Abbey M.

MANILA – Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo on Monday called for the Senate impeachment court to admonish its own spokesperson over an announcement that a verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could be issued by December 16.

During Day 33 of the trial, today, October 5 Tulfo raised concerns over Impeachment Trial Court Spokesperson Atty. Reginald “Regie” Tongol’s public statement, saying it created the impression that the senator-judges had already agreed on a timetable for deciding the case.

Presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the December 16 date was only an estimate derived from the schedule contained in the court’s pre-trial order.

The computation took into account the 61 days requested by the prosecution to present its evidence and 30 days sought by the defense.

Escudero stressed that the projection was based on the calendar rather than how the proceedings are actually unfolding.

“It is based on math. It is not based on the realities on the ground,” Escudero said, adding that Tongol’s statement did not represent the position of the impeachment court.

Tulfo nevertheless maintained that the spokesperson should be reminded to exercise caution when sing publicly on matters that have not been settled by the senator-judges.

He said comments about the timing of a verdict could get ahead of the court and leave senator-judges learning about supposed developments through media reports.

Escudero said he would take Tulfo’s request under advisement. No sanction or formal warning against Tongol was immediately announced.

Questions over the trial timeline had already surfaced before Monday’s proceedings.

Senator-judge Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier said the impeachment court had neither formally nor informally agreed on a December 16 verdict date, describing it as the spokesperson’s own assessment rather than an official court decision.

Senate President and senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, separately estimated that the trial could conclude between mid- and late November, but likewise described that as his personal projection based on the current pace of proceedings.

The differing estimates underscore that the Senate impeachment court has not announced a fixed date for its verdict in the case.

The trial entered its 33rd day on October 5, with the court continuing proceedings under Article II involving allegations of unexplained wealth, false asset declarations and continued business interests against the Vice President. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and is contesting the impeachment allegations.

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The government is seeking P11.03 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in 2027, with 672,776 disadvantaged and displaced workers targeted to receive temporary employment and income support nationwide.

The proposed funding and beneficiary target are also reflected in recent reporting on the 2027 labor budget. 

TUPAD provides short-term, community-based employment to workers whose regular sources of income have been disrupted, including those affected by disasters and other economic difficulties.

Under the proposed 2027 program, qualified long-term beneficiaries may be given a longer work period, increasing from 20 days to 45 days.

Funding support for personal protective equipment will also increase from P350 to P400 per beneficiary, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his budget message, said emergency and community-based employment programs are intended to help Filipino families cope with economic disruptions, disasters and other unforeseen challenges while providing a source of income.

Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, meanwhile, said TUPAD should serve not only as temporary assistance but also as a pathway toward more stable employment or livelihood.

“Hindi dapat matapos ang tulong kapag natapos ang TUPAD,” De Leon said.

He said beneficiaries should also be connected to livelihood programs, internships, skills training and employment services that could help them transition to more sustainable sources of income.

DOLE has also been strengthening TUPAD by linking beneficiaries to skills development, employment facilitation and livelihood assistance. In the first half of 2026, DOLE reported that more than 734,000 workers received temporary employment through the program. 

De Leon said the broader goal is for temporary work to serve as a bridge to the beneficiaries’ next employment or livelihood opportunity.

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Filipina tennis star Alex Eala reminded a fan to ask properly for an autograph after a cap was thrown in her direction during her campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

In a video circulating online, Eala was seen walking away from the court when a male fan threw a white cap toward her, apparently hoping to have it signed.

Eala stopped, picked up the cap and addressed the fan.

“Sir, hindi ka dapat nagtatapon ng mga gamit sa mga players,” Eala told the fan. “If you say it nicely, I will sign it for you. Pero ‘wag ka magtatapon, please.”

The fan apologized following the reminder.

Eala still signed the cap and returned it before accommodating other autograph seekers.

The brief exchange drew attention online as Eala continues her campaign at the Asian Games.

On the court, Eala defeated Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei, 7-5, 6-0, in the women’s singles quarterfinals on September 30 to secure a place in the semifinals and guarantee the Philippines at least a bronze medal.

She is set to face China’s Wang Xiyu in the semifinals as she continues her bid for a spot in the women’s singles gold-medal match.

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MANILA — DreamWorks Animation’s Filipino-inspired “Forgotten Island” has found a strong audience in the Philippines, topping the local box office during its opening weekend while drawing positive reviews from critics and moviegoers.

The animated film earned ₱97,236,533 during its Philippine opening, according to a report carrying figures from Universal Pictures. The result made it the country’s biggest opening for a Universal Pictures release in 2026.

Box Office Mojo separately recorded a USD1.532-million opening in the Philippines, placing “Forgotten Island” at No. 1 during its September 23–27 opening period across 207 cinemas.

The local response is notable for an original animated film built heavily around Filipino culture and mythology.

“Forgotten Island” follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Filipino-American singer H.E.R. and Filipina actress Liza Soberano, as they enter the magical island of Nakali and encounter creatures inspired by stories from their Filipino families.

Its voice cast also includes Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy, alongside Dave Franco, Jenny Slate and Ronny Chieng. DreamWorks lists Joel Crawford and Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado as the film’s writers and directors.

Filipino artists also have a presence in the movie’s music, with BINI contributing “A Parallel World” to the soundtrack.

The film has also received strong critical and audience reception.

As of September 29, Rotten Tomatoes lists “Forgotten Island” with a 95-percent critics’ score from 94 reviews and a 96-percent audience score from more than 500 verified ratings. Its critics’ consensus praises the movie’s combination of friendship, imagination and Filipino folklore.

Reviews have particularly highlighted the film’s cultural references, animation and central friendship story. The Associated Press described the movie as an energetic fantasy rooted in Filipino folklore and gave it three out of four stars.

The strong Philippine performance, however, has not been matched by the film’s initial North American box office.

“Forgotten Island” opened with USD12.8 million in the United States and Canada and had reached about USD20.6 million worldwide after its first major weekend of release. Variety described the North American opening as softer than expected, although the film had yet to open in several international markets.

That makes its Philippine performance one of the early bright spots in the film’s theatrical run.

For Filipino audiences, the success also puts a major-studio animated story centered on Philippine mythology, language, talent and culture at the top of the local box office.

“Forgotten Island” remains in cinemas as its international rollout continues.

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MANILA – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is preparing reforms aimed at speeding up government recruitment and improving its oversight of long-vacant positions and delayed promotions across agencies.

CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap said during a Senate budget hearing that the commission is moving toward a competency-based hiring system, which would assess whether applicants have the specific skills required for a position earlier in the recruitment process.

The CSC hopes to make the approach an official policy in 2027.

Under the proposed system, agencies would look beyond minimum requirements such as education, training, eligibility and experience and also assess applicants against the technical or functional competencies needed for a particular job.

Barua-Yap cited internal audit positions as an example, saying applicants could be screened early for relevant auditing competencies instead of proceeding through the entire recruitment process despite lacking the required technical background.

The shift builds on CSC Resolution No. 2600005, issued in January 2026, which sets guidelines for government agencies to develop competency-based human resource management systems covering recruitment, performance management, employee development, rewards and other personnel functions.

The CSC said the framework is designed to help agencies match employees and applicants with positions based on clearly defined core, leadership and technical competencies.

The commission is also developing a human resource information system that Barua-Yap said could give the CSC more direct access to personnel records, job vacancies, publication of openings and promotion proceedings across government agencies.

The proposed system would allow the commission to identify positions that remain unfilled and check whether qualified personnel within an agency may be eligible for promotion.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo raised the issue during the hearing, citing thousands of funded plantilla positions that remain vacant and complaints from government employees who say they have repeatedly been passed over for promotion.

Barua-Yap said appointment and promotion decisions ultimately remain with the heads of government agencies under the current system.

She added that the CSC receives complaints involving promotion decisions, but appointing authorities retain discretion in choosing candidates as long as civil service qualification requirements are followed.

The planned digital system would also include records of agency human resource merit promotion and selection boards, which the CSC said could help it identify staffing gaps and determine where remedial action may be needed.

Alongside the new system, the commission is reviewing government qualification standards and strengthening the certification of human resource officers as part of its transition toward competency-based personnel management.

The CSC earlier partnered with the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance to modernize qualification standards used for recruitment, selection, placement and career advancement in government.

The reforms were discussed as the CSC defended its proposed 2027 budget before the Senate Committee on Finance on September 28. Senate records confirm that the hearing covered the proposed budget of the CSC and its attached agency.

During the hearing, the CSC also sought the restoration of ₱783 million in unfunded requirements, including funding for modernization and field operations.

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