MANILA, Philippines — Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito and vice chair Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson promised that they would spare no one, including the son of President Marcos, from scrutiny during deliberations by the bicameral conference committee on the P7.2-trillion national budget, which is alleged to be filled with insertions akin to pork.

Rookie forward Cameron Boozer scored a career-high 27 points and Isaiah Stewart added a season-high 24 off the bench as the Memphis Grizzlies remained the NBA's only unbeaten team with a 136-105 victory Saturday night over the visiting Sacramento Kings.

MANILA, Philippines — For only the second time in eight decades, Adelaida Samonte, 90, traveled from Batangas to Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Saturday, to visit the grave of her older brother, a World War II soldier. It was only last year when her family discovered where Victor Samonte, who died of

MANILA, Philippines — A clutch ace at the most crucial moment saved Yvon Bisera's season and delivered one of the narrowest victories in Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit history, while Angelo Que relied on consistency and a strong early-season surge to secure a second straight PGT OOM crown. Both fashioned out two victories to seize early control of their respective OOM races, but neither had an easy ride to the coveted season-ending plum. As the circuit unfolded, a host of determined challengers emerged, turning the races into gripping battles of momentum, resilience and nerves, with the women's title eventually decided by a razor-thin P4,550 margin. While Que built a comfortable cushion through a series of strong finishes in the closing legs, Bisera saw her once-commanding position come under serious threat, setting up a dramatic showdown with Harmie Constantino in the final stop at Apo. The ladies' race proved particularly unpredictable, with the lead changing in significance from one leg to the next and the outcome remaining uncertain until the final round. Bisera had seen her bid for a third leg victory fall short by just one stroke to Chanelle Avaricio at Summit Point. She came up two shots short of Tiffany Lee at Pueblo de Oro, then struggled to make a bigger impression at home at South Pacific, settling for fourth. Still, she carried the OOM lead into the Apo finale, albeit with Constantino closing in. And when Bisera opened with a 74 and followed it up with a 73 in the second round, the door swung wide open for Constantino, who was coming off a four-win campaign in 2024 and had saved her best performance for the season's final leg. Constantino made her move count, claiming the Apo leg by two strokes and putting Bisera's OOM crown on the line. At one point, the Davaoeña ace faced the prospect of finishing sixth and losing the season-long race by a mere P2,000 in earnings. Then came the shot that changed everything. Bisera aced the 17th hole of Apo, turning a potentially costly finish into a joint third-place effort with Avaricio and Princess Superal. It was a timely breakthrough that kept her in the money and, ultimately, preserved her place atop the rankings. Her P83,750 share of the combined third- to fifth-place purse of P251,250 lifted her season earnings to P704,150, just enough to edge Constantino, whose P162,500 prize at Apo brought her total to P699,600, including her victory at Caliraya Springs. The difference: a stunning P4,550. Reflecting on her victory, Bisera admitted that she did not initially expect to contend for the OOM title, but a crucial hole-in-one on the final day ultimately proved decisive. “Going into Apo, I wasn’t really thinking about the OOM title. But looking back, that hole-in-one on the final day was probably the biggest turning point and the main reason I was able to secure the OOM crown this year,” said Bisera. For Bisera, claiming the season-long honor was especially meaningful, considering the challenges she faced throughout the year and the strength of the competition. “Winning the OOM title means a lot to me. I’m really happy and grateful to have achieved this, especially after going a long time without a win following my victory at Pradera Verde. Although I wasn’t able to perform as well as I wanted in Mindanao, I’m still thankful to have come out on top, especially with the field being so strong this year,” she said. Bisera also credited her consistency throughout the season, highlighted by two victories and two runner-up finishes, as key factors in her successful OOM campaign. “My two wins and two runner-up finishes were the biggest factors that helped me win the OOM title. But that clutch hole-in-one on the final day of the last tournament will always be especially memorable for me. I hope this achievement will give me more confidence as I prepare for my international tournaments,” said Bisera. It was a fitting climax to a fiercely contested eight-leg campaign in which every strong finish, missed opportunity and crucial shot carried enormous weight. In a race where fortunes swung repeatedly and no advantage proved entirely safe, Bisera's ace became the ultimate difference-maker. Lee wound up third with P650,000, her bid for a maiden OOM title derailed by a difficult Apo campaign that saw her settle for a share of eighth place. Avaricio finished fourth with P588,600 despite winning three legs at Pinewoods, Summit Point and South Pacific, her campaign affected by her decision to skip a couple of LPGT events in favor of overseas tournaments. Last year's OOM champion Sarah Ababa, meanwhile, settled for fifth with P491,450 after a winless season. On the men's side, Que took a markedly different route to his second consecutive OOM crown, leaning on his early-season victories and a string of respectable finishes to keep his pursuers at bay. The veteran campaigner drew strength from his come-from-behind triumph at Caliraya Springs and his two-shot victory over Aidric Chan at Summit Point, building the earnings cushion that would prove decisive in the final stretch. Juggling commitments between the PGT and the Asian Tour, Que endured a demanding schedule that left little room for rest. Fresh from an Asian Tour event, he struggled to a joint 12th-place finish in Negros Occidental before placing joint 21st in Iloilo. He then shared ninth at Pueblo de Oro, took fifth at South Pacific and closed out his campaign with an eighth-place finish at Apo. Although he failed to crack the Top 5 in the final five legs, Que's earlier victories and steady accumulation of earnings proved more than enough. He finished with P1.445 million to complete a rare back-to-back OOM championship. Jeffren Lumbo remained within striking distance and still had a mathematical chance of overtaking Que heading into Apo. But the Sarangani standout also faltered in the finale, winding up joint 18th and settling for second with P1.230 million. Clyde Mondilla, winner at South Pacific, took third with P1.223 million, his campaign likewise affected by missed opportunities in key legs. Rupert Zaragosa, who won at Pueblo de Oro, placed fourth with P1.038 million, while Keanu Jahns, winless after sweeping three titles last season, wound up fifth with P982,550. In the end, Que's calculated consistency delivered another season-long triumph, while Bisera's remarkable late-season escape provided the defining moment of the year. One needed only to stay steady to retain his throne. The other needed one perfect shot to save hers. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Dave Dela Cruz, dazed and knocked flat, woke up drenched on a chapel floor in Marikina City. He had slipped and bashed his head the previous night, when floods from Super Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) refused to spare even the holiest of places. But unlike his neighbors hauling appliances to higher

Airing from November 2 to November 6 Mapapahamak ba si Atoy (Dingdong Dantes) at ang mga mahal niya sa buhay dahil kay Oscar “Oka” Asuncion (Tom Rodriguez)? Mapansin kaya ni Atoy ang red flags ni Oka? Tutukan ang The Master Cutter Book Two sa oras na 8:00 p.m. sa GMA Prime at ang simulcast airing nito sa four channels na GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia, and I Heart Movies. #GMAPrime #TheMasterCutter #DingdongDantes I-download ang GMA Play sa Apple App Store at Google Play. Available din ito sa GMANetwork.com/GMAPlay at sa mga Android TV.

MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen early childhood and primary education curricula to address the growing number of “struggling readers” among Grade 1 students. Edcom 2 made the call after the DepEd’s Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment for the start of

MALACCA POLLS | It follows MCA chief's debate dare to DAP's Bandar Hilir candidate.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is monitoring the country’s electricity and fuel supply amid the expected increase in travel and public activity during the “Undas” or All Saints’ Day holiday. The agency said it is closely working with power generation firms, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and distribution

Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard combined for 46 points, including 13 in an early 17-0 run, and the Portland Trail Blazers eased to a front-running, 112-90 victory over the Utah Jazz in a Halloween matinee Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — Some 800 deportees from Sabah, Malaysia, arrived in Zamboanga City on Friday night aboard passenger vessel MV Antonia 1, the Zamboanga Peninsula regional field office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Saturday. Of the 800 deportees, 589 are adult males, 89 are adult

Robert Bolick made sure NLEX wouldn’t miss its greatest opportunity to end its string of playoff flameouts. And Bolick did it in the manner of those Halloween movie villains: relentless and merciless. The do-it-all guard had 16 of his 23 points in the first quarter as the Road Warriors shook off the fear of yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) was among the 66 media honorees recognized at the 7th Alta Media Icon Awards 2026, an honor conferred by the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD). The Inquirer received the award as Newspaper of the Year. Inquirer Foundation executive director Connie Kalagayan accepted the trophy on

DAKAR, SENEGAL—Swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido and wushu standout Angel Polo open the Philippines’ campaign in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Sunday, hoping to build on their international experience as Africa hosts the event for the first time. Ajido, 17, will compete in the third of four heats of the men’s 100-meter butterfly at the

BOHOL, Philippines — Bohol province is embracing bamboo, a traditional material used in construction and handicrafts, as part of efforts to promote sustainable tourism and improve local livelihoods. In 2023, the island province was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as its first Global Geopark in the Philippines, in recognition

Mo Diassana dominated the paint as National University turned back University of Santo Tomas, 75-71, Saturday to tighten its grip on second place in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Diassana finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds, including nine offensive boards, as the Bulldogs completed an elimination-round sweep of

Evan Mobley scored a season-high 27 points and Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 11 rebounds as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 136-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Leylah Fernandez hailed her “mental fortitude” after setting up a Pan Pacific Open title clash against Russia’s Diana Shnaider on Saturday. The world No. 23 from Canada defeated Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, 7-5, 6-3, in Tokyo to reach a second consecutive final. Fernandez won her first title of the season in Singapore in September and followed

MANILA, Philippines – Despite bowing out of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro, 15-year-old Filipino surfer Mara Lopez earned something more meaningful than a victory after drawing praise from none other than world No. 1 Molly Picklum. The Australian surfing star was impressed by the young La Union native, who faced her in Round 1 and Heat 5, and saw in Lopez a promising talent capable of inspiring the next generation of Filipino surfers. Lopez finished with 4.50 points against Picklum's 11.50 in the competition at the famed Cloud 9 reef break in Siargao on Sunday morning. The young wildcard managed a 2.50-point ride on her third wave and added 2.00 on her fourth. The reigning world No. 1 produced scores of 5.33 and 6.17 to secure the victory in the historic competition presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and backed by Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga. But beyond the result, Picklum was particularly touched after learning that she may have been one of Lopez's inspirations in taking up the sport. "Maybe I'm one of her inspirations. And that stuff to me is just so special," Picklum said, reflecting on her encounter with the young Filipino surfer. Picklum also had encouraging words for Lopez, praising her surfing ability and revealing that the teenager is also an outstanding longboarder. "I said to her, you're surfing so well. And she's also an A-one longboarder," the Australian star said. More than recognizing Lopez's talent, Picklum believes the young surfer can become a role model for other aspiring athletes in the country. "Either way, she's going to inspire the next generation, which is just so cool," she added. The world No. 1 also expressed admiration for Siargao's closely-knit surfing community, pointing out how the small island has built a strong culture around the sport. "Siargao is such a small island and they have such a strong surfing community. So that was really cool," Picklum said. For Lopez, the encounter with one of the sport's biggest names provided a valuable experience despite the early exit. Picklum's words also served as a strong vote of confidence in the young Filipina's ability to make her mark in the sport. Also backing the event are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and NEA/SIARELCO. TMT

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — I was at the early stages of graduate school thesis work at the University of the Philippines Baguio in 2007 when I was told by photographer Tommy Hafalla that the ritual “Begnas” of Sagada town in Mountain Province was to be held in the days leading up to All Saints’ Day.

LeBron James scored 20 points including a late tip-in to help seal the Philadelphia 76ers’ 98-93 victory over the NBA champion New York Knicks on Friday. The 76ers notched their second win of the young season over the Knicks after spoiling their championship banner-raising with a victory at Madison Square Garden on opening night. The

Nov. 4, 1999 Tuguegarao was converted from a municipality to a component city of Cagayan province through the approval of Republic Act No. 8755. A plebiscite was later held on Dec. 18, 1999, to ratify the conversion. Designated as the capital city of Cagayan and the regional center of Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao is bounded by

The Miss Universe pageant, as well as other beauty pageants, have been some of the best platforms for someone to share advocacies and encourage others to follow one's cause. However, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz seems to have stopped believing in candidates and their chosen "advocacies". In a recent interview, Gloria voiced her opinion that candidates today share advocacies that are performative and repetitive, describing them as “empty words.” On 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' on October 19, beauty queens Ahtisa Manalo, Gazini Ganados, and Yllana Aduana said that candidates don't need advocacies to join pageants. “I think meron kasing perception 'yung mga bagong sumasali sa pageant na kapag nagpa-pageant sila, dapat may advocacy sila. Pero that's not really the case. It's not a need. It's a great plus to have something that you're fighting for that's bigger than yourself, but hindi siya requirement,” Ahitsa said. However, Gloria said that there are exceptions to this when beauty queens genuinely followed through on their platforms. Find out which beauty queens who followed through on their advocacies in this gallery:

Saddiq Bey came off the bench to score a season-high 25 points and spark the New Orleans Pelicans to their second straight win, a 121-99 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Nassuruddin expresses gratitude, says all problems can be resolved through talks.

Hindi nagpatinag sa bashers si Jinkee Pacquiao matapos siyang ulanin ng mga komento dahil sa kaniyang pagpapapayong sa isang bodyguard.

For Singaporean flight attendant Chloe Tan Zi Ling, 35, the problem with paper straws is their impracticality. “It softens before we can finish the drink, so we have to gulp it down without a straw,” she said, adding that reusable metal alternatives left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. Her frustration reflects a wider debate over Asia’s shift away from plastic straws, with a recently released South Korean study finding that conventional plastic straws performed better than paper and other...

Carl Jammes Martin scored the biggest victory of his career, upsetting Mexico"s Alan David Picasso via split decision in their 10-round featherweight showdown on Sunday morning (Philippine time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino boxer Carl Jammes Martin painted an upset split decision win against Mexican David Picasso to claim the World Boxing Council (WBC) silver featherweight belt at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia early Sunday in Manila. Surviving a flash knockdown in the sixth round, Martin did just enough to sway two judges to his side at 95-94 while the other scored it 96-93 in favor of Picasso. Scoring the biggest win of his career yet, Martin stayed undefeated at 29-0 and positioned himself closer to a world title match. Picasso, who previously challenged and lost to Japanese Naoya Inoue for the undisputed bantamweight crown, fell to 33-2.

Heart Evangelista and Alden Richards embraced the Halloween spirit with their head-turning costumes.