out of the hole inch by inch.

Eala took a 6-5 lead, but her Swiss foe forced the tiebreak with a victory in the 12th game.

In the tiebreak, Eala seemingly ran out of steam as she faced a 0-4 deficit and did not recover.

The 20-year-old, ranked 58th in the world, had a strong start in the first set, dropping the first two games before sweeping the next six.

In the second set, though, Golubic waxed hot and won the first four games, before Eala finally bagged one.

But Golubic win two of the next three games to extend the match.

Before the Filipina tennister exited the tournament, she took down Katarzyna Kawa and Greet Minnen in the first two rounds.

Golubic will now take on German tennister Tatjana Maria in the semifinals, who punched her ticket to the semifinals via walkover.

Caritas Philippines – the humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – yesterday appealed for donations for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Opong in Masbate and Romblon.

Caritas said that residents of Masbate and Romblon are in need of food packs and non-food items such as essential household items, sanitation kits, potable water with jerry cans, solar lamp with power chargers, generator sets and medicine, especially for treatment of wounds.

Aside from these items, people are requesting for construction materials for rebuilding houses and churches as well as interim livelihood for affected families.

As of Sept. 28, the dioceses of Masbate and Romblon remained without power and have been relying on generator sets.

No formal evacuation centers are available in the provinces, Caritas said.

It said that telecom service is down except for Smart, although the signal is weak, and the supply of medicine is running low.

The source of water in Masbate sustained damage from Opong

Kapamilya star Daniel Padilla attended the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards to receive his Outstanding Asian Star award.

According to a report by ABS-CBN, Daniel walked on the red carpet in the KBS Hall in Seoul, South Korea wearing pinstripe suit by Ryan Viloria and Gekko Studios.

“Awkward, daming tao,” Daniel said. “Siyempre, yun naman ang pinunta natin dito. Okay naman!”

Daniel received the Outstanding Asian Star award with fellow recipients Film Mahawan from Thailand, Kentaro Sakaguchi from Japan, and Anna Jobling from Malaysia.

Also winning the award as determined by fan votes were Jisoo of Blackpink, fellow Korean star Kim Seon-ho, and Chinese actor Yu Bai.

In his acceptance speech, Daniel thanked his ABS-CBN executives, fans who voted him, and his “Incognito” team, even mentioning each of his co-stars.

“I’m truly honored to be here tonight to receive this award, thank you so much Seoul International Drama Awards for this recognition,” Daniel said in his speech. “I also want to thank my friends and my family for their endless support and unconditional love. Mama, I made it.”

“And to all the fans, thank you for your continuous support and unwavering love. You are the reason why I’m here. Thank you so much,” Daniel ended.

The biggest winner of this year’s Seoul International Drama Awards was Netflix hit “Adolescence” as it took home the Grand Prize, Best Director for Philip Barantini (jointly winning with Hirokazu Kore-eda for “Asura”), and Best Actor for Owen Cooper.

Apple TV+ also had a big night as “Severance” creator Ben Stiller won the Golden Bird Prize and writer Dan Erickson won Best Screenwriter, “Pachinko” won Best Miniseries, and “Disclaimer” star Cate Blanchett shared the Best Actress award with “Pachinko” star Kim Min-ha.

Netflix shows “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” and “When Life Gives You Tangerines” shared the Outstanding Korean Drama award as its stars Ju Ji-hoon and IU won the acting categories.

Completing the winner’s list were Korea’s “The Son” for Best TV Movie, Turkiye’s “The Good and The Bad” for Best Series, and Young Tak’s music in “For Eagle Brothers” for Outstanding Korean Drama Original Soundtrack.

Help! Is there a veterinary clinic with an animal psychiatric ward?’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson tweeted this yesterday in an apparent reference to critics of his crusade against budget insertions and his handling of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigation on the flood control corruption scandal.

Lacson – who earlier said he would rather respond to his critics’ outbursts with silence – no longer held back in his stinging rebuke of his detractors.

‘We have a crazy cat that keeps meowing on the ground floor and an annoying dog that keeps barking on the upper floor,’ Lacson said on X.

Lacson called out someone as an ‘annoying dog barking’ in the plenary of the Senate, although he did not say who.

He posted the tweet a day after his chief critic in the chamber, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta delivered yet another scathing privilege speech on Wednesday night calling out the veteran budget watcher’s accusations of ‘insertions’ in the national outlay.

Marcoleta questioned Lacson’s criticisms of senators’ budget amendments for their pet projects in his ‘moral crusade to denounce budget manipulations as the breeding ground of corruption’ – only to ‘shift tone’ and ‘get off his hobbyhorse of morality’ by urging Congress to ‘heed the public outrage.’

‘What does this mean? That after all the thunder, we simply move on? This inconsistency, first condemning insertions as corrupt, then quietly moving on without demanding redress only deepens public distrust. Are we truly committed to reform, or merely staging rhetorical battles without the resolve to clean up the rot?’ Marcoleta said.

Lacson also called out a ‘crazy cat. meowing’ on the ‘ground floor,’ an apparent reference to the House of Representatives.

He did not name the person, but the congressman who recently got on his nerve was Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, who posted on social media an election campaign photo of Lacson with controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, apparently as a way to discredit the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s flood control corruption hearings.

Lacson said the photo was taken during a meeting with the two upon an invitation of a friend during the campaign period. He denied receiving campaign funds from the Discaya couple.

The congressman mocked Lacson on Facebook by posting a quote card with a cat’s face on the senator’s, and with his response to Lacson’s rebuke.