Customs sends documents tied to flood control scam to ICI

October 7, 2025 | 8:07 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has turned over documents to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to aid its investigation into the billion-peso flood control scam, including those linked to the Discaya family.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BoC said the Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno met with former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” L. Singson, Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr.

Customs said the documents include reports on enforcement actions, copies of search warrants and warrants of seizure and detention (WSD), lists of importation documents, and progress reports connected to the investigations.

“The BoC fully supports the Commission’s efforts to establish the facts in all pending inquiries. This initiative reflects our continuing commitment to transparency and cooperation with oversight bodies,” he said.

He also directed all concerned offices within the BoC to provide full cooperation to the ICI and other investigative bodies to “ensure a fair, comprehensive, and evidence-based review process.”

Mr. Nepomuceno earlier said the 13 cars owned by the Discaya may be auctioned to raise at least P200 million.

Discaya-owned firms were among the 15 contractors, which bagged the bulk of flood control projects since 2022, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue is also conducting a parallel investigation into possible tax fraud, which it said is nearing completion. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

DICT to remove scams by Christmas

October 7, 2025 | 8:07 pm

Data-protection-shield-secured-permission-graphic-concept — STOCK PHOTO | Image by Rawpixel.Com from Freepik

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to eradicate all online scams in the Philippines by the Christmas season, Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda said on Tuesday, as the agency steps up its nationwide crackdown on digital fraud.

He said the DICT has already deployed additional manpower to intensify its operations ahead of the holidays. But he stressed that the campaign’s success will depend on the participation of ordinary citizens, describing the initiative as a “whole-of-nation approach.”

“This is not just a whole-of-government effort. We need everyone’s help,” he said in a Palace briefing in Filipino.

“If you see something suspicious online, report it immediately to our Action Center hotline 1326 or e-mail 1326@dict.gov.ph.”

He said the DICT’s artificial intelligence systems will automatically classify and analyze reports of fake news, phishing attempts, and other cybercrimes submitted by the public.

“Before the end of the year, we’ll publish the service levels of each telco so the public can see how they’re performing.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Stricter penalties vs agri smugglers urged

October 7, 2025 | 8:06 pm

Public-Market — GENERAL view of a public market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb. 9, 2023. — REUTERS

A SENATOR on Tuesday called for stricter penalties for agricultural smugglers and government officials involved in the illegal entry of farm goods into the country.

“They are the ones who deserve and should be pursued, not these mere pawns. I don’t want to imprison the small ones, the accomplices, or the smaller fish. There’s no justice in that,” Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan said in a committee hearing in Filipino.

“The syndicate leaders, especially those in the government, are the ones who should be held accountable,” he added.

The senator also noted that there should be severe penalties for government officials who assist and collude with smugglers.

He added that they could be punished with life imprisonment and permanent disqualification from public service, and confiscation or forfeiture of their assets.

“Those directly involved in smuggling, hiding, transporting, selling, hoarding, conspiring to forge documents, and other acts of economic sabotage, there are so many people who could be charged, but no one has been charged yet,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

Republic Act (RA) No. 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, classified agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and its financing as economic sabotage.

The law also imposed fines equivalent to five times the value of any smuggled or hoarded agricultural products, with violators also facing the prospect of life imprisonment.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture conducted a probe into the alleged “consignees for hire” who rent out their import permits to traders or brokers. — Adrian H. Halili

Marcos: Corrupt not the ‘face of government’

October 7, 2025 | 8:06 pm

PBBM Marcos — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Presidential Broadcast Studio in Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday denounced systemic corruption in government, saying that while graft-tainted agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have drawn public ridicule, many civil servants remain committed and hardworking.

“These corrupt people are not the face of government. All they are is the face of corruption. That’s all they are. They are not typical of government,” he told a podcast posted across his social media accounts.

“I have always said, there are so many people in government who are very good, who are dedicated, who make sacrifices, who give everything that they can to their service,” he added.

He said he decided to “expose” corruption in the bureaucracy to highlight the distinction between honest officials and those who exploit their positions.

“You cannot paint everyone in government with the same brush as all of these corrupt operators that you see in government.”

The country, which experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, is currently investigating a multi-billion-peso public works scam that has led to widespread flooding across the country. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

New Bangsamoro town gets ambulance, medical provisions

October 7, 2025 | 8:05 pm

COTABATO CITY — A newly created Bangsamoro municipality on Monday received a new patient transport vehicle (PTV), medical and food supplies for pregnant women and malnourished children from the office of the Health minister of the Bangsamoro region.

Bangsamoro Health Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. led the turnover of the ambulance and supplies, procured through the Transitional Development Impact Fund, to the Mayor of Kapalawan, Norman C. Enalang.

Kapalawan is a municipality in the Special Geographic Area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Mr. Enalang and Engco G. Dalid, chairman of Barangay Manarapan in Kapalawan, separately told reporters on Tuesday, that the turnover of the PTV was part of the medical outreach mission of Mr. Sinolinding.

Mr. Enalang said a medical service team composed of medics and volunteers from peace advocacy groups also distributed rice and other food supplies to marginalized families in Barangay Manarapan.

The outreach team had also provided 70 elderly residents with free reading glasses and had scheduled 19 others for cataract and pterygium surgical procedures that Mr. Sinolinding will oversee.

“We are grateful to their team. The patient transport vehicle we now have will boost the emergency response capability of our virtually infant local government unit,” Mr. Enalang said.

A 39-year-old mother, Sepe D. Atong, and her 15-year-old daughter, Farhata, had separately said that the PTV will hasten the transport of sick Kapalawan residents to hospitals in nearby towns in Cotabato province. — John Felix M. Unson

Farmers seeking P128 per kilo tobacco floor price

October 7, 2025 | 8:05 pm

BAGUIO CITY — Tobacco farmers from Northern Luzon massed up outside the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City during the opening of the National Tobacco Administration’s (NTA) 2025 Tripartite Consultative Conference on Tuesday, demanding a higher price for their harvest.

The demonstration, organized by Ilocos region-based left-wing tobacco farmers group STOP Exploitation and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), called for a flat floor price of P128 per kilo of Virginia tobacco, without applying the current classification system.

They said the existing rate of P97 per kilo is too low, which does not cover the high costs of farming. Farmers from Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union accused cigarette companies of using unfair grading systems to lower the prices of their tobacco.

“They can pay P100 to P150 per kilo, but they trick us using classifications,” a farmer said.

The protesters want to remove the grading system, which they say allows companies to buy their tobacco at unfairly low prices.

The farmers also criticized contract-growing agreements that benefit corporations more than farmers.

These contracts often come with unfair conditions, hidden fees, and taxes.

The group also raised concerns about how tobacco taxes are being spent, saying the funds should go to help farmers but are often misused by politicians.

Inside the event, NTA Administrator Belinda S. Sanchez explained that the conference seeks to ensure transparency and fair pricing. She said the discussions would help determine the right increase in floor prices to support both farmers and the industry.

Farmer leader Bernard R. Vicente, head of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers, who joined the conference, pushed for higher prices across all tobacco types, including special rates for improved types of Virginia and Burley tobacco, which cost more to produce.

Mr. Vicente said farmers are struggling with rising costs of fertilizer and labor.

Right now, the price of Virginia tobacco ranges from P61 to P97 per kilo, depending on quality.

Some traders, however, paid up to P130 per kilo last season.

NTA officials said they are there to help with negotiations and ensure all sides are heard.

Still, farmers promised to continue fighting for P128 per kilo, fair contracts, and better use of tobacco tax funds.

The conference runs until Wednesday. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Unbeaten Ateneo clashes with UP in pivotal Battle of Katipunan

October 7, 2025 | 6:35 pm

Dominic Escobar — DOMINIC ESCOBAR — UAAP/JOAQUI FLORES

Games on Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – NUNS vs AdU (16U)
9:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs UPIS (16U)
12:30 p.m. – NU vs AdU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs AdU (Men)
5 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men)
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Women)

UNBEATEN Ateneo de Manila University faces its biggest test just yet, clashing with reigning champion University of the Philippines (UP) in a pivotal Battle of Katipunan while National University eyes to rebound against the struggling Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 5 p.m. with the Blue Eagles staking their perfect slate to protect the pole position against the heating up Fighting Maroons in a two-game run from a flat start after the Bulldogs-Falcons duel at 2 p.m.

Ateneo will march into the battle pit with an 81-74 win against another rival De La Salle University for its fourth straight win, leading by as many as 33 points for a statement win to the rest of the league after missing the Final Four last season for the first time under master tactician Tab Baldwin, who has guided them to four titles including a three-peat before the pandemic.

The Blue Eagles, who bled for just a 4-10 slate in Season 87, sport a chance to surpass that tally in the first round alone but it will be a tough nut to crack against the Fighting Maroons who have regained their groove after a listless start, warned Mr. Baldwin.

University of Santo Tomas is up next for Ateneo after that, ending a dreaded three-game swing against top contenders that could make or break their bid for reemergence as the league’s creme of the crop.

“It’s going to be a battle between two teams playing for a lot. There’s UP fighting to get back into where they belong and us trying to hold to a really outstanding start to the season. That’s always pretty much the case early in the season,” said Mr. Baldwin after needing one last stand to fend off La Salle’s torrid comeback attempt marked by a 22-0 rally before more than 17,000 fans.

UP, indeed, is back in fine form after bowing to Santo Tomas and Adamson in the first two games, taking care of its business against University of the East and just last week against National University with a stellar comeback from 22 points down, 66-59.

The Fighting Maroons are hopeful for that momentum to serve enough in trying to topple the Blue Eagles, made up of string of one-and-done players with a goal of completing a turnaround from last season’s playoff miss.

“It’s the same approach, regardless of who we’re playing. Ateneo is also the only remaining team unbeaten. But for us, it does not matter if it’s Ateneo or another team, we’re going to give them a fight,” said UP deputy coach Christian Luanzon. — John Bryan Ulanday

Elite Link: Philippine Sports Commission unveils mobile hub of undiscovered Filipino athletes

October 7, 2025 | 6:34 pm

THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has opened a Pandora’s box of opportunities for Filipino athletes with Elite Link, serving as the first-ever database app in history.

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on Monday night together with Elite Link launched the groundbreaking mobile app that will become a main hub and community aimed at fostering friendship, connections, network, sponsorship, scholarship and national team opportunities for thousands of undiscovered athletes like every social media platform today.

In Elite Link, all athletes from across the archipelago and even abroad can sign up and create their own profile and backgrounds with video highlights of their chosen sports to serve as their resume for a shot at a university scholarship, sponsorship or brand support and national team call-up.

It’s open to almost 2,000 national junior and elite athletes but is targeted particularly at providing a platform for grassroots and untapped young talents just waiting to be discovered, especially from the far-flung areas of the country.

“It will now be our database to identify young talents, who will soon be elite athletes. This central hub for all athletes is for our future. This will be big for all the athletes from around the Philippines to introduce themselves. Elite Link is for the Philippine sports and the Filipino athletes,” said Mr. Gregorio during the app launch with Elite Link led by general manager JP Campos and senior advisor Akiko Thompson-Gueverra, a decorated Filipina Olympian swimmer.

Elite Link will have a profile designation for all Philippine stakeholders for an inclusive, broad and working community, from athletes to parents, coaches, scouts, managers, brands and sponsors, universities and colleges, National Sports Associations (NSAs) and sport officials.

For Elite Link, it’s talent meeting technology in the world’s digital era, making it easier for Filipino athletes to showcase what they’ve got as early as they can with hopes of becoming the next Hidilyn Diaz and Caloy Yulo.

“This is exciting for our young athletes. We try to create an ecosystem for our young athletes where they will be able to be seen, a challenge in the past that’s hard to navigate for starting athletes. They have big dreams but don’t know how to get there. Now, we finally have a technology for them. Athletes will now have an easier way to find a partner for their dreams,” said Ms. Thompson-Gueverra.

“We really wanted to create an equal playing field for all our Filipino athletes, no matter where you are and what sport you want to pursue. With Elite Link, you can share your progress to coaches, scouts, sponsors and institutions that will guide you along the way. You can also connect with fellow athletes,” added Mr. Campos.

The PSC has already started requiring every athlete on its fold to sign up but will officially begin the rollout in the coming 2025 Batang Pinoy in General Santos City later this month featuring more than 20,000 junior athletes and the 33^rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand led by a 1,600-strong delegation.

“We will definitely have regional launches, introducing Elite Link in different PSC events starting in GenSan. This will now be incorporated and promoted in all PSC programs as part of a nationwide launch. — John Bryan Ulanday

Trevor Lawrence’s dramatic late TD lifts Jaguars over KC Chiefs

October 7, 2025 | 6:34 pm

TREVOR LAWRENCE ran for a 1-yard touchdown (TD) with 23 seconds left to give Jacksonville a 31-28 win over the visiting Kansas City (KC) Chiefs on Monday night, as the Jaguars improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2007.

Lawrence stumbled to the turf after receiving the snap when the right guard stepped on his foot, but he got to his feet before being touched, broke an ankle tackle and reached the end zone. That capped off a seven-play, 60-yard drive after the Chiefs grabbed a 28-24 lead with 1:45 left on a 2-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run.

The fourth quarter featured three lead changes as the Jaguars defeated the Chiefs (2-3) for the first time since 2009, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series.

Lawrence completed 18 of 25 passes for 221 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a team-high 54 yards and his first two rushing touchdowns of the season.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 318 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a team-high 60 yards and a score while Hunt had a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and 49 rushing yards.

The Jaguars scored 21 consecutive points after falling behind 14-0. Devin Lloyd gave Jacksonville its first lead of the game with 2:19 left in the third quarter when he intercepted a Mahomes pass and returned it 99 yards for a TD, the longest interception return in franchise history.

Brian Thomas, Jr. led Jacksonville with four receptions for 80 yards, and Travis Hunter had three catches for 64 yards.

Tyquan Thornton led the Chiefs with 90 receiving yards on three catches. Travis Kelce had a game-high seven receptions for 61 yards and a TD.

Kansas City opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kelce for the Chiefs’ first first-quarter touchdown of the season.

The Jaguars nearly tied it up on the ensuing possession, but Lawrence had the ball knocked out of his hands by Nick Bolton while trying to reach across the goal line on fourth-and-1. George Karlaftis recovered the fumble.

Mahomes extended the lead to 14-0 on a 9-yard run with 10:44 left in the half.

Jacksonville finished its response the next time, capping off a 13-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to Parker Washington late in the second quarter.

The Jaguars tied it at 14 early in the third quarter on a 10-yard Lawrence TD run to finish an 87-yard drive.

After the pick-six, Kansas City responded with an interception of Lawrence that set the offense up at the Jaguars 19. Two plays later, Hunt tied it up again with a 5-yard run with 12:20 left.

Jacksonville reclaimed the lead on the ensuing drive with a 52-yard field goal from Cam Little that made it 24-21 with 8:08 left. — Reuters

Eala jumps to new career-high world ranking at No. 54

October 7, 2025 | 6:33 pm

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA, with a new career-high world ranking at No. 54, is enjoying a little break in Wuhan, China before resuming her campaign in Japan next week in a bid to win her second professional title and barge inside the Top 50 for the first time ever.

Ms. Eala got an early boot from the WTA1000 Wuhan Open last week, absorbing a 4-6, 6-3, 2-6 defeat against Japanese Moyuka of Japan in Round 1 of the qualifiers but proved enough in her WTA rise once more, thanks to a string of playoff finishes before that.

From No. 58 last week, Ms. Eala improved four rungs with 1131 points and is determined to shore up her drive as one of the seeded main draw players in the WTA250 Japan Open in Osaka on Monday alongside Leylah Fernandez and Naomi Osaka.

The grind continues for Ms. Eala from there, strutting her stuff in the Guangzhou Open on Oct. 20 to 26 and the Hong Kong Open on Oct. 27 to Nov. 2.

It’s been a loaded Asian swing for Ms. Eala so far with three stops in China marked by a semifinal stint in the WTA125 Jingshan Open. She had a quarterfinal finish in the WTA125 Suzhou Open after that before an early elimination in Wuhan.

Before that, the 20-year-old Filipina pride won her first WTA Tour crown in the WTA125 Guadalajara Open in Mexico and had a Top-8 finish in the WTA250 Sao Paulo Open in Brazil on top of a US Open milestone as the first Filipina winner in any Grand Slam main draw.

Ms. Eala, after her non-stop Asian tour, is tipped to play in the slated home leg of the WTA Tour to be branded as the Manila or Philippine Open in early 2026 after her possible national team return in the 33^rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand. — John Bryan Ulanday

Anvaya Cove wins Southeast Asia’s Best Golf Course, earns GEO Certification

October 7, 2025 | 6:33 pm

ANVAYA COVE Golf & Sports Club has been named the Best Golf Course in Southeast Asia and awarded the coveted GEO Certification by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf for the club’s sustainable initiatives and activities throughout the years. This recognition makes Anvaya Cove among an elite group of only 18 golf facilities in Asia and just the second in the Philippines to achieve the GEO Certification, the industry’s leading ecolabel for sustainability. According to the GEO Foundation, the certification requires a rigorous review of environmental stewardship, climate action, resource efficiency, and collective participation. For developers and property investors, the designation signals credibility and long-term value at a time when ESG principles are increasingly shaping investment and consumer decisions.

Ryder Cup

October 7, 2025 | 6:33 pm

It has been said that two things are certain in life: death and taxes. These days, all and sundry can add a third: Europe winning the Ryder Cup. True, the United States managed to salvage some measure of pride after a remarkable comeback bid on the last day of the competition at Bethpage Black. On the other hand, there was still no sugarcoating the shellacking it received, never mind its supposed home-soil advantage and the rowdy — if decidedly unsportsmanlike — crowds that unnerved the visitors.

Interestingly, the US will again be the clear underdog when the Ryder Cup goes to Adare Manor in two years. Notwithstanding the Ireland course being closer to the grip-it-and-rip-it type than to the links-style setup commonly found in the continent, it bears noting that the red, white, and blue have not won abroad in an eye-popping 32 years. There is an overriding reason, to be sure; Europe has become adept at retrofitting venues to favor its stalwarts’ predilections with a club in and on hand.

Too bad the US isn’t nearly as proficient in performing the task. In the aftermath of its latest setback, captain Keegan Bradley admitted he made mistakes in constructing Bethage Black so that his charges would get a leg up against their Europe counterparts. There was no need for him to own up to the gaffe, of course; the historically lopsided 4.5-11.5 score at the end of two days of competition was acknowledgment in and of itself. He said the locker room remained upbeat on the eve of singles play, but, really, no amount of chest-beating could have prevented the denouement.

In truth, the defeat went beyond poor pairings or misjudged layouts. It reflected a deeper malaise, with the US long on talent but short on cohesion and still mistaking individual brilliance for collective resolve. By contrast, Europe continued to thrive on chemistry and clarity of purpose. Every decision of returning skipper Luke Donald seemed deliberate, every move rooted in strategy. And his stalwarts weren’t just swinging well; they were playing for one another, amplifying strengths in ways the competition could not replicate. Against this impressive show of cohesion, Bradley’s collection of world-beaters looked strangely diminished once forced to share the stage, even in familiar territory.

And so the cycle threatens to repeat. Unity honed through shared purpose and institutional memory appears slated to meet disjointed ambition anew in two years. The US may yet tinker with analytics, captains, and lineups, but unless it learns to build from the inside out, the ending will remain the same; another Ryder Cup loss to Europe, another inevitability, another ridiculous constant of the modern game.

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.