Customs seeks talks with AmCham, US Embassy over corruption issues

October 14, 2025 | 8:43 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it is seeking a dialogue with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) and the US Embassy after the agency was tagged in a US report as among the Philippines’ “most corrupt.”

“We have provided information through the proper diplomatic channels to clarify our ongoing reforms and have requested a dialogue with the American Chamber of Commerce and the US Embassy to further strengthen cooperation,” the BoC said in a statement on Tuesday.

The BoC hopes to further discuss the findings of the 2025 State Department Investment Climate Statements report and explore future cooperation in promoting good governance and facilitating trade.

In its September 2025 report, the State Department said the BoC is “still considered one of the most corrupt agencies in the country,” calling corruption a major barrier to attracting investments.

It added that the US embassy has received multiple reports from US firms of overly invasive searches, inconsistent customs charges, and demands for “facilitation fees” from BoC personnel. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

P349 temporary safeguard duty imposed on imported cement

October 14, 2025 | 8:43 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will be imposing a temporary safeguard duty of P349 per metric ton on imported cement for three years.

The DTI said it will be adopting the Tariff Commission’s (TC) recommendation to impose a safeguard duty of P14 per 40-kilogram bag of ordinary Portland cement Type 1 and blended cement.

“The imposition of the safeguard duty will be subjected to dynamic monitoring and review to ensure that prices remain stable and supply stays sufficient to cover demand at any given time,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the DTI, the TC recommendation is equivalent to only 3-4% of the prevailing retail price and will level the playing field between domestic manufacturers and importers. It does not expect the extra cost to be passed on to consumers.

It said the excess cash bond paid by importers, or the difference between the provisional and final duty assessed, will be refunded once the DTI issues the corresponding order.

Ms. Roque said recent earthquakes underscore the need to ensure an adequate and affordable supply of cement.

“The DTI will regularly review the safeguard duty to adjust its scope and intensity in response to market conditions,” she added.

“The department will actively regulate the effects of safeguard tariffs to maintain a balanced environment where both local manufacturers and cement importers can adapt, compete, and thrive, particularly during periods of calamities or supply disruptions,” she said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Mati Airport set for expedited development

October 14, 2025 | 8:42 pm

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is expediting the construction and upgrade of Mati Airport in the Davao region, with plans for it to accommodate turboprop aircraft by 2027.

“We are working to expedite the construction of the airport… For 2026, CAAP (the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) allotted a P700-million budget for Mati Airport,” Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said in a statement on Tuesday.

The DoTr aims to complete the airport’s passenger terminal building by 2026. Turboprop aircraft operations are expected to begin in 2027, to be followed by the introduction of jet services after further upgrades.

Mati Airport is being positioned as an alternative to Davao International Airport, the DoTr said.

Work on the airport started in February after being granted funding for site and runway development.

In 2023, the provincial government of Davao Oriental pushed for the revival of the mothballed airport to boost tourism.

Initially built in the 1970s, the airport was left unused and has not hosted commercial operations due to land transfer disputes. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Farm drone demos planned via ‘learning hubs’

October 14, 2025 | 8:41 pm

THE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said it will begin its rice farming drone rollout via demonstrations at a network of “learning hubs.”

Drone program leader Dindo King Donayre said in an e-mail that these sites will “showcase the effectiveness of digital and precise technologies in real-field farming conditions.”

He added that the sites will be training centers staffed by PhilRice and nearby universities and local governments.

“As the technologies prove their value and usability, training-of-trainers programs and other scaling approaches will help local technicians and farm leaders to become multipliers of innovation within their community,” Mr. Donayre said. — Andre Christopher H. Alampay

Scam calls in the Philippines rise over 78% in Q3

October 14, 2025 | 8:41 pm

Mobile-phones — STOCK PHOTO | Image by terimakasih0 from Pixabay

SCAM CALLS in the Philippines rose 78.44% quarter on quarter to 62,390 in the three months to September, anti-scam application Whoscall reported.

According to the Whoscall Scam Report, the scam callers “are taking advantage of legitimate promotional calls like credit card limit upgrades, making their scams sound more believable to unsuspecting consumers,” according to Mel Migriño, the Gogolook Philippines country head and general manager, at a briefing on Tuesday. Gogolook developed the Whoscall app.

She noted that scam callers typically impersonate banks or businesses offering fake rewards or loans to mobile users. These scams are expected to surge until the end of the year in the runup to the holidays.

On a year-on-year basis, scam calls fell 62.24% during the third quarter.

Scam texts declined 42.17% from a quarter earlier to 37,609 in the three months to September, it said. They were down 97.71% year on year.

Ms. Migriño said there was now a greater wariness of scams by text recipients.

“In our assessment, the public now has a significant level of awareness that if they receive a message that has link in it; in most cases, that message is malicious,” she added.

Malicious links, or hyperlinks aimed at directing users to fraudulent websites, jumped 31.65% quarter on quarter to 27,510 in the three months to September, Whoscall said.

“We continue to urge the public to report scam incidents, as these serve as leads for further investigation and as the foundation for various initiatives that raise public awareness against online scams,” Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center Acting Executive Director Renato A. Paraiso said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

PCC clears Metanoia-Copper Smelting deal

October 14, 2025 | 8:41 pm

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it approved the transaction between Metanoia South Pte. Ltd. (Metanoia) and Copper Smelting Investments, Ltd. (Copper Smelting).

“The commission found that the transaction is unlikely to harm competition, citing customers’ strong buying power, strict quality standards, and the limited production capacity of the parties involved,” the PCC said in a statement on Tuesday.

The PCC said the transaction’s impact on the global supply of doré, a semi-pure alloy of gold and silver used in refining, is unlikely to disrupt market dynamics.

“The review included consultations with the Notifying Parties, stakeholders, trade associations, and relevant sector regulators,” the PCC said.

“With no significant change in market power resulting from the transaction, the PCC’s clearance enables the parties to move forward while maintaining a level playing field for industry participants,” it added.

Metanoia is a Singapore-registered company, while Copper Smelting is registered in the British Virgin Islands. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

ADB approves $400-million loan to help reform PHL insurance industry

October 14, 2025 | 8:40 pm

THE ASIAN Development Bank (ADB) said it approved a $400-million loan to the Philippines to help it raise the efficiency of its insurance industry.

“By modernizing the regulatory framework, we are not only strengthening the insurance industry itself — we are building a critical line of protection for the nation, mobilizing long-term capital for development, and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth reach every Filipino entrepreneur and household,” ADB Country Director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said in a statement on Tuesday.

The loan aims to support reforms that will create an enabling environment for broader participation in the insurance sector, thereby making the market more efficient, consumer-oriented, and technologically advanced while strengthening climate risk management and disaster resilience.

“The Insurance Reform Program, Subprogram 1 supports broader financial sector development reforms in regulation and supervision, including greater intermediation of long-term credit for government infrastructure projects,” it said.

The program will be implemented in three sequenced subprograms and support comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing resilience, financial inclusion, and consumer trust.

The ADB’s partner in the program is the Insurance Commission (IC).

Total premiums paid for life and nonlife insurance products grew 12.98% year on year to P242.842 billion by the end of June, the IC reported.

Insurance penetration, or the ratio of insurance premiums to gross domestic product, rose to 1.79% from 1.71% a year earlier. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Manny Pangilinan leads honorees at PBA Press Corps Awards Night

October 14, 2025 | 7:51 pm

MVP-Manny Pangilinan — EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR awardee Manny Pangilinan — PBA.PH

Pangilinan named Executive of the Year

PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) reaffirmed his commitment to basketball and underscored the immense value of the game to Filipinos when he led the honorees in the PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Monday.

Mr. Pangilinan was bestowed the “Danny Floro Executive of the Year” plum for a record-tying third time following the two-championship, one-runner-up run of TNT, the MVP Group’s flagship franchise, in Season 49.

“The passion which binds us all here tonight is unique,” said Mr. Pangilinan, who previously received the honors in 2003 and 2011 and became a three-time winner after the late RFM Team Manager Elmer Yanga (1993 to 1995) and San Miguel Corp. Sports Director Alfrancis Chua (2018, 2021, 2024).

“And that passion goes beyond business. It is about pride in the heart, pride in seeing Filipinos excel on the court here or internationally, like watching Gilas play in tournaments abroad, an experience that’s so different and so surprising.”

He lauded efforts of PBA stakeholders in keeping the fire burning.

“Each season reminds us how much more we can improve the game and make it more entertaining. Of course, rivalry keeps the league alive and respect keeps it whole,” he said.

“Basketball has been kind to all of us. It has built friendships, developed character, lifted spirits in difficult times, and inspired this country. And it has provided jobs and livelihood. In moments when our country was divided, basketball has brought us together in one.”

MVP emphasized the responsibility to equally passionate fans as well.

“May we all continue to serve the game in sportsmanship and with love, for in serving Philippine basketball well, we also enrich the lives of the greatest basketball fans in the world,” he said.

Tropang 5G mentor Chot Reyes shared the spotlight as he received the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year accolade for a record-extending seventh time.

The prize, he shared, was a real bright moment coming off what he termed as the “deepest, darkest moment” of his career — the boos by the home crowd at Gilas Pilipinas’ final game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Big Dome.

“I thought at that time I had enough of coaching, that I didn’t deserve everything that had happened so far. But apparently God had other plans. I’m thankful to our management, Boss MVP, Boss Ricky (Vargas) for continuing to give me the opportunity and their trust and now we’re here. Who would have thought, right?” — Olmin Leyba

DLSU faces UE in must-win duel ahead of UP clash

October 14, 2025 | 7:50 pm

DLSU Mike Phillips — DLSU MIKE PHILLIPS — UAAP

Games on Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – DLSU vs UE (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs FEU-D (16U)
1 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Women)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Men)
5 p.m. – UST vs FEU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs FEU (Women)

SINK or swim.

Sans injured forward Mason Amos, De La Salle University (DLSU) takes on the listless University of the East (UE) in a must-win duel to stay afloat ahead of an even tougher clash with reigning champion University of the Philippines (UP) to end the first round in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 1 p.m. as the DLSU Green Archers try to prime up for the finals rematch against the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday amidst the piling woes in their title redemption tour — without the 6-foot-7 Fil-Aussie and in the thick of a losing skid. At 5 p.m., Santo Tomas (4-1) battles Far Eastern University (1-4) to forge a tie with National University (5-1) on top.

“As long as we have life, we have chance,” vowed the embattled Topex Robinson after the confirmation of Mr. Amos’ MCL injury on his right knee.

“That’s just the situation now we’re with the team. Yes, we’re down but with so many games to come, you could never cut us out of this scenario.”

Mr. Amos suffered the injury on Sunday late in the Green Archers’ 82-78 loss to the Bulldogs to fall outside the Top Four with a 2-3 slate, a stark difference to their hot starts in the last two seasons marked by finals appearances and a title in Season 86.

He will be out at least a month but the recovery could be longer, likely leaving Mr. Robinson with a crippled crew for the rest of the second round as they fight for dear life in a flat start to its hopeful season following the availability of Mr. Amos from Ateneo de Manila University as well as other recruits Kean Baclaan (NU) and Jacob Cortez (San Beda University) from residency.

La Salle also admitted that it’s still adjusting without two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao for the first time after his graduation and jump to pros in Korea but that should not be enough reasons for them to surrender their bows and arrows — not now and ever.

“There is no way for us but to keep on persevering and keep on fighting. We could have all the reasons to just die, but that’s the least of our priorities right now,” added Mr. Robinson, counting on skipper Mike Phillips to steady the ship.

Standing in their way is a hungry UE Red Warriors unit out for a breakthrough under new mentor Chris Gavina amidst a 0-5 start and an 11-game dry spell since last season. — John Bryan Ulanday

Dodgers barely preserve Blake Snell’s win at NLCS opener

October 14, 2025 | 7:50 pm

MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers did just enough extra to avoid wasting Blake Snell’s dominant pitching performance.

Snell allowed just one hit over eight scoreless innings and the Dodgers held on for a 2-1 victory when the Milwaukee Brewers left the bases loaded in the ninth inning of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) opener on Monday.

Freddie Freeman hit a solo homer in the sixth inning and Los Angeles increased the lead to 2-0 in the top of the ninth when Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk.

Roki Sasaki replaced Snell to open the bottom of the ninth and issued a one-out walk to Isaac Collins. Pinch hitter Jake Bauers followed with a ground-rule double to center, forcing Collins to halt at third. Jackson Chourio followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 2-1.

Christian Yelich walked before Blake Treinen took over on the mound and walked William Contreras to load the bases. Treinen then fanned Brice Turang swinging on a 2-2 fastball for the save.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Snell (3-0) allowed only a leadoff single in the third to Caleb Durbin, and then, one out later, picked him off first. Snell struck out 10 and did not walk a batter in a 103-pitch outing.

“We faced one of the best pitchers in the game,” Yelich said. “He was on. When he’s executing like that, it’s going to be a tough night. We’ve got a lot of young guys in here, a lot of these guys first time facing him. He did a great job tonight. You’ve got to give him credit, sometimes. Just proud of the guys for battling to the end.”

Freeman snapped a scoreless tie in the sixth with his first homer of the postseason, a one-out solo shot to right on a 3-2 pitch from Chad Patrick (0-1).

The Brewers escaped a bases-loaded situation in the fourth with a bizarre inning-ending double play.

Bulk reliever Quinn Priester walked Teoscar Hernandez to open the frame, and Will Smith and Tommy Edman delivered consecutive one-out singles.

Max Muncy then sent a deep fly that center fielder Sal Frelick deflected high off the wall and back into his glove, forcing the runners to delay. Shortstop Joey Ortiz fired the relay home for a forceout. Catcher Contreras then ran to third and tagged the bag for another forceout.

The Brewers escaped again in the fifth when Enrique Hernandez hit a leadoff double and Shohei Ohtani was walked intentionally with one out. Betts then bounced into another inning-ending double play.

The Dodgers’ ninth-inning run came off Abner Uribe, who gave up one hit and walked three in his lone frame. Six pitchers worked for the Brewers, including Priester, who threw four shutout innings.

Milwaukee, which had the best record in baseball with a franchise-record 97 victories, went 6-0 in the regular season against the Dodgers, sweeping home-and-away three-game series.

“We knew coming into this series they play great defense, they pitch, they get the big hits when they need to,” Freeman said. “That’s just who the Brewers are.” — Reuters

Tropang 5G battle Gin Kings in early clash of titans at PBA 50^th season

October 14, 2025 | 7:48 pm

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs Ginebra

FIERCE rivals TNT and Barangay Ginebra are back at it on Wednesday in the highlight matchup of the sixth playdate of the PBA’s 50^th season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang 5G (1-0) and the Gin Kings (0-1) engage in an early clash of titans in the Philippine Cup at 7:30 p.m., reigniting the rivalry that lit up the past season with title confrontations in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup that produced some of the fiercest, most unforgettable games.

The protagonists have taken different routes in the young season, with TNT hurdling its initial business against Phoenix last Friday, 93-78, and Ginebra bowing to Magnolia, 73-80, in the Oct. 5 opening tiff.

For coach Chot Reyes and his Tropang 5G, the aim is to set the tone right from the get-go.

Coach Tim Cone and his crew wouldn’t want to fall to a 0-2 hole, especially with games against Meralco, defending champion San Miguel and NLEX on the horizon.

“We got a tough schedule to start this conference, five games against MVP and San Miguel teams. So we have to pick it up,” Mr. Cone said after yielding to Magnolia in LA Tenorio’s coaching debut.

“We can’t play like this and expect to have a good record against those five teams, especially now starting 0-1,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Bolts (0-2) push for an end to their early stumble in the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser against a Blackwater squad (1-0) that’s on the prowl for an upset and early hold of pole position. — Olmin Leyba

Seattle Mariners club Blue Jays, sprint out to 2-0 ALCS lead

October 14, 2025 | 7:48 pm

TORONTO — Jorge Polanco continues to deliver when it counts for the Mariners, and as a result, Seattle heads home with a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

The second baseman’s three-run homer in the fifth inning on Monday snapped a tie in Game 2 and propelled the Mariners to a 10-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Polanco also had the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning of Game 1 during Seattle’s 3-1 victory and the game-ending hit on Friday in the 15^th inning against the Detroit Tigers in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series.

According to OptaSTATS, he is the first player in major league history to have a go-ahead hit in the fifth inning or later in three consecutive postseason games.

Polanco had help on Monday. Julio Rodriguez also hit a three-run shot three batters into the game and Josh Naylor added a two-run blast among his three hits for the Mariners, who will host the next three games of the best-of-seven series starting Wednesday.

Losing the first two at home puts the Blue Jays in a precarious position.

Seattle scored three in the first against Trey Yesavage (1-1). Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, Cal Raleigh walked and Rodriguez slugged a 1-2 splitter to left for his second homer of the postseason.

Toronto answered with two in the bottom of the inning against Logan Gilbert. George Springer doubled to left and scored when first baseman Naylor threw wildly to Gilbert, who was covering first on Nathan Lukes’ grounder. — Reuters