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Police arrested seven people for allegedly engaging in unauthorized small-scale mining in a mountainous area of San Andres town in Catanduanes.

The suspects were arrested in Barangay Cabungahan and were caught with six shovels, six digging bars, six flashlights, five pairs of gloves, three wooden gold-panning pans, and three wooden sluice box separators by personnel of the San Andres Municipal Police Station and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, said Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol Regional Police Office.

A plastic bottle containing 0.5 gram of suspected gold, worth an estimated P800, was also recovered.

Police also seized a bolo, a pair of goggles, two empty glass bottles, and an empty plastic bottle. The items were valued at about P4,500, Calubaquib said.

The suspects are in the custody of the San Andres police for proper disposition.

Calubaquib said the suspects would be charged with violating Republic Act No. 7076, or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991. The law regulates small-scale mining operations and penalizes unauthorized mining activities.

Far Eastern University caught La Salle-and the rest of the league-off guard with its 90-78 win on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tamaraws dragged the defending champions to a lopsided game from start to finish, with five players scoring in double figures.

‘We got in the gym, we got better, we pushed each other and sometimes, pain becomes one of your greatest teachers,’ said FEU coach Sean Chambers.

‘It felt like we just prepared for it after [playing against] UE, we were able to relax a bit and told the guys that we’ll start playing really good basketball after our first loss.’

Kirby Mongcopa paced the Tamaraws with 20 points while rookie Cabs Cabonilas came off the bench for 17 points and six rebounds.

Jorick Bautista fired 12 while Mo Konateh tallied a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds. Jedric Daa also scored 10.

Following their win, the Tamaraws created a five-way tie for the top seed nearing the midway through the first round.

Also sitting atop the standings are National University, University of the Philippines, Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas, who also hold identical 2-1 records.

La Salle, meanwhile, has dropped to the second-worst team in the early season, just above winless UE (0-4), with a 1-2 record.

Luis Pablo paced the Archers with 15 points, while Mason Amos and Doy Dungo scored 10 apiece.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo has filed a bill mandating the Department of Tourism (DOT) to use one official campaign slogan for at least 15 years.

Senate Bill No. 2511, or the Official Philippine Tourism Campaign Slogan bill, was filed on Tuesday, seeking to ensure consistency in promoting the country’s tourism.

Under the proposed measure, the DOT must formulate a tourism campaign slogan that shall be used for at least 15 years in the National Tourism Development Plan.

‘Tourism slogans serve as more than mere marketing tools. They help shape how a country presents itself to the world and reflects its identity, character, cultural heritage, natural wonders, and the value it seeks to share with the world,’ Tulfo said in his explanatory note.

The senator pointed out that in the previous years, the Philippines has used different slogans in promoting itself as a tourist destination.

These include ‘Wow Philippines’ in 2002, ‘Pilipinas Kay Ganda’ in 2010, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ in 2012, and most recently ‘Love the Philippines’ in 2023.

But Tulfo pressed that the ‘frequent introduction and replacement of slogans may also result in discontinuity in the country’s tourism identity, dilute public familiarity and require substantial resources for rebranding and implementation.’

According to the DOT, the slogan changes depend on the agency’s leadership, and the evolving priorities of the administration.

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has released the pay guidelines for the holidays in 2027.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1427, January 1, March 25, March 26, April 9, May 1, June 12, August 30, November 30, December 25, December 30, Eid’l Fitr (to be determined), and Eid’l Adha (to be determined) are declared as regular holidays. In line with the Labor Advisory No. 17, the following pay rules must be followed:

Employees who will not be working on this day will be entitled to 100% of their wage ‘provided that the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.’ (basic wage x 100%)

It added that ‘[w]here the day immediately preceding the regular holiday is a non-working day in the establishment or the scheduled rest day of the employee, he or she shall be entitled to holiday pay if the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the non-working day or rest day.’

Those who will be working on this day shall receive a total of 200% of their wage for the first eight hours. (basic wage x 200%)

Employees who will be working for more than eight hours on this day will be given an additional 30% of the hourly rate on the said day. (hourly rate of the basic wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked)

Employees who will work on a regular holiday that also falls on their rest day shall receive an additional 30% of the basic wage of 200% (basic wage x 200% x 130%)

For work done more than eight hours on a regular holiday that also falls on a rest day, employees will be entitled to an additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basic wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked)

For February 6, March 27, August 21, November 1, November 2, December 24, and December 31 declared as special non-working days, the pay rules are as follows:

The ‘No work, no pay’ principle will be applied if an employee does not work on this day, unless there is another company policy or collective bargaining agreement that grants special pay

An employee who will work on this day shall receive an additional 30% of the basic wage on the first eight hours (basic wage x 130%)

An employee who will work more than eight hours on this day shall receive additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basic wage x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked)

If an employee works on this day that also falls on their rest day, the employer shall pay an additional 50% of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work (basic wage x 150%)

For work done for more than eight hours on this day that also falls on the employees’ rest day, the employers shall pay an additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basic wage x 150% x 130% x number of hours worked)

Meanwhile, as February 25 is considered a special working day, the pay guidelines must be observed:

This day shall be considered as an ordinary working day for purposes of wage payment and wage-related benefits

‘No work, no pay’ principle will be applied if an employee does not work on this day, unless there is another company policy or collective bargaining agreement that grants special pay

For work done on an ordinary working day, the employee shall be given 100% of their wage for the first eight hours of work (basic wage x 100%)

An employee who will work more than eight hours on this day shall receive an additional 25% of the hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basic wage x 125%)

Miki Ryoma fired a four-under-par 66 under excruciating heat on Wednesday to take a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the P2.5 million ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge as he moved 36 good holes away from realizing a dream.

The 35-year-old Japanese, who wears a bowtie during tournaments, thus became the first foreigner in the circuit to lead a PGT leg this season, and getting a shot at a breakthrough win like this comes a full decade after he finished second to Antonio Lascuña at Eagle Ridge.

He takes a 134 aggregate into the third round as he tries to fend off Jonel Ababa, who fired a 68 to be a shot behind, and a slew of tested campaigners led by former Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla, multi-leg winners Reymon Jaraula and Rupert Zaragosa and the champ last week at Marapara, Art Arbole.

‘I didn’t play steady in the first round but hit it solid today,’ the Saitama native said. ‘I hit all fairways, reached all greens and made five birdies against one bogey.’

Jaraula and Mondilla fired 68s to be two shots off like Ira Alido, who submitted a day-best 65 to wheel into solid contention and put an opening 71 behind.

Arbole, who broke through after 14 years in Bacolod last week, returned a 67 for 137, in the company of Francis Morilla, who also shot a 67, and Zaragosa, who assembled a 69.

‘The course is really playing tough,’ the 42-year-old Ababa, who is playing for the memory of departed wife Mailyn, said in Filipino as he is trying to bounce back from a final round meltdown in Bacolod.

Mondilla, who was part of a four-way tie for the lead at the middle of the second round together with Jaraula and Ryoma, dropped two shots late in his round that threw away a four-under-par card.

Kristoffer Arevalo shot a 67 to lead a four-man pack made up of James Ryan Lam, Jeff Lumbo and Lakewood leg winner Justin Quiban at 138. Lam and Lumbo fired 69s, while Quiban, after opening with a cold 72, bounced back with a 66.

Alex Eala faces Wang Xiyu of China in the Asian Games women’s singles semifinal on Thursday at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.

The Filipino tennis ace returns to the Center Court again, eyeing a spot in the gold medal match, which will put her closer to her Olympic dream for Los Angeles 2028.

Eala faces her toughest opponent yet in Aichi-Nagoya in Wang, who is currently ranked No. 85 with a career-best ranking of No. 49. The two have not previously met on the court.

Wang owns a WTA title from the Guangzhou Open in 2023, while her best Grand Slam result came at this year’s French Open, where she reached the round of 16.

Eala, meanwhile, came into the Asian Games carrying enormous pressure to win it all as a top-20 player and the No. 1 seed in the women’s singles draw.

But Eala still knows what it feels like to be the underdog.

‘I think it’s a good problem to have. It’s kind of cool because I’ve been on both sides, on the underdog side and then more recently, I’ve been on more of the seeded side,’ said Eala.

‘So I think each of those situations comes with their own set of adversities. Not to say that one is more difficult than the other. It’s just different types of difficulties.’

‘But, of course, it’s always better to be on top. And at the end of the day, there’s always going to be someone better than you in tennis and in life. So I think with that philosophy, you just have to take everything step by step.’

Eala guaranteed herself a medal in her second straight Asian Games stint after beating Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-0, in the quarterfinals and dominating Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej, 6-1, 6-0, in the opener.

The provincial government has allocated P25.7268 million from its Quick Response Fund (QRF) for immediate assistance and response efforts following weather-related damage estimated at over P2 billion across Occidental Mindoro, according to the Philippine Information Agency in Mimaropa.

The PIA report, released on Tuesday, said the province was placed under a state of calamity on Sept. 1 after the southwest monsoon triggered widespread flooding that affected all municipalities and damaged homes, agricultural areas, livestock, and infrastructure.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Mario Mulingbayan said the QRF was prioritized for communities and sectors most affected by the flooding and other weather disturbances.

The largest allocation, P12 million, was earmarked for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO); P8.51 million for the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and P3.78 million for the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

The PDRRMO funds will be used to acquire disaster-response supplies and materials, including gabion wires and filter cloth, and provide fuel subsidies to local government units and partner organizations.

The OPA allocation will support livelihood recovery among farmers and boat owners affected by the southwest monsoon and tropical depressions. It will also fund agricultural inputs, including palay, corn, and other seeds.

The PSWDO allocation includes financial assistance for families whose houses were damaged by the flooding. Families with totally damaged houses will receive P10,000, while those with partially damaged homes will receive P5,000.

Mulingbayan said validation and payment processing for the housing assistance were completed, and its distribution would follow a schedule.

The QRF also includes assistance for livestock raisers who lost animals, support for affected micro, small and medium enterprises, and medicines for municipalities affected by flooding.

Mulingbayan said the QRF forms part of the province’s short-term recovery and rehabilitation measures.

The provincial government is also preparing to conduct a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) to determine longer-term recovery and rehabilitation requirements resulting from the damage.

Eleven passengers of a jeepney were injured after the vehicle overturned along the national road in Sitio Bagacuta, Barangay Paroyhog, Santa Maria town in Romblon on Wednesday.

All those injured were promptly brought to a hospital for medical attention, according to a report from the Santa Maria Municipal Police Station (MPS).

According to an initial report from the Romblon News Network, the jeepney was traveling from the town of Looc to San Agustto municipality when the accident occurred at 9:35 a.m.

The vehicle was reportedly traveling downhill when the driver noticed that its brakes were not working.

The driver then maneuvered the jeepney toward the left side of the road and deliberately steered it into the hillside to stop the vehicle and prevent it from plunging down a steep portion of the road.

The jeepney tipped over and landed on its right side.

There were 13 passengers aboard, including nine adults, two teenagers or minors, and two children. The report did not say which of them were hurt.

Santa Maria Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Jane Francisco said responders immediately evacuated the injured and brought them to the Don Modesto Formilleza Sr. Memorial Hospital in Looc for first aid and further medical attention.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading three bills seeking to provide further legal and financial protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

During Wednesday’s session, lawmakers in a voice vote approved House Bill (HB) 9462, HB 9805, and HB 9806, all sponsored by Agimat party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla, chairperson of the House committee on overseas workers affairs.

Revilla said HB 9462, which expands the use of legal assistance funds (LAF), will ensure funding is available to OFWs facing legal issues.

‘An overseas Filipino worker can use the fund from the moment they are investigated, detained, arrested, or charged. The support continues all throughout the trial and during any appeals,’ Revilla said in his sponsorship speech.

Revilla also said the fund can help OFWs appeal their cases or file complaints against abusive employers.

He noted that the bill will ensure that OFWs can still be protected even in countries without a migrant’s office.

‘The rules of using the LAF will also apply to the DMW’s [Department of Migrant Workers] action fund. This ensures that the government’s fund for legal aid is used in a standard, efficient, and careful way,’ he added.

Meanwhile, HB 9805 seeks to redefine the crime of illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate.

Revilla said that if the measure is passed into law, it will dissuade illegal recruiters from pursuing their illegal activities ‘as amendments will facilitate their convictions.’

Lastly, HB 9806 is aimed at providing free financial education programs to OFWs and their families.

Revilla underscored the importance of proper financial management among OFWs and teaching them how to grow their hard-earned money.

‘This bill aims to guide both land-based and sea-based OFWs whether documented or otherwise from fraud and debt traps from saving their money for a secure future,’ Revilla said in a separate sponsorship speech.

He noted that financial education will become a mandatory component of pre-departure orientation and post-arrival training seminars conducted in embassies or job sites.

Local government units (LGUs) are best positioned to cushion the impact of public transport fare hikes on commuters in their respective areas, Philippine Councilors League (PCL) national president Benjie Abalos said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the PCL-Zamboanga del Norte Chapter Assembly in Cebu City on Tuesday, Abalos addressed concerns over the recent fare increases approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

He noted that the national body can only offer guidance on the LTFRB-approved fare increases, saying ‘the ultimate action rests on local governments.’

‘On issues regarding fare increases, we may give advice, but local officials will still be the ones to execute solutions because they know the situation in their localities,’ he said.

Abalos strongly encouraged local chief executives and city councilors to extend direct relief measures to affected commuters, such as implementing localized Libreng Sakay (free ride programs) or providing targeted fuel subsidies to transport operators.

However, he stressed that response strategies will naturally vary across provinces and municipalities.

‘While we highly encourage local government units to extend assistance like Libreng Sakay or fuel subsidies, every local chapter has its own ideas. From us at the national level, there is no single solution for everyone,’ Abalos said.