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The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) has deployed 1,356 police officers in response to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Data released by the PNP as of 11 a.m. showed that the Cebu City Police Office sent out 348 personnel; Lapu-Lapu City sent 294; and Mandaue City sent 51.

On the provincial level, the Cebu police deployed 363 officers, while Bohol deployed 143.

Then, the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) Mobile Force Battalion deployed 100 officers, the Regional Headquarters deployed 50 and the Regional Medical and Dental Unit deployed seven.

The PNP added that PRO 7 was monitoring 1,457 evacuation centers across the region.

It further said three police stations were damaged during the quake but did not specify which.

The tremor struck 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province on Tuesday night.

At least 26 were reported dead and 147 were reported injured due to the earthquake as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest situational report.

Nadine Lustre got candid about her thoughts on motherhood, admitting she is currently not ready to take on the role yet as she is focusing on her career.

The actress-businesswoman spoke about this during a ‘TV Patrol’ interview on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at an event for her and her boyfriend Christophe Bariou’s coconut milk brand.

The topic was brought up after she and entertainment reporter MJ Felipe discussed the motherhood theme of the actress’ upcoming film ‘Call Me Mother,’ one of the official entries at the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

‘Nakakatakot maging nanay, honestly (It is scary to be a mother, honestly),’ Lustre said. ‘I’ve been working for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine having another responsibility other than my career.’

‘I am so focused with my career and, of course, this guy right and our businesses as well,’ she continued, pointing at Bariou who was standing beside her. ‘Parang ‘di ako ready. So saludo talaga ako sa mga moms.’

(I feel like I am not ready for it. That is why I salute all mothers.)

In her several interviews before, Lustre had expressed her seeming hesitation to have children. In 2021, she said she did not want to have kids and that if she did, she might opt for adoption.

Meanwhile, also starring along Lustre in ‘Call Me Mother’ are Vice Ganda, Klarisse De Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Esnyr, Shuvee Etrata, and Brent Manalo, among others. /edv

The Sandiganbayan has moved to November 7 the arraignment and pre-trial of former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and others after granting the prosecution’s urgent motion to amend the information related to the 2019 takeover of the Malampaya gas project.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the anti-graft court’s Third Division gave the prosecution, under the Office of the Ombudsman, 30 days to submit the amended information.

Before granting the motion, the Sandiganbayan also declared moot the respondents’ motion seeking to invalidate the charges against Cusi and the other accused.

The charges against Cusi and others involve their alleged roles in railroading the sale of 45 percent of shares of the Malampaya gas project to a company owned by Davao businessman Dennis Uy.

The anti-graft court explained that the respondents’ motion to quash was anchored on the information dated November 24 of last year.

It added that resolving the motion to quash at this stage would be premature, because the prosecution has the right to file a motion to amend the information-a point that the defense later conceded.

Asked why it took a year to file the motion, the prosecution panel said the case was only assigned to them last month.

While the motion had already been drafted on September 23, it was formally filed only on Tuesday, as the panel needed to subpoena several documents to prepare a memorandum supporting the motion to amend the information.

Before the deferment of their arraignment, Cusi and 10 other former and present Department of Energy officials posted bail of P90,000 each for their graft charges on September 10.

Last August, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) confirmed that its vice chairperson, Cusi, had been indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the Malampaya project.

PDP Deputy Spokesperson Ferdinand Topacio earlier said one count of graft had been filed against Cusi and several others before the Sandiganbayan.

The Ombudsman’s probe involving Department of Energy (DOE) officials began in 2022, following a Senate committee on energy report on the sale of shares in the Malampaya project.

According to the report, the DOE allegedly railroaded the approval of the $545-million sale of a 45-percent stake in Malampaya to UC Malampaya, despite the buyer’s failure to pass the financial capability test and to submit audited financial statements.

While the Ombudsman initially dismissed the graft complaint in 2022 for lack of evidence, it reversed its decision in 2024 and found probable cause to indict Cusi and several DOE officials.

Cusi was also recently affirmed by the Supreme Court as the legitimate president of PDP-Laban, the political party of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. was himself taken aback by the magnitude of corruption involving flood control projects, which have further blackened the already tarnished reputation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

‘The sight of piles of cash on a table, that’s kind of shocking,’ Remolona said in a One News interview last week, ‘I didn’t know this was all done in cash, in such amounts. That is shocking.’

What is more alarming, however, is that government financial institutions may have become conduits for the staggering amounts of kickbacks that have found their way into the pockets of a network of public officials and contractors who have allegedly made milking cows out of flood control projects.

Valid concerns have thus been raised that banking and finance regulators have been sleeping on their crucial jobs, enabling these questionable transactions to push through, not just once but several times this year alone, as revealed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson revealed last week that, based on ledgers acquired from the implicated flood control project contractor SYMS Construction Trading, contractor Sally Santos was able to withdraw P457 million in cash from the Malolos Highway branch of Land Bank of the Philippines over two days, with the money allegedly delivered as kickbacks to the office of former Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez.

‘There are many here, including withdrawals of P180 million, P141 million, P299 million, and P65 million-all made in a single day,’ added Lacson.

This begs the question: How was this allowed to happen?

Red flags

As Sen. Francis Pangilinan asked Landbank Malolos Highway branch manager Ma. Lilibeth Lim, ‘Is it normal practice for a bank to release P457 million in cash? Isn’t that a red flag, and shouldn’t it be reported?’ Because as it stands, there are fears that the banking system has been ‘complicit in this type of corruption.’

But apparently, for Landbank, there was no reason to suspect any wrongdoing. The legitimacy of the source as well as the purpose of the funds were ‘fully established and documented,’ and that as a matter of policy, all funds above P500,000 are automatically reported as covered transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for its review and assessment.

That said, in light of the revelations that the money allegedly went to anomalous flood control projects, Landbank said that policies and measures will be updated ‘to ensure we remain robust and responsive to issues and the call of the times.’

Cash withdrawal limit

The BSP has also issued a circular limiting daily over-the-counter cash withdrawals to P500,000 so that transactions above this threshold are carried out through checks, fund transfers, or other digital channels to create an audit trail.

Sanctions will be imposed on banks and financial institutions found complicit in the web of corruption that has ensnared the DPWH.

BSP Deputy Governor Lyn Havier, who heads the BSP unit overseeing banks, added that the central bank was ‘closely scrutinizing’ possible weaknesses in banks’ antimoney laundering systems, particularly in transaction monitoring, customer due diligence, and compliance with reporting obligations and that ‘any deficiencies will be addressed decisively.’

The BSP has also already kicked off an inquiry into the bank accounts of individuals linked to corruption in government-funded flood control projects, at the request of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

This is the first test of the newly enacted Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, which is meant to crack down on money muling activities or the use of financial accounts to move or hide criminal proceeds.

Questionable accounts

Under this law, bank secrecy and data privacy protections can be set aside to allow regulators to scrutinize questionable accounts and use any findings in criminal prosecutions.

The AMLC also assured the public that it remains ‘committed to upholding the integrity of the financial system and ensuring that all covered entities adhere to their legal obligations in the fight against money laundering.’

The AMLC has so far issued more than 700 freeze orders covering bank accounts, insurance policies, and other assets of individuals linked to the alleged scheme, and it is just getting started.

That the regulatory bodies are just now stepping up their actions seems too little, too late, as billions have already exchanged hands, the extent of which is still yet to be fully uncovered. But they can make up for lost time and work double time on their investigations that should end with people being brought to justice. At the same time, given the extent of the ‘shocking’ corruption, regulators should pursue their mandate with renewed vigor to finally cure the Philippines of this festering disease.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) has moved to protect its members from what it calls censorship disguised as revoked access, adopting new measures after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) briefly barred Spin.ph from coverage in the recent FIVB World Men’s Championship.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PSA said any official or organization that withholds or forfeits a member’s credentials without due process and prior notice will now be declared persona non grata.

The group stressed that media accreditation must never be used as retaliation for critical reporting. ‘Censorship does not always arrive as a law or an organizational rule. Sometimes it comes as a locked gate, a revoked pass or an admonished question,’ the PSA said.

To ensure the rule is not misused, the PSA said it will police its ranks and give continuing guidance on fair and impartial reporting. It will also create a committee to mediate disputes between journalists and sports officials when accreditation is in question.

‘These measures affirm our singular conviction: The PSA cannot, and will not, accept being silenced, not even temporarily,’ the group said, adding that freedom of the press is a constitutional guarantee no sports body can undermine.

The PSA issued the policy after Spin.ph’s credentials were revoked by PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara on Sept. 23 before being later restored. The association said the incident, while resolved, left a ‘chilling effect’ that must not be repeated.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to decide on Wednesday whether it will postpone the first Bangsamoro parliamentary polls following the suspension of preparations for the elections.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia shared this development, noting that the seven-person Comelec en banc will hold its session to decide on this matter.

‘Maybe later in the afternoon, the Commission on Elections will have a decision whether to postpone [the elections] or not,’ Garcia said.

The Comelec suspended the preparations for the elections, starting September 17, in compliance with the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court to the poll body and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority from implementing Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77, the law that redistributes the seven seats originally allocated to Sulu province.

Garcia earlier said the poll body was eyeing the postponement of the Bangsamoro elections on the recommendation of its Project Management Office and law department, in the absence of a clear law guiding the distribution of parliamentary districts in the region.

Garcia also shared that the poll body received position papers from all stakeholders, with many of them recommending the postponement of the elections.

Garcia noted that the pendency of the case of the BAA No. 77 before the Supreme Court and the TRO will be the basis of their decision on the postponement.

However, Garcia said the poll body is not blaming the Supreme Court for the status of the cases in relation to the elections filed before the high court.

He added that the Comelec could invoke the poll body’s powers to postpone the elections under Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The provision states that the Comelec shall postpone the elections ‘for any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature that the holding of a free, orderly and honest election should become impossible in any political subdivision.’ /cb

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed his sympathy for the families of those who died in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu.

He also said that government agencies are on the ground giving aid to those in need.

In a statement, Marcos said: ‘I wholeheartedly extend my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I include in my prayers the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake.’

‘Our cabinet secretaries are already in the affected areas to provide assistance and assess the damage caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks,’ the president also said.

According to Marcos, the Department of Public Works and Highways is making sure that the roads in the province are safe for travel, while the Department of Energy is working to restore power supply in affected communities.

The Department of Health, meanwhile, is deploying additional personnel to provide medical assistance, he said.

Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is distributing relief goods and other essentials to the victims, he added.

‘The BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) is assisting in search and rescue operations, while the PNP (Philippine National Police) is focused on maintaining order and supporting rescue efforts,’ Marcos said.

‘The OCD (Office of Civil Defense) and the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) are leading the coordination of all agencies to ensure a swift and orderly response,’ he noted.

‘I urge everyone to remain vigilant and heed the advisories of your local government. Together, we will help our fellow citizens overcome this challenge and rebuild the affected communities,’ he further added.

Still assessing the damage

Meanwhile, in a chance interview in Masbate City, Marcos said the government is still assessing the damage caused by the quake.

‘We’re still assessing the damage there. The earthquake was very strong,’ he said.

‘So we’re assessing the damage, we’re assessing the needs,’ Marcos added.

The entire province of Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity following the earthquake, which caused widespread destruction and left 36 people confirmed dead.

From this, 27 deaths were reported in Bogo City, the epicenter of the 6.9-magnitude temblor that struck at 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

A male motorcycle rider was gunned down by unidentified assailants in front of a school along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, the police said.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) public information chief Maj. Jennifer Gannaban confirmed the incident in a message to the Inquirer, saying officers recovered an identification card from the victim but are still investigating his identity.

‘The victim was on a motorcycle and when the suspects shot the victim, they also took the victim’s motorcycle,’ Gannaban explained, citing a police report of the shooting.

The victim’s body was discovered and reported to the authorities by a concerned citizen early Wednesday morning, according to a QCPD statement.

‘Acting on this, QCPD immediately activated its Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a thorough and focused probe,’ the police said.

‘As part of the investigation, QCPD is conducting CCTV (closed circuit television) forward and backtracking of possible suspect movements while also coordinating with specialized units for evidence gathering,’ it added

Every December, it feels like the calendar speeds up. Work deadlines bleed into gift shopping lists, the group chats never stop buzzing, and suddenly, the season that is supposed to be about warmth and togetherness feels more like another race against time.

For many of us, the holidays can feel like they have lost that glowing magic of Christmas past-when decorating the tree was a family affair, when twinkling lights filled us with awe, and when the simple act of being home felt like the season’s greatest gift.

This year, there is a way to bring that magic back. SM Home’s 2025 Magic of Christmas collection is all about recapturing the charm, joy, and love that make the holidays worth slowing down for. With six distinct themes, the collection offers more than just décor. It is an invitation to create moments that feel like home again, where every ornament tells a story and every detail brings a spark of wonder.

Here is a closer look at the curated themes that promise to transform your space and remind you of what makes the holidays truly special.

Golden elegance for the luxe decorator

Gold has a way of transforming a room, catching light like candle flames flickering against polished glass. Golden elegance channels that same radiance with rich hues of gold and brown paired with ornaments that glow against warm tones.

The look comes alive when textures are layered-think glossy baubles set against matte finishes, sequined details, or velvety accents. Oversized bows and poinsettia ornaments break up the metallic palette with sculptural dimension, while a Christmas village glowing on a console or gilded lanterns at the table extend the shimmer across the room. It is a style that turns any gathering into an occasion where evenings are remembered for their sparkle, laughter, and charm.

Design tip: Balance shine with texture. Mix metallic ornaments with matte and fabric finishes, then anchor the space with statement accents like poinsettias, bows, or lanterns for depth.

Enchanted Christmas for the dreamer

There is something undeniably magical about a tree dressed in rich reds, velvety purples, and sparkling jewel tones. Enchanted Christmas is a theme that feels plucked from a storybook, where butterflies alight on branches, crystal berries catch the light, and ornaments shimmer like treasures from a forgotten kingdom.

Butterfly ornaments can add an ethereal touch as they appear to flutter through the tree, while plush characters such as a sitting reindeer, a snowman, or even Santa lend depth and a touch of whimsy when tucked into unexpected corners. Layering these elements transforms the space into a fantasy landscape where every glance reveals something new.

Design tip: Build a jewel-toned base, then layer butterflies and plush characters to create movement and dimension.

Whimsical holidays for the playful family

Pastel pinks and powder blues bring a sugar-spun charm to the season in a look that feels straight out of a storybook. This theme revels in childhood nostalgia with candy house ornaments, scoops of ice cream, pastel nutcrackers, cake slices, and oversized candy canes tucked among the branches.

Let the magic continue around the room with blush and powder blue wreaths softening the walls, gingerbread villages brightening tabletops, and pastel figurines scattered across shelves and consoles to create an immersive, confectionery wonderland.

Design tip: Work with scale and texture to keep the look dynamic by using oversized candy ornaments, paired with smaller frosted baubles. These bring rhythm, while velvet ribbons, plush wreaths, and cushioned throws anchor the palette with warmth.

Crystal wonderland for the modern cool

Cool, crystalline, and endlessly elegant, crystal wonderland captures the essence of winter with a palette of silvers, frosted whites, and icy blues. Ornaments look as though carved from ice itself, with faceted baubles, shimmering icicles, and delicate snowflakes sparkling like frozen lace.

Let the theme extend seamlessly across the home with metallic garlands along mantels, mirrored votives casting a frosty glow, and crystal figurines perched like treasures in plain sight. Layering glass, silver, and translucent accents creates a cohesive, luminous look that feels sleek and sophisticated-a modern take on a white Christmas.

Design tip: Play with reflection and light. Pair frosted ornaments with high-shine silver pieces to add dimension, and weave in snowflake details at different scales for a cohesive winter motif.

Bear-y Merry Christmas for the young at heart

Sometimes, Christmas is all about nostalgia and pure charm, and nothing captures it quite like teddy bears in every size and color. This theme layers classic reds, greens, and whites with bear ornaments tucked into sleighs, hanging from ribbons, or peeking out from branches. Plush bears perched on tabletops, nestled into wreaths, or arranged around gathering spaces create a whimsical, storybook-like atmosphere, inviting everyone to step into a world of festive imagination.

Enhance the tale by pairing them with equally enchanting accents such as a vintage-style television village, a classic train table centerpiece, or miniature cottages dotted across mantels. Together, these pieces transform the home into a living Christmas story, where every corner sparks memory, wonder, and the delight of holiday magic.

Design tip: Cluster teddy bear ornaments for impact, then layer in nostalgic accents like a train table, village scene, or even vintage-inspired wreaths to amplify the storybook feel.

Festive holiday for the timeless traditionalist

Nothing says Christmas like the classics-deep reds, forest greens, and the familiar cast of Santa, snowmen, and gingerbread men. Festive holiday embraces the timeless symbols of the season, filling the home with layers of tradition and warmth.

Garland-draped banisters, stockings by the mantel, and tabletop vignettes glowing with Santa figurines and gingerbread houses make the space both nostalgic and celebratory. It is a style that honors rituals, colors, and icons that never go out of season.

Design tip: Let Santa, snowmen, and gingerbread men take center stage, then frame them with classic red-and-green accents and cozy knit textures for contrast.

Discover the full Magic of Christmas collection, where every piece goes beyond décor to bring warmth, wonder, and festive charm into your home. From enchanting ornaments to storybook-inspired accents, browse a curated selection that invites you to create moments that are truly magical this holiday season. Available at SM Home in the SM Store.

Investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) surged by more than 30 percent in the nine months ending September on strong investor confidence.

In a statement on Tuesday, Peza said it had approved P154.7 billion worth of investments in the January to September period, 33.5-percent higher than the P115.89 billion posted in the same period last year.

‘These approvals demonstrate enduring investor confidence in the Philippines. Backed by sustained momentum and robust investment activity, we are on track to attain our P250 billion goal and strengthen our standing as a leading investment destination in Asia,’ Peza Director General Tereso Panga said.

‘These investments reinforce our position as a premier hub in Asia and affirm that the Philippines is fast becoming the destination of choice for global industries,’ Trade Secretary and Peza Chair Cristina Roque added in a statement.

2025 target

However, the end-September number means that Peza has so far just achieved 61.9 percent of its goal this year of P250 billion.

In the first nine months, Peza said it had approved 215 new and expansion projects that are expected to generate 50,430 direct jobs and $4.49 billion in export revenues.

Of these, P123.79 billion came from 24 big-ticket projects.

The manufacturing sector drove investments in economic zones with 98 projects, followed by the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector with 55 projects, and domestic-related activities with 18 projects.

Japan regained its position as the top country investor, accounting for 9.55 percent or P14.78 billion in new and expansion projects.

‘Japan’s return as our leading partner reflects the fruit of our investment missions and strong collaborations with stakeholders. With nearly 10 percent of this year’s total project approvals coming from Japanese companies, we see undeniable proof of the Philippines’ standing as a trusted and highly competitive hub in Asia,’ Panga said. INQ