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The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) is proposing amendments to rules governing denied deposit insurance claims to ensure that the process of seeking reconsideration is ‘both fair and efficient’.

Among the key enhancements are the expanded coverage of the regulations to address a wider range of cases, the PDIC said in a statement on Monday.

The state deposit insurer is also pushing for refined procedures for the filing of requests for reconsideration (RFR) to make the process more accessible and user-friendly.

The PDIC is likewise proposing defined timelines within which requests must be resolved, ensuring prompt action on claims.

Lastly, the insurer wants a standardized RFR form that aligns with data privacy laws to protect sensitive depositor information.

Stakeholders have until Oct. 15 to submit their comments on the draft rules./tad

State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor), under fresh leadership, is ‘overhauling’ its strategy to cut dependence on costlier diesel fuel.

Jericho Jonas Nograles, the newly installed president and chief executive officer of Napocor, said he was working closely with the Department of Energy in exploring new technologies.

‘We’re trying to increase our renewable energy assets to decrease diesel dependence. And we are now currently overhauling the approach because the rollout is a bit slow,’ he told reporters last week.

‘Let’s hope that you will see the results within six months,’ Nograles said.

The Napocor CEO said he has initiated talks with the Western Mindanao Command to reach the farthest-flung islands.

Nograles said Napocor plans to deploy ‘hundreds of solar home systems’ to remote areas.

‘So, 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,’ he said.

Hybridization program

The Napocor chief also said he would push for the state firm’s hybridization program. That is, the private sector will be tapped to build renewable energy facilities to either augment or replace existing diesel-fired power plants.

‘But I can see that it has big obstacles. We’re fixing and studying what are the ways to remove those obstacles,’ he said. Nograles, however, declined to specify the issues.

Napocor’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) currently operates 281 power plants across 35 provinces.

SPUG provides electricity to areas not linked to the main transmission grid. They operate mostly diesel-fired generators.

Nograles also said the bulk of Napocor’s generation facilities are diesel power plants, which are ‘the most expensive that we have.’

He said that the average cost of electricity from diesel generators is about P30 per kilowatt hour (kWh). Of that cost, about P23 is subsidized by the government. -LISBET K. ESMAEL INQ

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday told foreign aid and loan providers that his administration will not tolerate the wastage of public funds, as his administration backs sweeping investigations into billions of pesos worth of corruption-tainted flood control projects.

The president made the guarantee as he announced major reforms to the guidelines for reviewing and approving foreign-assisted flagship programs and projects of the government.

‘We will not tolerate measurement without action, nor will we tolerate the wastage of public funds,’ Marcos said in his keynote address at the 2025 Philippine Development Forum in Mandaluyong City.

‘No money will be wasted. We will not allow the squandering of the nation’s coffers,’ he told the audience.

The president acknowledged ‘critical bottlenecks and systemic challenges’ that have long hindered the government and its development partners from optimally utilizing the Official Development Assistance (ODA).

According to the chief executive, the Economy and Development Council (ED Council), which he chairs, revised the guidelines of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) ‘to streamline the process, cut bureaucratic delays, and accelerate public service.’

The president said it was the ‘first comprehensive update in a decade’ to the ICC guidelines.

‘Be assured that we continue to listen to the concerns and recommendations of our development partners. We are determined to go further,’ Marcos noted.

The ICC is one of the eight inter-agency bodies comprising the ED Council co-chaired by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a statement issued by DEPDev, among the key changes in the guidelines include raising the cost threshold for locally funded programs and projects to P5 billion, and expanding ICC coverage to include PPP projects.

The guidelines also institutionalize the ICC’s mandatory review of all foreign loan-assisted projects, regardless of loan amount or total cost, while excluding grant-assisted projects, which are reviewed by DEPDev.

According to the department, the new guidelines were designed to ‘encourage the submission of well-prepared, strategically aligned proposals; and promote discipline among implementing agencies to ensure timely and effective project execution.’

‘As we work to ensure that every peso invested by the government delivers maximum value for Filipinos, streamlining the ICC process and clarifying its scope will make project evaluation more rigorous while minimizing delays,’ ED Council vice chair and DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

The department has yet to make public a copy of the revised guidelines of the ICC.

According to the president, the ED Council will also introduce measures to simplify the issuance of special authority, ‘to enable faster mobilization of assistance aligned with national priorities.’

The special presidential authority for government officials to negotiate and sign a foreign loan, guarantee or grant agreement is one of the three requisites for the approval of big-ticket projects funded by ODA loans.

The other two requirements are the ED Council approval and the Forward Obligational Authority by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Marcos made the commitment as he said that the Philippines is projecting itself to transition from lower-middle income to upper-middle-income status by next year.

When this happens, the country’s eligibility for certain ODA may be reduced or eliminated.

Marcos expressed the Philippines’ ‘readiness’ for this transition, but noted that this ‘demands a kind of partnership built on stronger alignment, shared goals and genuine national ownership.’

According to the ODA Portfolio Review Report of the DEPDev, loans and grants received by the Philippines for projects increased by six percent to $39.6 billion in 2024 from $37.3 billion in 2023.

The 2024 ODA portfolio is the highest in a decade, consisting of 92 project loans, 19 program loans and 315 grants.

Japan remained the country’s largest partner, with $13.2 billion in active commitments, supporting 82 loans and grants.

Other key partners include the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and South Korea.

Among the projects that benefited from these loan commitments were the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project Phase I, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, Metro Manila Subway Project, and Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.

After a one-year hiatus, Ironman 70.3 Davao is roaring back with its biggest edition yet-set to launch the 2026 global triathlon season on March 22, with a landmark fifth staging.

Dubbed the most ambitious and inclusive version to date, the event aims to raise the bar not only for triathlons in the Philippines but across the Asia-Pacific. With a world-class course and a festive atmosphere rooted in local culture, organizers hope to cement Davao’s standing as a marquee Ironman destination.

‘Ironman 70.3 Davao has evolved into more than just a race. It is a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural pride and community spirit,’ said Princess Galura, president and general manager of Sunrise Events Inc., the exclusive Ironman licensee in the country.

The event is expected to draw a strong international field, with participants lured by Davao’s scenic course and reputation for top-tier race execution. The swim kicks off in the calm waters of Talomo Bay, set against the backdrop of Mt. Apo, followed by a lightning-fast bike ride along the Davao City Coastal Road and a run course flanked by cheering locals.

For its fifth year, the race will carry the theme ‘Tribu Maisugon,’ a nod to the resilient and courageous Dabawenyo spirit.

Beyond the marquee race, this year’s edition will feature expanded side events aimed at increasing participation and community engagement. The Gwapa Dabawenya Run returns with three new categories-21km Pinakagwapa, 10km Mas Gwapa and 5km Gwapa Dabawenya-celebrating the strength and spirit of Dabawenya women.

Also debuting is a Sprint Distance Triathlon, tailored for newcomers and returning athletes seeking a shorter, more accessible race experience. For younger participants, the Ironkids Aquathlon will offer a fun, entry-level race in swim-run format-part of a long-term push to inspire the next generation of Filipino triathletes.

Registration is now open via ironman.com/im703-davao

A rice farmer from Nueva Ecija has maintained that what they need is higher buying prices for palay, not another wave of cash assistance, saying that the practice of providing aid makes it seem that they are beggars.

Farmer Danilo Bolos aired his view at the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on agriculture and food and the committee on ways and means on Monday regarding the rice importation moratorium.

Bolos said that they would not need the P7,000 cash aid pushed by House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III if the government is just addressing the extremely low buying prices for palay – ranging from P8 to P10 per kilogram.

According to the farmer, they are forced to dig into their savings or ask for loans since they have invested at least P14 to P15 per kilogram, only to have palay bought at low prices.

‘The speaker said earlier that they will give another aid worth P7,000. However, what happens is that we feel like beggars, because the aid is insufficient for us to make progress,’ Bolos said. ‘What is important for us is the price of palay – of our products – to increase so that our efforts would have value.’

‘Just think of it: Palay is sold at P8 up to P10 per kilo? But we invest around P14 to P15 per kilogram,’ he said.

‘Fertilizer is so expensive, inputs and pesticide. We cannot maximize income, so we have to borrow. Earnings are just around 3 percent for every month,’ Bolos told lawmakers.

The farmer said there needs to be a standard floor price for palay – or the lowest possible price at which palay can be purchased – or else several farmers would leave the agricultural industry within one to two years.

This means, Bolos said, farmlands may go to individuals who are not interested in farming.

‘This is the only way of living that we know, so I am appealing to the members of this chamber,’ he pleaded.

‘To you lawmakers, our lives are in your hands. If this scenario continues for one or two years, we have no choice but to leave. Our lands will go just go to anyone who will buy our lands,’ he lamented.

At the start of the hearing, Dy had said that at least one million rice farmers will get a P7,000 cash aid under the proposed 2026 national budget to ensure that the agricultural sector will thrive.

According to Dy, the Department of Agriculture (DA) needs to implement systems properly so that the country would not be reliant on importation.

After Bolos aired his sentiments, Dy told him and other farmers that they think highly of workers in the agricultural sector, and that the aid is just a manifestation of the government’s yearning to support farmers.

‘First of all, I apologize for these things. The aid is only out of the government’s yearning to address the needs of our farmers, but this does not mean that we think lowly of you,’ he said.

‘We regard you highly. We respect your efforts. If our hardworking farmers are not here, our country will not survive,’ he clarified.

‘You sacrifice a lot. Whatever your ill feelings are, whatever your resentments are, you are still there working hard and sacrificing for our people,’ he added.

Dy said that the House will work towards protecting farmers in the country.

‘Do not worry. We will do everything to ensure the welfare of each farmer here in our country is taken care of and protected,’ the speaker promised.

Agriculture panel chief and Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga also told Bolos that his request for amendments to Republic Act No. 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, which amended R.A. No. 8178, will be handled by the panel.

‘Sir Danilo, you can be assured that like what Speaker Bojie mentioned. We are one with the Department of Agriculture in addressing R.A. 11203, with the goal of helping you, making you happy working as farmers,’ Enverga said.

As early as June 23 – before the 19th Congress lawmakers ended their term – former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said that the chamber will focus on improving the capability of the the National Food Authority (NFA), so that the government can buy palay or rice grains at fair prices while selling them cheaper.

Romualdez eventually filed House Bill (HB) No. 1, or the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, which seeks to amend R.A.No. 8178.

Based on the copy of the measure released by Romualdez’s office, the bill seeks to strengthen the regulatory powers of the NFA ‘to support the rice industry and ensure consumer protection through adequate supply and stable price of rice.’

Earlier, in his speech, Dy said the RICE Act will be tackled by the House being a priority legislation of the chamber and the entire Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac).

In the 19th Congress, a proposal to amend the RTL was approved on third reading by the House of Representatives.

House Bill (HB) No. 10381 was approved last May 2024, with 231 lawmakers voting in the affirmative, three in the negative, and one abstaining.

However, the bill faced opposition in the Senate amid fears that giving back some of NFA’s mandates might lead to corruption again.

But according to Enverga, this would not happen as NFA will have a limited role in importation.

Police authorities here have identified one of the two gunmen who ambushed and killed a youth council chair and his brother over the weekend in the city’s commercial district.

‘The PNP has identified and is actively investigating a person of interest who may have a direct link to the crime,’ City Police Director Col. Jibin Bongcayao said in a statement Monday.

Bongcayao withheld the suspect’s name but confirmed that a follow-up investigation is underway, backed by CCTV footage from business establishments and city government street cameras.

The victims, Prince Mohaz Matanog (Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson of Barangay Poblacion 5) and his brother, Muamar Matanog, were on board a car traversing Sinsuat Avenue at about 10 a.m. Saturday, when two men on a motorbike opened fire. Both victims were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bongcayao said one of the police personnel who first responded to the ambush was injured when the suspects traded shots with lawmen. One of the two gunmen was also hit in the back and is now the subject of a massive manhunt.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao has offered a PHP500,000 cash reward for any credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible

The last few years have been a true revelation for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. After two decades of consistently delivering the kind of feel-good, crowd-pleasing action and family films that have made him an A-list actor in Hollywood, the man has decided to show the world another side of his immense talent. With his new film, The Smashing Machine, it appears the most electrifying man in all of entertainment is finally ready to show us what he can really do.

I’ve been writing about The Rock’s transition from the squared circle to the big screen for a while now. From his role as the titular anti-hero in DCEU’s ‘Black Adam’ to his part in the ever-expanding ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise that seems like it will never end, it’s clear that his charisma, physique, and sheer star power has been a winning formula for all major Hollywood movies, making it clear that the stigma of wrestlers being unable to act is a thing of the past. It is because of him that the stigma gradually disappeared because of all the movies that The Rock has been a part of.

But let’s be honest: while his presence was always magnetic, most would even say electrifying. Haha. The roles themselves rarely stretched his acting abilities. They were popcorn flicks, and there’s nothing wrong with that. A cinematic landscape filled with fast cars, jungle cruises, beautiful women, super-powered beings, and even super-pets is great entertainment and all, but it’s not the preferred kind of material that earns you the respect of serious critics.

That all changed with his latest project, ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Taking on the role of real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr, Dwayne Johnson sheds his larger-than-life persona for a grittier, more vulnerable performance. Instead of playing a superhero with a heart of gold, he’s portraying a flawed but extremely physical, bred for battle athlete battling his own inner demons. This isn’t a movie where The Rock saves the day with one of his classic catchphrases, a perfectly timed eyebrow raise, dropping the ‘People’s Elbow’ and hitting the ‘Rock Bottom’ on everyone. That was sports entertainment; this is based on someone’s own journey from the bottom up, down again, and to eventual redemption for himself.

‘The Smashing Machine’ is former UFC and PRIDE fighter Mark Kerr’s nickname, and happens to be the same movie title which chronicles his life, whom The Rock gave an ultra-realistic portrayal in his greatest performance thus far. The movie is based on the real life of one of the most popular MMA fighters’ fight for redemption in and out of the ring, and Dwayne Johnson delivered his most absorbing, convincing, and powerful dramatic performance yet, worthy of at least an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a leading role.

Who would have ever thought to hear the name of The Rock and an Oscar from The Academy Awards in the same sentence, or even thought? This feels a bit surreal, but the move on The Rock’s part was a calculated, well-planned, and brilliant one, but there were risks involved which fortunately did not materialize.

Like the cinematic landscape he has helped shape since 2002, indeed, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is evolving. He’s pushing himself beyond the physical and into the emotional, proving that there’s more to his talent than just a perfect-looking physique fit for an action star.

In fact, proof of that artistic growth for The Rock, critics at the Venice Film Festival have already taken notice, with some calling his performance an ‘intriguing new dimension’ to his acting. I mean, I’m sure you guys saw the video clip of the standing ovation he got there. The Rock even ended up tearing up afterwards. How can anyone not see right there that this is a man who has dedicated practically his entire adult life and well into his more advanced years to entertaining all of you through different realms of entertainment, whether that be in professional wrestling or acting in big-budget movies in Hollywood? I think the ‘hunger’ never left him.

For lifelong fans of his wrestling career since 2002, this shift was meant to happen, not a polarizing one, and it feels like a natural progression rather than a sudden one. To me, this seems more prophetic than anything as we’ve seen Dwayne Johnson captivate audiences with his storytelling in the ring for decades since the years of ‘The Attitude Era’ in WWE, that was it bound to happen if Hollywood gave him a fair chance he would be successful?

And once they gave The Rock that one fair chance many years ago, they did not regret it because he brings in moviegoers of all ages up to this day to fall in line, purchase tickets and fill up cinemas. It simply means he is great for their industry and when someone is valued as such, they become an asset more than anything else. But The Rock is business savvy, so everything he does is strategic on his part, and no one can use him and the industry he has helped strengthen knows that about him.

Try to think of it if you were in his shoes. The Rock made a huge gamble by leaving the WWE, at the height of his popularity, to get into Hollywood, and it shows that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson bets on himself and knows his strengths more than anyone else. That he confronts everything headstrong and that has led to his A-list classification as an actor in due time because, again, he believes in himself. And in the eyes of casting directors, screenplay writers, directors, producers, movie studio heads, etc. Everyone in the industry, regardless of their job titles, saw that in him and ended up believing in him, too.

Fast forward years, and now that he has proven ‘Star Power’ in the genres he has been a star of, he wants to make the move towards more serious, heavy, and dramatic roles. All The Rock had to do was bring that same intensity, never-say-die attitude, and commitment to a more complex, layered, dramatic narrative, which made ‘The Smashing Machine’ the perfect role for him to accomplish all of those things in his surging Hollywood career. Is this a case of all the decades of hard work paying off in ways that maybe even The Rock could not foresee? For those of us who have followed his career for decades, from the WWE to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this new chapter is the validation we knew was coming, inevitably for him, because he stayed true to his motivations.

In closing, whether he goes by The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, it is all the same. His legacy is already cemented in Hollywood, among the greats. But with ‘The Smashing Machine,’ he’s not just aiming for another box office hit; he’s reaching for something more meaningful. He’s reminding everyone that while he can command a blockbuster, he can also deliver a powerful, conflicted, character-driven performance. And for an electrifying entertainer who has always prided himself on his tireless blue-collar work ethic, it’s a fitting new chapter in an already legendary career that encompasses both the wrestling ring and now Hollywood.

Executives at the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) warned that the current ‘impasse’ in the normalization process could hinder Mindanao’s development, urging the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and government peace panels to hold talks to resolve the issue.

This was expressed by Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in a press briefing during the two-day MDF on Wednesday.

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro, who outlined the EU’s assistance to Mindanao-including full support for normalization and the transition of former MILF combatants away from arms-said the process must continue until the desired results are achieved.

‘While the peace process is not under my office’s purview, normalization is a concern for MinDA because it affects the development we aim to achieve in Mindanao,’ Magno said.

‘I hope all concerned agencies, as proposed by the national government, will sit down again. There’s no alternative to a peaceful dialogue to address the issues in normalization,’ he added.

Macacua acknowledged that while challenges remain, these must be resolved as the peace implementation nears completion.

‘Although we have to admit there’s a problem, it must be addressed because we are now at the finish line of implementation,’ he said. ‘It’s only right that we talk. If we managed to do it before, why can’t we do it now?’

Jokingly, Macacua said that as the chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, he still has to undergo decommissioning and is waiting for his turn.

He said both peace-implementing panels of the government and the MILF could discuss the issue in a ‘very cordial manner,’ expressing hope that, with the help of the Inter-Government Relations Body and the president, the matter will be addressed.

The normalization process reached an impasse when the MILF central committee suspended the decommissioning of its remaining 14,000 combatants, citing delays in the delivery of the promised socio-economic packages.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity refuted this claim.

Magno said the issue has two sides, and both must come to the table to talk things through

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged government agencies to prioritize education-related projects and initiatives, emphasizing that this is how Filipinos can truly experience the country’s progress.

Speaking at the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) 2025 in Mandaluyong City, the president highlighted the importance of placing quality education at the center of each agency’s agenda.

‘We have achieved significant milestones in improving our country’s education system, but of course, we recognize that we still have a long way to go,’ he said.

‘The goal is clear: a Philippines where every child-regardless of background or circumstance-has access to quality, future-proof education,’ he added.

Marcos urged the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance, and all relevant government agencies to ensure that the administration’s top priorities-particularly education-receive adequate funding and support.

‘To the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and the DepEd (Department of Education), speed up the planning and implementation process so we can meet our target of building and rehabilitating thousands of classrooms by 2028,’ he said. ‘And to the DEPDev, accelerate the review of PPP proposals for school buildings.’

‘No child should be forced to learn in makeshift spaces, and no teacher should be burdened by a system that does not support them,’ he added.

The PDF 2025 is a platform for dialogue between the government and its development partners.

With this year’s theme, ‘Bringing Together Progress for All: Services that Matter, Results that Last,’ the forum aims to promote collaboration on policy and financing priorities, guided by the outcomes of key high-level policy reviews in 2025.

The PDF also provides a venue to address urgent development challenges and explore emerging opportunities./mcm

Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua on Monday vowed to send more aid to the victims of Cebu earthquake following the initial relief that emergency responders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sent to the quake-hit province on Saturday.

‘This is in pursuit of the Islamic tenet that helping the needy people is as good as helping the whole of humanity,’ Macacua told reporters Monday, Oct. 6. ‘We are always ready to help and to send more,’ he said.

On Macacua’s order, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster incidence (READi), the Office of Civil Defense in partnership with the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) and the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group (TOG-12) sent non-food items for quake victims over the weekend. These included modular tents, dignity kits containing underwear for mothers, fathers and young girls and boys, as well as sanitary napkins, whistles and portable solar lamps and water kits.

‘The primary goal of sending these non-food items is to assist individuals, particularly women and young girls, with their urgent needs during times of displacement and severe crisis,’ the MSSD said.

CRMC also sent 445 bags of blood for those who would need it.