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A barangay councilor in Alaminos town in Laguna province was shot and killed on Thursday.

The Region 4A police reported that ‘Darwin,’ 55, a councilman in Barangay Poblacion 4, was seated inside his sari-sari (small family-run convenience) store at 6:45 p.m. when two males arrived and, without any provocation, one of them repeatedly shot the victim using a handgun.

After the shooting, the gunman fled on a black motorcycle driven by his accomplice.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds on different parts of his body and was rushed to a hospital in neighboring San Pablo City, but was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators were checking if there was a security camera around the crime scene for possible identification of the gunman and his accomplice.

Police have yet to establish the motive behind the killing

Classes in all levels, both public and private, were suspended in Zambales and nearby Olongapo City on Friday as nonstop rains from Typhoon Paolo drenched the province.

In separate advisories from local government units, afternoon classes were cancelled in Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Narciso, the capital town of Iba, and Olongapo City. In Candelaria town, classes shifted to modular and asynchronous learning.

In northern Zambales, particularly in San Felipe, Botolan, Palauig, and Masinloc, classes had already been suspended earlier in the morning due to expected bad weather from Paolo. In San Antonio, classes were also cancelled in observance of Teacher’s Day.

On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Zambales ordered the suspension of sea travel for all types of vessels due to rough sea conditions brought by the storm.

The northern towns of Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, and Sta. Cruz was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

The entire province and Olongapo City have been experiencing continuous rainfall since Friday morning, prompting Pagasa to raise an orange rainfall warning.

An orange warning is issued when intense rainfall, typically 15 to 30 millimeters per hour, is expected or observed to persist within the next two hours./coa

Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo) slightly weakened as it crossed Northern Luzon on Thursday, Oct. 3.

‘Paolo slightly weakens while traversing the mountainous region of Northern Luzon,’ said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in its latest advisory.

While Paolo may continue on this course, the possibility of it maintaining its typhoon category cannot be ruled out.

The typhoon’s center was last located in the vicinity of Mayoyao, Ifugao at 1 p.m.

It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, lower than the 130 kph earlier, and gustiness of up to 200 kph from 215 kph while moving west-northwest at 30 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are still hoisted in the following areas:

Signal No. 4

The southwestern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, Palanan, Roxas, Burgos, Gamu, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, Luna, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, San Mateo, Alicia, Ramon, City of Santiago, Cordon, San Isidro, Echague, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Jones, San Agustin)

The northwestern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Aglipay, Saguday, Cabarroguis),

The northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Ambaguio, Bayombong)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

The southern portion of Abra (Tubo)

The northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan)

The southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Sigay, San Emilio, Salcedo, Burgos, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, San Esteban, Santiago, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Suyo, Alilem, Tagudin, Sugpon)

The northern portion of La Union (Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Sudipen, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, San Juan)

Signal No. 3

The northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Casiguran, Dilasag)

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The central portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Bambang, Kayapa, Aritao, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Santa Fe)

Kalinga

The central portion of Abra (Boliney, Daguioman, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, La Paz, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas, Lagayan, Tayum, Bangued, Langiden, Pidigan, San Quintin, Pilar, Luba, Manabo, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Bucay, Dolores)

The rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of La Union

Signal No. 2

The central and southern portions of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal, Santo Niño, Alcala, Amulung, Enrile, Baggao, Lasam, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Allacapan)

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

The rest of Abra

The central and southern portions of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig, Pasuquin, Vintar, Carasi)

Pangasinan

The central portion of Aurora (Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

The northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Lupao, Science City of Muñoz, Llanera, Nampicuan, Cuyapo, Guimba, Talugtug, Quezon, Santo Domingo, Talavera, General Mamerto Natividad)

The northern portion of Tarlac ( Moncada, San Clemente, Camiling, Paniqui, Ramos, Anao, San Manuel, Gerona, Victoria, Pura)

The northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria)

Signal No. 1

Batanes

The rest of mainland Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands

The rest of Ilocos Norte

The rest of Aurora

The rest of Nueva Ecija

The rest of Tarlac

Bulacan

Pampanga

The rest of Zambales

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Pagasa also warned of storm surge of up to 3 meters in low-lying areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora.

Rough and high seas are expected over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, making sea travel risky.

Heavy rainfall

Pagasa also warned of torrential rains in several provinces due to Paolo.

Rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters (mm) is expected in Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet until Saturday noon, Oct. 4.

Rainfall between 100-200 mm is likely over Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan while 50-100 mm may be experienced in Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas.

Paolo is forecast to cross the landmass of Northern Luzon this Friday and emerge over the West Philippine Sea this afternoon or evening.

It is predicted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning. /apl

The controversy over Mo Tautuaa’s nullified dunk in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals has triggered significant rule changes ahead of the league’s 50th season.

Starting on Sunday, goaltending or basket interference calls will only be reviewable if a referee makes a call in real-time. The league is doing away with retroactive reviews like the one in Game 1 of last July’s finals between San Miguel and TNT, when Tautuaa’s go-ahead dunk was overturned by the technical committee after no whistle was initially blown.

‘If the referees do not make any call, the decision is final. The referees will be held accountable after the game,’ PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said during Wednesday’s press conference at Shangri-La The Fort.

Tautuaa’s dunk, which came off a bounce from the rim, gave San Miguel a 97-96 lead with under a minute left. With no infraction called on the play, the basket stood-until the technical committee reviewed it during a dead ball with five seconds remaining. The play was ruled basket interference, shifting the lead back to TNT and drawing heavy criticism from the Beermen’s camp.

Though San Miguel eventually won the series and the championship, the fallout led to changes, including Eric Castro’s move from the technical committee to head of operations.

Among the other rule changes:

Corrections to two-, three-, or four-point shots cannot be made after the game.

Teams will no longer retain possession after a technical foul for excessive timeouts.

Penalty situations now apply after two fouls in the final two minutes of any period, not just the fourth.

Teams can huddle during challenges.

Players can recover their own airballs without being called for a violation.

Offensive fouls now count toward team fouls, but no free throws will be awarded if the team is already in penalty.

Technical fouls will be called for excessive elbows and for throwing the ball in plain sight of an official.

‘These rules were finalized by the competition committee composed of coaches,’ Marcial said, citing members like Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao, Meralco’s Luigi Trillo, and Converge’s Franco Atienza.

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) proudly announces the highly anticipated return of the Student PR Congress and Grand Prix, setting the stage for the next generation of communicators to create purpose-driven change. This year’s event calls on students to break through boundaries with the theme, ‘Unmuted: Live, Loud, and Limitless PR.’

The Congress is the PRSP’s commitment to fulfilling its mission: to nurture and develop a new generation of PR practitioners equipped to navigate a rapidly changing world. By focusing on shifting and emerging technologies and trends the PRSP aims to cultivate professionals who can wield public relations as a tool for creating meaningful, positive impact in society. The ‘Unmuted’ theme embodies this goal, encouraging students to utilize every available platform-live interactions, digital channels, and innovative storytelling-to make their voices and campaigns impactful and boundless.

‘It is truly inspiring to witness the growing interest in Public Relations among schools, particularly through initiatives like our PR caravans. These programs are vital in fulfilling our mission to nurture the next generation of PR professionals, providing them with invaluable insights into a dynamic and impactful career, said Steve Michael Moore, Student PR Congress Chairman and PRSP officer.

The centerpiece of the event, the Student PR Grand Prix, is a high-stakes, real-world competition. Student teams from across the nation will receive an actual campaign brief from a leading organization and must develop and present a comprehensive PR strategy to a panel of award-winning industry leaders.

The competition mechanics challenge students’ strategic thinking, creativity, and execution skills under a tight deadline. Judging criteria will focus on quality of research, creativity of the big idea, feasibility of proposed executions, clarity of metrics and the actual pitch presentation. Top teams will vie for the coveted Grand Prix title, recognition from the country’s most respected PR professionals, and exciting cash prizes and professional opportunities.

The Student PR Congress and Grand Prix will take place on November 6-7, 2025 at De la Salle College of St. Benilde, 2544 Taft Avenue, Manila This event is a critical networking opportunity, bringing together students, academics, and industry veterans for a day of learning, inspiration, and competition.

Student teams are invited to review the Grand Prix full campaign mechanics here and then your attendance to the Student PR Congress register here,

Pump prices for diesel products show no signs of easing as industry sources estimate another round of hikes on Oct 7.

In an advisory, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said the diesel prices might go up by 80 centavos to P1 per liter.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) estimate for diesel is an increase of about 50 centavos per liter.

For the previous six consecutive weeks, diesel prices had already increased by a total of P5.10 per liter.

Meanwhile, the DOE expects a potential rollback of more or less five centavos per liter of gasoline.

Bellas, on the other hand, sees either an increase or a decrease of 10 centavos for gasoline.

Kerosene prices are also expected to inch up by 25 centavos a liter.

‘Crude oil prices have declined sharply this week due to concerns about a market glut from the prospect of higher OPEC+ production output,’ Bellas said.

‘However, despite the bearish sentiment, Asian diesel market fundamentals remain supported due to shifting of regional flows to the West to meet the demands from the US and Europe as the ongoing autumn refinery maintenances, peak harvest season demand, and Russia’s partial diesel export ban have raised the risk of supply shortfalls,’ he added. /rwd

A manifesto against tobacco industry interference was launched by over 100 organizations and individuals, calling on the government to take ‘immediate and decisive action’ on the ‘manipulative and deceptive tactics’ that are making young people addicted to nicotine-based products.

Released in Pasig City last week, the manifesto, co-developed by the TobaccOFF NOW! Movement with 79 youth organizations, serves as a collective stand from young Filipinos, who are asserting their right to ‘shape our own lives’ and ‘refuse to let our health and well-being be compromised by the tobacco industry.’

This, as they hit what they have described as the tobacco industry’s desire to create a new generation addicted to traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes/vapes, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine-based products, saying that ‘we will not be deceived and manipulated, nor will we be a casualty in a public health crisis that is not of our making.’

‘The time for silent acceptance is over. This is our collective voice and our commitment,’ they said as they demanded that the government consider raising the restricted age for nicotine products, eliminating the flavors of electronic cigarettes/vapes, and terminating ‘appealing’ packaging designs.

As pointed out in the manifesto, there should also be stronger regulations on the distribution of nicotine products, as well as the imposition of a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising, sales, and promotions of nicotine-based products, and an increased tax ‘to create an economic barrier that serves as a powerful deterrent to youth consumption.’

‘We have seen the alarming rise of a new generation hooked on traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes/vapes, and other nicotine-based products, with 1 in 7 Filipino youth having tried e-cigarettes/vapes at least once in their lives,’ said the manifesto, which was released on the celebration of World Lung Day.

They said ‘we demand accountability from those who profit from our suffering and courage from those who govern our nation to make us, the young people of this country, your priority.’

The event drew a diverse crowd, including representatives from leading tobacco control and public health organizations such as ImagineLaw, the Philippine Smoke-free Network, HealthJustice Philippines, Transcend, and the Ateneo School of Government, highlighting the widespread support for the movement’s mission of highlighting youth voices.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is still hoisted over seven areas of Luzon as Severe Tropical Storm Paolo is now traversing the West Philippine Sea, according to the state weather bureau.

Based on its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Paolo was last located over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

Even though the severe tropical storm is already in coastal waters, Pagasa emphasized that ‘heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone.’

TCWS No. 3 is hoisted over the following areas:

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Southwestern portion of Abra (Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tayum, Bangued, Langiden, Pidigan, San Quintin, Pilar, Luba, Manabo, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Bucay, Tubo)

Western portion of Kalinga (Tinglayan, Pasil)

Western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Bauko, Sadanga, Bontoc, Sabangan)

Western portion of Ifugao (Hungduan, Tinoc)

Benguet

TCWS No. 2

Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig, Pasuquin, Vintar, Carasi)

Pangasinan

The rest of Abra

The rest of Kalinga

The rest of Mountain Province

The rest of Ifugao

Western portion of Isabela (Cordon, Ramon, San Mateo, City of Santiago, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Aurora, San Manuel, Cabatuan)

Northwestern portion of Quirino (Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun)

Northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Dupax del Norte, Aritao, Santa Fe, Bayombong, Bagabag, Villaverde, Kasibu, Bambang, Diadi, Quezon, Solano, Dupax del Sur, Ambaguio, Kayapa)

Northernmost portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan)

TCWS No. 1

The rest of Ilocos Norte

Apayao

Batanes

Mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Aurora

The rest of Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

Pampanga

Bulacan

Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Paolo is currently packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of 165 kph, moving west-northwestward at 35 kph.

The severe tropical storm is forecast to re-intensify into a typhoon category within the next 12 hours and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin has defended his colleague, former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, against Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s insinuations of corruption, saying that such allegations have not yet been proven in court.

In a statement on Friday, Garbin said he ‘respects’ Magalong’s views but emphasized that the mayor should also ‘be fair.’ He was referring to Magalong’s description of Co as having stolen public funds during a Senate hearing on proposed budget reforms.

Garbin also explained that his remark about Co ‘making a sacrifice’ referred to the former lawmaker’s decision to relinquish his post despite the absence of a final court ruling on possible cases against him.

‘If we immediately say that he is a ‘thief’ and call him out for alleged ‘hypocrisy’ even without a judgment, that will be painful for our democracy and the principle of due process. This is not setting aside the bases of allegations, but enforcing the spirit of the Constitution: that anyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,’ Garbin, a lawyer by profession, said in Filipino.

Garbin also said that Magalong’s statements may be considered ‘justice that strikes before it hears,’ which he described as a ‘flawed system’ since public judgment is made ‘without proper consideration or hearing of all parties.’

‘Rep. Co’s resignation clearly shows delicadeza. He did this to ensure that there would be no influence or preference in whatever investigation would be done against him,’ he explained.

‘He did not cling to his post, unlike what some other politicians did, even though they were already accused of several things. For him, the integrity of the process is more important than power,’ he added.

During a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Finance on Senator Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 1330, or the Philippine National Budget Blockchain Act, Magalong was invited to share his concerns regarding the budget.

In his speech, Magalong touched on his short-lived stint at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), before tackling Co’s recent resignation and Garbin’s description of it as a ‘sacrifice.’

‘They did not even think of the people. It’s even insulting because lately someone said this about the involved Congressman Zaldy Co that ‘he did not abandon it, it was a sacrifice.’ My God, you stole (from the fund) of the people and you will say it was a sacrifice on your part? And it is not an abandonment?’ Magalong asked.

‘Is that how low our standards in Congress are, Mr. Chair? Is that how shameless we are right now? Are we numb, extremely callous, and hypocrites that we insult the mentality of the Filipino people?’ he added.

According to Garbin, if that is how Magalong speaks, he should also address accusations that a company owned by the Discayas-allegedly involved in the kickback scheme and substandard infrastructure projects-was able to secure projects in Baguio.

‘And if that is the standard Mayor Magalong wants, he should also be ready to answer for the P110 million Discaya project, which many directly accuse him of being responsible for,’ the lawmaker said in Filipino

‘It is not right to be strict with others but remain silent when your own name is implicated. So before he judges and speaks harshly against others, it would be better for him to face and clear that issue first,’ he added.

Last Monday, Co announced on his Facebook page that he is stepping down from his post with a heavy heart, attaching copies of his letter to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III.

According to Co, he is leaving the House of Representatives due to threats to his and his family’s lives and the alleged denial of due process.

He added that the party-list will inform the House who will replace him to fill one of the two seats allocated for the group.

Co is currently out of the country for what he said was a health procedure in the United States. However, Dy officially revoked Co’s travel clearance on September 18, asking Co to return within 10 days to answer allegations linking him to questionable budget insertions and contractors handling public works projects.

Co is facing issues regarding the 2025 national budget and the infrastructure project scandal.

At a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, contractor couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya and Sarah Discaya named several lawmakers who allegedly requested and received kickbacks from infrastructure projects after their firms secured government contracts.

Curlee Discaya also claimed that lawmakers demanded a 25 percent cut for Co and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Co and Romualdez denied the accusations.

Last Tuesday, Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, former officials of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, also implicated Co and other lawmakers in the alleged kickback scheme for infrastructure projects.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, meanwhile, accused Co, former chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, of masterminding insertions and realignments in the 2025 national budget, much of which allegedly went to flood control.

Tiangco also filed an ethics complaint against the former Ako Bicol lawmaker.

Co disputed the allegations, saying he will respond to them in the proper forum./mcm

Severe Tropical Storm Paolo is forecast to dump more than 200 millimeters (mm) of rain in La Union and Benguet starting this Friday up to Saturday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 5 p.m. heavy rainfall outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the downpour that La Union and Benguet may experience would be intense to torrential rains.

The two provinces are among the seven Luzon areas placed under Signal No. 3, based on Pagasa’s 5 p.m. separate bulletin.

Meanwhile, heavy to intense rains, with 100 to 200 mm of rainfall, are expected over the following areas, which may also persist from this Friday until Saturday noon:

Ilocos Sur

Pangasinan

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Zambales

Bataan

Moderate to heavy rains, which bring 50 to 100 mm of rainfall, are expected to persist in the following areas:

Ilocos Norte

Abra

Apayao

Kalinga

Cagayan

Isabela

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Quirino

Aurora

Paolo was last located over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 110 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of 165 km/h.