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The Philippines overcame a one-goal deficit before repeating over Timor Leste, 3-1, to maintain the Group A lead in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Tuesday night in Capas, Tarlac.

After a listless first half that enabled Joao Rangel to give Timor a 1-nil edge, the hosts flipped a switch and responded with three goals in the last 45 minutes to escape the blushes in front of home fans at the New Clark City Stadium.

Jefferson Tabinas delivered the equalizer off a counter barely two minutes into the second then Bjorn Kristensen, the Fil-Norwegian ace who struck four times in their previous 4-1 disposal of Timor in Darwin, slotted the go-ahead in the 70th. Jarvey Gayoso knocked in No. 3 for the hosts in the first minute of stoppage time.

With the sweep of Timor, the Philippines hiked its record to a leading 10 points on three wins and a draw and a +8 goal difference, ahead of Tajikistan (10 points, +6 GD), which scored a 3-0 away victory over Maldives.

‘It was really a bad first half for us so we talked about it at halftime and made everyone realize how crucial this game was. So I’m happy with how the team reacted and showed a different spirit in turning the game around in the second half,’ said Philippine coach Carles Cuadrat.

The sky is the limit for Starboy.

Filipino billiard icons Django Bustamante and Carlo Biado heaped praises on 19-year-old billiards prodigy AJ Manas, who was included in the title-defending Team Asia for the Reyes Cup.

Manas, one of the fastest-rising stars in the sport, was handpicked by team captain Bustamante for Team Asia, who will take on Team Rest of the World for the Reyes Cup starting Thursday.

Bustamante said that Manas has what it takes to be world champion in the future.

‘Siya kasi yung pinakabatang player natin na gumagaling, e yung iba naman, nasa ranking naman sila, si AJ wala sa ranking, so binigyan ko siya ng wildcard, ako yung pumili sa kaniya. So, may tiwala naman ako kay AJ, kasi di ko naman kukunin ang isang player kung wala kang tiwala. So magaling na si AJ,’ Bustamante said.

‘Darating ang panahon, ito tandaan niyo, magiging world champion yung bata na yan. Kasi bata pa siya, magaling na. E lalo na pagka nabatak pa yan sa mga tournament at practice. Basta magiging world champion ang bata na yan,’ he added.

Biado seconded this.

‘Si AJ, future world champion natin yan. Napakalaking bagay niya sa Reyes Cup dahil siya yung tinututukan ng mga tao ngayon, lalo na sa mga kabataan dahil napakagaling ng bata na to,’ he said.

‘So napakalaking tulong sa kaniya itong exposure na ganito para mag-improve pa lalo yung game niya pero napakagaling ng bata na ito, hindi ako nag-aalala sa kaniya,’ he added.

Bustamante, though, underscored that he would defeat Manas if his 19-year-old self faced off against the prodigy.

‘Magaling na ko nun kasi nung araw naman kasi, puro pustahan lang e wala namang tournaments. Ngayon na lang dumarating yung mga tournaments. Compare mo ako kay AJ, talo ko siya nung araw na kasing edad ko siya,’ he said.

‘Mas malakas ang loob ko kasi nung bata ako, kahit saan ako pumunta dala ko yung tako ko at hindi ako nahihiya kahit kanino.’

WNT Nineball No. 1 Fedor Gorst and No. 17 Jayson Shaw seemingly tried to target Manas during the press conference, saying the youngster will ‘feel the heat’ in the competition.

But Manas, while admitting pressure, voiced readiness to clash with some of the best.

‘Siyempre po, nape-pressure ako kasi first time kong makasali sa ganitong event, lalo na reyes cup na dito gaganapin sa Pilipinas. Masaya ako na nakasama ako sa Team Asia, so gagawin ko yung lahat ng makakaya ko,’ he said.

‘Oo naman kasi magagaling din yung mga kalaban natin, so kailangan nating pag-igihan. Pakita natin kung gaano kalakas yung Team Asia,’ he added.

Manas also relished the opportunity to learn from the legends.

‘Napakalaking impact para sa akin kasi yung mga kasama ko, legend na e. Yung iba marami nang world title, so kailangan mabigyan nila ako ng tips or mga hindi ko alam na tira pero gagawin natin lahat.’

The Reyes Cup will run from October 16-19.

The local stock market gathered further steam, buoyed once again by bargain hunters capitalizing on cheap prices.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) improved by 0.29 percent or 17.88 points to close at 6,094.10, extending its winning streak to three.

The broader All Shares Index also inched up by 0.06 percent or 2.25 points, settling at 3,670.88.

‘The PSEi continued to correct slightly higher for the third straight trading day amid some bargain-hunting activities,’ Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said.

AP Securities said the market continued to track higher, but trimmed its gains after profit taking kicked in when the index touched an intraday high around 6,100.

‘The PSEi extended its gains as market sentiment turned positive, supported by the peso holding its ground against the greenback, nearing the 57 mark. Moreover, bargain hunting continued to be one of the key drivers of trading activity throughout the week,’ Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said.

Trading was strong with total value turnover rising to P7.9 billion from the previous day’s P6.17 billion.

Sectoral gauges were a mixed bag, with mining and oil posting the largest increase at 1.15 percent, while property suffered the biggest decline at 0.87 percent.

Market breadth, however, was negative as decliners edged out advancers, 107 to 95, while 56 issues were unchanged.

The session’s top traded stock was still ICTSI, which surged by 2.42 percent to P550 per share. It was followed URC which jumped by 1.05 percent to P77 and Manila Water which fell by 2.9 percent to P36.80.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has unveiled a new set of winter escapade packages designed for travelers seeking to trade freezing temperatures for the Philippines’ mild and inviting climate.

The packages, available from October 1 to December 31, spotlight Clark as the centerpiece of this seasonal offering.

With Korean stars Kim Myung Soo (popular actor-singer widely recognized for lead roles in Angel’s Last Mission: Love and Numbers, and formerly a member of INFINITE) and Choi Bo Min (actor-singer best known for A-Teen 2 and Shadow Beauty, and member of K-pop boy group Golden Child) helping curate and promote the campaign, TPB Philippines aims to tap into their massive fan base and the aspirational pull of Korean celebrity culture.

By showcasing the Philippines through the lens of these well-loved figures, Clark is positioned as a warm-weather alternative just a short flight away from many East Asian gateways. Its temperate conditions during the winter months make it an ideal hub for outdoor sports such as running, as well as for wellness retreats where visitors can relax and recharge.

Developed in collaboration with DOT-accredited operators, the packages curated with the Korean stars blend wellness, sport and culture.

Travelers can enjoy scenic runs and outdoor activities that showcase Clark’s open spaces and nature trails without the harsh winter chill; spa and wellness experiences, including the Philippines’ traditional hilot therapy designed to restore balance and vitality.

It also includes curated excursions to nearby heritage sites, beaches and natural destinations, ensuring a deeper cultural connection beyond the typical getaway.

‘In December, the Philippines-especially Clark and its nearby destinations-offers a milder climate where visitors can enjoy scenic running trails, wellness sanctuaries and cultural journeys that blend relaxation with discovery,’ said TPB Philippines Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

‘These winter escapade packages are designed to let travelers return home feeling recharged, inspired and connected. By spotlighting the country through the journeys of Choi Bo Min and Kim Myung Soo, we inspire their fans and followers to consider the Philippines as their next winter destination.’

K-pop has evolved into a global phenomenon with a loyal following that transcends borders, and together the two Hallyu idols command close to 2.5 million Instagram followers with a combined reach of nearly 3 million.

As both celebrities promote their firsthand experience of the Philippines, TPB seeks to convert this worldwide fandom into concrete travel demand.

The campaign is strategically positioned to encourage travelers from colder climates to consider itineraries that reflect Bo Min and Myung Soo’s activities, thereby supporting increased arrivals and reinforcing the Philippines’ appeal as a year-round destination of choice for international travelers.

“The Department of Tourism continually enhances our tourism offerings to captivate the Korean market, focusing on experiences that resonate deeply with Korean travelers. Our packages emphasize golf tourism, with world-class courses set against stunning backdrops, as well as educational tourism opportunities that showcase the Philippines as a hub for learning and cultural exchange,’ enthused Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

‘Additionally, the vibrant dive sites provide an unparalleled underwater adventure. We are committed to providing diverse and enriching experiences that highlight the Philippines as a premier destination for Korean tourists,’ Frasco added.

With direct flights linking Clark, Manila, Davao and Cebu to major cities across Asia, and with accredited tour operators offering curated itineraries, the Philippines stands ready to welcome more travelers looking for warmth, wellness and adventure this winter.

By now, it should be obvious to anyone but the dense, legally and mentally, that the decision for the so-called Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to hold hearings behind closed doors has been a mistake.

And the three-person ICI will pay dearly for it – in terms of credibility, acceptability of its decisions and in the popular outrage ICI will trigger in case the public does not perceive its recommendations for prosecution are the most guilty.

In the public mind, fairly or rightly, the most guilty are: former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate president Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero (both for their leadership roles in Congress which they converted into a colossal criminal syndicate); former House appropriations committee chair Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co (for running away with P86 billion of taxpayers’ money); DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza (for being the top DPWH leaders in facilitating the P1-trillion flood-gate scam) and contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya for running away with P207 billion of taxpayers’ money.

In banking, you can parlay or lend a P207-billion cash deposit six to seven times, or a gearing ratio equivalent to P1.242 trillion to P1.449 trillion.

The Discayas are trillionaires by any measure – unlike one self-made Filipino billionaire who had to bribe a complicit assessor to inflate his assets to over one trillion just so he could declare himself a trillionaire.

The Discayas’ trillions make them bigger than the 11th to 40th biggest Philippine banks in terms of assets or resources, or bigger than 75 percent of all our banks. Only 10 Philippine banks have P1 trillion in assets. The Discayas are also bigger than all the 41 thrift or savings banks in the Philippines.

I ask ICI: Can you build a case of thievery against a trillionaire? Nah.

If any or all of the most guilty people are let go in terms of being given deals like witness protection (meaning immunity from suit or penalty), restitution in whole or in part of their stolen wealth, the political equivalent of a reprimand, or any kind of deal that looks like a slap on the wrist – people will be outraged to the hilt. People will suffer from haemolacria, crying for blood.

In Asia, death is imposed for corruption in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. In ASEAN, death penalty for corruption is de rigueur or the norm or standard. Here in the Philippines, the penalty for corruption is – due process. Ask the Supreme Court or the Senate under Chiz Escudero.

Based on the latest Sept. 25-30, 2025 survey of OCTA Research, a clear majority of the 1,200 respondents (60 percent) of Filipinos are outraged and frustrated over corruption in government infrastructure projects, particularly flood control.

Another 30 percent expressed fear or anxiety, reflecting concern about the impact of corruption on government performance and service delivery. Also, nine percent reported feelings of sadness or disappointment.

Filipinos want any or all of the following to result from the investigations:

Holding corrupt officials and contractors accountable (68 percent);

Recovery of lost or misused public funds (58 percent);

Imprisonment of those proven guilty (58 percent);

Ensuring efficient implementation of quality flood control projects (41 percent);

Strengthening transparency and monitoring of government infrastructure projects (34 percent).

About 83 percent back President BBM’s opening the flood-gate of corruption. But they want strong accountability measures, the prosecution and imprisonment of those proven guilty, recovery of stolen funds and genuine institutional reforms to ensure that future infrastructure projects are transparent, efficient and corruption-free.

Only 46 percent believe that an independent commission of credible individuals from the private sector – such as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) – is the most suitable body to lead the investigation into the flood control scandal.

This finding, says OCTA, reflects a strong public preference for a credible, impartial and nonpolitical inquiry into corruption allegations. ICI enjoys high trust levels in the National Capital Region (60 percent) and among Class ABC (63 percent).

The Senate ranks second, with 23 percent of adult Filipinos identifying it as the most appropriate institution to lead the probe.

OCTA says the strong support for an external, integrity-based commission underscores the public’s skepticism toward political institutions and highlights the need for new, transparent mechanisms of accountability that can restore public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman and president Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) warned the nation’s top financial executives (FINEX) Oct. 10, worsening corruption in government could stall economic growth, shatter investor trust and risk downgrading the country’s credit rating.

‘Investor confidence could get affected. I think they’re slowly getting affected by this particular event. Perhaps even credit ratings, too, could be at risk if the institution’s responses are seen to be inadequate,’ MVP, himself a top finance man, said.

‘When cash of the magnitude of budget insertions – they say as much as P1 trillion – are taken out of the pockets of the many who are poor and diverted to the wallets of the few, the economy will indeed suffer, as the stock exchange has indeed suffered these past three weeks,’ he warned.

The stock market has shed 1.5 to 1.8 percent of its market value in recent weeks.

In credit ratings, per Standard and Poor’s rates, the Philippines at BBB+ with a positive outlook – a step away from the coveted ‘A’ grade. Pangilinan frets that complacency and weak institutional action could easily reverse that progress.

‘It isn’t just about catching crooks,’ MVP said. ‘It’s filling the gaps with financial experts with the competence and integrity. Corruption survives not because bad people are smart, but because good people are absent.’

‘The public is now increasingly aware that the presence of ethical attributes – or their absence – impacts businesses and the economy seriously,’ said MVP.

Roberto ‘Bobby’ Alvarez Jr. recently invited a few friends to a soft opening of the Novel Hotel in Taguig, next to the Korean Embassy and near McKinley Hills in BGC.

Bobby hosted two tables at the Mentor Restaurant. It was his idea to include several floors of hotel together with the condominiums and he invented the name, Novel Hotel.

Congratulations, Bobby, on your new project as a contractor!

Bobby said it would be an affordable four-star hotel for balikbayans. It’s a hotel that truly provides value for money – only P3,500 per room.

There was a huge bouquet of red roses to welcome us at the entrance, from Consul Helen Ong.

What started as a dream for the Flyff community has now become one of the biggest annual esports and community celebrations in the Philippines. The Flyff World Championship (FWC) has grown into a global stage where guilds fight for honor, rewards and pride-not just in the game, but as part of a passionate worldwide community.

Last year’s FWC 2024 Grand Final at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall was a true testament to this passion. Thousands of Filipino fans lined up around the venue, cheering for their favorite guilds as Team Astral and other contenders clashed in unforgettable battles.

This year, the legacy continues. FWC 2025 is set to happen on October 18, at Ayala Malls By the Bay in Manila, with an even bigger stage, a prize pool of over US$110,000 (P6.3 million), and a stronger lineup of competitors.

Just before the clash for glory begins, the stage will ignite with an electrifying performance by KAIA, setting the perfect hype for the ultimate showdown!

FWC 2025 Manila’s event highlights

Gala Lab (CEO Kim Hyunsu), developer of the HTML5 MMORPG Flyff Universe, Wemade Connect (CEO Lee Hodae), the publisher, and local channel/marketing partner PlayPark (Quach Dong Quang) announced that the Flyff Universe World Championship (FWC) 2025 Grand Final will be held on Saturday, October 18, at Ayala Malls By the Bay in Manila. The tournament has expanded to 10 teams.

Key highlights also include upgraded on-site experience, official merchandise store, giveaway events and sponsor activation booths; special stage performance by popular P-Pop group KAIA; and limited-edition gifts for VIPs, early-bird and first-come ticket holders

This year’s Grand Final kicks off with the pre-party on October 17, giving fans a chance to directly engage with the developers through talks and Q and A sessions for a deeper look into the game.

Lee Hodae, CEO of Wemade Connect, commented: ‘We’ve prepared an even more thrilling tournament, stage production, broadcast, and fan activities compared to last year. Our goal is to create a global-local festival that both local fans and global viewers can enjoy together.’

Vice President Sara Duterte claims to have proof that President Marcos wants to stay in power beyond 2028 when his term ends.

‘It’s not an allegation. There is evidence to that,’ Duterte said in a chance interview in Zamboanga City yesterday.

Duterte recalled that during her conversation with Marcos and his sister Sen. Imee Marcos in 2023, the President admitted that he knew about the movement on Charter change.

‘It was in 2023, before he left for the United States, when I was still in the Department of Education. When the impeachment first came out, in October 2023… I confronted him, and that discussion reached the Charter change,’ Duterte said.

She noted that there was even an argument between the siblings.

‘I don’t know why it reached there, I don’t remember. The three of us talked and they already argued on the Charter change. I asked him, ‘why are you letting the House of Representatives push for the impeachment when I’m not doing anything?’ ‘ Duterte recalled.

The Vice President accused Marcos of following the steps of his late father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

‘Did you see his father? How many years was that? 20 years..Look at his DNA, that he does not want to leave his post,’ Duterte added.

She said the allies of Marcos first pushed for the people’s initiative of amending the 1987 Constitution.

‘First of all, their failed people’s initiative in amending the Constitution. Secondly, this Congress, when they assumed their post, they immediately said that their priority is the Charter change. It’s in the paper,’ Duterte stressed.

Duterte said the allies of Marcos are using the need to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution in pushing for Charter change.

‘Their cover story is economic provisions, right?… But the truth is, it’s term extension,’ she added.

‘No going back’

Asked about the status of her father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President said she has no plans to seek help from President Marcos to secure the ex-leader’s release.

‘I will not talk to BBM for the former president Duterte because to me, what they did was kidnapping a Filipino inside our country. There’s no going back to that. It’s his job in a sense that he approved it, that he shouldn’t have done it as a President. Whatever the legal problem of the former president Duterte now, it’s a problem for him and, of course, for our family because he’s our father,’ Duterte said.

She distanced herself from the previous pronouncement of Nicholas Kaufman, her father’s lead counsel, who wanted to meet with Marcos to negotiate the release of his client.

‘For me, to go to him (Marcos) and request him on behalf of former president Duterte, no. Because there’s no going back on what they did, of rendition,’ Duterte added.

She refused to disclose the country that agreed to accept the former president in case interim release is approved.

‘I can’t say what country it is because first of all, it’s not allowed by the ICC (International Criminal Court), and if I say what continent it is, people might speculate,’ she said.

She also noted that their family is already prepared for a worst-case scenario that their father will have to spend Christmas behind bars.

‘House has no moral ascendancy’

Reacting to lawmakers’ warning to cut the Office of the Vice President’s budget for 2026 because of her absence during budget hearings, she said the House should stop acting like a parent trying to discipline her.

‘In reality, we call these lawmakers crocodiles, right? That’s the general perception for all members of the House of Representatives. They have no moral ascendancy over the Office of the Vice President,’ she said.

‘Our expectation is a reduced budget of the Office of the Vice President because I said at the time, it’s the same administration, it’s the same speaker of the House of Representatives and it’s the same set of characters. So at that point, I was right in what I said last August,’ Duterte added.

When Donald Trump lands in South Korea later this month for the APEC summit, he will find the ground has significantly shifted. The shifting has been helped along by his own slapstick trade policies.

Trump has been treating America’s allies badly. The Americans have been complacent. They thought the US will continue to be the dominant player in Asia forever. They are in for a rude surprise.

We all know about how Trump treated India badly. That encouraged the world’s most populous country to rebuild its relations with China and Russia – fellow members in the emergent BRICS economic bloc. Prime Minister Modi was highly visible in last month’s parades in Beijing.

One European publication broke the news that Trump has been trying to get hold of Modi by phone. But the Indian leader would not take his call. In the summit on Gaza held a few days ago, Modi was noticeably absent. India sent a low-level minister to the gathering.

Last week, probably carried away by his own braggadocio, Trump announced he will be imposing a 100 percent tariff on China on top of existing ones in retaliation for new export controls imposed by Beijing. The New York stock exchange dropped sharply in response to the news.

Over the past few days, Trump has been trying to play down his new tariff threat. He had just ordered about $20 billion in subsidies for American farmers hit hard by his badly conceived trade war.

Since Trump initiated his insane trade war, China has not bought a single soy bean from American farms. The second most populous country shifted its importation of soy beans to Brazil and other countries that have been quietly preparing to supply the huge Chinese market in anticipation of America’s trade policy going awry.

China likewise shifted its beef importation to Australia. Because the Chinese market has suddenly become unavailable, American farmers are facing bankruptcy.

A couple of weeks ago, Japan’s prime minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned as a response to his political party’s electoral losses. The ruling LDP promptly chose 64-year-old Sanae Takaichi as the party’s new leader.

Apart from losing seats in the recent elections to the two chambers of Japan’s parliament, the LDP also saw its long-time partner, Komeito Party, leave the coalition. But as soon as it is able to muster a majority, Takaichi will be prime minister.

Takaichi will be the first female Japanese prime minister. She is seen as a protege of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. She represents the hard right in Japanese politics and has taken a tough stance on loosening immigration restrictions in a country whose population is aging rapidly.

Washington might have been reassured by the political rise of a hardline Japanese politician. But Takaichi, an admirer of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, is not about to be a Japanese version of Trump.

The Americans expected Takaichi to be a firm ally against China. But that was not to be. In her first press conference, Japan’s prime minister in waiting denounced Trump’s tariff pressures on China. She described Trump’s trade war as the most dangerous policy in this century.

Since she assumed her party’s leadership, Takaichi has been meeting with Japan’s industrial leaders. All of them thought that Japan’s industrial base will not survive Trump’s trade war. Listening intently to the captains of industry, Takaichi pronounced what some analysts are now describing to be Japan’s most dramatic policy shift since the end of World War II: the only way to save her country’s industrial might is to align with China.

China is, after all, Japan’s largest export market. Her industries rely on supply chains that run deep in China’s economy. Choosing China over the US is a most pragmatic choice.

In addition to standing by China against Trump’s insane tariff impositions, Takaichi is now proposing that China, Japan and South Korea form some sort of currency union to enhance regional trade and reduce dependence on the US dollar. This proposal seems to fit in with the BRICS’s long-term goal of establishing an alternative trading currency.

This will be a huge blow to the US currency. It is in peril of losing its status as the world’s reserve currency.

Trump has done his work in undermining the dollar. By interfering with the decisions of the US Fed, he threatens to politicize monetary policy decisions. This will torpedo international faith in the dollar – with all the unhealthy repercussions this brings to US economic performance.

The Trump administration responded to Takaichi’s dramatic policy shift with expected characteristic vitriol. They described Takaichi’s shift a stab in the back of an ally – strange words for a presidency that has been bullying Japan without regard for her strategic interests.

Trump’s minions are now threatening to pull out the US defense umbrella from Japan – and possibly, South Korea if Seoul goes along with Tokyo’s rethinking of the region’s strategic interests. That might be a hollow threat if China, Japan and South Korea get together as a unified trading alliance.

The ‘threat’ from China is, after all, an American invention to continue to subjugate her Asian ‘allies.’ Japan’s rethinking of her strategic options, as articulated by Takaichi, has been strongly supported by the Japanese people as recent polls show.

The bold rethinking going on in our neighborhood will leave the Philippines even more isolated.