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Sean Emmanuel Florendo The Malacañang Palace, through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), confirmed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday, July 31. Photos Courtesy of Manila Standard/PNA GenSan. According to the PCO, Pascual requested President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step down from his post, citing a desire to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family. “After much reflection, I have decided it is time for me to return to the private sector. There, my roles will allow me to continue contributing my expertise and experience while being able to spend quality time with my family,” Pascual said.  He expressed that serving under the Marcos administration was a privilege and honor and that he was proud of the DTI's achievements during his tenure. Pascual’s resignation, granted by Marcos, will be effective on Aug. 2. The PCO further recognized Pascual’s contributions to the ec...

Welsh Kendrick Osorio Carlos Yulo is just starting to unfurl his wings. Dazed by a sluggish start, the Golden Boy could not shine with a gold just yet after wounding up 12th overall in the 2024 Paris Olympics Men's Artistic All-around Finals on Thursday (Philippine time) at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of Lionel Bonaventure/ AFP. The two-time world champion tried to compensate for his stumble on the pommel horse, as he showcased his mastery in his pet event vault and parallel bars before winding up with 83.032 total points. After absorbing his early struggles, the Manileño gymnast revved up his engines in the vault, flaunting a front handspring double pike with a half twist to reap a 14.766 output and slightly crawl back in the rankings.  The 24-year-old standout sustained his composure approaching the parallel bars, collecting 14.500 points to remain in the upper half of the rankings. Despite facing challenges, Yulo still delivered in floor exercise (14.33...

Dion Mikhail Fetalvero Philippine boxing suffered a gut-wrenching punch in the Paris Olympic Games — with a loss from its Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist. Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/John Loche. Eumir Marcial ended his Olympic campaign on a sad note, suffering from a catastrophic defeat against Uzbekistan boxer Turabek Khabibullaev in the round of 16 of the men’s 80kg division, today. Marcial, who was one of the favorites to bag an Olympic medal for the country, failed to replicate his success three years ago where he reached the semifinal bout of the men’s middleweight division before losing to Ukrainian boxer, Oleksandr Khyzhniak, 3-2. “Siguro talagang hindi para sa akin at mayroong pagkukulang, o may plano ang Panginoon para sa akin," the University of Baguio student claimed. The Zamboanga-native put up a gallant stand regardless, tactically launching his jabs at the opener, but failed to land a combination throughout as the younger 20-year-old Uzbek showed brilliant defensiv...

Shekinah Jedidiah Alima The Department of Education announced that six million students are not yet enrolled for the school year 2024-2025 as of 9:00 a.m. on July 30.  Photo Courtesy of Jilson Tiu. According to the latest data, only 21,563,642 students, or 77.8% of the targeted 27,722,835 came back to school for the opening of classes on Monday. This enrollment figure includes enrollees from public and private schools, state universities and colleges, and alternative learning systems across the Philippines. Despite the gap, there is a significant increase of from the previous count of 19,268,747 that welcomed the new school year. “We observed a significant increase of 1.5 million enrollments from the start of classes on July 29, 2024, and we are optimistic in maintaining the momentum in the days to come,” DepEd noted.  The Calabarzon region (Region 4-A) topped the list of enrollment numbers with 3,239,173 students, followed by Central Luzon (Region 3) with 2,272,889 and Nation...

Rex Neil Falogme  Philippine bet Kayla Sanchez puts her Paris 2024 run into a conclusion after falling short in the semifinals of women's 100m freestyle event on Wednesday (Manila Time) at Paris La Defense Arena. Photo Courtesy of Tiebreaker Times. Clocking 54.21 seconds, the Filipina swimmer failed to qualify in the final round after finishing 7th in her semifinal Heat. The 23-year-old Pinay ranked 15th overall among 16 qualifiers wherein only the top 8 advanced to the Finals. Sanchez earlier made a strong case for a medal finish in the heats round as she registered a new National Record with 53.67 seconds. But she could not make yet another historic pull-off this time. The Filipina tanker struggled early in the first 50 meters as she placed second to the last with a time of 26.07 seconds. Sanchez tried to fight back in the last 50 meters but she fell short as the gap that was established by her foes was already too wide. Sioban Haughey of Hong Kong inked the fastest time in the s...

Daiven Monforte The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) submitted the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget, or National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025 to the House of Representatives on Monday, July 29.  Photo Courtesy of House of Representatives. This is a 10.1 percent increase compared to the 2024 national budget and accounts for 22% of the country’s gross domestic product. Amounting to P977.6 billion or 15% of the nat’l budget will be allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).  The budget has been reduced by 1% compared to this year’s budget. Despite this reduction, the allocation for the education sector remains the largest share, according to DBM. The budget for public works, which includes climate change expenditure and flood management programs, also receives over P900 billion or 14% of the nat’l budg...

Josel Sapitan With pride, World's No. 266 Samantha Catantan bowed uneasily to Italy's Rank 2 fencer Arriana Errigo in the down-to-the-wire 12-15 match in the table of 32 women’s individual foil on Sunday, July 28 at the Grand Palais, France. Photo Courtesy of Tiebreaker Times. The country’s first Filipina Olympian fencer exited the 2024 Paris Olympics with great experience and high respect despite her first race in this level. Catantan had to endure a 0-4 run from Errigo but managed to tie the scoreboard after unleashing four-straight points in the two remaining minutes of the first round. The momentum shifted in the final minutes as Errigo regained the lead with quick back-to-back markers to seal the first round. Italy's Errigo continued to showcase her top seed skills, delivering 11-6 imposing the second. Holding the lead in the side of Italy, Catantan brought the score closer in the last minute after hitting two points, 12-14 in the last 1:12 of the match but fell short ...

Shekinah Jedidiah Alima The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) disclosed on Monday that the Office of the President has proposed a total of P10.29 billion Confidential and Intelligence (CIF) funds for the 2025. Photo Courtesy of Daily Tribune. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants P4.37 billion to be used for confidential funds, while P5.92 billion for intelligent funds, according to the DBM. This proposal is 16% lower than the 2024 CIF received with a total of P12.3 billion, as the DBM said that they want to ensure the urgency of these secret funds. “We just limited to the departments and agencies na nangangailangan ng confidential and intel funds,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said during a press briefing at their central office. During the ceremonial turnover of the 2025 budget proposal at the House of Representatives, it was revealed that the DBM did not fully grant Marcos’ initial secret fund request of P11.39 billion. “DBM received a request of P11.39 billion (across go...

Gab Ibis The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is racing to contain a potential environmental disaster after a second oil tanker, the MTKR Jason Bradley, gone down off the coast of Mariveles, Bulacan on July 27. Photo Courtesy of Noel Celis/Greenpeace. This follows the July 25 sinking of the MT Terra Nova near Limay, Bataan, which spilled 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel cargo into the water, prompting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to flag nearby areas for a possible fishing ban. The PCG has secured leaks from the “Jason Bradley” and is preparing for recovery, but concerns are mounting as the first oil spill already covers 14.4 square kilometers. BFAR spokesman Nazario Briguera stated that the agency is yet to coordinate with local governments on the fishing ban. “Pero kung malawakan na ang pagtagas, kailangan talaga magkaroon na ng pag-aanalisa mismo do’n sa mga isda kung meron nang contamination na nangyayari sa kanila,” Briguera said in a Super Radyo dzBB ...

Mary Khezyll Galvan Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque acknowledged having an interest in the firm owning the house where two illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were arrested in Benguet. Photo Courtesy of Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau. During a Senate Panel on Monday, Roque confirmed that after his departure from government service, he previously lived in the house, which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) last Friday. "Ang bahay na tinutukoy niyo sa Tuba, Benguet ay rehistrado sa isang korporasyon. Ako po ay may interes sa korporasyon that owns it, pero wala po sa akin ang possesion ng bahay na yan," Roque said during the panel. He explained that the residential property was leased in January of this year to a Chinese national named Huan Yun, who is “registered with the homeowners association” and a “legal resident of the Philippines.” “Hindi ko po dine-deny that t...

Daiven Monforte Vice President Sara Duterte posted an open letter on her official Facebook page on Monday, addressing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil following the removal of 75 police officers from her security detail. Photo Courtesy of Facebook/Inday Sara Duterte. In her letter, Duterte refuted what she called falsehoods spread by Marbil in his interviews. “Kaya kong magtrabaho ng walang security, ngunit may problema ako sa mga kasinungalingang ipinapahayag sa taumbayan — lalo na kung ang mga kasinungalingang ito ay mula mismo sa pinakamataas na opisyal ng kapulisan,” Duterte stated. The vice president also revealed that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had received no formal request from the PNP regarding the possible pullout of their personnel. “Walang request na nangyari. Sinabihan lamang ng PSPG (Police Security and Protection Group) ang OVP na kukunin nila ang mga personnel,” she said. "Kasunod nito ay lumabas na ang Relie...

Shekinah Jedidiah Alima  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) denied the authenticity of a circulating memorandum that requires Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to halt their service as early as August this year.  Photos Courtesy of Facebook/PAGCOR/Bantay Nakaw Coalition. The fake memo, dated July 26, purportedly came from PAGCOR and claimed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had directed the termination of all POGO and Internet Gaming License (IGL) operations ‘as soon as possible.’ “All local government operations/groups are required to end these activities within the first week of August 2024,” the fake memo noted.  Jessa Mariz Fernandez, PAGCOR assistant vice president and head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, immediately turned down the allegations on July 28. “We have not issued a memorandum ordering LGUs to immediately close down POGO operations in their jurisdiction because the President’s order is very c...

Gab Ibis The human eyes can reveal a lot about a person’s personality, including their demeanor, emotions, and reactions — authenticity of a person, if one can say. Now, it seems our eyes may also hold the key to unmasking digital deception. A groundbreaking technique from the Royal Astronomical Society’s (RAS) National Astronomy Meeting revealed that light reflection in eyes can detect whether an image is artificial intelligence (AI)-generated or not. Led by University of Hull student Adejumoke Owolabi and astrophysics professor Kevin Pimbblet, they adapted tools used by astronomers in galaxies study to examine the consistency of light reflections in eyeballs. While AI has made remarkable strides, it often falls short when it comes to replicating the intricate details of human physiology, including the precise nuances of eye reflections. Hence, ease in detecting falsely attributed images and AI-generated ones. In a post with RAS, Pimbblet said that the technique used automatically det...

Gab Ibis The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that rain is likely in many parts of the country because of a low pressure area (LPA) and southwest monsoon. Photo Courtesy of Jesse Bustos/Philippine Star. As of 3:00 pm on July 28, the LPA was located approximately 780 km north-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, or 635 km east of Aparri. It is also not expected to become a tropical storm soon. The Bicol Region, parts of Aurora and Quezon, Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar will see cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms because of the LPA. Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and northern Palawan are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to habagat. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with rain showers or thunderstorms. Sea conditions will also be moderate, and there are no warnings for ...

Joemar Yubokmee In a democracy, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) should reflect how well the country is upholding democratic values. During his third SONA , President Marcos aimed to boost his declining popularity by making swipes against former UNITEAM partners. However, this sidelined the real issues, as the country continues to regress in terms of equality, liberty, and justice. Against a cacophony of newly passed laws and a somewhat overly general and vague plans to resolve perennial issues faced by the country, Marcos’s SONA is more of an attack on the legacy of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. In his report of a bloodless war on drugs, Marcos alluded to the more than 20,000 people exterminated by Duterte since he took office last 2016. More importantly, the 2024 SONA highlighted the ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). He directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to wind down the operations of existing POGOs which could be recalled was l...

Bea Santina Maranan In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) , President Bongbong Marcos laid a lot of promises for the healthcare sector which are either ambitious or borderline delusional—merely reflecting on his shortcomings as a leader. It’s about time this bubble of bare minimum propositions burst. To this day Marcos is unable to cross the line of self-reflection and lackluster solutions.  Cartoon by Daiven Monforte. In his last SONA, healthcare was deemed as no longer a priority with the end of  the health emergency crisis post COVID-19 pandemic. Marcos ' intent to readjust health priorities and his contentment on the status of our healthcare is playing blind to the fact that our welfare system has one leg in a pit. On his path of readjusting the healthcare priorities, Marcos administration showed nothing but inconsistency.  The lack of facilities, staff, surgical supplies, and inaccessible healthcare for rural areas remain the main obstacles to this date. Li...

Zanti Alfonso Gayares In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extolled the recent progression of the education sector and provided data on prevailing issues. Yet, as much as these narratives and figures show a balance of the sector's vitality and downfalls, Marcos failed to cover significant struggles within. It obscures the more entrenched dilemma that constantly afflicts the sector and its stakeholders. With the recent trends and issues lurking around the education system in the country, it is surely a long way to go. Marcos must keep his words marked and assure that the address is comprehensive and realistic enough as well as his plans.  Cartoon by J Paul Laraya In the address, Marcos detailed issues and his visions on the sector, mainly the education performance and the system, plight of the teachers, advancements in higher education and other programs like TVET, and the integration of technology and digital spaces for the system. Review...

Gab Ibis City traffic is heavy, bringing much stress to the common commuter with its raucous noise, sweaty breeze, and also, the release of bellows upon bellows of blackened smoke into the atmosphere. Photo Courtesy of Canva. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzen (CUHK-Shenzen) suggests that higher air pollution levels may be linked to higher stress levels and suicidal ideations, as published in a journal on February 12 this year. The paper, led by UCSB assistant professor Tamma Carleton and CUHK-Shenzen researcher Peng Zhang, discovered that efforts to reduce air pollution have prevented 45,970 suicide attempts in China.  Mind over matter Studies on the possible therapeutic effects of a pollution-free environment are uncommon, yet nothing new.  In 2015, researchers at Stanford University discovered that people who were exposed to nature showed decreased activity in the part of the b...

Dion Mikhail Fetalvero One hundred years since it hosted the Olympics, Paris returned with an extravaganza – an Opening Ceremony for the history books. Photo Courtesy of CNN. Rocking the Boat Groundbreaking – water-breaking, even, Paris opened its river to hundreds of thousands of fans and Olympic athletes as the Seine River took center stage – in a culmination of first for the quadrennial meet, July 27. Paris innovated the Opening ceremony as it deviated from the traditional Olympic Stadium-esque program with athletes waving their flags and floating on boats and barges in the first Olympic water parade of the nations. Together with choreographed performances near the riverside, featuring performers like Lady Gaga and French metal band Gojira, this unique yet exciting dynamic gave leeway for athletes to spectate from the river and parade at their boats partying as they basked in the Olympic spotlight.  Mauritius even seemed to be among the individuals performing, parading with a cu...

Gab Ibis Mindlessly scrolling through endless feeds has become a seemingly endless source of pleasure for many. Yet, this addictive behavior comes at a significant cost.  Photo Courtesy of Canva Studies from leading institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Birmingham (UB), the University of Cambridge (UC), and the University of Oxford (UO), revealed a disturbing link between excessive social media use and heightened rates of depression and anxiety among teens. MIT economist Alexey Makarin, UC and UB professors and psychologists Amy Orben and Andrew Przybylski suggest that social media use increases rates of depression and anxiety among teens, particularly during critical developmental stages such as puberty and young adulthood. Burdening dependence A 2017 study by Joao Fernandes Silva found that social media accounts for a staggering 79% of phone usage among young people.  With the average teen spending over three hours daily o...