Korean scores first Asian Tour triumphMANILA, Philippines — He was the most consistent performer the whole week, breaking par each round. And fittingly, it was Korean Wooyung Cho who reigned supreme in the first-ever Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. Well in contention after rounds of 69-70-71, Cho fired a near-flawless five-under 67 at the soaked East Course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club yesterday to run away to a four-stroke triumph at 11-under 277. I was telling myself ‘Wooyoung it’s okay, Wooyoung it’s okay. To put the cherry on top, Cho received a cool $10,000 from Wack Wack, led by president Ben Abalos, for shooting the day’s lowest score.

First female Army battalion commander honoredCabading is due for assignment to a higher post after relinquishing her duties as commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion to Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete at Camp Morgia in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Saying the best man for a military job is a woman, local executives and officials of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division lauded Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading in simple rites on Friday. Cabading is due for assignment to a higher post after relinquishing her duties as commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion to Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete at Camp Morgia in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The 10th Infantry Division is now part of the history pertaining to a hardworking woman who had led one of its battalions so well,” said 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Alvin Luzon. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza wished that Cabading would be assigned to the 6th Infantry Division “so we can work together in peace-building thrusts in the communities.”

‘Testifying vs Marcos not a priority for Zaldy’MANILA, Philippines — He may have tagged President Marcos to be part of the anomalies in flood control projects, but testifying against Marcos during impeachment proceedings is among the least of priorities of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, his lawyer said. But Rondain said that, at this point, this is not the primary reason why Co made the video alleging Marcos’ involvement in corruption related to government infrastructure projects. “That’s low in his priority list,” Rondain said, referring to Co’s testifying against Marcos. Co was chair of the House committee on appropriations, which is in charge of deliberations on the proposed national budget. Allegations against Co outlined how he supposedly used his position for a scheme that siphoned billions from government coffers.

Tabuena winds up joint 48thMANILA, Philippines — Miguel Tabuena finished tied for 48th and earned $50,000 (about P2.9 million) in his LIV Golf League debut. After three successive one-under 71s at the season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh, Tabuena fired his best round of three-under 69 to wrap up his first appearance under the Dustin Johnson-led 4Aces GC team on a strong note yesterday (Manila time). At six-under 282 for the $30-milion tournament, the Pinoy Olympian finished 18 strokes off Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC (264 after a final-round 64), who completed a Cinderella triumph at the expense of two-time major champion Jon Rahm of Legion XIII (265 after a 63). Tabuena wound up tied with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson of the US (68) and Sam Horsfield of England (72) for 48th to 50th in the individual standings.

The new Chinese ambassador is undertaking a round of tours of Philippine media entities. “As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese embassy,” Ji pointed out. But Cayetano’s motion was shot down by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III before the floor debate turned even uglier. A majority vote of a Senate resolution can express anger, but it cannot replace careful judgment. It is an exercise to cool down the heated WPS debate before it turns into senseless rage achieving nothing.

51 OFWs repatriated from Cambodiaepartment of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara and DMW- Metro Manila regional director Falconi Millar assured the victims of immediate assistance. MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-one Filipinos trafficked to Cambodia returned yesterday to Manila, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The latest batch follows the first group of 190 overseas Filipino workers repatriated on Feb. 6. Authorities welcomed the trafficking victims upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara and DMW- Metro Manila regional director Falconi Millar assured the victims of immediate assistance.

Government allots P4.4 billion as 467,000 affected by BasyangMANILA, Philippines — Nearly P4.4 billion has been allocated for relief operations in the wake of Tropical Storm Basyang, as the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) gave assurance that aid is being provided in affected areas, the agency announced on Saturday, citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Meanwhile, the number of families affected by Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao has reached 132,000, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday. The agency has provided more than 9,800 food packs and more than 1,300 ready-to-eat food boxes to affected families in Northern Mindanao and Caraga as of last Friday. AftermathAccording to OCD spokesman Junie Castillo, the number of affected families is equivalent to 467,000 persons from 850 barangays in Visayas and Mindanao. Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Calabarzon will have cloudy skies with light rains.

Veloso pleads for freedom anewOverseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Velo- so reunites with her family at the Correc- tional Institution for Women in Mandalu- yong on Dec. 18, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Detained overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso has appealed for continued public support for her freedom in an open letter written from prison and released on Jan. 28, according to migrant group Migrante International. Veloso, who was transferred from death row in Indonesia to the Philippines in 2024, has now spent a year at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. In her letter, she described the hardship faced by her aging parents, who travel several hours from Nueva Ecija to visit her. Multiple petitions seeking clemency for Veloso have been submitted to the Marcos administration, but none have been granted.

ERC OKs P376 billion revenue for NGCPThis, however, is below the NGCP’s proposed annual revenue requirement (ARR) of roughly P442.6 billion under its fifth regulatory period (5RP) rate reset. MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has permitted the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to collect about P376.4 billion in revenues from 2023 to 2027. This, however, is below the NGCP’s proposed annual revenue requirement (ARR) of roughly P442.6 billion under its fifth regulatory period (5RP) rate reset. For 2023, the ERC has directed the grid operator to implement a maximum allowable revenue (MAR) of about P63.4 billion starting Aug. 1, 2023. Under the 5RP, NGCP’s MAR is also set at P69.1 billion for 2024, P74.3 billion for 2025, P81 billion for 2026 and P88.5 billion for 2027.

Lacson warns vs ‘homegrown traitors’ amid West Philippine Sea disputeMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday raised the possibility of homegrown traitors operating within the Philippine government, warning that foreign powers often utilize “recruitment in place” to infiltrate rival nations and shape local narratives. The senator issued the statement when asked if Filipino officials and social media personalities echoing Beijing’s propaganda on the West Philippine Sea could be considered traitors. Lacson described these individuals as vulnerable targets who are willing to sell out their country for personal gain. Lacson warned that failing to challenge Chinese incursions near Pag-asa would be tantamount to allowing an invasion of inhabited Philippine territory. 1625, or the “West Philippine Sea (WPS) Education Act,” citing a widespread lack of knowledge about the country’s maritime rights.

DA feed system eyes higher corn, livestock outputFile photo shows a woman drying corn by the side of the road in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on June 18, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is rolling out a new village-based feed ecosystem with an aim to boost corn and livestock production in the country. This ecosystem would help in cutting feed costs and strengthening rural incomes through cooperative-led agribusiness. “This is about fixing the weakest link in livestock production – feeds – by putting control back in the hands of farmers,” Tiu Laurel said. “These cooperatives will operate mechanized, community-managed feed systems covering crop production, postharvest handling, feed milling, storage, and distribution – effectively creating localized, closed-loop feed supply chains,” the agency said.

A majority of justice committee members noted the utilization of mostly news articles, particularly on the De Jesus complaint, which they believed failed to plead facts sufficient to warrant a full impeachment hearing. They also noticed the complainants relied largely on speculation, policy disagreements and unsubstantiated claims rather than any direct or indirect act by the Chief Executive where he can be held directly liable for committing an impeachable offense. Lawmakers warned against lowering the constitutional threshold by relying on hearsay and unverified claims. The justice committee report is expected to be submitted to the House plenary soon, where the 318 lawmakers will decide the fate of the Marcos impeachment. If 107 House members (one-third of the House) vote to reverse the justice committee report, the Marcos impeachment case will be sent to the Senate for trial.

Government earmarks P2.5 billion for indigent cancer patientsMANILA, Philippines — In line with National Cancer Awareness Month, the national government has earmarked a total of P2.5 billion this year to help cancer-stricken indigent patients cope with the disease. Libanan explained that out of the P2.5 billion, about P1.5 billion will be set aside for the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) and P1 billion under the Cancer Control Program (CCP) of the Department of Health (DOH). “Both the CAF and the CCP are lifelines for cancer patients fighting for survival. “Cancer patients need continuous care, pain management, and dignity throughout treatment,” Libanan added. “No Filipino should have to delay cancer treatment because of cost.

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