CA orders release of FNI chairman

September 24, 2025 | 8:02 pm

THE Court of Appeals (CA) ordered the immediate release of listed mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) Chairman Joseph C. Sy, the company said.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the company informed the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that the CA, in its resolution, directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and any custodian holding Mr. Sy ‘to immediately release’ him from detention, warning of contempt if they fail to comply.

The court also demanded that they report their actions within 5 days of receiving the Resolution.

“This clear directive from the CA not only reinforces the earlier Decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Taguig City affirming Mr. Sy’s Filipino citizenship and declaring that the BI has no jurisdiction to detain him, but also supports the long-standing legal presumption in favor of his Filipino citizenship,” the company said.

Earlier this month, the Taguig RTC branch 271 ordered the immediate release of the FNI chairman ruling that his detention by the BI was unlawful since he is a recognized Filipino citizen.

Presided over by Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes, the court granted Sy’s petition for habeas corpus, declaring that the BI had no jurisdiction to detain or deport a Filipino.

In response, the BI, with the guidance of the Department of Justice filed an appeal against the RTC ruling, citing strong evidence against Sy and requesting a review by the Court of Appeals.

In August, Mr. Sy voluntarily took a leave of absence to address legal matters related to his citizenship. At the same time, the board appointed a new chairman to ensure the company continued to operate smoothly during his absence.

Mr. Sy was taken into custody on Aug. 21 for allegedly holding fraudulent Philippine documents and having biometrics that matched those of a Chinese citizen.

At the local bourse on Wednesday, FNI shares rose by 3.73% or 5 centavos to close at 1.39 apiece. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Franchises of PUVs in commonwealth under review

September 24, 2025 | 8:02 pm

Jeepney-vehicle — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to review the franchises of public utility vehicles in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said that more than 3,000 PUVs are registered to operate along the Commonwealth area but fewer units or about a thousand units are only operating this route.

“There are about 3,972 PUVs registered to operate in this area but it seems that there are fewer units operating here. The LTFRB must check if those who were given franchise are operational,” he said.

Mr. Lopez said franchisees who are operating should have their franchise revoked and give to those who are willing to operate in the area to address the lack of PUVs amid the worsening lack of public transportation and to service more commuters in the area.

Further, the Transport chief said the LTFRB has until Friday to assess the situation and recommend solutions to the DoTr to address the lack of PUVs in the Commonwealth area. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

BI nabs 9 Chinese for illegal mining in Masbate

September 24, 2025 | 8:01 pm

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested nine Chinese nationals in a joint operation against illegal mining in Masbate, the agency said on Wednesday.

The foreigners were apprehended on Sept. 22 in separate mine sites in Barangay Cabangcalan and Barangay Pangle, Aroroy town in Masbate.

Authorities said they were caught actively working in mining operations without proper visas or permits.

Some were also found overstaying or violating their immigration status.

The group was transported to Manila and is now detained at the BI facility in Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the agency is intensifying enforcement against foreigners involved in illegal economic activities.

“Illegal mining not only undermines our immigration and labor policies but also threatens the environment and the livelihood of local communities,” Mr. Viado said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

DBM OKs P1.64-B bonuses for PHL army employees

September 24, 2025 | 8:01 pm

Army-soldiers-parade — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P1.64 billion funds for bonuses of more than 110,000 employees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines — Philippine Army (AFP-PA).

In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said each eligible AFP-PA official and employee will receive a performance-based bonuses equivalent to 45.5% of their monthly basic salary as of end-2023.

“This release underlines our commitment to recognize and reward our men and women in uniform who fulfill their duties with excellence,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

The DBM said those in the first, second, and third levels must have achieved at least a “very satisfactory” rating under the Civil Service Commission-approved Strategic Performance and Management System, system required by the Career Executive Service Board to secure bonuses.

It also said the funds will be charged against the miscellaneous personnel benefits fund under Republic Act No. 12116, under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. recognizes the skill and sacrifice of soldiers in fulfilling their duty as defenders of the Philippines’ freedom and sovereignty, which is why their bravery deserves to be rewarded,” said Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro in a separate statement. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Fake BARMM employees busted for large-scale swindling

September 24, 2025 | 8:00 pm

COTABATO CITY — The police clamped down three individuals, disguised as employees of the Bangsamoro Social Services ministry, who duped hundreds of villagers with promises of monthly cash allowances from the agency in exchange for a P500 registration fee each.

Local executives in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte told reporters on Wednesday that they will help the police and officials of the Ministry of Social Services and Development-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) build estafa and usurpation of authority cases against suspect.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De C. Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Wednesday that the three suspects, disguising as MSSD-BARMM employees, were arrested on Tuesday, during an entrapment operation in Block 5 in Barangay Awang, not too distant from the Cotabato Airport.

Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Chief Lt. Col. Esmael A. Madin and Mr. De Guzman told reporters separately that the suspects were immediately arrested after receiving P500 as “registration fee” for their scheme from an informant aware of their illegal activities.

Community leaders in Datu Odin Sinsuat and nearby towns in Maguindanao del Norte had confirmed to police investigators and to reporters that the suspects had deceived no fewer than 700 villagers in far-flung areas.

BARMM’s Social Services Minister Raissa H. Jajurie, and his subordinate regional officials separately told reporters on Wednesday that they are grateful to the Datu Odin Sinsuat police force, the local officials and the tipsters who cooperated in plotting the entrapment operation.

The suspects used a house in Barangay Awang as a base for their illegal activities, which is near the border of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Cotabato City, the capital of BARMM.

One of them had been tagged in the same criminal modus, using the office of one of the 80-members of the Bangsamoro regional parliament as front for his shrewd activity.

Ms. Jajurie said they will release documents stating that the three suspects are not employees of the MSSD-BARMM in support of the efforts of the police to prosecute them in court. — John Felix M. Unson

29 BARMM towns flooded

September 24, 2025 | 8:00 pm

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro government said it has extended humanitarian support to no fewer than 97,000 villagers in flooded areas in its Special Geographic Area and two provinces close to the now inundated 220,000-hectare Ligawasan Delta, since Monday.

The Ligawasan Delta, a catch basin for more than a dozen rivers that springs from mountain ranges in Bukidnon, Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces overflowed after last week’s heavy downpours in Central Mindanao, inundating 29 towns around.

Reports obtained on Wednesday from the office of Chief Minister Abdulrauf A. Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and their calamity response outfit, the BARMM Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), stated that at least 29 Bangsamoro towns in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte provinces and in the Special Geographic Area are flooded since last weekend.

BARMM-READi emergency responders, local government units and personnel of the provincial disaster management offices in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had relocated 46,223 flood-stricken villagers to safe areas in rescue operations that started last Sunday.

Mr. Macacua said on Wednesday that he has directed the officials of the BARMM-READi to expand their emergency response operations to farther areas in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

Municipal and provincial officials had told reporters on Wednesday that agencies of BARMM had distributed at least 26 tons of food supplies to villagers whom rescuers had relocated to makeshift relief sites and multi-purpose covered courts in high grounds far from their flooded barangays.

Mr. Macacua and the director of the BARMM-READi, Mohammad Farzieh B, Abutazil, are together overseeing the Bangsamoro government’s emergency response operations in the flooded areas inside the core territory of the autonomous region. — John Felix M. Unson

Ateneo survives the UE scare

September 24, 2025 | 7:35 pm

Games on Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

ATENEO DE MANILA University hung on to clip University of the East (UE) in another nail-biter, 62-60, and seize an early lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

One-and-done player Kymani Ladi once again came to the rescue with a go-ahead triple in the last 23 seconds as the Blue Eagles banked on their defensive claws the rest of the way for a 2-0 start.

The Blue Eagles wasted a chance to seal the deal by misfiring three of its last four free throws down the stretch but UE anchor Precious Momowei missed the game-winning triple from centercourt for their second straight one-possession victory.

Ateneo, also behind the heroics of Filipino-American stalwart Mr. Ladi, escaped with an 86-83 overtime against Far Eastern University in the opening weekend for a massive turnaround so far following a dismal 0-3 start last season.

“It wasn’t the best performance once again for us but it was a gutsy win. We made shots we had to make and stops we had to make,” said coach Tab Baldwin, looking good in a Final Four return bid after missing the semis for the first time last season with a 4-10 record.

“Give credit to Chris (Gavina) and UE. They really battled (today) and made it difficult on offense for us but at the end of the day, it’s defense and rebounding that won us the game.”

Fresh off a 26-point, nine-rebound debut against the Tamaraws, the 6-foot-8 ace Mr. Ladi was on target anew with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Eagles.

His trey from a Jared Bahay assist after Wello Lingolingo gave UE a 60-58 lead returned the driver’s seat to Ateneo after losing an 11-point halftime lead – and for good.

Joaqui Espina added 17 points while Mr. Bahay and Dom Escobar contributed eight and seven, respectively. Mr. Bahay also scattered six rebounds, four assists and a steal for another all-around brilliance.

Winner of four titles under Mr. Baldwin before the fall of its dynasty last season, Ateneo was a team on a mission in the first half by erecting a 35-24 lead before melting down to UE’s 23-10 third-quarter blast to figure in dogfight in the payoff period.

A nip-and-tuck battle boiled down to Mr. Lingolingo’s big trey that was quickly answered by Mr. Ladi in back-to-back heroic possessions.

Trailing by 60-61, UE actually had a chance to snatch back the lead — and the win — but Mr. Escobar stole the basketball from Nico Mulingtapang that resulted to a clear path foul for Ateneo’s free throws plus a ball possession.

UE still had a chance despite all of its miscues as Mr. Escobar split his charities and Jadem Lazo blanked his own pair but Mr. Momowei rushed a triple from halfcourt with still four seconds to go for Ateneo’s escape act.

Mr. Lingolingo fired 19 while John Abate had 10 points for the Red Warriors, who fell to 0-2 under new coach Chris Gavina after a 72-57 debut loss to the National University Bulldogs.

Meanwhile in the start of women’s basketball, two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa erupted for 29 points, nine rebounds, five steals and four blocks as Ateneo debuted with an 81-52 trashing of UE. — John Bryan Ulanday

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala clashes with Japanese Mei Yamaguchi at Jingshan Open Round of 16

September 24, 2025 | 7:34 pm

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA is on the verge of another deep run.

The Filipina tennis pride takes on Japanese bet Mei Yamaguchi for a chance to enter in her third quarterfinals in the WTA125 Jingshan Open Friday at the Jingshan International Tennis Tournament Center in Hubei, China.

Ms. Eala and Ms. Yamaguchi figure in a Round of 16 duel at a still-to-be-determined time with the match slated as the fourth bill in a packed eight-game schedule.

The 20-year-old lefty ace made it to the Top 8 of her last two stints in the WTA250 Sao Paulo Open in Brazil and the WTA125 Guadalaraja Open in Mexico, which she ruled for her first-ever WTA title and the Philippines tennis’ as well.

A win by Ms. Eala would set her up against either No. 349 Jia-Jing Lu of China or No. 499 Riya Bathia of India for a ticket in the Final Four.

From WTA rankings and seeding in the 32-player field, Ms. Eala is a cinch for that feat barring any major hiccup as the No. 1 seed.

Ms. Eala, No. 58, also sits way higher in the WTA list over the No. 268 Ms. Yamaguchi for a favorable odds like in the first round.

In spite of a back-and-fourth exchange in the extended second set, Ms. Eala scored a 6-3, 7-5 sweep of WTA No. 322 Aliona Falei of Belarus.

The 26-year-old Ms. Yamaguchi, for her part, cruised to a 6-4, 6-1 win against Hong Yi Cody Wong of Hong Kong.

Ms. Eala will have two more stops in China after Jingshan as an automatic main draw player in the WTA125 Suzhou Open on Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 and the Hong Kong Open on Oct. 27 to Nov. 2.

With no Grand Slam tourneys the rest of the WTA Season, the Philippine tennis is hoping for Ms. Eala’s national team return in the 33^rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand after netting three bronze mints in the Hanoi Games in 2022. — John Bryan Ulanday

Meralco Bolts get a boost in Maliksi’s return

September 24, 2025 | 7:34 pm

VETERAN sniper Allein Maliksi is back in harness for Meralco, giving the Bolts a major boost as they attempt to regain the PBA’s crown jewel in Season 50.

Mr. Maliksi, a vital cog in the franchise’s maiden championship in the Season 48 Philippine Cup, saw action for only two games in all of the 49th season, initially due to bone spurs on his knee and later sciatica (back injury).

The five-time PBA champion even sat out the entire All-Filipino and his absence was strongly felt as the Bolts failed to get past the quarterfinal stage. Seeded eighth, Meralco fell to top seed and twice-to-beat San Miguel Beer, 107-98, to yield the crown.

Mr. Maliksi, who last played in their 94-110 Christmas Day loss to Converge in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, returned to action as the Bolts beat Rain or Shine in a pre-season duel in Ilagan, Isabela over the weekend, 95-89.

The 38-year-old hit perimeter buckets as before and capped a pivotal 10-1 blast with a triple that broke a 71-71 tie and sparked Meralco’s breakaway.

Aside from the comebacking Mr. Maliksi, the redemption-seeking Bolts have also locked in the services of another vital piece of their previous championship run by signing star playmaker Chris Newsome to a three-year extension.

Likewise staying for more is seasoned big man Raymond Almazan, whom the squad inked to a fresh two-year deal.

The Bolts will be a busy team come October, tackling their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup drive while gunning for glory in the East Asia Super League on the side with super imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee as spearheads.

For Mr. Newsome, it will be much more draining with Gilas Pilipinas duties in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers beginning November on his plate as well. But he’s game for it.

“It’s not something that I run from it. It’s actually something that I openly accept because anytime you represent the country, whether it’s your club team or Gilas, I’m always going to be there and I’ll always put my best foot forward,” said Mr. Newsome. — Olmin Leyba

MLB okays ball-strike challenge system for next season

September 24, 2025 | 7:33 pm

AUTOMATED ball-strike (ABS) challenges are coming to Major League Baseball (MLB) next season.

A Tuesday vote from the MLB Joint Competition Committee, an 11-person group that includes six team owners, four players and one umpire, made the proposed rule change official.

“The previous rule changes that have been adopted by the Joint Competition Committee have had staying power and created momentum for the game. We used the same process with ABS that started with listening to fans, conducting extensive testing at the minor league level, and trying at every step to make the game better,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Throughout this process we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players. The strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”

The system was tested in spring training and at the 2025 All-Star Game, and has been utilized throughout minor league baseball since 2022.

Manfred previously said the challenge system had ownership support, but he was getting more feedback at midseason on “deploying it in a way that’s acceptable to the players.”

Already Manfred foreshadowed the system’s imminent arrival with an agreement with the umpire union that added provisions for ABS (automated balls and strikes) adoption. Manfred thanked the umpires union for collaboration on the plan Tuesday.

In spring training, MLB charted a total of 288 ABS Challenge use cases and 4.1 per game. Upon review, 52.2% of challenges to umpire callas were overturned.

Catchers had the most success challenging calls with a 56% overturn rate compared to 50% for hitters and 41% for pitchers. — Reuters

A’ja Wilson, Aces coast to win over Fever to even semifinal series

September 24, 2025 | 7:33 pm

A’JA WILSON amassed 25 points, nine rebounds and five steals and NaLyssa Smith added 18 points as the Las Vegas Aces bounced back for a 90-68 victory over the visiting Indiana Fever in Game 2 of their WNBA semifinal series on Tuesday.

Jackie Young scored 13 points and Chelsea Gray had 10 assists as the Aces improved both on defense and ball distribution while turning the tables following an 89-73 loss in Game 1 of the series.

The Aces, who have reached the semifinals for the seventh consecutive season, shot 53.8 percent from the floor and had 22 assists after collecting just 12 in the series opener. Wilson shot 10-for-18 after making just 6 of 22 attempts in Game 1.

Indiana finished at 41 percent from the floor on Tuesday after shooting 50 percent in the opener. The Fever committed 22 turnovers.

“Defensively, we were just engaged from the start of the game. We didn’t go into these lulls,” Gray said of the Aces, who had 12 steals. “Of course they’re a good basketball team, they’re going to go on runs. But it was how we combat that defensively to take a stand and get a stop.”

Odyssey Sims scored 18 points and seven assists, and Lexie Hull added 15 points for the Fever. — Reuters

Unilab celebrates 80 years of service and commitment with the Robinsons Group

September 24, 2025 | 5:50 pm

In the fast-paced health and wellness industry, milestones are often measured in expansions, product launches, or by market reach. However, for Unilab, Inc. (Unilab ), it is more about celebrating eight decades of Husay, Malasakit at Bayanihan. Eight decades of unparalleled commitment to product excellence and the highest standards of quality as a service for the Filipinos.

Founded in 1945 as United Drug Co., Inc., a small wholesale and retail drugstore in Binondo, Manila, Unilab has grown into an industry leader that continues to place alaga — a uniquely Filipino concept of genuine care, at the heart of its service.

This year, Unilab’s celebration is made more meaningful by recognizing its enduring partnerships that foster a strong support system towards accessible quality healthcare for every Filipino. With Alagang Unilab Para sa Lahat launch held at Robinsons Galleria, Unilab joined hands with the Robinsons Retail Group — the company’s long-time partner in bringing health and wellness that forge lasting impact and deeper shopper connections.

Key leaders from Unilab and Robinsons Retail Group’s Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy led the program, which unveiled activities and programs that will be implemented soon, including four campaign pillars that are aimed at delivering care that is inclusive, accessible and meaningful. These pillars include:

The launch of SMART MEDS Program with Maxicare which sets a new standard, giving Maxicare members exclusive offers and seamless access to medicines at any Southstar Drug or Rose Pharmacy, so more Filipinos will never have to miss their medicines and can live better, healthier lives;
Online Exclusives for both Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy, boosting digital presence and engagement online with thematic deals and promos;
Alagang Para sa Lahat Raffle Promo which is customized to what excite the shoppers of both accounts are offering:

For Southstar Drug: 80 winners of P8,000 each and 1 winner of P1,000,000 in the Grand Draw

For Rose Pharmacy: 80 winners of P8,000 each and 80 winners of P2,000 worth of assorted Unilab products in the Grand Draw

Raffle coupons to be available from Oct. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.

4. Advocacies and CSR Partnerships

The event also opened the one-day Alagang Unilab Para sa Lahat Health and Wellness Day at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas Manila, where participants and mallgoers were able to enjoy booths offering engaging health-related activities and services, and Unilab’s specially-priced products.

A touching highlight of the event is the symbolic turnover of Unilab’s donation to the Philippine Business Disability Network (PBDN), a group supported by Southstar Drug as part of their advocacy in supporting our differently abled fellow Filipinos. More than a gesture, this symbolic turnover expresses the two companies’ shared commitment to inclusivity, regardless of circumstance.

The celebration will continue in Cebu next month as Rose Pharmacy takes the lead in the Alagang Para sa Lahat Health and Wellness Day on Oct. 25 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu. The event will once again feature engaging health-related activities, wellness services, and specially-priced Unilab products — bringing the spirit of genuine alaga closer to Cebuanos.

Through Unilab’s 80 years series of celebrations, genuine and continuing ‘alaga’ is reinforced, promoted, and shared among communities together with valued partners who have the same passion and mission toward the health and well-being of Filipinos.

Alaga can take different forms, from extending a helping hand to someone in need, kind words of reassurance to someone going through uncertainty, or a healthcare provider’s genuine concern for a patient’s healing journey and access to medical care.

At its core, the celebration is not just about looking back at 80 years of achievements, but also about reaffirming its promise that in every partnership, every initiative, and every Filipino household it serves, Unilab will continue to nurture a legacy of Husay, Malasakit at Bayanihan.

Because for Unilab, true success isn’t only in milestones reached, but in moments of genuine care or alaga that is felt and shared.

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