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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended until the end of October the deadlines for tax filings, payments and submissions for taxpayers in Cebu.

The announcement followed last week’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake that left at least 70 dead and more than 200 injured and caused destruction across the province.

Under Revenue Memorandum Circular 88-2025, Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the extension covers all taxpayers and BIR personnel under the following revenue district offices:

80, Mandaue City

81, Cebu City North

82, Cebu City South

83, Talisay City

23, Large Taxpayers Division – Cebu

These include their authorized agent banks.

All deadlines falling within October 2025 will now be moved to October 31.

‘This extension allows our taxpayers sufficient time to comply with their tax obligations without adding to the burdens caused by the calamity,’ Lumagui said.

‘This reaffirms our commitment to responsive, compassionate, and excellent taxpayer service, especially during times of crisis,’ he added.

Minimum wage earners in Calabarzon are entitled to get the first tranche of their mandated salary hike starting yesterday, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

The NWPC said the Calabarzon wage board approved an increase in two tranches, with the second to be given on April 1, 2026.

Under the new wage order, non-agricultural workers in the region will receive an increase of P30 to P100 while agricultural workers will get P25 to P100.

Retail and service workers will get an increase of P83 in their daily pay.

However, retail and service establishments that are regularly employing no more than 10 workers will give an increase of only P60 for the first tranche and P23 for the second tranche.

In the world of financing, transactions often take center stage. But for Global Dominion, success is defined by its impact on people’s lives. Guided by the belief that real progress is built on service and growth, the company has become a trusted partner for Filipinos nationwide.

From the moment a client walks into a branch or speaks to a Customer Service Representative, Global Dominion strives to deliver a level of malasakit that goes beyond traditional financing. Every interaction is rooted in care, ensuring that customers feel heard, valued and supported. This service-first culture has helped turn dreams of car ownership, business expansion and family security into reality, proof that #PwedePala.

The company’s impact is best reflected in the numbers. From January to July 2025, Global Dominion released almost 17,000 accounts nationwide through its expanding network of 150 branches and counting, with approved loans amounting to P6.85 billion. Behind these figures are stories of opportunities unlocked, businesses strengthened and families empowered.

Beyond serving clients, Global Dominion invests in its people. Programs such as Sales Ninja equip employees with modern selling skills and effective strategies, helping sales professionals achieve measurable results in today’s competitive market.

Leadership development is also prioritized through Leaderology 1 (Foundations of Leadership), which builds self-leadership and credibility, and Leaderology 2 (Leading Others Effectively), which develops emotional intelligence, communication and coaching skills. Together, these initiatives ensure that leaders are prepared not only to manage tasks but to inspire and empower teams.

The company also nurtures strong partnerships with dealers, loan consultants and communities across the Philippines. These collaborations reflect the essence of #KaPartnerMosaPagAngat, the belief that true progress is best achieved together. Whether through innovative financing solutions, recognition events or collaborative programs, Global Dominion works hand-in-hand with its stakeholders to drive shared success.

Looking ahead, Global Dominion continues to pursue its vision to simplify financing. With digital innovations and nationwide accessibility at the forefront, the company remains committed to making financing easy, transparent and within reach for every Filipino.

At Global Dominion, service and growth go hand in hand, proving one thing: #PwedePala when you have the right #KaPartnerMoSaPagAngat.

The national government’s debt service ballooned to more than P600 billion in August, driven by a surge in domestic amortization payments that the administration shelled out during the period.

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the government increased its debt payments in August, as it paid P664.72 billion in obligations from P186.22 billion in the same month last year.

About 90.5 percent of the debt service pile consisted of amortization payments at P601.61 billion in August, which was 4.5 times the P133.44 billion in August 2024.

Domestic payments accounted for a significant portion of amortization payments at P597.88 billion, rising by from last year’s P122.03 billion.

On the other hand, external amortization payments for August declined by 67.3 percent to P3.73 billion from P11.4 billion in the same month the previous year.

Amortization spending covers repayment of the loan’s principal, essentially reducing the government’s debt.

Furthermore, the remaining 9.5 percent of the debt service pile in August was allocated to interest payments, amounting to P63.1 billion. This means that the national government had shelled out nearly 20 percent higher than last year’s level of P52.78 billion.

Interest payments cover the government’s borrowing costs, ensuring the timely fulfillment of obligations and maintaining trust with domestic and foreign lenders.

Divided into segments, the government issued P24.85 billion in fixed-rate Treasury bonds (T-bonds), P16.87 billion in retail T-bonds and P4.62 billion in Treasury bills (T-bills) for August.

The Treasury conducts weekly auctions of government securities to raise funds, which are used to support vital public services, infrastructure and development projects that benefit communities in the country.

Short-term T-bills mature in 91, 182, or 364 days, offering quick returns, while long-term T-bonds extend beyond 20 years, ensuring steady funding for government financing needs.

For the eight-month period, the government’s total debt service slipped to P1.54 trillion from P1.55 trillion in the same period last year.

Latest Treasury data showed that the national government’s outstanding debt slightly declined to P17.47 trillion as of the end of August from a record P17.56 trillion as of the end of July.

While the government debt declined, it is P120 billion above the 2025 ceiling of P17.35 trillion.

For the last quarter, the national government will borrow P437 billion through short-term bills and long-term bonds.

A Swiss man convicted of possessing and distributing child abuse materials has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Heinz Arbenz, 66, is suspected of visiting Southeast Asian countries to victimize children after escaping criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

Immigration agents intercepted Arbenz on Sept. 29 as he attempted to depart for Bangkok.

Arbenz reportedly stayed in the Philippines for over three weeks.

New charges were filed against him last year following his convictions in 2017 and 2021.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado denounced the presence of another foreign predator in the country.

Arbenz is being held at the Bureau of Immigration detention facility in Taguig pending deportation.

The top priority for National Power Corp. (Napocor)’s new top official is to slash costly diesel reliance in off-grid areas, signaling a stronger push toward renewable energy (RE).

‘The instruction is to decrease dependence on diesel fuel because diesel power plants are basically the majority of the Napocor generation facilities,’ Napocor president and CEO Jericho Nograles said in an interview.

Nograles, who took office just last month, said diesel-fired facilities remain the ‘most expensive’ power plants to operate for the state-run firm.

He said diesel-generated electricity costs about P30 per kilowatt-hour on average, but consumers pay only around P7 per kWh, leaving the government to shoulder the heavy subsidy gap.

Given this, Nograles said Napocor is now focused on accelerating the rollout of new RE assets by overhauling its previously slow-moving strategy.

‘We’re reviewing that (RE rollout), and we’re getting better leads nowadays. Let’s hope that you will see the results within six months,’ Nograles said.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, Napocor is mandated to provide electricity and associated power delivery systems to areas and communities not connected to the main grid.

It currently operates over 200 power plants and manages the transmission systems of several island provinces, including Palawan, Catanduanes, Masbate, Marinduque and Mindoro.

According to Nograles, Napocor is working closely with the Department of Energy to deploy new technologies aimed at reducing diesel consumption in off-grid areas.

‘We’re looking at islands. We’re looking at geographically isolated areas. And for those that are within the Napocor territories, within our 168 islands, we will fix their cost of electricity,’ Nograles said.

Two people died and two others were injured in separate vehicular accidents in Quezon on Saturday.

The Pagbilao town police said an unidentified man died after the truck he drove from Davao to deliver mangoes to Manila lost its brakes and rammed an electric post before plunging into a creek in Barangay Silangang Malicboy.

The Pagbilao rescue team rushed his truck helper to Quezon Medical Center for treatment.

In Barangay Sta. Catalina Sur in Candelaria town, police said a motorcycle rider suffered fatal head injuries after colliding head-on with a utility van.

Police said the van swerved to the opposite lane when the incident happened. The van driver was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, saying he has sensed some of his colleagues in the majority bloc no longer agree with how he has handled the committee’s investigations.

Lacson, whose leadership of the Blue Ribbon committee led to the implication of senators and government officials in the flood control corruption scandal, said he was drafting a letter of resignation to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, although he intended to first announce his decision on the Senate floor before the session adjourns for recess.

‘All committee chairpersons, whether in the Senate or in the House, we serve at the pleasure of our peers, particularly the members of our majority bloc,’ Lacson said yesterday in an interview over radio dzBB.

‘When my peers already lack faith in me, especially when a majority of them are unhappy over how the Blue Ribbon is being handled, maybe stepping down is an option,’ he added.

He said he has heard expressions of disappointment from majority senators such as JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian, which prompted him to reflect on whether it was time to yield his post.

Ejercito had earlier said he and four other members of the majority have started mulling over leaving the bloc, citing how senators are ‘burning down our own house’ by focusing on the alleged involvement of its members in flood control corruption while neglecting accountability for members of the House of

Representatives.

He issued the statement after Lacson revealed in interviews that almost all senators of the 19th Congress had questionable insertions into the 2025 national budget.

Gatchalian, meanwhile, voiced his wishes to leave the investigation of the flood control corruption scandal to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying ‘political agenda’ has tainted the Senate’s own probe.

Despite these, Lacson believes he has handled the hearings properly, though perceptions have been colored by frequent disruptions at the start of proceedings.

He also denied claims that the inquiry was selectively targeting certain senators – including former Senate president Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva – while sparing other figures linked to the alleged ‘architects’ of the controversy in the House of Representatives.

Lacson also addressed criticisms that his comments on the P100-billion budget insertions were dividing the chamber, saying his remarks were not meant to ‘burn the house down’ but to wake the Senate to public anger over questionable allocations.

‘I did not say the insertions were illegal. What’s wrong is if you inserted projects in the amendments, meddled with the implementation and earned a commission – that’s what’s wrong,’ he explained, saying he himself would introduce insertions into the budget of the Anti-Money Laundering Council due to its insufficient funding.

Lacson said he also took offense at remarks of some senators who insinuated to his face that he was grandstanding to build political capital, saying his fresh term would be his last.

‘I don’t have any political ambition or plan after 2031,’ he said.

Asked about the possibility of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta taking back the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon panel if he steps down, Lacson said he would respect the decision of his peers.

Sotto’s leadership

Lacson said his respect and support for Sotto’s Senate presidency remain intact, stressing that his leadership has been marked by consensus and stability.

‘He governs smoothly, there is consensus, he does not dictate, he does not decide by himself,’ Lacson said. ‘If you will ask me, I will continue to support him.’

He also credited Sotto for reforms in the ongoing budget process, including the agreement not to certify the appropriations bill as urgent and to allow senators at least three days to review the budget between second and third readings – a move Lacson said promotes transparency.

Senate coup

Lacson also rejected talk of an alleged Senate coup to replace Sotto with Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

‘It’s the same old rehashed psy war tactic all over again intended to confuse and sow intrigue among the members of the majority,’ Lacson said in a message to reporters yesterday.

He said the rumor had nothing to do with his decision to resign as Blue Ribbon chair.

‘All I can say is – I can handle all the pressure. It’s frustration that’s hard to bear,’ he said.

‘Rest assured, there’s no waver ing in my advocacy against the corrupt and rotten system, particu larly the misuse and abuse of public funds,’ he added.

‘Turning point’

For House committee on public accounts chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, Lacson’s exit ‘leaves a significant vacuum in the fight for accountability in public infrastructure spending.’

Ridon highlighted that under Lacson’s stewardship, the Blue Ribbon committee has uncovered a broad conspiracy involving multiple layers of government and the private sector.

‘His leadership of the panel has yielded the most consequential testimonies and evidence among all proceedings,’ Ridon said.

Key admissions from individuals such as Henry Alcantara and Roberto Bernardo before the Senate panel were instrumental in exposing a complex network of corruption, Ridon noted.

These testimonies built upon earlier confessions from Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza at the House infrastructure committee, pointing to collusion among contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways officials, lawmakers, and even members of the executive branch.

With Lacson’s departure, Ridon called on the ICI to ramp up its efforts. ‘This should now compel the Independent Commission to conduct a broad, unrelenting and open sweep of all individuals named in both Senate and House hearings,’ he said, urging that accountability must not be derailed by the senator’s exit.

World Chess Olympiad veteran Idel Datu delivered a vintage performance and topped the inaugural Daily Fantasy Chess Grand Prix held on lichess.org over the weekend.

The 53-year-old Datu won his first six games including the sixth and penultimate-round upset over Grandmaster Darwin Laylo before splitting the point with Homer Cunanan in the final round to rule the one-day event with 6.5 points.

Cunanan finished second with six points while Laylo wound up third with 5.5 points while earning 48, 47 and 46 grand prix points, respectively, of this first of a 10-leg series.

The top 100 players after 10 stages will then qualify to the grand finale set January 11 next year.

Ronald Dableo, who is rating points away from breaching the 2500-mark and snaring the GM title, wound up at No. 4 with five points while FIDE Masters Noel dela Cruz and Arden Reyes, Mark Gerald Reyes, Eric Mordido, Stephen Manzanero, Jr. and Jake Tumaliuan rounding out the top 10.

Greenfield District Chess Club is organizing the event and is supported by Daily Fantasy, a sports fantasy app that emphasizes the importance of strategy in every battle.

Registration is free and participants only need to sign up with Daily Fantasy and use the code CHESS100.

An outpouring of support has flooded Northern Cebu after the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake, but the sheer volume of donations transported to affected areas is creating a new crisis: crippling traffic gridlock, and increasing threat of geological instability.

Due to the heavy traffic going to Northern Cebu, the Cebu Provincial Government, together with the Danao City Government, is urging all donors and volunteer groups to deliver their donations through the established donation hub in Danao City instead of going directly to the affected areas.

This hub was established to help decongest the roads, consolidate all donations, and ensure a faster and more organized distribution of aid to the areas affected by the earthquake. Vehicles heading north were also urged to turn back and drop off their donations in Danao City instead.

Over the weekend, travel to the affected areas took up to 10 hours, further delaying the delivery of relief assistance.

As aid continues to arrive in large volumes to northern Cebu, Liza Socorro Manzano, a retired chief geologist from the Lands Geological Survey Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s central office, has raised concerns. She warned that the increasing weight of vehicles on the already fragile roads could lead to collapses and sinkhole formations.

Manzano’s concerns are amplified by the caution she made earlier about post-quake sinkholes, making her latest warning particularly urgent.

Hours before the hub was established in Danao City, the Cebu Provincial Government reported that donors had begun to drop off relief goods and essential items at the Provincial Donation Hub. This hub, located at the City Boardwalk near the port serving the Camotes route, aims to decongest roads, streamline distribution, and speed up delivery of aid to quake-hit towns.

However, the influx of donations resulted in hours-long traffic jams, hindering the delivery of aid to those who need it most and potentially weakening compromised road structures.

Manzano explained in brief via social media that the weight of these heavy vehicles is causing subsidence, where the ground compacts and sinks.

“Ang trak trak na donasyon paingon sa Northern Cebu dako kaayo na katabang, pero makabalaka kay modugang sa peligro ug disgrasya … Ang mga dalan kay apil man sa naapektuhan sa linog ug naay posibilidad na mahugno,” Manzano cautioned, suggesting alternative transport ways, such as via air or RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels to alleviate pressure on roadways.

She stressed the importance of prioritizing access for emergency responders and geologists assessing the ongoing risks.

The Capitol assured the public that the initiative aims to dispel concerns about donations being left idle. Items received at the provincial hub in Danao will be promptly loaded onto dump trucks and container vans for immediate delivery to the affected towns.

The Capitol said that using the large-capacity vehicles makes the operation more practical and efficient, capable in transporting far more goods than private cars. They added that this also eases the burden on individuals who might otherwise face long, traffic-congested trips to personally deliver their donations.

Authorities are urging donors to coordinate through official drop-off points, noting that the influx of private vehicles traveling north has caused heavy traffic, which in turn hampers relief and emergency operations.

Donations may also be dropped off at the Capitol Warehouse on M. Velez Street and the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu Gym (General Maxilom Avenue Campus), as well as through other government offices and reputable organizations with established logistical capacity.

‘In this way, we keep roads clear for essential services, and ready to respond to emergencies especially that aftershocks are still felt causing landslides and road collapses,’ the Capitol said.

Capitol Public Information Office head Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong assured the public that all relief goods delivered to the Provincial Hub in Danao City are immediately loaded onto trucks and dispatched to the affected towns. ‘It is the same situation and assurance for the relief dropped off at the Capitol Warehouse,’ she said.

However, she said that those who may be hesitant to entrust their donations to the government can instead coordinate with trusted non-government organizations (NGOs) or established private groups such as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Philippine Red Cross, Junior Chamber International (JCI), Lions Club International, Rotary International, Eagles Club, and the Council of Evangelical Churches.

Orong emphasized that while the generosity of donors is deeply appreciated and encouraged, the province is appealing for a more strategic and coordinated approach to ensure that well-intentioned efforts do not unintentionally cause further challenges.

Through a centralized system, she said, traffic congestion can be reduced, resources can be maximized, and assistance can be delivered more efficiently to those who need it most.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Central Visayas, under Regional Director Joel Erestain, is also pleading for a more organized approach to donation distribution.

Erestain is urging donors to coordinate with local government units or the Incident Management Team (IMT) in Bogo City to manage the flow of traffic and ensure aid reaches safely to all affected communities.

The Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) has issued a public advisory emphasizing the need for coordination.

“For an organized distribution of relief goods and to reach the areas most in need, we encourage the public to coordinate with the local government units affected, or directly coordinate with the Incident Management Team (IMT),” the advisory states, highlighting the strain the uncoordinated influx is placing on local infrastructure.

Erestain also warned against spontaneous roadside distributions, which exacerbate traffic congestion and create potential safety hazards.

“Nakikiusap tayo. May nakikita ako na mga truck, biglang titigil sa gitna ng daan–namimigay. Sana ayusin na lang natin… Delikado ‘yan,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a structured and safe distribution system.

For those seeking to coordinate donation efforts and help alleviate the traffic crisis, the IMT can be reached at 0926-327-6397.

DSWD FOOD PACKS DISTRIBUTION

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 Field has distributed a total of 158,150 family food packs (FFPs) as of 4 am yesterday (October 5) to assist quake-affected families.

The relief packs were distributed to the hardest-hit areas in northern Cebu, covering the municipalities of Bantayan, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan, as well as the City of Bogo.

Each family food pack contains two three-kilograms of vacuum-sealed rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna, two cans of sardines, and sachets of coffee and chocolate malt drink. These provisions are designed to supply the basic food needs of a family for two to three days while awaiting further assistance or recovery.

Nicasio Armamento, a farmer from Borbon, Cebu, said the family food packs he received are a big help, even if only a temporary relief to their situation.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, in a statement, said the immediate distribution of food packs demonstrates the department’s commitment to respond to the urgent needs of earthquake-affected families and to augment the efforts of the affected LGUs.

‘Our priority is to ensure that no family goes hungry during this difficult time. The deployment of food packs to Cebu communities is part of our intensified relief efforts as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,’ said Lucero

The food packs were prepositioned at the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, which continues to produce additional relief goods daily to sustain the needs of affected families.

In situations where cooking is not possible, such as during evacuations or in areas with limited access to fuel or water, DSWD also provides ready-to-eat food boxes to ensure that immediate nourishment is available to displaced families.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 has activated its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to coordinate closely with LGUs and ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of assistance to affected communities.

Aside from relief distribution, the DSWD has assured families of continued resource augmentation, including non-food items, financial assistance, and psychosocial support, as part of its comprehensive disaster response.

‘We stand with the people of Cebu as they recover from the devastation of the earthquake. The Department will continue to work closely with LGUs to ensure that timely assistance reaches every affected family,’ Lucero added. –