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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formalized its plan to enforce a mandatory nine-year cap on independent directors, while providing them with security of tenure at the same time.

The SEC has issued a draft memorandum circular, which sets the rules on the duration of term and amends its rules on term limits of independent directors.

The issuance is expected to strengthen the independence of independent directors as well as to align with the international best practices under Republic Act 11232, otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

‘Basically, we will be strict on the nine-year limit. We will do away with exemptive reliefs. At the same time, to make the independent directors truly independent, we’re giving them a three-year security of tenure. In other words, once voted, he or she is elected for three years, not one year only,’ SEC chairperson Francis Lim said.

A company’s independent director is currently allowed to serve for a maximum cumulative term of nine years, after which, the independent director shall be perpetually barred from re-election as such in the company, but may continue to qualify as a non-independent director.

However, in the instance that a company wants to retain an independent director who has served for nine years, the firm’s board should provide meritorious justifications and seek shareholders’ approval during the annual shareholders’ meeting.

Under the draft memorandum circular, an independent director shall be elected for a three-year fixed term and subject to the term limit.

An independent director should serve for a maximum cumulative term of nine years, with an independent director who has served the maximum term shall be disqualified to be an independent director in the same company.

Pubcly listed firms and registered issuers are given until Oct. 15 to submit their comments and inputs on the draft memorandum circular on the duration of term and term limit of independent directors.

Creamline will open its title defense without the one player it had hoped would play – Jia de Guzman – while PLDT eyes its third straight title in the forthcoming Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

‘Management has decided Jia is sitting this one out, she’s not playing this conference,’ said Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez during Thursday’s launch at the Discovery Suites.

No reason was given, but there reports that De Guzman has focused on her training for this December’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand with Alas Pilipinas where she is the team captain.

But De Guzman, who last saw action for the Cool Smashers two years ago, is expected to return to her mother club in next year’s All-Filipino Conference.

For the High Speed Hitters, who have won two titles in a row in the PVL on Tour and Invitational, they are hoping the stars would align anew for a shot at a third crown.

‘She’s a good fit,’ said PLDT manager Bajjie del Rosario, referring to Russian Anastasiia Bavykina.

Opening up hostilities though are ZUS Coffee and Akari, who collide at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban.

It will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. showdown between Capital1 and Choco Mucho.

Interestingly, another contender, Petro Gazz, has made it a family affair when it appointed husband and wife Gary and Lisa Van Sickle as coach and assistant, respectively, for a franchise spearheaded by their daughter, MVP awardee Brooke.

It came a day after it secured the return of Lindsay Vander Weide, a Best Import awardee who led the Angels to the Reinforced crown three seasons ago.

‘I haven’t seen the whole team yet but I will see them tomorrow,’ said Gary, who played for University of Hawaii in the late 80s.

League president Ricky Palou said its going to be a competitive conference.

“It will be one of the toughest conferences in the league, if not the toughest,” said Palou, who was accompanied by commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and Cignal head of sports Mico Halili.

This Oct. 1 to 7, we join the nation in celebrating Elderly Filipino Week, with the theme: ‘Embracing age, living a life of dignity and purpose.’ This annual observance, established through Proclamation 470 (1994), pays tribute to our senior citizens and honors their wisdom, resilience and invaluable contributions to nation-building.

Led by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), the week-long celebration brings together government agencies and local government units to host a vibrant array of activities: caravans, information sessions, photo contests, medical missions, Zumba parties and even a pageant- all spotlighting the strength and spirit of our elderly.

I stand in solidarity with the nation in recognizing the immeasurable contributions of our seniors. But beyond celebration, this week also calls us to reflect deeply on how we care for them, especially in one of the critical issues that come with old age: health care.

I recently sat down with Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo ‘Ompong’ Ordanes to share insights on the services available to the Filipino elderly especially when it comes to health care and he brought up an alarming and sad reality: The Philippines lacks specialized public health care for those aged 60 and up.

Rep. Ordanes underscored this gap as he shared his ongoing efforts to advocate for the establishment of dedicated geriatric wards in public hospitals and the hiring of more geriatric specialists. These initiatives aim to address the unique and complex health needs of older adults that are often overlooked in our current health care system.

Geriatric medicine, which focuses on the special health needs of older adults, remains underdeveloped in the country. Most hospitals lack the infrastructure, personnel and protocols to address the complex interplay of chronic illnesses and mobility issues that many seniors face.

As the lawmaker emphasized, senior citizens are more vulnerable to infections and diseases than the rest of the population and therefore should have access to health care services designed to meet their needs.

As a senior citizen myself, I know firsthand the health challenges that people face in old age. The creation of geriatric wards in public hospitals is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a matter of dignity. Senior citizens deserve health care that recognizes their distinct needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach that treats aging as an inconvenience.

While the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 institutionalizes the access of the elderly to medical services in government facilities, the reality on the ground is far from ideal. Many senior citizens grapple with long queues and lack of facilities and equipment to treat their health conditions, which forces them to either forego treatment or rely on out-of-pocket expenses.

Data from the latest Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in the Philippines (LSAH) – the country’s first nationally representative panel study focused on older individuals, also bring forward issues in this aspect.

Study showed that older Filipinos have an unmet need for health services. About a fifth of older people face difficulties accessing health care services when needed, mostly due to financial reasons. In fact, only 84 percent of those diagnosed with hypertension and 76 percent of those with diabetes are on maintenance medicines. Only 63 percent have health insurance, mostly PhilHealth, indicating a significant gap in coverage despite the universal health care law.

This is not just unfortunate, this is unacceptable. The government must invest in integrating elder care into the broader public health agenda. This involves training and employing more geriatric specialists, equipping public hospitals and barangay health centers with senior-friendly facilities and equipment, and providing priority lanes for senior citizens seeking medical attention.

Mental health should also be part of the conversation when it comes to health care for senior citizens who are at risk of conditions such as depression, anxiety and dementia.

Moreover, a proactive approach to senior health should be institutionalized and embraced not just at the policy level but also in the community. This should go beyond medical treatment for existing illnesses or health conditions but also cover preventive care, wellness programs, information campaigns and community-based support.

I call on our legislators to support and pass House Bill 433 or the Comprehensive Welfare and National Health Program for Senior Citizens Act, which will help ensure wellness programs for the elderly.

Unlike the billions lost to corruption in flood control projects, improving the health care system for the elderly is not a luxury- it is a moral and national imperative. These are basic entitlements that our senior citizens deserve after decades of work and contributing to the nation.

But legislation alone is not enough, ensuring proper implementation is equally important as well. We need a cultural shift in how we perceive aging and elder care. In many Filipino households, caring for elderly parents is seen as a moral duty. Yet this familial care, while noble, cannot substitute for systemic support.

We must ask ourselves: Are we content with a system that sidelines our elders, or are we ready to build one that respects them and their contributions to society?

Let us not wait until aging becomes a crisis. Let us act now, with courage and compassion, to build a system that honors the lives that built this nation. Because how we treat our elderly today is not just a reflection of our values, it is a legacy we leave behind.

Let’s make that choice, not only for their benefit but for the future generations of Filipinos as well.

A business group is urging the government to allocate more funds for the EDSA busway system ‘to complete the badly needed infrastructure component of this long-delayed project.’

‘Congress has the opportunity to provide the budget for vital busway-dedicated stations, which can be completed in 2026 when bid out in batches to large reputable contractors,’ the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said in a letter dated Sept. 24.

New stations should be established along Kamuning, Cubao/Araneta, Santolan, Camp Aguinaldo, Corinthian Gardens, Highway Hills, Estrella street (Rockwell), Ayala/EDSA, Magallanes, Malibay, F.B. Harrison, MOA/J. Diokno, Aseana/Macapagal and PITX, the group proposed.

Busway stations are needed due to overcrowded Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) stations, they said.

About 100,000 commuters are accessing the busway through MRT-3 stations, they said.

‘In addition to other ancillary facilities, the system must be equipped with overhead bridgeways to the station platforms along the road median beside the MRT-3 trackway, and provided with convenient access for physically challenged commuters,’ the MAP said.

Aside from dedicated bus stations, the group also recommended finalizing a schematic busway system plan that will link Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and other major routes, such as Quezon Avenue, C5, Sucat and Alabang Zapote.

‘To date, there has been no meaningful budget allocation for this infrastructure, except for a few hundred million pesos, while the busway project has been waiting for the long-delayed privatization to happen,’ the group lamented.

‘The EDSA busway is the only mass transport system that can be completed within one year and it should be done as soon as possible,’ the MAP added.

The group acknowledged the government and private sector’s efforts in building EDSA busway stations in Guadalupe, Buendia, Taft Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, North EDSA and Ortigas – the last two provided by the private sector and under construction.

MAP president Alfredo Panlilio and transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Eduardo Yap signed the letter addressed to acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

If it were up to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the 4-point line would stay in the league ‘forever.’

Marcial said that the 4-point line will be staying in the league for the PBA Season 50, and possibly for more seasons moving forward.

‘Siguro forever na yan, as ako [ang] commissioner,’ Marcial told reporters during the PBA preseason press conference Wednesday at the Shangri-La The Fort Manila in Taguig City.

”Di ko alam kung ibang commissioner na. Pero as ako commissioner, stay ang 4-point line,’ he added.

The PBA, last season, introduced the 4-point line, which had been set 27 feet away from the ring.

This added a new dimension to the game, as teams could go for the win despite being down three points.

“Pag gumagawa tayo ng bagong innovation, meron talagang di nasisiyahan, may nasisiyahan. Pero kumukuha na ang FIBA ng datos sa atin. So ‘di ko alam kung masisiyahan sila sa datos,’ Marcial said.

Other leagues, including those abroad, have also inquired about the 4-point shot, the executive bared.

‘So, nagtatanong sila, nagi-inquire. Tinatanong ko din sa kanila, ano ba sa palagay niyo? Yung iba okay, yung iba, hindi. Hindi mo masasabi,’ he added.

Before its implementation during last season, the PBA tested out the 4-point line in All-Star games.

Meralco guard Chris Banchero was the first player to sink a 4-pointer in an official game, during the season opener in August last year.

Rule changes

In the same press conference Wednesday, Marcial said that there will be nine rule changes for Season 50.

One of the rule changes is referees will now explain the ruling, live, whether a coach’s challenge is successful or unsuccessful.

During challenges, players can also form huddles with their coaches.

Teams reaching two fouls in the last two minutes of every quarter will also put them in penalty.

The referee may also review a made basket if it is a 2-, 3- or a 4-pointer, but if there will be no immediate review, the shot will no longer be reviewable. The same process will also be applied regarding basket interference in the last two minutes.

Other rule changes to be implemented this season are: throwing the ball at a player’s head with clear vision to save the ball from going out of bounds will lead to a flagrant foul penalty one infraction; a player who air-balled a legitimate shot may pick up the ball without being whistled for a travel violation; an excessive elbow from left to right will result in a technical foul; no extra time out will be allowed; and an offensive foul will count as a team foul.

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao confirmed he is in talks with the camp of World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Rolly Romero for a possible fight, the eight-division world champion bared.

Pacquiao revealed the news during the Thrilla in Manila 2 press conference Wednesday in Quezon City.

‘[We are] still negotiating, pero we’re just finalizing it,’ the 46-year-old boxer said.

Questions have been raised regarding the next opponent of the boxer-turned-politician after his comeback fight earlier this year.

MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons earlier named Romero as one of the possible opponents for Pacquiao after his the Filipino southpaw’s duel with World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Pacquiao returned to the boxing ring last July and forced a majority draw against Barrios.

It was an impressive comeback fight, with several boxing fans seeing ‘Pacman’ actually winning over the 30-year-old ‘El Azteca’.

Pacquiao was later installed as the No. 1 contender for the same title.

He retired from boxing back in 2021 after a loss against Yordenis Ugas.

Speaking about the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila, Pacquiao voiced excitement and joy in bringing the celebration to life.

‘I’m so excited and happy. Kasi dati, lumaban na ako dito sa Araneta at ngayon nagpo-promote na tayo ng big fight dito. This is not a small fight but a big fight,’ he said.

‘A world championship fight and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila. It’s an honor kaya happy tayo na kahit di pa tayo pinanganak nung time na yun, tayo ang kumbaga nagdala dito ng promotion,’ he added.

On October 1, 1975, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier slugged it out in what was known as ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ There, Ali won over Frazier, who retired from his corner in Round 14.

‘Like Ali’

And if you were to ask Pacquiao which of the two he sees more of as a boxer?

‘Sting like a bee,’ he said, citing Ali’s famous quote.

‘Puncher din ako, marami akong sumuntok at hindi ako flat-footed,’ he said.

The anniversary card will be headlined by a WBC strawweight championship bout between Melvin Jerusalem and Siyakholwa Kuse.

Eumir Marcial, Marlon Tapales and Carl Jammes Martin will also see action, while Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of ‘The Greatest’, will also battle it out in a middleweight bout against Thailand’s Patumpong Saengarun.

Snacking doesn’t have to be about guilt or restriction-it can be part of a balanced diet, so says nutritionist Jo Sebastian.

In an Instagram post, Jo shows how mindful snacking can turn a simple bar of chocolate into a moment of joy and balance-an approach that snacks company Mondelez International also champions worldwide.

Scrolling through Instagram, you might stumble upon a post by nutritionist and content creator Jo Sebastian-this time, in her kitchen, with a bar of chocolate in hand.

Her video is refreshingly real: no lists of ‘forbidden foods,’ no guilt-driven messaging. Instead, Jo invites her audience to share a sweet moment and learn about mindful snacking.

Jo is a registered nutritionist-dietitian gaining quite a following on social media for her practical and relatable advice on food, health and overall well-being.

She graduated BS Community Nutrition from the University of the Philippines Diliman and is the founder of the online nutrition coaching community called HEAL with Jo and host of the Donut Box podcast.

Jo’s goal is to make nutrition fun, easy and accessible with a focus on having a healthy relationship with food and the body!

She admits that she once lived with a long ‘not allowed to eat’ list, which only made her crave and binge those very foods later on. It’s a familiar story for many Filipinos, who-according to the 2024 State of Philippine Snacking report by Mondelez International and The Harris Poll-are among the world’s top snackers, often enjoying small bites up to three times a day.

The difference, Jo explains, is that snacking doesn’t have to be a cycle of guilt and restriction. Instead, it can be balanced, satisfying and even joyful.

Her approach is simple:

Step 1: Tune in to cravings. Rather than asking ‘Should I eat this?’ she reframes it to ‘What can I add to make this feel good for me right now?’ That might mean pairing chocolate with fresh berries or nuts, adding fiber and healthy fats to create a more filling snack.

Step 2: Portion it out. Putting your treat on a plate helps create awareness of how much you’re eating, instead of mindlessly snacking straight from the pack.

Step 3: Enjoy. The key is not restriction but paying attention to fullness and savoring the food.

Her message? Food isn’t just fuel-it’s joy, comfort and part of life. And you always deserve to eat.

This philosophy is one that Mondelez International, the maker of well-loved snacks like Oreo, Eden Cheese and Cadbury Dairy Milk, has been championing through its global initiative on mindful snacking.

The company defines mindful snacking as being present and intentional about what and why you’re eating. It’s about finding the right snack, for the right moment and made the right way.

Mindful snacking goes beyond portioning or pairing foods-it’s also about making space for enjoyment.

Research from Mondelez International’s annual State of Philippine Snacking report shows that consumers aren’t just snacking for hunger; they snack for comfort, connection and self-care.

For Filipinos, snacking is woven into daily life-whether it’s merienda with friends, a sweet treat after a long day, or a quick bite between tasks.

What Jo highlights in her post is exactly what Mondelez International hopes more snackers will embrace: that choosing a chocolate bar or a cookie or any type of snack doesn’t have to mean guilt. It can mean balance-adding something nutritious, savoring every bite and knowing when you’re satisfied.

Because at the end of the day, snacks are not just about filling a stomach. They’re about filling a moment. And mindful snacking ensures that every moment is intentional and delicious.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed 70 criminal complaints against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and several of her relatives over alleged falsification and violations of the Anti-Dummy Law.

The complaints accuse Guo and her family of misrepresenting their citizenship to establish businesses and acquire real estate in Marilao, Bulacan.

In a statement on Thursday, October 2, the NBI said the cases were lodged before the Malolos, Bulacan Prosecutor’s Office by its Bulacan South District Office (BUSDO).

Chinese identity bared. The probe stemmed from a Senate inquiry earlier this year, which revealed that Guo’s true identity is Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national. Investigators also identified her relative Shiela Leal Guo, also known as Mier Zhang, as a Chinese national.

NBI findings showed Alice, Shiela, and Siemen Guo acted as incorporators in six firms-including QJJ Group of Companies Inc., QSeed Genetics Inc., and QJJ Slaughter House Inc.-all registered at a shared corporate address on Maligaya Street, Barangay Patubig, Marilao.

The three allegedly declared themselves as Filipinos in the companies’ incorporation papers to secure majority ownership of shares.

Co-incorporators Guo Jian Zhong and Lin Wen Yi were also implicated.

The address is tied to a 4,636-square-meter property bought by Alice Guo on Oct. 5, 2010, for P2 million-a purchase now under dispute.

Breakdown of charges

The NBI detailed the following cases against Guo and her relatives:

30 counts of falsification of public documents tied to incorporation papers, a secretary’s certificate, and a 2021 general information sheet.

30 counts of simulation of minimum capital stock under Section 2 of the Anti-Dummy Law (Commonwealth Act No. 108).

Four counts of falsification of public documents related to business, occupancy, and building permit applications.

Six additional counts of falsification against Guo Hua Ping for allegedly falsifying the deed of sale and documentary stamps in the Marilao property purchase.

Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail on separate charges, including money laundering, qualified human trafficking, graft, obstruction of justice, falsification, and perjury.

She was previously dismissed as Bamban mayor over her alleged ties to illegal gaming hubs and offshore gaming operations in her town, which investigators said were fronts for online scams and human trafficking.

Tropical Cyclone Paolo has strengthened into a tropical storm, triggering the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 1 over more areas in Luzon on Thursday morning, October 2.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported Paolo 705 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts up to 80 kph.

The storm is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

Wind Signals

With Paolo gaining strength, PAGASA has raised Wind Signal No. 1 over 21 more provinces, along with Catanduanes.

Signal No. 1 (strong winds in 36 hours)

Luzon

Mainland Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Tarlac

Nueva Ecija

Aurora

the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)

the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands

and the northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)

Under Wind Signal No. 1, only light damage to infrastructure is anticipated, unless structures are poorly built or made of light or makeshift materials.

Intermittent rains are expected to soak these provinces by Friday, October 3, as Paolo approaches landfall.

According to the heavy rainfall outlook, Cagayan and Isabela could receive over 200 millimeters of rain tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the following provinces are forecast to get 100 to 200 millimeters:

Quirino

Aurora

Apayao

Abra

Benguet

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Heavy rain of 50 to 100 millimeters is also forecast in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan.

PAGASA warned it may raise a gale warning over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon by Thursday afternoon due to expected rough to very rough seas.

Forecast track

As it moves west-northwest, Paolo is expected to hit Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning, but its track could veer south if the high-pressure system north of the storm strengthens.

After moving across land, Paolo is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Friday afternoon and leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning, October 4.

The storm is projected to reach severe tropical storm strength by Friday morning and may briefly intensify into a typhoon before landfall. The highest Wind Signal likely to be raised is No. 3, though Signal No. 4 remains possible.

La Salle held on to a 74-72 triumph against listless Far Eastern U to avenge its deflating defeat to Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Green Archers banked on their defensive fangs in the clutch after going scoreless in the final minute and nearly losing a five-point lead as FEU’s Jorick Bautista muffed a game-tying lay-up in the last seven seconds for the Archers win.

La Salle, which beat Adamson, 60-58, but wasted a 12-point lead and bowed to host and dark horse Santo Tomas, 93-84, improved to 2-1 behind unbeaten Ateneo, Santo Tomas and National U.

Doy Dungo led the way with 17 points on three triples while Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez and EJ Gollena churned out 14 points each for La Salle, which only drew six points from team captain Mike Phillips on a 1-of-7 clip.

Phillips, however, collared 13 rebounds.