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Policemen seized P11.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate operations in two southern regions last week, with help from members of two Moro fronts that have peace agreements with the government, obliging them to help maintain law and order in their enclaves.

Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said on Monday, October 27, that tips from members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led police to a house in Barangay Kraan, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, where they found large boxes containing P7.8 million worth of cigarettes believed to have come from Indonesia.

Municipal officials said the Indonesian-made cigarettes were set for delivery to buyers in various towns in Sultan Kudarat, one of the four provinces in Region 12.

The imported cigarettes, packed in sealed boxes and stacked inside a makeshift storage facility near a beachfront area in Barangay Kraan, were immediately seized by personnel of the Palimbang Municipal Police Station and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

Police also foiled the delivery of P3.7 million worth of Indonesian-branded cigarettes a day before it was set to take place, after intercepting a light truck in Barangay Ilian, Picong, Lanao del Sur.

The small truck was bound for Lanao del Sur’s adjoining Malabang and Kapatagan towns, according to local executives and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who supported the anti-smuggling operation that led to the confiscation of its illegal cargo.

Personnel from the Picong Municipal Police Station were deployed along the Picong-Malabang Highway in Barangay Ilian to intercept the shipment after legitimate Maranao cigarette dealers in Lanao del Sur and members of the MILF in both towns reported the smuggling plot, involving a merchant in Zamboanga del Sur.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Bangsamoro regional police, said on Monday that the driver of the light truck loaded with smuggled cigarettes and his helper were on their way to Malabang first, but immediately pulled over and ran away when they noticed a police team blocking their route.

‘We are thankful to the vigilant Maranao tipsters who informed our units about that plan by smugglers outside of the province to ship smuggled cigarettes to their contacts in the neighboring Malabang and Kapatagan municipalities,” De Guzman said.

In the wake of a ‘troubling experience’ with game officials during their recent match against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters have urged the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Technical Committee to retrain its officiating pool to fully embrace the Instant Replay System (IRS) in the hope of ensuring fair play and preserving the integrity of the sport.

The Webmasters beat the Wildcats again, 69-61, in the CESAFI Season 25 basketball tournament last Thursday, October 23, at the Cebu Coliseum but not without going through what coach Atty. Kernn Sesante described as a worrying incident with the referees late in the third quarter.

‘During the course of the UC vs CIT-U game, it was observed that the referees appeared reluctant and resistant to the use of the Instant Replay System (IRS). More troubling, however, is that their conduct seemed to discourage teams from availing of the IRS – a mechanism specifically designed to promote fairness, accuracy, and transparency in officiating,’ Sesante said in a statement.

He cited a clear example of this when the Webmasters were assessed with a technical foul after properly requesting the referees to review a seemingly unsportsmanlike behavior of CIT-U’s Serafin Duarte, who threw the ball toward the UC bench following an offensive foul at the 1:44 mark of the third period.

To Sesante’s surprise, UC got punished for invoking the Coach Challenge pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the Supplemental Rules for the IRS.

‘Instead of treating the request as a legitimate invocation of the IRS, the referees penalized the UC team, sending a chilling message that teams risk being sanctioned for merely seeking a fair review. Such an act effectively defeats the very purpose of IRS,’ said the well-mannered bench strategist.

Sesante emphasized that the IRS was instituted not to challenge the referees’ authority but to assist them in upholding the integrity of the game, minimizing human error, and making sure that every call withstands objective scrutiny.

‘Resistance to its use – especially when coupled with penalties against those who properly invoke it – creates a perception of defensiveness, bias, or lack of openness to accountability,’ he continued.

With this, Sesante respectfully egged on the league to reorient its referees to fully embrace the IRS as a modern, indispensable tool for safeguarding fair play.

‘Referees must be encouraged to view the system not as a threat to their judgment but as an ally that enhances their credibility, professionalism, and confidence in officiating high-level competition,’ Sesante furthered.

‘By adopting this progressive mindset, referees can help raise the standard of CESAFI basketball to align with the best practices of major leagues and institutions worldwide – where technology and transparency work hand in hand to preserve the integrity of the sport,’ Sesante concluded.

Over the past two years, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported on Monday, October 27, that 1,454 Filipinos have been rescued from scam hubs in Southeast Asia.

Around 200 Filipino human trafficking victims recently sought repatriation from the Philippine government after being rescued from an illegal scam hub in Myanmar.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said many of them crossed into Thailand, where a Philippine Migrant Workers Officer is stationed.

He said authorities are currently coordinating the rescued workers’ repatriation.

Hundreds of Filipinos have fallen victim to these human trafficking schemes, with the total number of rescued individuals now exceeding 1,400.

‘We have a total of 1,454 repatriated kababayans from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar,’ DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said in a press conference.

From Cambodia, 376 Filipinos were rescued, including 211 men and 171 women.

In Laos, 399 were rescued, comprising 199 men and 200 women.

Meanwhile, 764 Filipinos were rescued and repatriated from Myanmar, with 347 men and 417 women among them.

Myanmar has gained notoriety for hosting scam operations. Authorities there recently cracked down on hubs run by Chinese crime syndicates, including a raid in Myawaddy Township that rescued over a thousand human trafficking victims, several of whom were Filipino.

Cacdac expressed gratitude to the Myanmar and Thai authorities for their efforts in rescuing and assisting the Filipino victims, emphasizing that such operations are illegal and that law enforcement must continue to work to stop them.

Having quenched the thirst of a decade-long search for a Philippine Golf Tour victory, Fidel Concepcion now heads to the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic in Davao not just with renewed confidence but with a champion’s mindset and a sense of freedom that only a breakthrough win can bring.

‘I’m playing some solid golf,’ said Concepcion, who looks to ride the momentum of his maiden triumph into the P3.5 million championship beginning tomorrow at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates.

That confidence was hard-earned. The Fil-Australian endured years of near-misses since turning professional in 2013 before finally nailing his first Tour victory at Apo Golf, where he edged Korean Jaehyun Jung on the second playoff hole.

It wasn’t an easy path to the top. Concepcion appeared on course for a commanding win after building a six-shot lead midway through the final round, only to falter with a shaky finish while Jung mounted a furious comeback.

But when it mattered most, Concepcion held firm – leaning on accuracy, composure and consistency to weather the storm and capture the elusive crown.

‘I feel like I’ve been working pretty hard since January,’ said Concepcion, crediting not just his personal discipline but also his ‘small but solid team’ for helping him elevate his game. His runner-up finish to Keanu Jahns in Bacolod last month hinted that a win was coming; Apo was simply the culmination of months of quiet belief.

VITRO Inc., the data center arm of the PLDT Group and a wholly owned subsidiary of ePLDT,has produced the first batch of students from its pioneering micro-credential program, VITRO Academy.

The ceremony, held at VITRO Santa Rosa, the Philippines’ first AI-ready hyperscale data center, celebrated 40 graduates who completed the program’s comprehensive training, designed to prepare them for careers in the rapidly expanding data center industry.

In collaboration with Asia Pacific College, Ateneo de Naga University, Far Eastern University-Roosevelt, National University and Wesleyan University of the Philippines, VITRO Academy provides aspiring engineers with a direct career pathway from classroom training to internship and employment in the growing data center sector. The program aims to empower the next generation of engineers with the specialized technical expertise required by the industry.

Since its launch, the program has trained more than 400 students across three progressive levels, with only the most outstanding progressing to Level 3, the final and most advanced stage.

From this pioneering class of 40 graduates, 35 will move on to paid internships, and the top six performers will be offered employment at VITRO Inc. – underscoring the company’s commitment to cultivating homegrown talent and providing meaningful career opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.

Leading this year’s graduates is Chrishiel Paige Villanueva from Asia Pacific College, who earned the distinction of batch topnotcher.

‘At VITRO, we hold a clear vision: to create a digitally inclusive and globally competitive Philippines, enabled by our world-class infrastructure. This vision cannot be achieved by one company alone. It will take driven, passionate and skilled individuals like you- the next generation of engineers and innovators. You are not just joining a profession; you are joining a mission to make the Philippines a true leader in the digital world,’ said Victor Genuino, president and CEO of ePLDT and VITRO Inc.

The graduation of the first VITRO Academy cohort marks a milestone in strengthening the country’s talent pipeline for the digital infrastructure industry.

By producing employment-ready graduates, the program helps enrich the Philippine workforce and supports the sustainable growth of the data center sector – a critical enabler of the nation’s digital transformation.

Traveling to Kuala Lumpur last week, I was filled with excitement for the handover of the chairship of ASEAN from Malaysia to the Philippines. I was there specifically for the private sector-led ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) events and Related Summits that were to happen over the weekend. There’s the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards, and the inaugural ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit. There has, so far, been plenty of exchanging of ideas, and I am glad to hear how some resonate with my own views of the role of ASEAN and the private sector in bringing about inclusive, sustainable growth.

His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah, the Sultan of Perak and Deputy King of Malaysia, had some very wise words as he welcomed the attendees to the gathering. I think his thoughts are worth sharing because they encapsulate what I have been emphasizing all these 20 years of working with small entrepreneurs: we have to help those at the bottom of the pyramid and that, for growth to be genuinely inclusive, it must be equitable and sustainable. Without a focus on inclusion, progress risks becoming fragile, as rising inequality can erode trust in institutions.

I find that inclusion and trust have now become even more relevant in our case in the Philippines, especially in the wake of the uncovering of systemic corruption in infrastructure projects. This moment for our country is an opportunity for significant change.

Across the ASEAN, people are demanding transparency and accountability. As the Sultan of Perak pointed out, this demand for integrity should not be viewed as a challenge to leadership but rather an invitation to deepen it with courage, wisdom and moral clarity. He shared that in Malaysia, reforms in procurement, public finance and digital service delivery have yielded real dividends and strengthened trust in institutions.

We must learn from their experience. Good governance is the foundation of inclusive growth. When growth is inclusive, trust grows, and with it, stability and the confidence to invest in the country’s future. Before I left for Malaysia last week, I said as much before the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo: that issues of systemic corruption in the Philippines threaten to loom large over our upcoming chairship of the ASEAN, and that it may affect investor confidence in the country.

Another insight is on inclusive growth. We in the private sector (meaning, big business) have been blessed that we have managed to grow our enterprises and enjoy comfortable lives; however, we will not realize the full benefits of wealth unless it is shared. Across Southeast Asia, there are incredibly wealthy countries, and then there are poor countries. I believe ASEAN is an instrument in helping the rest of the region so that all its citizens become prosperous, or at least experience fully the benefits of progress. A robust economy cannot thrive in isolation from the welfare of its citizens: it is the same for a country as it is for an entire region. The moment you help the poorest and scale them up, the economy will grow. I call it the Circle of Prosperity.

It is essential to acknowledge that millions within ASEAN remain marginalized, and as it was pointed out, it is not by choice but due to poverty, insufficient infrastructure and a lack of resources. This is becoming increasingly true with the rapid pace of digital technology. As it has accelerated progress, digitalization also has the potential to widen and deepen economic divides if access and digital literacy do not evolve alongside each other. Here is where we must always be guided by the goal of inclusion.

In some places, for example, digital technology is progressing at a fast pace, while in the rural hinterlands, there is barely any infrastructure to speak of. The risk of exclusion threatens to widen the gap between different segments of society, undermining opportunities and weakening social bonds.

We have a responsibility to ensure that economic growth translates into meaningful social progress, benefiting not just those at the helm of industry and business but entire communities. Digital technology has the power to connect even the smallest enterprises to global markets. I think it has the power to do even greater things if it reaches the farthest communities and serves the poorest of our citizens.

Furthermore, there are parallels in trust in institutions and trust in technology. In tandem with building more sophisticated digital infrastructure is putting safeguards that promote trust and transparency: same as it does with our government institutions. A functioning society must fully trust the system that holds it up; otherwise, it cannot be truly inclusive nor will it thrive. Trust is as crucial to growth as any tangible asset. Digital technology can only be transformative when underpinned by trust.

I never fail to share with my peers at the ASEAN-BAC – all of them successful and wealthy leaders of enterprise in their respective countries – about our work in Go Negosyo here in the Philippines. I tell them how much impact a simple mentoring session can have with a struggling entrepreneur; how a small amount like a $100 cash prize can mean a new lease on life for a dying business. How an afternoon of giving encouraging words and referrals can spark hope.

There needs to be a re-examination of our definitions of success, and ask ourselves how we arrive at decisions. We need to ask ourselves not just about financial returns but also about the social impact of our actions. We must be guided not just by the pursuit of profit but also by the goal of promoting equitable growth.

The national government’s borrowings in September declined by nearly 65 percent compared to the same period last year, with data from the Bureau of the Treasury showing a surge in debt servicing that tempered fresh financing.

Based on the national government’s financing from the Treasury, the country’s gross borrowing declined to P128.91 billion this year from P367.18 billion last year, representing a reduction of P238.27 billion.

Of the amount, gross domestic borrowings totaled P120.55 billion, nearly 17 percent lower than the P145.2 billion recorded in September last year.

Similarly, gross external debt dropped sharply to P8.36 billion, a steep decline from the P221.98 billion recorded a year earlier, which reflects a reduced reliance on foreign borrowing for financing needs.

The government’s gross borrowings in September were largely counterbalanced by substantial debt repayments, as the administration disbursed a total of P246.16 billion to settle its outstanding amortization on domestic and external obligations for the month.

Amortization spending refers to the allocation of funds for repaying the principal amount of government loans, effectively reducing the overall debt burden and reflecting efforts to manage fiscal responsibility.

Amortization for domestic borrowings reached P237.9 billion, significantly higher than the P87 million paid out in the same month last year. Furthermore, amortization for external borrowings totaled P8.26 billion, down from P19.67 billion in September 2024.

For the nine-month period, domestic gross borrowings posted a 9.5 percent increase to P1.96 trillion from P1.79 trillion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, external gross borrowings declined by nearly 14 percent to P434.6 billion this year from P504.45 billion in the same period last year.

The country’s budget deficit narrowed to P248.1 billion in September, driven by a sharp decline in government expenditures, according to the Treasury.

Data showed that the Marcos administration recorded a budget shortfall that is 9.2 percent lower than the P273.3 billion deficit posted in the same month last year.

Playing on a different course setup and against a motivated field, the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour cast gears up for what could be a dramatic, unpredictable finish in the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic, which gets going Tuesday, October 29, at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estate here.

Fresh from a dominant wire-to-wire victory at Apo Golf last week, Chanelle Avaricio enters the P1-million championship as the clear favorite – yet also with a target on her back. The Forest Hills leg champion is gunning not only for back-to-back titles but also for a third victory in a season nearing its close.

‘I’m just gonna take a break and restart,’ said Avaricio, who cruised to a seven-stroke triumph over Mafy Singson at Apo despite enduring sweltering heat throughout the week. ‘Hopefully, I’ll have another good week.’

While Avaricio’s confidence remains high, she acknowledges that South Pacific presents a completely different test – one that could turn even a sure lead into a slippery slope. The course, known for its strategic layout, undulating greens and punishing roughs, demands precision and patience rather than pure power.

Unlike the tight and tree-lined fairways of Apo, South Pacific offers wider driving corridors, inviting players to attack. But the generosity ends there. Subtle elevation changes, crosswinds and tricky putting surfaces are expected to separate the bold from the reckless.

‘The greens at South Pacific are quite tricky,’ said Singson. ‘Some might be more familiar with the surface and layout, but anything can really happen here.’

Indeed, ‘anything’ might be the keyword this week. With the season heading toward its overseas finale in Taiwan next month, every shot, bounce and missed putt could tilt the leaderboard in unexpected ways.

Hot on Avaricio’s trail is Singson, the Eagle Ridge playoff champion, who finished runner-up at Apo after rebounding with a closing 68. She hopes to carry that momentum into this week’s championship.

‘Although South Pacific is very different from Apo, I’m hoping to build on my final round,’ she said. ‘Another win would be great, but we’re all competing for the same goal.’

Also expected to make their presence felt are Princess Superal and Sarah Ababa, both playoff winners this season, and Florence Bisera, who will look to capitalize on local knowledge to regain her early-season spark.

Bisera, who previously ruled Negros Occidental and scored a breakthrough victory in Thailand, believes South Pacific’s familiar terrain could be her best chance yet to return to the winner’s circle.

Meanwhile, Harmie Constantino, last year’s four-leg champion, is desperate to rediscover her winning form, while Daniella Uy hopes to bounce back from a stretch of so-so results following her international stints in Taiwan and Thailand.

Also tipped to contend are Tiffany Lee, Marvin Monsalve, Pamela Mariano and Kayla Nocum, along with promising amateurs Krista Miñoza and Jules Gaerlan, and junior standout Johanna Uyking, all eager to spring a surprise.

With so much talent and so many storylines converging on a course that punishes impatience and rewards creativity, the event could easily turn into a three-day thriller where leads vanish and underdogs rise.

From Avaricio’s quest for dominance to Singson’s quiet confidence, from Bisera’s bid for redemption to Superal’s steady threat – the stage is set for a battle of power, strategy and composure.

The biggest Batang Pinoy edition in history may just be the prelude to an even better national youth sports program.

Led by chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio, the Philippine Sports Commission pushes for a unification of the grassroots development program with the Department of Education for the annual youth competition like the Batang Pinoy and the Palarong Pambansa.

Gregorio said the PSC is already in talks with DepEd led by secretary and former senator Sonny Angara on how to make it under one program, particularly on avoiding an overlap of age-group categories to maximize the potential of every student-athlete.

‘Excited po kami ni Sec. Sonny kasi po dati, pag Batang Pinoy kay PSC yan, Palarong Pambansa kay DepEd yan. That was the decision of previous leaders, kami ho ngayon, hindi ho. Iisa lang po kami,’ said Gregorio, who has already had an initial talks with DepEd that’s likewise in Batang Pinoy this year for close coordination.

‘Pag-aaralan po natin ito for 2026. Napaka-importante na kasama natin ‘yung DepEd sa pagtaguyod ng national grassroots sports development program.’

As of now, Batang Pinoy which is under PSC and Palaro under DepEd are held separately every year with some students juggling their acts in both tournaments that have almost the same qualification.

Under Gregorio’s proposal, Batang Pinoy could be open to 8 to 15 years old while Palaro could be from those 16 to 21 years old.

The PSC will oversee the implementation of sporting events with the National Sports Associations (NSAs) while DepEd takes over the administration, operations and logistics, given their nationwide network in different regions compared to PSC’s limited hubs in Manila and Pasig.

‘Importante po na ‘di mago-overlap ang Palaro at Batang Pinoy in the soonest possible time. Sa ngayon po, nadodoble ‘yung resources at di natin nama-maximize yung talents,’ added Gregorio.

Batang Pinoy this year is boasting the biggest edition in history with almost 25,000 delegates including over 18,000 athletes from across 188 Local Government Units (LGUs), duking their hearts out across 27 sports.

Once the coordination with DepEd pushes through, it’s nowhere to go but up with an ultimate goal of establishing a national youth training pool – like the elite team – featuring the standouts from Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa.

‘Batang Pinoy will never be the same again. It will be more beautiful and exciting from here on aligned with the Palarong Pambansa with the PSC and DepEd working together for the national grassroots sports development program,’ he beamed.

Global beverage company PepsiCo is looking to expand its presence in the Philippines with new product launches and investments in local manufacturing as it banks on the country’s young consumer base and growing demand for functional and affordable beverages.

Aditya Sheoran, PepsiCo general manager for beverages in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, said the company is seeing double-digit growth in its local business as it continues to evolve its portfolio to serve changing consumer preferences with a stronger focus on wellness, accessibility and sustainability.

‘We are constantly looking at how to improve our portfolio and serve our consumers better. The Philippines is one of our biggest markets in Southeast Asia, and we are fully committed to growing here,’ Sheoran said in an interview with The STAR last week.

Among its latest launches are Pepsi Zero Sugar Lime, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar and Gatorade powder, a first-of-its-kind format in Asia that allows consumers to ‘rip, mix and drink’ for hydration at a more accessible price point.

‘The powder format is a great way to democratize our brands. It helps us reach more consumers at a lower price point while promoting hydration and active lifestyles,’ Sheoran said, adding that the no-sugar variant of the Gatorade powder is already available locally with more variants in the pipeline.

He said the company has a strong growth outlook this year for the Philippine market, which remains one of PepsiCo’s most important territories in the region and currently ranks around third in size.

‘The beverage category has been growing mid-single digits in the last few years, but we’re aiming to grow faster than the market,’ he said.

‘We are either number one or number two across most beverage segments, cola, energy, flavored drinks and sports drinks,’ added the company executive.

To sustain this growth, Sheoran said PepsiCo is continuing to invest in its local operations and supply chain.

He said most of their beverages sold in the Philippines are already produced locally through its bottling partner, which operates more than a dozen manufacturing facilities nationwide.

‘Bulk of our products are manufactured in the Philippines. We are constantly evaluating our network to improve efficiency, upgrade our facilities and expand our footprint when needed,’ Sheoran said.

The company also plans to roll out smaller and more affordable packaging options to make its products more accessible to rural consumers while continuing to push multi-serve formats like two-liter bottles for families.

‘We are seeing strong trends in convenience, digital engagement and functional hydration. The demand for energy drinks and electrolyte beverages is rising, especially in a hot and active market like the Philippines,’ he added.

PepsiCo is also ramping up its sustainability initiatives under its global pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) program.

This includes collecting plastic waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, reducing plastic thickness through light weighting and sourcing renewable energy for its facilities.

‘Sustainability is at the core of our business. We don’t see it as an added cost but as an opportunity to build stronger affinity with consumers,’ Sheoran said.

He noted that while cost pressures from raw materials remain a challenge for the industry, PepsiCo is mitigating these through operational efficiencies, local sourcing and supply chain optimization.

‘We’re looking at every part of the system to build efficiencies, from local partnerships to network improvements,’ he said.

‘Our business has been in the Philippines for over seven decades, and we remain optimistic about its long-term potential,’ the PepsiCo official added.