“The government’s action was too delayed,” said Lacson in a press conference, referring to how local authorities moved only after Co had already been transferred by Germany to the Czech Republic and then released.

He questioned why Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida flew to Prague days after Co’s detention was announced instead of immediately working through the Philippine embassy and law enforcement channels to secure custody of the fugitive.

Lacson said the government should have quickly confirmed Co’s status, the basis for his detention, and the timetable for his release, calling it “one shortcoming” that cost the Philippines a crucial opportunity to bring him home.

He said the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime should have engaged Interpol as soon as Co was first apprehended — “ideally even before”—and urged the government to vigorously oppose Co’s reported bid for political asylum in France.

I just filed my resignation from my current employer, Company M, to join my other colleagues who transferred to another company. When I asked for an initial computation of my final pay, I was surprised to see that there was no amount for separation pay. The payroll officer explained to me that there is no requirement in the Labor Code to pay separation pay for resignations, and also, there is no Company policy granting separation pay for resignations. However, my other colleagues who resigned ahead of me received separation pay for their resignations. How do I prove that I should also be paid separation pay as a result of my resignation?

Wren

□□□□□

Dear Wren,

As a general rule, an employer is not required by law to give separation pay to employees who resign, unless this is provided for in a contract or has become a company practice. Thus, to be entitled to separation pay, you must be able to show that you have an agreement or a contract with Company M, providing for separation pay in case of resignations.

Aside from agreements/contracts as proof of entitlement to separation pay in case of resignations, you should be able to show that there is indeed a company practice of paying separation pay to resignees, by presenting affidavits of former employees in the same department or job position as yours, together with payslips or other proof of payment of such separation pay to such former employees.

Without the foregoing proof of your entitlement to such separation pay by way of contract or company practice, there will be no basis for your claim of separation pay due to your resignation.

(Italkarat 18 Inc. vs Juraldine N. Gerasmio, G.R. No. 221411, 28 September 2020)

Atty. Kathy Larios

The poor are murmuring: “Panginoong HesuKristo, maraming salamat po sa paggabay at pagbibigay inspirasyon kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. (Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for guiding and inspiring President Bongbong Marcos Jr.).

In the Philippines, the sentiment that the presidency is a divine responsibility is a powerful cultural narrative that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has actively integrated into his governance.

As of May 2026, this “divine guidance” theme is being channeled through his “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, which frames his “Noble Ambition” as a spiritual and moral duty to the poor.

1. Spiritual Alignment in Governance

a) Servant Leadership: The administration has increasingly used the language of “servant leadership” to describe its initiatives. During major religious events like the Traslacion 2026, the President urged the faithful to let their devotion guide their lives, reflecting a shared commitment to support one another and ensure fair access to opportunities.

b) Holy Week Messaging: In his 2026 Holy Week message, the President called on the nation to be “guided by faith” and “inspired by selfless service,” explicitly linking national progress to spiritual resolve.

2. Tangible Welfare as “Answered Prayer.”

The administration seeks to validate the murmuring of the poor that national promises are felt personally as fulfilled by citizens, most especially in times of distress.

Whether President Marcos Jr. can become a “Super Nation Builder” who eclipses his rivals, including Sara Duterte, is a central theme of his Bagong Pilipinas campaign.

As of May 2026, he is attempting this by shifting the focus from political conflicts to a “massive infrastructure and social welfare agenda.”

The Strategy of

“Nation Builder” Status

1. Infrastructure Overhaul (Build Better More): His administration has approved 198 flagship projects costing P8.8 trillion. By 2024-2025, 25 major projects were completed, including key expressways and health systems. He has ordered a two-week monitoring cycle to ensure these aren’t “sugarcoated.”

2. Massive Social Subsidies: The 2026 national budget allocates P2.314 trillion to social services, the highest in history. Key programs like the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) have been more than doubled to provide rice, health, and education grants to 4.4-million households.

3. Economic Goals: His target is a single-digit poverty rate by 2028. By focusing on “human capital” (education and health), he aims to create a more resilient workforce compared to his rivals’ platforms.

Competitive Posturing vs

Sara Duterte

Performance Ratings: In early 2026, PBBM saw a rebound in trust and performance (rising to 55 percent) while Vice President Sara Duterte’s rating experienced a slight decline.

To effectively embed President Marcos Jr.’s “noble ambition” into the collective Filipino psyche, his administration is shifting from traditional political management toward a strategy of tangible transformation and participatory governance.

This involves the vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) from a slogan to a “lived experience” through several psychological and strategic pillars.

1. Making Progress “Tangible”

a) Performance-Based Trust: By being an “action man” through frequent inspections and direct project monitoring, the President aims to replace government distrust with a sense of momentum.

b) Direct Benefits: Substantial allocations in the 2026 national budget for social services (P2.314 trillion) and programs designed to reach isolated areas, reinforcing the idea that “no Filipino is left behind.”

Email: arturobesana2@gmail.com

The observance includes bloggers and other forms of online journalism that contribute to the media landscape by sharing information, opinions, and news through blogs and social media platforms.

Bloggers are a welcome phenomenon. They provide alternative viewpoints to the public and contribute to the broader conversation about press freedom. The challenges they face, including censorship and threats to their safety, mirror those experienced by traditional journalists.

Throughout my 40 years in journalism, I’ve witnessed and experienced threats against media professionals and organizations. They can be mild to life-threatening, with incidents of censorship, legal harassment and even violence becoming more prevalent nowadays.

Tyranny leads to the decline of press freedom. The spread of fake news erodes the truth and when these two issues collide, the consequences can be dire. It can lead to a cycle of misinformation and oppression and leave the public so confused about what is real and what is not, eroding trust in legitimate news sources.

There are times when those who accuse others of spreading “fake news” are actually the ones spreading misinformation themselves, while the authorities responsible for addressing the issue target only certain individuals at specific times. This is called selective enforcement, which not only undermines public trust in these authorities but also allows misinformation to persist unchallenged, undermining the integrity of public discourse.

There have been cases in which the government has accused legitimate reporting of being fake news, thereby misleading the public into believing false narratives. Thus, credible journalists and news organizations now encounter even greater challenges in reporting accurately.

Fake news is now being used to suppress dissent and hamper genuine investigative work. The tactic shifts blame and avoids responsibility by alleging that critics, not they, are spreading misinformation. As a result, they deflect attention from their own actions or statements.

Given the challenges to good, truthful journalism, there should be greater media literacy, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth. For this to happen, news organizations must constantly improve and uphold press freedom.

The government must provide an environment where investigative reporting can thrive and protect journalists from harassment and violence. A safe environment is needed to uncover the truth and hold powerful entities accountable.

By upholding journalistic integrity, the government is not just safeguarding journalists and media practitioners from physical harm — it is fulfilling an important duty to preserve the foundation of democracy.

Journalists who can work freely can expose misinformation and encourage the open exchange of ideas. When people are well-informed about what’s happening around them, they can help create positive change and improve things for everyone.

The quest for truth is a shared journey; you either go willingly or abandon the light that leads towards enlightenment. The choice is always yours.

For feedback, text to 09451450681 or email cynchdb@gmail.com

Some critics of the High Court argue, though, that the ruling came too late. Still, the late January ruling, made public only last week, nonetheless has political implications for the process now playing out.

Admittedly, it may be too early to tell where the High Court’s ruling will eventually lead politically, seeing that the ruling broadly re-affirmed the Constitution’s provisions on the independence of constitutional bodies.

But in today’s immediate politics, prominent critics of the Duterte dynasty already predict the ruling is definitely consequential for the Veep’s impeachment troubles.

What those immediate impacts will be on the Veep’s impeachment aren’t yet sufficiently clear as these do need the legal proceedings of the Senate impeachment court, if it is convened, to clarify.

Generally, however, at the moment House member Leila de Lima argues that the ruling’s mention of AMLC documents made public eight years ago were the same documents lawmakers presented at the recently concluded House justice committee hearings on the impeachment complaints against the Veep.

As I write this, the Veep’s visibly weakened camp and the former strongman’s fugitive blind defenders have yet to sufficiently react to their critics’ arguments.

Nevertheless, it’s interesting what arguments the Duterte clique will marshal against the High Court’s ruling that the former strongman committed an unconstitutional act and abused his presidential powers.

On this, the Supreme Court’s Third Division euphemistically described the ex-president’s illegal action as akin to an “executive overreach.”

Further, the High Court, citing “constitutional design,” said “it would be nothing short of a constitutional paradox and a direct affront to accountability, if former President Duterte were allowed to sanction Carandang, one of the remaining officials explicitly empowered to hold government actors to account.”

So the High Court’s voiding Carandang’s dismissal in 2018 and exonerating him of the graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust charges filed against him by the previous regime now actually serves as a blunt warning to future Malacañang occupants.

Anyway, broadly speaking politically, the High Court’s ruling, as one legal observer pointed out, “formally documented one instance of a constitutional officer removed without legal basis while investigating Duterte money.”

Specifically, therefore, the Carandang dismissal can be made a prime example of an insidious attempt to stall or silence an institutional investigation of any complaint indicating the former strongman and his family had ill-gotten or unexplained wealth — even without the High Court explicitly saying so.

In other words, not only is the High Court’s ruling a firm assertion of constitutional boundaries, the ruling categorically asserts that the country’s highest official cannot mangle the constitutional dictates of public accountability.

“It (the ruling) restores not only an official, but a chain of accountability that was prematurely interrupted at a moment when it was beginning to point uncomfortably upward,” as one political observer put it.

Which can only mean that honest and sober inquiries are now the order of the day, that we have to squarely face the abuses of power and money secrets of our leaders, past and present.

In these times when emotions influence politics more than documentary proof, this is difficult. But then there’s no point to our citizen responsibilities if we knew all these truths yet continue to act as if we did not.

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who was stripped of every position in the chamber, including his membership in every committee, said Marcos’ involvement would be hard to deny despite the obvious efforts to hide his tracks.

During the Supreme Court’s oral arguments on the budget, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen sought to elicit from Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe an admission regarding the ultimate authority for the release of funds for Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA).

Berberabe pointed to the Department of Budget and Management secretary, who was then Amenah Pangandaman, that elicited Leonen’s comment: “In other words, the DBM secretary is no longer the alter ego of the President. The DBM secretary is a co-equal of the President. Or is that a mistaken assumption?”

Erice said Marcos’ involvement was hard to miss, since he was aware of what went on with the national budgets from 2023 to 2025, when the UA ballooned.

“That’s when the trillion-peso diversions, insertions, and amendments allegedly began. Those were the funds that supposedly went into anomalous ghost flood control projects,” he noted.

He explained: “(Fugitive former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy) Co was the chairman of the appropriations committee. He signed the bicameral report, the small committee report, and the GAA (General Appropriations Act). So he knew, including of course the Senate president. They all knew, but they were silent. Even the President, I think, is downplaying this investigation.” But he himself announced Co’s arrest.

The budget has two parts: expenditures and financing sources. Departments submit proposals from the regional level upward, which are then approved by the Cabinet and the President. That becomes the President’s budget, in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan. Then there are the sources of financing, tax revenues, non-tax revenues and projected income.

The budget operates under a spending deficit. For example, in 2026 projected revenue was only around P4.7 trillion, while P1.7 to P2.3 trillion would come from borrowings.

Then there is the UA, which are items without identified financing sources but these are supposed to come later from new taxes, savings, or excess revenues.

“Before, the UA was small and insignificant. But under the 19th Congress, it exploded — around P800 billion in 2023, over P700 billion in 2024, and more in 2025,” according to Erice.

What was done was to transfer projects like the Metro Subway and the Clark-to-Calamba railway from the regular programs and replace them with flood control projects where the kickbacks were larger.

Because those projects lost their guaranteed appropriations, Japanese funding for the subway could not be released.

The subway, which should be finished by 2028, may not be ready until 2032.

Erice lamented that the manipulation has cost the government.

That means a price escalation, an increase of about 20 percent. The subway costs over P400 billion, so that’ll be roughly P90 billion more. The Clark-Calamba railway costs over P800 billion, so that’s another P160 billion added.

Filipinos will shoulder these additional costs because of what Erice called the “mutilation” of the budget by the 19th Congress.

Whistleblowers? The most probable role of those in the corridors of power is being the brains of the grand larceny in government.

The embassy calls it Tiexian Jiao. Very solemnly. Very alarmed. Like Japan is back in Nanking.

Commodore Tarriela’s reply: Filipinos went there. Civilians by the way. Not a government invasion force. Not Marines parachuting into Tiananmen. Civilians. China has no lawful sovereignty there. And calling a reef by a Chinese name does not turn Filipinos into burglars in their own neighborhood.

Big-brain Guo Wei returns with China’s nuclear bomb of logic: distance doesn’t matter. Brings up Hawaii. Hawaii is far from the US mainland too.

But Hawaii is a recognized US territory. It has voters, senators, taxes, police, Spam musubi, actual state things.

Hawaii does not require America to redraw the ocean around five other countries. Unlike your nine dashes: draw a circle around houses in the next town because your great-great-great-grandfather supposedly once jogged past their gates.

Because, apparently, some Chinese fisherman in the 1400s was out there on a little wooden boat, sweating, famished, looking lost, confused, like Guo Wei after Tarriela intoned: “2016 arbitral ruling.”

Guy was holding one sad fish, fighting the wind, praying the boat doesn’t split, maybe looking for a bathroom, frankly. Then he sees the cay and says, “Thank God. Land.”

Six hundred years later, Guo Wei walks into the conversation with a straight face and argues ancient presence creates modern rights.

Brother, guy was not expanding China. He was expanding his chances of surviving the afternoon trying not to drown and found a place to rest his wet ass.

Guo Wei can’t even explain precisely what the nine-dash line even means. Which is very convenient when you want it to mean everything.

Imagine if America used China’s exact logic on the moon. Armstrong: “One giant leap for mankind.” Beijing: “One giant leap for China, and mankind is advised to stop illegal lunar activities. Mankind is trespassing.”

Honestly, America has a cleaner claim to the moon than China has to the nine-dash line. They have video. Footprints. Rocks. A flag. Buggy. And even with all that moon evidence, America still doesn’t own the moon. That’s the point. Presence is not ownership.

The nine dashes are not even brave enough to be a real line. They’re broken. Dashes. Nervous little pieces. Even the pen had doubts.

It says, “Trust history.” Then the world’s biggest navy says: “Or else.”

History. What history? The convenient kind? The one that expands exactly where the oil, ships, reefs, and military advantage are, and somehow skips every empire that ever shoved China around?

Because history is also Japan in Manchuria. Britain in Hong Kong. Portugal in Macau. Germany in Qingdao. Funny how fast China becomes a modern-law country when the history is China getting bullied.

Russia. Your friend now by the way. Big friend. Strategic friend. Smiling-for-the-camera friend. Doesn’t stand at China’s border with an old Qing treaty saying, “Don’t panic, Beijing. We’re only here to respect history.”

Because countries do not live forever in the past but choose present interests. China knows the rule: old maps are not allowed to run the world anymore. They move on when it suits them.

Now take that principle, put it in a box, wrap it nicely, and send it to your embassy in Manila: If old maps should not own China, old maps should not own the West Philippine Sea.

Last month’s disconcerting 7.2-percent inflation rate was a direct result of policies that left families struggling with higher prices for food, fuel and their daily needs.

It was largely the result of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not taking seriously the problems that cropped up due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, according to economist and Ibon Foundation executive director Sonny Africa, when he guested on yesterday’s Straight Talk online show.

Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency, but has so far failed to take the strong steps that the emergency powers allow.

He has not cut oil taxes, imposed a price freeze, or taken direct control of pricing to shield consumers. The mismanagement reveals a deeper problem: The absence of a serious industrial policy and a continued faith in liberalization, privatization and deregulation, all of which are outdated in the face of current realities.

Other nations acted faster. Vietnam, Cambodia and others suspended fuel taxes in March to blunt the impact of global price spikes. The Philippines did not.

The direct impact of the lack of a resolute policy is April inflation was at 7.2 percent, hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost between February and March, and economic growth slowed even more.

The millions of poor households, already vulnerable, are hit the hardest. Some of the middle class are sliding backward, which Africa estimated at two million Filipinos falling into poverty.

When prices rise without relief, the pain is real and immediate. Over the longer term, the failure runs deeper.

For decades, the country has pinned its hopes on foreign investments and open markets to drive development.

Record inflows of over $100 billion last year were directed mostly at manufacturing. Yet the manufacturing sector has shrunk to its smallest size in 80 years, which is not surprising.

Africa said that much of such investment was confined to special economic zones to take advantage of the cheap labor, tax incentives and location. These new businesses serve their own global supply chains, not the goal of building strong, rooted domestic industries.

China, in contrast, grew rapidly by enforcing targeted industrial policies, protecting strategic sectors and directing investment toward national priorities.

Even the United States is now moving to strengthen its own industrial base to compete with China, while the Philippines sticks to the old playbook of import-dependent development.

Economic development built on fragile foundations is bound to crack under pressure. The Philippines continues to expose itself to external shocks because it has failed to strengthen the industries and institutions that could cushion ordinary Filipinos from the global instability.

When global oil prices surge, it is consumers who immediately absorb the pain through higher transport, electricity, and food costs. When foreign investors pull back or redirect capital elsewhere, local jobs, production and industrial capacity suffer.

A well-built house requires a strong foundation, but the government continues to lean heavily on foreign capital while neglecting domestic industries. The result is an economy that remains exposed, reactive and perpetually vulnerable to crises beyond its control.

The shortcomings of the administration are becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss as rising prices continue to erode incomes, taxes remain burdensome and decisive intervention has been lacking.

Economic resilience cannot be achieved with rhetoric, ceremonial investment announcements and short-term subsidies. It requires political will, disciplined governance and policies designed to strengthen the nation’s productive capacity.

Marcos must move beyond safeguarding his own political interests and those of his allies.

Ordinary Filipinos are already carrying the cost through their daily sacrifice, shrinking purchasing power and growing economic insecurity.

Leadership is not about slogans or optics but decisive actions taken when citizens need protection most.

It is unfair, however, to review it given the fact that the basis was just the pilot episode presented during a special preview with a select set of entertainment media, members of the blogging and vlogging community, lead and supporting stars, directors and fans in attendance.  

The decision to focus on Joshua Garcia came from sincere praise he received from his seasoned castmates Michael de Mesa, Ara Mina and Dina Bonnevie on how he portrayed his character, Teo Crisanto. In full agreement were the series’ directors Manny Palo and Jojo Sagun, and the love team of JM Ibarra and JM Fyang.

Thus, I cannot help but wonder, what is it about the actor Joshua Garcia that everyone loves?

Thriller-romance

The Palo and Sagun directed Love Is Never Gone is a thriller-drama set in Morocco with Teo (Garcia) crossing paths with Yanna (Alawi). The man seeks for a better life, closure from an ex-girlfriend and eventually falls head over heels for the mysterious woman that is Yanna.  

As expected, things get complicated for the lovers as dark deeds of Yanna unravel with Teo wanting to save his beloved from all her troubles. Events escalate as Teo lands in prison, Yanna disappears and what happens next will keep everyone on the edge of their seats as betrayal, power play, scandals and vengeance rear their ugly heads.

Winning season

With the quiet heaviness and depth Garcia gives to Patrick in the Philippine adaptation of It’s Okay, Not To Be Okay; wordless acting, camouflaged hurt and vulnerability that he bestows to the middle child that is Brad in Meet, Greet and Bye; and the dignity, manliness and range that are instrumental in making Teo capture hearts.

Garcia has the ability to make you believe in him big time – as the son abandoned by a mother, the ache in his voice, the hurt in his eyes are crystal;  the cadence and manner that he uses in  the delivery of lines during the confrontation scene with ex-girlfriend Lara Jean (Jane Oineza) who matches the triggered emotion and verbosity of Garcia; the tenderness in Teo’s eyes when he starts to fall for Yanna (Alawi) and the onscreen scorch they share. With Garcia, there is no wrong beat. The emotions are full and pure and never going to melodramatic territory.

In terms of performance, those who make an emotional connection are Irma Adlawan, JC Alcantara, Epy Quizon, Heart Ramos and Argel Saycon.

Narrative-wise, Love Is Never Gone deserves praise for the complexity of its major characters and how their truths and issues affect the rest. The story engages with its steamy romantic element, presentation of betrayal, revenge and other high-stakes encounters and resolves, and its main themes that explore destiny, second chances and why love is the greatest force of all.

When it comes to chemistry and sizzle, Alawi and Garcia share tons of it. Acting-wise, however, it is obvious that Ivana cannot hold a candle to Garcia. Hopefully, as the thriller-romance progresses, she will be able to bring her A-game. 

For his boy-next-door charm and everyman appeal, truth and sincerity that he infuses to roles that are showcased through subtle expressions and eyes that speak in volumes, and putting his feet firmly on the ground as continues to reach for stellar heights, now we know why everyone loves Joshua Garcia. 

During his visit to Manila on 5 May, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pledged to strengthen military cooperation with the Philippines. He separately met with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss expanded defense ties between the two United States treaty allies.

“We agreed to move forward with discussions aimed at realizing comprehensive equipment cooperation,” Koizumi said.

As part of the discussions, Japan is considering the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyer escort vessels to the Philippine Navy, in line with Tokyo’s evolving defense export policy. Koizumi also noted that the Philippines may now purchase defense equipment from Japan under the proposed arrangement.

On Wednesday, around 1,400 Japanese personnel, including Koizumi, are set to join representatives from 17 countries, including India and Australia, in Balikatan exercises in Paoay.

The annual combat drills, which also involve countries such as Canada, will test the allied forces’ combined firepower in a simulated assault involving the sinking of a target ship about 40 kilometers off the coast.

The study, titled “Sip or Skip?: Microbiological Assessment for Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Beverage Contents, Containers, and Palm Swabs of Vendors in Tondo, Manila,” was conducted in partnership with the One ARM Project 3 of the Department of Medical Microbiology of the College of Public Health. It was supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network.

Under the supervision of Associate Professor Geraldine Dayrit and Assistant Professor Raycha Lei Sabandal, BS Public Health students examined nine palamig stalls across three locations in Tondo from 2024 to 2025. Researchers tested palm swabs from vendors, cup swabs, and samples of water, ice, and beverages.

Laboratory analysis found high levels of antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including strains carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes such as blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M. According to the university’s press release, these bacteria could pose a serious public health threat because of their resistance to antibiotics.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when medicines such as antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics, and antifungals lose effectiveness against infections. The World Health Organization has identified AMR as one of the top global public health threats.

“AMR puts many of the gains of modern medicine at risk. It makes infections harder to treat and makes other medical procedures and treatments — such as surgery, caesarean sections, and cancer chemotherapy — much riskier,” the WHO warned.

In a DZRH program aired on May 2, UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee said new drugs can take five to 15 years to develop, while bacteria can develop resistance within six months.

“Sa 2050, maaaring ang antimicrobial resistance na ang magiging dahilan kaya lalong lalala ang mga sakit ng ating mga kababayan,” Tee said, warning that even common infections could become difficult to treat in the future.

Researchers stressed the importance of the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the connection between human, animal, and environmental health in addressing the spread of superbugs.

The Philippines has been implementing “The Philippine National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2024-2028: A One Health Approach” through the Inter-Agency Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, composed of several government agencies including the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, and the Interior and Local Government.

The student researchers urged the local government of Manila and concerned agencies to strengthen mandatory training programs for vendors, while experts emphasized that the spread of antimicrobial resistance remains preventable.

Klum wore a skin-tight latex and spandex dress designed by Mark Marino, crafted to resemble a marble statue brought to life. The dramatic look combined beauty and horror — a style Klum is well known for through her elaborate Halloween costumes.

“I love fashion, I love art, and I especially love when the two collide,” Klum said in an Instagram post.

She explained that the outfit was inspired by Veiled Vestal by Raffaelle Monti, describing it as “a piece of fashion art, reimagined in motion.”

Dubbed the “Queen of Halloween,” Klum once again earned praise across social media for her commitment to the Met Gala theme and her embrace of unconventional fashion.

However, Mabanta claimed the arrest was a “setup” intended to stop the release of a 90-minute exposé video involving Romualdez, insisting that no threats or crimes had occurred.

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Mabanta were not friends, suggesting instead that questions should be directed to Duterte allies.

Castro also showed printed photos of Mabanta with former president Rodrigo Duterte, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and Vice President Sara Duterte during a press briefing at the International Media Center in Cebu City.

Mabanta is a Filipino social media personality, digital strategist, and political commentator who was previously known for his involvement in the Marcos political campaign, as seen in a 2019 Facebook post.

In a post on X, Bonifacio moved quickly to shut down the rumors circulating online, after facing a wave of backlash from fans.

“I understand the frustration because of how loyal you guys are as ARMY. First off, I was hired for the event to work. I did not use any ‘connections’ to get a pass. I didn’t even know who the event was for until the night before,” AC wrote in her statement.

The issue gained further traction when fans noticed that BTS members J-Hope and Jungkook follow her on social media, prompting speculation about her access. Bonifacio clarified that the mutual following was simply the reason she tagged the two in her TikTok posts.

“Walang 'bias niya kasi,' 'papansin siya,' 'ARMY pero isa lang kilala' ??? lol pls. I may not have been there from the very beginning, but I made the effort to go back, learn their story, and understand everything that made BTS who they are today. Whether you’re a fan from 2014 or even 2026, we should all be celebrating that ARMY is growing,” she added.

Bonifacio emphasized that her presence at the event was strictly professional, a job she took on to pay the bills, while maintaining that she has been a fan of the group since 2017.

She closed her statement on a more conciliatory note, expressing support for OT7 and encouraging fans to come together in celebrating the group’s milestones and their recent comeback.

The insurer introduced Sun Life Premier Legacy as Asia faces an estimated $5.8 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2030, positioning the product as a tool for long-term wealth preservation and orderly transfer across generations.

At the core of the launch is a concern highlighted by internal research: many Filipino wealth holders remain uneasy about whether their assets will survive beyond the next generation.

"We saw that 81 percent of Filipino wealth holders fear that the wealth that they created won’t be preserved beyond the next generation,” said Carla Gonzalez-Ching, Sun Life Philippines chief client experience and marketing officer. “Only 18 percent feel prepared with any legacy arrangement in place, and only 6 percent have completed and communicated that legacy to heirs.”

She added that a quarter of respondents admitted having no plan at all, while many remain aware of estate planning tools but lack confidence in using them.

"This is not really a lack of awareness, but rather probably a preparedness issue, where successors feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start,” she said.

Sun Life said the product was developed after identifying two main client profiles: business founders and older wealth creators, and their successors, particularly in Metro Manila. The study found that discussions on inheritance often extend beyond finances and into family relationships, values, and business continuity.

To respond to these concerns, Sun Life Premier Legacy introduces two key features.

The first, the Legacy Settlement Option, allows policyholders to structure how benefits are distributed to heirs, including staggered payouts or installment-based releases. It may also be directed toward philanthropic causes.

The second is the Mental Incapacity Benefit, which allows a pre-designated individual to access policy benefits if the insured becomes unable to manage financial affairs due to illness or disability.

"This makes Sun Life Premier Legacy an ideal solution with families with very specific financial needs and the need to partner with someone to ensure that their vision and plans for the future becomes a reality no matter what,” Gonzalez-Ching said.

She added that the product is intended for families “choosing to be prepared” as they navigate increasingly complex wealth structures.

Beyond insurance coverage, the package includes dividend potential, priority processing, medical concierge services, and access to legacy planning forums.

Sun Life said the initiative reflects broader client concerns, including fears of family disputes, tax complexity, and lack of preparedness among heirs.

The company also noted that 64 percent of wealth creators worry their successors are not equipped to manage inherited assets, while 49 percent anticipate potential family conflict over estates.

Sun Life said the new offering is part of its broader strategy to serve the country’s growing affluent market as wealth transfer activity accelerates across Asia.

###