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Krelz Gecosala and Kresthan Belacas delivered standout performances with double victories in their respective divisions, grabbing the spotlight in the boys’ category of the Gov. Edwin Jubahib National Juniors Tennis Championships in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

The fifth-seeded Gecosala defied the odds in the boys’ 18-and-under division, stringing together three straight-set wins before overpowering No. 4 seed Kurt Alcantara, 6-1, 6-3, in the finals. The 16-year-old Midsayap, North Cotabato native also dominated his own age group, dropping just eight games across three matches, culminating in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Wallaen Cabigas in the finals.

Not to be outdone, Belacas of Mlang, Cotabato sparkled in the younger age groups. He held off Tyronne Caro in a tight 7-5, 6-3 win to secure the 12-and-U crown, then added the 14-and-U title after Caro retired in the second set, trailing 3-6, 4-2,

Their back-to-back victories earned both Gecosala and Belacas co-MVP honors alongside Faith Lazaro from Tagum City, who made waves in the girls’ division of the five-day event hosted by Gov. Jubahib in his continuing commitment to help develop the sport in the region.

Lazaro snapped Ayl Gonzaga’s winning streak in the Palawan Pawnshop nationwide junior circuit with a gutsy semifinal comeback win, 0-6, 6-4, 6-2. She then claimed the 16-and-U crown with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Telko Ello. Though she fell short in the 18-and-U finals, losing to Sultan Kudarat’s Sanschena Francisco, 6-3, 6-3, Lazaro’s strong performance earned her a share of the MVP award.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga, who has been a consistent force in both Luzon and Mindanao legs of the nationwide talent search initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, bagged the girls’ 14-and-U title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over doubles partner Justine Gumbao, replicating her triumph in Sultan Kudarat.

In other results, Maureen Mamaba of Davao de Oro shocked the girls’ field by clinching the 12-and-U crown with a 6-3, 6-3 upset of Alexandrea Bendoy; while Brandon Luchavez, an unseeded player, won the 10-and-U unisex title, defeating top seed Storm Tozer, 5-4(3), 4-0.

Gonzaga, on the other hand, bounced back in doubles play, securing two titles. With Gumbao, they trounced Sam Rodriguez and Shan Tuyor, 8-1, in the 14-and-U finals. She later paired with Francisco to beat Ello and Yana Reyes, 8-3, in the 18-and-U finals.

In the boys’ doubles, Alcantara and Cabigas captured the 18-and-U trophy with an 8-5 win over Harinne Antiola and Jaime Gultiano, while Caro and Gecosala clinched the 14-and-U crown, downing Belacas and Dimzon, 8-3.

The Group 2 tournament was presented by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta with support from Universal Tennis and ICON Golf and Sports, utilizing both the DavNor Sports Complex and Tagum City courts to accommodate a record number of participants.

The Philippines’ trade gap in August narrowed to its lowest level in six months as exports increased while imports declined, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

PSA data showed that the balance of trade in goods, or the difference between the value of exports and imports, amounted to a $3.54-billion deficit in August, 19 percent lower than the $4.4 billion shortfall in the same month last year.

The August trade gap was narrower than the $4.42-billion trade deficit in the previous month.

It was also the smallest trade gap posted since the $2.97 billion shortfall in February.

From January to August, the country’s trade deficit narrowed to $32.38 billion from $34.33 billion in the same period last year.

PSA data also showed that the country’s export sales rose by five percent to $7.06 billion in August from $6.75 billion in the same month a year ago.

Dollar earnings from electronic products, the country’s top export commodity, went up by 8.5 percent to $3.87 billion in August from $3.57 billion in the same month in 2024.

Hong Kong dethroned the United States as the country’s top export market, accounting for 17 percent or $1.19 billion of the total in August.

From January to August, Philippine exports grew by 13 percent to $55.7 billion from $49.45 billion in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, PSA data showed that the country’s imports declined by five percent to $10.6 billion in August from $11.15 billion in the same month last year.

The PSA reported that imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials experienced the largest decline, reaching only $611.83 million in August.

China remained the largest supplier of the country’s imported goods, amounting to $3.19 billion, or 30 percent of the total, in August.

From January to August, the country’s total imports climbed by five percent to $88.08 billion from $83.78 billion in the same period a year ago.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies senior research fellow John Paolo Rivera said in an email that the latest trade performance may be due to weak import demand amid slower domestic activity and the tapering off of pre-tariff frontloading.

Exporters were frontloading shipments to the US to avoid the reciprocal tariffs that took effect on Aug. 7.

Chinabank Research stated in a commentary that the latest export performance indicates that tariffs are beginning to weigh on external demand.

‘This underscores the need to further diversify export markets, especially with the possibility of additional US tariffs on the horizon,’ Chinabank Research said.

Rivera said that downside risks remain due to global uncertainties and tighter financial conditions.

‘A sustained trade recovery will depend on export diversification and improving logistics competitiveness,’ he said.

More than 60 people were reported dead following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu, with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) warning that the toll could still rise as search and rescue operations continue.

At a press briefing on Wednesday morning, October 1, OCD Officer-in-Charge Asec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the death toll from the deadly quake had climbed to ‘as high as 60,’ with many of the fatalities reported from a hospital in Bogo City.

He said the country remains in the ‘golden hour’ of the earthquake’s aftermath – a critical period when swift response can still save lives.

With red alert status raised and full staffing deployed, authorities have prioritized search and rescue operations as many remain trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro earlier confirmed that most of the casualties were from Bogo, the area closest to the quake’s epicenter, where roughly 90,000 people reside.

As of 9:30 a.m., the Joint Operation Center in Bogo City, led by Baricuatro, reported 53 deaths and 154 injuries, which include 30 in Bogo, 10 in Medellin, 11 in San Remigio, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan.

Authorities are still assessing the extent of the destruction, but the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported damage to at least 22 structures, six roads and bridges.

Several homes, establishments and even churches were reduced to ruins due to the earthquake.

Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity, allowing the province to tap 30% of its local quick response fund for rehabilitation efforts.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck north of Bogo late Tuesday night, September 30, at a shallow depth, registering its strongest shaking at Intensity VII.

The quake’s strength is close to the anticipated ‘Big One,’ a 7.2-magnitude quake projected along the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila.

Sparkle Artist Management defended one of its talents, Heart Evangelista, by calling out as fake a news article circulating online involving the socialite-artist.

On its social media accounts, the talent agency posted a screenshot of a Bilyonaro article with the headline “FitFlop, Tiger Balm quietly drop Heart Evangelista amid Chiz Escudero probe.”

The two brands have Heart as an endorser, and the probe being alluded to about the former Senate president allegedly being involved in kickbacks of flood control projects.

Sparkle called attention to the article and labelled it as “fake news.”

“Fake news alert! this is not true!” the agency wrote. “Don’t be fooled by fake news! Always be vigilant when reading articles online.”

As for Heart, the socialite-artist recently shared in an Instagram Live she would be skipping the Spring/Summer 2026 collection unveilings in the Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, noting it currently is not a good idea for Filipinos to be abroad with luxury brands.

Heart first announced that she will not joining Fashion Week in Milan and Paris.

“I know that you guys say ‘laban, laban,’ ganyan-ganyan. I really appreciate you,” Heart said. “But honestly, I don’t think it’s the right time for anyone to, especially from our country, to be going to Fashion Week because I think we need to be here.”

She explained that Filipinos had to “open their eyes” and “become one, empathize, really see what’s going on, and see what they can do,” adding she may return to fashion week events next year.

A dashcam video captured the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge shaking strongly as a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu province on Tuesday night, September 30.

The powerful tremor was felt across Cebu City and northern Cebu, toppling buildings and killing at least 19 people as of Wednesday morning. It prompted widespread rescue operations.

Playoff qualifiers San Juan and Rizal Province closed their elimination round campaign with victories over also-ran Marikina and Bacolod on Monday in the Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at the Marikina Sports Center.

The San Juan Knights trounced the Marikina Shoemasters, 78-61, to improve to 26-3 and finish No. 3 in the North Division behind the Abra Weavers (27-1) and the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (27-2) in the round-robin elimination phase.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) has begun inspecting billion-peso flood control projects in Cebu’s 7th District amid growing questions over their scope and implementation.

On September 30, NBI agents visited Malabuyoc, particularly Barangays Mindanao, Montañeza, and Sorsogon, to check projects handled by QM Builders, Q Con (Quirante Construction Corp.), and Legacy Construction Corp.

DPWH engineer Jimmy Jacaban, who accompanied the agents, said at least six sections in Malabuyoc were already ‘good as done’ and had helped prevent severe flooding in low-lying areas.

Despite the controversy that triggered the ongoing investigation, local officials strongly defended the flood control initiatives.

Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica said the projects were long overdue for small towns in the district.

‘Ako as Mayor sa Dumanjug and part of the 7th District, I’m very proud nga natagad gayud ang mga problema sa distrito labi na sa among lungsod,’ he said.

He recalled the devastation of Typhoon Odette, which washed out national roads in Alegria and Malabuyoc, as well as earlier disasters such as Typhoon Sinyal in Ronda and Dumanjug, as proof of the need for flood mitigation.

‘Daghan ang nabuhat nga kaayohan sa flood control diri sa among distrito,’ he said, adding that lives have already been saved because of these projects.

Gica dismissed allegations of ghost projects. ‘Wala juy ghost project dinhi unya gitarong jud og trabaho,’ he said, noting that works in Dumanjug are either completed or ongoing.

Malabuyoc Mayor Erlinda ‘Edang’ Piedad also defended the P3.1 billion allocation for her town, the highest in Cebu.

‘Ang Malabuyoc dili mahitsura tungod sa Bagyong Odette,’ she said, recalling fatalities and houses swept away in 2020.

She stressed that the projects were implemented solely by the DPWH, not the local government.

‘Dili ang LGU ang implementing body ana. Si kinsa man sad kong mobabag or dili modawat sa mga proyekto ibubo sa Malabuyoc,’ she said, adding that drainage, seawalls, and flood control systems were badly needed.

‘Gamay tuod ang Malabuyoc nga population pero dako man sad mig sapa,’ she said.

DPWH mum on issue

While local officials were vocal, DPWH 7th District Engineer Edelberto Francisco declined to comment, citing what he described as a ‘gag order’ from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

Reporters were instead given a ‘Media Registration Form’ requiring them to list questions or documents they wanted to access.

A DPWH personnel explained that under the new protocol, all media inquiries must first be endorsed by the district office to the regional office, which will then secure clearance from the central office.

Biggest allocation in Cebu

Government records show that Cebu’s 7th District cornered P12.06 billion worth of flood control works from 2022 to 2025-nearly half of the province’s total allocation.

Of 395 projects in Cebu, 162 were concentrated in the district. Malabuyoc received P3.1 billion for 38 projects, while Dumanjug got P2.18 billion for 29 projects.

The district covers Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, and Ginatilan.

Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday backed the claim of a former member of the Philippine Marines who testified that he personally delivered ‘basura’ or suitcases containing millions of pesos to the residence of then House speaker Martin Romualdez.

‘When I was asked this morning on whether I believe the reports of enormous suitcases of money being delivered to the house of Martin Romualdez, my answer was yes. Yes, because this fits the previous reports of him accepting bribes,’ Duterte said in a statement.

During his testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, Master Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza, a former member of the Philippine Marines, claimed to have worked as security consultant to resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

It was Sen. Rodante Marcoleta who introduced Guteza as a witness, and even appeared to coach him into sticking to his prepared sworn affidavit.

Guteza claimed he personally delivered 46 Rimowa luggage bags, each containing P48 million, to the posh residences of Co and Romualdez.

Guteza called the cash ‘basura’ or trash, a common law enforcement term for contraband, which in this case was the congressmen’s alleged illegal proceeds from flood control projects.

‘His name has surfaced time and again whenever questions of corruption are raised. Even in the Delaware Court proceedings involving the Okada Manila casino, evidence was presented that he was the ‘common friend’ used to intervene, with references to heavy luggage brought to him as part of a dubious bargain,’ Duterte added.

She noted the Delaware court’s ruling in 26 Capital Corp v Tiger Resort Asia Ltd. docketed as C.A. No. 2023-0128- JTL, which revealed that ‘Martin Romualdez was mentioned no less than 17 times – thrice on Page 37, thrice on Page 38, seven times on Page 39, twice on Page 40, once on Page 58 and once again on Page 63.’

‘In sum, the court refused to be swayed by the implausible claim that the heavy luggage delivered to Martin Romualdez only contained documents,’ she said.

According to Duterte, these are not mere coincidences, but rather ‘form a disturbing pattern.’

Duterte said she repeatedly questioned the judgment of President Marcos in choosing Romualdez as speaker of the House of Representatives, especially after the Delaware court ruling was issued.

‘Sadly, President Marcos continues to display this flawed judgment by merely changing the leadership in both houses of Congress, while keeping a stranglehold on the flood-control probe through the creation of what is supposed to be an Independent Commission on Infrastructure that is clearly under his control,’ she said.

Romualdez denied the allegation, calling the testimony a ‘complete fabrication’ and ‘a product of coaching.’

Meanwhile, following Co’s resignation from the House, his fellow Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin, Jr. and Cebu 5th district Rep. Duke Frasco clashed on the issue of accountability.

Frasco cited that under Section 141 (h) of the House rules, ‘A member shall not acquire or receive any personal pecuniary interest in any specific business enterprise which will be directly and particularly favored or benefited by any law or resolution authored by the member that is approved or adopted by Congress during the member’s term.’

Yet as a shareholder of construction firms that secured contracts funded by the General Appropriations Act and as co-conspirator in the insertion of billions for projects that benefited himself and his cohorts, Frasco said that Co clearly breached this rule, among other existing laws.

In response, Garbin said that Frasco’s press release alleging ‘impunity’ on the part of Co and the Ako Bicol party-list rests on conjecture rather than fact.

Garbin said that Co should be given due process.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has appointed seasoned banker Alexander Patricio as independent director strengthening the Yuchengco-led lender’s governance and compliance framework.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, RCBC said its board approved Patricio’s election during its meeting on Sept. 29.

His appointment took effect at the close of business on the same day, subject to regulatory approvals from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other agencies for his interlocking positions.

Patricio is filling the vacancy left by Vaughn Montes, who recently concluded his term as independent director. Aside from leading the risk oversight committee, he will also serve as a member of the anti-money laundering committee as well as the audit and compliance committee.

‘Patricio has over 41 years of banking experience,’ RCBC said, citing his extensive background in risk management and regulatory compliance.

According to RCBC, Patricio spent 13 years with Citibank and 18 years with ING Bank Philippines before joining the government sector as executive vice president and chief risk officer of the Development Bank of the Philippines from May 2013 to March 2017.

Publicly available professional records show that Patricio’s career spans senior leadership roles across local and international banks. He served as vice president in various positions at Citibank Philippines from 1976 to 1989, senior risk manager at Citibank Australia from 1989 to 1991 and senior credit officer at Citytrust Banking Corp. from 1991 to 1995.

He then became country risk manager at ING Bank Philippines from 1995 to 2013 before moving to DBP.

Beyond banking, Patricio has been an independent director of CTBC Bank Philippines since 2018 and of the Intellicare Group of Companies since the same year, roles that further deepened his expertise in corporate governance and oversight.

Filipinos abroad are encouraged to invest in the Philippine capital markets, with real estate investment trusts (REITs) seen as a compelling entry point for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking stable and long-term investments.

Systembrand Group, a multidisciplinary agency that delivers integrated solutions across branding, design, communications and investor relations to clients across various industries globally, stated that among the REITs gaining traction are Ayala Land REIT (AREIT), RL Commercial REIT, Megaworld REIT, Citicore Energy REIT and Filinvest REIT.

It said the market capitalizations and dividend yields of these REITs indicate solid valuations to prospective OFW investors.

In particular, the group said that AREIT, the first REIT registered with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in 2006, is expected to sustain its strong financial trajectory under the new leadership of former Ayala Corp. chief finance officer Alberto de Larrazabal.

Its planned P21 billion asset infusion will expand its leasable area to 4.3 million square meters and boost its assets under management to P138 billion, with cash dividends up by 44 percent to P1.17 per share.

With their simplified investment process and mandated dividend payouts, REITs present a practical way for small-scale investors to participate in the growth of income-generating real estate assets, Juan Martin Buñag, Systembrand Group’s representative in Madrid, said.

Buñag, who is also managing director of Investor Relations Global (IRG), said that REITs allow retail investors, especially OFWs, to earn regular income through dividends while gaining exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets.

These range from residential condominiums and high-rise office buildings to hotels, malls, warehouses and export processing zones.

Investors become part owners of these properties without needing to purchase them outright, benefiting from the income they generate, Buñag said.

Buñag said that OFW participation in REITs aligns with the PSE’s broader push to democratize access to the stock market.

PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon earlier cited the need to attract overseas Filipinos to invest in domestic securities, saying that only a small percentage of them hold stock market accounts.

Systembrand Group is pushing to engage overseas markets and empower OFWs as long-term participants in the Philippine capital market through the group’s Europe-based initiative for engaging overseas markets called Conectando Filipinas.

Conectando Filipinas estimates that if just 14,000 of the 182,191 OFWs in Europe invested 20 percent, or $60, of their monthly $300 remittances, the resulting trade value could reach $840,000, or approximately P42 million, from new investors.

Such potential underscores the importance of sustained engagement, according to the Systembrand Group.

Buñag said that discussions, events and roadshows with overseas Filipinos would help increase global interest in Philippine capital markets and attract more foreign capital.