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Four passengers arriving from Bangkok, Thailand were arrested after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted suspected marijuana valued at P62.326 million in their baggage during inspections at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday, July 30.

According to the BOC, around 41.551 kilograms of suspected marijuana were found inside eight pieces of luggage brought by the four suspects.

The agency added that the eight pieces of luggage were flagged after undergoing X-ray screening and K9 inspection. The seized marijuana was subject to further examinations by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

‘The eight luggage items were subjected to further inspection after suspicious findings were observed during X-ray screening and K9 inspection conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,’ the BOC stated in a statement.

The agency, together with the PDEA, Bureau of Immigration, and other law enforcement agencies, continues the investigation and case-building in the attempted drug smuggling, the BOC said.

Details regarding the suspects’ identities and possible criminal charges are yet to be disclosed by the BOC as of the time of this posting

Filipinos who married in the Philippines but sought divorce abroad remain bound by Philippine laws, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna said on Tuesday.

In the continuation of oral arguments, legal experts invited as amici curiae, or ‘friends of the court,’ weighed in again on whether a Filipino who married under Philippine law may remarry after securing a divorce in a foreign jurisdiction and then acquiring a new citizenship.

Azcuna stressed that the nationality principle prevails over a foreign court’s judgment when a Filipino who married in the Philippines eventually obtained divorce abroad.

He cited the Constitution, which he said clearly states that marriage is an ‘inviolable social institution,’ adding that the ‘bedrock principle of nationality will apply’ if both spouses were Filipinos at the time of divorce.

The high tribunal is conducting oral arguments on the case of a Filipino man who is seeking a reversal of a lower court’s ruling. He wants the divorce he obtained in 2010 in the United States to be recognized as well in the Philippines.

A green card holder at that time, he was granted US citizenship in 2019 but reacquired Filipino citizenship a year later, thus becoming a dual citizen.

Article 15 of the Civil Code of the Philippines states that ‘laws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, conditions and legal capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living abroad.’

But other legal experts interpret this ‘nationality principle’ differently.

Double existence

Former Far Eastern University Dean Mel Sta. Maria reiterated the absurdity of current rules, which recognize foreign divorces only if a Filipino is married to a foreigner, but deny the same right to two Filipinos who divorce abroad.

During an exchange with Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Sta. Maria warned of the impact of continuing not to recognize foreign divorce.

‘[I]t will continue a double existence. It will be a perpetual problem; a double existence, a split-screen existence, a systematic exclusion from the universal singularity of status,’ he pointed out.

Sta. Maria added that refusing to recognize valid foreign decrees subjects citizens to a ‘state-mandated schizophrenia,’ violating the constitutional mandate that values human dignity and guarantees full respect for human rights.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s authorization for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to submit Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records to the Senate should not be taken as a blessing upon the impeachment proceedings, the prosecution panel said on Thursday.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel, explained in a press briefing that Marcos’ authorization to BIR was ministerial – claiming that the President would have done the same for other impeachable officials, since it is part of the pursuit for accountability.

Earlier, BIR personnel delivered boxes containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio to the Senate, as these formed part of the impeachment court’s subpoena issued last July 20. The prosecution deemed the box necessary to establish their claim that Duterte has unexplained wealth not mentioned in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

‘I think there’s nothing wrong because it was a ministerial request for the President, so this means irrespective of whoever it is – whether it is any other impeachable official, I think the President will still give his consent towards the opening of the BIR documents,’ Ridon said when asked if he thinks Malacañang’s hand on Duterte’s trial is now evident.

‘Especially if it will further the cause of accountability and further the cause of justice. So, I think, there is no reason to say that our President has a hand on this matter,’ he added.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson for the prosecution team, said that if the Duterte camp is confident that the Vice President had done nothing wrong, they should not oppose the subpoena on the BIR documents since it may eventually prove her innocence.

‘It does not matter who made the request, what matters is that the evidence is available. Because if the use of funds were really above board, why is the other camp afraid? If their position is that they did not violate any law or policy, and they are not accountable for anything, then they should welcome this method,’ Alonto Adiong said.

‘Because we will unpack through these proceedings the true story, and if their position is that they did not violate any law, they do not have to be afraid,’ he added.

After the submission of Duterte’s tax records to the Senate Impeachment Court, BIR representatives told reporters that they were able to secure Marcos’ authorization.

Early during the prosecution’s press briefing, Ridon also confirmed that Marcos had given the authorization. Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro also confirmed the matter.

The prosecution intends to use the BIR documents to prove allegations under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which deals with claims that Duterte committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust when she amassed unexplained wealth manifestly disproportionate to her lawful income and earnings during her incumbency as a public official.

During the oral arguments on the request for a subpoena, public prosecutor and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno represented the prosecution panel, and noted that this will not be the first time that the Senate Impeachment Court will summon tax records of an accused official.

According to Diokno, the same thing happened when the court subpoenaed these documents during the trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Diokno also noted that members of the present impeachment court, like Presiding Officer and Senator-judge Francis Escudero, were among those who asked whether evidence that predates Corona’s term as Chief Justice will be admitted.

Furthermore, the prosecutor said that Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano also argued that Corona’s bank records before he was a chief justice were important to the discussions of whether Corona committed impeachable offenses

Currently recuperating and in stable condition at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) here, a 55-year-old woman is lucky to be alive after surviving a gunshot to the face allegedly fired by her neighbor.

The incident happened on Wednesday, July 29, at about 7 p.m. The victim was standing outside her home in Purok Demokrasya, Barangay Salawagan in Quezon, Bukidnon, simply waiting for her husband to arrive.

The routine evening took a sudden, bloody turn when a male neighbor, accompanied by an unidentified suspect, approached her. The suspect drew a weapon and fired a single shot, striking the victim directly in her left cheek.

Following the attack, the perpetrators immediately fled the scene aboard a white XTZ motorcycle, heading south toward the interior village of Barangay San Roque.

Lt. Col. Erwin R. Naelga, Chief of Quezon MPS, said that a pursuit operation was launched against the suspects.

Crime scene operatives discovered a single-fired cartridge case from a caliber .45 pistol.

Despite the traumatic injury, the unnamed victim remained conscious. She was initially rushed to the Quezon Health Infirmary Hospital for emergency medication before being transferred to NMMC in Cagayan de Oro City for specialized care.

The Bukidnon police had activated Oplan Shield to arrest the suspects.

Col. Oliver Navales, Bukidnon Police Provincial Office commander, ordered a thorough investigation to ensure the immediate arrest of the culprits

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said there would be no ‘ceasefire,’ rejecting an apparent peace overture amid his ongoing feud with Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

‘CEASEFIRE MY FOOT! What kind of man declares war, armed with a toy gun and with just his saliva as ammunition, then uses intermediaries to ask for a ceasefire when confronted by real bombs?’ Lacson said on X.

Lacson did not name any names in his post but had been in an ongoing word war with Cayetano, which according to Lacson, also prompted his investigation of infrastructure projects in Taguig, the bailiwick of Cayetano.

On Tuesday, Lacson announced that his office had turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman all the documentary and testimonial evidence they had gathered from his office’s investigation into infrastructure projects in Taguig.

He said they uncovered irregularities, including ghost projects, double appropriations and recycled photos from previously completed contracts used to bill and collect for new ones.

For his part, Cayetano denied the allegations and described Lacson’s accusations as ‘general’ and ‘sweeping.’

Cayetano also said he was prepared to answer the ‘malicious’ accusations against him and that the public deserved to know the ‘whole truth’ through the proper process.

Earlier, Lacson said he was going all out to defend his integrity after Cayetano crossed a line by insinuating that the increase in Lacson’s net worth was questionable.

Lacson maintained that his wealth grew through legitimate business during the three years he was out of the Senate. He added that integrity remains his most prized possession, one he inherited from his parents.

Just this Wednesday, Lacson said the public should await the Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearing where he will expose what his office found in Taguig.

Blue ribbon committee chairperson Sen. Erwin Tulfo earlier accused minority senators of blocking the panel’s hearings. In response, Cayetano said, ‘Do you believe them?’

Cayetano has yet to respond tothe Inquirer’s request for comment on Lacson’s latest pronouncements.

But in a Facebook livestream late Thursday, Cayetano denied that he sought a ‘ceasefire’ with Lacson, saying the term came from other senators who had approached him amid their escalating feud.

‘Ang salitang si ceasefire hindi po nanggaling sa akin,’ Cayetano clarified.

(The word ceasefire did not come from me.)

He said some senators had raised concerns over their continued infighting, including a reminder that it could distract the Senate from other issues that needed attention.

Cayetano maintained that he was prepared to face the allegations against him and respond when necessary.

Cayetano also accused Lacson of practicing what he called ‘KKK,’ which he defined as ‘Kuyog, tapos Kaso, tapos Kulong.’ (Gang up, file cases, jail.)

‘At isa si Sen. Lacson sa nagpapairal din nun,’ (And Sen. Lacson is among those who also practice that.) Cayetano said, criticizing Lacson’s handling of the Senate blue ribbon committee’s previous investigation.

Toward the end of the livestream, Cayetano thanked senators acting as ‘peacemakers,’ saying the intention was to put their disputes in the proper venue so Senate work would not be disrupted.

‘Hindi sinabing huwag. Hindi sinabing walang karapatan, hindi sinabing ceasefire. Ang sinabi lang, ilagay natin sa ayos,’ he said.

(They didn’t say to stop. They didn’t say anyone had no right to speak, nor did they call for a ceasefire. They only said that things should be handled properly.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Department of Agriculture to continue rehabilitating and modernizing fish ports across the country, saying the upgrades are intended to improve the movement of fishery products, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen the country’s fisheries sector.

Marcos issued the directive during an inspection of the rehabilitated Sual Fish Port Complex in Pangasinan, the only regional fish port in Northern Luzon.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the upgraded facility now includes new fish processing and cold storage facilities, a multi-purpose pier, a commercial building, and improved access roads.

The government said the improvements are expected to expand market access for fishermen, increase the port’s handling capacity, preserve the quality of fish products, and help ensure a steady supply of affordable fish.

Following the inspection, the President visited crew members of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels that were recently subjected to water cannon attacks by the Chinese Coast Guard while operating near Bajo de Masinloc.

The PCO said that the visit is meant to recognize the crew’s service and reaffirm government support for Filipino fishermen and personnel involved in protecting the country’s maritime interests

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has vowed to develop the almost 70-hectare Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) into a regional training hub for athletes with the hope of making it a sports tourism destination in Northern Mindanao.

PSC chair John Patrick Gregorio said he was impressed after visiting MCC, describing it as a ‘world-class sports facility’ and the ‘biggest local-government-owned sports center in terms of land area and existing sports facilities’ in the country.

‘Once we establish the Regional Training Center, it will serve as a sports university that can produce champions from the grassroots,’ he told the Inquirer.

PSC chair John Patrick Gregorio (kicking a ball) visits the 66.4-hectare Mindanao Civic Center in Sagadan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte Monday afternoon, July 28, with Lyndon Calica, provincial administrator (center), and other PSC officials. Photo courtesy of Lloyd Galon

Gregorio, who was here for the Sports and Youth Summit held at the provincial capitol on July 28-29, noted that sports is an investment that can help transform conflict-affected areas into peaceful and safe communities.

He said the regional sports training hub will have focused programs in football, swimming, sepak takraw, tennis, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and arnis, among others.

Gregorio visited the MCC and met some children who were on football training.

Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza- Dimaporo (first district) cited recent certificates the MCC received from the Federation of International Football Association and from World Athletics, which both acknowledged that the MCC meets their standards.

Dimaporo said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed support for the province’s efforts to establish a sports university within the MCC.

The President had instructed Dimaporo to coordinate with the PSC, according to her.

‘We have a lot of athletes, but they were not discovered because they were not trained well. We have the facilities but not fully utilized to train our athletes,’ she said in Cebuano.

In pushing for MCC as a major sports hub in the region, Dimaporo recalled it was the venue of the Palarong Pambansa in October 2003.

Then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo opened the national games that brought together 4,100 athletes and coaches from across the country.

In a video statement, Gov. Mohammad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo expressed gratitude to Gregorio for the visit, noting the province is keen on a partnership with PSC for sports development.

Lyndon Calica, provincial administrator, said they will visit the sports facilities in Clark City to benchmark the dormitories for athletes to be constructed at the MCC.

Local stocks fell on Thursday as investors took cues from Wall Street’s weak performance and growing geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, offsetting support from renewed foreign buying.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) slipped 0.74 percent, or 47.29 points, to close at 6,305.75.

Philstocks Financial Inc. said sentiment turned cautious after concerns resurfaced that the United States Federal Reserve could be lagging behind the curve in addressing economic risks.

Investor confidence also weakened after the US struck Iran, dimming hopes of renewed negotiations between the two countries.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., also said the local bourse ended lower as investors reacted to various developments following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address, particularly those concerning the power sector.

‘Market sentiment was also weighed down by the latest Fed decision to leave interest rates unchanged. Overall, cautious trading prevailed as investors assessed the implications of the policy stance and domestic developments,’ Limlingan said.

Foreign buying

Despite the decline, foreign investors returned to the local market, ending the session as net buyers with inflows of P643.82 million.

Trading, however, remained subdued, with net value turnover reaching only P5.75 billion, reflecting cautious participation.

Sectors posted mixed results/ Mining and oil stocks posted the biggest gain, rising 1.51 percent, while industrials suffered the steepest decline, dropping 3.81 percent.

Only five index members finished in positive territory. Bank of the Philippine Islands led the gainers, climbing 1.74 percent to P105.20.

Meanwhile, Manila Electric Co. emerged as the session’s biggest laggard after tumbling 13.12 percent to P480.

Analysts said the market’s pullback mirrored lingering uncertainty over the global economic outlook and geopolitical developments, although continued foreign buying offered some support amid otherwise cautious trading.

The municipal government of Talacogon has appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about the death of Ateneo basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia.

In a statement released on Wednesday with the Baterbonia family’s consent, the local government said only the family’s authorized representatives would issue official updates on the case.

The advisory came amid the proliferation of online content and public speculation following Baterbonia’s death.

The local government urged content creators to avoid making statements or videos that could create the impression that they are soliciting or encouraging financial assistance on behalf of the family.

It also stressed that such content is not officially sanctioned and may be subject to verification and investigation.

‘Please be responsible and cautious in sharing information,’ the local government added.

The local government also said all official developments related to the case would only be released through the family’s authorized representatives to prevent misinformation and maintain order.

In a separate advisory, the municipality announced that Labnig Cemetery, where Baterbonia was laid to rest, would remain open only for visitation.

It also said the production of social media content inside the cemetery would be strictly discouraged to preserve peace, respect, and decorum at the site.

The Bangkal Tree Park was officially launched on Wednesday (July 29) at Carindan Lake in Barangay Pinagturilan, Santa Cruz town in Occidental Mindoro, as part of a multisectoral effort to restore and protect the area’s freshwater ecosystem.

The event featured the ceremonial planting of Bangkal (Nauclea orientalis) trees and the unveiling of a ‘Pledge of Commitment’ monument, where representatives from participating sectors formally committed to conserving and developing the tree park.

The initiative was led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Sablayan in partnership with the Santa Cruz local government, the Barangay Pinagturilan government, and the Department of Education through Pinagturilan National High School.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) also joined the activity in support of efforts to protect Carindan Lake, an important natural resource for the community.

Under the pledge, participating agencies and organizations committed to planting and nurturing Bangkal trees to strengthen the lake’s ecosystem and help restore its natural environment.

According to the organizers, 82 participants from various sitios and barangays-including Baclaran, Bagong Sikat, Mendiola, Kabangkalan, San Vicente, and Proper-took part in the launch and tree-planting activity.

Organizers said they hope the Bangkal Tree Park will grow into a thriving green space and serve as a lasting symbol of environmental stewardship and community resilience for future generations.

The bangkal tree is an indigenous tree in the Philippines that grows up to 30 meters tall.

It has round, fragrant yellowish-to-orange or white ball-like flowers and heart-shaped leaves.

It is used for timber, traditional medicinal bark uses for stomach aches, and urban native tree conservation discussions.