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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to put an end to online financial scams by Christmas to protect consumers who will use credit cards and the internet for their holiday shopping.

Speaking at a Palace press briefing yesterday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda noted that the usage of credit cards and online payments is high during the Christmas season.

‘The directive of the President to us, since Christmas is approaching, he said, ‘Can online financial scams be eliminated by Christmas?’ So we cooperated with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance,’ Aguda said, adding that telcos have signed up for the effort.

‘Our aspiration is, if we conduct transactions online this Christmas – when the usage of credit cards and online payment is high – we would be confident,’ he said. ‘As the President said, this Christmas, we hope all who will transact through digital infrastructure will be safe and the scams will be eliminated.’

Aguda said telecommunication firms have removed the 3G signal, which is not secure and is prone to interception by those who pose as banks and government agencies. Efforts are also underway to remove the 2G signal, he added.

‘I told the telcos, if you cannot really remove the 2G for now, at least, you should replace the 2G in malls, where many use online payment and credit cards,’ Aguda said.

All the despicable corrupt schemes of our public officials with private contractors are nothing new. These have been going on for a very long time. We have tolerated it.

But our corrupt officials have become too greedy. Some of us might have thought that a 10 to 20 percent kurakot is the price to pay for having a road paved or a bridge built. But perpetrators of ghost projects where 100 percent of a project budget is stolen should be punished by death.

Our tragedy is we cannot even properly investigate and make the obvious culprits account for these grievous acts against the nation. The Senate investigation led by Sen. Ping Lacson was forced to stop because the trail led to several senators.

The ICI created by BBM is acting like it is walking on eggshells, afraid to find sacred cows. So, it is holding closed door hearings which only make people extra suspicious of a cover-up.

BBM said the investigations should not be rushed because he wants airtight cases. A plausible excuse, but the truth is, the powers-that-be are nervous where the light of truth leads.

The government needs a pragmatic legal strategy that focuses on getting quick results. There are easy pickings to satisfy the public’s clamor for blood amid the thousands of cases that must eventually be dealt with.

Everyone realizes our legal system grinds slowly. But the public is angry and impatient. People want to see some people punished now, not ten years from now.

Not all the cases are complicated. Some are open-and-shut. Years of getting away with plunder have made some of the bad actors careless.

We can start with the ghost projects. Kim Henares, who was a candidate to be Ombudsman, lays down the strategy on how to do this:

‘Tingin ko ‘yung ghost project madaling file-an ng kaso kasi lahat ‘yan documentation lang. Meron bidding, may award ka, may binayaran ka, puntahan mo yung project, wala kang nakita, ‘yan na yung kaso. Wala ka nang kailangang ibang ebidensya. Pwede mo nang i-file ‘yan.’

Then there is the SALN. Compare what was declared in the SALNs with the lifestyle of senators, congressmen, district engineers and other DPWH officials. Forfeit whatever cannot be justified by their SALNs. The burden of proof has shifted to the accused. Forfeit their high-end condo units, luxury vehicles and personal stuff like Patek and Rolex watches and jewelry.Sec. Vince Dizon cannot spend all his time running after past crooks at DPWH. Sec. Vince must still build highways, school buildings and other infrastructure. A full-time prosecutor is needed.

The culture of corruption has been endemic at DPWH for a very long time. It is very difficult to change bad habits. To make it easier, maybe the entire DPWH bureaucracy should be fired and Sec. Vince can start from scratch.

Before the flood control projects, they were using the road users’ tax as their milking cow. There was a Road Board chaired by a congressman in charge of deciding whose pockets will be blessed by billions of pesos.

It isn’t as if they don’t have enough rules at DPWH. A DPWH veteran told me they probably have the greatest number of policies, rules and regulations among government units.

They had specifications and standards, designs, costs, plans used to deal with corruption. But to no avail. Technology may help but not much.

Wrote the DPWH old-timer: ‘Boo, dati pang may blockchain ang DPWH. May development plans na sinusunod ang DPWH, lahat ng budget supported with an Infrastructure Program listing all projects. Walang release outside of this program.

‘By the time of (Sec. Fiorello) Estuar, umabot na ng 25,000 ang projects and became unwieldy. But Estuar was a techno-savvy control freak. He introduced monitoring and checks and balances schemes. He created audit teams to assess projects. He even caught and brought to court contractors for collusion.

‘Even the World Bank came out with highly computerized inventories and tracking of projects, di rin bago yung ‘Sinunod yan nina Sec. Ping de Jesus and (Sec. Gregorio) Vigilar. More than any other agency, DPWH had the capability to track projects. But as you say, these systems are only as good as the truth that is being put into them, not just for compliance.

‘The problem may have started with the lump sum budgeting (MVUC, calamity funds, CDF, PDAF, Convergence Funds, Leadership Funds, insertions, carve-outs, unprogrammed appropriations, etc.).

‘Di lang binaliwala ang mga control systems, kung di inulol ang compliance sa mga ito para maituloy lang ang proseso hanggat ma-kubra ang pondo.

‘Nakapa-ulol ang ginawa: pare-pareho ang project costs, overpriced estimates, ghost projects, fake photos, etc. Lahat yan mga basurang ipinasok sa blockchain. Matagal nang nakakalusot, pero kung kakalkalin, lalabas at lalabas katulad ng nangyayari ngayon.

‘But it’s still just the tip of the iceberg. Ang technolohiya nakakatulong, pero pati sa pang-uulol!’

DPWH is synonymous to corruption. But as this old-timer told me, it is not hopeless with good leadership like Secretaries Estuar, de Jesus and Vigilar.

Sec. Vince can do it too. But if he must punish past corruption on one hand and prevent new corruption as he undertakes needed projects, it may be too much for one man.

We can also be sure the crocs in Congress will pester him no end too, incessantly testing his commitment to clean governance.

The professional society of civil engineers can give a helping hand: help Sec. Vince monitor project implementation in

Projects that can be implemented by PPP should be done as PPP. Even the school building projects can be given to the private sector.

The big contractors should bid on DPWH projects if only to keep the haoshao bidders honest, if that’s even possible.

Cleaning up DPWH seems mission impossible but with everyone helping, miracles can happen.

I was in Cebu City when the October 15, 2013 Bohol earthquake hit Central Visayas. One moment, I was having breakfast with my Aunt Mila and Lakang when everything just shook uncontrollably. I had to herd both seniors out of the house to be safer. I remember that I was crying for no reason, the fear eating me as I watched the tall apartment near our house sway until parts of its wall crumbled and fell. This powerful earthquake measured 7.2 on the magnitude scale and, according to official reports, was strongly felt across Central Visayas, particularly in Bohol and Cebu. It was also experienced in many parts of the Visayas, reaching as far north as Masbate and as far south as Cotabato in Mindanao. Around 222 lives were lost with eight missing and 976 injured.

Recently, another strong quake hit again, this time with its epicenter in Bogo City, Cebu. Its magnitude was 6.9, with at least 72 people killed and 559 injured. Once again, though, Cebuanos from all over immediately banded together and displayed that well-known Cebuano resilience, strength, and faith.

The province of Cebu has always lived with the reality of earthquakes. Its geography places it near several active fault systems in the Visayas. The Central Cebu Fault runs across the island itself, while nearby seismic sources such as the Negros Trench and East Negros Fault add to the risk. Cebu also lies within the collision zone of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, where seismic activity is a constant threat. This vulnerability has left its mark on Cebu’s history.

Records show that in 1877, the Visayas island felt the effects of a destructive earthquake in northern Mindanao. In Camiguin, a volcano once believed extinct erupted after weeks of tremors. The shocks destroyed churches in Mambajao and Catarman and triggered landslides across Camiguin, Bohol, Cebu, and nearby.

In 1922, Cebu suffered another strong earthquake, this time destroying major landmarks: the Bishop’s Palace, the Convent of the Recoletos, and the Protestant Episcopal Church. It was a stark reminder that even in more settled times, the ground beneath Cebu was never truly at rest.

Fifteen years later, in 1937, a mild earthquake was felt across the eastern Visayas, including Cebu, Samar, Leyte, and Bohol. Occurring at 9:24 A.M., it went unnoticed in Manila but was a reminder of the region’s ever-present seismic activity. On May 23, 1941, another tremor shook Cebu at 10:49 A.M. Measured at intensity 4, it lasted only seven seconds but was enough to cause panic. Workers at the Capitol and the customhouse rushed into the streets; fortunately, no damage or casualties were reported.

Then in 1948, one of the most destructive quakes of the mid-20th century struck the Visayas. At least 21 died, with many injured. Panay bore the brunt of the destruction, as Iloilo’s water system was crippled and massive fissures tore across its roads and railways. Cebu, Leyte, and Marinduque, also felt the shocks, though with less devastation.

Later, in 1989, another earthquake struck. At 3:15 P.M., a magnitude 6.6 quake struck off the east coast of Bohol. Cebu reported injuries of at least 15 people. The quake was felt across the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, followed by numerous aftershocks.

The most painful reminder in recent memory was the October 15, 2013 magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol, which toppled centuries-old churches, damaged infrastructure, and claimed hundreds of lives. Cebu, though not the epicenter, also suffered heavily.

From the volcanic eruption of 1877 to the devastation of 2013, Cebu’s story has been shaped time and again by earthquakes. Its place on the Ring of Fire ensures that tremors will always be part of its narrative –a reminder of nature’s power, but also a display of the resilience and strength of its people. Bangon, Cebu!

Amid the flood control scandal, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has been appointed as ombudsman, declaring he will spare no one being linked to corruption, including Vice President Sara Duterte and her supporters.

Remulla, who gave the clearance for the arrest of the Vice President’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court, succeeds Samuel Martires, whose term ended in July.

After being officially informed of his appointment yesterday, Remulla said he is taking the job ‘amidst a firestorm’ of issues, especially the flood control scandal. He vowed to ‘sort out this mess’ and prosecute those accountable.

‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ Malacañang said in announcing the appointment of Remulla.

The formal announcement of Remulla’s appointment was preempted last Sunday by President Marcos’ elder sister and Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos, who described the incoming ombudsman as ‘unworthy’ and ‘tainted with injustice.’

Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will serve as DOJ officer-in-charge.

Malacañang brushed aside criticisms of Remulla’s designation, maintaining that the Marcos administration ‘remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists.’

‘As ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Asked to react to concerns that Remulla would not be impartial as an ombudsman, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the justice chief went through a ‘very stringent process’ required under the Constitution and was vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

‘I don’t believe there is basis to that concern,’ Gomez told reporters yesterday. ‘We have the highest confidence in Secretary Remulla. He will be very impartial when he assumes his new role as the ombudsman.’

Pressed about Remulla’s advantage over the other candidates, Gomez replied: ‘At the end of the day, after the President receives the recommendation of the JBC, it is still the decision of the President after he receives the shortlist.’

Remulla was appointed the 59th secretary of the Department of Justice in June 2022. According to the PCO, the DOJ under Remulla advanced major reforms to modernize the justice system, decongest prisons, accelerate case resolution and expand access to legal services.

Remulla’s decades of service as a legislator, governor and lawyer have earned him ‘broad respect for his integrity and commitment to public service,’ the government’s lead communication arm added.

President Marcos ‘reaffirms that transparency, fairness and the rule of law will remain the guiding principles of this administration’s pursuit of a Bagong Pilipinas that truly serves the Filipino people,’ Gomez said.

The incoming ombudsman completed his political science and law degrees at the University of the Philippines.

No weaponization of law

Interviewed after his appointment, Remulla vowed more transparency in the ombudsman’s investigations. He also vowed not to weaponize the law against the administration’s political foes, addressing critics who claim he would be an attack dog against the allies of the Duterte family.

‘The law will not be weaponized, I’m making sure of that,’ he said.

‘There should be no weaponization of the office. There should be real gathering of evidence, strong evidence that would be presented to the courts. We want continuous and speedy trial,’ he added.

He also vowed to give the media and the public greater access to the operations of the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘I think there will be more interviews and news coming from the ombudsman’s office when we start there. I think it’s a necessity because the people are really craving for transparency and accountability,’ he said at a press briefing.

‘It’s not just prosecutorial, it’s also the voice of the people. Whatever the government needs to do should be closely watched by the ombudsman,’ he said.

He also plans to introduce ‘crowdsourcing mechanisms’ to allow the public to submit leads or information that could help in the investigation of erring officials.

Remulla said he expects to be sworn into office by Oct. 9 and buckle down to work the following day.

His marching orders from President Marcos, he said, is to ‘prioritize the accountability of public officers.’

ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said Remulla should prove that he is more loyal to the people than to the President who appointed him as ombudsman.

‘Now more than ever, we need a true tanodbayan – an ombudsman who is loyal to the people, not to the one who appointed him. This remains to be seen with the newly appointed Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who must prove his independence,’ De Lima said in a statement.

‘Now that we have an ombudsman, the investigation and filing of cases, not only in the anomalous flood control projects, but also in the rampant corruption, plunder and collusion in government,’ De Lima said.

‘He should not favor anyone, he should not spare anyone. He should listen to the voise of the people who are too angry with corruption,’ she said.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said Remulla, as new ombudsman, should allow public access to the Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials.

Cendaña said the new ombudsman should also ‘begin the process of filing criminal cases against those involved in the massive flood control corruption.’

He said the previous ombudsman ‘became a barrier to transparency and accountability of public officials,’ referring to Samuel Martires, who restricted public access to SALN of government officials.

Sharp legal mind

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said President Marcos’ appointment of Remula was an acknowledgement of the former justice chief’s sharp legal mind.

‘That fact was known to the President and that was what mattered. As justice secretary, Remulla served the country with exemplary distinction. He infused energy and meticulousness into how the DOJ did its work to pursue justice for Filipinos,’ Garbin, a member of the Commission on Appointments, said in a statement.

‘Not even health issues could stop him because even from the hospital, he was running the department. He chose his team well because it ran efficiently while he was recovering. As soon as he was well enough, he returned to the DOJ with even more fighting spirit,’ he added.

For Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the appointment of Remulla as ombudsman ‘is an important addition to the country’s accountability mechanisms, particularly in bringing to justice the perpetrators of corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects – whoever they may be and whenever these acts may have been committed.’

In a statement, Ridon said Remulla is empowered to initiate both administrative and criminal proceedings against all individuals found liable for the plunder of public funds like public works officials, legislators, executive officials and government contractors.

For Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Remulla’s appointment as ombudsman is a ‘mockery of our Constitution.’ He said Marcos appointed Remulla to conceal corruption issues besetting his administration.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Appointments yesterday deferred the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of retired Supreme Court justice Jose Mendoza as a member and as a retired justices’ representative in the Judicial and Bar Council.

The CA committee on justice and the JBC deferred Mendoza’s confirmation and recommendation to the plenary due to ‘lack of material time.’

Mendoza’s confirmation was deferred after Senator Marcos questioned the JBC’s leniency in the application for the ombudsman shortlist of Remulla.

Marcos and her allies blocked Remulla’s application by filing cases and disbarment against Remulla before the Office of the Ombudsman for his role in the arrest and turnover to The Hague of former president Duterte.

Remulla was appointed to the ombudsman post despite the controversy.

During her interpellation of the applicant, Sen. Marcos questioned the JBC’s inclusion of Remulla in the shortlist despite their opposition.

Mendoza said the JBC cannot disclose their closed-door discussions about the applicants. He also noted that Remulla was able to obtain a clearance from the ombudsman for his application.

The ombudsman’s dismissal of the complaint against Remulla convinced the members that the latter was qualified to be included in the shortlist, Mendoza said.

The government’s coconut agency is drafting new standards for charcoal made from the tropical fruit, a move aimed at modernizing production, improving product quality and supporting the country’s coconut sector.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said it is developing the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for coconut shell activated carbon, a material widely used in water filtration, energy and industrial applications.

‘This standard serves as reference for industry stakeholders in product development, training, trading among others,’ read the foreword of the 10-page draft.

A technical committee was created to oversee the development of the standard, composed of representatives from universities, government agencies and industry groups.

These include the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Bicol University Guinobatan, Visayas State University, Central Luzon State University, Saint Paul University Surigao, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Plant Industry, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

The roster also includes the Philippine Activated Carbon Manufacturing Association, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers, Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, Industrial Technology Development Institute and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute.

The draft standard sets rules for coconut shell charcoal that has been physically processed to make it highly porous, allowing it to filter liquids and gases and recover minerals.

It is intended for industrial and environmental uses and is not meant for direct consumption by humans.

The draft standard also relies on internationally recognized testing methods to ensure product quality.

It sets benchmarks for key characteristics of coconut shell charcoal, such as particle size, density, hardness, moisture and filtration ability, while aligning with local industry practices.

This would make it easier for those that will be locally produced to meet both domestic and global market requirements.

According to market research firm Chemical Research Insight, the global coconut shell activated carbon market was valued at $974.67 million (P57.6 billion if $1 = P59) in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.34 billion (P79.1 billion if $1 = P59) by 2029.

The 17th Provincial Board of Cebu has approved a resolution allocating ?26 million in financial aid and in-kind support to local government units (LGUs) affected by the September 30 earthquake that devastated northern Cebu.

The resolution, authored by Board Member Lakambini Reluya, was passed during the regular session on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Under the measure, funds will be taken from the Legislative Department’s budget to provide direct financial assistance and relief support to quake-stricken towns and cities.

Reluya said the initiative is anchored on the responsibility of the Provincial Board to safeguard the welfare of its constituents, especially during times of calamities.

She stressed that there is a compelling need to extend urgent help to LGUs to help them cope with immediate needs, facilitate rehabilitation, and aid recovery.

‘The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through prudent financial management, has sufficient allocation from which financial assistance and support services may be drawn to augment local disaster response,’ Reluya said during the session.

The ?26-million aid package is intended to complement local disaster relief operations, ensuring that affected communities can recover faster.

Cebu Province was placed under a state of calamity covering all cities and municipalities after the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit northern Cebu on September 30, 2025.

In addition to the official allocation, members of the Provincial Board agreed to pool a portion of their own salaries to extend personal help.

Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco announced that the Board Members collectively targeted to raise ?1 million from their contributions. He said the amount will be distributed as ?100,000 cash aid to each northern Cebu municipality and city affected by the earthquake.

The initiative was agreed upon during a caucus of the Provincial Board last October 6.

Yesterday, Soco, together with several Provincial Board Members, visited Sogod and Borbon to personally turn over the first batch of assistance.

Sogod Mayor Moonyeen Durano Streegan received ?100,000 cash assistance along with relief goods, including rice, bottled water, canned goods, noodles, bread, and other essentials.

In Borbon, Barangay Captain Jaytees Tancawan, representing Mayor Nico Dotillos, accepted the aid on behalf of the municipal government.

Aside from cash and relief goods, the Provincial Board also turned over a Starlink internet connection to provide residents access to communication and online services amid the ongoing recovery.

EASL returns for a third straight home-and-away season with an expanded look to deliver a 42-game schedule which will be accessible globally through over 18 broadcast partners. PBA 2024 Philippine Cup champion Meralco will represent Asia’s first pro league in its third consecutive EASL appearance, this time bringing in import legends Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to team with Cuban 6-9 center Ismael Romero to make a strong push for the championship.

If three’s a charm for EASL, it could also be three’s a charm for the Bolts who’re poised to go all out for the $1 million first prize. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the league is backing up Meralco’s bid 100 percent, facilitating Brownlee’s transfer from Barangay Ginebra and Hollis-Jefferson’s loan from TNT.

EASL’s growth as the region’s top basketball conclave is nothing short of impressive. With FIBA’s full support, it has progressed from eight teams in its first campaign to 10 and now, 12. This season, Mongolia has joined the fray with seven-time national champion Xac Broncos bannering the entry in Group C with Alvark Tokyo, New Taipei Kings and Changwon LG Sakers. Group B is made up of the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, Ryukyu Golden Kings, Meralco and Macau Black Bears. In Group A are Utsonomiya Brex, Taipei Fubon Braves, Seoul SK Knights and Hong Kong Eastern. The cast lists three from Japan, three from Chinese-Taipei, two from South Korea and one each from Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and the Philippines.

To welcome its third season, EASL has created a tagline #YourGame and new logo with a basketball on wings. ‘#YourGame is more than a campaign, it’s an open invitation,’ said EASL vice president and head of marketing Mat Morgan. ‘Whether it comes from us, our teams or the fans, it always says the same thing: This league is for you. It’s personal, cultural and built to welcome everyone into the story.’ As for the logo, EASL creative manager Hadrein Damalerio said, ‘We saw an opportunity to create a brand identity that not only stands out but stands for something.it reflects our ambition to build the most elevated basketball platform in Asia.the design bridges our previous typography with added symbolic motion, capturing the rising energy of basketball across Asia and our commitment to push it forward.’

Former senator Cynthia Villar welcomed the signing of Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA), a measure aimed at revitalizing the country’s livestock, poultry and dairy sectors through a P200-billion investment over the next ten years.

‘I thank President Marcos, Representative Mark Enverga, the Department of Agriculture, and all industry stakeholders for their support in the passage of this vital measure,’ Villar said. ‘This law will strengthen our animal industries, ensure food security and help build a more resilient agricultural sector.’

Signed into law on Sept. 25, RA 12308 elevates the Bureau of Animal Industry into a line agency under the Department of Agriculture, expanding its regulatory functions and authority. The measure also strengthens the Philippine Carabao Center and National Dairy Authority by assigning them new mandates, including biotechnology, vaccine development, and herd repopulation programs.

Villar said the initiative was driven by the devastation caused by the african swine fever outbreak in 2022, which led to a 20.8 percent decline in pork production and economic losses estimated at P100 billion in 2023.

The former senator also emphasized the need to strengthen the local dairy industry, which currently produces only one percent of the country’s milk requirements.

‘Our dairy sector faces persistent challenges such as low herd population, lack of breeding farms, and insufficient training on animal nutrition and management. The AIDCA will help us address these issues through better programs and funding,’ Villar added.

A major feature of the law is the creation of the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), which will receive P20 billion annually from tariffs on livestock, poultry and dairy imports.

The AnCEF was patterned after the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which Villar also principally authored. It will serve as a supplementary fund to the National Livestock Program.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies will monitor the implementation of the AIDCA and release an annual performance report beginning in its second year.

In its third year, the allocations under the AnCEF will be reviewed to assess program effectiveness, while a mandatory review by the Committee on Cooperatives and Farmer Modernization will be conducted on the law’s tenth year to determine whether amendments or extensions are needed based on improvements in farmers’ incomes.

‘Pork, chicken and milk are essential to the Filipino diet. Through this law, we aim to make our animal industry more competitive and sustainable,’ Villar said.

‘This measure not only strengthens food security but also ensures better income for our farmers and livestock raisers,’ she added.

Down goes Ateneo.

University of the Philippines pulled away in the second half and dealt the Blue Eagles their first loss in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, 83-69, in their Battle of Katipunan Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.T

Francis Nnoruka powered UP with 28 points, with 21 coming in the second half. He also had nine rebounds, four steals and a block.

Rey Remogat chipped in 20 markers, while Harold Alarcon had 17.

Shawn Tuano and Kymani Ladi teamed up for Adamson with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

‘Well, for me, yung preparation namin for this game, lagi naming pinagu-usapan just one part of it, but transferring it to play. But the way, yung players executed our offense at the same time, playing as a team defensively, I think yung malaking pagbabago namin,’ he said.

‘Sa akin siguro, we just have to keep it up lang,’ he added.

The game was close through the half, with the Fighting Maroons holding a slim 40-38 advantage.

But UP broke the game wide open in the third frame, with Remogat and Nnoruka leading the charge. The duo scored 22 of the Fighting Maroons’ 24 third quarter points as they took a 64-49 advantage.

The Blue Eagles, then, tried to get out of the hole as they played catchup the entire game, but the Fighting Maroons hiked their lead to 19, 79-60, after a Remogat triple with 3:18 remaining that shut the door on an Ateneo comeback.

The defending champions Fighting Maroons, thus, strung together three straight wins and rose to 3-2, good for solo fourth.

Ateneo, the only remaining undefeated team of the season prior to this game, dropped to 4-1 and tied with National University for the top spot.

The Blue Eagles will now try to bounce back as they take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

UP, on the other hand, will face the Far Eastern University on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Several United States firms doing business in the Philippines have reported being asked for bribes by customs officials, according to a 2025 State Department report, which mentions corruption at the Bureau of Customs as one of the major barriers to investment in the country.

The US Embassy in Manila has received multiple reports from American businesses of customs officials soliciting unofficial fees, alongside complaints of overly invasive searches and inconsistent customs charges, the State Department said in its annual Investment Climate Statements report on the Philippines.

The report – released September 26 – evaluates the business environment and investment climate in countries around the world to guide American investors. The report ultimately finds that while the Philippines has taken steps to improve its investment climate, corruption remains a pervasive problem that deters foreign investors.

The State Department draws attention to the Bureau of Customs as one of the government agencies most frequently accused of corruption, noting that the solicitation of facilitation fees – informal payments demanded by officials to expedite transactions – remains a common complaint among US firms.

“Some U.S. investors describe business registration, customs, and immigration processes as burdensome,” the report said. “Customs processes, in particular, can present challenges and the Embassy has received multiple reports from U.S. businesses of overly invasive searches, inconsistent customs charges, and solicitations of ‘facilitation fees’ (e.g., bribes) from some customs officials.”

The Bureau of Customs was described by the US State Department as “still considered to be one of the most corrupt agencies in the country.’

The report says that foreign direct investment inflows to the Philippines remained flat at $8.9 billion in 2024, the same level as 2023, despite government efforts to attract more investors, including a tax law passed in November 2024 that offers corporate tax breaks for up to 27 years.

The Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, staying around that level since 2019. The World Economic Forum and other organizations have cited corruption as among the top problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines.

“Corruption is a pervasive and long-standing problem in both the public and private sector,” the State Department report said.

Beyond corruption, the report identified other barriers to investment: poor infrastructure, high power and logistics costs, regulatory inconsistencies, a cumbersome bureaucracy, and a complex, slow judicial system.

Traffic in major cities and congestion in the ports remain obstacles, while large family-owned conglomerates dominate the economic landscape, sometimes crowding out smaller or international businesses.