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The impeachment court on Thursday, October 1, lost most of what was slated to be a pivotal stretch of testimony after prosecutors dropped former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and the anti-money laundering witness was moved to next week.

Prosecutors had lined up both witnesses for Thursday and Friday under Article II, which mainly accuses Vice President Sara Duterte of unexplained wealth and failing to divest from business interests.

After much ado, it turns out Trillanes would not be taking the stand after all. Lead prosecutor Rep. Jinky Luistro told the court today that the panel “has finally decided not to present” the former senator.

That came two days after prosecutors sought to put him on the stand ahead of their other witnesses, and a day after House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said Trillanes’s testimony would reveal weighty matters that “go beyond” the vice president’s bank accounts.

The court also granted the defense’s request to postpone the presentation of AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura to Monday so it could have more time to prepare.

In the end, a day meant for a full slate of hearings produced testimony from just two witnesses, the registers of deeds of Davao City and Samal.

They identified land titles, deeds of sale and tax declarations for properties registered to Carpio. Both said repeatedly that their role is ministerial and that they could not say whether the properties matched entries in Duterte’s SALNs.

Here are the three highlights from today’s proceedings.

1. ‘Belated final position’: Prosecution drops Trillanes

Luistro announced the decision to skip Trillanes while submitting the prosecution’s revised order of witnesses.

“We seek the kind indulgence of the honorable impeachment court for the belated final position on this particular concern,” Luistro said, without giving a reason.

When lead defense counsel Sheila Sison asked whether Trillanes was being removed from the list for good or only deferred, Luistro said the prosecution “will no longer be presenting the former senator.”

The move capped a week of back-and-forth over Trillanes. On Tuesday, the court declined to subpoena the former senator, saying bank records or an AMLC witness should come before him, though it said the prosecution could still call him voluntarily.

In an attempt to drum up excitement for Trillanes’ presentation, the prosecution said in a Tuesday press briefing that the information Trillanes had in store for the court would “draw attention.”

In April, Trillanes claimed before the House justice committee that Duterte and members of her immediate family received millions from an alleged drug lord. Duterte has denied the allegation.

Trillanes released a statement today clarifying that the decision to drop him from the witness list was made at his request.

‘Earlier in the day, I requested the House prosecution under Chair Jinky Luistro to formally withdraw my name as a witness for the prosecution. This way, the prosecution panel would be relieved from the pressure it is going through,’ Trillanes said in a statement.

The former senator is scheduled to give a press conference tomorrow at Club Filipino in Manila, where he is expected to present to the media his allegations against the vice president.

2. AMLC testimony pushed to Monday

After a brief break mid-afternoon, the defense asked the court to defer the presentation of the AMLC witness.

The prosecution’s case on Article II rests largely on AMLC reports covering P6.77 billion in transactions involving the vice president and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Sison argued that they only received the 11-page AMLC summary late in the morning Thursday. She said this left them not enough time to examine the “at least 23 to 24 boxes of documents” contained in the summary.

In addition to the volume of documents, the defense also raised a concern about the documents’ confidentiality, citing Section 8-A of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

In opposition, House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno argued that the defense had notice of the AMLC records since September 2 and pointed to the court’s July 20, 2026 ruling issuing a subpoena for the AMLC records.

That ruling, Diokno said, affirmed that Section 8-A regulates unauthorized internal leaks by AMLC personnel but does not nullify the Senate’s subpoena powers as an impeachment court.

Sen. Tito Sotto and Sen. Risa Hontiveros both expressed reservations with the defense’s argument to hold off on the AMLC presentation due to confidentiality concerns. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano argued that adherence to procedural fairness justified granting the defense a brief extension.

Escudero, in the end, citing courtesy and equity, granted the deferment and rescheduled the AMLC witness presentation to Monday.

This will be followed by the presentation of witnesses from banks and insurance companies and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

3. Raffy Tulfo calls out the prosecution’s witness choices

Before the prosecution announced its decision to drop Trillanes, Sen. Raffy Tulfo made a manifestation early in the proceedings today to seemingly chastise the prosecution for its recent showing.

Upon learning that the prosecution had yet to present Trillanes, Tulfo criticized the prosecution’s handling and order of presentation of witnesses.

“‘Yung prosecution minsan pumapalpak palpak,” he said. “There are times na naglalagay kayo ng mga witnesses dito na hindi naman kailangan talaga.”

(The prosecution sometimes messes up… There are times when you present witnesses here who aren’t really necessary.)

Tulfo said he has observed some senators “looking sleepy” and repeatedly dashing off for a bathroom break.

The prosecution said it would “take due notice and consider the advice of the senator judge.”

Local retail powerhouses ShopSM, Penshoppe and Bench made it to the inaugural Brand Conviction Index: Asia’s Top 100 Retailers.

Published by ‘Inside Retail Asia,’ the index ranks brands that enjoy the highest consumer trust in the region.

Brands part of the list are those that have built conviction among customers that go beyond their existing shopper base.

The index is based on over 70,000 consumer interviews across 11 Asian markets and 12 months of continuous data from YouGov BrandIndex up to May 31, of this year.

ShopSM ranked 80th, with nearly four times as many surveyed Filipino consumers recommending it as those who currently shop there.

ShopSM serves as The SM Store’s online shopping platform, linking delivery and click-and-collect to its physical footprint.

Also part of the list are local fashion brands Penshoppe (83rd) and Bench (92nd).

Both brands, which serve close to a third of surveyed Filipino consumers, are recommended by an even larger share.

Overall, Swiss watchmaker Rolex topped the list.

Among surveyed consumers, more aspire to own a Rolex than those who currently have one.

Other brands in the top 10 are: JD.com, Flipkart, Shopee, India’s menswear brand Louis Philippe, Hermes, Singapore’s FairPrice, Omega and Hong Kong’s Wellcome.

The index aims to measure the gap between who buys from a brand and who believes in it.

The results are expected to provide insights to retailers as they think about scale, advocacy and future growth.

he national government’s outstanding debt climbed to a new record high of P19.61 trillion at the end of August as fresh borrowings and a weaker peso pushed up both domestic and foreign obligations.

The debt stock grew by 1.1 percent from P19.39 trillion at end-July, according to data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). It was also 12.2 percent higher than the P17.47 trillion recorded in August last year.

National government debt refers to the total outstanding obligations of the government from borrowings in the domestic and international markets. These funds are used to help finance government spending when revenues are insufficient to cover expenditures.

Of the total debt stock, 67.5 percent came from domestic sources while the remaining 32.4 percent was owed to foreign creditors.

‘The overall expansion reflected the combined effects of financing activities and valuation adjustments from foreign exchange movements,’ the BTr said.

Domestic debt increased by one percent to P13.24 trillion from P13.11 trillion in July. It was also 9.5 percent higher than the P12.09 trillion recorded a year earlier, based on the Treasury’s accompanying data.

The month-on-month increase was largely due to P127.85 billion in net issuances of government securities – or Treasury bills and bonds sold by the government to raise funds.

A weaker peso also added P2.52 billion to the peso value of onshore dollar bonds, which are dollar-denominated government securities issued in the domestic market.

External debt, meanwhile, rose by 1.3 percent to P6.37 trillion from P6.28 trillion in July. Compared with August 2025, foreign obligations were up by 18.3 percent.

The increase largely reflected a P90.32-billion upward revaluation of foreign currency-denominated debt as the peso weakened against the dollar.

When the peso depreciates, the local-currency value of debt denominated in dollars and other foreign currencies rises even if the amount owed in foreign currency does not change.

The government also recorded P2.86 billion in net external loan availments. These increases were partly offset by a P5.93-billion reduction resulting from favorable movements of other currencies against the dollar.

The peso-dollar exchange rate used in valuing the debt weakened to 62.209 per dollar in August from 61.327 in July and 57.042 a year earlier.

Separately, national government guaranteed obligations edged up by 0.2 percent to P306.74 billion from P306.14 billion in July.

Guaranteed obligations are debts of government-owned entities and other borrowers for which the national government has committed to pay if the original borrower cannot.

The slight increase came mainly from a P720-million revaluation of external guarantees, partly offset by repayments on domestic and foreign guarantees.

Despite the monthly uptick, guaranteed debt was 11 percent lower than the P344.57 billion recorded at the end of 2025.

Cebu is stepping up preparations to cushion the impacts of strong El Niño, with water and power agencies warning of potential supply challenges as the dry period intensifies toward the end of the year.

During the Kapihan sa PIA discussion on ‘El Niño Outlook: Water and Power Preparedness,’ PAGASA Visayas weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino said the country is currently experiencing a strong El Niño that is expected to intensify into the very strong category between September and December and persist through the first half of 2027.

PAGASA’s Sept. 23 climate advisory also warned that the phenomenon is expected to intensify during the September-December 2026 period and continue into the first half of 2027.

Eclarino said the sea surface temperature anomaly in the Pacific Ocean had reached 2.1 degrees Celsius, prompting the classification of the current El Niño as strong.

He said climate experts expect the phenomenon to reach the very strong category by the end of 2026.

Despite the El Niño, Eclarino said rain may still occur, particularly from the Intertropical Convergence Zone and localized thunderstorms.

For Central Visayas, however, rainfall has already declined, with Eclarino citing an 89% reduction in rainfall in the previous month and a 52% reduction in September based on PAGASA’s assessment.

For October, rainfall in Central Visayas is expected to range from below normal to near normal.

PAGASA has previously warned that below-normal rainfall could continue toward the dry season, while El Niño is expected to persist through the first half of 2027.

Alternative water sources

Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) General Manager Atty. John Dx Lapid said the water district has been preparing for El Niño since April through regular briefings with PAGASA.

Among MCWD’s measures are the installation of booster stations and the revival of groundwater sources and deep wells.

Lapid said groundwater sources are expected to be less affected by El Niño than surface water, although their volume could still decline.

MCWD is also coordinating with bulk water suppliers for additional desalinated water.

Lapid said the agency is targeting additional desalinated water by November, particularly if rainfall drops significantly in November and December and remains low into early 2027.

He said MCWD is also looking at additional supply from Carmen, Cebu.

However, Lapid acknowledged that desalinated water is more expensive than conventional sources.

Some areas of Metro Cebu could experience reduced water supply, and rationing may become necessary if the effects of El Niño worsen, Lapid said.

He said MCWD is conducting hydraulic studies to determine whether water can be delivered through pipelines instead of relying solely on water trucks.

Booster pumps are also being positioned to allow MCWD to move water from one part of Metro Cebu to another, depending on where supply is available.

Lapid said the southern portion of Metro Cebu is expected to be among the areas most affected.

He said MCWD is also preparing to replace lost water supply in northern areas where necessary.

The MCWD El Niño committee is set to hold weekly meetings to ensure preparations are in place before the anticipated stronger impacts of the dry period in November.

Lapid said MCWD’s water sources consist mainly of groundwater, surface water and desalinated water, with surface water expected to be the most vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions.

Among the sources discussed were the Mananga River, Cotcot River in Compostela, Lusaran and the Luyang River in Carmen.

Lapid said MCWD expects the Cotcot River supply to potentially reach zero during a severe El Niño.

He also cited Lusaran, where a possible loss of about 20 million liters per day (MLD) could affect around 20,000 households.

The Luyang River in Carmen, meanwhile, has historically remained relatively resilient during dry periods, Lapid said.

He added that groundwater could decline but would be affected less severely, while desalinated water remains available as an alternative source.

Transmission network preparations

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines-Cebu-Bohol Operations and Maintenance Senior Manager Engr. Marcelino K. Bagatsolon II said NGCP is also strengthening its transmission network preparations in anticipation of the effects of El Niño.

Among the measures are comprehensive audits of transmission lines, preparation of substations and coordination with local government units on vegetation management and other maintenance activities.

Bagatsolon also appealed to the public to avoid flying kites near transmission lines, warning that kites or other objects that come into contact with energized lines could trigger a line trip and potentially disrupt power service.

He also highlighted the importance of protecting the TUGS underground cable, a critical transmission facility connecting Cebu City to the Mandaue GIS.

According to Bagatsolon, the underground cable has already been hit by excavation activities about five times.

He urged contractors and other groups conducting excavation works along the Hernan Cortes-Mandaue GIS route to coordinate with NGCP before digging so the location of the cable can be identified and protected.

He recalled an earlier incident in which a cable was damaged and subsequently affected by flooding, making repairs more difficult.

Damage to major transmission facilities can cost millions of pesos, aside from the economic losses caused by prolonged downtime, Bagatsolon said

Mother and daughter Glowlyn Malipol and Christine May Morales made their mark in the local fencing scene after both reached the podium in the recently concluded 2nd Leg Mini-Me and Veterans National Ranking Competition at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Morales, a promising 13-year-old pride of the University of the East, continued her impressive run by ruling the Under-14 Women’s Foil after beating Ma. Alana Angelique Ribaya of Canlas Fencing, 10-4, in the championship bout.

But beyond winning another gold medal, Morales said the victory became even more special because she was able to share the podium with her mother, who also captured a silver medal in her event.

‘I’m very happy with my victory, but I’m even happier because my mom also won a medal. Sharing the podium with her makes this achievement more meaningful for both of us,’ Morales said.

Morales reached the finals after disposing of Eliora Lenie Dela Cruz of Hampton Fencing, 10-4, while Ribaya secured her championship berth with a 10-8 victory over Lily Raine Macapagal of Oblation Fencing.

Earlier in the preliminary rounds, Morales dominated her Republic Fencing rivals Julia Lauren Reyes, 10-1, and Vince Avery Asperin, 10-4.

Her mother, Malipol, also delivered a strong performance, settling for the silver medal while representing Quezon City SEP after losing to Beverly Gay Alarcon of Luzon Elite Fencing Club in the Veterans Women Epee finals.

Malipol reached the championship match after edging Gay Marie Rafael of Republic Fencing, 10-9. She earlier defeated Rafael’s teammate Michelle Ragot, 10-4, in the preliminary round.

The Philippine Fencing Association organized the competition, with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Morales’ latest victory came on the heels of her triumph in the 3rd Leg Cadet and Junior Championships at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila, where she emerged as one of the standout performers.

The Grade 8 student-athlete and scholar said her latest victory has further boosted her confidence as she prepares for another international competition scheduled for December 1-10 in Kuala Lumpur.

‘This win gives me more confidence and motivation to train harder. I’m excited for the next international competition, and I will do my best to represent the Philippines,’ Morales said.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will investigate an off-duty policeman who joined a basketball brawl in Tondo, Manila.

Four people were injured after tensions escalated during a championship game in Barangay 135 on Sunday night.

Players punched and threw bottles at each other, closed-circuit television footage showed.

Outside the court, a shirtless man, said to be the police officer, appeared to have headlocked one of the minors.

NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano has ordered the Manila Police District to probe the incident.

Once identified, the policeman would be subjected to administrative and legal processes, according to Abrahano.

The National Police Commission’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service is also looking into the altercation.

A Sangguniang Kabataan official also joined the brawl and punched one of the players.

Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has once again demonstrated why it remains the country’s most trusted online gaming destination – this time, with the seamless, secure payout of a historic P122,409,603 jackpot, the biggest verified jackpot in Philippine slot machine history.

The landmark payout underscores more than the sheer size of the record-breaking win. It demonstrates Casino Plus’ commitment to ensuring that legitimate player winnings are verified, processed, and paid securely and in full, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

In an industry where players often worry as much about withdrawals as they do about winning, Casino Plus has anchored its platform on verifiable protection rather than promises. At the center of this commitment is a P1-billion surety bond secured through PhilFirst Insurance – a legally binding financial guarantee that safeguards player funds and ensures the platform operates within the regulatory framework of PAGCOR. Unlike marketing assurances, a surety bond is an enforceable instrument: it stands as a financial backstop for players, backed by an independent insurer. This layer of protection reflects a broader philosophy of financial discipline, transparency, and accountability.

Asked about why the jackpot winner chose Casino Plus, the winner, dubbed as “Dragon King” said, “Mabilis ‘yung withdrawal, mabait ‘yung mga staff, ‘pag may mga concern sa ‘yo, mabilis agad sila sumagot.”

“‘Yung customer service nila is good. Sabi ko, dito na lang ako maglalaro kesa sa maghanap ako ng iba. Na-enjoy ko talaga sa Casino Plus, and maayos, parang in order ‘yung system,” he added.

The winner also urged other players to be responsible and be disciplined when it comes to playing.

“‘Wag mong piliting manalo. Hindi natin alam kung kailan ibibigay, kung talagang para sa ‘yo, ibibigay. So ‘yun, mag-set ka ng limit sa sarili. Actually maganda naman sya magpalipas ng oras, personal lang, syempre,” added the Dragon King.

For the gaming platform, the record jackpot represents both a historic player win and an important operational milestone-demonstrating the platform’s capacity to process one of the largest verified online gaming payouts in the country’s history.

During his speech at the jackpot ceremony, Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma emphasized the gaming platform’s player-centric mentality and its mission to create fun and memorable experiences.

“That’s really what we’re here to create. In our platform, we guarantee that every single game that is played is fair, safe, and our withdrawals are always super fast,” said Spytma.

“I think it bears worthwhile saying that all of the players at Casino Plus are always going to be having a great time. They’re gaming responsibly, and they’re always gaming within a relatively fixed, a measured amount of bets and that’s really important. Responsible gaming is extremely important to us,” he added.

The historic jackpot was won through Aristocrat’s Dragon Link game under Casino Plus’ Slot Machine, with the winner’s identity kept confidential for personal security and privacy.

The ceremonial turnover of the P122.4-million jackpot was held at LaVie Resort and Casino in Manila on September 9, 2026, and was attended by representatives of PAGCOR and executives from the gaming platform.

Responsible gaming advisory

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

Actor Patrick Garcia’s admission that he last provided financial support for his son with actress Jennylyn Mercado in 2017 has put child support obligations under the spotlight.

Garcia said he stopped giving financial support because he was no longer seeing his son, Alex Jazz, whom he shares with Mercado.

He made the admission in an interview with Ogie Diaz uploaded on YouTube on September 29, nearly 18 years after he and Mercado separated while she was pregnant with their son.

Garcia said he last saw Jazz in December 2017 and that he also last gave financial support that year.

‘Hindi ko nakikita e, paano ko ibibigay?’ Garcia said when asked why he stopped providing financial support.

He acknowledged, however, that he had been inconsistent with providing money and spending time with his son, saying he should have done better.

But does not contact remove a parent’s obligation to provide support?

What does child support cover?

The Family Code requires parents to support their children, whether legitimate or illegitimate.

Article 195 of the Family Code lists ‘parents and their legitimate children and the legitimate and illegitimate children of the latter’ and ‘parents and their illegitimate children and the legitimate and illegitimate children of the latter’ among those who are legally obliged to support each other.

Support is not limited to food.

Under Article 194, ‘Support comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family.’

The provision also states that education may include ‘schooling or training for some profession, trade or vocation, even beyond the age of majority.’

Is there a fixed amount?

The law does not prescribe a specific peso amount or percentage of a parent’s income that must be given as child support.

Article 201 provides that ‘the amount of support’ shall be ‘in proportion to the resources or means of the giver and to the necessities of the recipient.’

The amount therefore depends on the child’s needs and the parent’s capacity to provide.

It may also be adjusted. Article 202 states that support ‘shall be reduced or increased proportionately,’ depending on changes in the recipient’s needs and the resources or means of the person obliged to provide it.

When can support be demanded?

Article 203 provides that the obligation to give support is demandable from the time the person entitled to receive it needs it for maintenance.

However, the law states that support ‘shall not be paid except from the date of judicial or extra-judicial demand.’

This means the timing of a demand for support can have legal implications in determining when the obligation becomes enforceable.

What if a parent stops providing support?

A parent seeking support for a child may ask the courts to require the other parent to provide it.

In certain circumstances, failure to provide financial support may also be covered by Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.

The law recognizes economic abuse, including acts that make or attempt to make a woman or her child financially dependent.

Still, failure to provide financial support does not automatically constitute a criminal offense under RA 9262. The circumstances of the case and the requirements of the law must be established.

The Supreme Court has also ruled that paternity must first be established before a person can be convicted under RA 9262 for economic abuse involving a child whose paternity he disputes.

Does marriage matter?

The Family Code expressly requires parents to support both legitimate and illegitimate children.

This means the obligation to support a child does not disappear because the parents were not married.

If paternity is disputed, however, establishing the parent-child relationship may first be necessary before support can be enforced against the alleged father.

Construction of major drainage, sewage and flood mitigation facilities at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is being accelerated by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

At yesterday’s inspection, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said overall project progress has surged to nearly 30 percent in just three months, from a stagnant two percent in June.

‘In June, we saw that this project had only achieved two percent progress in one-and-a-half years under the previous contractor,’ Dizon said.

‘We essentially brought in a subcontractor to take over operations to fast-track work without the lengthy six to-eight-month delay of a full rebidding process. In three months, we jumped to almost 30 percent,’ he added.

The project covers the construction and rehabilitation of buildings in the PGH complex along Taft Avenue in Manila, with a contract amount of P679.081 million.

Dizon assured hospital officials that internal drainage network is slated for completion by year-end.

The sewage treatment plant, septic tanks, road network, perimeter fence and building facade restoration will be delivered within the first quarter of 2027.

To complement internal compound works, Dizon said the DPWH has integrated external flood control upgrades into its 2027 budget.

Nothing can be more satisfying to eat on a cold, rainy day than a bowl of chicken, potatoes, and shiitake mushrooms in a hearty cream sauce, paired with warm, freshly steamed rice.

Simply spoon a generous amount of creamy sauce over your rice and take each spoonful with a piece of chicken, mushroom or potato, and it is pure bliss. There is no need for complicated viands that only end up confusing your palate. Just clean and simple flavors that your taste buds are most familiar with.

This recipe of Baby Potatoes with Chicken and Mushrooms by culinary icon Sylvia Reynoso Gala and son Ernest Reynoso Gala fits the bill perfectly. You can have it for dinner to enjoy.

Baby Potatoes with Chicken and Mushrooms

Ingredients:

500 grams baby potatoes, washed very well

1/4 cup butter, salted

1/2 cup onion, sliced

6 pcs. dried shiitake mushrooms, washed and soaked in water

500 grams chicken fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 pc. chicken cube

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups fresh or full cream milk

1 cup frozen peas (for topping), thawed

Procedure:

1. Prepare the shiitake mushrooms. Soak dried mushrooms in 1/2 cup water for a few minutes then slice into strips. Set aside. Save the mushroom water.

2. Thaw the peas very well, then sauté in 1 tbsp. butter to prevent spoilage. Set aside.

3. Put potatoes in a pan and cover with enough water. Add 1 tbsp. rock salt. Cover and let boil for 15 minutes. Drain very well. Put in a large bowl or 6 individual salad bowls. Set aside.

4. In a 12-inch pan, melt butter and sauté onion. When onions are soft, add mushrooms and chicken. Season with salt, pepper, and crumbled chicken cube. Stir and cover for 5 minutes.

5. When chicken meat changes color, add all-purpose flour. Mix well then pour in mushroom water and milk. Stir until creamy.

6. Pour on top of cooked potatoes.

7. Garnish with peas.