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Marcos urged to keep Foreign Affairs secretary amid Cabinet revamp

ENRIQUE A. MANALO — DFA.GOV.PH

A CONGRESSMAN on Wednesday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to keep his top envoy amid a shake-up in his Cabinet.

Replacing Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo would be a loss for the agency, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez said in a statement.

He does not deserve to be replaced after his campaign to stake the Southeast Asian nation’s claim in the contested South China Sea, he added.

“[He] has led the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with a clear vision of our national interest and has been working hard to protect our sovereign rights under international law, especially for our West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

Mr. Marcos last week called for the resignation of his top ministers as part of a “bold reset” of his government to better serve Filipinos. It came after administration-backed senatorial candidates underwhelmingly performed in the midterm elections.

The President’s allies failed to win majority of the 12 seats, leaving Mr. Marcos a divided political and legislative landscape that could thwart his attempt to have an ally succeed him in 2028.

Mr. Manalo has been appointed as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York, a post he held before, and would be replaced by Undersecretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro on July 31, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said last week.

The Philippines’ top envoy is expected to handle souring diplomatic tensions with China over disputes in the South China Sea and push a long-awaited code of conduct in the waters, as Philippine officials eye its completion next year when the country hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“If he accepts the UN assignment… he will be reporting to his new DFA boss, who is now one of his undersecretaries,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “I don’t think that is fair to Secretary Manalo.”

Mr. Manalo will replace Antonio Manuel R. Lagdameo as head of the Philippines’ diplomatic mission to the UN.

Instead of transferring Mr. Manalo, Mr. Rodriguez said another career diplomat should replace the retiring UN representative.

“The country’s representative to the UN is a plum post,” he said. “Many senior career DFA personnel would surely aspire for that.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DepEd mulls ‘exit points’ allowing students to enter college earlier

PHILIPPINESTAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE EDUCATION department on Wednesday said they are open to allowing senior high school students to enter college before completing their final year of schooling, as officials look to streamline the curriculum amid concerns over redundancies.

The Department of Education (DepEd) could permit students to skip their final leg of schooling under the K-12 curriculum, Education Assistant Secretary Janir T. Datukan told a House of Representatives panel.

“Even without a law, can DepEd implement exit points after Grade 10 or Grade 11?” Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo, who heads the House Education committee, asked Education officials. “Can they proceed directly to college without taking Grade 12 anymore?”

“Yes,” Mr. Datukan said.

The Philippines implemented the K-12 curriculum in 2010 amid efforts to align the country’s education system on par with global standards. It added two additional years in high school and was meant to better align students with courses they plan to take up in college.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and DepEd are also looking at adopting some of the General Education subjects taken in college under the senior high school curriculum to reduce redundancies in the Philippine education curriculum, Mr. Datukan said.

“The new proposal is to adopt the general education courses in our senior high school core subjects,” he said.

“They have already met and agreed that five of the remaining General Education subjects in college will be moved down to Senior High School, specifically to Grade 11,” Mr. Romulo told reporters after the House education panel hearing.

This could shave off a semester from college, said Mr. Romulo.

“You have already heard that CHED is open about the possibility of removing an entire semester from college,” he said.

CHILD DEV’T WORKERS
Meanwhile, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Board has approved the advanced training for Child Development Workers (CDWs) to improve the country’s early childhood education workforce, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

“With the National Certification III for Early Childhood Care and Development, parents and guardians can be confident that our CDWs will gain the competencies needed to help children aged 0-4 in their holistic development,” said TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco B. Benitez said in a statement on Wednesday.

EDCOM 2 said that child development workers will undergo training and assessment under TESDA’s programs.

The new training will also cover the management of child development centers, assessments on the progress and development of children, and the implementation of the early childhood care and development curriculum.

In an EDCOM 2 report, it was found that only 16.8%, or 11,414 CDWs across the country had only completed high school. Around 89% of them remained in non-permanent positions, earning a monthly salary averaging P5,000.

“We have more than 68,000 CDWs nationwide, many of whom have not been given the tools, training, or compensation that will help them effectively perform their duties,” EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said.

“This certification is a crucial step toward their professionalization, which will improve both the delivery and quality of ECCD programs and services,” he added.

TESDA also launched a regional training program aimed at building a pool of qualified trainers at the regional level who can facilitate training programs for new regulations.

Moreover, Mr. Gatchalian pushed for a cost sharing initiative to address the lack of classrooms in local public schools.

“One effective strategy is implementing a counterpart program where local government units and the national government share the cost of constructing new classrooms,” he said in a separate statement.

DepEd earlier said that the backlog of classrooms in the country stood at 165,000 as it lacked the budget to construct more facilities. This was seen to impact the incoming 2025-2026 school year.

Under the 2025 budget, DepEd was given P28 billion for basic education facilities, including P7.18 billion for the construction of new kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings. A P6.13-billion provision was allocated for rehabilitation and repair of schools.

“Solving the country’s classroom shortage demands a multi-faceted approach,” he added.

Mr. Gatchalian said that the government must also strengthen public-private partnerships and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education to help ease congestion in public schools.

“We need to be proactive in addressing these gaps. We must ensure that every student has a safe, secure, and appropriate educational space,” he added.

NEW ZEALAND SCHOLARSHIPS, RESIDENCY
In a separate development, New Zealand announced on Tuesday that more scholarships are open for Filipinos, along with an opportunity to pursue a possible long-term residency pathway after studying.

“We believe we have a strong understanding of motivations from students here in the Philippines,” Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Regional Director for Asia Ben Burrowes told reporters in a briefing.

“So we can create an offering that best matches their interest, and we know their key interest are graduate outcomes,” he added.

In the 2024 data of ENZ, the Philippines was ranked the ninth largest source of international students in New Zealand. The government agency said that 56% of Filipinos were enrolled in applied learning and private training establishments (PTEs), followed by 27% in vocational training institutes.

To further increase the number of Filipino students abroad, the ENZ and 10 educational institutions will have an education roadshow for high school and undergraduate students, highlighting PTEs specializing in practical and hands-on courses.

The roadshow will have study fairs in Manila on May 31, Bacolod on June 3, and Cebu on June 7.

Apart from the roadshow, New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh announced more available slots for Filipinos in the Manaaki Scholarship Program opening in January 2026.

The Ambassador noted that the slots for Filipinos in 2026 rose to 44 from 16, which is the highest allocation for the country to date.

“It really is a significant increase in support of our foreign policy objectives in the region,” Ms. McIntosh said.  “But also the comprehensive partnership which has been agreed to bilaterally between President Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon.”

Aspiring Manaaki scholars are assessed based on leadership potential, development impact, and academic merit.

On its website, the scholarship grant is open to Filipino students applying for postgraduate studies. The recommended research study subjects for the candidates from the Philippines include climate change and environment, disaster management, renewable energy, food security and agriculture, and governance.

Scholars are required to return to their home country after graduation for the return service component for two years.

“More than academic merit and their articulation skills, the narrative by which their scholarship can rebound to their communities is a very important narrative for New Zealand’s scholarship program,” said New Zealand International Development Cooperation Manila Manager Dyan Mabunga Rodriguez.

ENZ also leverages digital campaigns for “green list” programs or study pathways that can possibly lead to long-term residency.

The green list programs, which include civil engineering, agriculture, and education, are industries in New Zealand that experience skill shortages.

“Say they’re studying agriculture, that’s currently a skill shortage in New Zealand,” Mr. Burrowes said. “If they’re wanting to stay beyond their post-study work rights, then they have a greater chance of obtaining the different visas that potentially could lead towards permanent residency.”

“We align the education goals with what our prospective international students are looking for and what our national skill shortages are,” he added.

From January to August 2024, New Zealand had 1,983 enrolled students from the Philippines. The ENZ said that the student visa approval rate in the same year reached 79%, which is a “strong” approval rate, according to Mr. Burrowes. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Adrian H. Halili, and Almira Louise S. Martinez

$400-M ADB loan to drive BARMM growth

MARK BALMORES/PPA POOL

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., called the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) $400-million loan for Mindanao a big deal, highlighting its potential to catalyze long-term economic growth in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and across the southern Philippines.

“This was part of the BIMP-EAGA discussion, and the ADB made commitments as it has always done,” Mr. Marcos said in a press briefing during the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday evening.

Mr. Marcos was referring to the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) initiative. “ADB is really our counselor when it comes to these projects,” he added.

With the decades-long secessionist conflict in Mindanao largely resolved, Mr. Marcos said the region is now poised for sustained growth, provided that development efforts in BARMM are shepherded effectively.

“Mindanao is still the land of promise,” he added in Filipino. “We never quite realized that promise before, but now there is a real chance that we will.”

The push to develop Mindanao is not being led by ADB alone, he noted. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Malaysia, Japan, and the European Union have all played roles in the peace process and are increasingly involved in economic and institutional support for BARMM.

“I hold great hope for the future of Mindanao,” he said. 

ADB President Masato Kanda on Tuesday said it is set to approve this year a new $400-million loan for the Philippines, which would fund efforts to boost the country’s marine ecosystem and “blue economy.”

Separately, the ADB also expects to approve a $62.7-million loan for the first phase of the Mindanao Irrigation Development Project in 2026.

It aims to improve irrigation planning and promote climate-resilient farming systems to boost agricultural productivity in Mindanao.

Mr. Marcos arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday morning after a two-day summit in the Malaysian capital, where leaders dialogued on matters concerning the regional bloc. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Teves rearrested in Timor Leste

CONG. ARNIE A. TEVES FACEBOOK PAGE

A FORMER congressman accused of killing his political rival was rearrested in Timor Leste on Tuesday evening, his lawyer confirmed.

According to former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr.’s lawyer, Ferdinand S. Topacio, as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Mr. Teves “was taken from his residence in Dili” along with his Timorese counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, by the immigration police.

“The two are presently detained in the compound of the Ministry of the Interior. Mr. Teves has counsel inside the compound,” he told reporters in a Viber chat on Wednesday.

Mr. Topacio said there was no warrant, or any written authority shown to Mr. Teves and Mr. Serra.

In a separate statement, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said the move showed the Timorese government does not want Mr. Teves in their territory.

“We await their action — whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” spokesman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said.

In a virtual news briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Topacio said the legal team of Mr. Teves has filed a petition for habeas corpus in Dili, seeking to compel authorities to justify his sudden arrest and impending deportation to Manila.

Mr. Teves is accused of killing Negros Oriental governor Roel R. Degamo and others. He has been seeking asylum in the Southeast Asian nation, but his passport was cancelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The DoJ said this made him an undocumented foreigner.

“We are ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue,” Mr. Clavano added. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Marcos visits largest PHL greenhouse

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. visited the Metro Pacific Fresh Farms in San Rafael, Bulacan on Wednesday. He was joined by Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Jovy I. Hernandez (leftmost), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (second from left), MPIC Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs Michael T. Toledo (third from left), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. (third from right), and San Rafael Mayor Cipriano D. Violago (rightmost). — PPA POOL/NOEL B. PABALATE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Wednesday, visited the Philippines’ largest greenhouse facility in Bulacan, highlighting his administration’s push to modernize the country’s agriculture through technology and private sector partnerships.

The 3.5-hectare Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF) in San Rafael, Bulacan, is operated by Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV), a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). 

The facility uses Israeli hydroponic technology to grow vegetables in a controlled environment, aiming to improve productivity and promote food security.

Mr. Marcos, a former agriculture secretary in his own cabinet, made agricultural modernization a policy priority, citing the need to improve yields, reduce dependence on imports, and ensure long-term food sustainability in the face of climate and supply chain risks.

A statement from the Presidential Communications Office cited an interview with MPAV President Jovy I. Hernandez, saying the facility is nine times more productive than traditional farms. He called the facility a “big boost” to the Marcos administration’s push for agricultural modernization, with its potential to reshape how food is produced and distributed in the country.

Capable of yielding up to 500 metric tons of fresh vegetables annually, the greenhouse has also generated 100 local jobs since opening in March. While MPFF is exploring direct-to-consumer sales online, it is simultaneously negotiating with supermarket chains to broaden its market reach.

MPAV plans to establish additional greenhouse facilities in Cavite, Palawan, and Benguet. The company also aims to work with local farmers to share best practices and technology that could raise sector-wide productivity. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Chinese using Filipino identity nabbed

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE authorities have arrested a Chinese national suspected of using falsified documents to pose as a Filipino and having links him to a company previously investigated for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said Chinese national was apprehended on May 21 in Cagayan de Oro as part of a broader crackdown on POGOs, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., to target illegal foreign nationals involved in criminal activity.

Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said he was identified as an incorporator of Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation (Phil-Sanjia), a company subjected to congressional scrutiny in 2024 for its alleged links to illicit POGO activities.

Authorities recovered several Philippine-issued documents, including birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and voter registration slips, all under his name.

Another incorporator of Phil-Sanjia was listed as Antonio Lim, believed to be an alias another Chinese national arrested by the BI in 2024 for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino citizen.

“We will not allow foreign nationals to abuse our systems, falsify their identities, and use Philippine documents to cover their tracks,” said Mr. Viado in a statement. “The Bureau is fully committed to supporting the President’s campaign to rid the country of criminal elements linked to illegal POGOs.”

The Philippines on Dec. 31, 2024, declared all forms of POGOs illegal, following a series of crimes connected to them, such as human trafficking, money laundering, and torture. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

NKTI gets P592-M PhilHealth fund

EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has disbursed over P592 million of total claims paid to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), as of May 21.

“In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s priorities, I visited and met with partner health care facilities to personally see how the public’s needs are being met, and ensure we are able to pay the benefits claims,” Acting PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin M. Mercado said in Filipino in a statement on Wednesday.

The disbursements were in line with the state insurer’s RISE30 initiative which aims to expedite claims processing and payment to ensure Filipinos are able to receive PhilHealth’s full benefits and services.

As of the first five months, PhilHealth has paid P161 million for hemodialysis procedures alone at NKTI.

In 2024, hemodialysis was the top paid medical procedure in the country.

PhilHealth said it has been enhancing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 5 benefits since 2023, with the expanded coverage for hemodialysis sessions to 156 sessions per year from 90 previously.

The state insurer also increased the Z Benefit Package for Peritoneal Dialysis, which now offers financial assistance of up to P1.2 million, while the Z Benefit coverage for Kidney Transplantation has been raised to over P2 million from P600,000. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Sotto vows fight vs fake news

STOCK PHOTO | Image by memyselfaneye from Pixabay

A WINNING Senatorial candidate on Tuesday said he is looking to strengthen the country’s policies against fake news, especially in social media.

“We must preserve the freedom of the press, of expression, and of speech but it does not give (someone) the license to come up with fake news… under the provision that I will come up with, it should be taken down,” Senator-elect Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III said at a news forum.

Mr. Sotto said that the proposed measure will be a standalone law that will immediately take down and arrest creators of fake news in online platforms.

In 2019, he filed an Anti-Fake News Bill that sought to eliminate the spread of fake news in online and in social media platforms by criminalizing the act of maliciously create or spread false information.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had earlier ordered his government to combat fake news and disinformation, following in social media platform coinciding with the 2025 midterm elections. — Adrian H. Halili

DBM issues rules on SK budget

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued guidelines on the appropriation, release and budgeting process for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) funds in an effort to push for its financial autonomy.

“SK shall have financial independence in its operations, disbursements, and encashment of its fund, income and expenditures,” the DBM said, citing amended Section 20 (b) of the Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.

This was indicated in the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2025-1, between the DBM, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the National Youth Commission.

In addition, the DBM said the SK is “strongly encouraged” to open and maintain a depository account in the same bank and branch of its barangay.

The circular also noted that the funds have to deposited by the barangay in the current account of the SK not later than five working days after the crediting of the monthly National Tax Allotment share of the barangay in accordance with the Commission on Audit’s rules and regulations. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Mayors, NIA forge deal on rice farming support

BAGUIO CITY — League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) National President Joseph Sto. Niño B. Bernos representing all town mayors in the country signed on Monday a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on farming support services seeking to create a sustainable mechanism for enhancing food security and increasing market access for local farmers.

“Through this agreement, the municipalities will be the guarantor of affordable and accessible rice for the people,” Mr. Bernos said.

“As my term as LMP National President nears completion, I want to leave behind a legacy that will boost agricultural productivity and spur rural development that resonate with many of our fellow mayors,” he explained.

Mr. Bernos, who is the incumbent La Paz, Abra mayor, overwhelmingly won in the congressional race in his home province during the May 12 polls.

Under the agreement, NIA will procure the rice from the Irrigators’ Associations under the Contract Farming item in the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, amounting to P3.4 billion.

The municipal local government units will then purchase rice from NIA at a fair price, which in turn will be bought by cooperatives who will sell it to the market.

The LGUs will also seek to build the capacities of local cooperatives to ensure readiness and compliance with the MoA.

Mr. Bernos signed the MoA alongside NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen and witnessed by LMP officials. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Moro regional lawmakers want Lagdameo retained as SAP

COTABATO CITY — A bloc in the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament had urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to retain his Mindanao-based special assistant who is, for them, Malacañang’s best conduit for services related to its peace overtures with southern Moro communities.

Senior Information officers in the Bangsamoro parliament told reporters on Wednesday, that regional lawmaker Naguib G. Sinarimbo had asked President Marcos in a privilege speech last Monday to retain Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo, Jr., who had reportedly complied with his directive for all members of his cabinet to tender their courtesy resignation.

Mr. Lagdameo was appointed special assistant to the president (SAP) in 2022 and has since been supporting the peace and community development efforts of the Moro Islamic Liberation and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), according to Mr. Sinarimbo.

Mr. Sinarimbo confirmed to reporters that officials of the Cotabato City chapter of his political party, the Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo, have joined his bid for President Marcos to sustain his linkages with the Moro sectors through Mr. Lagdameo.

“SAP Lagdameo has strong connectivity with us in the Bangsamoro region. He has a good understanding of the deep intricacies and ramifications of the national government’s peace process for the Moro communities. We want him there in the Office of the President as its direct link to our communities,” Mr. Sinarimbo told reporters.

Abdulkarim T. Misuari, a senior representative of the MNLF to the 80-member Bangsamoro parliament, said Mr. Lagdameo has also been helping them sustain the gains of their September 1996 peace compact with the national government.

“He (Lagdameo) has been our steady and strong partner in sustaining the gains of the peace process between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front. Officials of the Moro National Liberation in the Bangsamoro parliament and the members of its central committee want the President to keep him as his special assistant,” Mr. Misuari said. — John Felix M. Unson

Tanker Sia breaks 2 records to lead NCR surge at Palarong Pambansa

SOPHIA GARRA of NCR creates ripples with 4 gold medals so far, including 2 new Palaro records. — PSC

LAOAG CITY – There’s a new shark in town.

Neophyte tanker Titus Rafael Sia emerged as the newest sea titan up North after shattering two meet records for three gold medals so far to anchor National Capital Region (NCR)’s surge midway through the 2025 Palarong Pambansa on Wednesday at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium aquatics center here.

The 12-year-old Mr. Sia from San Juan City made ripples in his first Palaro plunge, resetting the marks in elementary boys’ 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke with an ultimate goal of winning all his seven events — no less than at the home province of Ilocano Shark and two-time Olympic medalist Teofilo Yldefonso.

Mr. Yldefonso, also a war hero who became the first Filipino and Southeast Asian medalist in the Summer Games, is the silhouette on the official logo of the 65th Palaro being hosted by Ilocos Norte for only the first time since 1968.

And Mr. Sia, who swam 4,000 to 5,000m in the past month to brace up for glory and history, may have dived his way to a huge potential as the next Mr. Yldefonso in the making.

“I just keep on swimming and swimming. I just want to swim and break all the records (possible),” said Mr. Sia, an incoming Grade 7 student in Xavier School San Juan, who still has three individual and one relay events.

He clocked two minutes and 7.86 seconds for gold in 200m freestyle, breaking the 2:08.12 time of Central Luzon’s Rafael Barreto in 2013 Dumaguete edition. In the 100m backstroke, he timed 1:05.44 to surpass the 1:06.38 mark of NCR’s Seth Isaak Martin in the 2015 Tagum games.

But Mr. Sia, who also won gold in the 4x50m medley relay with team NCR, wasn’t the only shark from Metro Manila who suddenly rose from the nearby Caaoacan Beach some eight kilometers from the Laoag City plaza.

De La Salle University’s Sophia Rose Garra, who dominated Cebu with six mints, later on clinched two new records of her own in the elementary girls for a total of W gold medals so far. Like Mr. Sia, she’s out to go 7/7.

Ms. Garra (1:07.61) did not only break her own record of 1:08.50 in the 100m backstroke she set in 2024 Cebu Palaro but also bumped off the 2:33.12 mark of Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh in the 200m individual medley in 2018 Vigan games with 2:31.41.

Hailing from Malabon, the incoming Grade 7 student also ruled the 200m freestyle and 4x50m relay with team NCR to become the most bemedaled swimmer so far.

Two more NCR tankers in Patricia Mae Santor of University of Santo Tomas (200m butterfly, 200m IM) and Raina Samantha Leyran (50m backstroke, 4x50m medley relay) seized two golds each as 17-time champion Metro Manila pulled away with two days to go.

Thanks to a huge harvest in swimming and gymnastics led by five-gold winner Arman Hernandez Jr. from Pasay, NCR zoomed to 52 gold, 26 silver and 16 bronze medals to create a huge gap from CALABARZON (24-35-19) and Western Visayas (16-19-16).

Meanwhile, Jhul Ian Cañalita captured his second record-breaking gold medal in the 3,000m steeplechase with 9:23.89 to beat the 9:35.2 mark of Central Luzon’s Jerry Vasquez set in 2019 Davao Palaro.

Mr. Cañalita of Tabuan National High School in Bohol the other day clocked 15:16.31 seconds in the 5,000m to surpass the 15:38.4 record of Davao Region’s Cresencio Cabal in the 1998 Bacolod games.

Other multi-medalists in Day 3 so far were arnisadors Shayne Mark Monreal (4) of Northern Mindanao, Airielle Ashley Lape (4) and Queen Fairy Rose Rante (4) of CARAGA as well as NCR gymnast King Cjay Pernia (4) and Northern Mindanao’s James Custodio III (3) in arnis.

More than 20 athletes have two golds each in the race for the most bemedaled athlete entering the final two days of the country’s premier scholastic sports competition organized by the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission featuring 18 regions. — John Bryan Ulanday

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