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Few fears cut deeper than watching a child fight for life. For three Filipino families, that fear turned into hope through a breakthrough once thought out of reach: a liver transplant, now possible here at home.

Since 2011, The Medical City’s Center for Liver Health and Transplantation (Liver Center) has successfully performed operations on 18 pediatric and 11 adult patients, utilizing both living and deceased donors.

Most recently, three young children were given a second chance at life through the Joint Liver Transplant Program of The Medical City (TMC) and Rizal Medical Center (RMC), launched in January 2025.

King Leo

When one-year-old King Leo Villanueva Laurora was diagnosed with biliary cirrhosis, his parents were told that time was running out. His father brought him to The Medical City, searching for any solution. There, tests confirmed what they feared most: Leo needed a liver transplant.

Among his parents, it was his mother, Maricar, who was found to be the match. On April 12, 2025, she made history, becoming the first patient in the Philippines to undergo a fully robotic donor hepatectomy using the Da Vinci Xi system.

The advanced technology made her recovery faster, allowing her to care for her son sooner. ‘I just wanted him to get better and live a normal life,’ Maricar said softly. ‘That was the only thing that mattered.’

Alonzo Eli

For Alonzo Eli Meily, eight years old, life had been a series of hospital visits because of a rare liver condition. He was only 1 year and 8 months old when he was diagnosed with Caroli’s Disease, a condition that causes the bile ducts in the liver to be wider than usual. His parents, Ivan and Maricor, endured years of tests, hospital stays, and sleepless nights.

In November 2023, Eli suffered his first internal bleeding, confirming that his liver was failing. This was followed by recurrent episodes of bleeding requiring repeated confinement and procedures. Ivan and Maricor, had once planned to seek treatment abroad, but after consulting Dr. Vanessa De Villa, a Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon and head of Liver Center at TMC, they decided to stay and trust the local team.

By March 2025, they began preparations for the procedure, and tests revealed that Maricor was a perfect match. On August 28, 2025, she became her son’s living donor.

Today, Eli is recovering well and slowly going back to normal life, as any 8-year-old should be. Eli’s story is a testament to faith, a mother’s love, and the world-class care now available to Filipino families right here at home.

Clyden Reid

At just nine months old, Clyden Reid Herrera urgently needed a liver transplant. His condition had also caused severe and repeated bleeding from internal veins. His parents were not suitable donors, and time was running out. Then came hope from within the family. His aunt, Precious, bravely volunteered to give a part of herself to save her nephew’s life.

On September 3, 2025, Precious donated a portion of her liver to Clyden, a selfless act that gave the baby a new chance to live.

‘After donating just a small part of my liver, I can say that I was able to save a life, not just anyone’s, but my nephew’s,’ said Precious with tears in her eyes. ‘Seeing him recover makes every bit of sacrifice worth it.’

Clyden’s mother, Regina, could only express gratitude. ‘Because of the doctors and the medical team at The Medical City, our son’s life was extended. We will forever be thankful for this second chance.’

A Turning Point for Filipino Families

These three transplants mark the beginning of a new chapter for Filipino families, one where lifesaving care no longer requires flying abroad, selling a home, or losing time.

‘This is a turning point,’ said Dr. Vanessa de Villa, Director of TMC’s Liver Center and Head of the TMC-RMC Joint Liver Transplant Program.

‘We want every Filipino to know that a liver transplant is possible here at home. Our hope is to make this treatment accessible to more Fiipinos in need, both children and adults, by, hopefully, having it included in PhilHealth’s Z Benefit Packages.’

For the Lauroras, the Meilys, and the Herreras, the impossible became possible, and the miracle, closer than they ever imagined. The families remain most grateful to all benefactors and donors who made their journey to health possible.

The Makati City Council’s Committee on Laws, Rules, and Ethics has accused a councilor and two city hall employees of falsifying official legislative documents by altering and reusing pages of draft ordinances, a move that could lead to criminal and administrative charges.

In a report adopted by the council during its Oct. 8 regular session, the committee said Councilor Rolando Duka Alvarez Jr., Atty. Dindo R. Cervantes – the chief of staff of Vice Mayor Kid Peña – and a certain Ms. Alerama tampered with official documents by ‘ante-dating the receiving stamps, swapping pages, and reusing old signature pages’ to make it appear that the filings were legitimate.

‘By their actions, they compromised the integrity of official records, undermined the legislative process, and set a dangerous precedent of manipulating official documents to suit political convenience,’ the committee said in its report.

The panel, chaired by Councilor Fernando Felix ‘Dino’ L. Imperial and vice-chaired by Councilor Nemesio ‘King’ S. Yabut Jr., recommended that appropriate administrative and criminal proceedings be filed against the three, saying their actions violated council rules and may constitute an offense under the Revised Penal Code.

The controversy began on Sept. 12, when members of the minority bloc filed five draft ordinances for first reading. Imperial later found irregularities in the documents during a pre-session review, noting that what seemed like minor edits were actually ‘substantial revisions’ that altered the content of the measures.

Further investigation revealed that new versions of the ordinances had been printed and substituted for the originals on Sept. 15, allegedly with the help of staff from the Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (OSSP), who were reportedly unaware of the changes. The substituted versions carried the same receiving stamp dated Sept. 12, and reused signature pages from the earlier filing.

‘The act of instructing OSSP personnel to affix the same ‘date and time received’ stamp on the substituted documents, coupled with reuse of the signature pages from the original set, constitutes a clear falsification of official records,’ the report stated. During the council’s Sept. 24 session, the OSSP secretary confirmed that tampered versions were submitted on Sept. 15 and falsely presented as the originals. The revelation triggered heated exchanges on the session floor, with Imperial denouncing the act as ‘a criminal offense under falsification of public documents.’

The committee rejected the defense of ‘good faith’ from those involved, saying the deliberate misrepresentation and concealment demonstrated intent to deceive.

‘The minority bloc – known for espousing transparency and accountability – is now accused of doing the exact opposite,’ the report added.

The council’s adoption of the committee’s report makes its recommendation to pursue administrative and criminal cases the official stance of the Makati City Council. The inclusion of the vice mayor’s chief of staff among those named in the report, it said, ‘seriously puts into doubt the vice mayor’s claim of political neutrality.’

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws relished the rise of Philippine men’s volleyball as they are raring to gain from the top club teams in the country in the Spikers’ Turf.

For the second straight year, FEU ruled the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge after sweeping La Salle, 25-15, 25-22, 25-23, in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Finals MVP Dryx Saavedra and the Tamaraws are looking forward to another Spikers’ Turf Invitational stint, especially now that men’s volleyball in the country is on the rise after the Philippines’ historic hosting and good showing in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

‘I’m super excited, even though the V-League isn’t over yet, I’m already looking forward to Spikers’ Turf. We struggled at one point, and we were worried we wouldn’t even get to play there,’ said Saavedra in Filipino. ‘We don’t want to just train and train, we want to compete with the older players too and learn from them. And for sure, we’ll learn a lot.’

Saavedra savored their second straight V-League championship after completing a series comeback despite losing the finals opener.

FEU’s second title will be an added inspiration to them to bounce back in a heartbreaking Game 3 loss to UAAP ‘five-peat’ champion National University in Season 87 in front of 14,517 people – the second most-watched men’s volleyball game in the country after the FIVB final’s gate attendance. ‘This is a new opportunity for us, and we’re definitely taking it as motivation for the next league and the upcoming UAAP season. We’ve learned so much from this V-League,’ Saavedra said. ‘We still need to talk about the lapses we had, and for the next league, we’ll do our best so we don’t repeat the same mistakes.’

FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo said they will slow things down a bit in the Spikers’ Turf before gradually building up in the tournament to take care of their health.

It’s an honor for Orcullo to be the coach of the Tamaraws, as Philippine men’s volleyball continues to rise.

‘I’m excited because I feel lucky to be working with them at just the right time. It makes me want to give even more to this job I love. When you love what you do, you give your all and I think that’s why I’m this happy. Everyone I’m working with, even the coaches, we’re all on the same page. There are a few disagreements here and there, but it’s all for the good of the team,’ he said.

The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s rejection of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release was ‘not a surprise’ and proof of how strong the case for crimes against humanity was against him, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said on Friday.

In a statement, the former human rights chair said she welcomed the ICC pre trial chamber (PTC) to deny Duterte’s plea for temporary freedom on humanitarian considerations, which she said ‘lacked support both in fact and in the Rome Statute.’

‘The ICC does not easily issue warrants of arrest without any inkling of the weight of the evidence. In the case of Duterte, the evidence is strong enough for the ICC to require his detention during trial. This denial is an indication of the strength of the evidence against Duterte,’ she said. She added that as a ‘no-nonsense court, the ICC will spare no sacred cows. It will not show favor to anyone, and will only listen to reason and side with what is just and right.’

The former president is currently detained at the Scheveningen prison in The Hague, Netherlands, since March as he awaits trial for crimes against humanity committed during his six-year war on drugs.

In rejecting his appeal for interim release, the PTC judges Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera noted, among others, that the former president ‘appears to have the necessary political contacts, as well as to benefit from a network of support within that country.’ The PTC judges also argued that he ‘is able and has means.to obstruct proceedings against him.’

De Lima – herself the victim of trumped-up drug charges filed against her by the Duterte administration in retaliation for her reports on the Davao Death Squad (DDS) when she was still human rights commissioner – echoed this sentiment, saying that Duterte ‘was (still) influential in the country.’

‘That’s why, as we continue to call for justice and accountability, we should also protect the witnesses and encourage other victims of the murderous war on drugs to speak out and join our fight,’ she added. /mr

In recent years, the Philippines has made significant strides towards modernising its tax structure to encompass the growing digital economy. One of the most consequential is the 12 per cent value-added tax (VAT) imposed on digital services consumed within the country, regardless of whether the provider is local or foreign. This shift has drastic implications for the way Filipinos consume online entertainment, from streaming platforms to gaming, music, and more. The New VAT Regime – What Changed

Under Republic Act No. 12023, which took effect in late 2024 and was implemented in mid-2025, nonresident DHIs are now subject to VAT taxation on their services with respect to Philippine users. Digital services are broadly defined, encompassing online media, streaming, cloud services, e-marketplaces, digital goods, and more. Local providers are also subject to these tax rules.

To determine whether a service is ‘consumed in the Philippines,’ tax authorities consider, among other factors, the billing address, payment method, user’s geographic location, and access points to the service. The law also introduced a revenue threshold: foreign providers that transact with Filipino users in an amount exceeding a certain threshold must register and pay VAT.

Notably, the law also ensures that carve-outs and exemptions are built in, allowing public interest services, specific educational digital offerings, and government services to be exempt from taxation, thereby preventing them from being burdened by taxation and hindering socially essential delivery. Thus, all forms of digital entertainment will not be taxed uniformly.

How Entertainment Platforms Are Adapting

Entertainment providers, mainly streaming services, video apps, music platforms, and online gaming operators, have had to rework their pricing, billing systems, and regional tax compliance structures. Many foreign streaming platforms have begun including VAT as a line item on their monthly statements for users in the Philippines. In some cases, platforms have increased subscription fees to cover the tax, essentially passing the cost along to consumers.

Gaming and app stores are under similar pressure. In-app purchases, downloadable content, virtual goods and subscription tiers are now subject to VAT if the purchaser is a resident in the Philippines. Mobile game developers and digital distributors are required to include VAT in prices or to display it separately according to compliance norms.

Some platforms have responded by simplifying their regional offerings, consolidating bills, streamlining tax registration, or even removing less profitable service tiers for specific locales. The administrative burden of registering and invoicing and filing returns and remitting VAT has led many entertainment firms to reexamine their cost structures.

Consumer Impact and Behaviour Change

For consumers, the most immediate impact is likely to be increased prices on streaming services, music subscriptions, digital content and gaming purchases. The additional 12 per cent (percentage point, or percentage) VAT may make marginal differences appear small, but over time, it chips away at affordability, especially for price-sensitive users.

As subscription costs begin to increase, some users may start to reconsider the types of services they actually desire. Bundled platforms may be more appealing, as consumers seek ‘value per peso’ for multiple services. Alternatively, users may reduce their consumption, cancel lower-priority subscriptions, or switch to more locally produced (and potentially lower-cost) platforms that already comply with Philippine tax norms.

Also, there are risks of increased consumption at the border or account shifting. Some consumers may attempt to register billing addresses abroad or use payment methods that obfuscate the location to avoid VAT charges. However, tax authorities are likely to increase controls to prevent such loopholes.

In more esoteric corners of online entertainment, users exploring top online casino offerings or digital gambling platforms may notice that VAT increases the price of entry or the frequency of play. If such platforms are operated cross-border, they may also be subject to the VAT regime and pass on additional costs to Filipino users.

Effects on Local Content and Platforms

One of the central aims of the digital VAT is to level the playing field between foreign entertainers and providers. Previously, foreign platforms were able to evade local taxes, resulting in lower net costs or more aggressive pricing in the Philippine market. Now, local streaming or gaming companies may have a competitive edge in areas such as flexibility, pricing, or tax familiarity.

Furthermore, a portion of the revenue raised by the digital VAT is allocated to support the creative industry through funding for local content development, artist grants, and other cultural ventures. With more money from taxes comes the opportunity to invest it back into homegrown entertainment, thereby improving the quality and visibility of domestic production.

Local startups and platforms, already subject to Philippine tax law, will now be able to compete more fairly against global giants. However, these local companies also need to adapt to increased compliance requirements, upgrade their billing systems, and ensure tax-compliant operations. The net result could be consolidation in the regional entertainment ecosystem for those who can absorb the costs of compliance at scale.

Challenges, Risks and Enforcement

Implementing a digital VAT scheme is not a trivial technical task. Determining the location of the user, reconciliation of payment channels, issuing compliant invoices and returns filing across jurisdictions are not without operational risks. Some foreign platforms might push back or litigate, arguing that additional compliance costs or conflicts with existing international norms for taxing the digital sector would be unfair.

Enforcement is another challenge. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and related agencies can take actions such as service blocking or suspension for providers who fail to comply with such requirements. However, that runs the risk of collateral damage: overreach could disrupt legitimate entertainment platforms to the detriment of consumers and content creators alike.

Penalties for non-compliance are severe, and platforms that fail to register or pay VAT can be penalised with fines or suspension orders. The threat of disruption could compel some providers to move out of smaller markets in which the added tax burden makes operations unprofitable.

The years ahead will be the real test as to how well both providers and consumers adapt. Platforms with deep pockets may absorb compliance costs to retain their user bases or strike deals with local tax authorities or governments to facilitate implementation. Others may lean toward differential pricing, a regional version or a hybrid model.

Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez said on Friday that DOTr Usec. Ricky Alfonso relieved his driver involved in a viral road incident with a 23-year-old multicab driver.

Earlier, a video showing Alfonso’s driver and bodyguard, riding in an SUV, having a heated argument with a multicab driver during a road rage incident went viral. The word ‘VIP’ (very important person) was also heard in the middle of the argument. The multicab driver said he was physically assaulted by the driver of the SUV.

Alfonso was also seen in the video discussing with traffic enforcers.

In a press conference on Friday, Lopez said that as he received the report and confirmed that it was Alfonso who got involved in the incident, he immediately issued a notice to explain to the undersecretary on Thursday. ‘But in our conversation last night, he also said that he had already fired his driver and apologized,’ Lopez added in Filipino.

The acting DOTr chief pointed out that Alfonso went out of the SUV car ‘to pacify the incident.’ ‘He mediated. But the beauty of it is without us and without the department calling the attention of Usec. Ricky Alfonso, he relieved his driver, who was involved in the incident,’ he further said.

Lopez said he had already directed the legal department of the agency to provide assistance to the victim of Alfonso’s driver.

Meanwhile, a police blotter report signed by Police Lieutenant Leonie Ann dela Cruz showed that the SUV, a Lexus LX570 with a Protocol Plate No. 10, involved in the incident that happened on Wednesday, is not registered under the name of Alfonso but to a company based in Makati City.

The police station said they will contact the company ‘in order to collate additional details relevant to the vehicle used by the suspects that will shed light on the ongoing investigation.’

A total of 213 aftershocks have been recorded following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off Davao Oriental, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Friday.

According to Phivolcs, these aftershocks-recorded in 41 different areas-occurred as of 1 p.m., just a few hours after the main tremor at 9:43 a.m.

The number immediately rose to 213 barely an hour later at 1:50 p.m.

While the aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.3 to 5.8, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said at a press conference that the strongest aftershock could reach magnitude 6.4.

‘We won’t be surprised if there’s a magnitude 6.4, but hopefully it won’t get that high,’ he said.

Asked how long the aftershocks could continue, Bacolcol said they may persist for several weeks.

‘The aftershocks will normally last for several days to several weeks,’ he added./mcm /mr

A combined total of 569 aftershocks have so far been recorded after the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 ‘doublet earthquake’ hit Davao Oriental, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Friday.

According to Phivolcs, the aftershocks recorded as of 11 p.m., range from magnitude 1.2 to 6.8. Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol earlier said that these aftershocks could take up to several weeks.

The first of the doublet earthquake, the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, occurred at 9:43 a.m. with its epicenter located 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental.

Afterward, the magnitude 6.8 temblor that hit less than 10 hours later at 7:12 p.m. was traced 36 kilometers southeast of the same town.

A doublet earthquake, according to Phivolcs, refers to distinct or different earthquakes that occurred in almost the same area ‘with two (or more) main shocks that have slight difference in magnitude.’

Both earthquakes were generated by the Philippine Trench.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he himself has no hunch on the reason for the leadership changes at the Department of Transportation (DOTr), noting that he does not need to seek clarification from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the matter.

Lopez’s remarks came after he confirmed on Friday in a press conference that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II will become the new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair, replacing Teofilo Guadiz III.

In addition, Markus Lacanilao will assume the role of LTO chair, while Guadiz has been assigned as chair of the Office of Transport Cooperatives.

‘None,’ Lopez said when directly asked if he had any guesses on the leadership changes in the DOTr and the agencies under it.

According to Lopez, all appointees serve at the pleasure of the president; thus, they do not need to seek reasons if they will be reappointed to other government roles.

‘There doesn’t need to be a reason. I don’t need to know the reason for the change,’ Lopez said.

‘I didn’t ask, and I won’t ask for a reason. As I said, we are all appointed officials,’ he added.

The acting DOTr chief, meanwhile, noted that the criteria in appointing someone is ‘the trust and the confidence of the appointing authority over the appointee.’

He then said that he is confident that all newly appointed officials have credible backgrounds and strong credentials to do well in their posts. /mr

The Manila Water enterprise continues to lead the way in sustainable energy adoption as it transitions 56 additional facilities to the Energy Regulatory Commission’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

The 56 facilities consist of 10 additional facilities from Manila Water Non-East Zone operating unit Laguna Water, 45 facilities of Estate Water covering Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Metro Manila, and Manila Water Foundation’s La Mesa Ecopark which stands as the first and largest ecopark to be powered entirely by renewable energy under RAP, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable operations and innovative energy solutions. Altogether, the transition represents a total demand of 1,682 kW. This milestone was marked with another RAP switching ceremony held at the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City, which is the 4th switching for Manila Water this year.

‘Manila Water’s participation in RAP demonstrates its commitment to innovation and consumer empowerment. By aggregating demand and leveraging competitive supply options, Manila Water is helping pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient energy sector. At the ERC, our mandate is clear: to promote consumer welfare while ensuring a fair and competitive energy market and RAP is a key component of this vision.’ said ERC Director for Market Operations Service Sharon Montaner. ‘Since Manila Water’s first switching in February 2025, RAP participation has grown by 70%, a rate faster than RCOA, reflecting greater inclusivity and freedom of choice’, Director Montaner further noted.

The event was also graced by ERC Chair Francis Saturnino Juan, MWSS Corporate Office Department Manager for Policy, Planning, and Public Relations Christian Nicole Baluca, MWSS-RO Legal Affairs Department Manager Crescenciano Minas Jr., PrimElectric Holdings Chief Operating Officer Richard Nethercott, IEMOP Vice President for Administration Sheryll Dy, MERALCO AVP and Head of Enterprise Commercial and Conglomerates Bernice Rama and representatives from the Climate Change and Sustainability Department of the Quezon City Local Government. With these developments, Manila Water now sources electricity for a total of 214 facilities, representing an aggregated demand of 11 MW. Under the enhanced RAP framework, these facilities are supplied by PrimeRES Energy through Meralco’s distribution network.

‘This is all about the power of choice. We have 214 facilities switched now to RAP. and that’s very powerful because at the end of the day, we are held as a utility accountable to the costs that we charge our customers. We’ve tried to rethink our approach towards tariff and our customer base and really be as sufficient as possible,’ says Jocot De Dios, Manila Water President and CEO.

Earlier this year, Manila Water pioneered the country’s first transition to the enhanced Retail Aggregation Program, consolidating ten (10) of its wastewater facilities under a single electricity sourcing. This marked a significant step in leveraging the RAP framework to streamline energy procurement and reduce costs. Building on this momentum, the Company expanded its aggregation efforts through its operating units. In April, Laguna Aquatech facilitated the switch of 25 facilities, representing a combined demand of 900 kW. Additionally, Laguna Water transitioned 67 more facilities, contributing a substantial 4.3 MW to the total aggregated demand.

In May, Boracay Water made history as the first utility in the Visayas region to adopt RAP. Its switch included 11 facilities, ranging from water treatment plants and pumping stations to wastewater treatment facilities and lift stations, further highlighting the adaptability of RAP across diverse operational setups. Under the enhanced Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) framework, consumers like Manila Water are now able to group the electricity requirements of its facilities located within the same distribution utility franchise areas. This approach strengthens the principle of consumer choice and opens the door to more cost-effective energy options available in the retail electricity market which is one of the core mandates of the EPIRA.