NEWS
Gilas exits FIBA World Cup 2023 with a bang, blows out China by 21
September 3, 2023 11:30 p.m.
Two days short of nine years since the Philippines saved its best for last in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Seville, Spain, the present-day Nationals produced a similarly exhilarating final day moment Saturday, September 2, for jubilant Filipino fans to long remember.
After four straight losses in the Group Phase, Gilas Pilipinas delivered an exclamation point at the close of a World Cup campaign laden with questions, overwhelming traditional Asian powerhouse China, 96-75, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The triumph was fashioned in the wake of heartbreaking losses to Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy in group play, and to South Sudan in the first of two classification matches; lifting the crushing burden of a winless stint and averting a replication of the forgettable finish in the 2019 edition in China.
It may have also restored some faith in the national team, which became the object of public ridicule as a result of its struggles and failure to advance to the second round or secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who found himself in the middle of a blistering social media storm, took the microphone during the post-game press conference to indicate that he may be stepping down after the World Cup.
Reyes didn’t use the word “resign,” but he did say he was “stepping aside.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything from management. It is my decision. Like everybody knows, I didn’t apply for this job. I didn’t volunteer. I was given this mandate,” Reyes said.
“I already retired from coaching the national team and through all these times, I always said to judge us on our performance in the World Cup regardless of what happened between the time I was appointed and today.
“I said judge us by our performance. Obviously, we did not perform. We didn’t perform and like I said in the last game, I take full accountability, and because of that, I think it is time for me to step aside.
“I hate using the word ‘resign’ because I’m not a quitter. I would just like to emphasize that to everyone who is asking for that. But, at the same time, I signed up to do a job and I did not deliver the result, so I think it’s time to step aside, and allow the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) to make a decision for the good of the team and the program.”
The 32nd Asian Games in Hangzhou, China is three weeks away and Reyes departing the national team at this juncture would leave the SBP scrambling in search of a new Gilas Pilipinas head coach.
For now, however, the Nationals have found themselves freed from anguish as they shared hugs inside the locker room, signed jerseys and balls, and doused themselves with celebratory champagne.
Both SBP president Al Panlilio and vice president Ricky Vargas glowingly spoke of their gratitude to the coaches and players, hailing their victory as a “gift to the Filipino people, whose support never wavered throughout the World Cup.”
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios bared that the two federation executives had urged the Nationals before the game “to give everything they’ve got and to dig deep for the sake of the fans in the Big Dome who braved the inclement weather to cheer for them.”
They were also advised “to have fun,” said Barrios.
Reyes confirmed that the pressure to perform and the accompanying expectation weighed heavily on the team from the start.
“Iba talaga, ang bigat e” he said. “Noong na-lift yung expectation, lumabas yung laro. Unfortunately, the results didn’t come out as we expected. But to end with a win, there’s no greater feeling.”
Reyes, along with June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, remnants of the Gilas Pilipinas team in Seville, savored the feeling on September 4 nine years ago after the Nationals defeated Senegal 81-79 in overtime in the last game of their participation. It was also the Philippines’ first World Cup win in 40 years.
Under the glow of that historic moment, Jordan Clarkson erupted for 34 points – 24 of which he unloaded in the third quarter, including a stretch where he drilled four straight triples, as the Nationals pulled away from a tight back-and-forth affair.
Down by two, 46-48, early in the third frame, Gilas Pilipinas unleashed a scorching 27-2 run to take full control of the contest and establish a 73-50 lead the Nationals never relinquished until the final buzzer.
“It feels good. It’s been a tough tournament, but we kept fighting, kept competing, kept playing,” said Clarkson. “I really wanted to end this on the right note. We might not see the same guys in the locker room after this, but at the same time, we just wanted to show heart, fight, and resilience.”
Unlike in the first four games, it was not Clarkson who China needed to stop as the 11,080 crowd came alive and erupted in a frenzy at every defensive stop AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, and fan favorite Rhenz Abando pulled off to fuel the run.
Abando went on to finish with 14 points, while Kai Sotto chipped in 12 points, and birthday boy Dwight Ramos added 11. Edu only finished with five points, but focused all of his energy on the defensive end, collecting 10 boards and a block.
More importantly, Gilas Pilipinas also kept its bid alive for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, as it finished as the third-best Asian team in the global showpiece.
Li Kaier (Kyle Anderson) paced China with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while Zhang Zhenlin added 13, as the Chinese badly missed the services of 7-foot-1 center Zhou Qi who exited the ball game in the second frame.
Gilas Pilipinas exits FIBA World Cup 2023 with a bang, blows out China by 21
Two days short of nine years since the Philippines saved its best for last in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Seville, Spain, the present-day Nationals produced a similarly exhilarating final day moment Saturday, September 2, for jubilant Filipino fans to long remember.
After four straight losses in the Group Phase, Gilas Pilipinas delivered an exclamation point at the close of a World Cup campaign laden with questions, overwhelming traditional Asian powerhouse China, 96-75, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The triumph was fashioned in the wake of heartbreaking losses to Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy in group play, and to South Sudan in the first of two classification matches; lifting the crushing burden of a winless stint and averting a replication of the forgettable finish in the 2019 edition in China.
It may have also restored some faith in the national team, which became the object of public ridicule as a result of its struggles and failure to advance to the second round or secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, who found himself in the middle of a blistering social media storm, took the microphone during the post-game press conference to indicate that he may be stepping down after the World Cup.
Reyes didn’t use the word “resign,” but he did say he was “stepping aside.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything from management. It is my decision. Like everybody knows, I didn’t apply for this job. I didn’t volunteer. I was given this mandate,” Reyes said.
NEWS
Rep. Atayde: No ghost projects in QC’s first district
3:30 p.m. October 27, 2025
Quezon City First District Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde reiterated that there are no “ghost projects” in his district, following a personal inspection of seven flood control and drainage projects in his district.
“There are no ghost projects with us. There’s no ghost in District One. There’s no basis for claims that these exists. Maybe there’s just a need for proper coordination so information about the projects is accurate,” Atayde said after visiting sites in Barangay Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio.
Atayde’s visit confirmed findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, which stated in a September 19 letter that “all projects are verifiable on site,” referring to the seven projects questioned due to alleged lack of coordinates.
According to the DPWH, out of 66 alleged ghost projects reported in the media, only seven were located in Atayde’s district, where all of them were found to be completed or ongoing, with proper documentation, correct coordinates, and photographic evidence.
Verified projects included four flood control structures along Culiat Creek and Dario Creek in Barangay Bahay Toro, rehabilitation of Drainage Road 3 in Project 6, the West Riverside Pumping Station in Barangay Del Monte, and a flood control structure along San Francisco River in Barangay San Antonio.
Atayde said five of the seven projects were completed, while two were suspended due to pending issues.
He also visited two additional flood control projects to assess their status – one completed along Dario Creek and one suspended along Mariblo Creek.
Atayde assured to his constituents that public funds were used properly and allegations of ghost projects are “baseless”.
“The projects are not ghosts – they can be seen, touched, and are beneficial. It looks like Halloween came early for some people,” Atayde said.
He also called on those who accused him of benefiting from these projects to verify their information first.
Atayde emphasized he couldn’t benefit from these DPWH projects as they’re already in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), and he couldn’t unilaterally include them in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as he’s not a member of the bicameral conference committee.
“We all want to end corruption and jail the corrupt, but we won’t succeed if we punish the wrong people,” the lawmaker said.
He further reiterated the DPWH’s assertion that there are no ghost projects in Atayde’s district.
“The evidence speaks for itself, and the evidence speaks the truth,” Atayde said.
NEWS
COA uncovers more fraud in Bulacan flood control projects, files new reports with ICI
6:30 p.m. October 26, 2025
The Commission on Audit (COA) has submitted four additional Fraud Audit Reports to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), exposing further irregularities in flood control projects managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
These reports detail cases of mismatched sites, ghost projects, and the use of substandard materials, leading to significant public funds being misspent.
SYMS Construction Trading
Balagtas River Project (P46.35 million): Despite full payment, no real construction was found at the approved site. DPWH representatives directed COA to a different location where a structure made of unsuitable materials and exposed steel bars was observed. DPWH’s own records showed 0.00% completion.
Maycapiz-Taliptip River Project (P92.59 million): This project was reported as 100% accomplished and fully paid, yet COA found no flood control structure during inspection, labeling it a “ghost project.”
L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc. and M3 Konstract Corporation (Joint Venture)
Barangay Piel, Baliuag Project (P96.50 million): Satellite imagery revealed an existing flood control structure at the approved site even before the contract began. DPWH pointed COA to an incorrect site, where an existing structure failed to meet project specifications.
DARCY & ANNA BUILDERS & TRADING
Barangay Carillo, Hagonoy Project (P74.11 million): Despite a supposed completion date of October 3, 2024, satellite images and COA’s inspection confirmed no structure was built at the approved site.
In all cases, DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO failed to provide crucial supporting documents to COA, hindering validation of the projects.
Individuals Held Liable
Several individuals from DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO have been identified as liable, including District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, and Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto C. Galang, along with various project engineers and company representatives from the involved contractors.
Those implicated may face charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Revised Penal Code for malversation and falsification of documents, and violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
These audit findings will support the ICI’s ongoing investigation into government infrastructure project irregularities. COA Chairperson Cordoba’s directive on August 12, 2025, initiated an immediate audit of all DPWH flood control projects in Bulacan from July 1, 2022, to May 30, 2025. This new batch of reports contributes to the 25 Fraud Audit Reports already submitted to oversight bodies, reinforcing COA’s commitment to transparency and protecting public funds, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for accountability. Additional reports are expected as the audit continues.
NEWS
DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025
DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.
“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.
The Telco that Truly Takes Care of its Users
DITO’s prepaid solutions eliminate the frustration of wasted data through Level-Up Packs with ViLTE technology, making DITO the primary telco offering unlimited DITO-to-DITO HD video calls and unli mobile calls. Combined with Viber and Prime Video inclusions and flexible data packages with longer validity periods, users can now maximize their every peso without worrying about abruptly expiring data allocations.
The Telco that Offers Value-Packed Postpaid Plans
DITOFlexPlan 888 redefines what postpaid should offer—comprehensive inclusions and generous data at prices that make sense for Filipino budgets. Whether you choose SIM-only or device bundles, these plans prove that premium network performance doesn’t have to break the bank, empowering users to pursue their goals without connectivity compromises.
The Telco that Brings True 5G Home Internet Convenience
DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home connectivity effortless with a year-long unlimited connection that works when you need it. Families enjoy the convenience of reliable internet for work, study, and entertainment without the inconvenience of data top-ups and complicated installations; just network performance that simplifies your digital life at home. Just ask any of your relatives and friends who have already ditched ordinary WiFi and jumped onto WoWFi— they will tell you what you’ve been missing out on.
The Telco that Built Everything You Need in One App
The DITO App represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive digital platforms, built from the ground up to handle the entire customer journey. From SIM and load purchase to account management and a wide range of OTT apps, users enjoy complete digital control with custom special offers, DITO Rewards points, and 24/7 customer support—managing everything while earning exclusive benefits.
Rep. Atayde: No ghost projects in QC’s first district
COA uncovers more fraud in Bulacan flood control projects, files new reports with ICI
DigiPlus earns first ASEAN Golden Arrow Award for corporate governance excellence
