Ginebra, after a 10-day layoff, rides a huge 40-16 start to bury rival TNT, while balanced Meralco fends off a 34-point bomb from Blackwater star Sedrick Barefield to arrest a 0-2 start in the 2025-2026 PBA Philippine Cup
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra blew past TNT, 92-77, on Wednesday to register its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Japeth Aguilar powered his way to 17 points and 10 rebounds while Troy Rosario, Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos were also instrumental in the Gin Kings’ bounce back showing after dropping their opening assignment to the Magnolia Hotshots 10 days earlier. Rosario also had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Abarrientos put up 14 points despite dealing with flu, and Thompson added 10 points and nine rebounds after being held scoreless against the Hotshots. Ginebra […]... Keep on reading: PBA: Ginebra bounces back with dominant win over TNT
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday said that it is eyeing to add more medicines to be offered for free under its new Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (Gamot) package. During a roundtable discussion, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado said that this may be rolled out this year or early next year. “‘We are studying adding more medicines based on the approval of the Health Technology Assessment Council [HTAC],” Mercado said. The PhilHealth Gamot, launched last August 14, expands on the initial 21 free medicines to 75 with a yearly […]... Keep on reading: PhilHealth eyes offering more free medicines under Gamot package
UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 88 basketball tournament MANILA, Philippines—University of the East coach Chris Gavina did not hold back his words after the Red Warriors’ overtime loss at the hands of La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament. Gavina wasn’t dwelling on yet another loss from his squad on Wednesday. He, however, drew the line on UE star Wello Lingolingo’s ejection for an unsportsmanlike foul. READ: UAAP: La Salle ekes out emotional win over UE for Kean Baclaan “I watched the video. They told me that Wello jumped f****** purposely on Baclaan on a loose ball? Get the […]... Keep on reading: UAAP: UE coach Chris Gavina blasts refs over Lingolingo ejection
MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed on Wednesday that it had disqualified prosecutor Karim Khan from the crime against humanity case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, maintaining that the move has no direct impact on the ongoing investigation. In a 19-page ruling dated October 15, the ICC ruled that it did not consider the “actual bias” on the part of the prosecutor, but his involvement in an Article 15 communication may have an objectively reasonable appearance of bias in the eyes of an observer. READ: ICC lawyer questions basis for Khan’s ouster from Duterte case “The Prosecutor, […]... Keep on reading: ICC confirms prosecutor Karim Khan's disqualification from Duterte case
Today’s headlines: Discayas, Marcos & Duterte, Erik Spoelstra
A four-year-old boy was killed and two police officers were wounded in a shootout during the implementation of a warrant of arrest in Calamba City, Laguna province on Wednesday morning, Oct. 15. Police said they were about to serve a warrant of arrest against Regie Anque Abarquez for homicide issued by a Calamba City court when unidentified armed men believed to be a cohort of the suspect suddenly appeared and opened fire. Police Chief Master Sgt. Alberto Plaza and Police Staff Sgt. John Principe were wounded. A four-year-old child was wounded by stray bullets and declared dead in a hospital. The suspects escaped and are now the subject of a police manhunt. PRO 4-A chief Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas commended the bravery of operating personnel and condoled with the family of the victim. “We deeply regret the loss of an innocent life in this tragic incident. Our police officers displayed exceptional courage in the face of danger while lawfully carrying out their duties,” Lucas said. “We will extend full medical and welfare assistance to the injured officers and ensure that justice is served for the victims of this unfortunate incident,” he added.
Heroes are aplenty as the UST Growling Tigers tie the NU Bulldogs for the No. 1 spot in UAAP Season 88, their 5-1 record marking their best start in a decade
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region is deploying 897 security personnel to ensure a safe and secure celebration of the Buglasan Festival in Negros Oriental from Oct. 16 to 24. A send-off ceremony for troops and resources led by Police Col. Lito Patay, officer-in-charge deputy regional director for operations of PRO-NIR, was held at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office in Sibulan town on Wednesday, Oct. 15, with Police Col. Criscente Tiguelo, Negros Oriental police director, as task group commander of Security Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness, and Response (SPOER). Five-hundred two were from the police, 42 from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 53 from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), six from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), 156 from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 58 from the Traffic Management Unit (TMU), and 80 from another law enforcement unit. They are strategically positioned in festival venues, parade routes, public convergence areas, transport hubs, and other vital installations to ensure visibility, crowd control, traffic management, crime prevention, and prompt response. Mobility assets were also deployed to manage security operations, as the annual festival draws thousands of local and international tourists.
Barangay Ginebra sent TNT crashing back to earth with a 92-77 victory to pick up its first win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday, Oct. 15. The Kings came out like a house on fire in the opening frame, immediately opening a double-digit spread en route to the dominant win over their fierce Finals rival in two conferences last season. It was a balanced attack for Ginebra as six players scored in double figures led by veteran Japeth Aguilar, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Frontcourt partner Troy Rosario also had a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. RJ Abarrientos added 14 points while Scottie Thompson bounced back from a scoreless outing in their first game against Magnolia with 10 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Stephen Holt and Norbert Torres chalked up 10 points apiece to help the Kings bounce back from the lackluster start and even their record to 1-1.
Frustration boiled over in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday night, Oct. 15, as University of the East head coach Chris Gavina unleashed a fiery tirade against the game officials following the Red Warriors’ narrow 111-110 overtime loss to the De La Salle Green Archers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. “First of all, I want to say to these three referees, never f***ing ref again in any of our games, because they took… It was a complete disservice for the outcome of this game,” said a visibly irate Gavina as UE dropped its sixth straight loss of the season. “And the beauty of the game because you’ll call an unsportsmanlike foul on one of our best players… get the f*** outta here,” he added. Gavina was referring to a controversial call against Wello Lingolingo, who was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul for allegedly landing on Kean Baclaan’s right knee at the 4:20 mark of the fourth quarter. Baclaan was stretchered off the court following the incident. The incident added to La Salle’s growing list of injury concerns, with the team already missing Mason Amos due to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear. Lingolingo was eventually ejected after being assessed an unsportsmanlike foul (category 2), having already drawn a technical earlier in the game for flopping. At the time of his exit, the 6-foot-1 guard had tallied 24 points. Despite the setback, UE managed to pull ahead, building an 89-84 lead. However, the Taft-based squad regrouped and regained momentum in overtime to escape with the win. “We talked about the outcome and the beauty of these games and the players, but what’s happening? There’s three idiots on the f***ing floor,” Gavina said. “And they got nothing, even to explain to me. What, you\'re not giving us calls because we’re not in the top four teams?” he added. The fiery UE mentor also called for accountability and further explanation from the officiating crew regarding the controversial play. Just last weekend, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin also expressed his frustration, crytically referring to a "third team" -- a remark widely interpreted as a critique of the game officials. Despite his outburst, the 46-year-old Gavina extended well wishes to Baclaan, whose condition remains uncertain following the incident. “Prayers out to Kean. Hopefully, nothing serious happened,” he said. UE looks to end its first-round campaign on a high note and snap a six-game losing skid when it takes on Far Eastern University this Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Silver lining. Like I told my team, we’re knocking out the door… I told them if we can go toe-to-toe with a UAAP finalist and a champion, we can do that with anybody,” said Gavina. “That’s what we got to carry with us. Yes, there’s pain in there, we got to go through this… I’m hoping to inspire the younger players to start contributing,” he added.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs said it would first verify if Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., is behind the social media post where he supposedly accused Filipinos of abducting former President Rodrigo Duterte and handing him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an ambush interview in the Senate, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said she intends to talk to Locsin and ask him about the matter. She, however, refused to confirm if Locsin was indeed the person behind the social media post. READ: ICC rejects Duterte release plea, cites flight […]... Keep on reading: DFA can't confirm Locsin's alleged socmed post on `abducted' Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Advocates of tobacco harm reduction signed on Wednesday a manifesto calling for multi-sectoral measures towards a smoke-free country, through accessible science-backed data and alternatives to tobacco products. The manifesto was signed by representatives from the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Smokefree Conversations PH, Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Quit for Good, Consumer Choice Philippines, VaperAko, VapersPH, CAPS and Partners, and the Science & Innovation Nicotine Advocacy Group (SINAG) in a hotel in Mandaluyong City. Among others, the manifesto calls for empowering the public by providing “better choices instead of continuing to smoke harmful cigarettes.” It raised the need “to recognize that tobacco harm reduction is a lifeline, especially for adult smokers who do not quit.” It also highlighted the importance “to assert our national sovereignty by defending our Vape Law (RA 11900) on the global stage, which recognizes tobacco harm reduction as a public health strategy.” Advocates said RA 11900, otherwise known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, aims to address the effects of smoking, ensure that the sale of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products is prohibited among minors, and illicit trade of these products is prevented. Citing available data, the advocates said the smoking rate among Filipino adults rose to 23.3 percent in 2023 from 18.5 percent in 2021; thus, a need to provide alternatives to those who want to quit tobacco smoking. NCUP founder Anton Israel, in an interview on the sidelines of the event, said the public should realize that RA 11900 is an option to smokers who want to quit tobacco use but cannot do so immediately because smoking is already part of their system. He said authorities should explain to the public, especially the minors, the distinction between tobacco products and the vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products. “So, if they (the minors) understand this distinction, they would be discouraged to use vapes,” he added. Israel said that while vapes have negative health effects, it is less compared to tobacco products, citing also that some smokers who shifted to vapes eventually gave up smoking because their bodies were able to slowly get rid of the addiction.
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