ICI determined to uncover ‘connivance’ among agencies in flood control probe

November 16, 2025 | 9:00 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. presented updates on the government’s fight against corruption in flood control projects three months since he launched the sumbongsapangulo.ph website. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking

THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is working to determine how government agencies allegedly colluded, its officials said as it deepened probe of anomalous flood control projects, even as political blowbacks and economic ripples converge around the 10-week-old investigation.

“We have made it our mission to exact justice on those who stole from the people through anomalous infrastructure projects,” ICI executive director Brian Keith F. Hosaka told BusinessWorld in a Viber chat.

He said that the ICI remains “steadfast and determined” to fulfill its mandate for the benefit of Filipino taxpayers whose money must be protected.

The commission’s far-reaching probe has zeroed in on 80 of the most anomalous projects identified, implicating 37 individuals, including lawmakers, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and contractors who may face non-bailable charges.

To further the investigation, the ICI has also sought information and cooperation from more than 20 government agencies, utilizing mandates that could curb irregularities.

Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” L. Singson said that the ICI has been trying to trace how fraudulent networks operate within and across government agencies.

“In spite of the limited resources, I think we have been able to identify exactly how this whole anomalous connivance among agencies happens,” Mr. Singson told BusinessWorld in an interview last Nov. 6. “For you to be able to solve the problem, you should know, first of all, what the problem is — what caused it. So, at least, that has been identified.”

High-level accountability, Mr. Singson added, is non-negotiable, with the ICI prioritizing the “big fish” or the key actors who allegedly orchestrated and benefited from the scam.

Yet as the ICI tightens its investigative net, it now faces political counterattacks that complicate the atmosphere surrounding its probe.

Last week, former Party-list Rep. and Committee on Appropriations chairman Elizaldy S. Co — long expected to address flood control controversy and facing an impending Interpol Red Notice — surfaced to accuse President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., along with top officials, of ordering a P100-billion insertion into the 2025 budget.

While the ICI said it is “carefully reviewing and studying” Mr. Co’s claims, the Palace swiftly dismissed the allegations as a desperate act from a man attempting to “save himself.”

Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon earlier projected that up to 40 individuals linked to fraudulent projects could be detained before Christmas, a potentially precedent-setting wave of arrests that may include Mr. Co, who is currently abroad.

Amid this back-and-forth, the Supreme Court has designated 26 regional trial courts to fast-track anti-graft cases linked to infrastructure corruption, with all regions expected to receive special courts.

Separately, economist Alfred Benjamin R. Garcia of AP Securities said that the country may be experiencing a short-term “overcorrection” in infrastructure sector, reflected in the slowdown of government spending on public works amid major anti-corruption reforms that have introduced strict fiscal safeguards.

“We run the risk of overcorrection in the infrastructure space, as seen in the sharp slowdown in government disbursements,” Mr. Garcia told BusinessWorld in a Viber chat. He cautioned that overly stringent measures could stall the implementation of legitimate projects and create bottlenecks that burden the broader economy.

“If the ICI investigation is conducted in the manner that it should be, and the commission comes up with a viable framework for infrastructure projects moving forward, that should help gradually restore investor confidence,” Mr. Garcia added.

According to Jean S. Encinas-Franco, political science professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, the ICI’s early achievements must be viewed through the lens of both its infancy and the surrounding political climate.

“Because with all the anger of the people, then at the very least… it’s good that there’s an ICI so that the public is assured that something is happening moving forward,” she said in a telephone interview.

Ms. Franco said that the commission’s success will ultimately be judged by results, particularly whether any major figures can actually be held accountable, and credibility will hinge on when “someone has actually been jailed.”

She suggested the commission could issue a report summarizing its actions and outcomes, “explaining to the entire country what happened and what they did.”

Last week, ICI officials participated in hearings in both chambers of Congress, fully backing up the proposed measures to transform the ICI into a permanent, legislated body to investigate flood control and infrastructure anomalies.

More than half a million join INC grand rally amid accountability, transparency push

November 16, 2025 | 8:59 pm

INC-rally-anti corruption — MANILA DRRM OFFICE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

MORE than half a million members of religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) began a three-day rally in the Philippine capital on Sunday, calling for government transparency and accountability as the country grapples with a widening flood control scandal that has heightened political tensions.

More or less 650,000 people joined the anti-corruption rally at Quirino Grandstand in Manila as of 6 p.m., as estimated by the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office in a Facebook post.

This comes amid a widening controversy over the alleged misuse of hundreds of billions of pesos allocated to flood control projects.

The INC is a minority church group in the predominantly Catholic nation, with 2.8 million members. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines last week warned against what it called “political exploitation” ahead of the INC-led rally.

“We would like to clarify, we are not meddling in politics,” INC minister Bienvenido Santiago, Jr. told protesters in Filipino, according to a livestream broadcast by the church’s media arm, adding that the religious group is “standing united with Filipinos speaking out against massive corruption in flood control projects.”

The INC is opposed to any form of violence in addressing the corruption scandal, urging instead that the issue be resolved through legal and constitutional means, he added.

“We do not agree with revolution. We do not agree with a revolutionary government. We do not agree with a coup d’état. We do not agree with a snap election. We do not agree with the establishment of a civilian-military junta,” he said in Filipino. “What we want is for all solutions to follow a legal and peaceful path.”

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes across all school levels until Tuesday due to the INC-led rally, according to the city’s public information office.

“Your city government has deemed it best to spare you from inconvenience… in light of this large peaceful rally,” he said in Filipino in a video published on the office’s Facebook page. “We have canceled classes in both public and private schools and directed a shift to alternative delivery modes.”

Courts in the capital will also stay closed until Tuesday due to heavy traffic expected from the mass rally, the Supreme Court said in a separate statement.

The religious group has played a key role in national elections, with politicians courting its support due to its bloc-voting practice. Backers of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio included the INC, which endorsed both candidates ahead of their landslide victory in the 2022 elections.

“This is a display of political muscle, a reminder that even in a fragmented landscape, bloc-voting churches remain agenda-setters,” Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at De La Salle University in Manila, said the protest is “a show of force,” adding that it’s aimed at demonstrating that the INC bloc is “present not only in the ballot but out on the streets.”

“Our presence today is a declaration that justice matters, that integrity in public office matters, and that democracy only works when leaders respect the people they serve,” the INC said in the same Facebook post. Photos from the event showed participants wearing white shirts bearing the slogan “Transparency for a better democracy.”

Mr. Marcos has sought to quell public outrage over the scandal, saying last week that politicians and officials linked to fraud would be jailed before Christmas.

In a statement on Sunday, the United People’s Initiative (UPI) said Mr. Marcos should resign if he fails to contain the scandal engulfing his administration and answer allegations lobbed against him by resigned Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co, who previously headed the House of Representatives and Appropriations Committee.

“We call on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to take immediate and decisive steps to restore confidence in the Office of the President immediately,” the group, which organized a separate protest in Quezon City, said.

Mr. Co had accused Mr. Marcos of ordering the insertion of P100 billion in this year’s national budget.

“If President Marcos, Jr. cannot satisfactorily address these allegations with honesty, transparency, and verifiable accountability within a reasonable and clearly defined period, then he must resign,” UPI said.

“This is not a partisan call,” it said. “This is a constitutional and moral imperative.”

‘CAREFULLY AMBIGUOUS’ PROTEST
Mr. Tapia said the INC’s protest messaging was “strategically calibrated” to remain general and avoid calling for any official’s resignation in an attempt to preserve ties with both the Marcos and Duterte camps.

“INC’s messaging is carefully ambiguous but strategically calibrated,” Mr. Tapia said. “They are not attacking the administration outright. Instead, they are occupying a space of moral grievance, framing their participation as a call for fairness, accountability and due process.”

In September, tens of thousands of Filipinos staged anti-corruption protests at Luneta Park in Manila and Quezon City, in what was the largest demonstration then against the government scandal that has since eroded business confidence and dampened economic growth.

Mr. Borja said the September protests were coalition-based, while the Sunday demonstration was led by a single organization, raising questions about its inclusivity.

“The September rally was a broad, multi-sectoral protest with diverse groups and varied messaging,” said Mr. Tapia. “The INC-led rally is the opposite, it is centralized, disciplined and institutionally curated.”

Authorities have barricaded roads leading to the Presidential Palace to prevent a repeat of what happened on Sept. 21, when hundreds of masked men dressed in black clashed with police in an attempt to breach the perimeter after the main protest in Luneta.

Truck containers and coils of barbed wire were positioned along key streets, like Mendiola, photos circulated on social media showed.

“This mobilization by the INC is just a repeat of its January 2025 show of force,” Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila, said in a Facebook chat. “It is a mere flexing of political muscle.”

More than a million INC members rallied at Luneta Park on Jan. 13 after congressmen intensified impeachment efforts against Ms. Duterte. The impeachment complaint largely fizzled after the Supreme Court struck it down, though a petition to overturn the ruling remains pending.

Co: Alleged kickbacks understated

November 16, 2025 | 8:58 pm

SCREENSHOT of former Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s statement posted on his facebook account. — FACEBOOK.COM/REPZALDYCO

A FORMER congressman said on Sunday that a government engineer linked to a multibillion-peso flood control scandal had understated to authorities the amount of public works funds allegedly misused.

Kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects claimed by an official link to the controversy reached P56 billion, more than double the P21 billion earlier reported, former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co said.

“That amount all went to President Bongbong Marcos and [former House Speaker] Martin Romualdez,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Mr. Co, who previously headed the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, last week released a series of videos in which he accused Mr. Marcos and Mr. Romualdez of having direct links to the flood control scandal that has gripped the Philippines.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro dismissed Mr. Co’s videos as a “comedy series,” urging him to present evidence rather than rely on allegations.

“He does not have evidence to show, and he just keeps on reading from a script,” she told reporters in a Viber message in Filipino.

The Office of Mr. Romualdez did not immediately reply to Viber message seeking comment.

“I will release the full details in the coming days,” Mr. Co said. “I hope they don’t kill me before I can reveal everything.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PHL braces for extended rainfall

November 16, 2025 | 8:57 pm

Motorist-vehicle-flood — MOTORISTS and commuters wade through gutter-deep flood along Taft Avenue in Manila following heavy rains, Aug. 24, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

THE Philippines will continue to experience rain across several regions over the next few days due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), shear line and northeast monsoon, though no tropical cyclones are expected to develop during the week, the state weather bureau reported on Sunday.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected over Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan due to the ITCZ, prompting rainfall alerts and ongoing flood and landslide advisories, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a 4 p.m. bulletin.

The shear line is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains Cagayan and Isabela, while flashfloods or landslides may be experienced in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon as the easterlies could bring severe thunderstorms.

The northeast monsoon will affect Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Cagayan Valley, PAGASA noted it will not have a significant impact. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

1.7M Uwan-hit children face risk

November 16, 2025 | 8:57 pm

Typhoon-strong wave — STRONG WAVES hit a dock in Aurora due to Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally called Uwan, Nov. 9. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

MORE than 1.7 million Filipino children were battered by Super Typhoon Fung-wong (local name: Uwan), which now face heightened risks of respiratory disease, malnutrition, and disrupted learning, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said.

In a statement on Nov. 14, UNICEF said Uwan has wreaked havoc to children’s homes, schools, and access to health services across 16 regions, that is already exhausted by multiple climate-related and geophysical shocks this year.

“Children and their families are barely climbing out of one crisis before another strikes, pushing them back to zero,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Kyungsun Kim said.

“As the world experiences more frequent and intense climate shocks, the most vulnerable children should not have to pay the highest price.”

Typhoon Uwan, the strongest to hit the Philippines in 2025, affected over 5.17 million people, according to government figures.

UNICEF also said homes, schools, and health centers have been damaged or destroyed, forcing families into crowded evacuation centers.

More than 15,000 classrooms have sustained damages to varying degrees, and over 900 public schools are now being used as evacuation centers.

“Joint assessments with the Philippine government and partners are underway to determine urgent needs in water, sanitation, hygiene, health, nutrition, education, protection, and social protection,” it said.

UNICEF said it’s mobilizing emergency supplies from warehouses in Manila and Cotabato to speed aid delivery to families hit by the crisis.

It will also deliver emergency nutrition supplies — including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, therapeutic milk, and breastfeeding kits, to ensure children with malnutrition continue to receive treatment.

The Philippines kept its title as the world’s most disaster-prone nation for a 21^ststraight year ahead of 192 other nations, according to the 2025 World Risk Index. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

CTA voids P1.65-B tax case vs Manila

November 16, 2025 | 8:57 pm

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has ruled in favor of the City of Manila, voiding the bureau of internal revenue’s (BIR) tax deficiency assessments worth P1.65 billion for alleged unpaid income, withholding, and value-added taxes for taxable year 2008.

In a 16-page decision made public on Nov. 12, the CTA second division granted Manila’s petition and declared the contested assessments, including the Final Letter of Demand and Final Decision on Disputed Assessment, as issued beyond the allowable prescriptive period.

The city government, represented by Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, earlier challenged the BIR findings covering deficiency Income Tax, Withholding Tax on Compensation, Expanded Withholding Tax, VAT, Final Withholding VAT, and withholding tax on land purchases.

The local government argued the assessments amounting to P1.65 billion, inclusive of surcharges and interest, were void for failure to state legal and factual bases, for violating due process, and for being issued outside the three-year period mandated under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

The CTA rejected the BIR’s position that the case fell under the 10-year prescriptive period for fraudulent returns. The fraud must be proven with “clear and convincing evidence” and cannot be presumed, the ruling read.

Citing jurisprudence, the CTA said that mere allegations or assumptions of fraud do not extend the prescriptive period, and that any deviation must be supported by concrete proof of deliberate tax evasion. With the lapse of three years, the assessments were deemed void.

The tax court’s decision settles the long-running dispute that began in 2009 when the BIR first issued a Letter of Authority to review the city’s financial records. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

NNIC earns first global customer-experience accreditation

November 16, 2025 | 8:56 pm

NAIA Terminal 3-OFW lounge — The new OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 built by NNIC.

NEW NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), has secured its global customer experience accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI).

“Earning the ACI accreditation this early says a lot about the people working every day to improve NAIA. We still have a lot to do, but because of their commitment, we are making steady progress in terms of upgrading the airport’s systems and strengthening the service culture that travelers experience,” NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said in a media release over the weekend.

ACI is the global association of airport authorities which represents over 2,000 airports, informing and updating its members of industry practices and airport standards.

NAIA managed to achieve Level 1 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, NNIC said, adding that this is the first time the country’s main gateway has been recognized by ACI for meeting international standards in improving passenger experience.

It said the accreditation follows ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program which evaluates how airports understand, measure and improve end-to-end passenger journey.

ACI’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey gathers real-time feedback from 700 arriving and departing passengers across all terminals covering the period of July to September 2025.

“NAIA achieved 100% compliance with ACI’s sampling and data standards, allowing its results to be included in the organization’s global benchmarking program,” NNIC said.

NNIC took over the management and operations of NAIA in September last year. Since it took over, it has implemented improvements to further enhance passenger experience.

For now, physical and other infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrades are underway including terminal expansion to new power systems, modernized baggage handling, the rollout of the new Collins biometric passenger processing system and improved digital information systems. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

FEU Tamaraws outscore DLSU Green Archers in UAAP thriller

November 16, 2025 | 8:44 pm

Games on Wednesday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs UPIS (16U)
9:30 a.m. – AdU vs DLSZ (16U)
11:30 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Women)
1:30 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men)
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Women)

KIRBY MONGCOPA finished off a perfect Janrey Pasaol setup, draining the go-ahead layup that kept Far Eastern University (FEU) alive in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four race with an 84-83 win over De La Salle University (DLSU) on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The DLSU Green Archers earned three consecutive golden opportunities to extend their 83-82 lead thanks to the hustle of Mike Phillips, who grabbed two late offensive rebounds.

The first two attempts were missed by Jacob Cortez, but La Salle retained possession after another offensive board by Mr. Phillips.

The third try went to EJ Gollena, who misfired again before Mo Konateh finally secured the rebound for the FEU Tamaraws, passing it to Janrey Pasaol at halfcourt, who then found Mr. Mongcopa open in the paint for the lead with 26.2 seconds remaining.

Trying to regain the lead, Mr. Cortez drove to the basket, but Mr. Mongcopa shone again on the other end, blocking the Green Archers guard’s shot with 15 seconds left. FEU, however, turned the ball over, giving La Salle one last chance.

The ball found its way to JC Macalalag in the left corner, who hoisted a triple that missed, handing FEU the win.

The Tamaraws improve to 5-7, remaining in seventh place but just a game and a half behind fourth-running La Salle, which fell to 6-5.

“We are super grateful to just be in this stage and be able to be in this place. We also wanna say La Salle is a championship team and when I left the house today, I kept saying to myself we have to beat one of the big teams this tournament in order for us to finally arrive,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers.

It was another down-to-the-wire finish between the two teams, after La Salle narrowly escaped FEU in their first-round matchup, 74-72.

The Tamaraws led by as much as 46-32 late in the second quarter, but the Green Archers rallied in the third through JC Macalalag, Luis Pablo, and Mr. Phillips, entering the fourth down by just three, 64-67.

Mr. Pasaol led FEU with 17 points and seven assists, while Mr. Konateh added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Jorick Bautista contributed 12 points — all in the second half — while Jedric Daa added 10 points and six rebounds in the crucial victory.

FEU can no longer afford a loss, aiming to sweep its last two matches against University of the East on Saturday and University of Santo Tomas on Nov. 26, both at the Big Dome, for a chance to enter the postseason.

Earl Abadam paced the Green Archers with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Mr. Macalalag added 14 points and five assists.

Mr. Phillips recorded 14 points and 19 rebounds, while Mr. Pablo, who put La Salle up 83-82 with back-to-back baskets late, finished with 11 points.

Mr. Cortez struggled despite tallying 10 points, six assists, three rebounds, and three steals, shooting just 2-of-14 from the field.

La Salle looks to break out of its two-game skid when it faces Adamson University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. — John Bryan Ulanday

The scores:

FEU (84) – Pasaol 17, Konateh 14, Bautista 12, Mongcopa 10, Daa 10, Felipe 9, Montemayor 7, Owens 5, Ona 0, Jones 0.

DLSU (83) – Abadam 18, Macalalag 14, Phillips 14, Pablo 11, Cortez 10, Nwankwo 4, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Quines 2, Melencio 2.

Quarterscores: 16-19, 46-36, 67-64, 84-83

NU Lady Bulldogs score SSL four-peat via sweep

November 16, 2025 | 8:44 pm

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S (NU) volleyball dynasty is not falling anytime soon.

The Lady Bulldogs over the weekend essayed a four-peat feat via sweep in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup, reminding everyone once again why they’re the Philippine collegiate volleyball’s crème of the crop — all without their championship core.

And for the hungry Lady Bulldogs left alone in what’s supposedly a rebuilding stage, they’re just getting started this season in a bid to not only preserve a queendom but extend it to as long as they can.

“We are a rebuilding team,” said new team captain Vange Alinsug after NU’s gutsy 22-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 15-10 Game 2 win over University of Santo Tomas at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Ms. Alinsug, along with Best Setter Lams Lamina who was named Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Best Libero Shaira Mae Jardio were the only veterans left from the storied NU squad that won three out of the last four UAAP seasons and all four SSL tourneys.

It was Ms. Alinsug who put on the finishing touches for 19 points as the Lady Bulldogs ran away with a 10-5 blitz in the deciding set for another thrilling comeback after a 15-25, 25-23, 25-17, 13-25, 15-12 in Game 1.

NU, which also drew 24 points from incoming rookie and former juniors MVP Sam Cantada, won all its 10 matches in the Unity Cup plus three more in the SSL National Invitationals Mindanao Leg.

And they did it despite entering an uncharted territory without the quartet Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan, who already graduated after bringing home eight UAAP titles both in the juniors and seniors division.

They had a fitting swan song in Season 87 to give NU’s first back-to-back title feat after a 16-0 season sweep in Season 84 for the school’s first women’s volleyball crown. De La Salle University squeaked through the NU dynasty in Season 85.

The Lady Bulldogs also achieved the feat despite a coaching change with Regine Diego getting her wards’ act together smoothly after the contract expiration of Season 87 architect Sherwin Meneses during the offseason.

Count on Ms. Diego, who was the former mentor of the powerhouse NU juniors team and the defunct F2 Logistics in the PVL, to be as young and hungry as the Lady Bulldogs when they shoot for a bigger goal of a three-peat in the UAAP Season 88 early next year.

“I hope we can still continue the legacy with a gold in the UAAP,” beamed Ms. Diego.

Meanwhile, other awardees in the SSL included Santo Tomas’ Regina Jurado (Best Opposite Spiker), Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura (First Best Outside Spiker), Santo Tomas’ Xyza Gula (Second Best Outside Spiker), NU’s Chams Maaya (First Best Middle Blocker) and Santo Tomas’ Marga Altea (Second Best Middle Blocker). — John Bryan Ulanday

Meralco Bolts blast debuting Black Bears in refurbished Cebu Coliseum

November 16, 2025 | 8:43 pm

THE Meralco Bolts beat the debuting Macau Black Bears, 92-74, in an electrifying win for Cebuanos in the East Asia Super League (EASL) on Saturday night at the refurbished Cebu Coliseum.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) delivered 35 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a stirring performance highlighted by three thunderous dunks as the charged-up Bolts roared to their second straight victory off a 0-2 start in Group B.

Dubbed “Basketball for Cebu,” the match served as the EASL’s charity event, with all proceeds from the night going toward relief efforts for victims of the recent earthquakes and flooding in Cebu.

The Bolts’ players and management themselves are donating P500,000 for the cause.

“To be here and be able to play in front of our fans, it’s amazing, there’s nothing like it. We appreciate the support of fans here in Cebu. We understand what they’re going through and we’re just happy we could bring some excitement,” said RHJ.

“At the end of the day, some things are out of our control as humans but I hope it inspires them. I hope it leaves hope. I hope they keep fighting, keep supporting us and we’ll continue to support them.”

RHJ’s partner Ismail Romero was again a beast in the middle with 25 markers and 28 boards and played a significant role in the followup to Meralco’s previous 82-72 home triumph over erstwhile unbeaten Taoyuan Pilots over in Ilagan City, Isabela.

Chris Banchero led the Bolts’ locals with 12 points, three rebounds, and three dimes as Asian reinforcement Sina Vahedi produced 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists. — Olmin Leyba

Alcaraz, Sinner set up inevitable ATP Finals decider

November 16, 2025 | 8:43 pm

TURIN, Italy — World number one Carlos Alcaraz eased to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Saturday to set up a highly-anticipated title decider with defending champion Jannik Sinner.

The Italian second seed defeated Alex de Minaur, 7-5, 6-2, in the other semifinal.

Alcaraz overcame Auger-Aliassime’s spirited resistance by breaking twice in the opening set and nerves appeared to hit the Canadian when serving at 5-4 down in the second as four unforced errors gifted the Spaniard the game, set and match.

Sinner and Alcaraz will go head-to-head in their sixth title decider this year when they return to the Inalpi Arena for Sunday’s final where the 22-year-old Spaniard will bid to win his first title at the season-ending tournament.

The Italian will be playing in his third successive final in Turin, where Sinner has not dropped a set since losing the 2023 decider to Novak Djokovic.

Auger-Aliassime saved three break points in his first service game, but was merely delaying the inevitable with Alcaraz able to turn on the style at will. The Spaniard broke to lead 3-1 and wrapped up the opening set by breaking to love.

Alcaraz seized the first break with a touch of brilliance. After Auger-Aliassime chased down a wicked drop shot, Alcaraz reached full-stretch to stab a volley into the open court, pumping his fists in celebration.

“I felt like I could do everything on court,” Alcaraz said about his opening set performance.

“It didn’t matter if I did forehand down the line, drop shot or backhand down the line, I felt that everything was going to be in.”

The Canadian, who managed to force a break point in the first set, hung in longer in the second.

However, it was a case of anything Auger-Aliassime could do, Alcaraz could do better.

The Spaniard held to love to lead 5-4 before the battling Auger-Aliassime collapsed under the pressure, leaving Alcaraz to race across the court to celebrate with his team.

SINNER STAYS PERFECT
World number two Sinner had to dig deep to get his first break of the afternoon match, which tipped the first set in his favor and the Italian took the first four games of the second set en route to sealing victory over the Australian.

Seventh seed De Minaur fended off two break points to hold the opening game of the match and was on the verge of a break after going 40-0 up in the second, but Sinner held his nerve to hold.

“It was a very tough match, especially at the beginning of the first set. Felt like (De Minaur) was serving great,” said Sinner.

Neither player could get a break as the match stayed even until the 11^th game, when Sinner’s perfectly angled backhand evaded a stumbling De Minaur to put the Italian 6-5 ahead. Sinner held the next game with ease to clinch the first set.

Sinner dominated the second set, bringing up match point with a strong backhand volley before sealing victory with a powerful forehand that was well outside De Minaur’s reach.

“In the second set… My level raised and I tried to be a bit more aggressive, which worked very well,” Sinner said.

“Tomorrow I will enjoy, I will try my best to have the best possible result but in any case, it has been an amazing week.”

Sinner saw his hopes of ending 2025 as world number one ended by Alcaraz this week, but with one final act to play out, the Italian will aim to exact revenge in front of a largely partisan crowd.

The Italian will also be determined to extend his 30-match winning streak on indoor hardcourts.

“Facing Jannik with his home crowd on an indoor court is one of the most difficult challenges in our sport right now,” Alcaraz said.

“I hope I have three or four people in the crowd cheering for me, I have my friends.” — Reuters

MLS changes sked

November 16, 2025 | 8:42 pm

There are policy changes, and there are identity shifts. Major League Soccer’s (MLS) decision to abandon its long-standing February-to-December season and instead run from July through May beginning 2027 is clearly the latter. The scheduling change effectively aligns it with the global football ecosystem, both in continuity and in structure.

On paper, the rationale cannot be more straightforward. By moving the calendar, MLS gets to be in lock-step with international transfer windows, reduce conflicts with FIFA break periods, and theoretically increase its attractiveness as both a developmental and commercial stopover for talent. The development coincides with other structural reforms it has thumbed up, including a departure from the traditional two-conference split in favor of a single-table format more recognizable to followers of European and South American leagues.

Amid the strategic thrusts, however, a question arises: Just how far can MLS move toward football orthodoxy without eroding what makes it unique? Sports organizations in the United States typically operate on their terms; the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and Major League Baseball have, for the most part, grown on the strength of cultural authorship. By contrast, their much younger sibling has always walked a tightrope; it relies on geographic singularity but likewise pushes for international legitimacy.

To be sure, MLS will be hobbled by practical concerns, among them local weather conditions, proximate events, and seasonal pulls. Still, the scheduling shift could well normalize transcontinental player movement, establish more coherent club development arcs, and raise competitive stakes. Which is to say there is merit in trying. Identity is not preserved through stasis, and continued incrementalism masks a slow death.

Make no mistake. The coming years will test whether the move accelerates growth for MLS or serves to complicate the delicate ecosystem it has spent three decades nurturing. In this light, the planned change signals neither triumph nor capitulation. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that success does not come without pain points, and that the line between evolution and reinvention stays out of sight until well after the moment has passed.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.