Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Alex Eala, with a new career-high world ranking at No. 54, is enjoying a little break in Wuhan, China before resuming her campaign over in Japan next week, shooting for a second professional title and a spot inside the Top 50 WR.

Eala got an early boot from the WTA1000 Wuhan Open last week, absorbing a 4-6, 6-3, 2-6 defeat against Japanese Moyuka of Japan in Round 1 of the qualifiers.

But thanks to a string of earlier wins, Eala improved four rungs up from No. 58 with 1,131 points.

And she’s determined to shore up her drive as one of the seeded main draw players in the WTA250 Japan Open in Osaka on Monday alongside Leylah Fernandez and Naomi Osaka.

The grind continues for Eala from there, strutting her stuff in the Guangzhou Open on Oct. 20 to 26 and the Hong Kong Open on Oct. 27 to Nov. 2.

It’s been a loaded Asian swing for Eala so far with three stops in China.

Back to square one.

It came to be after the Premier Volleyball League ordered a replay of the Reinforce Conference matches that pitted ZUS Coffee with Akari and Choco Mucho with Capital1 Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban.

The decision was made after the pro league finally received Wednesday the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) of all its imports and Filipino-foreign players, who all can now play for their respective squads starting Thursday.

Matches will resume Thursday with Galeries Tower battling Petro Gazz at 4 p.m. and Farm Fresh tackling Nxled at 6:30 p.m. at the City of Dasmariñas.

Without the ITCs the day before, the PVL was forced to push through with its opening-day schedule minus the international players.

It ended with ZUS and Choco Mucho ending up as winners.

But all of that will be stricken off the books following the recent developments.

‘The PVL wishes to inform the fans that the two matches held on October 7 will be replayed at a date to be announced,’ said the league in a statement.

The league clarified that all four teams that suited up in the opener had already agreed before the game on this pre-condition.

‘The upcoming replays will allow all teams to compete with their complete rosters, including their respective imports, ensuring the full excitement and high-level competition our fans expect,’ it said.

The impasse happened after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation deferred giving its nod on the ITCs, an important requirement for international players to see action.

Thankfully, it had been resolved that somehow restored the peace in Philippine volleyball.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking Congress to raise the government’s crop insurance subsidy to P8 billion to provide coverage for up to 4.2 million agricultural workers, aiming to shield them from climate risks and rising production costs.

In a statement yesterday, the DA said only 2.3 million farmers are currently insured under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), which represents just over half of the country’s agricultural workforce.

Further, the government agency said the PCIC provides a maximum coverage of P20,000 per hectare for rice farmers, only a third of the estimated average production cost of P60,000 per hectare.

‘PCIC’s current subsidy level is simply inadequate,’ said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

‘We need to insure more farmers at realistic levels that reflect the true cost of production, especially as climate change and market volatility continue to impact the sector.’

Under the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act, the PCIC’s subsidy remains at P4.5 billion, the same level since 2022.

Tiu Laurel described the funding amount as ‘stagnant,’ undermining the government’s ability to protect farmers from mounting risks.

‘To insure 4.2 million farmers, we need about P8 billion. That means we’re short by P3.5 billion,’ he said.

‘Of the 4.2 million farmers we aim to cover, 2.2 million will be rice farmers, an increase of nearly a million from the current number.’

Expanding insurance coverage is a strategic investment in the country’s food security, the agriculture chief said.

By boosting PCIC’s capacity, the government can provide a stronger safety net for smallholder farmers, especially rice producers, who face the dual burden of rising input costs and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

‘Crop insurance isn’t just a financial product. It’s a critical lifeline,’ Tiu Laurel said.

‘When typhoons, droughts or pest outbreaks hit, insured farmers can recover faster and get back to planting. Without it, many are left in debt or forced to abandon farming altogether.’

He called on lawmakers to prioritize agricultural resilience in the national budget, highlighting that a well-funded insurance system is essential to stabilize rural incomes, encourage continued production and secure the country’s food supply.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has requested for Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order, or ILBO, against more than two dozen current and former lawmakers and officials in the investigation into anomalous public works projects that have spurred public outrage and mass protests.

In a letter dated Oct. 8, 2025, addressed to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, ICI Chairman Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said the request was made ‘by virtue of the powers bestowed upon the Commission’ under Executive Order 94, which created the body to probe alleged corruption in infrastructure spending.

The names on the request letter included former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sens. Chiz Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada, and ex-senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, whose name was not in the first version of the ILBO request, was included in the corrected version the ICI released to the media.

‘The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the Commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people,’ Reyes said in the letter.

Reyes cited the body’s initial investigation into the involvement of Department of Public Works and Highways officials and those of construction companies involved in flood control projects found to be substandard or missing.

The probe “puts the subjects in a relevant position that operates to make them an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process,” the ICI’s request to the DOJ read.

The list attached to the request includes high-profile figures such as Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, several incumbent members of Congress, and multiple district engineers of the DPWH.

Among those named are:

Sen. Francis Escudero

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

Former Sen. Bong Revilla Jr.

Sen. Joel Villanueva

Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay

Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana

Marilou Laurio-Lipana

Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar

Carlene Villa

Businessman Maynard Ngu

Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig, lone district)

Rep. James Ang (Uswag Ilonggo party-list)

Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District)

Rep. Arjo Atayde (Quezon City, 1st District)

Rep. Nicanor Briones (AGAP party-list)

Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina, 1st District)

Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes (Bulacan, San Jose del Monte)

Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Roblon, lone district)

Rep. Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao (Laguna, 4th District)

Former Rep. Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel (An Waray party-list)

Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro, lone district)

Rep. Reynante “Reynan” Arogancia (Quezon, 3rd District)

Former Rep. Marvin Rillo (Quezon City, 4th District)

Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Aklan, 2nd District)

Rep. Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District)

Rep. Dean Assistio (Caloocan, 3rd District)

Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar (Quezon City, 6th District)

District Engr. Loida Busa “Bogs” Magalong

District Engr. Ramon Devanadera

District Engr. Johnny Protesta Jr.

District Engr. Arturo Gonzales Jr.

Reyes asked the DOJ to immediately alert the commission and law enforcement agencies of any attempt by the listed individuals to leave the country.

The request, sent in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, was also copied to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

The DOJ, which is undergoing a leadership transition after the appointment of Remulla as the new Ombudsman, has yet to announce whether it will issue the lookout order.

Summons. The commission has also summoned Romualdez to testify concerning questioned insertions in the national budget and his involvement in the DPWH flood control projects when he was still speaker.

Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, who has been placed in the lookout bulletin on September 25, was also summoned for his role as House appropriations panel chief in previous years.

Both Romualdez and Co were ordered to appear before the commission on October 14.

The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7) expressed its solidarity with the Inter-Call Center Association of Workers (ICCAW) in advocating for the protection and welfare of workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

Atty. Roy Lloren Buenafe, DOLE-7 director, said the agency fully supports ICCAW’s call to uphold workers’ rights and safety, as emphasized in its recent statement.

However, he appealed for understanding from ICCAW’s officers and members, stressing that sanctions against employers can only be imposed after both substantive and procedural due process are observed, in accordance with the rule of law.

Buenafe also acknowledged ICCAW’s proposal to strengthen compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, emphasizing that all workplaces are legally required to maintain a duly approved OSH Program that includes protocols for natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons.

He encouraged ICCAW to provide DOLE-7 with a list of companies allegedly violating labor laws and to collaborate with the labor department in building networks that promote workplace safety, tripartism, and industrial peace across the BPO industry in Central Visayas.

The DOLE-7, likewise, commended ICCAW’s proactive initiatives in promoting inclusion, collaboration, and justice among BPO workers.

‘They have set a good example by looking not only after their own welfare but also that of workers who may not have a strong voice in the world of work,’ Buenafe said.

The regional labor office reaffirmed its willingness to meet and work with ICCAW on future initiatives aimed at further protecting and advancing BPO workers’ rights.

Earlier, ICCAW had called on DOLE to impose penalties on BPO companies at Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park that allegedly put employees’ lives at risk during the September 30 earthquake.

ICCAW spokesperson Gilbert Romo urged the labor department to enforce the ?100,000 maximum fine provided under Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, to deter similar violations in the future.

Romo said some employers did not allow their employees to leave their workplaces during the earthquake, while others required them to return to work hours later despite the risk of aftershocks.

‘Call centers put profit above people’s lives and safety. This is unacceptable. We call on DOLE for urgent action on this blatant violation of the OSH Law,’ Romo said, adding that some employees resigned on the spot out of fear for their lives.

He also appealed to fellow BPO workers to come forward with testimonies of unsafe management practices during the quake.

Romo said BPO workers are not immortal, they are humans. He said these companies prioritized smooth operations over employee welfare. He added that working the graveyard shift is already a health risk, but keeping employees at work during an earthquake is too much.

‘Hanapbuhay ang kailangan naming manggagawa, hindi hanappatay,’ Romo said.

ICCAW further demanded the immediate formation of safety committees in all BPO companies, with worker representatives elected as mandated under the OSH Law.

‘Workers must have voice and participation in the workplace, especially with regard to safety and health concerns,’ he added.

Founded in 2013 in Cebu, ICCAW is an industry-wide organization of BPO employees established in solidarity with workers of a call center that abruptly shut down. The group now has members in various companies across the Cebu IT Park.

In 2014, ICCAW launched an 8-point agenda for pro-labor reforms in the BPO industry, including tax breaks, bond to indemnify workers in case of closure, quick reaction teams in case of sudden shutdown, hospitalization insurance, above minimum salary, regular labor inspections, elected workers’ representatives in a grievance machinery, and regularization of employees.

Host Centro Escolar University hopes to make the opening of the PG Flex-Universities and Colleges Athletic League Season 8 impactful and memorable as it defends its street dance title on Thursday, October 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

After a short but colorful opening ceremony starting at 11 a.m., all nine member schools are once again expected to showcase their dazzling footwork, creativity and style in the street dance competition in what could the highlight of the traditional opening day show.

But all eyes will be on the Scorpions who have prepared long and hard enough for a chance to win a second straight title and set in motion their campaign in other events including in centerpiece basketball competition after a failed three-peat bid last season.

CEU President Danilo Concepcion will officially open the season with ‘Rising to New Heights’ as a theme that is timely and fitting as the league continues to grow and shine with the addition of table tennis and badminton to its calendar of events.

‘The addition of the two events is a clear indication that we’re moving up and fast catching up with the big leagues though we are not competing against them,’ said Tournament Director Horacio Lim.

Also expected to grace the opening rites are PG Flex owner Nelson Guevarra and UCAL management team led by Col. Bong Nebrija, Bernard Yang, and Carmelo Navarro.

Former CEU basketball star and now PBA player Franz Diaz has been invited to deliver an inspirational message, while current CEU hotshot Dylan Darbin will lead the recitation of the oath of sportsmanship.

Other participating schools in the league are Olivarez College, Diliman College, Immaculada Concepcion College, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, Manila Central University, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, Philippine Women’s University and University of Batangas.

The league is backed by Akari, Smart Sports, Spalding, Hapee Toothpaste, Mighty Bond, Quintana Sports, Vital Purified Drinking Water, Topflite, Crane and Maruyama, CafeFrance and RC1 Lubricating Spray.

Malacañang has declared special non-working days in three towns in Cotabato and Davao de Oro for the celebration of their founding anniversaries and local festivities.

Proclamation 1052 declared Oct. 14 a special non-working day in Antipas, Cotabato for the commemoration of the town’s founding anniversary.

Nov. 13 will be a special non-working day in Pantukan, Davao de Oro as provided under Proclamation 1053 for the celebration of the town’s 88th founding anniversary and the 23rd Pasaka Festival.

Meanwhile, Proclamation 1054 declared Nov. 24 a special non-working day in Maragusan, Davao de Oro for the commemoration of the Araw ng Maragusan.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who signed the proclamations, said declaring such holidays is fitting and proper to allow people in these areas to participate and enjoy their community celebrations.

How can you tell if you’re working for a bad company? They insist you stay and carry on working despite an earthquake.

This was allegedly what happened in several Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu following the earthquake last September 30.

According to reports, some BPOs insisted that their employees work through the quake or immediately return to work shortly after evacuating. Never mind their fears for own personal safety; never mind their fears for the welfare of their homes or loved ones.

The boss of one company even allegedly locked their doors and threatened his workers.

‘You’re going outside? The elevator isn’t working, can you do it? Will you resign? Have you informed your team lead? Where is your team lead?’ an online news report quoted the boss as saying.

The actions of those companies have drawn the ire of the BPO Industry Employees Network and now the Department of Labor and Employment is looking into six BPOs here for allegedly being negligent when it came to the welfare of their employees.

Just the other day the department suspended the operations of one of them for safety lapses.

You will hear no complaints from us. In the face of natural disasters like earthquakes it must be people over profit. The welfare of the workers must be placed above all else.

We understand that for some BPOs, the mentality might be that the clients come first. But while profits come from clients, the workers are the ones engaging with these clients to produce those said profits. They are as essential as the clients themselves.

Considering the higher pay BPOs give their employees compared to regular jobs, we would think that those companies now under scrutiny have better standards when it comes to labor and safety practices.

If you happen to be working for a company that locks its doors to prevent people from evacuating during an emergency, perhaps it’s better think twice about staying. The good thing about BPOs is that they are plentiful here. Your choices aren’t limited.

Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will serve as acting secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the next Ombudsman.

Remulla confirmed the designation on Tuesday, October 7.

‘Usec. Vida will step in as OIC (officer-in-charge) or acting secretary,’ Remulla told reporters in a press briefing.

Transition at the DOJ. Remulla said that he and the president have yet to discuss who will permanently succeed him as justice chief.

Vida was first appointed as an assistant secretary in 2023 and currently oversees the DOJ’s Finance, Administrative Service, and Personnel Cluster.

The justice secretary’s move to the Office of the Ombudsman came just a day after the Judicial and Bar Council included him in its shortlist of nominees for the post.

Remulla is expected to take his oath of office on Thursday, October 9.

MYNLD’s owners (Anthoni Salim and the Consunji Family) are some of the most adept stock market operators that we have in this country, and the company is ‘faced’ by MVP, who has a long resume of capital market experience to justify his role in this transaction. I’m going to dig further into this IPO once the final price is known, but (for me) the price won’t have that big of an impact on my interest. Water concessionaires are not a part of my investment thesis, so I’m not about to start ripping up some of my other trades just to make some dry powder for this deal. But even if this kind of company was something that was part of my thesis, it fails as a potential investment (for me) because I invest for the long-term and I do not trust MVP to be the steady hand of growth that I usually look for when making big bets in infrastructure. It’s entirely possible that my own prejudices against the sector and the management team will cause me to miss out on something that will list and eventually get PSEi inclusion and do fantastically well over the next year or two, but that’s a risk that I’ve learned to take after all my years of investing in this market. Maybe it’s a dumb nuance of my own personal system. It does almost feel like a superstition at this point, but it works for me, just like my lucky underwear.